Original subtitles

♪ Rollin', rollin', rollin' ♪

- Hyah! -♪ Rollin', rollin', rollin' ♪

♪ Keep movin', movin', movin' ♪

♪ Though they're disapprovin' ♪

♪ Keep them dogies movin' ♪

♪ Rawhide ♪

♪ Don't try to understand them ♪

♪ Just rope and throw and brand 'em ♪

♪ Soon we'll be livin' high and wide ♪

♪ My heart's calculatin' ♪

♪ My true love will be waitin' ♪

♪ Be waiting at the end of my ride ♪

♪ Move 'em on, head 'em up, head 'em up, move 'em on ♪

♪ Move 'em on, head 'em up, Rawhide ♪

-(whip cracks) -♪ Cut 'em out, ride 'em in ♪

♪ Ride 'em in, let 'em out, cut 'em out, ride 'em in ♪

-♪ Rawhide...! ♪ -♪ Rollin', rollin', rollin' ♪

♪ Rollin', rollin', rollin' ♪

- Hyah! -♪ Rollin', rollin', rollin'. ♪

(whip cracks twice)

Well, all this town needs is flowers and a headstone.

Doggone it, the first Saturday off in weeks and what happens?

We wind up in a funeral parlor.

Well, don't worry about it,

but this afternoon we're gonna have two girls apiece,

free fried chicken and a custard pie.

- Yeah? Who said so? - My rabbit's foot.

Hey, you know something?

I hope he's right.

[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]

HEY SOOS: What? Closed on Saturday?

SCARLET: Why, that's a hanging offense.

RABBIT: Well, this town needs to be woke up, that's all.

[BELL RINGING]

[GUNSHOT THEN BELL RINGS]

[BELL RINGS]

[GUNFIRE THEN BELL RINGING]

Afternoon, sheriff.

We were just ringing for the bartender.

Come on, let's really smoke him out.

[GUNFIRE THEN BELL RINGING]

A sacrilege.

That is a house of God.

Looks just like an empty old schoolhouse to me.

You're right, son, it was a schoolhouse,

but Brother William here is just using it nowadays.

MAN: Sheriff!

The shot must have ricocheted off the bell,

smack into his heart.

My brother. You've killed my brother.

Please don't crowd in, folks, there's nothing you can do.

He's dead. It was an accident.

Senseless wanton murder is never an accident.

You don't have to talk like that, mister.

Well, it was only one chance in a thousand. We didn't mean to do it.

We'll all be glad to pitch in and give what we have.

Alms of the devil.

You're all guilty.

You stood there watching and didn't lift a hand.

You two boys come with me.

Well, don't just stand there, brethren.

Take up the sword of righteousness and cut down those carrion,

those disciples of Satan.

Look, brother, it was an accident.

We all saw what happened.

You hated my brother.

You're glad he lies there dead.

Sinners! All of you!

SHERIFF: Shucks, he's been spouting his own crazy brand of salvation

to half the tree stumps in this territory.

He is touched, you know.

Oh, real touched.

And as for this brother, Judd, that's the one that just passed on,

well, he's had that coming for a long time.

You boys done this town a good turn.

All them Hortons, in fact, are-- Were gunslingers.

You mean there's more Hortons?

Oh, yeah, there's three more.

Now, boys, I don't think we really have Yo prefer charges against you.

This could be very well a case of involuntary manslaughter

that'd just waste the judge's time.

That's awful nice of you, sheriff.

Would, uh, $40 cover the burial?

Forty? That'd be fine.

Yeah.

Where are they now anyway?

SHERIFF: Well, I reckon they're out hijacking some freight wagons.

Ain't nobody in town doubts

but what that's the way they keep their store stocked with merchandise.

Yeah, well...

Well, we'll wait for them, then.

SHERIFF: Are you joshing, boy?

No. We'll have a little talk with them, find out if there's anything we can do.

Well, there certainly is something you can do. You can get out of town now.

I'll take care of this.

Gee, look now, Rowdy. With that preacher screaming murder,

well, we're gonna be in a shootout before you get a chance to apologize.

Come on, I've worn out my rabbit's foot for one day.

ROWDY: All right.

Go on, run.

Sprout wings and fly if you can.

But it won't do you any good. You'll see.

You can't run away from him.

Run away from who?

Death.

He'll be riding with you all the way,

biding his time.

No one can outrun death if he deserves it.

And you deserve to die.

You deserve it!

Well, I can't see any point

in condemning yourself for an accident.

Nothing you can do about it anyways.

When you get right down to it, Mr. Favor, it was all my fault.

ROWDY:: Just remember, we both did the shooting.

No, I was the one who started it.

I think Señor Rowdy is more worried about what that man said.

The man?

Well, it's the dead man's brother he's talking about, Mr. Favor.

He wore a big old black coat and called his self a preacher.

[CHUCKLES]

The old fool crackpot, he went and put a curse on us.

Why, it was downright shameful, the language he used.

He swore they are going to die.

Well, everybody's gonna die.

But he meant now, on this drive.

Believe me, he meant business, Mr. Favor.

Why, the look in his eyes was full of fire and brimstone.

I've never seen a look yet that could draw blood.

Señor, he was speaking of fate.

Oh, I see.

You mean, Rabbit and Rowdy are just gonna drop over dead like that, huh?

No, he didn't exactly say how.

Oh, come on, you're kidding me. You don't believe that--

[HORSE APPROACHING]

That's him.

I wonder if his brothers are with him.

You two stay here. I'll handle this.

FAVOR: Evening.

My name's Favor.

I am Brother William, apostle of the redemptive spirit.

Are you looking for someone?

I'm expecting someone.

Three men named Horton.

My brothers.

When they arrive, I intend to prevent murder.

Well, that didn't make sense.

You tell my men to die before their time,

now you tell me you aim to prevent it.

No one can prevent it.

Therefore, why should I allow my brothers

to commit a pointless sin,

the sin of revenge?

Leave that to the Lord.

The Lord?

Well, I was always under the impression

he busies himself spreading goodwill.

When the Lord is angry, he wields a sword.

They will be cut down.

Both of them?

Perhaps just the one who fired the fatal shot.

But how will we ever know?

The Lord knows.

And so does the devil.

Between them lies fate.

Hmm. Oh, say, what about instead of rooting for their death,

what about sending up a prayer?

Never.

Now, look, I gotta agree with you. They're probably sinners,

but they're also good drovers and I need them.

So let's not do anything that would lend fate a hand, huh?

Clear?

Well, when a man's sick,

usually you can bandage him or you bury him.

But when a man's sick up here,

ain't much you can do about it except leave him be.

So your Brother William can't hurt you any more than ghosts or goblins can.

So you best forget about it and get a good night's sleep.

We've got a long haul come sunup.

You know, I never did put no stock in it,

what that old preacher had to say. I think Mr. Favor's right.

Yeah.

Of course, uh, the way he said it did kind of gave me the willies.

Yeah, kind of.

I know it's here...

What you looking for?

Oh, I lost my rabbit's foot around here somewhere.

Oh. Too bad.

PLAYING "AM I BORN TO DIE?" ON HARMONICA

[HERDERS YELLING]

[COWS GRUNTING]

[HERDERS WHISTLING AND YELLING]

You know, Scarlet, I wish I knew more about the good book.

There's bound to be something in there to cancel him out.

Yeah.

Will you two forget about that crank and get those cows moving?

QUINCE: Yes, sir.

[FAVOR CLEARS THROAT]

Hey, you're getting paid for ramrodding, not sleepwalking.

You know, I can't get over the feeling I'm on the run or something.

Maybe I should have stayed in that town.

Wouldn't have served no purpose.

Well,

sheriff said that that man deserved to die.

Maybe it was an act of fate, I don't know.

Well, why blame yourself, then?

I just don't like being used as a tool

for something I don't understand, that's all.

Don't worry, you never will understand it.

Because fate don't mean anything until after something has happened.

[HERDERS WHISTLING AND YELLING]

[HORSE NEIGHING]

[GROANS]

[HORSE SNORTS]

No!

Get away! Get! Get!

[HERDERS WHISTLE AND YELL]

Get! Get!

[WHINNYING]

FAVOR: Rabbit.

Are you all right, boy?

Who, me? Yeah, yeah, ha.

I think so. Ahem.

Shoot.

I've been stepped on worse than that by dance hall girls.

It's my horse I'm worried about.

I don't understand. I raised him from a colt, he never did nothing like that.

I don't know, Rabbit. I've seen them get a bee up the nose

- and act just like that. - Yeah.

Beats anything I ever saw.

Turned on him like a horned devil.

Does loco weed make sense?

Yeah, there was a big patch of it a ways back.

Must've got a belly full

and just took an hour or so to take effect, that's all.

Now get him back to the remuda. Hey Soos will straighten him out.

You better spend the rest of the day in the supply wagon.

Oh, no. No, sir, I'm fine.

You may be, but that leg ain't.

You stay put. I'll send Mushy back to pick you up.

I'm a liar, Rowdy.

I ain't fine.

Well, my legs aren't, I guess, but there's something else.

[WILLIAM PLAYING "AM I BORN TO DIE?" ON HARMONICA]

Something maybe nobody can cure.

[CONTINUES PLAYING]

[HERDERS YELLING AND WHISTLING]

Oh, at the rate we're going,

we're gonna be ahead of schedule about two days.

The only thing is, them cows are gonna be old enough to vote. Heh.

Well, how's your leg?

Oh, it's fine, it's fine.

I'll be sitting in the saddle tomorrow.

You know, I think we lost that old scarecrow.

Look back there and see. Can you see him?

Hold them up! Hold them up!

Mr. Wishbone, I'm all squashed.

Mr. Wishbone.

I think all my ribs is busted.

Oh, you couldn't be talking if they was.

Now, come on, get up.

You're all right.

Where's Rabbit?

Over here.

TOOTHLESS: I think he's...

I think he's dead.

Well, if I look dead, you look like you've been buried six weeks.

I'm sorry, Mr. Favor.

I was looking back, I didn't see this bump here.

You don't begin to feel sorry as I would like to make you.

Bed them down!

[WILLIAM PLAYING "AM I BORN TO DIE?" ON HARMONICA]

Born to die, lie this body down.

Must my spirit fly into a--?

I wish he'd stop playing that.

[WILLIAM CONTINUES PLAYING HARMONICA]

Well, the only way we're gonna get rid of old Brother William is to run him off.

That just might be gonna do that.

Hold on a minute, then he'd think he's winning.

And there ain't no homemade pulpit preacher

gonna spook old Rabbit. No sirree, buddy.

Heh. Ain't no two accidents makes a curse.

They don't even make a good jinx. Ha-ha-ha.

Yeah, well, none of them other horses ate loco weed.

Now, look, Rowdy, I'm the one that deserves to have the jitters.

If death is riding with us, it's clear he's got his finger pointed on me.

[WILLIAM STOPS PLAYING HARMONICA]

[WIND WHISTLING]

You hear anything?

Well, there's something on the wind, all right. I feel it.

[MOUNTAIN LION SCREECHES]

It's a cat.

Yeah. Yeah, he sounds like he's right on top of us.

[COWS GRUNTING]

[MOUNTAIN LION SCREECHING]

You seen him?

No, I don't have to. I can feel him.

Cut that noisy one out before he sets them all off.

- Stake him out for bait. - Right. Yes, sir.

[COW GRUNTING]

[COW YELPING]

[COW CONTINUES GRUNTING]

Attaboy. Tell him you're easy pickings.

[COW GRUNTING]

All right, let's get downwind of him.

[COW GRUNTING]

[MOUNTAIN LION SCREECHING]

[COW GRUNTING]

[MOUNTAIN LION SCREECHING]

PLAYING "AM I BORN TO DIE?" ON HARMONICA

Hey, Brother William!

You better put down that French harp and pick up a rifle.

We got a cat loose down here.

Not a cat, murderer, death.

And he's here for only one of us.

And I know and you know he hasn't come for me.

No, he don't never say nothing nice.

[WILLIAM CONTINUES PLAYING HARMONICA]

[COW GRUNTING]

He's out there, all right.

I feel it in my bones.

[COW CONTINUES GRUNTING]

Sounds like that cat doesn't want a free meal.

I tried not to believe it, but maybe the man in black is right.

Maybe.

If that's death out there skulking,

it ain't good for Rabbit and Rowdy to be out there alone.

Hope you all ain't waiting up for the summer to come along

and sing you to sleep.

I, uh-- We thought-- I mean, that cat.

You've never thought in your life.

That cat ain't gonna come anywhere near this far.

It isn't the cat we're worried about, it's Rowdy and Rabbit.

Why?

Like they was asking for it.

Now let's get this straight.

Nobody ever died from another man's curse.

Rowdy and Rabbit ain't gonna be no exception.

Unless, of course, you get so all fired jumpy,

you haul off and shoot them just to get it over with.

Get your mind off this nonsense and get set to push out in the morning,

or I'll lay a curse on you.

I'll stand the first watch, I ain't sleepy.

[HERDERS YELLING]

[HERDERS WHISTLING AND YELLING]

Keep them moving, there's a cat on our tail!

You were hired to drove.

Oh, he's still back there. I got a squint of him.

We can pick him off when he asks for it. Now get.

Yes, sir.

[HERDERS YELLING AND WHISTLING]

[WILLIAM PLAYING "AM I BORN TO DIE?" ON HARMONICA]

[MOUNTAIN LION SCREECHES]

Cat's been trailing us for 24 hours.

I'm surprised he hasn't stampeded the herd yet.

Well, I don't think so.

You know, he could've picked off them strays any time he wanted to.

He could've jumped on Quince and Scarlet

any time he wanted to. But he turned back.

What are you saying?

Well, I think he wants something else.

Now look, Rowdy,

I'm saying this strictly for myself now, you understand?

Yeah, I understand.

Oh, that old preacher up there, he said we deserved to die.

Well, I guess I'm no angel, but, uh, heh,

I know I've done some things in my lifetime I deserve to die for.

Yeah, so what?

I ain't exactly going around with a halo over my head.

I'm saying this because I want you to stop worrying,

because betwixt the two of us,

I think you got a lot more right to live than I have.

Anyway, that old devil up there's my comeuppance.

Well, it's getting to the point where I gotta get to it.

We're all gonna go out tomorrow at first light and hunt him down.

Oh, I ain't waiting for that.

You wouldn't have a chance out there with him alone in the dark.

Well, if he's destiny, buddy, heh,

daylight or dark, it ain't gonna matter, right?

[MOUNTAIN LION SCREECHING]

RABBIT: I think I'll-- - Wait a minute, Rabbit, stay here.

- Now let me go, Rowdy. - Come on, you're gonna stay right here.

Grab your rifles. He's taking out there by himself.

Here I am!

Come and get me, you dirty flea-bit!

Rabbit?

[RUSTLING]

Cat!

Come on, cat!

[SCREECHING]

[MOUNTAIN LION GROWLS]

Aha.

So you were waiting for old Rabbit, weren't you, huh?

[GUN CLICKING]

[SCREECHING]

Help! Rowdy! Rowdy!

Shoot him, Rowdy! Shoot!

Shoot him again! Shoot him!

Easy, Rabbit. I got him. He's dead.

I couldn't shoot him.

I couldn't shoot him and I couldn't run.

PLAYING "AM I BORN TO DIE?" ON HARMONICA

That's some fate that jammed your rifle.

You got so rattled you forgot to put your firing pin in.

I put it in. I put it in.

Then how come it got in the ground over there?

Look, I cleaned my rifle a hundred times.

I put it in, I'm telling you.

He's not really in his right mind.

- You better humor him a little. - Yeah.

Look, I asked you to go see if that cat's dead.

MUSHY: He sure is dead, Mr. Rabbit.

I got an ear for you.

Get that thing out of here!

WISHBONE: Hey, now hold still. How can I daub these marks?

Here, Rabbit, here's some whiskey. This might help you out.

No thanks, Rowdy. I ain't got no taste for it.

[FAVOR LAUGHS]

Oh, boy! You look like you need that worse than he does.

[HORSES APPROACHING]

ORVILLE: This the Gil Favor outfit?

- Who wants to know? ORVILLE: The brothers Horton.

Like to talk to a couple of gentlemen named Rabbit and Rowdy.

- They're right here by the fire. ORVILLE: Well, thank you,

but this is a private matter between them and us Hortons.

Hey, you just take it easy.

My name's Rowdy Yates. What do you want?

You, friend, just you.

What did you boys have against poor old Judd?

Nothing, didn't even know him. It was an accident.

Well, some tales you believe and some you don't.

Well, well, well. Howdy, Brother Willie.

There's no call for you to sin.

Judd deserved to die, so do these men.

And they will.

No need to lift your voice.

We're all in agreement.

I declare, Brother Willie, you was a lot less aggravating

when you was carrying guns instead of a Bible.

You didn't come all this way just to chitchat.

Now what do you want?

Mister, if it'd been any other man in that town besides our brother,

your men would be serving five years for manslaughter.

Well, we're ready to stand trial.

Well, the law don't take too kindly to us Hortons.

So we're gonna see that you get your due, personal.

- Anytime. Anytime. - Rowdy. Rowdy.

I figure you got two choices.

You can go back home and talk to the law,

or you can just go on back home.

We sort of go where we please, Favor.

Do what he says.

Death will be served, I promise you.

Shut up, Willie.

Well, it's plain to see

this ain't the time or place, Mr. Rowdy Yates.

So we'll just tag along and bide our time.

They can't live out all their days riding in protective custody.

Oh, fine, anything you want to start, we got 20 men to finish it.

Sure does speak right out, don't he?

Let's bed down upwind of the herd, huh?

WILLIAM: Brothers, listen to me.

There's no need for violence.

Go home.

If there's no need for violence, why are you here?

At least we're honest, we admit we ain't no good.

And all will be forgiven

if you will but open your eyes to the light.

Whose light, Willie, yours?

Why don't you stop spouting that poison?

You're making my stomach turn over.

If any of you dumb-heads figure

you've spotted a couple of new images of death, forget about it.

All the fairy tales guarantee that death rides alone.

Besides, those three ain't got the guts for it.

You get some rest, huh?

Get moving, you stubborn, stag-eyed, dirty--

FAVOR: Rowdy.

- Yeah? - Let's not take it out on the cattle.

Yeah. It's just that everything is going wrong.

Rabbit didn't eat nothing, he's looking kind of pale.

Yeah, I'm afraid he's got the same thing you've got.

And only one thing can cure it, and that's yourself.

[HERDERS YELLING]

PLAYING "AM I BORN TO DIE?" ON HARMONICA

He ain't looking good. Better check that arm of his.

I just checked it.

It's so clean I wish that cat had scratched me.

Now, there's no sign of festering or blood poisoning,

and it's too soon for anything like lockjaw.

Is there anything you can do?

Well, I gave him my Bible. You got any better ideas?

Rowdy.

Hmm?

Sit down a second, huh?

I hate to see a good man losing a grip on his self.

Don't look at him, I'm talking about you.

You're just one step short of a fever yourself.

Yeah, well, Rabbit's a friend of mine.

Yeah, sure he is.

But you're also thinking that if he dies, you're gonna be next, huh?

- Maybe I am. So what? - Come on, Rowdy, he ain't gonna die.

If he was really sick, I would've sent for a doctor.

But it's all in his mind.

He's just talking himself into this.

Well, you're spouting off about sensible answers and everything,

why don't you go reason with him and tell him to cool down?

All right.

That's all right...

Hey there, Rabbit.

Rabbit.

[CHUCKLES]

Mr. Favor,

it sure has been a pleasure droving for you.

Now, listen to me, Rabbit, and listen to me good.

Now, we all know how a kid trying to get out of school

can think his self sick.

Well, now, if a man pushed it hard enough,

well, he can think his self right into the grave.

I guess.

Now, you know it.

Sure, we all got an ounce of superstition in our system,

but we don't let it turn on us and trample our good sense.

Yes, sir.

So how can you reasonably worry about that phony preacher?

The fool's so worried about what he used to be,

it's unhinged him.

No, sir.

I don't worry about him no more.

Oh, good, Rabbit. Nobody should.

Now you'll see. All you need is a good night's sleep.

- Mr. Favor. FAVOR: Huh?

I want Rowdy to have my saddle.

[GUN COCKS]

You know, Willie,

as the oldest brother, you learnt us how to be what we are.

I can still hear you hissing:

"The world is full of fear and hate. Let's cash in on it."

And we did.

And whatever we got, or ain't got, we can thank you for.

But I don't feel like thanking you.

So?

Your hate has made us rotten.

And now you say that same hate can make us good.

Hatred is a shield, brother.

A wall of fire to combat evil,

a holocaust of heaven

to turn away the iron forks of Lucifer.

Hate like that ain't a shield, Willie.

It's a weapon.

Same as this.

I spread the word.

I am forgiven.

It's so, but not with your music.

You blow that thing once more and I'll shoot it out of your mouth,

maybe your tongue along with it.

QUINCE: Come on, boys. Rise and shine.

Them cows are pining for you.

- Get up. - Keep it down, you lunkheads.

Rabbit is trying to sleep.

QUINCE: You know, Scarlet, somehow and somewhere,

somebody's gonna invent a way

to keep a herd bedded down without me standing in a saddle

and a-cooing to them all night.

Well, Mr. Death, that's the only way you gonna get old Rabbit.

You gonna have to bunch up on me.

Now, take it easy, Rabbit.

[GUNFIRE]

[GUNSHOT]

The bullet went clean through the Bible right into his chest.

So it couldn't possibly happen, huh?

He's still alive.

I'll get a doctor.

Hold it.

They're not doing anything.

Now give me some clean rags and put the kettle on.

DOCTOR: It's a miracle he's still alive.

Bullet's lodged in his heart like a cork, Mr. Favor.

Can you get it out?

That calls for surgery. Nearest one's 60 miles from here.

You haven't got that much time.

It's up to you, then.

- But I just said I-- - We're not gonna let him die.

Not when there's a chance.

I'll try.

WISHBONE: I got boiling water for you, doctor.

You still riding with me, ain't you?

ROWDY: Hey, he's coming around.

Hey, easy, boy.

We're just gonna take a little lead ballast of you.

Hello, Mr. Death.

You sure are clumsy.

Hey, listen, Rowdy,

I'm dying because I deserve to die.

Hey, prophet.

Rabbit, it will wait till later.

No, what I got to say can't wait.

I want him to hear it.

You've got all kinds of time if you'll just shut up.

Listen, Rowdy,

I took you boys into town with me

because I had to shoot a man named Judd Horton.

Are you out of your mind?

No.

Your brother didn't know me.

I used to live down around Pecos.

I had a woman.

She wasn't much to most,

just a painted and powdered Saturday night girl, I guess.

But to me,

she was my wife.

One day,

Judd Horton come riding into our little town

and he shot up the street and the stores.

When he left, my wife was dead.

I buried her.

I stood by her grave and I vowed I was going to kill him.

So I followed him through all these little towns.

But I couldn't shoot him, I--

I didn't have the guts, I guess.

He was a pretty fast draw,

so while everybody was watching that bell dance,

I just turned over

and put one clean potshot into Judd Horton.

The woman, what was her name?

Willie Mae Waters.

Didn't think old Judd would live that down.

He's telling the truth.

I knew the woman.

But not being too proud of the facts, Rowdy,

I tried to let you off the hook sort of indirectly.

Now, Brother, you tell my friend here, formally,

that that curse of yours was strictly on me.

Curse has nothing to do with it. You're gonna live to prove it.

Well, there ain't no sense in hurrying the hangman, Mr. Favor.

Boy, I sure feel a whole lot better since I got that load off my chest.

ROWDY: Doc?

He's dead.

WILLIAM: I'm glad.

You're spared another sin.

Whether he would have hanged or not ain't the point, Brother William.

You killed him with words

which are just as effective as bullets.

What are you waiting for, Brother, a shovel?

Say, Willie, wasn't you riding with Judd

the day that woman was shot?

Seems to me Willie did reform shortly thereafter.

Oh, that'd be too coincidental,

fate dealing an ugly hand like that to Brother Willie.

Yeah, but if Brother Willie was riding with Judd,

then that curse he put on the two drovers

would be on his head.

Ain't that right, Willie, huh?

Head them up!

Move them out!