Original subtitles

Terrible, Matt, getting bit by a rabid critter.

Ain'’t nothing more fearsome in this world than hydrophobia.

A narrow escape, Fred.

Is the poison drawn out, Mrs. Westgate?

Certainly is. Three times now we applied it,

and each time the milk we soaked it in turned green.

It dropped off, Fred. You'’re well.

Yeah, thanks to my mother'’s madstone.

FRED: God grant you never have to use it, boy.

♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger.

Today, hardly anyone believes in the curative properties of a madstone,

but many pioneer families have faith in these talismans,

reputedly found in the paunch of a white deer,

and used to draw the poison from the bites of rabid animals.

In those days, you see, there was no such a thing

as an antirabies serum,

and so, to many people, life itself could depend on...

Can I help you, mister?

No, you can'’t help me.

Say, ain'’t you my grandpa from Langtree?

If you mean, am I your mother'’s pa? Yes, I am.

But I am not your grandpa. Never will be.

Well, that sounds kind of funny.

Huh. Not funny to me, boy.

You must'’ve changed a lot since my mom last saw ya.

She'’s always telling me how nice ya are.

I won'’t take any of your insolence.

And I haven'’t time to stand here and idle talk, either.

Uh, I think you need a little more lift there.

Oh. Here. This might do it.Now, look here, boy. You--

How come you never come to visit us?

Other kids'’ grandpas take '’em hunting, fishing...

All things like that.

Don'’t scratch the paint off that wheel.

Get your pa to take you hunting and fishing.

Pa'’s too busy. He works from sunup till dark.

Mm. Well, maybe you oughta be helping him

instead of gallivanting over the hills.

Oh, I do. Ma just sent me on an errand to the Westgates for a madstone.

Westgate got bit by a rabid mule.

The madstone cured him. You wanna see it?

I'’ve seen it. Been in the family for years.

[ grunting ] There! That did it!

Hmm.

Our house ain'’t far from here. Why don'’t you drive over?

That'’s just where I'’m headed, boy.

But not to take you fishing. I have business with your mother.

[ clicks teeth ]

Ma! Ma!

Ma, Grandpa'’s coming!

Grandpa?

Yeah. He'’s right behind me in a buggy.

Are you sure it'’s him?'’Course I'm sure.

I talked to him. He said he was him.

[ hoofbeats approaching ]

It is him!

Pa!

Ellen.

Oh, Pa, it'’s so good to see you.

Matt, come say hello to your grandpa.

Hello.We met on the way here.

Well, come inside.

No, we can talk on the porch.

Big Matt'’s not at home.Doesn'’t matter.

It'’s you I've come to talk to, Ellen.

Leave us, boy.

Matt, wait inside.

It'’s true-- what I heard in town. [ door opens ]

[ door closes ]You'’re getting ready to move out.

Yes, Pa. New Mexico.

Need money to buy land, even in New Mexico.

Matt'’s selling the herd. He'’s driving it north tomorrow.

We'’ll leave as soon as he comes back.

Ellen, you'’re insane to go out in that wild country, start all over again.

He needs a bigger place, a new start.

Matt wants to make something of himself, Pa.

Himself? Doesn'’t he ever think of you?

Please, I don'’t wanna go all over that again. If you'’ve come here to quarrel--

I'’ve come to stop you from jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Look at you-- tired, worn, half-sick, old before your time.

And now he wants to move you out to that Godforsaken territory,

where you'’ll have it even worse.Pa...

I warned you when you married him, this would be your lot.

Thirteen years, and he hasn'’t made a thing of himself yet.

It'’s not his fault.

That drought two years ago ruined every rancher around here except you.

And before that, he had nothing.

He'’s a failure, that'’s what he is, Ellen. A failure.

Pa, how long are you gonna let this grudge ruin all our lives,

just because you and Matt'’s father fought over a piece of land?

That'’s only part of it.

Big Matt shouldn'’t have courted a girl like you.

Turned your head, got you to marry him.

Him, without a cent to his name.

I married him because I loved him.

And we'’ve been happy, even though we haven'’t had much.

Well, you'’ll have a lot less in New Mexico.

Did you ever stop to think? Hundreds of miles between ranches.

And the Indians-- worse than they are here.

Pa, my place is with my husband.

Well, why can'’t he and the boy go on ahead?

You'’ll stay here with me. Rest up.

When they get settled, they can send for you.

[ chuckles ] Makes sense, doesn'’t it?

Yeah, I guess it makes sense.

[ hoofbeats departing ]

Tell him how it'’s gonna be, Ellen.

How what'’s gonna be?Well, Pa thought that--

I came to tell you what I think of your fool idea of buying a ranch in New Mexico.

Well, there'’s nothing I can afford to buy around here.

You own most of the land in this county.

And you thought you'’d get it when you married Ellen.

Well, you'’re found out.

Caleb, I wouldn'’t take your ranch if you paid me.

I make my own way, beholden to nobody.

Least of all to you.Matt, Pa, plea--

You'’re making your way on the feeble strength of this poor girl.

I won'’t stand for it.

Well, you won'’t have to, not for long.

You'’ll soon be in New Mexico.

I swore I'’d never set foot in this place.

I swallowed my pride today because of Ellen.

Now I'’m sorry. I see it was a waste of time.

[ whispers ] Pa...

[ sighs ]

Boy, he sure is a sour one.

I, uh-- I'’m sorry I had to talk to him that way.

Matt, you know, maybe Pa'’s right about staying near Langtree.

Near folks and shops and a doctor, if need be.

Honey, we'’ve been all over this before.

I know we have, but I want this feud to end.

Well, I'’ve tried. You know that. It just won'’t work.

Pa'’s terribly upset at our leaving.

Hmph! He'’s upset about your leaving.

He'’d like to see me go, for good.

Matt, I don'’t think so.

I think that deep in his heart, he wants us all.

You know, Pa'’s getting pretty old, and running that big ranch

must be hard work.

He needs a strong man around.

He needs you, Matt.

Now, wait a minute, honey. What are you getting at?

Matt, let'’s go to him.

Tell him he was right about New Mexico.

Tell him we wanna be friends.

No. No, I'’m not gonna crawl to him.

Look, honey, if you really wanna stay here in Langtree with your father, you stay.

But once that herd is sold, I'’m leaving.

[ knocking on door ]

Ellen?

Sarah!

Thought I'’d drop by and give you a hand.

Boy said you were packing.

Yes. It'’s very kindof you.

Extra cake I made.

Oh, how good of you, Sarah. Thanks.

That your father I saw driving back into town?

Yes. He heard we were leaving.

Came to talk us out of it.

Ellen... sit down.

I agree with your father.

You'’re really not well enough to rough it in that wilderness.

Matt feels he can get a whole new start there, Sarah.

Have you told him yet how poorly you'’re feeling?

I can'’t tell him now. He'’d worry on the drive.

He might not even go.

I just can'’t bother him with my problems now.

He'’s got so many setbacks.But, Ellen, you'’ve gotta tell him.

I know. Maybe when he gets back from the cattle drive.

Come on. Let'’s have some tea.

[ cattle lowing ][ yelling ]

[ yelling continues ]

[ lowing continues ]

Pa?Hmm?

You thinking about New Mexico, Pa?

[ clicks teeth ] Yes, son, I guess I was.

What do we do if Mom don'’t wanna come?

Well, I don'’t know.

I don'’t think she feels very good, Pa.

Yeah, I'’m afraid you'’re right.

And I haven'’t made things too easy for her either.

You done your best, Pa.

Ah. [ chuckles ]

Well, my best hasn'’t been good enough.

It'’s funny, son. It seems everything your pa does turns out wrong.

First it was drought, then epidemic, then locoweed.

I kind of thought in New Mexico we'’d get a fresh start, but now I'’m not sure.

But if it is wrong for me to want to take your ma out there...

Maybe the old man'’s right.No, he'’s not, Pa.

Don'’t you worry. Things'’ll work out.

They got to.[ chuckles ]

I just wish I knew how, son.

I really wish I knew how. [ thunderclap ]

[ horse whinnying ]

Well, time to get back to the herd.

He'’s gonna have his hands full in a few more minutes.

[ thunderclap continues ]

[ cattle lowing ]What'’ll happen if the storm's real bad, Pa?

Well, that'’s hard telling, son.

Animals get awful nervous in a thunderstorm. Sometimes they go half-crazy.

Then I better ride herd with you tonight.

Oh, no. No. If they should stampede,

another rider being there wouldn'’t help much one way or another.

Besides, you might get hurt.

Better stay here and get some sleep while you can, hmm?

[ thunderclap ]

MATT: Yah! Yah! [ thunderclap ]

Yah! Yah!

[ thunderclap ]

[ cattle lowing ]

Yah! Yah! Yah!

[ thunder rumbling ]

Yah! [ thunderclap ]

[ screams ]

Pa! Pa, come quick!

Pa! Pa!

[ thunderclap ]

Take a deep seat, boy. We gotta get you to the doctor fast.

You ain'’t coming, Pa. You can'’t leave the herd.

You'’re more important than any herd.

No, Pa, no! I can make it to White Water.

If you lose the herd, it'’ll ruin everything.

Please, Pa. I can make it.

You tell the doctor just how it happened.

How that skunk held on--I'’ll tell him.

All right, then. But you ride as fast as this horse can carry you.

If that skunk had hydrophobia, there'’s no time to lose.

I know, Pa.Now, you scat.

[ clicks tongue ] [ thunderclap ]

It was so sudden.

Before I knew it, he had his teeth into me.

That skunk could'’ve had hydrophobia to act like that.

That'’s what we were afraid of.

I'’m gonna have to get your father back here.No, please!

If he leaves the herd in this storm, he'’ll lose them.

And he'’s had enough bad luck.

Well, he'’s got hands along, hasn'’t he?One was all he could afford.

And you can'’t leave a herd with one rider.

Son, you don'’t realize what terrible danger you'’re in from that bite.

There'’s no serum for rabies. Nothing.

We don'’t need serum if you'’ve got a madstone.

"Madstone"?It works, Doc.

I know it does.Yeah?

I'’ve heard of folks it did cure.

I haven'’t got one. I don'’t know who has.

My mother has one.

Where is your mother?In Langtree.

That'’s 150 miles!

I guess it'’s your only chance.

Now go. Get going.

And watch out for the Injuns.

Tony!

Tony? Tony!

Tony!

Tony! Tony!

Tony!

Hey!

Hey, that'’s my horse you got there. Yeah?

You alone, boy?

Yes. And I gotta get home fast.

Give me my horse.You, uh, got a gun?

No! Let me have my horse!

He'’s mine now.You got no right to him.

He just broke loose while I was asleep.

That horse is the only thing I'’ve got to get home with.

Finders keepers, boy.

I'’ll get a good price out of that horse.

Now, listen, mister, I gotta have my horse.

I'’ve been bit by a skunk that had hydrophobia,

and I gotta get home to put my mom'’s madstone on it.

Listen, if I don'’t get home, I'’ll die!

That'’s your hard luck, boy.

Out of my way now.

Thanks for the lift, mister.Come on in for supper, son.

I don'’t have time. I gotta keep going.

Well, then, you better take this here dried beef and this here canteen.

You got a long way to go yet.

Thanks, mister. I'’ll pay you back.

Aw, no need.

[ Indians whooping ] [ hoofbeats approaching ]

Where'’s the other white man?

I don'’t know what you'’re talking about. I'’m all alone, honest.

Why you come here? This country belong to Indian.

I'’m just crossing over. I gotta get home fast.

White boy lie!

No, I'’m not lying, honest.

I got my arm hurt, and I'’m trying to get home to Langtree.

See? I told ya.

What arm hurt from?Skunk bit me, up past White Water.

A crazy skunk.

"Crazy skunk"?

Yeah, you know, animal that smells.

And so anyway, that'’s why I gotta get home.

Put my mom'’s madstone on it.

Great spirit made it. Take out poison.

Ah. Great spirit.

Yeah, and it sure works.

So anyway, that'’s why I gotta get home.

And my time'’s running out fast.

You go home all alone from White Water?

That'’s right.

You brave boy.

Go without father through desert and Indian country.

[ speaks native language ]

You ride horse. Get home faster.

Thanks, mister!Bring horse back.

Yes, sir! [ clicks tongue ]

Matt!

Where'’s Mom?What happened?

Matt, what'’s happened?

Where'’s Mom?She'’s not here, son.

Not here? Where is she?

What'’s the matter?Well, she'’s sick.

Your grandfather took her over to his house.

She'’s sick? What'’s wrong with her?

Well, she'’s been poorly for some time.

I don'’t know exactly what it is.

What happened to your arm?

I got bit by a "hydrophoby" skunk.

I rode back here so'’s I can put my mom'’s madstone on it.

Well, your grandfather has the madstone, Matt.

I guess I'’ll get on over there.

Well, my team'’s in the barn, son. Let me drive you over.

I can'’t wait.

[ clicks tongue ]

What are you doing here? Why ain'’t you with your pa?

I gotta see my mom.

Mrs. Westgate said she was sick.

You can'’t come in here, upset her.

Her heart collapsed, the doctor said.

I gotta see her! Ya hear?

You let me see her, or--

She doesn'’t want to see you.

I don'’t believe you.It'’s true.

She doesn'’t want to see you.

You stick with your pa.

Go out to New Mexico. Forget your ma.

That'’s what she wants. That'’s what she said.

She'’s been thinking about it a long time.

She'’s not made for that kind of life.

[ hoofbeats approaching ]

Matt...

Matt...

Matt, where you going?

What difference does it make?

Well, what happened? Didn'’t you tell your mother about your arm?

My mother doesn'’t even wanna see me.

What?

What?

Matt, wait.

What'’s this about Ellen not wanting Matt?

She can'’t be upset. Doctor'’s orders.

Did you turn that poor, sick boy away from his own mother?

Sick? What are you talking about?

Didn'’t you even ask him?

That boy was bit by a rabid skunk up north.

Came all the way down here for Ellen'’s madstone.

Rabid skunk?

He came in here, asked to see his mother.

When I said no, he-- he just walked off.

Probably doesn'’t care what happens to him now,

thinking his ma left him.

Mr. Rees, you oughta be ashamed of yourself!

But, Sarah, I didn'’t mean to do anything--

"Didn'’t mean"? You'’ve been trying

to break that family up for years, and now you'’ve done it.

Well, if that boy dies, he'’ll be on your conscience, if you have one!

Sarah, you go inside. Look after Ellen.

I'’ll take your team and see if I can fetch him back.

Just a minute, boy. Boy, where you going?

Leave me alone.Don'’t you talk to me that way, son.

I'’m your grandpa.Well, you ain'’t much of a grandpa!

Well, maybe I ain'’t, boy. But why didn'’t you tell me you was bit by a skunk?

What difference would it make? You don'’t care about anything.

You even turned my mom against me.

You let me see that arm, boy. Let me see that arm!You leave me alone!

I told you to leave me...

You'’re at my place.

Your place ain'’t home to me.

Yes, it is. It'’s gonna be home to all of us from now on.

That'’s right, Matt. Everything'’s gonna be fine now.

Your pa and I are gonna be partners.

We need fresh blood around here.

I bought in with the money we got from the herd, son.

Now all any of us wants is for you to get well.

Look! Good as new.

Well, I-- I don'’t know much about madstones,

but sure looks like this one cured the poison out of both of us.

Sure did, Grandpa.

Guess old Caleb was right about the poison,

because they lived together in happiness for a good many years.

All because of a madstone

like this one I hold here.