Original subtitles

The coffee will be ready in a minute.

Pull up a chair.

Your cup's waitin'.

I've heard you coming up the trail

for the past half hour.

You must have good ears.

Good ears, good hands, good heart.

The liver isn't much, though.

The name's Fairweather.

You don't say.

Funny name, isn't it?

Well, it's a name.

I, uh, didn't get yours.

Like I said, you got good ears.

I'll just call you "mister. "

I don't believe in prying into folks' business.

Name is Cruze.

Well...

now we're old friends.

Helps out here. It's a lonely place.

Where you heading?

No place in particular.

So am I.

Taking sort of a geographical cure.

For your health?

You might call it that.

Any objections to riding together a spell?

No objections now.

If any come up, I'll let you know.

Fine.

It makes the miles pass quickly

when two men are talkative...

or even one.

How about a little acey-duecey, Mr. Cruze?

No, thanks.

Casino? Fan Ten? One-Eyed Jacks?

Nope.

Rummy then?

You got more than a bum liver.

You got a one-track mind.

Oh, I don't know.

Some men get their kicks out of women,

others whiskey.

Me?

I like cards.

You handle 'em like you knew how.

Come by it naturally.

The age of six, my father taught me to play rummy.

Cost him $300 before dark.

Ma liked to have died laughing.

By the time I was 12, I was so famous

that no one would sit in a game with me,

not for long, anyway.

Well, there's always solitaire.

Hate solitaire.

Always wind up cheating either myself... or me.

Don't get in any shooting scrapes.

One of you is liable to get killed.

It's odd you mentioning a shooting scrape over cards.

Back there a-piece, they just had a big one last week.

Is that so?

Three men shot by some tinhorn.

The marshal got him, locked him up.

Didn't do any good, though.

The townsfolk called him out

and had themselves a first-class necktie party.

Glad I didn't stick around to see it.

Oh, not that I'm squeamish

or anything like that, understand.

It's just that I'm against lynching.

I'm all for law.

What law?

I don't quite get you.

I said "What law?"

Law is something on paper,

and paper is something you wrap meat in.

Don't move.

I said don't move.

I wasn't aiming at you, Mr. Cruze.

It's only a blacksnake.

It could have been a sidewinder.

Thanks, Fairweather.

As soon as we hit Morrow Pine, I'll buy you a drink.

Just for shooting a harmless snake?

No, my friend,

for not shooting me.

Hi, Hank.

Howdy, boys. What's your pleasure?

Well, the whiskey you serve here ain't no pleasure.

The only guarantee I ever give

is that you don't turn blue. Ha ha.

I got a good one for you.

Rancher by the name of Williams

lives just south of here, across the county line.

He's got 100 head of choice calves,

and they haven't even been branded yet.

They will be.

That'll be 60 cents for the drinks, boys.

Ah.

Here, keep the change.

Thank you.

Come on. The first drink's on me.

In a minute.

First, I have to sell the buckskin and saddle.

That's all you own.

It'll stake me to a new career.

How are you gonna get out of town

in case the cards don't run your way?

Poker, my friend, is a game of skill.

Fairweather.

Yeah, it is. Well, what do you know!

You, uh, have me at a disadvantage, friend.

I don't- El Paso. You remember.

I've been there.

We sat in the same red dog game.

Played it once or twice.

In fact, I may even have invented the game.

You beat me out of $500, you dirty tinhorn,

but you made a mistake and left the deck.

Impossible. You have the wrong man, mister.

Cough up, squirt!

I don't owe you anything.

And even if I did, I'm tapped out.

It's my slack season.

Then I'll take your saddle and what's under it.

Not today, friend.

Cruze, behind you!

Be a good boy.

Don't make me deal a hand on your head.

On your feet.

Fairweather, get their guns.

Empty 'em and then give 'em back.

Who are these apes anyway?

Just apes. Can't seem to place them.

But then the only card players I remember

are those who have cleaned me.

Their name's Moran. They're brothers.

Faces like those you see on reward posters.

What'd you butt in for?

That dirty tinhorn cheated me out of $500.

You don't look like you ever had $500.

You're asking for real trouble, mister.

Good.

Should we start all over again? Yeah.

Just stick around town a while.

Fairweather, now you owe me a drink.

My pleasure.

Nice friend to have. Where's he from?

Uh, Independence, Missouri.

1536 East Maple Street, upstairs, in the rear.

I asked you where he was from.

Friend, I've made it a rule

never to ask people where they've been,

only where they're going.

Would you be interested in buying a saddle?

Do I understand you aim to sell this gear?

This gear?

Well, maybe I do and maybe I don't.

This saddle belonged to my old pappy.

Of course he's dead now,

doesn't have much use for it anymore.

However, I don't suppose it would do any harm

if you'd care to examine the workmanship.

Marvin Booth's my name.

I own the Mile Pine Hotel.

Mine's Cruze.

I own this shirt and those two horses out there.

Mind if I join you?

Bartender? Another glass.

I'm also the mayor here.

You're a busy man.

I'll be brief with you, Cruze.

I don't know what your background is,

but this town's shy a marshal.

We're willing to pay a hundred a month.

Pretty good money.

What happened to the last one?

Found it more profitable to break the law than enforce it.

And now you're willing to appoint me

just because I knocked a few heads together.

I could be wrong about you,

but I don't think so.

I had a taste of being marshal in another town

just like this.

The jail had two doors.

For my money, it was one door too many.

I don't understand.

It's a little embarrassing when you lock a man up

and meet him an hour later on the street.

I turned in my badge.

It'll be a cold day before I take another.

I promise you it'll be different here.

I won't lie to you, Cruze.

This town isn't heaven, either.

We've had lawlessness in the past,

and we'll probably have more, maybe a lot more,

if we can't find a decent marshal.

You'll find him.

Just keep throwing those badges around.

So you honestly feel that what you did was right,

walking out when the going got tough,

when you were needed most.

Watching you handle those Morans gave me the idea

that you were the man that we need.

Well, I guess I made a mistake.

Morning, Marshal.

Morning, Fairweather.

I thought you sold that saddle.

Oh, I did, but I got it back.

You know, he was the unluckiest man I've ever seen,

couldn't even pair.

Who was dealing?

Why, he was. I just cut.

You know, I've had a lot of complaints

about the way you've been operating, Fairweather.

Oh, losers always complain.

It's a cross the men of talent must bear.

Yeah, you're talented all right.

The ten days we've been in town,

you've made quite a dent.

Oh, it's been nothing.

Just sort of feeling out the market.

You know, I'm glad the mayor talked you into staying.

If you think knowing me

is going to do you any good, Fairweather,

better draw another card.

Why, I wasn't referring to our mutual affection, Marshal.

I wouldn't trade on that.

It's just that this is such a nice town.

Prosperous and clean.

Just don't try to make it any cleaner.

You know, I've always dreamed of settling down

in a town like this and retiring.

I'd build myself a beautiful white-framed house

with a lovely garden out back.

Never touch a deck again.

Oh, I've drawn the plans, I guess, a hundred times.

A very generous-sized parlor

with maybe just two tables,

one for draw and one for stud.

And my dealers,

they'd be nice, refined gentlemen,

if you know what I mean.

Listen, Fairweather,

I'm not the least bit interested

in your vine-covered gambling joint.

I'm interested in keeping a low mortality rate in this town.

So get this and get it straight:

anymore squawks

and you'll be inside looking out.

Why, Marshal, don't you believe in free enterprise?

*

Hyah!

Hyah!

Hyah!

You got to help us, Marshal.

This cattle rustling's out of hand.

The varmints are cleaning out ranches in every county.

Me and the missus are about out of business.

A hundred head's a mighty tough loss for anyone, Mr. Williams.

Did you say the trail led to Morrow Pine?

I said I thought it led here.

Couldn't be sure, though,

with the rain washing out the tracks.

Any ideas, Cruze?

I haven't seen the Moran brothers around town lately.

Could be they're mixing business with pleasure.

Yeah, you might have something there.

I wouldn't put cattle rustling past them.

You wouldn't know where they hang their hats, would you?

Well, there's been some talk about them

hanging around the Downing Ranch,

up the North Road about five miles.

Keep the shop open while I'm gone, Mr. Tuttle.

I'll do what I can for you, Mr. Williams.

Thanks, Marshal, be mighty grateful.

*

You're on private property, mister.

What do you want?

A new hat.

This one cost me $5.

You're lucky it was only your hat.

You must be Charlotte Downing.

That's right.

My brother Cass and I own this place.

It's quite a herd you got down there, Miss Downing.

What would it be? About a thousand head?

You figuring on buying some, Marshal?

Looks like you've got some to sell.

I've been asking a few questions of folks in these parts,

and they tell me you only own about 150 head.

What business is that of yours?

It is my business.

What's the matter? That tin badge gone to your head?

I didn't come here for a rematch.

I just want to check your stock, Downing.

I want to see if it's healthy...

and I want to see if it's yours.

That herd's his all right,

and some of them are ours.

Brought 'em in from El Paso.

Then you won't object if I ride down there

and take a look at their brands.

You got a warrant, Marshal?

Yeah, what about that?

You're a lawman.

That means you got to be legal.

Looks like you boys have something to hide.

I'll get the warrant...

and I'll be back.

He's liable to be troublesome.

Yeah, I looked real hard.

I didn't see any price tag, either.

He can be had real cheap.

Yeah? Just a penny's worth of lead.

What do you say we spend it?

Gad, get some help and drill some neat holes

in that warrant he mentioned.

That's out, Tray.

I stood still for stolen cattle but not for murder.

Shut up, Downing.

You make noises like you had some choice.

I don't think they meant it.

You didn't think they'd fatten

stolen cattle on our land, either.

We're in so deep with them, we couldn't get out.

That was different.

Cass.

Cass...

you knew what they were up to

when they first came to us

with the proposition, didn't you?

We were failing, weren't we?

We were in danger of losing the whole place.

So it's true.

We weren't duped by them.

We're common thieves.

I am, Charlotte, not you.

Oh, please, sis, what's- what's done is done.

I can't change it.

Why can't you?

Because I owe the Morans money.

$3,000.

$3,000?

Well, how did you think I was keeping the payments up on this place?

You've got to pay them back, Cass.

With what, promises?

There must be some way you can raise the money?

Believe me, I've tried, Charlotte, everywhere.

You've got to keep on trying.

Okay, sis.

I'll ride into town and see what I can do.

Get my horse, Alfredo.

Señorita.

When the señorita worries, Juan and Alfredo worry also.

Thanks, Juan.

It's a long time since we seen the señorita smile.

This used to be such a happy place,

before those Morans come here.

Well, welcome to the local lockup, Miss Downing.

I'm honored.

You needn't be.

I only came here to warn you you're in danger.

Why, is it possible someone dislikes me?

Very possible.

Who's writing my obituary?

The Morans.

You're a threat to them.

And the only way they know how to stop a threat

is with a bullet.

Why are you telling me this?

I have a reason.

Tell me the reason,

and I'll know just how grateful I should be.

My brother and I are in trouble.

With the law or with the Morans?

Both.

You must realize, Miss Downing,

that if I'm after the Morans for stealing cattle,

I'm also after your brother.

As far as I know, he's in it with them.

Cass realizes his mistake.

He wants to quit.

And they won't let him.

Maybe I can talk to them in another language.

You will go easy on Cass,

won't you, Marshal?

They're not paying me to go easy

on anyone who breaks the law, Miss Downing.

Thanks for the warning.

I appreciate your interest in my welfare.

This is made to order for us.

Luke, get up in that tower.

Red, get in that barn.

Violence already, Marshal?

Yeah, they tried to dry gunner.

These two men working for you, Downing?

No. Why should you ask that?

One of their horses is carrying your brand.

We sell a lot of horses under our brand.

Never seen him before?

No.

Not even riding with the Morans?

I don't remember.

Maybe when I serve this search warrant on you tomorrow,

it'll improve your memory.

Hear you dug up a couple of customers for me, Marshal.

Are they hot or cold?

Well! Cold... and a pair.

Well, that's more than I got playing poker with him this afternoon.

Sorry to spoil your game, Doc.

That's quite all right, Marshal.

Here, boys, take these cadavers out of here.

Oh, Mr. Booth?

Nice boy, Cass Downing.

Played cards with him.

His hands are full of calluses.

Tries to grow them on his conscience, too.

He does a bad job.

Some trouble? Plenty.

The Morans have him on a hook.

Wish I knew how he plans to wriggle free.

There's been enough killing.

Which reminds me, are you doing what I told you?

Oh, you mean about my Derringer?

Sure thing, Marshal.

I check it with the bartender every morning.

Makes me feel kind of naked, though.

Well, you won't catch cold.

There'll be no carrying of concealed weapons

while I'm marshal in this town.

Mr. Booth.

About that $3,000, you said-

I told you I'd think it over.

I have, Downing.

I've decided you're a bad risk.

Are we supposed to believe the marshal's

made out of cast iron?

That bullets bounce off him?

Next time don't send a boy to do a man's job.

Don't talk like that, Hort.

I might forget you're my brother.

Shut up, both of you!

The lawman was just lucky today.

Next time, we'll get him.

Why wait?

We know he's aiming to come out and search this place.

So let him come? What's he gonna find?

The boys just finished changing the brands on the last 50 head.

It's the kid I'm thinking about.

He's been hot as a firecracker lately.

He won't open his yap if he knows what's good for him.

That's just it.

Does he know what's good for him?

Trying to raise that money he owes us

means he wants to end our beautiful friendship.

I wouldn't worry about that.

Last time I saw him, he was headed for the saloon.

He ain't gonna raise no 3,000 there.

Probably not, but you never can tell.

Money might start growing on trees.

Well, what are we gonna do?

Light a fuse.

Firecrackers explode.

Make it another double, Charlie.

Glad to.

That shootin' ruined the night's business.

Might as well make two customers

out of the one I've got.

How about a little penny-ante, Downing,

just to pass the time?

Penny-ante game isn't gonna do me any good.

That whiskey isn't gonna do you any good, either.

Come on, kid.

Care to deal?

Doesn't matter.

Oh, but it does.

No matter what happens,

war or peace, boom or slump,

it's always important who deals.

Cut.

There he is, getting another lesson in fancy shufflin'.

Yeah. Gives me an idea.

We better complete his education.

Howdy, gents. What'll it be?

Drinkin' whiskey.

Hey, isn't that the tinhorn's pop-gun up there?

The Derringer? Yeah.

He checked it with me like the marshal ordered.

Let me see it.

Looks like a toy,

but it fires two.38s plenty hard at close range.

Just in case school lets out early.

Well, if it isn't our little landlord.

Trying to win $3,000?

We, uh, heard you's a little short of cash,

so we've been out trying to borrow it for you.

Can't win a steak in a penny-ante game. Take you a hundred years.

We're through, you understand?

I didn't think you'd go that far,

but that only proves how wrong a guy can be.

I don't know what you're talking about, Downing.

You want me to make it plainer?

Take it easy. Take it easy.

What we do, we do.

It's nothing for you to worry about.

All you got to worry about

is that $3,000 you owe us...

and that's all, understand?

I'll get the money.

I don't know how, but I'll get it.

And when I do, I'll let the marshal pay it to you.

Oh, that wouldn't be very smart.

Look, Downing,

you don't want us on the ranch anymore, right?

Right, and you can take the cattle.

I don't want any part of 'em.

So here's what we do.

We play one hand of poker.

If I lose, you get the 3,000,

you can pay us back and we'll go.

If you lose, we get the ranch and you go.

The 3,000 I owe you against the ranch?

Kinda interesting, huh?

You're on.

But who's gonna deal?

Let the tinhorn.

He don't stand to win or lose,

so he won't be pulling from anywhere but the top.

I don't know.

That's a pretty big deal.

Go on, tinhorn, shuffle 'em.

What's the matter, kid?

You look like you had your bags packed already.

Cards, son?

I'll take three.

The kids says he buys three.

I'll take three, and make 'em good.

Tough luck, kid. You lose. Three kings.

Full House, Moran. I'm free of you.

Yeah.

Pretty lucky.

But don't run away with that money.

You owe it to us, remember?

You'll get it, Moran.

Through the marshal like I told you.

I don't suppose anyone will want to claim this.

I will.

But how it got off the bartender's rack

and crawled over here, you'll have to ask him.

How about it, Charlie?

I wouldn't know.

The tinhorn and I were alone in here

when I went out the back to the storeroom to get a case of rye.

Maybe it took a walk then.

You should know that I didn't do it.

He didn't do it? Ha! How do you like that?

The kid was shot in the back.

So it had to come from where you're sitting.

Sure. We're all witnesses.

That's the tinhorn's money.

The kid was taking him plenty

That's a lie.

Charlie, pick up that money.

Sure, Marshal.

Fairweather, all the evidence points to you.

I'm locking you up.

But I'm telling you, Marshal, that when the shot was fired-

Tell it to the judge and the jury.

Have the doc take care of the body.

What do we need a trial for?

Let's string the skunk up right now.

Fairweather's in custody.

When the Circuit Judge gets here, he'll be tried.

Any man who makes a move to lynch him, I'll kill.

Come on, boys, give me a hand with the body.

In the cell, Fairweather.

Book him on suspicion of murder.

Amuse yourself.

Thanks. I'll tell my fortune.

Maybe the cards know what the future holds.

Don't you want me to make a statement?

You've already made it.

Yes, but who will believe me with this face?

It's been the bane of my existence.

I'm not capable of anything.

The only thing I'm really guilty of

is trying to help the kid.

I figured I'd throw him a bone

so he could pay off the Morans.

That bone entered his back and came out his chest.

That one I didn't throw.

I've done a lot of things in my life,

but I've never raised my hand

against a fellow human being.

Unless, of course, it held cards.

What are the odds for conviction?

I wouldn't know.

Well, with just this circumstantial evidence,

I'd say it's, uh, eight to five for acquittal,

under ordinary conditions, that is, but...

I'm a gambler...

and a stranger.

I'd say it's less than even money.

Well, you'll have two weeks to take bets.

Circuit Judge will be here the first of the month.

Figure out whether you hang or not?

This tres of spades keeps haunting me.

Shown up three times.

Yeah? What does it mean?

Could mean Tray Moran.

Are you trying to say that Tray Moran had Downing killed?

It was my gun but their money.

I had no reason to shoot the boy.

You believe me?

I'm just one man.

The law says there has to be 12.

Gets worse all the time.

I doubt if there are 12 men in town I haven't cleaned.

Miss Downing.

I suppose you've brought the warrant.

Well, it doesn't matter now.

The stolen cattle are all out there on the range.

This was your brothers. He won it last night.

$3,000.

What good is this now without Cass?

I remember the day we moved onto this place.

Things were pretty rundown.

But that didn't bother us much.

In fact, it was sort of a challenge.

Figured how we'd mend all those fences,

paint the sheds,

run in some good breeding stock.

And then maybe five years,

rebuild the house.

But that was before the Morans showed up,

talked Cass into a shortcut.

You've got to forget about all this and start over again.

You've got quite a job to rebuild this ranch.

How can I?

I'm as guilty as the Morans.

I don't think so.

I don't think you knew what they were up to.

You'll be my witness and testify against them.

She'll testify against nobody.

You must be getting lonesome for your brother.

To protect my little business,

I'm willing to spend another bullet.

You're under arrest for grand larceny, Moran.

Come on.

*

It's the marshal, and he's got Tray.

Hold it.

You might miss him and get Tray.

Let's force him into those rocks.

That'll give Tray a chance to pull away.

Head for those rocks and do it quick!

Get moving, Moran!

Let's separate! We'll get 'em in a pocket!

Let's get out of here!

Señor Marshal, we've come to help.

La Señorita send us.

Thanks. You got here in the nick of time.

Señor, we must go back to the rancho quick.

Lead the way.

The whole thing's getting red hot.

Just don't think about it. It's only the middle link.

As soon as it's hot enough, I can crack it open.

Think about the marshal.

I had plenty of time to think when I was the marshal's guest!

Don't let it cool, Tray. Set it down.

We missed a lot of chances with him

just because we didn't use our heads!

Well, we better start using our heads now.

We can't go back to the ranch. We can't go back to town.

How are we gonna get that 1,000 head off the ranch?

We can't with the marshal breathing down our necks!

Go on, keep talking. It helps.

Well, I was thinking, we...

we gotta set this thing up right, once and for all.

If we...

If we spring his little friend out of jail,

we take the tinhorn away from him,

the marshal will come to us,

and we'll be waiting for him.

There. Wasn't too bad, was it?

Didn't feel a thing. Thanks, Doctor.

Not at all.

I'm glad my boys got to you in time.

I'd have been a sitting duck if they hadn't.

Gracias, amigos. A pleasure, señor.

It was nothing, señor.

I better be getting back.

Don't you think you'd better spend the night at the ranch?

I can't spare the time. I've got to raise a posse.

The Morans may try to make a run for it tonight.

They won't leave, not before they sell that herd of stolen cattle.

Can you prove they're stolen cattle?

Not just hearsay but actual proof?

I've seen them changing brands.

That ought to be enough.

Would you ride into town tonight with me

and make that statement before the mayor?

I...

I don't know.

Look, you'll be helping to prove

that one of the Morans shot your brother.

I'll be ready in five minutes.

Gad, get Charlie.

This is gonna be just like shooting fish in a barrel.

We're taking Fairweather out of here

and up to Vulture's Nest.

Gad told me. What do you want from me?

You make sure the marshal follows us,

that's what you can do for us.

How do I do that? You figure that out...

if you want a big cut of the payoff.

How big?

Fourth cut of a thousand head.

You know I'll figure out something.

Gad, stay with the horses. This won't take long.

All right, Tuttle, settle down.

You got a key to these bracelets?

Sure, Mr. Moran- Get it!

All right, but I'll get in plenty trouble for this.

You're in plenty trouble now, Tuttle.

You look pretty good in there, tinhorn.

How do you like it?

Better and better.

Oh, no, Tuttle. These go with me.

Now the key to the cell.

We're taking your guest along with us.

I can't, Mr. Moran! Get the keys!

Please! What'll I say when they find him gone?

You won't say a word, Tuttle.

Not a word.

Uhh!

Outside, tinhorn.

And they call the Indians savages?

Hold it, Hort.

I'm gonna set up the evidence.

This one's gonna be airtight.

Come on, let's go.

Hyah!

What's your report, Doc?

Death by rifle shot.

He'd have died anyway from the skull fracture.

You have my deepest sympathy, Mrs. Tuttle.

Ben Tuttle was a kind man.

Too gentle for a job like this.

That fiend in the cell

must have found him easy to fool.

Found you easy to fool, too, didn't he, Marshal?

I'm afraid the evidence indicates

that the man you believed innocent of one murder

has committed two.

Is the body just as you found it?

Yes, sir. It looks like the prisoner grabbed him,

pulled him into the bars, took his rifle away from him,

caved in his skull with the butt of it,

then shot him for good measure.

That kind of hangs it on your pal Fairweather, don't it, Marshal?

He was no pal of mine.

You rode into town together.

And if you ask me, it was mighty funny

you being out of town when he made this getaway.

I'd like to get a posse of eight men.

Eight men to go after one tinhorn gambler?

No, Charlie, I'm going after the Morans.

You believe the Morans are implicated in this crime, Marshal?

Yes, and in all the cattle rustling going on around here,

and the murder of Cass Downing.

Don't believe it, folks.

This man's trying to blame innocent people

for his own pal's crime

I'm betting he fixed the whole thing.

Sure looks like it to me.

Me, too.

Now just a minute, all of you!

I brought proof of what I'm saying.

It's true.

The Morans forced themselves onto our ranch

to graze the cattle they stole from you.

My brother strung along with them for a while.

Then when he tried to get out of it,

they killed him.

But, Marshal, I can't see

what the Morans want with Fairweather.

It's simply this, Mr. Mayor.

They wanted to make sure

that he'd be blamed for both killings.

They're expecting me to come after them

to bring Fairweather back.

and that's exactly what I intend to do, ride into their trap.

I'll bring a posse to spring a trap of our own.

Now who'll be the first to volunteer?

Don't look at me, Marshal. I've got a wife and kids.

Me, too. I don't hanker to shoot it out with nobody,

especially Tray Moran.

Well, Mr. Mayor?

I'm sorry, Marshal.

This is a peace-loving community.

I can't send these good people

out to get themselves killed.

That's right, Mayor. It's his job.

That's what he was hired for.

All right, I'll go alone,

but not for this peace-loving community.

I'll go for my own self-respect.

Make him turn back his badge, Mr. Mayor!

Yeah. Yeah.

You're just like the people in the last town.

They wanted law and order, too,

but they didn't have the guts to back it up.

I'm sorry, Marshal.

I'll have to ask you for your badge.

Not a chance, Mayor.

I gave up the last one, but this one I'm keeping,

at least for this one job.

There's bound to be some gunplay,

and I don't want your good citizens

to charge me with murder.

You ain't fooling nobody.

You're just riding out to hook up

with the tinhorn gambler friend of yours,

not the Morans.

I believe in you, if it helps any.

Well, it sure does.

I wish you'd let them have that badge.

I hate to see you go on such a dangerous job.

I owe it to Fairweather.

He left this card for me on his bunk in his cell.

Tres of spades.

He named it Tray Moran last night

while he was telling his fortune.

He knew I'd understand and try to help him.

Don't try it alone. Let's go back to the ranch first.

Juan and Alfredo can ride with you.

Thanks, but two men are not enough to do any good.

It's better alone unless you can go in on real strength.

It's one of those times I wish I were a man.

It's a time I'm special glad you're not.

Just make sure you come back, will you?

I'll be back.

My luck can't be that bad, not now.

So long.

Adios.

This isn't according to Hoyle, you know?

The condemned man is entitled to a good breakfast.

Who said you're condemned?

We saved your life, didn't we?

Right now you'd be no good to us dead.

Eat your grub and shut up.

I can still swallow a lot easier

with some of my good coffee.

No fires until we know how we stand.

Expecting someone?

Yeah, Charlie.

Charlie.

Would that be the bartender

who slipped you the Derringer I checked with him?

Pretty slick deal, wasn't it?

Sure got you measured for a new necktie.

You're exposing your hand, Moran.

I don't mind.

Figures like this.

When Charlie tells us the marshal's got himself a posse,

we'll hightail up a trail

over them mountains for new country.

Leaving that big herd of yours behind,

eating the Downing grass?

That's right, and you, too.

But not eating any grass, just lying in it.

It looks like the case card is mine.

The marshal's made a lot of boosters

back there at Morrow Pine.

He won't have any trouble raising a posse.

Well, I figure different.

The way we set up the evidence,

he can't have many friends left.

Well, as much as I hate betting

against my own chances,

five will get you ten, it's a posse.

You're faded.

This is one bet I hope I lose.

You won't last much longer if the marshal comes lone-handed.

Yeah. That's right.

We take this right-hand trail here to a spot

we know where dry-gulching your friend will be duck soup.

We lay you out close by so folks will think

you and him shot it out all alone.

Then we go get our steers and trail herd 'em to market.

I have to hand it to you, Moran.

It takes brains to be as complete a skunk as that.

Don't trifle with your luck, sucker.

You forget, that's my profession.

Rider coming.

I can tell by your grin

things worked out our way.

Slick as a whistle.

The marshal tried to put the blame on you boys,

but I got the citizens so steamed up

they wouldn't even ride with him to a Sunday School picnic.

Where's Cruze now.

'Bout a mile or two back, and he's coming single-o.

But he won't know which one of the two trails to take.

Yeah? Well, I'll mark it for him so he can't miss it.

You better start back.

And keep out of the marshal's way.

I'll go after him.

I'll circle around him through the woods.

So long, boss.

Don't play it too close. That Cruze is dynamite.

I know.

We're gonna explode him out in the open

where he can't hurt nobody.

All right, let's go.

Hyah! Hyah!

Where you going so fast?

I thought you were a highwayman.

What are you doing way up here?

I take a gallop every morning.

Bartending's sort of confining.

Not nearly as confining as where you're headed.

Playing games with the Morans, huh?

Me and the Morans playmates?

Why, Marshal, whatever give you an idea like that?

Quit stalling.

You've just been up there to see them.

I followed your trail to where you picked up their tracks.

Prints of four horses, fresh prints,

not over two hours old.

A lot of people take that trail to the hills.

Yeah, and I know two who are

going back up there right now: you and me.

Get bunkered. But what for, Marshal?

I'm going to pick up the Morans,

and I may need you to help.

You won't need your gun, Marshal.

I never pack one, never.

Yeah, I know. Neither do weasels.

Now get going!

Yes, sir.

I used to be as handy with a frying pan

as I am with a deck of cards.

Why, my Crepe Suzettes were the talk of San Antoine.

You got a lot of happy lip for a guy

who isn't gonna live much longer.

If I live until you personally get the marshal,

I'll die of old age, nitwit.

You tinhorn, I owe you one,

and this is a lot harder than a deck of cards.

Call off your dog, Moran, before I burn the bacon.

Lay off the cook, Hort. I'm hungry.

Yeah, you're hungry,

so I got to let this sidewinder call me names.

Get on down to that lookout we picked.

If you're that trigger happy,

you can have first crack at the marshal.

And I got first on you, too.

I'm laying nine to two you never exercise the option.

If I knew what that meant, I'd take the bet.

Vulture's Nest.

Good name for a Moran campsite.

I wouldn't know.

Looks like those handcuffs they left for me on the back trail

were an invitation to breakfast.

Get off your horse.

You ain't figuring on walking me way up there?

Now I'm getting tired of your company.

Take off that coat.

Take it off!

What's the idea anyway?

Quit kicking.

Didn't I pick a nice shady tree for you?

I'll be back to take you to the town lockup.

You got nothing on me.

I will have...

or I won't be back at all.

You know, killing a cook as good as you

is gonna be a crime.

Then why commit a crime?

Tray!

Charlie's on the up trail coming back!

Bring him on up!

That's funny. I wonder what's gone wrong.

Maybe there's a posse coming.

I, uh, could win my bet after all.

Hi, Charlie. What brought you back?

One yell and you'll be waking up in the devil's cookhouse.

Get up that trail. No tricks.

Stand where you are. Get your hands high.

Hello, Marshal.

You looked so good in Charlie's fancy clothes,

I didn't know you.

Yeah, he fooled me 'til he fell off a horse on me.

Come for a sociable visit, Marshal?

I've come to put all three of you under arrest.

Why, Marshal,

you talk like you've had the drop on us.

Well, he's got the drop on me, and he means business!

You heard your brother, Tray.

You, too, Gad.

One move and Hort goes.

What are you gonna do after that, Marshal,

against the two of us and no shield in front of you?

Before my shield hits the ground,

there'll only be one of you left.

Then the odds will be even.

Seems to me like you got a bear by the tail

and can't let go, Marshal.

Gad, let's me and you spread out sidewise.

If he gets Hort, you take the tinhorn

and leave Cruze to me.

Take one step, either one of you,

and Hort's done for.

Do like he says. He means it, I tell you.

Make your play, Marshal. Arrest us.

Fairweather, I'm making you my deputy.

I'll be happy to join you.

Where's his tin badge, Marshal?

Get their guns. Tray Moran's first.

Now we both got a shield, Marshal.

You shoot Hort, and I drop your deputy.

You wouldn't like that, now, would you?

Innocent little gambler who never shot nothing

but a spare ace up his cuff.

You making a confession, Moran?

Why not? This won't get father than these rocks.

And now I'm gonna force your hand.

Gad,

start shifting to one side

where you can get a clear shot at the marshal.

Don't do it! He'll shoot me!

I'm right sorry, Hort,

but it's better me and Gad got away

than all three of us hang.

Play your hand, Marshal.

Don't let what happens to me stop you.

I'll take the gamble,

raise them your whole stack.

Get moving!

But I'll be killing Hort.

That's just too bad! Get moving!

Quit stalling! Get on with it!

Uhh!

Uhh!

Uhh!

I got so worried about you, I couldn't wait in town.

Well, it's a little late,

but I got my posse after all.

He didn't need one.

With me as his deputy...

Fairweather's completely vindicated.

He's a free man.

Well, congratulations.

From the looks of things, that's more than I can say for the marshal.

I'm laying three to one he's in for life.

Ah! This will make the señorita very happy.

And the señor, too, hmm?

Fairweather, take over.

Right.

Well, let's head for town, boys.

I'll incarcerate these culprits,

and then how about a little acey-deucey, hmm?

*