Original subtitles

Well, that takes care of it.

The ground'’s been posted on all sides, like she ordered.

I wonder if it'’s gonna work.

What do you mean?

Won'’t stop the range animals

from coming into the salt licks like they always have.

Yeah, but they can'’t read.

It won'’t stop folks who want salt either.

You mark my words.

The lady'’s in for trouble.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger.

Millions of years ago,

all this region around El Paso, Texas,

was flooded by the sea.

When the waters receded,

there was left behind great deposits of salt--

nature'’s gift to both man and beast.

The salt has been free to one and all since the memory of man.

In 1878, an ambitious girl

set a price on the precious crystal,

and these ancient flats

were to become the dangerous battleground for...

The bigness. It'’s overwhelming.

We haven'’t even scratched the surface yet.

Last time my pa and I went out,

we rode for nearly three solid days,

and never once got off our own land.

The biggest thing I ever surveyed back East was a 500-acre farm.

That'’s about the size of our south pasture.

Am I right, Jess?

[ chuckles ] Bigger than that.

Runs all the way to El Paso.

It'’s almost too much for one man.

Pa worked hard, Mr. Reid.

Worked all his life building up this land.

Worked right along with his men too.

He knew every blade of grass,

every newborn calf,

and he came by it all honestly.

I'’m sure he did, Miss Emory.

Still, it'’s difficult for me to get used to it out here.

In Philadelphia, you had to be satisfied with a lot less.

Hardly room to breathe.And that'’s why you came West?

That'’s one of the reasons.

Well, by the time you finish surveying my land,

you'’re gonna appreciate things out here.

I'’m beginning to appreciate things now.

Well, we, uh, better get moving.

Got a lot of riding to do if you wanna hit that salt lick before sundown.

"Salt lick"?Salt deposits due east.

The animals come from miles around to lick salt.

Keeps them alive in the heat.

I want you to start work there. We'’re gonna fence it in.

Keep out the animals.

No. Humans.

[ exhales forcefully ]

All right. Come on, lads. Let'’s hurry it up.

Come on. Let'’s put some elbow grease in it.

Can you make them out yet?

Looks like Pete Dodd and his boys.

I thought I told you to put up "no trespassing" signs.

I did.

See what I mean about fencing it in?

[ gunshot ]

[ gunshots ]

Dirty, rotten poachers.

Next time, I shoot straight for daylight through all of you.

You wouldn'’t talk so big if we were toting guns.

Why, milk face. You'’re old enough to have your ears pinned back.

Easy, lad. Easy.Let me at him, Pa!

Let him go, Pop. I'’m gonna teach him to be a man.

Hold it, Jess.

Mr. Dodd, this is private property.

Didn'’t you see the signs I had posted?

Yes, but I don'’t understand.

Far back as I can remember, salt'’s always been available for the taking.

It'’s still available. $1 a bag.

Twenty-five a wagonload.

Why, salt'’s always been as free as air to everyone.

In this climate, it'’s just as important as water.

We'’re telling you to pay for it instead of stealing it.

Stealing? Now, look, Hixon,

if you'’re trying to rile me, you'’re just itching for a fight.

Look, Pop, I'’m ready any time you are.

Stop it, Jess.

Mr. Dodd, pay what you owe, or take your sons and get off my land.

I'’m warning you, Miss Emory.

You'’ll have to reckon with every man, woman, and child in these parts.

They ain'’t gonna pay for free salt.

It'’s no longer free.

Brandy. You'’re going to spoil me with all this hospitality.

That'’s exactly what I'’m trying to do.

Can'’t let an Easterner think we'’re a bunch of savages.

'’Course not.

Toast?All right.

May the Emory ranch continue to thrive...

in peace.

You'’re still worried about the salt flats.

I'’m here to do a job, that'’s all.

It'’s your problem.

And I know how to handle it.

My father always said,

"You'’ve gotta go out and protect what belongs to you,

with your bare hands, if need be."

Coming from the City of Brotherly Love,

I sometimes take another point of view.

You haven'’t lived by the gun.

That'’s all some people understand.

Some perhaps.

But most understand compassion and neighborliness.

That salt has always been free.

Then it'’s about time they started paying for it.

I own that land.

I own what'’s on it.

I own what'’s under it.

I don'’t ask for favors. Why should they?

You'’re just not a good businessman.

Maybe.

All I try to do is be a fairly decent human being.

Meaning I'’m not?

I didn'’t say that. You did.

Let'’s not argue, Mr. Reid.

Or may I call you David?

Please do.

I'’d much rather be friends.

Sure. We'’re friends.

Fine.

Now, you mark the land.

Let me run the ranch. [ door opens ]

I didn'’t hear you knock.

Well, I never had to before.

Sorry if I'’m interrupting something.

You aren'’t.

You know, I never saw you decked out like this before.

Special occasion?

Yes. I enjoy looking like a woman.

That'’s the occasion.

You have something special on your mind?

Well, I was just gonna find out if you were gonna bring in those--

those extra hands from Mexico?

Help our boys handle the customers at the salt flats.

Well, I'’m not importing any professional gunslingers,

if that'’s what you mean.

You can'’t expect me and the boys to do all the work alone.

You'’re being paid for it, aren'’t you?

Yeah. There'’s just a few of us.

A lot of people want that salt.

We'’ll manage.

What'’s the matter, Rachel?

Reid here soften up your spine?

Mr. Reid has nothing to do with it.

That'’s right, Hixon.

It'’s none of my business. None at all.

Now, if you'’ll excuse me, I'’m sure you two

will be able to work out the unpleasant details.

[ chuckling ]

You know, I oughta take him out to the woodshed and give him a good thrashing.

You lay a hand on him, and I'’ll have your hide!

Afraid I might mess up his pretty face?

Wait a minute.

Don'’t tell me you got a hankering for that eastern dude?

He'’s worth ten of you.

You know, Rachel, you never used to feel that way about me.

But you go right ahead. Have your little fun.

Just don'’t let it go too far. I might get a little jealous.

[ door opens ]

[ door closes ]

A little more to your right, Joe.

Hold it!

Now bring the marker up.

That'’s fine.

Now move about 50 feet over to your left.

Hello, David.

I didn'’t see you at breakfast this morning.

We made an early start.

I wanted to apologize.

What for?

For being a bit short with you last night.

Forget it.

About another ten feet, Joe!

I didn'’t want you to get any wrong ideas about Jess.

I didn'’t.

He was Pa'’s foreman for so long he thinks he owns the place.

And you.

Nobody owns me.

No?

Well, some men have a habit of taking things for granted.

Well, you needn'’t worry about this man.

I can'’t help worrying about this one a little.

You'’ve been out in this broiling sun for hours.

To borrow a phrase from you, "I'’m being paid for it."

How'’s this, Dave?

That'’s fine. Steady.

I'’ve got some shopping to do in town.

I thought you might like to come along. No, thanks.

Oh, stop growling and come along.

It'’ll do you good.

It probably isn'’t healthy to refuse Rachel Emory.

Downright dangerous.

The buggy'’s waiting.

Pack up the equipment, Joe, and take it back to the ranch.

Right!

You know you'’re paying a full day'’s wages for a half day'’s work?

A woman'’s entitled to a few luxuries once in a while, isn'’t she?

Salt business isn'’t too good today, is it?

Now, look, David--Okay.

Let'’s go shopping.

Every man of us here has worked hard for what he'’s got.

And I ain'’t about to sit around twiddling my thumbs

while Rachel Emory sucks the blood out of me.

Now, salt'’s always been free.

Can'’t do without it.

Nature didn'’t put it here for one person'’s profit.

She meant it for man and beast alike.

Now, if a leech grabs hold of your hindquarters,

you pull it off and stomp on it, right?

That'’s right, Pa. [ men murmuring in agreement ]

Well, I say we do the same to Rachel Emory and her gunslingers.

[ men murmuring ]

Good afternoon, Mr. Peter.

I'’ve got a big order for you.

Would you fill it for me while I show Mr. Reid the town?

I'’ll need about five sacks of flour, and--Ain'’t got any.

You'’re out of flour?

I said I ain'’t got any.

How about coffee?

Out of coffee too.

Well, I can see bags of it stacked inside.

No coffee.

I'’m beginning to understand, Mr. Peter.

You'’re refusing to sell to me.

Sorry. I'’m busy. A meeting to attend.

Now, what kind of a meeting'’s so important it'’ll take you away from paying customers?

This one is. It'’s about you.

They'’re not going to treat me this way.

And if they think they can get rough with me...

They'’ll be coming out, trying to steal the salt.

I want the flats guarded day and night.

What'’s the matter?

We ain'’t lookin' to get our heads shot off, Miss Rachel.

You think I'’m wrong trying to protect what'’s mine?

Ain'’t my place to say.

All right. If that'’s the way it is, I'’ll manage on my own.

Go on. Go find yourselves

some place to hide, where you'’ll be safe.

I'’m sorry, Miss Rachel.So am I, Joe.

I thought I could count on you men.

There'’s loyalty for you.

They'’re right.

Sure. Everybody'’s right except me.

Maybe.

You think it'’s pure greed. Don'’t you?

I don'’t know what to think.

This ranch has belonged to the Emorys for more than 50 years.

To my granddad, then my pa, and now me.

I'’ve got a responsibility to keep it running.

That salt'’s worth money. I can'’t afford to give it away.

Your father did all right without it.

Sure, he did, but we'’ve got to keep growing.

I need money for improvements, new stock.

I need a dam for the north canyon.

I can'’t do it on thin air.

You'’ll never do it on bloodshed.

That'’s what you'’re asking for.

It may frighten you, but it doesn'’t frighten me.

I was beginning to think there was something special between us.

But we live in separate worlds.

[ door opens ]

[ door closes ]

Why can'’t you make the men stand up and protect this ranch?

Maybe the boys don'’t like risking their neck for a woman.

Now, if there was a man beside her-- I mean a real man--

things might be different.

And you, of course, are that man.

Well, you could do a lot worse.

And a lot better.

Dave Reid?

Rachel, I'’ve given you the best I'’ve got.

My blood'’s in this land the same as yours.

I'’ll make my own choice, Jess, and you'’re not it.

You just can'’t toss me aside.

I pay you to work. That'’s all I want from you.

Well, that ain'’t good enough.That'’s all you'll get.

I never made any promises.

Well, I have. Made one to myself.

That promise was that I'’d have you.

Rachel, we'’re two of a kind.

That'’s too bad,

'’cause sometimes I don'’t like myself any better than I like you.

You just can'’t lead a man on, then slap him across the face.

Or don'’t you think I'’m good enough to marry an Emory?

Not this one.

I'’m sorry, Jess.

Nothing'’s that simple.

You'’ll find that out

real soon.

[ door slams ]

I hope you'’re all armed.

I hear she tried to round up some gunslingers.

What are you doing here?I'’m riding with you.

You got your hat and head on backwards.

You ain'’t riding with us, Hixon.

You got the Emory brand stamped all over you.

Now, wait a minute. Just hear me out.Easy there--

Well, say it fast, and make it good.

I don'’t work for Rachel Emory anymore. I quit.

He'’s lying!

Let him talk.It'’s the truth.

I quit because I was ordered to kill.

Now, I don'’t mind using a gun,

but not against people I know and respect.

Why, I'’ve known some of you for ten or 15 years.

Seems to me you know Rachel Emory just as long.

You ready to use a gun against her?

Maybe. But she'’s not the one that'’s at fault.

He'’s the one that put the notion in her head about selling the salt.

Still her land. She don'’t have to listen to strangers.

Well, I wouldn'’t say he'’s exactly a stranger.

Them living under the same roof, if you know what I mean.

But once they get married, he plans to double the size of the Emory ranch.

I heard him say so myself. That means he'’s gonna squeeze a lot of you out.

Well, he ain'’t gonna squeeze me off my land.Me neither.

Well, you better do something about it, and right now. I say drive them off the land.

Jess is right. And if they put up a fight, we burn '’em off the place!

Yeah, I'’m with Jess. Burn '’em out!

Come on!Let'’s get this thing over once and for all.

[ murmuring ]

[ knocking on door ]

Come in.

Your bunkhouse is empty.

Looks like most of your men have quit.

Why didn'’t you ride off with them too?

Maybe I should have.

Rachel, will you come to your senses?

If you'’re suggesting that I start having hysterics...

David...

I'’m sorry.

[ footsteps approaching ]

Miss Rachel?

Matt just rode in from town. There'’s a mob whipped up,

and some of the hotheads are talking about burning down the ranch.

Jess is with them, and they'’re on their way out here.

Me and Matt-- we'’re getting out.

Joe, you can'’t leave.

Stick by me, and I'’ll make you a foreman.

I'’m sorry, Miss Rachel. This thing'’s gotten too far outta hand for me.

I'’m going for the marshal. Douse the lights, stay put. And no shooting.

If they step foot on my land-- No shooting.

But, Dave-- For once, you'’re going to do as I say.

Do you understand me?

Yes, I understand you.

[ door opens, closes ]

JESS: That'’s far enough.

[ whinnies softly ]

Now, get down.What is this?

I said get down!

[ whinnying softly ]

What'’s going on?You'’ll find out soon enough.

Look, men, we can settle this peacefully and equitably.

That smooth talk may work with the Emory woman, but it won'’t work with us.

People here won'’t be pushed around.

Miss Emory will listen to reason. I promise you that.

You talked her into this mess,

but you ain'’t gonna talk us into going easy on her.

The only reason that woman understands is action, and I say show her some.

We'’ll start with him. Let'’s string him up.

Why--Oh, now, now, now, hold it, Jess.

Hold it. We'’ve got Reid.

That gives us something to bargain with.

Maybe we can make a deal with the Emory woman.

You'’re wasting your time. Oughta know. I worked for her long enough.

Hixon'’s right. He'’s the one who started

all this talk about shooting and getting tough.

I say we give her a taste of her own medicine.

They got Dave Reid.

[ whinnying softly ]

I'’m going back and tell her. I owe her that much.

[ horse whinnying ]

[ knocking on door ]

Miss Rachel, it'’s Joe! Open up, quick!

What is it, Joe?It'’s Mr. Reid. They got him, just this side of the salt flat.

They'’re awful riled up.Saddle me up a horse, quick.

You better take mine. There may not be time.

Now, now, please, men. This is no way to do things.

Look, Pete, if you'’re getting squeamish, just turn your back.

All right, men. Let'’s get this over with.

[ hoofbeats approaching ]

He don'’t look so good now,does he?

A little green around the gills.

Please, listen to me! Dave had nothing to do with this!

Too late to talk now.No!

Let her talk.

I'’m the one who's responsible for everything.

She'’ll say anything to save his skin.

It'’s my land-- family land-- and that'’s all I could think about.

I wanted to get the most out of it for myself.

Dave tried to make me see that I was wrong,

but I wouldn'’t listen.

You let her keep talking, she'’s gonna get you all mixed up like she did me.

You can have the salt!

I don'’t care anymore.

But don'’t hurt this man.

Please. I beg you, let him go.

And you can take the salt. It'’s yours.

Miss Emory, that'’s all we wanted to hear.

[ cocks ]

You turn yellow now, and so help me,

I'’ll string you right up alongside of him.

You can'’t trust her. I told you that.

[ horse snorting ]

Easy. Easy. Easy.[ grunts ]

[ horse whinnying ]

Cut that rope, quick!

Whoa.

[ breathing heavily ] [ horse sputtering ]

Rachel Emory did give Pete Dodd and the citizens

a deed to the salt flats.

It said that the salt was to be free again to all men.

Highway 62 travels right over those flats today.

And you can stop and help yourself, if you'’ve a mind to.

Doesn'’t look like anything that would start a war, does it?

But that'’s how important salt is to man.