Original subtitles

♪ [ trumpet ]

In California's gold rush mining towns and camps,

money came and went fast.

Moore's Flats was one of those towns,

a boisterous mining settlement

nourished by the harvest of gold from the nearby hills.

Recreation for the men of Moore's Flats

was largely confined to gambling in and around the town saloons.

The miners came to town, their pouches

bulging with gold dust, and usually went

back to their claims with empty pockets.

This is the story of a miner who always lost,

and how he found a chance

to change his luck when he met...

[ gunshot ]

That makes three bets in a row you lost to me, Jesse.

Pay up.

How'd you like to make it four?

Oh, leave him alone, Gopher.

You've got your money.

This just ain't my day, Gopher.

I can't win for losing.

Seems to me like you never have a lucky day, Jesse.

You know, betting with Jesse's like having my own claim

and somebody to work it for me for free.

Boys...

I'm a raise you boys $10.

$10, eh?

That's a might brave bet, Jesse.

Let me see, now.

You drew one card?

Oh, I bet you got a straight.

I'm just going to raise you $20.

Well, come on, Jesse, what you gonna do?

You gonna call it?

I'm a fold.

Ain't no sense throwing good money after bad.

Well, now, you didn't pay to see my hand, Jesse,

but just so you know that old Gopher ain't bluffing,

there you are.

A pair of little old threes?

Just a pair of little old threes.

It couldn't be that you was holding something better?

It couldn't be that I bluffed you out of the pot, could it?

You know, gambling with Jesse's just one step above stealing.

Aaron?Huh?

How come I never win?

Win what?

How come I never win at gambling?

Why is it I always lose?

Probably cause you had so much practice.

Oh, come on Aaron, that ain't it.

I figure a man gambling as much as I have

is gotta win once in a while.

Will you quit your jawing and get those timbers cut?

If we don't get these walls shored up,

we're gonna lose two weeks of digging.

Aaron, I just gotta win once.

I got a suggestion for you.

Why don't you quit gambling?

Save yourself some gold.

Oh, it's not the money, Aaron.

I ain't got no family, and I figure

when a man gets my age,

gambling's only good for one thing.

And I like to gamble,

but I don't like to lose all the time.

[ wood breaking ]

You don't get them timbers cut, we're going to lose this mine.

Yeah.

If I could win just one time,

and from old Gopher Green.

If I could beat that Gopher out of one big pot.

[ explosion, yelling ]Aaron.

Aaron!

Aaron?

Are you all right, Aaron?

Yes, yes, no thanks to you, you big blabbermouth.

I been telling you all morning to get that timber cut.

Now look what happened.

I'll get in and clean out right now.

You're darn right you'll get in there and clean--

All right, I'll do that, right now, right now.

Well, don't just stand there and gawk. Get.

I'll be hanged. Look at that Indian go.

[ impressed exhale ]

Yeah, that Cherokee Bob

runs like somebody's chasing him.

That is one fast Injun.

[ impressed exhale ]

Aaron? Are you thinking about what I'm thinking?

Not unless you're thinking about

getting in that mine and cleaning it out.

Don't you see, Aaron?

This is my one chance to get even with Gopher Green.

How's that?

Well, if we could get Cherokee Bob

to enter the races next Sunday,

nobody knows how fast he is except you and me.

He could win a couple races before anybody got wise,

and me and you could make nothing but pure money.

Oh, he ain't that fast.

Sure he is. Who can beat him?

I don't know.

What about Pat Keenan?

Oh, Pat Keenan?

Cherokee Bob would make him look like a two-legged cow.

Yes, sir, yes, sir.

This is my one chance to get even

with that there Gopher Green

and the rest of them laughing hyenas.

You really think Bob could beat Pat?

Sure.

It might be fun at that.

Pat's always bragging how there ain't

nobody in camp can beat him.

Might do him some good somebody cleaned his plow.

Then you're for it? You'll do it?

I reckon.

Well, let's go over and see Cherokee Bob right now.

Hold it.

We're gonna go see Bob all right...

soon as you clean out that mine. Now, get.

I'll get in and clean out right--

Huh.

It appears Cherokee Bob ain't here.

Yeah, that's the way it appears.

Well, let's take a look in the mine. What do you say?

Now, wait a minute now, Cherokee.

Why you poi--

Why you pointing that thing at us for?

You think Bob not here.

You try to jump Bob's claim.

No, no.

We ain't trying to jump nobody's claim, Cherokee.

We got our mine right back yonder.

So?

We ain't come to steal your gold, Bob.

We just thought we'd drop by and pay our respects.

Yeah. We just want to be, you know, neighborly like,

you being new around here.

We just want to come over and visit.

Cherokee Bob have no time for visit.

If Bob visit, waste time.

No get rich.

You figuring on being the richest Indian

on the reservation, eh, Bob?

No reservation.

You think Bob want to freeze in drafty teepee?

Cook wild jack rabbit over open fire?

I guess not.

Bob want to live in big warm house.

Bob want to eat beef.

Some day, Bob be richest Injun in California.

Yeah?

You hear that, Aaron?Yeah.

Bob waste too much time already.

We visit some other day.

Cherokee, uh...

We didn't just come over here to visit.

That is, did you know about the footraces

in town this Sunday?

Ah, Bob see races last Sunday when he get supplies.

Well, me and my partner

saw you running around these hills up here.

We figure there ain't nobody can beat you in town.

So?

We'd like for you to come in town

next Sunday and run a couple of races.

Bob have no time for races.

It'd be worth it to you, Bob.

On account of me and my partner Aaron here.

Nobody knows how fast you are,

and we gonna make a lot of money when you win.

Bob win, you get money?

Well, you can bet on yourself, too.

Mm. Bob no bet.

Don't you figure you can win?

But if Bob no win, Bob no get money.

Bob already lose money by not working in mine.

He's smarter than you are, Jesse.

Look, Bob, all we want to see is this Pat Keenan lose once.

Now, you can beat him,

and we'll pay to see you do it.

Ah, now Bob begin to listen.

You come in to town and race anybody

Jesse and I match you with Sunday,

and we'll give you $25 each race you win.

You give Bob guarantee?

Guarantee?

The way he say, if Bob lose race,

Bob not get money.

Okay, Bob. We'll guarantee you $40--

50.

$50, win or lose.

Aaron: And that's more than you'd make working your mine all day.

And this will only take a couple of hours.

Good.

Bob race for you next Sunday.

Now Bob go work mine.

Nothing but pure money.

[ chatter ]

Now listen careful, Bob.

Don't go winning this race by too far

because we don't want Pat Keenan to know you can beat him.

You know, just make it close.

Now, you understand?

Boys!

Boys?

When are we gonna start the race?

Oh, you hear that, fellas?

Old Jess just can't wait to lose.

I ain't figuring on losing this time, Gopher.

Matter of fact is, I got a $20 gold piece here

says that Cherokee Bob takes Big Jim Lakin.

Money burning a hole in your pockets, huh?

No, I feel lucky this time.

I really feel lucky. This is my lucky day, Gopher.

I feel it.

You know,

I could retire off your lucky days.

You gonna let me bet with your partner, Aaron?

I reckon he's old enough to do what he wants.

Gopher, here's my $20 gold piece.

Now, put up, or shut up.

Bring it here, Jesse.

It's probably got my name on it anyhow.

Bob. Come here, Bob.

Now, Constable Taylor, be easy.

Bob ain't never run over here in Moores Flats before.

I thought maybe you'd kindly go over the course with him,

you know, kind of brief him up.

You know, Injuns are such good trackers,

I figure he could probably follow Big Jim's trail.

No offense, Bob, it's just that you ain't got a chance.

No offense.

Now, Bob, the race is going to start

right down here at the livery stable,

and it's going to end right in front of the saloon.

Now, when I wave my hand,

that means you get ready.

Now, when I fire my gun, then you start running.

You ready to run?

Bob ready.

Big Jim?

Sure am. Come on, let's go.

All right, Bob. Let's get on down to the livery stable.

Say, I ain't never seen that Injun

around here before, Jess.

Just how fast is he?

It don't make no difference, Dusty.

There's only one man around can beat Big Jim.

Oh? Who's that?

Me. Pat Keenan.

And that's a fact.

Well, now, I ain't no miner like you boys,

but I'd just like to make a little wager on Big Jim.

Anybody here want to take Bob?

Jesse: I'll take it, Dusty.

A Pony Express man's money's just as good as anybody else's.

Just chunk it right in there.

How about me, Jess?

I got $20 to put on Big Jim.

Well Pat, I guess I ought to back my partner.

I'll cover your 20.

All right, boys, let's go out and watch 'em run.

I'm taking all bets. I'm betting on...

Not too fast, Bob. Not so fast.

Thank you, boys. Thank you, boys. Thank you, boys.

You were just great, Bob. Just great.

For a minute I thought you wasn't

going to be able to slow down.

Bob remember.

Just great. Now, we're going to set them up for the kill.

Yesiree boys, that Cherokee Bob is right speedy.

You know something? I believe he can take old Pat Keenan.

What?

Just can't stand prosperity, can you, Jesse?

Hey, nobody ever beat Pat, Jesse.

Aw, it's all right, Jim.

When you're top man,

there's always someone trying to beat ya.

Say, Jesse, are you serious?

Don't you know it.

Oh, good for you.

Boys, listen. Ain't nobody ever beat Pat,

and Jesse here is going to back Cherokee Bob,

and he ain't ever won at nothing twice in a row.

Boys, chunk your bets right here in my hat. I'll cover it.

[ excited chatter ]

[ gunshot ]

Come on, Bob!Come on, Pat!

Come on, Bob!

I can't understand it.

Pat got whooped.

And so'd you, Gopher,

two times in a row.

I just don't understand.

He beat me.

Maybe you wasn't ready.

Maybe you needed that first race for a warm up.

I just don't understand it.

How about it, Gopher?

You want to make it three times in a row?

[ stuttering ] Uh, no, no Jesse.

I don't think so.

I need a refreshment...

Well, like you said, Gopher,

ain't nobody ever beat Pat Keenan before,

exceptin' this once.

The drinks are on me, boys.

Bob, you were just great. Just great.

You run nice, Bob.

Two races, $50.

Oh, sure Bob, sure. Yeah.

There's your $50, and for doing so good,

I'm going to hit you with another 20,

just for good measure.

[ grunts affirmatively ]

Maybe two or three hour before sundown.

Bob go back to mine.

There goes a dedicated man.

Come on, Aaron, let's go and rag Old Gopher and Pat.

Gopher, I never thought I'd see a time

when you'd lose two bets in a row to me.

Yes, sir, my luck has changed.

I ain't your meal ticket no more.

How about that Cherokee Bob?

Ain't he something?

That is one fast Indian.

Yep, that Injun is right speedy, Jesse,

but he ain't near as fast as Soda Bill.

Who's this Soda Bill?

Well, he runs a claim up near Nevada City,

and I saw him race one time

on one of my mail runs through there.

Fastest man I ever did see.

Fellas? Dusty here says there's a man over in Nevada City--

What's his name? Soda Bill.

Eh, Soda Bill.

He said Soda Bill can outrun Cherokee Bob.

You find a man you think can outrun that Injun,

and you got a bet with me, Dusty.

Well, let's find out who the fastest is.Good.

Give me a pencil and a chunk of paper there.

Thank you, Bill.

Now, who can write around here?I can.

Well, put this down, Dusty,

and take it on your run over to Nevada City.

All right.

Let me see, now.

Dear Nevada City,

we hear tell ya'll got a miner over there

by the name of Soda Bill that's pretty fast.

Well, we got one here we think can run his legs off.

Now why don't you boys over there in Nevada City

get together and bring Soda Bill over here

and let's settle this thing once and for all?

Signed, the boys from Moores Flats.

How does that sound, fellas?

[ approving cheers]

Okay, Jesse.

I'll be riding back this way next Tuesday,

and you'll get your answer then.

Yeah.

Gopher,

this is going to be easier than it was fleecing you, huh?

Atta boy, Bob.

You really serious about all this training stuff, huh?

Huh, don't you know I am.

When they have horse races, they train horses,

run them up and down like this, don't they?

Why not people?

How's Bob taking all this running around them hills?

Well, I guarantee him $200 to win

and $100 if he loses.

But, between you and me Aaron, he ain't too fond of it.

He thinks he ought to be working his claim.

Well, naturally. That's what you ought to be doing.

You know, don't do me no good having a partner

if he ain't around to share the work.

Aw, Aaron, it's just until tomorrow.

Atta boy, Bob.

Oh, it's just until tomorrow, huh?

Then the big winner is going to come back

and work his claim for his poor old partner, huh?

Oh, come on, Aaron.

Besides, I don't know if I like being a big winner.

Oh, I thought you was all upset

'cause the fellers laughed at you when you lost?

Well, they ain't laughing at me anymore.

Matter of fact, they ain't even friendly.

Last week, I had a town full of friends,

and now, when I josh them about losing, they just walk away.

So, you don't like being a winner, huh?

Well, I don't know.

Maybe when Bob wins this Sunday, might change me a little bit.

Might make me feel better.

At least I hope so.

Atta boy, Bob.

I'm telling you, Aaron,

if things keep up like this,

I'm going to be more miserable than ever.

Well you ain't half as miserable as you're going to be

if Soda Bill whips Cherokee Bob.

You know there's going to be

half this town's dust riding on Bob?

Yeah, I know it.

I just don't even like to think about it.

Hey, men?

These here is some of the boys from Nevada City,

and this here is the feller I was telling you about,

Soda Bill.

Hello, Bill. Hey, Dusty,

take the boys up the bar, buy you all a drink.

[ excited shouts ]

Howdy. My name's Jesse.Howdy.

Want to welcome you to Moores Flats, Soda Bill.

Can I buy you a drink?

No thanks.

I don't drink when I race.

Oh. What's these nails sticking in your shoes like that for?

Don't they hurt when you walk?

These here's racing shoes.

These spikes dig into the ground,

make me run faster.

Yeah? Well, Soda Bill...

I wonder if you'd--

if you'd be interested in a little proposition

that might mean some money to you?

I might.

Well, let's you and me just mosey out

on the side walk and talk a spell.

[ inconspicuous whistling ]

All right, Cherokee Bob, Soda Bill,

this race is going to be for all the money.

Now, we're going to start down the livery stable

and finish right here.

Now boys, whenever I wave, that means get ready.

Whenever I shoot the gun, the race is on.

Now, any questions?

All right, move on up to start, boys.

Well, you boys got your bets down?

[ affirmative cheers ]

Well, we getting ready to start ourselves a race.

Bob's going to win, Aaron. Don't you worry.

We'll know soon enough.

Come on, Bob.

He lost.

He wasn't supposed to. He couldn't.

Appeared to me like he did lose, Jesse.

Yes, sir, it sure looked that way.

I'm sorry I lost that money for all you fellas.

Like I said, though, that Soda Bill was mighty fast.

Aw, it ain't your fault, Dusty.

Besides, it was a real fine race.

He just lost. That's all.

I didn't think there was a man alive

could beat that Cherokee Bob.

Yeah, but he ran a real fine race, though. Didn't he, fellas?

Yeah, he really did.

Hey, I wonder where he went to?

I wanted to buy him a beer.

Bob left town right after Soda Bill paid him off.

What does that mean?

You saw the race. Bob lost.

I also saw Soda Bill give Bob a sack of dust

just before he left town.

Are you saying that Bob let him win?

That's right,

and it figures.

Bob didn't like nothing better than money.

Now wait, that can't be.Why not?

Because. Because I got to worrying about this race.

After I won the money from you boys last week,

well, you haven't even been near as friendly,

so I got to figuring, if Bob lost this race,

well, I wouldn't be wanted around this town anymore.

So I paid Soda Bill $200 to throw the race.

Well, what are you laughing at me for?

I did it for ya'll.

Jesse couldn't fix a race if there was only one man running.

We lost our heads, man.

We should have laid everything we had

on the one Jesse bet against.

He wouldn't know a double cross if it had him surrounded.

They ain't mad at me.

No, they ain't mad.

They're laughing at me.

I'm right back where I started.

Yep. You're right back where you started.

Is that so bad?

[ laughing ]

Get me in one of them chairs, boys.

I feel luckier than a gold horse shoe.

Right over here, Jesse old buddy. There you are.

I guess you seen the last of your lucky days.

No I ain't, Gopher. Deal 'em up.

We couldn't find any further information

regarding Cherokee Bob, so we can only assume

that he failed to reach his goal as California's richest Indian.

Jesse, however, found that he had what he wanted all along--

a town full of friends.

Next week, another true story from Western history.

See you then.

♪ [ trumpet ]