Original subtitles

♪

♪

♪ Young man in a buggy driving like he's mad ♪

♪ Has a pair of horses he borrowed from his dad ♪

♪ He cracks his whip so loudly to see his girlfriend smile ♪

♪ But she knows he's only putting on a style ♪

♪ Putting on the agony, putting on the style ♪

♪ That's what all the young folks are doing all the while ♪

♪ And as I look around me, I'm very apt to smile ♪

♪ To see so many people putting on a style ♪

♪

Here you go, Mr. Benson.

Thank you.

"Joe Benson, Medicine Bow, Wyoming."

Benson.

It's a lot of wire, Pa.

Come on.

♪

Will Benson, you dance like you got horseshoes on.

If you'd start thinking about dancing,

you wouldn't be tripping all over me.

You were the one that was going the wrong way.

Come on, you two, come on, come on.

Big brothers and little sisters.

A body'd think they were born natural enemies.

The world would be a strange place

if it was any other way, Joe.

That Amanda. She's 16 now.

A kid one day, and bossing her brother and me

around the house the next.

Make a man a fine wife when she's full-grown.

There's no doubt about that.

♪ ...and squeezed in, putting on a style ♪

♪ Putting on the agony, putting on the style ♪

♪ That's what all the young folks are doing all the while ♪

♪ And as I look around me, I'm very apt to smile ♪

♪ To see so many people ♪

♪ Putting on the style ♪♪

Benson, I want to talk to you.

Yeah, about what?

About that barb wire sitting down on the siding.

Consigned to your ranch, ain't that right?

That's right, Donner. What about it?

That's what I want to know. What about it?

What are you gonna use it for?

Well, now, I think that's my business.

But since you're asking,

I aim to fence in my south pasture with it.

Well, let me tell you something.

We've had open range around these parts

ever since there's been a "these parts."

You start fencing, you're asking for trouble,

especially using that devil wire.

You better tell him.

Sounds like you already did, Mr. Donner.

He's talking just to hear himself make noise.

Cattle respect barb wire, stay away from it,

- stay where they belong. - That's crazy talk.

Cattle are supposed to run loose.

Mal, just stay out of this.

Benson, I'm telling you not to put up that fence.

And I'm telling you to mind your own business.

I'm going to Denver tomorrow to buy me

some prime breeding stock, and when I get back,

my boy Will's gonna have that south pasture ready for 'em.

I ain't gonna have them mixing all over the range.

I want them where I know they'll say,

and that takes wire.

Maybe you didn't hear what I said!

I heard what you said.

Calm down!

This is a party, Mr. Donner. Let's try to keep it that way.

All right, everybody get your partners!

Let's dance!

What was that all about?

Oh, Sam Donner sticking his nose

in everybody's business, like he always does.

It's all over now.

Let's have some fun.

Oh, I'd rather dance.

Will, here, dance with Amanda, huh?

- My sister? - Oh, sure, she won't bite.

All right, form your squares for "The Johnson Boys Rag"!

One, two, three!

Swing that pretty girl round and round!

Swing her left and swing her down!

Promenade left, bow down left and the lady star!

He builds that fence and I'll...

You'll what, Pa?

Never mind.

I'm going to get a drink.

Why don't you have some punch, Pa?

Now don't stay too late.

♪ Swing your partner ♪

And behave yourself.

Sure, Pa.

♪ Take a little peek Take a little peek ♪

♪ Swing your partner ♪

♪ Chicken in the bread pan picking out dough ♪

♪ Granny, will your dog bite? No, child, no ♪

♪ Chase that rabbit and chase that squirrel ♪

♪ Chase that pretty girl round the world ♪

Appears Will Benson is sure suffering

dancing with his sister.

- I wouldn't. - Yeah.

♪ Swing your partners round and round ♪

Why don't you go take over?

Why me?

Because I want you to tell Will

there's a certain sweet somebody looking for him outside.

Through the side door there.

♪ Take a little peek! Take a little peek ♪ - Sure.

♪ Allemande left and grand right and left ♪

♪ Swing your partners round and round ♪

♪ Swing your partners ♪

♪

What are you doing?

You heard my pa in there.

You want more of the same?

You'll get it if you and your old man

try to string that wire.

Take it easy, boy.

That broken rib's gonna hurt you pretty bad for a while.

Can't understand why you won't tell us, Will.

Fella does a thing like that should be behind bars.

I told you, Sheriff. Ah!

I didn't see him.

It was dark, and he came at me from behind.

Can't you at least give me a description?

Of what? A shadow?

Well, if you think of anything, you let me know.

Nothing more I can do.

You get on home and take it easy.

It's gonna be a long time before you feel like doing anything.

That's all right. I mend quick, doc.

Yeah, well, for right now,

you'd better do what the Doc says.

Now come on, Will. Thanks for fixing him up, Doc.

All right, Joe. Good night.

- Good night, Doc. - Night, Mark.

How is he?

Well, he got a busted rib and a head full of butterflies.

- Good night, folks. - Good night.

- Sure took it bad, huh? - I reckon.

Yeah.

What are gonna do about that trip to Denver, Joe?

Miss it, I guess.

Will can't run the ranch like this.

I was sure counting on that breed stock.

That's all right, you go ahead, I'll...

Will!

Nobody can ramrod a spread feeling as bad as you do.

You just rest up.

Say, maybe you could fill in. You've got some days coming.

Oh, that'd be great! Could you?

I'd sure be obliged.

Well, I, uh...

You didn't have any other plans, did you?

No, but I, uh...

Full pay, mind you. No other way.

Sure.

Oh, good!

Thanks, Tate. Thanks kindly.

No, don't mention it.

He'll be over in the morning, folks.

Good night. You rest up now, Will.

Yah, hip-yup.

Good night.

Did it ever occur to you that I might have

some other kinds of plans on my days off?

- Well, I did have my reasons. - Like what?

Like what happened to Will for one.

And Sam Donner's attitude about that barbed wire for another.

Let's go.

Now you take good care of Will, you hear?

All right.

Let me give you a hand with that, huh?

Thanks, Tate.

I'll leave the rig at the livery till I get back.

Have a good trip.

Oh, and don't forget to wear your sleeping cap,

and use plenty of blankets so's you don't catch cold,

and don't go around barefoot without your slippers on.

I'd better get out of here right away before she decides

that I'm not old enough to make this trip alone.

I'll have most of that wire up by the time you get back.

I appreciate that, Tate.

Uh, Amanda?

When I get back,

I'm gonna have a big surprise for you and Will.

- What kind of surprise? - You'll see.

It's something you both been missing for quite a while.

Bye!

Have a good trip!

Oh, I wonder what that big surprise is gonna be.

I don't know.

I guess you'll just have to wait and see, huh?

- Mm-hmm. - I'm gonna get some work done.

- Oh, what you gonna do? - I'm gonna fork down some hay

for the horses and give them some water.

Oh, good, I'll help you.

Now, wait... wait a minute. I got a better idea.

Why don't you think on what to cook us up for supper?

Supper?

Well, sure, I'm gonna be mighty hungry by then.

Oh, well, what would you like for supper?

Well, let's see, I'm...

I'm kind of partial to fried chicken.

Fried chicken? Oh, I make that real good.

I don't make a bad gravy either, you'll see.

Go on, now, you find your ma and have your supper, yeah?

Go on.

Hey!

What?

When are we gonna eat?

My belly's been growling for an hour.

Your belly's always growling for something.

Everything's ready. How about you?

Be right there.

I made some hot biscuits for the gravy.

Oh, that'd be real nice.

Hey, who's that?

I wonder who it is.

I wouldn't know.

Huh. Maybe they're lost.

That could be.

Whoa.

Hello.

- Ma'am. - Hello.

Well, you must be... But of course you are.

Amanda.

Uh, yes, ma'am, but how did you know?

Well, your father told me all about you.

Daddy?

Yes. And you're?

Tate, ma'am.

Oh, do you work for Joe?

For the time being, you might could say that, yeah.

I'm Martha.

Martha Clayton.

From Salt Lake City.

- Well, let me help you, ma'am. - Oh, thank you.

I came early, three weeks, as a matter fact.

I just couldn't wait.

Wait for what?

Why, didn't Joe tell you?

Your father and I are going to be married.

How long?

We met last spring.

He was in Salt Lake on business.

Looking for breed stock.

Yes.

Well, a-anyhow, we became friends,

and after that, we corresponded.

Never said nothing about writing to nobody.

No, he didn't.

Well, that's not the kind of thing

a man likes to talk about, you know?

When I received his letter asking me to marry him,

I... I didn't expect that kind of surprise,

but it was a very nice one.

I guess I just never figured another woman for Daddy.

Well, I mean, Daddy's always been just Daddy.

I guess I never thought anyone would see something different.

Yeah, I never figured that either.

Well, I reckon he's just gonna have

a lot of explaining to do when he gets back.

I reckon.

Hey, wait!

Here's your canteen all filled up.

Ah, thank you.

And there's enough cold chicken

and things in here for two people.

By lunchtime, I'll be hungry enough for two people.

Oh, well, that's not exactly what I had in mind.

See, I thought I might go along with you.

Are you leaving soon?!

Right now.

Oh, good. I'll come with you.

I'd like to see the ranch.

It's just a bunch of rocks and trees and grass.

But I'm a city girl, remember?

Grass, trees, and rocks sound very inviting.

Uh, suit yourself.

Oh, Amanda?

Will just woke up, and he wants his breakfast.

Oh, he does, does he?

What was that all about?

Oh, I don't know. Kids being kids, I guess.

Get up.

♪

Tate?

Ah, thank you.

This tastes real good.

You've already done a whole day's work.

Oh, not hardly. There's lots more left there.

Oh, you've plenty of time.

Yeah, I suppose, but it's gotta be done.

- How about some of that... - Are you hungry?

You go first.

I was just gonna say I'm hungry.

Hello!

Hi.

Well, what brings you out here?

Well, I thought I'd bake you some sweet rolls.

Oh, how very kind of you, Amanda.

Would you like some?

Sure thing. Would be great for dessert, huh?

Well, I guess I better get at it.

- Here, let me... - I can...

Who's that?

Neighbors.

You'd think somebody rang the dinner bell.

Benson tell you to set them posts?

That's right.

Take 'em out.

I'm sorry, Mr. Donner, I can't do that.

I'm telling you, Tate.

What is it?

This here's Sam Donner and his boy, Mal.

This is Martha Clayton from Salt Lake City.

Hello.

She's here to marry Mr. Benson when he gets back.

Marry Benson? I didn't know.

It's a pleasure, ma'am.

And since you're gonna be the mistress of the ranch,

I'd take it kindly if you'd tell your hired hand here

take down them posts, forget about fencing this range.

She ain't the mistress of the ranch yet, Mr. Donner!

And even if I were, I...

I'm sure I'd have no say in the matter whatsoever.

Uh-huh. All right, son.

Looks like we'll have to do it for 'em.

- I wouldn't if I were you! - Who's gonna stop us?

Hold it, Donner!

I said hold it!

Donner, I don't want any trouble.

I'm just doing my job.

And I'm telling you to take 'em out!

Donner, use your head!

I'm gonna use my fist!

You're breaking my arm!

Stop it! Stop it, both of you!

Mr. Donner, you should be ashamed of yourself.

The man you're getting married to,

he's the one who started it.

Get off our ranch!

You heard her.

And you heard me.

You'd get back to Shiloh if you know what's good for you,

unless you figure to keep hiding behind these women's skirts.

Get out of here.

Come on, son.

Leave it there.

Why, don't you think Donner'd understand this?

You couldn't carry it if you had to.

Just a couple of days, that's all I need.

You got till your pa comes back.

What he says after that, I got nothing to do with.

Maybe I don't feel like waiting for him to come back.

- No guns, that's an order. - Are you scared?

Will, stop it.

Well, is he? You must be.

And where do you get off giving me orders, huh?

You know this hadn't have happened,

you wouldn't even be here, and I don't remember him saying

you could give no orders.

It don't matter. I'm giving 'em.

Listen to him, Will, what he said.

Maybe we better wait till Pa gets back.

Didn't expect you to side with him.

I'm not siding.

You just gotta listen to some sense.

I can make my own.

And get yourself killed?

What kind of sense does that make?

You really think it will come to that?

Well, it could.

Down in Texas, barb wire dug a lot of graves.

Oh, Will, you'd better do as Tate says.

- You're not my mother yet. - That's enough.

- Well, she ain't! - I said that's enough!

I catch you heading out to Donner's place, I'm gonna

bring you back by the seat of your pants, you understand?

Now while we're at it, you respect this lady

and the fact that your pa's gonna marry her.

Yeah, that's just her say so, you know.

Will. Don't you believe me?

Your father did ask me.

It's all gonna be settled.

Everybody pull in their reins till it is.

Amanda, you don't really...

I'd better start thinking about supper.

I better get some rest.

Excuse me.

I didn't hear no knock.

Well, you figure you can go around being rude people.

I figure I can do the same.

Nice room.

A room's a room.

Oh, I suppose.

The only one I ever had was the one I was born in.

That's too bad.

You thinking about having a ranch of your own someday, Will?

Sure.

This one right here, probably.

Pa always wanted to put down roots for Amanda and me.

Yeah, well, putting down roots and pulling them up,

that's two different things.

I don't... I don't get you there.

Oh, you get me.

I don't think I'm talking over your head.

What does that mean?

It means when a man is gonna marry a woman

like your pa is gonna marry that woman out there,

well, he tends to put her first,

at least if he's a man, that's what he'd do.

Yeah, well, you see, Amanda and me

always come first with him ever since our mother died.

How was it before she died?

That was a long time ago.

You know, it'd be too bad if you went

and did something foolish.

You figure that's the way Pa'd see it, huh?

Putting her first?

Well, you keep being out of sorts with her,

could be your pa wouldn't like it.

Could be you wouldn't have this room anymore.

You mean I wouldn't be living here?

Will, you're almost a man,

about able to take care of yourself.

You think on it.

Whoa, son, whoa.

You gonna stay out here with the big folks,

you got to learn not to scare like that.

What was it?

It was just a coyote.

- Oh. - Wake you, too?

No, no, I was awake.

Too many things to think about, I suppose.

Whoa.

He's a cute one, huh?

It's not easy, is it?

What's that?

Being parents.

Well, it's just a temporary thing with me.

Temporary or any other way,

I... I think you've had more than your share.

Oh, I'll survive.

We've gotta take things as they come, you know?

Like that business with Sam Donner today?

I was just doing my job.

No.

No, you were doing more than just that.

Easy, easy!

Are you all right?

Yes.

I...

I think I'd better go back in.

Yeah.

Well, good morning.

- Good morning. - Morning.

Breakfast will be a few more minutes.

Amanda said she wasn't feeling well this morning,

so I took over.

I hope you can stand it.

The breakfast or the waiting?

Both.

It smells real fine.

Well, there she is.

What's this about my best girl not feeling so well?

Oh, don't make fun, and I'm not your best girl,

not in any way shape or form, and I never will be,

not if I was the last girl or woman on earth.

Well, who put a burr under your saddle?

What's going on?

I would stay away from the corral at night

- if I was you, Roy Tate. - What was that?

You heard me, and I'm sure she did, too.

What's she talking about?

I... I'm not sure.

Well, that's not true, and you know it.

You're sure, all right. Both of you.

You can tell by the way you look.

You were asleep.

But I wasn't, I saw them two. I saw what they done.

Oh, Pa sure picked himself something!

Now you stop that kind of talk.

Why? Because you say so?

Oh, you're a fine one, Roy Tate.

You come in here with goodness and all wanting to help.

Well, as far as I'm concerned,

you can just help yourself right back to Shiloh.

Amanda!

Will somebody please tell me what's going on?

Them two.

Kissing and hugging and everything.

Why, that's not true.

There was no kissing, and... And there was no everything.

No? Well maybe not this time.

But what about next time or even the next?

- Them? - Yes. Them.

Amanda, whatever it was you think you saw,

it won't happen again.

Why? Just because you say so?

No. Because I won't be here.

Are you leaving?

Yes. I think I should.

I'm going to the hotel in Medicine Bow

- until their father returns. - There's no need for that.

Oh, I think there is.

I'm gonna pack my things now.

If you'd been a little more grown,

you'd have given a little more thought

to what you said before you opened your mouth.

Listen, why don't you just take all those fancy words

and thinking and get out of here?

'Cause as far as I'm concerned you're not working here anymore.

Oh, is that a fact? Let me tell you something, Will.

It was your pa that hired me on here,

and it'll be your pa that'll tell me when to leave.

I'm gonna drive her into town.

What's going on?

Nothing.

This is about the deadest town I ever did see.

Can I help you?

I'd like a room, please.

Yes, ma'am.

Uh, Maggie? You'd better get on outside.

You got that look about you. Now scat.

Would you sign here, please?

Get on over to the saloon. I'll see you there.

- What's up? - I'm not sure.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you for bringing me in.

No trouble.

Tate, I...

Well... goodbye.

Goodbye.

Whiskey.

It's funny how a little glass of red-eye

can wash down a whole week of trail dust.

Mmm!

Whoo!

That goes down a lot smoother

than what they serve back where I've been.

Thanks.

I reckon that's 'cause it gets to age longer

coming all the way out here.

Yes, sir.

A lot of dust between here and Nebraska.

You know, friend...

I came through one place,

all they had was one saloon.

That's right.

And all they served was one kind of whiskey.

I gave it a name.

Rot eye, the positively worst red-eye I ever tasted.

You hear me, friend?

Yeah, I hear you.

Yeah.

The positively worst.

One saloon, that's right.

The Grand Island Palace.

Well, I tell you, wasn't no palace,

not by a long shot.

Where they ever got that name, Grand Island, I wouldn't know.

Little prairie town

right out in the middle of nowhere.

You ever, uh, been there, friend?

No.

Well, I wonder what Joe Benson would say

if he knew his hired hand was spending all his time

in the saloon instead of out to the ranch earning his pay?

My time's my own.

Yeah, I'll remember that the next time I catch you

stringing wire out there.

Like I said, Mr. Donner, I'm just doing my job.

Sure.

Charlie, give us a couple of quick ones.

Floyd, if we let that wire go up out there,

it's gonna affect every rancher around here, including you.

Don't I well know? There ought to be a law.

There is a law.

Just 'cause it ain't written down someplace.

It's open range, that's what it is.

And you back it up with a gun if you have to.

There ain't been nothing like that

in these parts for a long time.

That could mean trouble, real trouble.

You ain't afraid to protect your rights, are you?

Of course not. Maybe there's some other way.

That's right.

There is some other way.

Something we can do for you, Mister...

Wade. The name is Wade.

And I don't think it's what you can do for me

but what I can do for you.

I gather you have a little problem

over some, uh, barb wire.

Could be, Mr. Wade, you've come to the right place.

Here's to your health.

- I got her to the hotel. - Oh, good.

Whatcha making?

Oh, nothing, just a dress.

Hmm, well, there's a couple of hours of daylight left.

I'm gonna get some more work done on that fence.

Who's that?

- Oh, it's just will. - Will?

All right, Will, now what do you think you're doing?

See for yourself.

You put that gun away and take off that belt.

- Why, 'cause you say so? - If your pa was here, he'd do more

- than make you just say so. - He ain't here, is he?

Give me that.

You know I got a right to use that if I want to.

Not while I'm around.

I'm not taking that responsibility,

not the way you're feeling.

♪

Hello. Come on.

Come on.

That's a girl. That's a girl.

That's a girl.

Whoa.

Easy, easy. Easy.

Easy. Easy.

Hey, what's the matter, huh? What's the matter?

What's the matter?

What?

With the horses?

Something stirred them up.

Last night, it was a coyote.

Oh, what you think it was this time?

Do you know?

I just told you.

What are you doing here, anyway?

Oh, too hot to sleep, don't you think?

No.

Night air feels good.

Yeah, well, my bed felt better.

Well? What do you think?

About what?

About the dress, silly.

I made it for you.

Why me?

Why not?

Well it's, uh...

it's a nice dress.

Oh, I thought you'd like it.

Come night, I dress like this all the time.

Oh, you do, do you?

Mm-hmm.

What does your pa say about that?

Oh, well, he don't mind.

He says it's nice to have a woman around.

Meaning you?

But, of course. Who else?

Don't you think I'm a woman?

Well...

maybe almost a woman,

but at least I'm younger than you are,

and that's what counts.

Not like...

well, you know.

What'd you do that for?

That's what your pa'd do.

- Well, you're not my pa. - Let's pretend I am.

Next thing he'd do is turn you over his knee.

Just stay away from me.

Next time you come out here in the middle of the night

- spooking those horses up... - Stay away!

You're no gentleman.

Well, you're sure no lady.

Why? Just 'cause you say so?

I didn't have to. You did this morning.

What did I say?

It wasn't exactly what you said. It was what you did.

No real woman would've done that.

Oh, you're talking about her?

That's right.

Well, what'd you expect me to do?

'Sides, it's done. Can't be changed.

Oh, can't it? Let me tell you something.

You want to be a woman, you act like one.

And a good way to start is tell her you were wrong.

Now a real grown-up woman would do that.

What, you mean apologize?

That's exactly what I mean.

Oh, no!

All right, suit yourself.

All right, all right! I'll do it.

Now go to bed.

And be back in those jeans come breakfast time.

Oh...

♪

Morning.

Morning.

I didn't catch your name yesterday in the saloon.

It's, uh...

it's Tate, right, Roy Tate?

That's right.

Let's see now.

That'd be Will.

The girl is Amanda.

Benson. Benson, I believe it is.

All right, mister, what is it?

Wade, Mr. Tate. The name is Wade.

I brought a little message for you.

Who from?

From me.

You got no business here.

That may be.

You see that wagon there?

You just unload what's in it.

Store it, throw it away, take it back.

It makes no difference to me.

Just don't you try to use it.

And if I do?

Well, then I'm afraid I will have business here.

You get the point, Mr. Tate?

I get your point.

Now why don't you just ride out the way you rode in?

Don't push me, Tate,

less'n you're looking to get killed.

I'll be seeing you.

What'd he want?

I mean, who was he?

He's just trying to scare us,

acting like a gun hand or something.

- That's right. - He didn't scare me,

but I think he got you a bit riled.

Where you going?

Unhitch the team.

Why? I thought I was gonna help you today.

Nobody's stringing any wire today.

Well, then he did scare you, didn't he?

I just don't want any trouble around here

while your pa's away.

Tate, I want my gun back.

What for?

So I can stand up for myself.

You know, just 'cause that man said what he did

is no reason to quit.

My pa wants that fence up,

and if you're not gonna do it, I will.

Get your head blown off?

Maybe they'll use their fists, like they did with me.

You'll probably go down first time with that busted rib.

No, I'm feeling better.

Well, in that case, your gun's in the bunkhouse.

You just go right on.

- What are you pulling? - Nothing.

Figures he's gotta work that fence, let him.

Well, you're going with him.

No, I'm no fool.

I'm not looking to get bushwhacked.

Well, go on, get your gun.

I'll think about it.

Over breakfast.

Amanda, come on, I'm hungry!

It's me.

Hi, Amanda! Come in!

Is anything wrong?

Oh, no, I was just in town,

and I thought I might come by and see how you were doing.

How nice. Sit down.

Well... how are things?

At the ranch, I mean.

Oh, fine, I guess.

And, uh...

how are things with you?

Oh, fine, too, I guess.

I don't know.

Sure could be a lot better.

Is there anything I can do?

- Ma'am... - Martha.

Yes, ma'am.

Martha, when you were my age,

did you sometimes go around like...

Well, like you had no brain at all,

acting... oh, I don't know...

Just... stupid?

Well, not all the time, just some of the time,

saying, oh, silly things like... like...

Like what?

Well, like...

Well, the other night when I heard that coyote,

well, it scared me, too, at first,

and that's how I happened to look out the window and see...

Oh, you know what I saw.

Do I?

I saw nothing, that's what I saw.

And I'm sorry.

Oh, Amanda.

Growing up can be, oh, so painful sometimes.

I guess.

Well, you'd better come home now.

Pa'd have a fit if he knew you were here

instead of where you belong.

Oh, thank you, Amanda. Thank you very much.

I... I'd love to come home where I belong.

Oh, there's something I'd better tell you,

something you should know.

What is it?

Well, it's about... It's about Tate.

You see, there was this man who came to the ranch earlier today.

His name was, um, Wade.

And he was making threats,

like there was gonna be some trouble.

What kind of trouble?

Oh, heaps.

He even threatened to kill Tate.

All right, let's go.

And remember,

we only do what Donner is paying us to do.

I don't want nobody else getting hurt if we can help it.

'Ceptin' Tate, and you leave him to me.

Now between Tate and Donner,

that'll make us a nice little piece of change in this town.

For somebody who was all fired up to go set fence posts

and string wire, you sure got lame again quick

when came to doing ordinary ranch chores.

Oh, that chicken feedin' there is woman's work.

Amanda can do that when she gets back from town.

Oh, yeah? I'm leaving it right here.

Either you do it or you're gonna have yourself

a bunch of dead chickens.

Big deal.

You got something on your mind, son?

Who, me?

What makes you think that?

Just the way you've been acting.

Can't think of a thing.

Well, that's good.

In that case, I'm gonna have myself a little cup of coffee.

You're running from something, aren't you?

- Is that what you think? - Yeah, that's what I think.

All that preaching about guns and trouble and all,

I bet "trouble" is your middle name, isn't it?

That's pretty close, Will. So I want to tell you something.

When I was about your age, maybe a few years younger,

I was turned out in this world with nobody to look after me,

tell me what to do, what not to do.

What about your folks?

My folks were dead.

So I guess I went the easiest way.

Mainly 'cause I didn't know any different.

I was hungry, I ate.

Didn't matter where the food came from.

Needed clothes, I got them.

Then one day, while I was heading out

to this country looking for a new way of living, I...

Well, that's when I ran into some trouble.

Meaning?

Just this.

I took a gun in my hand.

That's like saying I took the law into my own hands.

And I used that gun to get rid of the trouble,

just like you've been wanting to do.

Well, what did you do?

Well, I was passing through a place called, uh,

Grand Island, Nebraska.

I stopped at the saloon to have a drink,

wash down the trail dust.

What's wrong with that?

Nothing.

Except there was this man, this loudmouth kind.

He started pushing me around, started a fight.

I got mad. He pulled a gun.

I was a little faster.

I had to kill him to protect myself.

But then I ran.

Why?

Well, he was local. I wasn't.

He had friends there, and I didn't.

Simple as that.

Why are you telling me this?

Because, son, I don't want you

to wind up with the same kind of trouble.

Now, you got a score to settle, you do it right.

You do it proper.

That's what laws and sheriffs are for.

That's what I should have done.

You saying that I should turn Mal Donner in for beating me up?

It was Mal, huh?

It was Mal.

Are you?

That'd be a good start.

That's what your pa would want.

Whoa.

Tate.

- Hello, Will. - Hello.

You're coming home, huh?

That's the way Amanda put it.

I thought she was staying at the hotel.

Well, she ain't.

Us women figured Pa wouldn't like it.

- I didn't neither. - What's she gonna do...

Would you just take care of the horses and hush up?

Amanda told me about the man who came out here.

She pointed him out to me in town.

He's still around, huh?

Yeah.

What did he want?

Amongst other things...

me, I reckon.

What on earth for?

Will, you'd better take the ladies over to Shiloh.

Tell the Virginian to get some men over here just in case.

Why should we run?

You're the one that oughta clear out for your own good.

Will, I can't do that. You know that.

Better get inside, come on.

Look at him go.

I'd say Mr. Tate's worked up a good sweat by now.

And that's just the way I like it.

You let me take him first.

Then we'll go at the ranch.

Will, I'll handle this.

This is Benson land. I got a right to protect it.

I guess you're right.

Tate, you could still get away.

You heard Will. This is Benson land.

Joe left Will and me to look after it.

Tate!

Tate, you come on out of there!

You hear me, Tate?

You'll be no good to anyone dead.

One more chance, Tate!

Now you come on out!

All right, light it!

♪

You see that, Tate?!

Now you come on out of there

before the whole ranch goes up!

They're going for the barn!

- Where do you keep shells for this? - Right here.

You girls get upstairs and cover me.

Will, you keep them out of here.

♪

Amanda!

Bring some shells down! They're in Pa's room!

Oh...

I'll see you later!

Oh!

Amanda!

Amanda...

Sully! Get back here!

You killed her!

Will, get back!

Amanda!

Put it away, Will.

It's over.

You, uh...

you tell that Sam Donner...

joke's on him.

The barb wire...

down to Colorado...

and the panhandle, and it works fine.

Real fine.

He's dead.

So's Amanda.

Wouldn't be except for him and the Donners.

Oh, Tate, it was... It was so close.

You look after her.

Will!

♪

You better get a gun or so help me,

I'll kill you right where you are.

What's the matter with you? You loco or something?

No, I don't need no gun.

I don't even need a club like you used on me.

♪

Will! Get off of him, boy!

Get off of him!

- Killer! - What are you doing?!

- You killer! - Will!

Will, Amanda's all right! She's all right, Will.

The bullet just grazed her. She's all right, son.

She's all right.

Now, this isn't the way to do it.

Let the law take care of it.

It didn't work, Donner.

Wade's dead.

You're gonna have to answer to the Sheriff.

And so will he.

I saw the Alamo the last time I was in Texas.

It didn't look any different.

Will, Tate tells me you really held your own.

Well, she did, too.

She handled that rifle like a real man.

Or lady.

No, and that's final.

They have plenty of men at Shiloh.

Well, I'm one of them.

But we need you here.

Amanda, will you let the man go?

Now Donner's not gonna bother us any longer,

and Will's fine now.

Between the two of us, I think we can handle things.

Well, Tate, I'm much obliged for everything.

It's all right.

Well, goodbye.

Goodbye.

Why don't you drop by for supper sometime?

Oh, how about tomorrow night?

We'll see.

Speaking about supper, Amanda,

I think you'd better get at it.

- I've got a hunger... - What's what?

What do you think I am, Will Benson?

You just quit telling me when to fix this and when to fix that...

Big brothers and little sisters.

Bottomless pit you got inside you.

You'll eat when I say and after I feel like fixing what I want.

And next time, you won't get no busted rib.

You'll get a...

♪

♪