Original subtitles

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Where Western history comes alive.

Stories of the old West, stories of hardships

and adventure,

of dreams and of courage.

Stories of the American pioneer

are all a part of our past,

of our heritage.

Money was a big problem for wealthy Texas ranchers

in the early frontier days.

There were no banks.

There were plenty of bandit gangs

operating along the border.

One very wealthy rancher was raided by such a gang,

but though they massacred the entire family,

the bandits never found the treasure.

For many years, hundreds of people hunted and dug,

but all they ever found was a strange figure

the rancher had built on a nearby hill,

a figure made of mud and sticks,

and they called him...

[ sighs ]

Your arms are supposed to be pointin'’ towards gold,

but how far and how deep?

Doggone-it, I wish you could talk.

MAN: By heavens, I wish he could, too!

Maybe he could talk you out of some of this stupid business.

Aw, but Hannibal, I can'’t--

Now, don'’t you give me any of your, "Aw, buts," boy.

Just wake up. That thing'’s a fake.

There ain'’t no gold there.

Probably never has been.

Nope. You'’re wrong.

There is gold here somewhere.

I can feel it,

and he'’s the key,

if I can just figure him out.

Yep, you can feel it.

We'’re supposed to be in the cattle business,

remember?

Aw, 62 cows.

Now, that'’s some business.

Herds grow.

A little work and a little patience.

Well, work I don'’t mind.

HANNIBAL: Are you gonna be back for grub?

I'’m making some venison pie.

Yeah, well, you go ahead.

I'’ll be along.

If you'’re more than an hour late,

I'’ll put gravel in your beans.

What?

Oh, that sounds fine, Hannibal.

Fine.

Yeah. [ grunts ]

Jess?JESS: Hm?

How come I got to learn two kinds of letters?

Don'’t even look alike.

Isn'’t one kind enough?

Nope. Printin'’s fine, but you need to know writin'’, too.

Well, give me a reason.

All right. Now, how'’s this?

When I find that Mezcla man'’s treasure

and buy us the biggest ranch in Texas,

you'’re gonna need to know how to write out checks

and how to sign all them big army beef contracts.

Well, if that'’s the case, sure ain'’t no hurry.

Now, listen, you stubborn old goat.

I ain'’t gonna have no partner that'’s too ignorant

to write his own name.

Well, I don'’t see why not.

I'’m puttin' up with a partner

that'’s crazy about a pile of mud and sticks.

You goin'’ somewhere?

Well, I-- I thought I'’d ride over

to Ewing'’s trading post

and get us some coffee.

Ain'’t no need for that.

You got more than ten pounds left.

Well, we need salt,

and I'’ll pick you up some chewin'’ tobacco.

I just got me a dozen plugs last week,

and we got more than enough salt to last out till summer.

All right, I'’m going to see Sarah.

Now, is there anything wrong in that?

Nary a thing.

At your age, I'’d probably been sparkin'’ them by myself.

And why not?

She'’s darn pretty and you know it.

Pretty as a little red wagon.

She'’s plenty smart, too.

Yeah, she'’s that for sure.

Doggone-it, Hannibal, how come you don'’t like her?

I don'’t recall ever saying that I didn'’t.

Well, you never said you did.

Will you stop fussin'’ at me?

Now, I ain'’t your blasted daddy.

Now, go on, get out of here,

and leave me be '’cause I got work to do.

Well, you sure do and you remember,

you copy every one of them letters,

20 times.Stop yappin'’ and get out of here!

He'’s late.

He should have been here by now.

He'’s always late.

I know, but he is a waste of time, Sarah.

Now, you take Reese Thompson--Oh, you take him.

He'’s bald and fat and 50 if he'’s a day.

And rich enough to buy you all them fancies

you'’ve got such a hunger for.

There'’s nothing wrong

with a girl wanting a few nice things.

No, not if you can get them.

You could if you married Reese.

And stay right here in this valley for good.

No, thanks.

I wanna go places and see things,

new and exciting things.

Well, you could probably talk Reese into a trip

to San Antonio.

[ groans ]

I'’m talking about places like New Orleans and San Francisco...

and New York.

And you'’re gonna get there with a two-cow rancher

like Jess Ivy?

I will when he finds that Mezcla man treasure.

Jess loves me.

And if he doesn'’t find the treasure?

He'’ll find it.

He just has to--

Jess.

I was afraid you weren'’t coming.

Oh, no chance of that, Sarah.

Afternoon, Mr. Ewing.

Ivy.

Come on, sit down.

Uh-- [ clears throat ]

Papa?Hm?

Oh, yes.

Excuse me.

I'’ve got some work to do inside.

Don'’t mind him.

Here.

Now, have you figured out the secret

to the Mezcla man yet?

Nope,

but it'’s just a matter of time.

I hope it won'’t be too long.

Me, too.

You know, Sarah, we don'’t have to wait for that

to get married.

We could--Jess, don'’t.

[ sighs ]Well, I know we wouldn'’t have very much for a while.

Papa would never agree to it.

Maybe not, honey, but you'’re of age.

He can'’t say anything.Jess, no.

[ sighs ]

I'’m sorry.

He'’s still my father.

I just couldn'’t go against his wishes,

but you be patient.

Once you'’ve found that treasure,

everything will be just fine.

Jess?

Do hurry.

Waiting'’s not easy for me, either.

Well, this ought to take down that swellin'’.

Wrap it up good and tight with these rags.

Hannibal,

do you see what I see?

I see it but don'’t believe it.

MAN: Whoa, toot.

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

My name is Harold Graves, III.

The third what?

Why, the third Harold Graves, of course.

You mean, there'’s three of you?

Sir, I'’m referring to my grandfather, my father,

and myself.

Oh, I got you.

Me, I'’m Hannibal McCall.

This here is my partner, Jess Ivy.

I reckon we'’re firsts.

Firsts?

Oh, I see.

I'’m sorry to have interrupted your work, gentlemen,

but I guess I'’ve lost my way.

Well, ain'’t you sure?

Well, of course I'’m sure.

Now, if you'’ll kindly direct me

to the establishment of Mr. Thomas Ewing.

Ewing'’s trading post?

Well, that'’s right.

Are you some kind of a friend of theirs?

Heavens, no. I'’ve never met the gentleman,

but I understand his trading post serves the entire valley.

So?

So I'’d like to do business with him.

I'’m the western sales representative for Simonton and Company,

the very finest in cutlery.

Oh.

Well, um, in that case,

you just stay on this road, and--

till you get to the fork, then you turn to the rightabout--

oh, four miles.

Well, thank you. Mr. McCall.

I wish it could have been a bigger order, Mr. Graves.

Not many folks in the valley can afford

such expensive knives.

Of course, I understand, sir.

It'’s gonna be dark before you get to town.

Are you sure I can'’t put you up?

I have a couple rooms I rent out.

Thank you, I'’m afraid not, sir.

I really must be--

Mr. Graves, this is my daughter, Sarah.

Harold Graves, III, at your service, Miss Ewing.

Why, thank you sir.

A very attractive young lady, Mr. Ewing.

Yep, too much so, I'’m afraid.

Good-bye, Mr. Graves.

Good-bye, sir,

I'’ll have your order shipped right away.

Oh!Here-- Oh, Graves!

My hip.

MR. EWING: Here.

HAROLD:I'’m afraid I'’ve wrenched it.

Easy, now.Oh!

Put your arm around my shoulder.

I'’m afraid I'm going to have to accept

your invitation to stay over, Mr. Ewing.

Why, of course,

MR. EWING: you'’re in no condition to drive.

Let me help you to your room.

Easy.

Back kind of early, ain'’t ya?

Aw, that pretty dude'’s still there.

Well, he sure must have hurt himself.

My foot-- he'’s no more hurt than you are.

He'’s just fakin' it so he can hang around Sarah.

She'’ll catch on.

Not her.

By the way she'’s fussin' over him,

you'’d think he's some kind of wounded hero.

Well, some women just like to fuss over a man.

He'’s all the time filling' her up with a lot of fancy talk

about how he'’s gonna get a promotion

and have a big house, and servants.

Oh, he'’s got her believin'

that his life in New Orleans ain'’t nothin' but parties

and fancy dress balls.

Doggone-it, Hannibal,

I'’m worried.

Yeah, I sort of gathered you was.

You think you could get your mind off of women

well, just long enough to take a look at something

really important?

Why, sure. What is it?

Why, Hannibal, you'’ve written your whole name

and not a single mistake.

Well, naturally,

and I'’ll thank ya not to go around sayin'’

you'’ve got an ignorant partner no more.

Oh, never again, Hannibal.

I promise,

and you know, if you keep your practice up,

pretty soon, you'’ll be writin' whole letters.

You know, that'’s a problem.

How'’s that?

None of my friends can read.

Plumb ignorant.

You know, Hannibal,

I got a hunch I better find that Mezcla man'’s treasure

in a real hurry.

Why? It ain'’t gonna run no place.

No, but--

hey you remember that tree that stands right in line

with his left arm?Yep.

What if it grew right above where the treasure was buried?

It would be down the roots.

I ain'’t never dug there.

Well, you can'’t dig at night!

Why, sure I can. The moon'’s bright.

Don'’t wait up. I'’m gonna be home

with an armful of gold.

Don'’t say it.I reckon there'’s no need to.

A jackass usually knows he'’s a jackass.

Now, you go get some sleep,

I'’ll take care of your horse.

Well, maybe for just an hour or two.

If it ain'’t gold, it'’s women.

If it ain'’t women, it'’s gold.

Well, I'’ll tell you, horse,

that man ain'’t got no sense about neither.

My dear, you are simply ravishing today.

I can hardly wait to see you enter into your first ball.

Why, you are going to take that New Orleans society

by storm.

New Orleans?

What would I be doing in New Orleans?

Well, you'’ll be there as Mrs. Harold Graves, III.

You'’ll be charming all the right people,

helping your husband to rise higher and higher,

and blinding the eye of every man with your beauty

as you ride through the park.

You mean, my very own buggy?

Why, of course your very own buggy

with a manservant to drive you.

Oh, Harold, you make it all sound so wonderful.

I haven'’t even started yet, darling.

You just say yes, and there'’s many, many things

I want to do for you.

I don'’t know, Harold.

Even with your promotion, you won'’t be able to--

Well, that'’s only the beginning.

With you by my side, Sarah,

in a year I can be Vice President,

and then we can have everything that we ever--

So you'’re still here?

Obviously, my dear fellow, and why not?

Because Sarah'’s my girl. That'’s why.

And I don'’t want you hangin'’ around her.

Now, just a minute, Jess Ivy.

I'’ve told you Mr. Graves is our guest.

Excuse me.

It'’s time for my rest,

and I'’m sure you want to discuss this in private.

I'’m sorry, Sarah, but what do you expect

when I ride up and find him huggin'’ you

right out here in the front yard?

Well, he wasn'’t hugging me,

and what if he was?

I'’m not your wife yet, Jess,

and I like Harold.

Harold?

You can'’t really be interested in a man like that, Sarah.

And why not?

At least he offers me something more than a silly dream

about a treasure.

But-- but we love each other.

Isn'’t that what we've always--

I think you'’d better go,Jess.

We can talk about it later.

[ sighs ]

It'’s not a silly dream, Sarah.

I'’m gonna find that treasure. You'’ll see.

And then I'’ll offer you 100 times

what that drummer can.

Give me one of them nails.Hm?

Oh.

Well, that'’s a funny lookin'nail.

What? Oh, sorry.

You know, I'’ve been thinkin'

that maybe I'’ve been diggin' too far away.

I'’ve got a feelin' that gold is real close

to the Mezcla man.

You'’ve got a feelin'.

Maybe under his arms

or even right next to him.

Jess, why don'’t you go on out there and dig and see?

You mean now?

Yeah.

You ain'’t no good around here.

This job'’s just about finished, then I'’ll go with you.

You mean, you'’ll help me?

I figure I have to.

There ain'’t no other way you gonna get that gal

less'’n you find the gold.

Yeah, but you don'’t even like Sarah.

Well, what'’s that got to do with it?

You do, and you'’re my partner, ain'’t you?

Now, let'’s go and dig.

Hannibal,

we'’re gettin' close to it, real close.

Yeah...

I tell you, we are.

Well, I can just almost--Let me guess.

You can feel it.

Well, you go ahead and laugh,

but I do, I can feel it just as plain as a--

it'’s kind of a-- a tinglin'’ in my bones.

Don'’t you feel that?

Nary a tingle, boy.

The only thing I feel is a lot of new aches.

Oh, I'’m sorry, Hannibal.

Why don'’t you stop and take a rest?

I keep forgettin'’ you'’re old, and--Who'’s old?

Blasted, I can keep up with you any day of the week!

Well, sure you can--Now, I'’m not a day over 50,

and maybe less than that. I'’m barely in my prime.

I know it.

Why'’d I'd have guessed-- uh, 40.

Well, you-- you needn'’t lie about it.

I do admit, I don'’t recollect exactly when I was foaled.

Well, it don'’t matter, Hannibal.

You'’re still plenty man and I know it.

Well, you better know it.

You know, it is gettin'’ late,

and it'’s time you went home,

and started throwin'’ us together some grub.

Unless, of course, you want me to do the cookin'’ tonight.

No, thank you.

I'’ve tasted your cookin'.

I'’m goin'.

Well, old boy, you'’ve got me beat.

You know that?

For two years, I'’ve been slavin' out here,

tryin'’ to figure you out,

and I ain'’t found one thin dime.

Not a penny.

Now I'’m about to lose my girl...

and you just stand there laughin'’ at me.

And you are, too. Aren'’t you?

You'’re laughing at me.

Why, Hannibal was right.

You ain'’t nothin' but a big fake!

You'’re just a big liar.

You'’re nothin' but a fat, stinkin'’ liar,

and you ain'’t gonna laugh at me no more!

No, no more!

Sarah--

I'’ve found it, Sarah.

Sarah, are you sure this is what you want?

Oh, I'’m sure.

Well, what am I gonna tell Jess?

Well, I don'’t know, tell him anything you can think of.

Well, never mind, you can tell him yourself.

Sarah, I just--Jess, I'’m so glad you came before we left.

Left?

Yes.

Harold and I are going to be married.

I'’m gonna live in New Orleans in a big house

with lots of servants and my own buggy

and everything.

Isn'’t it wonderful?

Yeah, of course.

It'’s funny, I thought--

you know, all this time I thought you were--

Jess, let'’s not remember

a lot of silly talk from the past.

You'’re right, Sarah, there'’s no point in that.

I reckon the only thing left for me to say is, uh--

congratulations.

Oh, and uh--

let me give you all a little wedding present.

I say now, that'’s not necessary.

Oh, no, I insist.

What?

What--

Jess!

Jess, you'’ve found it!

I sure did.

Happy day, Sarah,

and I'’m glad you got what you wanted.

But, Jess--

Wait! I--That'’s enough, Sarah, forget him!

Oh, shut up!

I'’m sorry, Jess.

Mr. Ewing, don'’t be sorry,

not for me.

Though the mystery was finally solved,

and the Mezcla man himself turned out to be,

not only a liar,

but a kind of overgrown piggy-bank,

and one of the strangest treasure stories

of our frontier West.