Original subtitles

Well, here we are.

Texas Ranger Museum and Hall of Fame.

It was built in 1974 to commemorate excellence in law enforcement for the

150 years.

How many Texas Rangers have there been?

Well, there's been hundreds, Mike, but only 26 are honored in the Texas Ranger

Hall of Fame. Did you know any of them?

Yeah, I know one right over here.

C .D. Parker, a good friend.

Who's the most famous?

Well, that's hard to say, Charles.

They were all great men.

How'd they get to be Texas Rangers?

Well, they came from all around.

War veteran, Army scout, bounty hunter.

In fact, some were even outlaws.

Really? Mm -hmm.

Yeah, back in those days, to be a Texas Ranger, you had to... Ride like the

wind, track like a Comanche, shoot like a Kentuckian, and fight like the devil.

That's right, Mike.

Well, could you tell us a story about one of them?

Okay.

How about Hayes Cooper?

He left a journal before he died.

Let's see what he has to say.

Why don't you all sit down?

Okay.

The West was booming.

The railroad was coming.

Sounds like Buckhorn, Texas stood right in the path.

There were fortunes to be made, and the future was full of bright promise.

But with the fortune and promise came the outlaws, the lawmen, and those who

walked and lived in the world between them.

Cooper wasn't always the Texas Ranger.

Long before he got his badge, he was a bounty hunter.

Was he a famous gunfighter? Was he fast?

He was fast, and people had heard of him. But he wasn't famous yet.

He didn't know it when he rode into Buckhorn, but Hayes Cooper was only a

time away from becoming a Texas Ranger.

What the hell is that?

Dying bucks.

Whiskey. What's it going to be, Hoffman?

Dead or alive?

I knew it had to happen.

It was a real sorry time for me.

Mother died.

The horse went lame.

And I had to gut shoot the last man that stuck one of these under my nose.

Sorry to hear that.

Don't matter.

Never did like my mother.

The horse was slow.

Just like that damn bounty hunter.

Well, now that I've heard your whole life story, answer my question.

I'll answer your question.

Why

didn't

you just kill me?

Well, if I'd have killed you, I had to carry you to the sheriff's office.

It was just another bounty to Hayes Cooper.

One of an endless dream.

But he didn't know his life was about to change forever.

In the eyes of a ranger, the unsuspecting stranger had better know

wrong from right.

Cause the eyes of the ranger are upon you.

Any hope you do, he's gonna see.

When you're in Texas, look behind you.

Cause that's where the ranger's gonna be.

Howdy, Miss Rose.

Morning, Miss Rose.

Hey, Jeff.

Did my seat come in?

Sure did, Tom. Four sacks of Kentucky from the grab.

The only thing is, I couldn't pay for that today.

Would you give me another week?

Well, Tom, I already told you you could take a month. I don't need a month.

One more week until I get my stock down from behind me.

All right, Tom. A week it is.

He's just inside. Need some help? No, ma 'am. I can load it myself.

Son, keep an eye on the team.

Mary, I just got some fresh yardage in from St. Louis.

Thank you, Sarah.

But I still haven't paid you for the last yardage you gave me.

I'll be in to visit after I deliver my sewing to the mill in any time.

All right.

That's the status of his market.

He's about three months past him.

You have him foreclosed? Every once in a while. I like to make it look like I'm

not riding around in your watch park.

Wilson promised to bring the account current after he sells a hundred head of

cattle next week.

And what if he can't sell them?

Then I'll foreclose, and you'll buy it from me.

And the Wilsons will leave a trail of tears just like everybody else who's

in your way.

This is different. I need his land. The railroad is coming.

I paid handsomely for Vance's look at the roof.

Wilson's land is dead in the path.

It's worth a fortune.

But he doesn't know it.

He's a determined man.

He just might bring those cows down in time to sell.

Not alone.

And nobody's going to work for him after what my boys did to his last hired

hand.

Want me to help, Pa?

No, sir. Thanks.

These are still a little heavy for you yet.

Nick, Pete, Manuel.

Give my regards to Mr.

Wilson. You got it, boss.

All right.

Hope it ain't blood and seed you're fixing, Planned Wilson.

Could ruin our range, you know. Kentucky bluegrass. There's you.

I'm happy for myself.

That looks to be okay.

You never know about the rest.

Yeah.

That appears to be okay, too. Now, those rubbers, they look real.

Oh, please. That's enough.

I'll tell you when it's enough.

No! No!

Get back!

Get back, Jeff!

Get back!

You got a little standing.

Knock it out.

I'll tell you what I'm going to do to you, father.

You're not stopping him!

Are you all right?

Yes, Mary.

I'm fine.

What's going on here?

What's going on, Sheriff, is that you're still letting Thibodeau's men run

roughshod over the good citizens of Buckhorn. Easy, Sarah.

Wilson?

Nothing, Sheriff.

Just another misunderstanding.

But if one of Mr. Thibodeau's men...

If he ever touches my son again, I'll kill him. There'll be no killing, Tom.

Not in this town.

There's no broken bones.

I suggest we just call it square and go on our way.

Yeah.

All right.

Word of friendly advice.

You did what you came to do.

You got your money.

Now, just ride on out.

Around here, well, you just don't pay to upset Saibado.

I didn't plan on staying, Sheriff.

Fair enough.

Thanks for the warning.

You're welcome.

Bounty hunters don't usually come with such a charitable side to their soul.

I wouldn't know about that, ma 'am.

Mister, you're hurt.

It's nothing, ma 'am.

We'd be honored to put you up for the night. I could handle that wound.

It's the least we could do, please.

It's just outside of town.

Not much of a place, really. We'd be proud to put you up.

Well, it's kind of a hard offer to turn down.

Thanks. I want to thank you, stranger.

My name's Tom Wilson.

This is my wife, Mary.

Ma 'am.

There's my son.

Hi. I'm Jeb.

Hi, Jeb.

I'm Hayes Cooper.

Both on back to the ranch.

Let's go.

If you just ride out and keep on going, I won't take it personal.

What you did to my men.

I'll tell you what, Bedell.

Take it personal.

Doesn't that hurt, Mr. Cooper?

Not really, Jeb.

Your mom's doing a great job.

Nice place you have here.

Tom built it.

Mostly all by himself.

Where you folks from?

Ohio.

We came west after the war.

Looks like you saw your share of battle.

Yeah, I reckon I did.

Is that what happened to your leg? Yes.

Happened to Shiloh.

You fighting the war, Mr. Cooper?

Yeah, I did.

What dad were you on, Mr. Cooper?

Son, questions like that ain't respectful.

My father took off if he rubbed. Deb, that's enough.

Now I'll throw that shirt up for you, Mr. Cooper.

Thank you, ma 'am.

If you don't mind my asking, what was that all about in town?

Silas Bedot.

Trying to scare me off my land. We've managed to hold on so far, but we might

not be able to much longer. We're not going to lose our land, Mary.

I got a hundred head of cattle, but only 40 of them are in my holding pasture

right now. I'm going up tomorrow morning to get the rest down.

Pretty big job for one man.

Yeah, the fella usually helps me. Go and beat him nearly to death.

Son.

He lit out on us.

I ain't seen him again.

Hard to get help ever since.

I got three days left.

Snake him out and sell him.

If I don't, well, Bank's gonna take my place.

You're not gonna let that happen, are you, Pa?

No, son.

I'm not.

There you go, Mr. Cooper.

Thank you, ma 'am.

He's just having another one of his war dreams.

Are they ever going to end?

I don't know, son.

Now go back to bed.

Mind if I give you a hand?

But you don't owe me, Mr. Cooper.

For nothing.

I know.

But I'd be much obliged.

Thank you.

the gate, will you?

There you go.

Got them all, Mary.

Every last one.

That's wonderful.

Look at you two.

You're going to have to take those clothes off, Mr. Cooper.

Ma 'am?

You're filthy.

I'll clean them up for you.

You can wear some of Tom.

I think you're about the same size.

Thank you, ma 'am.

When I make that mortgage payment, I want to see the look on the face of Mr.

Bedot. You'll probably choke.

Tab, that's enough.

I can't tell you how grateful we are.

It's been my pleasure.

What are your plans now, Mr. Cooper?

Well, if your husband doesn't mind, I'll hang around long enough to help him get

his cattle to market.

That's mighty neighborly, Mr. Cooper. I couldn't afford to pay you.

That's quite all right, Mr. Wilson.

Your wife's cooking is good enough for me.

Please call me Tom.

Both call me Cooper.

Will you teach me how to shoot?

Well, Jeb, there's more important things to learn than how to shoot.

Like what?

Reading and writing and arithmetic.

I can do all that.

Come on, Tommy.

Go ahead. Ask me how to spell a word.

Okay. How about dog?

E -O -G.

Now give me a hard word.

All right.

Force.

H -O -R -S -E.

Don't you know any hard words, Mr. Cooper?

Well, I know some hard words, yeah, but I don't know how to spell them.

Hey, Jeff.

Hi, Miss Rose.

This is Hayes Cooper.

He's helping Paul out on the farm.

We've sort of met.

Hi, I'm Sarah Rose. I'm Mr. Cooper.

My pleasure, ma 'am.

Her husband is dead.

I'm going to go find Aaron and Billy.

Sorry about your husband.

Oh, it's been five years.

He died of pneumonia.

You don't look much like a hired man.

Well, I guess this can be deceiving, huh?

How's your knife wound?

Oh, uh... Mrs. Wilson sewed me up.

Oh, well...

Then you're a lucky man. Mary's one of the best seamstresses in the valley.

Bounty hunter.

I couldn't help but notice you drove a person's wagon into town.

That's right.

I work for him now.

I didn't know he had enough money to hire anyone.

Let's just say he can afford me.

Well, I also knew you helped him bring his herd down from the high mesa.

You brought them down?

Yes, ma 'am, we did.

And when is Wilson planning to bring his herd to market?

Well, if it's any of your business, tomorrow.

You know you're new around here.

You don't know the situation.

What situation is that?

That Wilson is going under.

Now, he may sell his cattle, which will bring his mortgage current, but...

Then his next month.

The month after that.

It's inevitable.

He's gone to lose that farm.

Tell me something, Badeau.

Why do you want the Wilson spread?

The way I hear it, you don't just spot everything around here.

Because I want it.

Well, don't hold your breath.

Ma 'am, um...

I need three spools of number four wire, second flower, and five gallons of

carotene.

I want to thank you for helping out the Wilkins.

They're good folk.

Yes, ma 'am. They sure are.

Coming from the holding pasture.

Son, stay with your mother.

Oh, my God.

Dead, Cooper.

All my cattle are dead.

They're all dead.

He shot them all.

It's over now.

How much did Tom Wilson owe on his ranch?

$700 in arrears.

I didn't ask you that.

I asked you how much you owed.

$4 ,500.

Put out your hand.

I'm sorry I failed you.

I never did have brought you out here. I just... I just thought we had a

chance.

Don't talk like that.

We did have a chance.

A good chance.

The main thing is, we have each other.

Silas Bedell.

Coming to gloat.

Now go get yourself your car.

No patch of dirt is worth that.

You get yours, Bedell.

Well, it won't be from you, Wilson.

You should have sold it to me when you had the chance.

It's still my property, Bedell.

And I want you off.

That's right.

It is your property.

For a few more hours.

Don't be too sure, Bedell.

Here, Tom.

This is yours.

Mary. This is the D -Dar land.

The thing Mr. Wilson said for you to get off is land.

Now.

Let's go.

Well, folks, let's start unpacking. Come on, Jeff.

Let's get this back in the house.

I'm putting an end to this wanton for all.

You hear? I'm putting an end to it wanton for all.

I want to send a telegram to Rud Kilgore.

Why don't you come over around four o 'clock?

I'll make a special call.

I gotta give you credit, Mr. Cooper.

Don't wait much of a sooner, but you sure are loud.

Jeb, that's all right, Tom.

He's just being honest.

Cooper, for all you've done for us, I'd like you to be my partner.

50 -50.

Half the ranch.

There's a great section of land off to the west, over there by the river.

Perfect place for a home.

Private out there, too.

Good growing soil.

Best sweetwater spring in these parts out there.

Be a fine place for a man to raise a family.

Come on in, you two.

Dinner's almost ready.

Now, you be thinking on what I said, all right?

I will.

Well, good.

Are we

expecting company?

As a matter of fact, we are.

Whoa!

And there she is now.

Mr. Cooper, you remember Sarah Rose?

Yeah, yeah, we've met.

For your bountiful gift and infinite wisdom, we thank you, Lord.

And for sending to us Hayes Cooper.

who has proven to be a good friend in our family's time of need.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Son, napkin on your lap.

Oh, excuse me, ma 'am.

See, Mr. Cooper, I've never seen you so nervous before.

Jeb. It's good to see you, Mrs. Rose.

On the way home from town, Mr. Cooper talked about you the whole time.

Jeb, that's enough.

But, Ma, he did.

Tom, would you pass the potatoes, please?

Of course.

Here,

let me help you.

Thank you.

Sure is beautiful here.

Sure is.

That was a fine thing you did, Mr. Cooper.

Well, when a man puts his heart and soul into something, it's kind of hard to

sit back and watch him lose it all.

And where do you put your heart and soul, Mr. Cooper?

I haven't given it much thought.

Tom's offered me half the ranch.

Are you considering it?

Yeah.

I am considering it.

This was the best chicken I've ever eaten.

Thank you.

Oh, would you care for some more?

Well, I was kind of hinting at that.

And where do you put your heart and soul, Mr. Cooper?

So, looks like we've found ourselves a partner.

You won't find yourself a finer woman than Sarah Rose.

Yes, ma 'am. I know that.

She's not doing too bad for herself, either.

Thank you, ma 'am.

Hey.

Someone's killed him.

It is.

It's Kilgore.

All boys, mount up.

Got a little job over at Buckhorn.

Put it in the wind, let's go!

That's a swell likeness of Ma.

Thank you, Jim.

Have you joined any of Miss Rose yet?

Not yet.

Are you going to marry her and stay in Buckhorn?

Well, I've been thinking about it. Hayes Cooper would later write that he had

never been happier than he was that day.

sitting on the Wilson's porch with the first real friend he had known in a long

time.

Selling down was very much on his mind.

Whoa, whoa.

I dreamt about you last night.

Oh, but it was a good dream.

It was a great dream.

Sarah, I need to ask you something.

What is it?

I don't know exactly how to say it.

Say what?

I've decided to settle down here.

And you'd make me the happiest man in the world if you'd settle down with me.

Ice Cooper, are you asking me to marry you?

You know who I am?

Yeah. Good Kilgore.

Vigilante.

Scalp hunter.

Just an all -around egg -thucking dog.

That's you.

Egg -thucking dog, huh?

You talk pretty big for a man who didn't come healed.

I'm not looking for trouble, Kilgore.

What you want, don't figure into it.

Groza, give me peace.

He pulls slightly to the left.

You know?

Cooper? Stay back, Sarah.

Anytime you're ready.

What do you know, boy?

Yellow -bellied bounty hunter.

Hell, you ain't even worth killing.

Let's go, boys.

Yes, I will marry you, Haze Cooper.

I figured we'd put the living room right here for the porch overlooking the

valley.

And our bedroom right over here.

Then maybe put your garden out there.

What do you think?

I love you, Hayes Cooper.

And I love you too, Carol.

In all his years of searching, Hayes Cooper had never found a moment where he

could say, life doesn't get any better than this.

That day, he found that moment.

I'll ask Mary to be my maid of honor.

I'm gonna ask Tom to be my best man.

Cooper would later write that he died that day, and God helped the man he took

to hell with him.

When you're in Texas, look behind you.

Because that's where the Rangers got them.