Original subtitles

John, here I am. Look, look up here.

- I'd see Mrs. Devlin. - Would that be miss Sandra?

- She's Mrs. Devlin now. - Your name sir?

- I'm... - Mr. Devlin?

Yes, Mr. Poli?

Yes.

So you are the man who married my daughter.

Well, we...

- Sort of got the idea in a hurry. - Throw him out.

- Ornery cuss that Poli. - He don't fiddle with nobody.

He used to run a stagecoach line before he went in for railroading.

Wait.

Papa is just as crazy as you are. He'll get his gun and what about me?

Papa is kind of high strung, isn't he?

Papa says you are a gun-toting, high-binding and tin-horn gambler.

Papa shouldn't talk like that in front of the children.

But you are.

Sandra, how you get out when I locked the door.?

Get him men.

You better come back or from between the ears I'll shoot you.

Wait, my bags.

We hadn't better make any stops now Sandy.

All right then.

If I can't look pretty you can't either.

- We're cleaned out for sure now. - Who said so?

- Lunch? - No.

Twenty thousand dollars.

That cinches it.

- Sandy, I love you. - Who wouldn't?

You couldn't win that much in a poker game.

You mean, unless I was dealing.

That's Papa, he's shooting at us.

Quicker. Ah, that's nothing.

All I want to know is you take after your papa or mama?

Papa always wants to shoot things out. He has no more sense than you have.

I do hope he doesn't kill us, he'd never get over it.

Well, I'd feel kind of regretful about it myself.

He's got himself another gun.

Can't you go quicker?

You suppose it could be Sandy that we weren't meant for each other after all?

I don't like to butt in...

but I thought maybe I ought to ask if you wouldn't prefer another carriage?

Sit tight Sandy, we're heading for California.

- But do we have to go to California? - Know a better place?

- How about Dakota? - Did you say Dakota?

- Yes, Dakota. - Oh, I thought you said Dakota.

We'll make it California.

Turn left at the next crossing.

What's the matter?

You all right sir?

- Are you all right? - Yes sir.

You're fired, get your horses.

What are you doing here?

He's only angry now.

Wait till he finds out I sold the Gainsborough from his library.

What's wrong with Dakota?

It has lots of people in it, hundreds and it's a great wheat country.

What does a man do in a wheat country, open a bakery?

There are lots of things we could do.

- Once we've established ourselves... - Let's talk it over in California.

But someday, when Dakota is admitted into the union, you could go into Politics.

Oh, our money.

Speaking of politics, where we're going there are only two parties the quick and the dead.

All aboard.

That's our train.

- How much do we owe you? - Oh, forget about it my friend.

It's on the house.

Maybe you hadn't better draw up any plans until...

Until what?

I was going to say until your money runs out.

All aboard.

- Did you say this is our train? - Yes.

That lady is Sandra Poli, Bigtree, her father owns this railroad.

That so? Well, guess maybe she's somebody we ought to know, eh?

Hurry up, don't let them get away.

- Quick, send a telegraph to Bell's crossing. - Yes Mr. Poli.

To Jake Bonzo on train 67. Say...

hold my daughter, take from her big tin-horn and knock out his teeth and...

No wait, is so much.

Just his front teeth, that's enough.

And wait, no, no, no.

Maybe it would break her heart.

Maybe she would be mad, is no good. No, no.

Say, don't knock out his front teeth.

Say...

Oh, what's the matter with you? Are you crazy? How can you send such a telegraph?

She's my own little girl.

Maybe she loves him, that big no good.

- And you will break her heart, eh? - Me?

Send another one.

To my daughter, Mrs...

Mrs, now what's his name?

Devlin, no, yes, Devlin.

Have a good time and remember your papa...

if you need money or something.

Oh, she's a sweet girl, let's see...

She's a... Oh, something else.

If maybe you get tired of your wonderful, big, lovely man...

don't worry we'll put him in jail, that no-good rat.

I myself will take him and...

He's bigger than I, that's the trouble.

But there's nothing in California but flowers...

and everyone knows flowers give you hay fever.

I got it myself right now.

Look Sandy, with $20,000 we can open a little place in the gold fields.

A saloon and gambling palace with dance hall girls, wouldn't you just love that?

- Tickets please. - I bought the tickets like you told me.

- When do we get to Saint Louis conductor? - Saint Louis?

Can't do it and stay on the tracks. We're headed for Saint Paul.

Why, why, you see John, I had to do it.

- I couldn't do anything else. - You couldn't, eh?

I just couldn't, I couldn't. I love you and it was for you, so I did it.

- But why Saint Paul? - Because from St. Paul we'll go to Dakota.

Wait.

Last night Papa had some of his business friends to dinner.

And I heard them say they're going to extend the railroad into Dakota.

In a few weeks, Papa will send agents to Fargo to buy up all the land...

and the right of way, so what we'll do...

Is beat him to it, option everything in sight, make him pay through the nose.

But the catch is to make the profit, we have to go to Fargo.

- But it's a wonderful place. - Sure.

Probably nothing there but a trading post.

We'll be stuck up there with nothing to do but...

make love.

- What's wrong with that? - What's the matter?

Stop it, you, you...

Bell's crossing.

Get rid of them.

Thanks for pitching in.

It's all right, looks like you could use some help.

- He's a good man. - Bigtree?

Telegram for Mr. Bonzo.

Yes, he'll do My name is Bender, Jim Bender.

I'm Devlin, this is Mrs. Devlin.

- How do you do Mrs.? - Mrs. Devlin?

Yes, thank you.

- May I? - Surely.

It's from papa, everything is all right.

He says if we need more money or anything, we just let him know. Isn't he wonderful?

Nice guy to do business with by letter.

- Going to Saint Paul Mr. Bender? - I'm going to Fargo.

- So are we. - Really, that's fine.

We'll probably be seeing a lot of each other.

We've passed the fort, should be in Abercrombie in a few minutes.

And you look just as fresh as when we started Mrs. Devlin.

Thank you, we bought some things in St. Paul.

Oh, aren't they soldiers?

Probably an escort from the fort, must be some hostile Indians around.

Indians?

John, now that we know something about it...

- do you really think we should go to Fargo? - Well, we've come this far.

Maybe we ought to stop off and take a look around.

What do you expect to do in Fargo Mr. Devlin?

We are going to invest some money in land.

Farmland, we thought we'd pick up a few acres and grow some wheat.

You wouldn't want us to believe you was a farmer, would you Mr. Devlin?

Maybe I ought to sprout a beard, eh?

I can't imagine why you'd want to buck a proposition...

as uncertain as you may find in the wheat country.

What, what's uncertain about it?

You don't think nobody is going to let you walk into Fargo...

and jump any claims, do you ma'am?

Bigtree means you might have a little trouble getting hold of a decent piece of land...

good acreage is scarce.

Trying to tell us that they don't take kindly to strangers in Fargo Mr. Bender?

I don't imagine they'd welcome strangers who come to farm without implements Mr. Devlin.

Everybody out, we done it again, Fort Abercrombie, folk.

- Mr. Bender? - I'm Bender.

Compliments of colonel Worden sir, he'd like...

you to ride over to the fort when you're rested.

Well, I was going to sail on the Sioux Princess.

Have you got any idea what he wants to see me about?

There's been some killings at Fargo.

They've burned the homes of most of the bonanza farmers.

Indians?

Well, according to Mr. Stowe it was made to look like the Sioux were mixed up in it...

but he doesn't believe it.

- Stowe wasn't burned out, was he? - Yes, sir.

It seems only the little fellas are left now, the homesteaders.

Mr. Stowe is at the fort now, he and colonel Worden have been waiting for you to get back.

For me?

I think Mr. Stowe has some idea of organizing a law enforcement agency at Fargo.

Well, you tell them I'll wash up and be over after supper.

But the Sioux Princess sails at six sir.

Well, I'll arrange to miss that and go with captain Bounce on the river bird.

My compliments to colonel Worden.

There you are Devlin, that's Fargo for you.

- What's Fargo? - Didn't you hear what the lieutenant said?

Mentioned a colonel somebody or other, fort...

- Something going on? - No, nothing much, nothing very interesting.

Bigtree, get our bags out of the Sioux Princess, will you?

I'll see you and the Mrs. Down at the boat, eh?

Yeah, sure.

- That Fargo boat, Sioux Princess? - That's one of them.

The other is the River Bird.

That's old captain Bounce's tub.

She's a huffer and a puffer.

But if I was a making the trip she's the one I'd take.

Better boat?

No, but if you sail on the river bird, you'd have it practically to yourself...

and if the moon happens to be riding along with you and you're...

traveling with live baggage, wow.

Come on now, you slab-sided puddle snipe, kick her off from back there.

Come on now.

Now just ease yourself to port, you sweet little loving lamb.

Swing it to port, you old wing-tailed mud-hen.

There now, now just sneak up on that there landing.

Now if that flat-footed swipe ain't fell overboard or something.

Blast you Nicodemus, where you at.

Nicodemus, if you're sleeping I'll knock you out from the back of your teeth, by juppy.

Oh back line, you pretty little river swan, shake your hips.

Shake your hips you potbellied march sure asking.

I'll tiptoe up to that Abercrombie levee. Nicodemus...

Nicodemus, if you aren't still aboard, you better start running up river.

Yes sir, coming, coming.

Hurry, hurry, hurry all the time.

Coming coming, Nicodemus will get it going.

Yeah, we'll show them Abercrombie folks how it's done, you pussyfooting little moonbeam.

Hey, on shore there somebody. Hop aboard and throw off an a rope.

A gun for both of them.

Shut off them engines.

Coming, Captain Bounce,

the bell is busted, won't stop ringing, just keep ringing and ringing.

It's ringing because I was ringing it.

Like I'm going to ring that neck of yours if you don't obey orders.

Did you want some Captain?

What do you think them lights is back there?

You mean them lights way back there in the dark?

That you river happy jaybird is Abercrombie.

If you ever get me to eat saddle of venison again...

you're going to have to unsaddle it first.

Contrary animal, the deer, gentle on the hoof, tough on the plate.

Sailing north to Fargo, Grand Forks and Pembina.

All passengers for the River Bird, casting off in 20 minutes, all aboard.

River Bird mister? Nicodemus. My boatswain will take care of your baggage.

- Pembina? - Fargo.

- How about you lady? - Oh, we're married.

Well, now...

Sure good to meet nice, clean folks. I'm going to put in my log, I'm captain bounce.

Nicodemus, take the folks' baggage, and get it down there a fore we shove off...

or by juppy off comes your boatswain's rating and back to wiping you go.

Captain, I ain't never stop wiping. I just wipe and...

Does you want to wipe as a boatswain or a low-down seaman?

Man never knows when he's well off, he don't.

- What do we owe you? - Well, two fares to Fargo.

That's seven dollars each and the staterooms will be...

two dollars for one and then there's...

the meals are extra, a dollar each for meals.

- What do we owe you all together? - Well let's see, that's...

seven and seven and two and two and...

two times three that's thirty-four dollars, I mean, thirty seven.

Wouldn't take 24, would you?

Is we going to argue over a couple pennies? Road folks, ain't we?

- Glad to have seen you again Mr. Stowe. - Thank you colonel.

I wish you could've talked to Bender in my presence.

Well, we'll try to arrange a little parley later.

I'm terribly shorthanded and have plenty to handle down here but...

but if you need us badly, I'll try to get a company up to you.

- Good-bye Mr. Stowe and pleasant trip. - Thank you colonel.

- Good night. - Good night.

You better get aboard and claim your stateroom, is number one...

the one with the door on it..

Mr. Stowe, I'm glad to see you.

Here we go.

Calm yourself Sandy, nothing is going to happen to us.

We won't turn up the well known toes until old man time catches up with it.

It didn't take old man time long to catch up with us.

- Oh, you're hurt. - A little.

Please...

tell Mrs. Stowe...

Not to sell to Bender.

John, do you think there'll be any more trouble?

No.

Why wouldn't Mr. Stowe want his wife to sell to Bender?

That's the question. This is the boiler room.

Mr. Bender sailed on the Sioux Princess so he couldn't have done any shooting.

This must be it, it's the only one with a door on it.

Looking for me folks?

I think this is our stateroom Collins.

Only what counts around these parts is...

who gets there first.

- Let's take the other room John. - I think Collins wants us to have this room.

Well, I guess a man traveling with his wife should've a room with a door on it.

Didn't hurt your gun hand, did you Devlin?

- I can still write with it. - A man is got to watch his self.

An accident like that could put him out of business, eh?

See you.

Look out now, you sweet little hunk a misery, look out, she's right up ahead there.

- Port to helm Nicodemus. - Coming Captain.

Now here she comes, look out now, look, drop.

Drop, you sneaking cousin of a sneaking catfish, pop your innards.

Bust is coming, get over there.

See how easy is when you want to do it?

- Got her over that one, didn't you Captain? - Oh, she's scared.

She's been hanging herself up on them river warts for five years...

and she knows if she just sets herself down just one more...

I'll blow her higher than the cost of living in Fargo.

- John? - Yes?

You know what happened in Abercrombie was not a fail of yours.

It was Mr. Stowe they were after.

And you might've been killed simply because you drew a gun...

which you couldn't have drawn if you hadn't been carrying it.

When I see a gun pointed in my direction so far as I'm concerned I'm...

part and parcel of that deal and I'm going to act accordingly.

What's that for?

Must be taking on passengers.

John...

If I did something that would make you angry...

what would you do to me?

What a fella should do to a little girl that's done something she shouldn't had done.

You wouldn't? I'd be embarrassed to death.

- Well, what brought this on? - Well, as I was saying...

if you hadn't reached for your gun they wouldn't have shot at you.

- Don't scare me like that. - What you fellas want?

We like to come aboard, Captain.

Injuns snuck up on us last night and stole our horses.

We started to leg it but got off the trail.

Give me a hand, will you big fella?

You know what this means?

I ain't going to take much of your time mister.

Hey, what's going on down there.

Get your head back in there Pop.

- Which pocket is that money in? - Who told you I had any money?

An injun came to me in a dream last night and says as how you was loaded.

Get back there flatfoot.

- And you mister, stay right where you are. - Yeah sure.

Oh, ain't I the lucky one? Look what I found.

- That's all we have. - Get back lady.

Yellow-tail.

Get back.

Wouldn't lend me your gun for a couple of minutes, would you Collins?

Would you lend me yours Devlin, if it was loaded?

No.

But those men, they're getting away with our money.

Too bad ma'am, but my momma told me when I was a little shaver...

if I never butted into to nobody's business, I never get hurt.

Good advice for anybody ma'am.

Well, I can't do much fighting with an empty gun.

Then it only cost us 20,000 greenies to find that out.

Well...

How was I to know anything like this was going to happen?

I'll never touch your old gun again.

And if you're going to get your silly head shot off, I'm not going to care...

much.

Funny part of it is if you hadn't emptied my gun I might've taken a few slugs in the back.

What would you say Sandy, if I were to tell you that you look as good...

- to me without money as you did with it? - Oh, John.

Take that, dag blast you.

Come back here and I'll blow it through your thieving bones.

Boarding a man's ship for illegal purposes.

Hold on, look out for them sand bars, you money thieves.

Nicodemus, Nicodemus, get them engines started.

What are you doing there?

Well Captain, if and them it's them oil-sweating suckers you're referring to...

right here is where I'm turning them over to you all.

Get back in that engine room for I start taking you apart.

Look out Nicodemus.

So you went and done it.

Got yourself hung up.

Hung up for keeps, just like you always is been trying to do, you dope.

Well folks, as Captain of this here now doomed ship...

I'm giving my last and final order...

Man the lifeboats and abandon ship.

Beat your lifeboats and ship your oars.

Poor captain Bounce, wasn't he cute? But where is he?

Well, he went down with his ship, didn't he? Like a good captain should.

Oh, how is a man going down with his ship when he never...

But he won't be able to stay aboard. Why doesn't he come with us?

You got me.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself, sitting on a sand bar like a hen sitting on a nest.

You're nothing but a no good woman, that's all.

And when a woman two times a man there's only one thing to do.

And that's put on the pressure.

You're going now, you contrary female.

I'm going to get you off this sand bar if I has to blow you off.

I shouldn't said it honey, I shouldn't said it.

Po, Captain Bounce.

He did a powerful lot of shouting but it's been a whole lot worse than he was.

I hope when they get him where he's going they don't put him to no wiping.

Look.

We got to get him out of there. Give me a hand Collins.

- Where is he? - He's gone.

Come on Nicodemus.

Yes sir, this all belong to Mrs. Stowe, more than 10,000 acres of it.

Is what they call a, a bonanza farm.

Now over here is the Stowe home, the...

Don't look like there is any Stowe home.

According to the way them ashes piled around this must've been the jumpinest...

fire what ever was.

Does Mrs. Stowe live in that teepee?

Well...

if and when is the same Mrs. Stowe that come up with me on the River Bird three years ago.

She's probably there waiting.

Waiting for Mr. Stowe to come home.

The poor dear.

They came here to settle down and grow wheat.

Her and Mr. Stowe, that's what they done.

Looks like that's about all there is left for Mrs. Stowe.

Wheat.

Mr. Devlin...

Being as how I'm just an old mud turtle and ain't used to breaking bad news...

to fine ladies I thought maybe you could spit it out for me, eh?

I mean about Mr. Stowe getting plugged and all.

Well...

- I'll tell her. - Thank you ma'am.

They're probably lost Tonka.

Why, is captain Bounce.

Oh captain bounce, you're just about the last person I'd expect to visit me here.

Tell me, you've been at Abercrombie?

You saw Mr. Stowe?

Yes, he was there.

Mrs. Stowe, this is Mr. Devlin and Mrs. Devlin.

- How do you do? - And my boatswain Nicodemus.

Nicodemus.

I hope you'll excuse me for not getting up but we've had a fire...

as you can see and my...

Well, I got burned a little trying to save a few things.

Tonka, haven't we something for our visitors to sit on?

No got.

Well, I'm sorry, it doesn't seem we got very much left.

Poor Anson, that's Mr. Stowe.

He works so hard.

They came and raided and burned the place the night he left.

Oh, but you must be very tired and hungry.

Oh no, we, we've just come a couple of miles.

We wondered if we could borrow some horses?

Well, there are four of you, you may have four, of course.

Well, thank you very much. We'll return them as soon as we can.

But I think if you're able to travel, you should go with us to Fargo.

No, I'll be all right here until Anson gets back.

Oh, that's just it,.

Go on, get the horses.

This here is what they call Fargo in the timber, over there is Fargo on the prairie.

Why are they wearing those foreign costumes?

Oh, I don't know, some kind of doings.

She is what you call a get-together. Each year, once we have her.

We use the national costumes.

How are you Mike, I'm glad to see you.

- Hello Captain. - I want you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Devlin.

My name is Mikhail Pontelivonich Corino.

Von Koffka, Senior Baroni, Monsieur Lefeld.

- Listen, they're playing a waltz. - Lady, you'd like to dance?

- Oh I, I'd love to but... - Oh, a nice place you have here.

Oh yes, it belongs to monsieur Bender.

We make arrangement with him for the homesteaders to have it for one night.

Si, Mr. Bender is a fine man, Si?

Hope they have room for us.

Did you ever see anything so colorful? It makes Dakota a melting pot, doesn't it?

Ever try Kansas City in July?

Got here all right, eh Devlin?

How did you get here Collins? As the crow flies?

Met up with a couple of friends with horses.

Mr. Slagin, Mr. Devlin.

Nice to see you again Slagin.

You never met me before, must've been my brother.

Oh, a big fella?

Yeah, as handsome as they come.

About as handsome as a prairie dog.

- He's a bad man to mess around with Devlin. - Well, he sure got the job done.

- And he's awfully fast with a gun. - About as fast as you are, I suppose?

Yeah.

- Just how fast is that? - Oh John, if you're not in...

This is Mr. Slagin, you met his brother on the boat.

Was that your brother? I thought it was you. I mean...

How do you do?

- You know Collins, of course. - Yes.

I guess you'll be wanting a couple of rooms, eh Devlin?

Yeah, one for us and one for the captain.

What were you about to say?

I was going to say let's dance but it seems kind of silly now.

- I mean, I don't feel like it anymore. - Oh, sure you do.

- Do us a little favor, will you Slagin? - Yeah.

Will you step outside and arrange for someone to stable our horses?

When a lady wants to dance we got to fix it so she can, right?

Yeah, sure.

Want you to have your fun while you can Mrs. Devlin.

You never can tell how you feel about things come tomorrow.

Here Devlin.

Any time we're not here and you want to see me or Bender, look back in the office.

Take whichever room you want but leave us one with a bed in it.

Darling, why do you take such chances? After all, no one here is on our side.

I learned one thing from general Morgan, Sandy.

That's when you're surrounded and haven't a chance, attack.

Hello.

- Met your brother this morning. - Yeah, how's he doing?

Not bad, but it looks like there's some sad days ahead.

- John? - Yes?

Do you think I look good in black?

There ain't no god darned horse thieves holding up no ship of mine.

So I grabs my carbine, I get the pair of them in the sight and wham.

Now, you wouldn't believe this but missed them clean as a whistle.

This our key Captain?

It don't make no difference, it fits all the doors.

Just stopped by to talk to ladies a minute. They remind me of my dear old aunt Minnie.

Oh, this is Mr. and Mrs. Devlin ladies.

They work here, they're doing a song and dance act.

Of course, they're off for tonight on account of the big doings.

- I'm Jersey Thomas. - I always thought Jersey was a state.

Could be on occasion.

That's New Jersey you're thinking of dear.

They certainly manage to attract all the ugliest types here, haven't they?

- Just one big happy melting pot, eh? - But don't melt too easily, will you dear?

And you thinking all the time that Jersey was a state.

Why you.? You open this door, you big lady killer.

Well, glad I met you, goodbye.

He must be one of those one woman men I've heard so much about.

Oh, I guess he just gone down to get his self a drink.

Suppose we leave it unlocked Devlin?

Some of the boys might want to drop in. How are you?

For the moment short about $20,000.

- Is that so, how you lose it? - Turning back-flips?

That couldn't be it, could it?

You prove it's yours and you can have it.

Oh when I walk out of here if it's in my pocket, will that prove anything?

You wouldn't take advantage of a man with a bad leg, would you Devlin?

Well, you wouldn't hide behind it with my $20,000, would you Bender?

You talk like you might try to take that money away from me, I don't think I like that.

You're not in Fargo to stay, are you Mr. Devlin?

Oh, bad character, eh?

Ought to move on.

Well, I don't like to seem blunt but we've got a pretty nice little community here...

and we don't exactly cotton to sharp wits who come here with...

the idea of trimming the folks hereabouts.

Friend of yours or mine?

Better hand over the money Bender. I got the place surrounded.

That's funny, so have I. Things ought to start to break shortly, eh?

Right now, let's have it.

Go ahead and take it, if you like that kind of a gamble.

There's an easier way to get it, though Devlin.

- Leave on the first boat? - There's nothing personal about it at all.

This country is my country and the people in it are my people,

and I'm going to look after their interests.

But is not to their interest to let you run around with your hands full of money...

buying up options on their land, very cheaply for the railroad.

You got all the facts right on file, haven't you?

You're married to Poli's daughter.

As far as I'm concerned that connects you with the railroad.

And that provides me with a neat little life insurance policy too.

Does it?

If you got me she'd scream for help and papa Poli would be up here with the US army...

before you could saddle a horse.

Which leaves you holding the small cards Bender, so I'll take the money.

Look out.

Sweet little baby.

Now don't you get to flirting with them sand bars...

and papa will buy you a nice new ton a coal when we git to Grand Forks.

Yeah.

I never seen this river kick up like this before, must be a storm a brewing.

Hey...

Them windstorms come up without giving no advanced notice, don't they?

I see your wife, who hurt her hard.

Got a turner, picked me up and slammed me down like I was a old spittoon or something.

Allowed them to keep their doors closed in hurricane season.

Which way she blow, from the north or the south?

Sandy?

Here, use my key. They're all alike, it's on the house.

Looking for your wife?

Don't guess she'd be in that suitcase, do you?

You ain't figuring on shooting her, are you?

Now wait a minute.

Maybe it weren't her fault. For a woman, she didn't look too bad.

Man don't show much sense shooting a woman.

Especially in this country, where they're so scarce.

Hold that light closer.

John.

It was an accident John. They didn't mean to hit me.

It was you they shot at.

- This man know his business Bender? - He doesn't, your wife may die.

- In which event I also cash in, right? - Now, someone will hold her other arm.

- Take a deep breath Mrs. Devlin. - John, I'm frightened.

Not so much of a wound the doc says. Trouble is that bullet is pressing on an artery.

If he happens to make a slip and puncture that artery then she's going to be in trouble.

- Is that it doc? - That's it.

Anything else you wanted to see me about Devlin?

She be all right doc?

Her shoulder may be stiff for a couple of days.

My guess is that she'll outlive you.

- How long will it take you to finish up? - A few minutes.

What's the matter Devlin, you in a hurry?

Yeah, get over there with Bender.

Let me remind you, if I hadn't gotten...

Mrs. Devlin over here to Dr. Judson, she might've died.

I'm remembering it and also how she came to get hit.

Maybe I ought to fix it so accidents like that can't happen again.

That calls for killing two men in cold blood, doesn't it?

Yes.

It requires a certain type of man to kill without excuse Devlin...

somebody more like myself.

You could've killed her Bender, that's all the excuse I need.

John...

Is it, is it all over?

You seem to have a sobering effect upon your husband Mrs. Devlin.

You better take your wife back to the hotel Devlin.

Perhaps it'd be to the benefit of all of us...

if you pointed out the advantages to him of both of you returning to Chicago.

Suppose you point them out.

An agent commissioned to option land for the railroad...

can't function very well without money, can he?

I'll be over tomorrow for the money.

Tomorrow may be too late for it to do you any good.

Have it ready.

- Nicodemus... - Coming, Cap'n.

Get up out of there, the town is done cleaned out, where's everybody at?

Captain why, why does you have to wake me up to ask me that?

They're all going to Fargo on the some the other on other side of them trees.

Fargo on the prairie? What's going on over there?

Why, why you has to ask me that, Captain?

Man goes someplace, is a visit. Bunch of men go someplace, is a party.

Everybody goes someplace, is a meeting.

Whatever is going on over there got to be a meeting Captain...

because that's where they're all at.

Well, come on, let's go over.

Is you coming or is I got to shove you overboard.

Coming Captain.

So as soon as I saw the crop was going to be too big for us to handle...

being President of the Wheat Growers Association...

I guess it was up to me to figure out a way to get the crops harvested...

and off to the market.

So like I told you, I went to Mr. Bender and made a deal for him to lend us the money...

to bring in a gang of harvest hands and to take care of shipping costs.

But why you go to Mr. Bender?

The bank in Grand Fork, she's got plenty of money to lend.

What's the matter with Bender's money, ain't it any good?

Mr. Bender is done plenty for us around here.

He's give us credit at the store and staked a few of us.

And I say here and now, if there's any side money to be made around here...

he's the man who ought to get it.

But this contract we are to sign if something is wrong with crops...

all our land will belong to Mr. Bender?

Well, a man has to have some kind of security for the money he puts up, ain't he?

Is dumb butts like you that keep us smart folks from progressing.

What you got to say about this? You don't farm no lands.

Nobody can talk that way to me.

What he, what he don't know is that I...

I got secret holdings.

I got a piece of 10,000 acres...

and I aim to see that wheat cut with Fargo money and if there's any profit to be made...

I want my good friend Mr. Bender to collect it, see?

And another thing...

If anything happens to the crops...

Mr. Bender is going to pay us for what the land is worth...

according to government valuation...

a dollar an acre.

And why would anybody want to buy worthless prairie acreage with nothing growing on it?

What Mr. Collins said sounds logical enough.

All I know is...

this deal is fixing things so there's a possibility of Bender buying our land.

And another thing...

the whole blamed layout is so slick and pretty I don't believe it.

- It's got to be a catch in it. - Exactly what I was thinking Mr. Plummer.

If anything happens to the wheat crop, looks to me like I'm stuck with about...

50 square miles of worthless prairie.

So as a favor to me, will you let out a man-sized protest about the whole deal...

and give me a chance to squeeze out of it?

Don't guess it'd do me any good for me to say anything Bender...

a couple other men tried that and got nowhere.

Seems like I have too many friends, doesn't it?

It seems to me that worthless prairie or not...

you're going to own all the land around here Mr. Bender.

Do you expect anything to happen to your wheat Mrs. Stowe?

Well, along with some other bonanza farmers like Mrs. Stowe and Mr. Waters...

I didn't expect to get burned out. Somebody come along with a torch, eh?

What happened to our farm buildings could happen to our wheat.

If anything happens to your wheat, I'm the loser.

So I think we better take steps to see that nothing does happen to it.

What kind of steps Mr. Bender?

When the peace of a community is disturbed by violence and acts of vandalism Mrs. Stowe...

there's only one thing to do about it and that's bring in the law.

So, that's what we'll do.

- Sounds honest enough, didn't he? - I'd never had suspected him,

If anson hadn't said he was just no good at all.

I probably wouldn't have myself,

if it wasn't for the fact that everyone that was burned out...

got an offer from him for their land first.

Come on Nicodemus, this is no place for us.

Coming, Captain.

So the one with all the eyebrows says to me, he says, what makes you so different?

Of course, I could always trim his eyebrows a little but even if I did, what would I have?

A wheat farm.

I'll take a nice, dirty miner with gold dust caked under his fingernails.

If you can spare one, me too.

There I was in California, up to my elbows in hard-rock men and I had to come here.

I could've married, settled down and had myself a nice home.

- And a native son. - Put it in a gilt frame and I'll buy it.

Look girls, the Bell of the Northwest gets in tonight...

and Collins wants you all there at the landing when she ties up...

looking your best, so be there.

Oh, excuse me, I thought this is the kitchen.

Well, is the kitchen.

Looking for anyone in particular?

- I wanted to get a couple of eggs. - Well, in that case come on in.

We'll thank you to speak of us with more respect, Mr. Devlin.

We usually take the egg to the customer unless the customer insist on coming to the egg.

We want you to be happy, of course.

And you're just the little girl that can do it, eh?

Well, these eggs are for Mrs. Devlin and I thought I'd take them up to her.

You see, she, she has a headache.

People get them in Fargo.

If you want to get back to your crocheting girls, I'll look after Mr. Devlin.

How about a couple of eggs for Mr. Devlin, Nora?

Ain't got no eggs, the girls ate them all up.

But we grow them right outside the door, if you've got to have them.

- Well, I'm an old egg rustler. - No fun rustling alone.

Did I say rustling? I meant rustling.

Is not locked.

Where on earth did you go for the eggs?

Morning ma'am.

Oh. Where is Mr. Devlin?

He's getting me some breakfast from St. Paul I think.

- Is it something important? - No ma'am, I don't guess it is.

But Bender is over in Fargo on the prairie getting them farmers to sign contracts and...

I thought maybe Mr. Devlin would like to know about it.

Oh, I'm sure he would. Run down to the kitchen.

Never mind, I'll go myself.

Look...

I don't know why...

but there's a man down there who is been watching this window.

- Keep an eye on him. - He's spying on someone, eh?

Well, we'll soon find out about that.

Hey, go away.

Oh, darn it, I got to learn to keep my head out them windows before it get all cut up.

For the record...

- you were with Morgan's raiders... - First company.

- Fast with a gun. - None faster.

- A killer. - With both hands...

And you're an agent for the railroad?

They know that.

Well, that's for Collins and now, what's for me?

Well, not much honey.

- Just married? - A couple of weeks.

- Good, eh? - Swell.

- Nice gal? - The best.

She had to be of course or you've sent her down for the eggs.

These hens seem to be a little slow on delivery.

- Think they're in the mood? - They've no excuse.

I just show them how it's done.

Well, I'd like to tell you that I think you're an all-right gal...

but you wouldn't want to hear that, would you?

Nothing secondhand.

And this may not be final, who can tell?

Anyway, I'll check with you from time to time.

Well, in the meantime don't pass up anything that'll do just as well, eh Jersey?

See you later.

But come to think of it, you might as well wait.

I don't believe you'll be going anyplace for...

- A couple of hours. - Why not?

Why, I think...

Bender's men...

They've orders not to let you out of the hotel.

Why? What's up?

Why, I think...

Bender and Collins...

they're at Fargo on the prairie signing a contract with the wheat growers.

Don't be a fool, is not only them, they've got 20 men, you haven't got a chance.

Yeah. I know.

Have you seen Mr. Devlin? Please, have you seen Mr. Devlin?

He's riding to Fargo on the prairie, on business I think he said.

I just want to say friends...

I'd like to thank Mr. Bender for putting my name up for office...

and all you boys for getting back of me.

But at the same time, I want to warn you, friend and foe alike...

as long as I'm Marshall, there's going to be law and order in Fargo.

Looks like important things happening in Fargo Mrs. Stowe.

Yes, and all in one day too.

Oh Mr. Devlin, meet Mr. Plummer.

- How you do? - How are you?

- How is your very charming wife? - She's all right, thanks.

Is this a free expression of the will of the people?

A little farmer who didn't know very much, opened his mouth to say something...

and found he was chewing on Cobb's knuckles...

and the will of the people curled up like a sick mackerel.

Then the deal is been made.

Yes, and if our crops are harvested Mr. Bender takes a profit...

If they're not harvested, he takes us.

In other words, with Collins as Marshall we'll be drawn and quartered.

Well, if you don't like it one other thing you can do...

- Pack up and get out. - Or organize an opposing team.

Devlin, I believe I have some money of yours, you like it now?

No place to invest it around Fargo, is it?

Might open up a popcorn stand...

the community is bound to grow when the railroad comes through.

What railroad? I see you made Collins Marshall.

Yeah, good man.

- You riding my way? - Yeah.

Come on.

- Now about that railroad, I... - On second thought, Bender,

maybe you better let me have that money now.

It's safe at the hotel. You found a use for it?

Yeah, I'm pulling out tonight.

- Chicago? - No, Grand Forks.

- Dakota? - Yeah.

You're trying to run a blazer on me Devlin but you're betting against a fat hand.

- Think so? - Yeap.

You see, I followed the surveyors up here and I happen to know the government...

is granted the right of way and plans have already...

been drawn for the railroad to run through Fargo.

But they could change those plans, run through Grand Forks.

Not after they've spent all that money running a survey through here.

How much do you think that cost?

Fifty thousand dollars.

And how much would it cost to buy that contract you made with the farmers?

One-half million dollars, good American go...

See it, still be cheaper to run another survey and bypass Fargo.

Yeah, I suppose anything is possible.

Like consigning that contract you have with the farmers over to me.

For a consideration, of course?

- Let's go in my office. - Why not?

There you are...

Twenty thousand on account and eighty thousand when the railroad comes through.

You're taking me over Devlin.

Maybe, but a sure hundred thousand is better than half a million in the bush.

Well, there it is, consigned to you personally, right?

Naturally.

Here she comes. The boat is coming, here she comes..

There's Nicodemus, the horses must be ready.

But I still can't understand why we're leaving, you got the contracts.

We're leaving because we got to stay away from Bender until the wheat is harvested.

If he can't get his hands on that contract he won't burn the wheat...

it won't do him any good.

What if someone sees us taking our bags out?

They won't, after Bounce arranges to have us picked up, he's coming back for them.

Then they'll see him.

Let's not make the worst of it until we get it Sandy.

We'll go down and see the riverboat come in.

- Do you think we should? - Why not?

They're watching us, let's let them see us.

Then they won't think we're up to any tricks.

If you weren't trying to be so fine and noble we wouldn't be in this awful mess.

Sure, you can remember me as a man who...

Gave his all for his fellow man.

I remember you as a big so and so who I'll never be able to live without.

Wait a minute, tears and everything. What is this, good-bye?

I don't know but I just don't want anything to happen to us.

Like things the way they are, eh?

Where would I ever find another handsome, easy-going...

- No good man like me? - Yes.

In any first class jail west of the Mississippi.

How do you do with them pesky sand bars?

Get yourself hung up on old camel-back?

Sure I did and I got myself off and of them too, by jucifer.

Get aboard and come up here.

- We had an escort from the hotel. - Yeah, Slagin and Cobb.

Looks like Bender is traveling.

- He's probably leaving on the boat too. - That's right, check up on us.

Let's find out.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Devlin, Mrs. Devlin, how is the shoulder this evening?

- Better, thanks. - That's fine.

Not going away, are you?

Yes I am, for a few days.

- Grand Forks? - No, Chicago.

I made a little deal. I'm going to check up on it.

- John look, is Mr. Geary. - Geary?

Father must have sent him here to buy the land for the railroad.

Sandra.

- I did it again. - Because you love me?

Your father told me that you skipped off with a rascal named Devlin.

I didn't believe it of course, I mean, about his being a rascal.

Somehow I couldn't imagine you marrying anyone who wasn't made of bone and muscle.

That makes you Devlin, right?

- I can't get out from under it either. - I'm geary, congratulations.

You married a great little girl. I've known her all her life.

Been with her father for 25 years.

Maybe I shouldn't talk so loud. I'm here more or less incognito.

Speak right out Mr. Geary, we're friends here.

Nothing you say will ever be used against you, I'm Jim Bender...

this is Mr. Collins, our Marshall.

Mr. Geary I, we were just going to the hotel.

- Yeah, see you later Bender. - I'll walk along with you.

Is always good to talk to somebody from the outside.

Is supposed to be a big secret I know but...

We all know that you're here to buy a few pieces of land for the railroad.

But don't you say a word about it unless you feel you're among friends Mr. Geary.

Well, the biggest part of my job is to keep my mouth closed.

But of course, you're privileged to think what you please.

And I'm pleased to think that you just saved me a good piece of money.

By the way Mr. Devlin...

Slagin, you and Cobb go after him. Bring back that contract.

Collins, round up what men you got and meet me at the store.

Something tells me I turned up at the wrong moment.

Oh, you certainly did.

Got everything fixed up just like you wanted ma'am.

Captain Sparks is going to slow down and...

pick you up right off and where the River Bird went down.

But you know, it's just like he was saying I...

when I was telling him what's going on around here.

You don't suppose we're chasing around, ducking our own shadows, do you?

But captain, right now Bender's men are looking for Mr. Devlin...

and we've got to help him.

Oh, I don't think that much is going to happen.

But it will, it is.

Look captain, you know most of the men in Fargo.

Please let them know what Mr. Devlin is done for them...

and ask them to stand by.

Well...

I'll talk to some of the boys and see what they say...

but I don't think they're going to be interested.

What if he does manage to find help, what then?

Oh Mr. geary, if anything happens to that big so and so I'll just die...

that's all.

Rider go by this way partner?

Italian?

Ciano.

He seen one looked just like Devlin.

- Mr. Plummer? - Oh, hello, Mr. Devlin, how are you?

Hello.

What you do to your foot?

Oh, sprained it I guess, makes it kind of awkward too, wanted to go over to Stowes.

- I'd like to talk to you a minute. - Well, come inside.

We're holding a meeting to talk things over.

- At the Stowes? - Yes.

- Hilda, this is Mr. Devlin. - Howdy Mr. Devlin.

Mrs. plummer.

There's a few of us might not like the way the Bender/Collins...

faction will handle things, so we thought we'd get together and sort of count our guns.

We haven't much to offer in the way of comforts, we were burned out.

Yeah, we had to throw up the sod house, had to have some kind of shelter.

Well, Bender is a little careless with matches.

Well, I've got something here that may make you feel a little better.

I got Bender to sign over that contract he made with the farmers to me.

A railroad is coming through here.

And this land is going to be worth a nice chunk of money.

This is wonderful.

And if you want to stay here and kind of look this thing over,

I'll go over to the Stowes and bring the boys back here.

Well, wait a minute. What you get out of this?

Well, when the railroad pays off, you can take 20,000 out of the kitty for me.

Call it a house cut.

Let's see now...

I'll say, come on boys, and get your guns and come along.

Things is going to bust wide open.

Then they'll say to me, what things?

When I'm trying to think of the answer to that one, someone will fetch...

me over the head with a sack a meal...

and that's what I'll get for throwing in with this fool kind of business.

I said it before and I'll say it now...

Nothing is going to happen to nobody, no time.

To John Devlin, I James K. Bender relinquish all rights and interests.

That's it, all right men.

You and I get things started and head back to town.

Don't look like the Plummers is to home neither.

Mr. Plummer, Mr. Plummer...

Guess I'll take a look.

Mr. Plummer, you there Mr. plummer?

No, nobody home.

Looking for people that ain't around is a fool business.

If they ain't at the Stowe place, they ain't no place, and that's as far as I'm going.

Giddyap horse.

♪ A night in June, a lovely moon ♪

♪ Beneath the trees a boy a lovely miss he softly sighs ♪

♪ She rolls her eyes then he says my dear I'd like to steal a kiss ♪

♪ But she says coax me go on and coax me ♪

♪ If you love me madly want me badly coax me go on and coax me ♪

♪ I'll be your tootsie-wootsie if you'll coax me, coax me go on and coax me ♪

♪ If you love me madly, want me badly coax me go on and coax me ♪

♪ I'll be your tootsie-wootsie if you coax me ♪

♪ When you wink your eye at me it's oh so very plain to see ♪

♪ It's sort of like to bill and coo and I confess I'd like it too ♪

♪ But it's hardly proper don't you see for me to act so brazenly ♪

♪ Rome wasn't built in a day so take a hint boy when I say ♪

♪ Coax me don't ever hoax me ♪

♪ If you love me only you'll never be lonely ♪

♪ Coax me go on and coax me ♪

♪ I'll be your tootsie-wootsie if you'll just coax me ♪

- Our friend? - Yes, he'll suppose he's here too.

Oh, do you mind? The lady and I have some things to talk about.

- Could we have this table? - And where am I going to sit partner?

Is all right lady, I won't listen.

- My name is Suede. - No, we can talk some other time.

If you fellas hadn't cut through the wheat, I'd met you coming back from the Stowe place.

Hey, you ain't heading into trouble messing around like this, are you?

How would you handle it Captain?

Well, Collins is the Marshall here, ain't he?

If someone did shoot the Plummers. Why, he's the one to do something about it.

I'm saying if somebody did shoot the Plummers.

I don't guess nobody did.

Understand I ain't agreeing they was shot, mind you?

Because the way you told it to me it could've been one of them suicide deals where...

one party says to the other...

close your eyes for a second now, I'll shoot your head off.

Something I'm figuring on doing to myself after while.

Let's get out of here.

That's it.

Get the boys and don't forget the white handkerchiefs.

Well, I'll do it but don't forget what I said. Ain't nothing going to happen.

There's John.

Give me that contract.

I'm looking for you Devlin.

You're a might too free and easy with that gun of yours Devlin.

I'm holding you for murder.

I got a hunch that badge is going to get you in trouble.

How you going to hold him Collins? There ain't no jail in Fargo.

What's it to you friend? I'm the law around here and I'll be responsible for him.

There's been a killing done folks and there is no court of law here.

Who's going to try him? How is he going to get what's coming to him?

There's a way of taking care of killers here, ain't there folks?

- Come on. - Just a minute fellas.

The man is entitled to a fair trial around here.

Get back.

The wheat fields are burning, the whole country is a blaze.

The wheat fields are on fire. Come on, let's get out there.

We'll need all the help we can get, come on men, come on.

Bender, you killed Mr. Geary, I saw you do it.

Don't let it worry you Mrs, Devlin, the gentlemen on horseback are not my friends.

Your husband is a very lucky fellow.

Hey. What's going on here?

Hey.

Hang on to him.

Finish him off.

- Hey. - Oh, there you are.

Better be getting back to the boat, hey Mr. Devlin?

Wheat burning, fellas shooting each other. Fargo ain't what she used to be.

Not going looking for me, are you Bender?

I, I was just coming after you.

I'm glad you stopped in, I might've trouble finding you.

Yeah, I figured you would, so I come over.

I know you wouldn't want to leave me behind and skin off with that 20,000.

Well, we can split it up now, if you like.

Your pocket is on the other side, ain't it Bender?

There's his horse.

John.

Well, there it is. Count it.

And if it isn't all there, you'll have to collect the rest of it yourself.

Stand by a fore and aft. She's ready to cast off.

Get on that spring line over there.

Hope they get the suitcases aboard but bags or no bags we're heading for California.

You know John, that railroad money isn't going to help everyone that was burnt out.

That's right. They ought to form some kind of a pool and fix it so...

everybody have enough till the next harvest.

That's wonderful, why don't you do it?

We're going to California.

But you're a hero now, we could go into any business we like.

- Maybe, riverboat. - Yeah?

With a railroad coming through?

But it will be almost a year before it's finished...

and in the meantime, we could handle all the shipping.

Cut it out Sandy, before you have me in tears.

I did it because I love you, that's why I did it.

- What? - Order in the gangplank.

Bounce.

What are you doing there?

Sure good to feel a ship under my feet again, much obliged to you Mr. Devlin..

Much obliged? What for?

I bought the Belle of the Northwest.

- You what.? - And put Captain Bounce in charge.