Original subtitles

In the late 60s and early 70s, when the vast herds of Texas longhorns began to

pour into the northern plains, the raucous, spotty trail towns were born.

with them, the wildest and most colorful era in the history of the West began.

It was a brief period, just over ten years in all.

But while it lasted, the legend of the wild and woolly West was written.

Gun -toting cowboys, their pockets lined with months of trail pay.

turned towns like Dodge City and Abilene into hell on wheels.

Every kind of entertainment was available to a man with money in his

But to the cowboy, fresh off months on the trail without sight of a woman, the

saloons and brothels were a magnet.

And in many railhead towns, one out of every 20 permanent residents was a

prostitute.

The demand for these ladies of the night was so great that a highly profitable

white slave trade grew up along the Mexican border.

where hapless peasant girls were procured by means which often left a

tragedy behind.

What happened?

Who died, Armando?

Armando, what is... He won't talk to me, brother Carlos.

He won't say a thing.

Armando, tell us what has happened.

Who's in the coffin?

Armando!

Teresa.

My daughter, Teresa.

She's our child.

It's wicked what you want to do.

Don't talk to me about wickedness.

Armando, it's wrong.

It's a terrible sin.

Teresa is the sinner.

And the wages of sin is death.

And the dead must be buried in the ground. Now let me be. If you go on with

abomination, I won't be here when you come back. I won't set foot in your

again.

What else can I do?

What else can I do?

Pérez!

Amando Pérez!

What do you want?

I have a letter for your daughter.

See? It now makes three letters, no? But you don't come to the post office

anymore, so I decided to bring them to you.

You see?

Like the ones last year.

The person does not exist.

But it's for your daughter, Teresa Perez.

There's no such person.

Teresa Perez does not exist.

Armando, perhaps if I spoke with your wife... There is no Teresa Perez.

You hear?

Now, go away.

Leave me alone.

But the letters.

What will I do with the letters? What do I care? Send them back where they came

from.

Teresa Perez does not exist.

Hombre, yo no se que voy a hacer con esas cartas.

I don't know why I got into that business. My

father told me, don't get into that business. Better go sell tamales.

Some letters of yours have come back.

Something written on them in Spanish.

When's the stew going to be ready to eat, Aunt Molly?

Well, now a person doesn't eat until he's done his chores.

If that's not too subtle a hint.

Hay to be stored, eh?

Well, I can't do very much on an empty stomach.

You've eaten half a meal already.

Well, as soon as I get the other half, I'll be raring to go.

Oh, I sure could use some

help around here.

Oh, good, the flour. Now we can get on with our baking.

Josh, Luke can't help you right now. He hasn't eaten yet.

Luke.

What's Jesse talking about?

What women usually talk about.

Nothing in particular.

There we go.

That's probably not to get it all over the kitchen this time. That's easier

than done, little sister.

Come on.

There we go.

Now watch it. You're getting it all over the place.

I don't worry, Laura.

I'll help you clean it up later.

You'll help me clean it up? You'll clean it up. You made the mess.

Hey, neither of us are cleaning anything up.

It's man's work to make the mess and women's work to clean up after.

I'm sorry. That's the way the world is, Laura.

Aunt Molly, did you hear?

Girls, maybe put some supplies in these saddlebags for me, supplies for the

trail. I'm going to have to be leaving.

Leaving? No.

But where?

Got to go to Mexico, Molly. A place called Santa Rosa. It's down on the Gulf

Coast. That's a part of Mexico I've never seen.

Boy, if that wasn't a hint, Uncle Zed, that you want to go along.

I didn't say that.

Exactly. Not exactly.

Well, it sounds like there's some urgency. Is there a special reason for

trip, Zed?

These letters from Tap Henry's daughter that came back unopened. Whose daughter?

Tap Henry.

He's the fellow that lost his life saving my hide back then when we were

that herd of cattle up from Texas.

Oh, yes, of course.

Well, he was a good friend, and I promised him while he was dying that I'd

out after his daughter, Teresa.

The girl's in Santa Rosa now?

Yeah, she's staying there with the Perez family. They adopted her a few years

before Tap died.

Have you ever seen her, Uncle Feb? Well, no, but I've been writing her these

letters, and I sent her a little money.

But now these have been returned unopened, and it says, Esta persona no

That means person does not exist.

Listen, that's a strange phrase.

Well, yeah, it is.

I think it's their way of saying that maybe a person has died.

But either way, I've got to find out.

Well, Uncle Zeb, I think there's someone around here who's just perishing to go

with you.

Oh, God, Jessie, I can talk for myself.

Except by the time you get up enough nerve, he'll be halfway to the border.

Is that true, Josh? You want to come along?

Come on, Josh, now's your chance.

Well, yeah, if you wouldn't mind me tagging along.

Glad to have you.

But maybe we'd better ask Molly here if she can bury you from your chores.

Well, no, Reb, he's a McCann, and it seems to me that the McCanns are famous

just upping and taking off the drop of a hat.

Ah, thanks, Aunt Molly. We'd better pack for him. I think he's too excited to

take it for himself.

Goodbye,

Josh. I hope you saddle up. All right.

Molly, it was nice of you to let the boy go.

I'm still trying to get used to the way this family does things.

Maybe I will get used to it.

When I'm a hundred.

Stay with the horses, please.

Nice -looking little town I got here.

Hope there's a good place to eat.

Yeah, I think that canteen over there looks pretty good.

Maybe we can get some information about Teresa Perez while we're at it.

You are both welcome, senores.

Most welcome.

It is very seldom that we get Americanos in Santa Rosa.

Perhaps you would like to have some wine while my wife prepares the food, huh?

Sounds good.

Yeah. Been a long, thirsty ride.

And perhaps you will be staying with us all night.

I have a room upstairs that is excelente. With a bed.

With real bed springs in it.

All right.

We might need it for more than one night, too.

As long as you wish, señores.

As long as you wish.

Oh.

Mexican wine. I've got to cut the duck.

You know most of the people around this town, Santa Rosa?

Oh, yes.

Santa Rosa is a very small town.

Everyone knows everyone.

I'm looking for a man by the name of Perez.

Perez? Yeah, Armando Perez. You know where he lives?

It is very hard to say where he will be by now. His wife, she died, you know.

No, I didn't know that.

Oh, yes, three weeks ago.

And before then, there was a fire in his house.

Even though we put it out before there was much damage, Perez, he never came

back. It is all deserted now.

Where would he be?

It is hard to say, senor.

What about the girl, Teresa, the one he adopted?

You are going to have to excuse me. I have something very important to attend

in the kitchen.

What's the matter with him?

We wear out our welcome already?

I don't think our host is going to volunteer much more information, Josh.

Not if he can help it.

Going to get some sleep, Uncle Zeb?

Not for a while yet.

Might be going out later, Josh.

This time of night?

I think the whole town's gone to bed already.

Get your ass, boy.

Yes, sir.

Good night.

Mando. Mando Perez.

Mando.

Mando Perez.

I'm here.

I'm here. Sorry to wake you up, Mando.

You didn't wake me.

There are two Americanos at my cantina asking a lot of questions about you and

about Teresa.

I thought you would want to know, Armando.

What's the man's name?

Name's McCahan.

Mr. President, sorry to bother you this time of night, but as long as you've got

a visitor, maybe you won't mind.

I was just leaving, senor.

Mr. Prez, I... I want you to know I heard about your wife dying.

I'm sorry.

But I came to find out about Teresa.

Last few letters I sent came back unopened.

You made a long journey for nothing.

Teresa is... not here.

Where is she?

Dead.

Teresa is dead and buried.

What happened to her?

Look, Mr.

Perez, you know I was a good friend of her pa, and I made him a promise I'd

out for her.

For the money you sent, we were grateful.

But it does her no good now.

Well, maybe it's too late to help Teresa, but it ain't too late for me to

out what happened to her, is it?

Mr. Perez.

You haven't told me anything yet.

Where are you going?

To pray, senor.

But you'll leave.

Uncle Zeb.

Did you find out anything about Teresa?

Yeah, I talked to Perez.

He said Teresa's dead.

Dead.

Sorry.

I guess that means we'll be heading back in the morning, huh?

Yeah.

I don't know. There's something wrong here.

Real wrong.

I don't understand.

I like Perez telling me about her being dead.

He wouldn't tell me how she died, wouldn't say a thing about it.

Not only that, we're being watched.

And we're not going to leave here just yet.

Not until I get some more answers.

May I be of assistance, senor?

Good morning, father.

My name is Carlos.

I'm a novitiate, not yet a priest.

You may call me brother if you wish.

Well, thank you. My name's Seth McCahan.

I'm trying to get some information on a girl by the name of Teresa Perez.

Teresa Perez is not buried here, senor.

The grave of her mother, Esperanza Perez, you will find it over there, near

outer wall.

Yeah, well, I'm not really looking for her mother.

But if Teresa's dead, how come she isn't buried with her mother here?

Uh, have you talked to the girl's father?

Well, I tried to, but he wouldn't tell me anything past that she was dead.

Nothing at all.

So, what more do you need to know?

Well, for one thing, I'd like to know why it is that everybody gets so blamed

cagey when I mention Teresa's name. I mean in no disrespect, but that includes

you, Brother Carlos.

I'm sorry. I've told you everything I can.

What about the mission priest?

The priest is away this morning.

He'll return later this afternoon.

Good day to you, senor.

This must be it, Uncle Zeb.

It's the only house around.

That's funny, isn't it?

How's that, Uncle Zeb?

Well, pretty well burned out, no, but it's not so bad that he couldn't have

fixed it up and come back here to live. I wonder why he didn't.

I don't know.

Working at the mission stable, he'd rather live there.

Maybe.

That's Teresa.

That was taken maybe five, six years ago.

She'd be about 18 or 19 now.

How can you be sure if you've never met her?

Well, there's a picture Tap Henry had. She looked just about like this.

I am sister to Armando Perez.

What was you following me last night for? What's going on around here? I can

tell you nothing, nothing.

Somebody better start explaining. Listen to me, senor. Go back to where you came

from. If you stay in Santa Rosa, bad things will happen. Very bad things.

You think she meant what she said?

I don't think she came out here just to watch us go through a burned -out house.

Getting down that gully.

There's no houses out there.

Maybe it's time for us to do a little following.

Josh, I gotta go back to the mission and talk to the priest.

I'd sure like to know what she intended doing.

You want me to follow her?

See if you can find out where she's going.

I'll meet you later. Back to the mission.

Yes, yes.

But you must understand, Senor McKeon, that Armando Perez has suffered great

pain.

His wife was ill for over a year.

And then... Then God took her just a few days after the fight at his home.

So... I must insist you leave the man in peace.

Father, would it make any difference to Perez if I was told what happened to

Teresa?

I regret...

I am unable to answer your questions.

But the fact is that you already know more than you have any right to know

this unhappy affair.

You don't understand, Father.

I'm trying to fulfill a promise to a dying man.

Now, I told him that I'd look after his daughter. The very least I can do would

be to find out how she died, where she died, where she's buried. And I tell you

again.

Leave it alone.

There has been too much grief here already.

All right, then you refuse to tell me anything more about what you know.

I thought you understood.

What I know, I cannot tell you or anyone.

It is knowledge gained in a confessional.

Señor.

You... You are a man of strong will.

But I beg you to consider.

Armando Perez is a very disturbed man.

Your continued presence in Santa Rosa could bring more tragedy into this

Uncle Zeb!

I found it.

Found what?

Teresa's grave.

It's got to be around here somewhere.

There it is, Uncle Zeb.

Right over this way.

Uncle Zeb, I don't think we should do this.

Josh, we're not leaving this town until we find out why everybody around here is

so scared.

Start aching.

We haven't done any desecrating here.

It's empty.

You

must

not tell. You must not tell.

Tell what, that you buried an empty coffin?

Perez, I don't understand any of this. Now, where's Teresa?

Muerta! Muerta!

Muerta! Muerta!

Please, senor, for the love of God, let him go. I will tell you what you want to

know. Do you know what's going on around here?

Teresa is elsewhere, senor.

Well, that's pretty clear.

What I want to know is, is she alive, and if so, where?

I do not know if she lives, but I think it is possible.

Then why all this business of pretending she's dead?

Because Armando was so ashamed.

He went after Teresa.

I do not know what he found out, but when he returned, he wanted all of us to

believe that Teresa was dead.

Well, you think Perez knows where she is now?

Yes, but he would never tell you.

He would die before he told anyone.

But you know where Teresa is.

I am not sure, but if she lives, she might be found at a place the Americanos

call Rivertown.

It is west of Metamoros on the American side of the border.

Now, please, senor, I have told you everything I know.

Go away from here, I beg you.

Go away from here.

At least we know Teresa may still be alive.

Yeah, but if she wound up in Rivertown, I can understand Perez trying to make

out like she was dead.

Why, Uncle Seth?

What's wrong with Rivertown?

Let's get the horses.

Hasn't changed much over the years.

Hey, get back up here! Listen to me!

Get back up here!

Try that if I was you, mister.

I see what you mean about Rivertown, I suppose.

Josh, why don't you go on into the hotel there?

See if you can get us a couple of rooms.

I'm going on down here, and then we'll talk with the sheriff.

Right, Uncle Zeb.

Sheriff?

My name's Zeb McKay here, and I'm... I'm looking for a girl who's hoping to get

help me.

With all the cribs in this town, you come to law looking for a woman?

I'm looking for a particular girl named Teresa Perez.

Never heard of her.

Is there a picture of her? Took about six years ago.

Never seen her.

Might help if you looked at the picture, mister.

Huh?

Answer's the same.

What's your name?

You got eyes. You can see. You can read it.

Sheriff. Am I tired of your mouth, mister? Now, I asked you what your name

Bolin.

Now, if you've got any business in this town, mister, you're going to have to

deal through me, the sheriff.

I'll tell you what your business in this town is, mister, and it ain't got much

to do with enforcing the law, neither.

Now, I'll be back here in the morning. I want a list of every girl named Teresa

that's been in this town the last six months. You want a list?

Who the hell do you think you are?

A man's going to tear this town apart, mister, starting with you.

I don't get some answers.

All right, Franco.

Inside.

Franco?

Franco?

We got trouble.

What kind of troubles?

I almost had my throat slit a few minutes ago.

What are you talking about?

This man comes into the office, big man wearing buckskins, says his name's

McCann.

Seb McCann?

You know him?

No, I've heard of him. What does he want?

Well, he says he's looking for some gal by the name of Teresa Perez.

Why? I didn't ask.

You didn't ask?

Listen here, the knife is as big as a meat cleaver.

And he's coming back tomorrow morning. He wants a list of all the creases come

through this town in the last six months.

Well, we better give him a list, hadn't we?

What?

I said, we better give him what he wants.

You mean nobody in authority knows what's going on in this town?

Well, I'm afraid there's about a half a dozen towns along this river that people

just don't pay any attention to anymore.

That goes for both sides of the border, too.

Now, good morning, gentlemen.

It is that, I believe.

My name's Ed McKay -Hann. I'm looking for the sheriff.

Oh, things have been happening so fast around here this morning that, uh...

I didn't have time to pin this on.

There we are.

I was talking to a fellow in here last night named Bolden. He was wearing that.

Ah, yes, Andrew. Well, he and I sort of split the duties of the office, Mr.

McCain.

Now, he has business to look into somewhere else over the next few weeks.

However, I do have the information he said you requested.

Yeah?

Well, we only have two Teresas on record, and neither one of them fits the

description that you gave to Sheriff Boland.

There's Teresa Guerrero. She's a resident of two years. She's 22 years

And Teresa Zaragoza, she's lived here five years or more. A woman of about 40.

How long have you been living in this town, Mr.? Millette. Millette.

You mean resident?

Oh, going on 12 years.

What's the picture I'm talking about?

The girl has taken about six years ago.

Uh -huh.

Well, of course, a youngster could change substantially in that length of

Now, I can't say the face is at all familiar to me.

But, uh, perhaps I could be of help if you told me more about the girl. You

know, where she's originally from, why you believe she's in this town, the

reason why you're looking for her, things like that.

I wish I could have been more assistance to you.

We'd be staying in town very long.

Just want to find out where I can contact you in case I do find out

about your Teresa.

Yeah, I can see you're going to be a big help.

But he practices that smile in front of a mirror every morning. Yeah.

He's a lot smarter than Bolin.

Somebody put him in there to find out why we're looking for Teresa.

You giving up on finding her here, Uncle Zed? No. No, I've got a hunch that

Perez's sister was right. Teresa is in this town.

Somebody around here's got to know where she's at.

I must do something about this McCahan.

He's going to make trouble for us if we don't get rid of him.

Now, he's looking for this Teresa.

Perhaps if he finds her, he'll go on his way.

Me? Uh -huh.

But he will never believe me.

Oh, he'll believe you.

I was in Santa Rosa a while back.

I know quite a lot about this Teresa Perez and her relationship to this man.

Relationship? His name is Sebulon McCahan.

He was a friend of Teresa's father, but he has never seen the girl.

I would feel very uncomfortable lying to this man.

Uncomfortable?

Playing the part of a harlot?

My dear Dolores.

You'll have no trouble at all in that role.

I'll tell you exactly what to say and how to act to make him believe you're

Teresa Perez.

You know, between half the people in this town not wanting to talk to you...

The other half may be lying. I don't think we're getting anyplace, Uncle Zeb.

can't argue with you there.

I... Hannah.

Gosh, that looks like an old girlfriend of mine. Why don't you go back to the

hotel? I'll see you there later.

Hannah? Oh, oh.

Say no... It's been a few years, but I never figured a former lady friend would

run out on me like that.

Well, it's a lady who'd rather keep old memories alive, the way they were.

That's the reason I tried to avoid you, Deb.

How are you?

Oh, I can't complain, except for a few things that's been going on around this

town.

Am I right in figuring that you know a little bit about what goes on around

these parts, Hannah?

Deb, nobody knows more than a little bit about what goes on around here and

stays healthy.

Can we talk about it over a drink?

If I do the buying, I own the more saloon.

It sure is good to see you after all this time. Come on, buy me a drink. When

you should.

Well, here's the prettiest gal ever ran a saloon in Montana Territory. It's been

a long time, Zeb.

That part about the prettiest still holds.

I just shed ten years with that.

You know, Hannah, I'm...

I'm here looking for a gal. Her name is Teresa Perez.

Now, every time I ask somebody around this town about her, they seem to get

disturbed. I can't figure out why.

Well, it takes very little to disturb certain people in Rivertown, Seb.

And it is becoming more so lately.

Why? I, uh... I don't have any answers there.

Well, I don't particularly care what happens around this town or along this

river. All I want to do is find a gal.

Now...

This here's a picture of her.

Pretty girl.

Yeah, that's taken some time ago.

Gosh, you might have changed so much that you wouldn't... That man.

I've seen that man before.

I mean, he's older than he looks in that picture, but I swear it was him.

Where? Right outside the saloon. He was, uh... He was sitting at an ox cart.

And he was watching the Aunt Maria sale.

That's the ship that was moored at the end of the street.

The reason I noticed, didn't he? He was crying, and I... Well, I went over to

see what was wrong.

Did he say anything?

No, he just kept muttering to himself.

One word, over and over.

Well, what was the word?

Muerta.

Muerta.

Dead?

Dead.

Zip, if the girl is dead, why do you keep asking so many questions?

Because I don't think she's dead.

Angela Maria.

You mean to say he was just outside there watching that boat leave?

The ship down the street puts in here every couple of months. Pretty regular.

Anna, I'll be back in a couple of hours. Maybe we'll chew over old times some

more. Look, Sam, stop making people nervous.

Please.

Senor, this girl you look for, I have information for a price.

What kind of information?

You know, it is worth $10 in gold, no?

Well, you tell me what it is first.

I can leave you to this girl for whom you search.

All right, what girl? What's her name?

Teresa.

Teresa Perez.

All right.

Take him out the back way.

She lives over there.

But I can go no further.

I'm a man you can trust, senor.

And you will tell no one I brought you here.

Teresa Perez?

Teresa Perez?

Teresa, my name's Zeb McCahan.

You are Teresa Perez, aren't you? I have taken the name Delores.

Please, why do you look for me?

Well, look, I don't mean to butt into somebody else's business. Then why do

Perez has buried me. He tells all that I am then. So why are you here?

To resurrect the dead?

I have the right to live my own life, Mr. McCahan.

Yeah, I reckon you do.

You disapprove?

No, I just don't understand.

Why a girl like you?

Well, one must... Earn a living.

No?

You don't want to go back to Santa Rosa?

Back to Santa Rosa.

The dusty roads, the barefooted peasants, and daily prayers at the

school.

Sir McKay, hon.

For the money you have been sending to me, I thank you.

Look,

is there anything I can do to help you? Anything at all?

No, I need nothing now, thank you.

You're not in any kind of trouble.

No way I can help.

I will always remember you.

I will remember your kindness.

Teresa, there's something else I want you to remember, too, in case you get in

any trouble.

I promised your pa I'd look out for you.

So you remember.

Your neck, too, Mr. Now. Who put you up to this?

There was nobody to put us up.

It was just after your money, that's all.

He was being paid to get my hide, Mr. Now. Who was it? Oh, no.

He wasn't meant to be killed.

We was just keeping you away from the hotel for a while so you wouldn't get

back. Too soon? Not long, hotel.

It's nothing to do with my nephew.

Oh, no. Is any harm to him or that boy?

trouble, McCann.

I'm just a messenger.

You get your nephew back, safe and sound, ten days from now in Corpus

Providing you get out of this town tonight.

Where's the boy at?

You best tell me the straight of it.

I don't know where he is. You think they'd let me know so he could beat it

of me?

Like I told you, I'm just a messenger.

I guess you're doing your job all right.

Here's a message you can take back to your boss.

Something he can think on in case he's planning to do anything to Josh.

You leaving without saying goodbye, Zeb? No, Hannah, I was going to ride by and

see you on the way out.

They're taking Josh, my nephew.

I know.

Zeb, if you get out of town and you stop asking questions, you may get Josh

back.

Hannah, you sound like you know who has him.

The Angela Murray sailed a few minutes ago.

Her destination, Puerto de Medio.

You think he's on that boat?

Well, it's a fair guess, Seb.

They... It's been known to carry very strange cargo.

If you're thinking of riding to meet the Angela Marie, I'd advise you to be very

careful.

They came close to having you killed tonight, Seb.

That's what I mean. What do they want to kill me for, anyway?

They don't want you killed. You're a well -known man.

Your death here could bring them the kind of attention they don't want.

That's the only reason you're still alive.

They don't want you asking questions and throwing their people through windows.

But if you push, they're capable of anything.

Goodbye, Zab. I hope you get Josh back.

I hope you find your Teresa.

I've already found her.

She calls herself Dolores.

Dolores? Yeah, she works on the street just back of you.

Dolores?

There's no Dolores on the back street. I mean, I know all the girls there.

But nobody named Dolores and nobody as young as your Teresa would be.

Give it up, Sap.

Forget the girl.

You're not bucking river rats.

These are big men, and they're playing for very big stakes.

If they had my nephew, I'd be very careful.

A body floating in the river here is quickly forgotten.

I want to know what's going on around here.

Why am I on this ship? Boy, you know something?

You ask too many questions.

Now, if you cause any trouble, you know what you're going to be?

Sharp bait.

I heard a woman crying. You didn't hear nothing, boy.

Now, you remember that.

You didn't hear nothing.

Let's go.

are you, mister?

What do you got to do with my nephew being taken?

You leave me no alternative, amigo.

You're under arrest.

I'm what?

Look back.

You're too dangerous to be allowed to run loose.

Lock him up!

Talk to somebody in authority around here. The highest authority to be found

town would be myself.

I'm Colonel Luis Fierro of the Mexican police.

What am I doing locked up in this jail?

Unofficially?

Well, the judge could be assaulting a police officer, myself.

That could mean a very long time in one of our prisons.

Now, officially, let's say you are... You're being restrained.

Much like the fox in the hen house.

You see, in a matter of speaking, we have many, many chickens.

We don't want to frighten them, do we?

I'm afraid you'll have to make that a little clearer.

Perhaps in more pleasant surroundings than this, huh?

You're a very well -known man, Senor McCahan. It might be wiser if we can

an accommodation.

Open the door.

Like having dinner with me tonight.

I'm telling you, I trust you about as far as I could throw you.

That's understandable.

Nevertheless, I am known as a reasonably gracious host.

Now, Senor McCann, even though you are to go about freely, it is understood

officially you're under custody.

Colonel, I'm not going anywhere till I get my nephew.

And of course, there is a Paris.

We're going to be in port soon.

Let's squeak out of any of you. You get tied up in the bilge.

Never tell about your problem, Captain. We want this ship out of the way in two

hours. I will not be told what to do aboard my own ship.

Your ship.

We have enough complications around here without this one acting like a prima

donna. Olay.

The sailing of this vessel is in your hands. But you'll be told where you're

going to sail it and when.

Understand?

Two years of intensive investigation.

I'm not going to permit you to scatter our chickens to the four winds.

You mean to tell me you think I scared those people in Rivertown so bad that

they're closing up their businesses?

Not you alone.

They've known along the river on both sides of the border that their

were being investigated.

They simply don't know how much we have learned, how close we've come to

threaten their very existence.

Here, let me show you.

You see, what you disturbed in Rivertown is a small part of a large criminal

organization.

Now, it reaches South and Central America through Mexico into

Southwestern United States and beyond.

Well beyond.

As far as the Orient, we have good reason to believe.

Yeah, well, what I don't understand is...

How come that my asking a few questions about Teresa Perez causes everybody to

get so disturbed?

Because you were asking the whatabouts of a woman who had been placed in the

Prado. The Prado?

Yes, we call it that. The parade of human flesh through many channels.

The same channels used to traffic in contraband of every description.

Now tonight, I am going to show you what I believe happened to Teresa Perez.

Supper is ready, Coronel Fierro.

All right, woman, don't just stand there. Bring in the food.

She works for me.

Yes, Colonel.

I asked her to deceive you, to pretend she was Teresa.

Look, I tried to explain to you. You were upsetting my apple cart, throwing

people out of windows, charging into everything like an enraged bull, making

object of my investigation very nervous.

Huh? You see, I thought, if you were to find the girl you were looking for,

you'd go home and leave us to go on with our professional investigation.

So Dolores became Teresa.

It's more deception for the greater good of my country.

And the plan would have worked if the man we seek had not abducted your

All I want to do is get my nephew back and then find out what happened to

Teresa. I bet you could tell me where she is right now.

Well, I deceived you once before, so you're not going to believe me.

But really, I don't know where she can be found.

Or even if she is alive.

As to your nephew, I presume you might have guessed where he might be. That's

why you're here in Puerto Medio.

Well, I figure he's aboard the Angela Maria.

Yes, she'll be docking here tonight when the tide permits.

Presently, it's rendezvousing some 20 miles out into the Gulf. For what

I don't know.

Well, you're going to raid it when it gets into shore, aren't you?

No, no, no.

No, we have much to learn before we take such an action.

But the most important thing to do is to watch who boards that ship.

I'll be one of the ones boarding there. I'll guarantee you that.

Well, thank you for the warning, huh?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I...

I have some final arrangements to make for tonight.

You do not like Coronel Fiero?

No, can't say as I do.

He's the kind of man that uses people.

I think he used you and me the other day in his little scheme there.

I don't doubt if he's using my nephew now.

But there's a reason for using people of greater need.

I've seen a policeman who can get their job done without sneaking down back

alleys to do it.

Colonel Fiero has dedicated his life to that of a policeman.

He is a brave and unselfish man, and in his own right, wealthy, but giving up an

easier life for his people.

Well, I can see that you admire him.

Admire?

Yes.

I admire him.

Change your clothes.

Be in the plaza early.

Now, your clothes. I think you'll be less conspicuous if you dress as a field

hand tonight.

Farrell, tell me something. What gives you the right to order that girl around

like that?

Well, she belongs to me. That's my right.

Belongs to you?

Yes. I bought her in a brothel in Port Prince.

Paid a thousand dollars in gold for her.

You know, at that price, I'm entitled to a few privileges, including speaking to

her any way I want to.

What you see here, as I told you before, is what I think happened to Teresa

Perez.

Now, the same thing is happening right now in many Mexican villages.

The young caballero, a peasant girl's dream, claiming to be a merchant's son,

traveling up and down the coast.

Romances her, tells her he loves her, then suggests they run away to be

What do you mean? They've been meeting like this before?

We arranged a first meeting several weeks ago.

When we discovered his connection with the Prado, we had Dolores meet him as if

by accident. He immediately took the bait.

Why don't you take this so -called Caballero and throw him in jail? Put the

of God into him.

It's not that simple.

But what is going to happen to her?

Well, Dolores has already said yes to the Caballero.

He's been pleading with her to go with him tonight.

You mean this Prado?

That is the reason I bought her.

Where will she be taken?

I don't know.

You mean to say you're going to let him take her off and just disappear

somewhere the way Teresa Perez did?

There are risks.

Fortunately, they are necessary.

Yeah, for her.

You're not putting yourself on the line, I notice.

There would be no purpose in that, would there?

Now she's on her own.

Amigo, it's a terrible thing, this enslavement of innocent girls.

It is the missing cog in our wheel, so to speak.

The question of who controls the slavery of these girls.

I mean, we know they're being shipped to all parts of the world.

Well, have you got men following her to see where she goes? No, no, no. That

would be impractical.

There's nobody that knows where she's headed?

None at all.

Except that, uh...

From here, Puerto Medio, the girls are transported by ship.

What do you mean, she's out there? You don't know where she's headed or what

kind of trouble she might be in? Now, listen, amigo, you're forgetting

something. Now, she's been through the Prado once before, as I told you.

Yes, as a pawn, finally arriving in Port -au -Prince.

Now, now she's going back as my eyes, my ears.

Instead of a victim bemoaning her fate, she's going to perform a function.

Performing a... You know, I'm just wondering if it isn't just plain

that makes you operate this way.

Well, that, amigo, is a thought that I live constantly with.

Now, listen.

The Angela Maria will be talking very soon.

Now, if you promise, if you promise to obey my orders to the letter, you

can be part of our observation group.

What orders are you talking about?

Well, I expect somebody very important to board that ship.

Besides a huge sum of cash, he'll bring facts, figures, names, places,

where and to whom the payments are made.

All right. What if he doesn't show up?

In that case, I will permit the boat to sail.

Dolores will become my last chance to learn who controls this operation.

Well, I'm afraid that's where you and me are going to part, Fierro.

I'm going to get my nephew off of that boat before he gets himself killed. And

ain't going to be worrying about none of your chickens getting panicky either.

Senor McCahan, if you attempt to get on that ship by force, you would only find

yourself floating in the bay later.

Believe me, the headstrong man gumbles only so often on losing his head.

That one we should keep behind bars tonight, perhaps.

Yes, I thought of that.

And again, they know he only looks for his nephew.

I mean, it wouldn't be too bad if our chickens are forced to flutter a bit.

Well,

that, Coronel, would be a gamble.

Well, Alfredo, perhaps this is the time to roll the dice.

To give this ferocious American his head.

He wouldn't jeopardize our operation if he loses that head.

Take him to Slack.

I trust the night won't be too long.

A sometime sheriff of Rivertown.

He's lucky. I thought he might have been eliminated.

My nephew on that boat.

Your nephew?

Now, you better think careful, mister.

These words will have to be your last.

He's in the forward hold.

But I had nothing to do with it. And that's the truth, I swear it.

What's going on in there? What kind of place is this?

I don't know.

I just came by here to see a friend.

The door opened.

McCain, you're asking for trouble. Shut up and get the door open.

Get out of here.

One move out of you, you're dead.

All right.

You have found out about your nephew, Senor McCann.

He's on board the ship on a forward hold.

You will go aboard to rescue him?

That's what I'm going to try to do.

But to create such a disturbance on the ship, it will spoil things for Coronel

Fierro, no?

That's Fierro's problem, not mine.

I think, senor, it will also be your problem.

I will not hesitate to shoot.

You mind telling me why?

Because you are not important and I am not important. Neither is your nephew.

The only thing that is important is that those on that ship feel that they are

secure this night.

So that Colonel Fierro's plan will fix it.

You're not thinking straight, Dolores. What's important here are these girls.

And yourself and my nephew.

And the prattle goes on?

You do not know the hundreds of girls who were taken as I was each month.

If you think this fellow Fierro is going to do you some good...

Stay with him. I'm going back to the ship. To see what happened to Teresa

If I can.

You have found your Teresa, senor.

I am Teresa.

There was never any pretending, not on my part, when I told you I was Teresa.

But of course, you do not believe me.

No, I believe you.

I can see a resemblance there. You could be Tap Henry's daughter, all right.

You sure got a temper.

Does Fierro know it's your Teresa?

No, he does not know.

And even if he did, I do not think he would care.

What about when he bought you?

You were using a different name?

As all of us were doing out of shame to be found where we were.

Well, at least this takes care of that part of my search.

Now, if you want to stay with Fierro, you go right ahead. That'd be fine.

I will shoot.

I don't think you will.

I don't think you'd shoot a friend to your paws. Not only that, but Fierro's

to his old tricks again.

Using people. This time, me.

What do you mean?

He could have thrown me in jail tonight. He'd have to leave me loose.

He knows I'm going aboard that ship and making up Rukus so that him and his men

can get down there without being noticed.

Be careful.

Teresa, everything's going to turn out all right.

I want you to take this gun.

I want you to keep it on him.

If you have any trouble at all, don't hesitate to use it.

I don't know. You better get rid of those ledgers.

Get them on.

Yeah.

All right.

Fine, Uncle Zed.

I will handle this.

I'm Colonel Tierra. What's going on here?

Throwing a stowaway off my ship, which I have the right to do.

Stowaway. Good.

Now tell me, Captain, what cargo do you carry?

No cargo.

Just two passengers.

Who are the passengers?

They take passage they keep to themselves.

First time I've ever seen passengers tell a captain on the ship what to do.

Where did you see them?

Down below there's a cabin in the stern.

They got more money in it than I've ever seen in my life.

They're also hiding women on board this ship.

Dozens of them. Down in the hold. Ustedes dos, revisen la prueba.

Alfredo, vamonos.

Well, well, well.

We misjudged where you would be boarding.

Rendezvous at sea, was it?

This ship flights the Colombian flag, senor.

Well, the Colombian prisons will be equally cheerless.

He seems that our stumbling around has, uh, has paid up with some very important

results. You know, they got a bunch of women they're holding in a secret room

over here waiting to bring them on board this ship. I know.

Well, you know, Dolores is one of them. I suspect it. How is she?

Why don't you go ask her?

I must confess I feel rather foolish.

Oh, yeah, you mean, uh, Colonel, a Mexican police in charge of criminal

investigations, not knowing that Dolores was actually Teresa Perez.

No, more than that.

More than that.

I'm faced with the problem of telling Teresa, whom I have treated quite

shamefully, that I dare not treat her otherwise for fear that, uh... That

Well, that she may come to know how much I... How much her...

Courage and patience have affected me.

Affected you? Yes.

I'm not sure I'm hearing you right. You mean to tell me that underneath all that

hard -bitten dedication to duty beats the heart of a Casanova? No, I tell you

such thing. The thought is ridiculous.

Besides, someone as young, as beautiful as Teresa, what would she want with me?

I'm uninteresting to her.

That's all.

Hmm. Well, now, what if I was to tell you that this Teresa was actually in

with you? In fact, she's so much in love with you, she pretty near took my head

off when she thought I was going to interfere with your operation.

Love?

Well, I don't believe you.

Why don't you ask the young lady yourself?

And you're fiero.

Is it possible for a man who has been shot three times in the line of duty and

who has risked his life so many times to save girls like me does not have the

courage to say I love?

You win.

You wish me too.

Say those words to you.

I wish it, Lewis.

I wish it very much.

All right.

I... I love... I love... I love...

I love...

You'd be at the wedding, Perez.

I was too ashamed to attend.

I buried her.

I told everyone she was dead.

You're not going to let her go without your blessing, are you?

Congratulations, Colonel, to both of you. Thank you, Seb.

I presume I can call you that.

After all, you know, in the past few weeks, we've been on familiar, if not

terms, eh?

Are you staying for the fiesta?

No, no, Colonel, me and Josh.

We've both been away too long. We're getting homesick.

Of course.

Save the Prado.

I think within a short time it will be non -existent.

At least in this part of the world.

Good, Colonel.

Glad to hear it.

Best of both of you. Thank you very much.

Josh, sir, bye now.

Yuma Khan.

You know something, Uncle Zeb?

It isn't every day a fella gets to see all this country.

And then gets jang -eyed by white slavers in the bargain.

Interesting.

Real interesting.

Well, I enjoyed the trip, Josh.

Well, I didn't exactly say it was enjoyable, Uncle Zeb. Just interesting.

I understand.