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♪♪

Thank you.

Well, I'm on my way.

I sure don't envy you this trip.

Well, it's something that has to be done, we know that.

Now, Joe, if it's just hard times,

you tell Tom and Ellie to come right back here.

There's always a place for them on the Ponderosa. All right.

I hope that's all it is, just hard times.

Yeah. I'll be seeing you.

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

Giddyap! Hyah!

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

Giddyap!

Giddyap!

Hyah! Giddyap! Hyah!

Thanks a lot!

How are you? You the fella that runs this place?

Doc Jensen, veterinarian, at your service.

Stable your horse, cure him if he's sick, or rent you one.

What'll it be? Seeing as I just got off the stagecoach,

how about renting me one? Mister...

where do you plan to go with that horse?

You kind of sneak up on a man, Sheriff.

I asked you a question.

Where do you plan to go with that horse?

Gonna ride out and see a couple old friends of mine.

I'd like to talk to you first.

Sure. Go ahead, talk.

At my office...

over there.

Town ordinance.

What's this all about?

It's about a bank robbery and a murder.

Let's go.

I guess you'll have to hold up on that horse.

Sit down.

Thanks.

For starters, where you from?

Virginia City.

Did you stop over in Tucson very long?

Just long enough for the stage to change horses.

Put your bag up here.

Ah, come on, Sheriff, all I got in the bag

is some clothes. Put it up here.

Now open it.

What are you doing in Amado?

Yeah, well, this is the United States' territory, isn't it?

I already told you-- I'm here to visit some old friends.

Those friends got a name?

Yeah, they got a name.

Tom and Ellie Blackwell. You know 'em?

I know 'em.

Never mentioned they expected anybody.

Maybe that's 'cause they mind their own business.

You mind if I shut the bag?

They didn't even know I was coming--

That's why they didn't mention it.

Now, is there any chance of your telling me where their place is?

Sure. It's about six miles due east of here.

Thank you very much. Now, if I could have my gun,

I'd like to go to the hotel, check in, get a room.

That is, if you're through with me.

I'm not quite through.

I think I'll drive you out to the Blackwells myself.

I wouldn't want you to get lost.

Benjie, what are you up to now?

I'm getting a drink.

Well, make sure you don't spill any of it.

I won't.

I think your father's back.

That's not our wagon. It's Sheriff King.

Who's the other man?

But I'm not sure.

Joe Cartwright! Hey, Ellie!

Joe Cartwright! Oh...

Oh, it's good to see you.

Oh, what are you doing way down here?

I thought I'd just drop by.

Hey, and this has got to be Benjie!

Your father's namesake. Hey, you're a big boy.

I just can't believe you're here.

I guess you two know each other.

For about a million years, it seems.

Mama, how does the man know my name?

Because he's a very old, very dear friend.

Say hello to Mr. Cartwright.

Hello, Mr. Card-gright.

I think you better call me Joe, Benjie.

Sure, Joe. Oh... just look at me.

If I'd had any idea you were com...

Oh, will you stop worrying? Oh, it's good to see you.

Didn't you catch them robbers yet, Sheriff King?

Well, uh, no, no, I haven't, Benjie,

but, uh, I'm working on it.

You see, Mr. Cartwright,

the... the Hollister gang robbed the bank in Tucson

three days ago-- they...

killed the cashier and the sheriff.

They're supposed to have headed this way.

And, well, you sort of fitted

the description of one of them robbers.

Well, anyways, we don't get many strangers in our town.

Sheriff, you didn't think that Joe here

was one of the robbers, did you?

Well, Ellie, I didn't know him, and I wasn't sure you knew him

until I brought him out here.

I'm glad to know you, Mr. Cartwright.

Glad to know you, Sheriff.

I guess I can trust you with this now.

No hard feelings, I hope. No hard feelings.

Where are my manners? Come on in out of this hot sun,

both of you. Ellie, Ellie, thanks, but I got to get on.

Is Tom back yet?

No. He's, uh, still in Nogales, looking for work.

Well, the water wagons ought to be back

from Indian Springs by tomorrow; I'll fetch some out to you.

I sure would appreciate it, Sheriff.

We're just about out. Is Joe gonna stay with us?

Of course he is. Of course I am not.

I'm gonna go in town with the sheriff and get a room

and come back and visit. I will not hear of it.

You're gonna stay right here.

Can't argue with a lady. I'll get my bag.

There you are, son.

I'll have to wait till the sheriff brings the water out

before I can wash these up.

Things been going pretty rough, huh?

Oh, drought...

no crops.

I never wanted you to see me like this.

Can't even serve you a decent meal.

Dinner was fine.

Ellie, if things were going so bad, why didn't you let us know?

You know we would've helped you.

I didn't want to ask for any charity.

Oh, now, come on, we've been friends too long

for that kind of talk.

Well, I was afraid maybe...

maybe Tom wouldn't like it.

Ellie, I know it's none of my business,

but is there anything wrong between you and Tom?

No. Course not.

Good. Come on, you can do this work later.

Sit down for a while.

You know, I read that letter you wrote to Pa.

I never meant for you and Hess to read that.

I never should've written it.

Oh, I was...

I was... I was alone here, and things were going badly,

and... well, I was just feeling low,

that's all.

I didn't expect you to come all the way down here.

Oh, I guess I...

I just wanted your pa's shoulder to cry on.

The way I used to, remember?

Yeah, I remember.

You were always one of the family.

I know. Hmm.

I'll never forget what your father did for Tom.

Getting him out of all that trouble and...

into the army was the best thing ever happened to him.

Yeah, I heard he won a lot of medals.

Oh, he was so proud when he got out.

Maybe too proud.

Joe, he's tried so hard here.

But he... he's done his best with this place,

and... it's not his fault things haven't turned out well.

How long has he been down in Nogales?

This time?

Mmm... five, six days.

He'll be around home for a while,

and... then it seems like he just can't stand

seeing the way things are and... and he has to get away.

Well, you're gonna have to try to understand him.

It's... well, it's something that happens to men sometimes

when they... they can't do the kind of things

they'd like to do for their families.

I don't want you to worry about it.

When he comes back, I'll have a talk with him.

We got a lot of good farmland on the Ponderosa

just waiting for a plow to dig into it.

Now, Joe, now, I didn't... Now, don't give me

any of that charity nonsense, or I'll put you over my knee.

Excuse me, Joe.

I'll just be a minute.

It's just an old Indian that comes by here.

His name's Indian Pete.

He comes by for table scraps.

I guess no matter how badly off you are, there's always

somebody has it worse.

Hey, you know, that's a good thing to remember.

You sounded just like your father when you said that.

You must be dead tired after that long, hot trip.

As a matter of fact, I am.

Well, come on. I'll show you to your room.

We'll have plenty of time for talking tomorrow.

Hey, this is nice.

I sure hope I'm not putting you out too much.

Of course not.

Anyway, the room's not even being used.

Always have Benjie sleep in my room when Tom's away.

I know it sounds silly, but...

I get a little scared being way out here all alone.

Doesn't sound silly at all.

Good night.

Good night, Joe.

That little Benjie.

Ellie?

Ellie? Tom.

Oh, Tom, I thought you were never coming back.

Hey, Tom!

Joe Cartwright.

What are you doing here?

Hey, well, that's a fine way to greet an old friend.

How you doing?

All right, Blackwell.

Well, you said hello. Now step aside.

I thought you said only your wife and kid was here.

I didn't know he was here.

I swear I didn't.

Rita.

Rita, get in here!

Go find his gun.

And check those rooms.

Tom, what is it? What's happening?

They stopped me on the road.

And they promised not to hurt anybody.

Now, please, just...

just do as they say.

You better start talking, Blackwell. Who is he?

His name's Cartwright.

I didn't know anything about him coming here.

He's telling you the truth. I got here late this afternoon.

You picked a fine time.

Well, you're here now.

But so am I. You see this?

Yeah, I see that.

What's the setup, Rita?

The other room's empty. The kid's asleep in this one.

Now, you listen to me.

My father's outside.

We're gonna bring him in.

He's hurt bad, so I ain't gonna worry about anybody else.

Anybody gets smart, I'll kill 'em.

And that goes for you, lady.

And the kid.

All right, you two. Now get out.

It's all right, Pa.

You rest now.

I'll be here with you.

You're a good son, Wade.

You and me and Rita,

we got to make it.

We'll make it, all right.

You just hang on.

I need a doctor, son.

I'm hurtin' bad.

When we get to Mexico, we'll get you one.

A real good one.

Yeah.

Sure, you will, son.

He looks real bad.

That wound's got to be cleaned.

You, boil some water.

What's the matter with you?

Don't you hear so good?

There isn't any water.

If you don't believe her, look for yourself.

Where's your well?

It's been bone-dry for a year.

We've had drought for the last three.

You see a crop within 50 miles of here?

You get water someplace.

Yeah, don't worry. There'll be some water here tomorrow.

The sheriff's gonna bring some out.

Are you getting smart with me?

You don't believe much what anybody tells you, do you?

Why would a sheriff deliver water?

He does it to help Ellie out when I'm gone. That's all.

We don't want no sheriff snoopin' around here.

Let's get out of here, Wade.

Sounds like pretty good advice, Hollister.

Shut up.

Go on out there and bring our saddlebags and canteens in here.

You planning on staying around here for a while,

you better figure on how you're gonna stop that sheriff.

He shows up around here, he'll get his head blowed off.

Wade, you promised there wouldn't be any shooting.

My wife and boy are here.

So's Cartwright.

That changes things.

Look, the, uh...

the sheriff wouldn't think anything about it

if I went after the water in the morning.

Hmm?

That sounds to me like a smart way out.

How come you're getting so helpful

all of a sudden, Cartwright?

I'm just trying to stop some innocent people

from getting killed. That's all.

You better start worrying about keeping yourself

from getting killed.

It's a good idea. We'll try it.

You got no other choice.

You're just itchin' to have your head split open, ain't you?

I said we'll try it.

Now, the both of you

sit over there against the wall and face it.

Well, come on. Hurry up.

Get in there with your kid.

If he wakes up, keep him quiet.

And keep the door open.

Take care of Pa. Fix him some soup.

Got to get some food in him.

I want you to take over.

I got to get a couple hours of shut-eye.

What about me, Wade?

I haven't had any sleep in three days.

Will you do as I say?! Ain't I got enough troubles?!

Don't yell at me. Then do like I tell you!

My legs are getting kind of cramped.

You mind if I turn around and stretch a minute?

Go ahead.

Just don't stand up.

Wouldn't think of it.

Oh. Yeah, that's a lot better. Thank you.

Don't mean you're gonna get any special privileges.

No, I suppose it doesn't.

What are you staring at?

Just you.

I was just thinking. Put a...

put a dress on you, fix you up a little bit,

you'd be a good-looking girl.

Without the gun in your hand, of course.

Just don't you forget I got this gun.

Tell me, what's it all get you?

All the What?

Well, the killing, the robbing,

running from the law. What for?

I have good times.

Lots of 'em.

Yeah, I can see that.

Having Wade order you around.

Have you doing his chores while...

while he gets his rest.

Wade and ol' Neal and me,

we understand each other.

You're a big happy family.

Yeah.

You can put it like that if you want to.

How does it all wind up?

I know how it's gonna wind up.

We're getting out of here,

we're going to Mexico, and Wade and me are gonna get married.

In a real church.

And I'm gonna have the finest...

What do you care?

I really don't care, Rita.

That's the sad part of it.

I don't think anybody else does, either.

You've stretched long enough.

Turn around and face the wall.

I said turn around and face the wall.

That's very good. Now you can start loading the barrels.

Cartwright, you... Wait a minute!

Rita!

Yeah? What do you want?

Get in here!

What do you want?

Keep an eye on Cartwright.

I thought nobody passed here.

Nobody does.

We're a half a mile off the road.

Then who is that?

That's only Indian Pete.

What's he doing here?

Well, he stops by all the time hoping for food scraps

so he can feed his old squaw.

He can't do no harm.

How do you know he'll keep his mouth shut?

He can't even talk, Wade.

His tribe cut his tongue out

when he wanted to make peace during the Apache War.

All right. Just get rid of him.

Why doesn't that blasted Indian go away?

All right.

Cartwright, help him load the barrels.

Remember, if you're not back here in a couple hours,

somebody's gonna get hurt.

Well, the water may not be there yet.

They have to haul it in from Indian Springs.

I don't know if those wagons will be on schedule.

Well, for your sake,

they better be on schedule.

Get a gun and tell the sheriff.

I'm not risking my family.

What do you mean, risk your family?

What do you think you're doing now?

All right, Cartwright.

Get inside.

What were you two gabbin' about out there?

Told him to do what you said, that's all.

If you're lying, I'll find out about it.

Rita.

Keep an eye on Cartwright.

I want to check on Pa.

Into the kitchen, Cartwright.

He's getting worse.

He needs a doctor.

She's right, son.

Soon as that wagon gets back,

we're gonna start packing to move.

This ain't no way for a man to die.

You ain't gonna die, Pa.

I promise you that.

We've been in tighter fixes than this before and we got out.

You're a good boy, Wade.

I raised you good.

You sure did.

Now, you just rest a while, Pa.

I'll fix you some hot soup.

There's some stuff in those saddlebags.

Get it out and cook it.

Use the water in the canteens.

Mommy?

I'm hungry, Mommy.

Go on, get in there and take care of the kid.

Let her do it. She's his mother.

I'll cook the grub.

I'm sick of your cooking.

Now get in there and take care of the kid, like I told you.

Just one big, happy family.

I told you to get the grub.

I wish Tom would hurry up and get back.

I'm getting worried.

You're gonna have reason to worry if he don't show up soon.

Don't worry, he'll be back.

Hey, Tom.

When'd you get back?

I got in last night.

Did you, uh, have any luck finding work?

No, not much.

Well, I better be getting on back, Doc.

We're out of water.

Yeah.

Sure has been rough on all of us.

Oh, uh, say, Tom,

I got a load of hay coming in.

Might be a couple days work for you.

I sure would appreciate that, Doc.

Times like these, we all got to stick together, Tom.

Yeah, we sure do.

Thanks a lot, Doc.

Keep an eye out.

Everything go all right?

Yeah. Everything went fine.

I'll send out Cartwright to help you.

All right, Cartwright, get out there and help him unload.

Mommy.

Mommy.

Shut that kid up, will you, Rita?

Mommy. Can't I go to him?

Rita, did you hear me?

Mommy.

Did you get the gun?

No. I told you I wouldn't risk my family.

Hurry it up, you two.

Hey, what are you doing?

Joe!

Get the gun.

All right, now call Rita. Call her!

Let him go, Joe.

Tom, help him.

Keep out of this, Ellie. I said let him go.

I don't want to have to shoot you.

Tom.

You're one of them.

I told you we shouldn't have come here.

She was never supposed to know. That was part of our deal.

Now get out there

and unload those barrels.

You take a good look at her, Tom.

She was so proud of you.

"Faster ran Jack, but the giant ran faster still.

"With a mighty hand, the giant grabbed Jack

by the seat of the pants..."

"By the seat of the breeches."

Oh, yeah.

Well, ain't that what I said?

You said "pants."

Oh.

"But Jack managed to wriggle away

"and reach the beanstalk just in time.

"He fell...

"He fell, rather than climbed,

down its long, green stalk..."

"And landed with a bounce

in his mother's garden."

Oh.

Say, you're a smart kid, ain't you?

He's hotter than a desert rock.

It looks badly infected.

He must have a doctor.

He'll get one...

soon as we get across the border.

The best money can buy.

Ma'am, I, uh,

want to thank you.

I appreciate it.

I'd do the same

for any sick animal.

How's he doing?

He's getting worse.

We'll get out of here, Ellie.

We'll make it to Mexico.

You and me and the boy.

Will we, Tom?

Sure, we will.

There's a lot of money in there.

Part of it belongs to us.

Stolen money.

I'd rather Benjie and I were both dead

than to go with you now.

Ellie...

you-you don't mean that.

I mean it, Tom.

Oh, don't you see what a fool you were?

You threw away every chance you had

just because you were too weak to swallow your stupid pride.

Weak? Yes, weak.

Well, it's easy for you to talk.

You didn't scratch in this dirt like I did.

Don't you think a man wants things

decent for his wife and son?

Decent?

What do you call decent? You call murder decent?

Yes.

If that's the only way I could get them

the things I wanted them to have.

You mean the things you always wanted.

I already had what I wanted.

You.

But you wouldn't even understand that.

Quit your arguin' in here.

You're making my pa nervous.

Wade? Where are you, son?

Right here, Pa.

What was all that arguing about out there?

Oh, that Cartwright and Blackwell.

They're beginning to make me real sick, Pa.

There ain't nothing wrong, is there?

We're gonna get to Mexico all right, ain't we?

Sure, we are.

Is the money safe?

It sure is.

I got to have that money, son.

I'm gettin' old.

This was supposed to be my last job.

I spent free all my life,

and I-I need that money.

You're gonna get your money.

You say that, but...

I don't know.

Ever since you met up with that girl,

things ain't been the same.

We was close, you and me,

and-and now it's her.

Well, she ain't gonna make no difference

between you and me, Pa.

I'm your son.

We got to get out of here, Wade.

Sure, Pa.

Wade--

Here, quick.

Who is that?

Sheriff King.

From town.

Well, go on out and get rid of him.

Howdy, Tom.

Doc Jensen said you was back.

Howdy, Sheriff.

It's sure a hot one, ain't it?

Uh-huh.

Mind if I sit a spell?

You, get in the bedroom with your kid.

Rita, you stay in there with her.

On the floor, face down.

Yep, it's even hotter than it was yesterday.

You find any work, Tom?

No.

The way I figure it,

them outlaws are still around here someplace.

I doubt it, Sheriff.

What makes you think so?

Been watching the border.

They ain't crossed.

The way I see it, that one they wounded

was so bad they had to go to ground.

Well, there hasn't been anybody come by here.

Well, you keep your eyes open. Uh-huh.

I'm making up a posse, Tom.

I'd like you to join us, but I think it's better

if you stay here and protect your family.

I'll bet Ellie was glad to see you back.

Yes, she was.

I sure want to thank you for hauling water to her.

Oh, don't mention it. She around?

Oh, she's, uh, taking a nap with Benjie.

Yeah.

Well, this hot weather sure does make you sleepy.

No doubt about that.

You tell your, uh... your friend Cartwright

that I'd like him to join us if he's a mind to.

All right, Sheriff, I Will.

Sure got a gabby sheriff. Took his time, didn't he?

Wade, he's raising a posse.

You know, they think we're still around.

Oh, I know. I heard.

Well, what are we gonna do?

Well, I don't know about you,

but Rita, Pa and me are getting out of here tonight.

What do you mean, you don't know about me?

What about my share of the money?

What share?

Wade, you promised.

Now, you ain't backing out on me now.

Ain't I?

You know, Blackwell, you've been a lot of trouble to me.

You ain't getting no share.

So what do you plan to do about that?

You ain't backing out on me.

Now put that away, Blackwell.

Rita?

Don't try anything, Blackwell.

I sure picked the wrong one when I picked you, didn't I?

Oh, you picked some nice friends, Tom.

Some real nice friends.

Shh. Shh. Shh.

It'll be all right, honey. It'll be all right. Shh.

Well, it'll be dark in about an hour.

Soon as we're ready to move Pa,

you can lug a mattress out for me

and tote some water for the horses.

Rita, why don't you start packing the grub

and fill the canteen?

Wait.

Watch them.

Pa.

Pa, it's Wade.

Mrs. Blackwell, get in here quick.

He must have fallen out of bed.

Oh, here, let me help you.

Pa? Huh?

Okay, Pa, can you hear me?

His wound's broken open.

He has to have help, or he'll bleed to death.

You stay here with him.

Do what you can.

He's in a bad way.

We got to get a doctor.

Wade, we can't take a chance.

He's dying. We got to take a chance.

Wade? What do you want?

I'll make a deal with you.

I'm the only one who can go to town for the doctor.

Just promise me that Ellie and Benjie will be all right.

Oh, you think I'd trust you now.

You'd come back here with the sheriff.

No, I wouldn't, Wade.

Just let Ellie and Benjie and Cartwright go.

Stop begging him. He's not gonna listen to you.

Besides, he'd just as soon let his old man die anyway.

I'm gonna split your head open, Cartwright.

Wade, I won't double-cross you.

I'm the only one you can send.

No, there's somebody else.

What about the Indian-- the one who comes by

every night for scraps-- what about him?

Yeah, what about that old Indian?

Blackwell says he can't even talk.

He can pack a note, can't he?

Are you trying to pull something, Cartwright?

Look, you can't trust Tom.

It's either the Indian or you let your old man die.

It's up to you.

All he has to do is bring a note into Doc Jensen.

Doc Jensen?

That's right. Doc Jensen.

I met him when I was in town.

He said he was a good friend of yours.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, that's right.

Are you sure that Indian will come by?

Oh, he'll come by.

He hasn't missed in three years.

All right, I'm gonna risk it.

Get a piece of paper and a pencil,

and then write what I tell you.

Might not be a bad idea to tell him your little boy is sick.

That ought to bring him.

That'll get him here real quick.

Start writing, Blackwell.

He's coming.

Go on out and give it to him.

Go on, Tom.

Give him the note.

Tell him to take it to the doctor.

Careful what you say.

I'll be listening.

♪♪

Come in.

Why, hello, Tom. I got your...

Nice and easy, Doc.

Tom, what's this all about?

I couldn't help myself, Doc.

Search him, Rita.

Ellie, what's going on?

Do what he says, Doc. Please.

Bag, too.

Just doctor stuff.

You're gonna treat a man for a gunshot, Doc,

and he better live.

Can't do it without my instruments.

Give him his bag.

And watch them.

Into the bedroom, Doc.

Mommy? Mommy?

Go take care of your kid.

He's in bad shape.

I know that. Just get busy.

Well, the doc was right.

There's something wrong in there.

He's had plenty of time to let us know if it was all right.

Wade?

What?

I think there's somebody out there.

There's no doubt about it now.

No, don't fire.

Ellie and the boy are still in there.

Just keep working.

Cover the back.

Who are they?

How'd they get here?

The doctor brought 'em out.

It looks like the joke's on you, Hollister.

See, the man in there with your father--

That's a horse doctor.

Why, you...

Get the girl.

On your feet.

Tom?

There's another one in the bedroom.

He won't give you any trouble.

I only did it for... you and Benjie.

I know.

Joe.

It's good to see you, Ben.

Good to see you.

Yes, it sure is.

Well... this must be Benjie.

Howdy, Benjie.

Somebody at the ranch just waiting to meet you.

His name is Hop Sing,

and he makes the best pumpkin pie there is.

And he's made something special for you.

Yes, sir, he's made some dumplings and fried chicken.

I like fried chicken.

How about you?

I like fried chicken, too.

Joey, get those bags down here. We're going home.

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