Original subtitles

Hyah! Hyah!

HARDIE: In my work, I meet all sorts of people.

People who look fine and decent, who aren't.

Sometimes I meet people who don't look like much and who've got bad reputations

that turn out to be all right.

Sometimes.

There's a boy on that stagecoach.

He was one of the best drivers that Wells Fargo ever had.

Then he went bad.

I sent him to the penitentiary three years ago.

That's my job.

Special investigator for Wells Fargo,

Jim Hardie. That's me.

That's him, all right.

All alone.

Told you he'd head for home as soon as you turned him loose.

He's not heading for home.

He's heading for 10,000 dollars.

You think he'll have the nerve to come home?

He'll come home.

Said so right on the postcard he wrote to his folks.

He ought to be ashamed.

Ain't he caused 'em enough trouble being sent to prison?

Why don't he just stay away?

If he's coming on that stage,

I'm hiring me a couple of good guns.

You figure he'll go to rustlin'?

What else?

Matthew was always a nice boy.

Just met up with the wrong crowd.

Could be he'd settle down, go to work

if someone'd give him a job.

Don't you try it.

We don't want no stage robbers in this town.

Excuse me.

I think you'd better go inside.

He'll need somebody to meet him.

He has his folks.

Go inside, Ella. No.

Young lady, listen to me.

Matthew Land is a thief.

There's no room here for ex-convicts.

Even if I helped to make him one?

Don't dare say such a thing. It's true.

Ever since we were kids in school

he's wanted to give me things.

Little presents, like the other boys used to bring

to the house on my birthdays.

He made my saddle, made it with his own hands.

Then when we grew older,

he knew he couldn't compete with

the Millers and the Conleys.

Not if he wanted to marry Ella Carrey.

Hyah! Hyah!

Hello, Mr. Drake.

It's been a long time.

Not long enough to suit me.

Matthew.

Don't...

We've been waiting. All of us.

So I noticed.

Aren't you going to kiss me hello?

It's nice that you ask me.

Real nice.

I guess you know how much I'd like to.

Then why don't you?

Maybe we can talk about it when we're alone.

Matthew. Hello, Mom.

Welcome home, boy.

Let's go inside.

Matthew.

Have some more coffee. Mmh.

You know, I've been dreaming about this meal for three years, Mom.

It's even better than the dreams.

What else have you been dreaming about, son?

About Ella.

Way to make a living.

My hands are getting stiff.

Can't handle leather the way I used to.

Your mom and me...

We were hoping that you'd take over the shop.

There's hardly enough money here to take care of you and mom,

let alone three of us.

I can see jobs won't be easy in Pueblo.

Does that mean you're going away?

You can try the Bar Saloon.

Mr. Miller needs a hand.

He doesn't need me.

Will you at least try?

Please, Matthew.

All right.

If that's what you want, I'll try.

Something you want, Matthew?

Yes.

I'd like a job.

I'll work for short wages.

Sorry, I'm full up.

How about you, Mr. Miller?

I don't hire ex-convicts.

Get out.

Matthew...

Anybody that puts him to work can explain it to me.

And it won't be easy.

Mr. Drake, I need a job.

I'll take any kind of work, any kind of wages.

I'd even clean out stalls if you gave me a chance.

I'll do more work than three men

and take home less than one man's pay.

You already took 10,000 dollars from Wells Fargo.

Ain't that enough?

I figured I'd paid for that with three years of my life, Mr. Drake.

Don't you think I'm entitled to another chance?

Another chance to rob one of our stages?

What kind of a fool do you take me for?

Better get out of town. You're not wanted in Pueblo.

Hello, Matthew.

I heard you were coming in today.

I can bet on that.

Good to see you.

You're not going to shake hands, huh?

I didn't like sending you to prison

any better than you liked going there.

It was my job. I had no alternative.

I hope you believe that.

I'd like to believe it, Mr. Hardie.

Thank you for saying hello.

Now I'll be saying goodbye. Where are you going?

Anywhere I can find work.

There isn't a job for me in Pueblo.

Who told you that?

I told him.

Well, I'm afraid you're mistaken, Mr. Drake.

We need a man for the Denver run.

Matthew was the best young driver Wells Fargo ever had.

You be ready to roll tomorrow morning.

You can't do that. This man is a thief.

Was a thief.

He and two other men stole 10,000 dollars.

He paid for his mistake, the other two got away.

And I see no reason why he should go on paying.

Wells Fargo isn't gonna like this.

They sent this man to prison. I sent him to prison.

I was the one who gave him the name that he's carrying now.

I think it's my duty to give him a chance

to be known as Matthew Land, Stage driver.

You may learn the Division Superintendent doesn't agree with you.

Well, why don't you wire him?

Tell him all the details.

You can bet that I will.

I don't think it will work, Mr. Hardie.

It's like the story of the old rotten apple.

Once it spoils, you better throw it away before it ruins the whole barrel.

Well, I've always felt there was a good deal of difference

between apples and people.

Yeah.

What if we just went away?

There other towns, other places where a man could make a living.

No, Matthew.

If you run now, you'll keep on running.

Wherever you go, your name will catch up with you.

If I'm wearing that name, I want to be proud of it.

You can never wear it in Pueblo. They won't let you.

You have a job and you're a good driver.

If Jim Hardie believes in you,

why can't you believe in yourself?

Well, maybe Jim Hardie believes in me.

Maybe he's just trying to get his hand on that 10,000 dollars.

How can you help him?

ELLA: I thought those other two men got away with the money.

Suppose they didn't.

And you know where it is?

Do you?

I might know.

Then you've got to give it back.

I don't see it that way.

They sent me away for three years.

Those were hard years, Ella.

I think I earned every dollar of that money in the State Penitentiary.

Now look,

if we went away and I took it with us,

I could buy a ranch, our own ranch.

I wouldn't have to ask anybody for a job.

We'd have a place to live.

We could be happy.

Then nobody'll care what my name is.

They wouldn't care if I was an ex-convict.

You can't do such a thing.

Well, why not?

If I give it back to Jim Hardie, then he won't need me

and neither will Wells Fargo.

There won't be a job for me there or any place else.

And then I'll just have nothing.

Am I nothing?

I love you.

But I want my husband to be an honest man.

Ella... Think about it, Matthew.

Yeah.

Just think about it, Matthew.

And while you're thinking about it, remember,

there are lots of pretty girls.

You ride with us and I'll show you dozens of them.

Could be I won't be riding with you.

That's all right with us.

Just so you split the 10,000.

How much time did you serve for that money?

We didn't serve any time.

And if you hadn't worried about using that gun

you wouldn't have served any.

We told you to kill the guard.

Maybe I just don't like killing.

You'll get used to it.

So, where's that strongbox?

Could be I've forgotten.

You'll remember.

Lopez here might have to work you over with that knife of his,

but you'll remember.

I wouldn't do that to Matthew.

Not when he's got a job with Wells Fargo.

When do you start?

Tomorrow.

On the Denver run.

Jim Hardie must think real well of you.

The Denver stage carries a Silver Lode payload.

And we could use that.

We might forget the 10,000 dollars, Matthew,

if you'd be willing to split the Silver Lode payroll with us.

How?

They'll have Thomson riding guard.

He's murder with that shotgun.

But if you can handle him, we'll take care of the rest.

Can you take care of Jim Hardie?

He may decide to follow me.

If he does, he'll be sorry.

We're not leaving any witnesses this time.

And that goes for Thomson too.

If you don't kill him, I will.

We'll be seeing you at Twin Peaks.

I'll think about it.

Good boy.

Don't whip him.

We want him to look pretty when he drives that stage.

And he is going to drive it.

I told you to keep out of sight.

We don't want him to see there is four of us.

Right now he can't see anything.

What's our play?

They don't know Bater or me in Pueblo.

We'll check things in the morning just to be sure.

We'll meet you at Twin Peaks before the stage arrives.

If Thomson is still riding guard, use your rifle.

What about the passengers?

I'll take care of them. Now get going.

I hear Matthew is taking the stage to Denver today.

Is that true?

Yes, it is.

Any objections?

Not from me, Jim.

I like the boy.

Always did like that boy.

There ain't none of us that didn't make one mistake in our youth.

You're right about that, Zeb.

Every man is entitled to a second chance.

HARDIE: It's what he does with that second chance that counts.

Matthew won't let you down.

I wouldn't be too sure about that.

You don't have to be.

He's not working for you.

Or for the Triangular Bar either.

He's working for Wells Fargo.

Thanks to you, we have an ex-convict living here in Pueblo.

Before long he'll bring his friends, then we'll all be in trouble.

What friends?

There were three men who robbed that stage.

You sent one to jail, but you didn't catch the other two.

And Matthew didn't tell you who they are.

No, he didn't.

Did he tell you what happened to the 10,000 dollars.

He didn't say anything.

He was sentenced to three years in the penitentiary.

He's paid his debt to society.

From where I stand, he's as good as any man in this room.

And a whole lot better than some.

Telling me I'm no better than an ex-convict?

I don't have to take that from you.

That's right. You don't.

You talk pretty big, wearing a gun.

But it comes off as easy as it goes on.

You mind this for me, Zeb?

You've been tricked, Jim. He's hard with his hands, and watch his feet.

Looks like Hardie's backing the kid all the way.

Like the man says,

everybody makes one mistake.

Nice fight, mister.

Thank you.

You don't know what this means to me, Mr. Hardie.

You just don't know.

Unless my eyes deceive me, it may mean a husband.

Good luck, Matthew.

Fine girl.

Anything you want to tell me before you leave, boy?

No. Nothing to say.

Good luck to you. See you when you get back.

Not making the ride with us?

Any reason why I should?

That's a... pretty heavy payroll

we're taking to Denver.

You got Thomson riding shotgun.

I don't see why you need me.

No, I won't need you, Mr. Hardie.

All right. Good luck to you.

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Hoo up now! Hoo! Hoo!

My brake shoe's dragging.

Pulling the team down.

All right, put down that shotgun.

You dirty little double-crosser!

I ought to make you kill me.

Throw it away. Far as you can.

Now the pistol. With your left hand.

Nice and easy.

Throw it.

Jim Hardie was the only man in town

willing to give you a second chance.

And you crossed him.

How low can you get?

Step down.

Hey, what's going on up there?

Tell your passengers to get out.

Stay where I can see you.

All right, step out, folks.

I got a thief with a gun looking down my neck.

Close the door.

Hyah!

Well, shoot him! Kill him!

I'd like to, mister.

But a shotgun won't travel that far.

He's alone with the box.

There are no passengers.

Guess he's learned how to kill.

Yeah. Let's go.

Hardie!

Hey, Hardie.

Hey, you're a little late, Jim.

Matthew lifted the payroll.

Think you can catch him?

Maybe I won't have to.

Nice work.

Climb down and bring the strongbox with you.

We got your horse waiting in the rocks.

I won't be needing the horse.

You mean you're gonna ride the stage into Denver?

That's right.

And the strongbox is going with me.

Thought you didn't like to kill.

I don't. That's why you're still alive.

If I see you again, I'll kill you both.

Hyah! Hah!

Hyah!

Give me that shotgun, Thomson.

I thought Matthew could handle two men, but he can't handle four.

Hah!

Hah!

- Slow down, Matthew. - It's all over now.

Ho!

Well, you didn't trust me, did you?

Why do you say that?

Why did you follow me?

I wasn't following you, Matthew.

Carried these wanted posters of Bater and Lopez for a long time

Saw them in town and followed them,

hoping they'd lead me to the 10,000 dollars.

None of that money ever showed up, you know?

Turn that team around,

go back to pick up Thomson and the other passengers.

Then take the stage on into Denver.

Hyah! Hyah!

Well, as Division Superintendent,

I have never interfered in your work before, Jim, but...

This time I think you've gone too far.

Drake here tells me that despite his protests

you put Matthew Land on

as driver for the Denver run.

That's right.

And you knew that that stage was carrying the Silver Lode payroll.

Yes, I did.

And it arrived on time.

Well, that's because you were following the stage.

Matthew was talking to those men,

probably trying to make a deal.

When you rode in, he tried to make it look like a hold-up.

Denver wired me a report of the two passengers.

But it's too bad you didn't read my report.

I was a whole lot closer to the action.

Mathew wanted a showdown with Bater and Lopez,

but he didn't want to endanger the lives of the passengers.

He didn't know about the other two men.

Neither did I.

That's why I waited.

To give the boy a chance to work out his own problems.

He was willing to put his life on the line.

I was willing to go along with it.

It's as simple as that.

DRAKE: Well, there is still 10,000 dollars to be accounted for.

Money that Wells Fargo had to make good when it was stolen.

Forty-five minutes late.

The case isn't closed just yet.

But it is a whole lot closer to being closed now than it ever has been.

Sorry I'm late coming back from Denver, sir.

I had to make a stop on my way.

That belongs to Wells Fargo. What is it?

It's 10,000 dollars.

I'll bet my life on that.

You know, for a while, I actually thought it belonged to me.

I thought I'd earned it by spending three years of hard labor in a state prison.

I was wrong.

I was just paying my debt to being a thief.

Well, you're not a thief now, boy.

You're working for Wells Fargo.

Wouldn't you say so, Mr. Monroe.

Everything's all right.

Mr. Hardie. Thank you.