Original subtitles

(Male narrator) The legend of the Baudine brothers

has etched itself into frontier history

in the last quarter of the 19th century.

Morgan "Two Persons" Baudine,

captured by the Cheyenne and freed 8 years later by the army.

Quentin Baudine, a young doctor, from San Francisco.

Across thousands of miles

from the Missouri Breaks to the Canadian River,

from the Rockies to the High Plains,

both join together in a search for their sister, Patricia,

still a captive of the Cheyenne.

The legend of the Baudine brothers.

This is their story.

This is the quest.

[Horse neighing]

[Neighing]

(Hatcher) What's the matter, Santos?

Never seen a little mare give you that much fuss!

[Horse continues neighing]

[Hatcher whistles]

[Both laughing]

(Morgan) Quentin.

What is it?

I know that brand.

The lazy h. A man I used to know lives here.

Who is it?

A ranchman named Hatcher.

Morgan, I wanted to get into red bluffs by this evening.

(Morgan) We can still make it. Come on.

[Birds chirping]

[Cattle lowing]

(Quentin) How do you know this man Hatcher?

(Morgan) Well, it is a long story,

but I will never forget that brand.

[Horse nickers]

[Sheep bleating]

[Chickens clucking]

[Horse nickers]

6 horses, $5 a head.

$30.

I don't want no $5 a head from you, Mr. Hatcher.

That's what I charge the other ranchers.

You take it.

You fixin' to be so independent and all. Don't do me no favors.

I don't suppose you changed your mind about quitting.

I ain't changed my mind.

Then the devil take ya!

What do you young men today know about loyalty?

Spend years with a man

and then spit it out the window like a wad of tobacco.

All you got right now

is 2 wranglers and me, Mr. Hatcher.

And I figure maybe if I go,

it'll stop you from killin' yourself!

Runnin' out on me for my own good, huh? Is that it?

You and that crazy route.

No one takes a herd through the badlands.

And you've had too many bad years to pull it off.

You're jinxed.

You ain't the end of the world here!

I'll get me another ramrod and other men!

(Santos) With what?

You can't afford to pay like the other ranches anymore.

And it is too late in the season to move cattle!

Look, why don't you sell out and sit down a few years?

You could use a rest.

I'll rest when I'm in my grave.

Mr. Hatcher,

I hope it is later, rather than sooner.

[Cattle lowing]

(Morgan) Matthew Hatcher?

Huh?

Two Persons.

Two Persons?

From Chief Ho Nehe's band.

Ha.

Not that skinny little towheaded kid with the freckles

and an Adam's apple that looked like he was eatin' somethin'?

[Laughs] I never thought of myself in those ways, but, yes.

I'll be.

You sure changed some since I last seen ya.

Tell me, how long has it been?

I was 10 years old then.

How's Ho Nehe?

You know I was thinkin' on him just 2, 3 days ago.

He is dead, Mr. Hatcher.

Horse soldiers.

Uh-huh.

Seemed to be reaching the age

when news of old friends dyin' comes too often.

[Horse nickers]

Mr. Hatcher, this is my brother,

Quentin Baudine.

Seemed to recall mention of him.

But everyone thought you was dead.

[Chuckling] Well, it took a few years,

but I finally caught up with him, and proved otherwise.

Well, I'm sure glad you did. Glad to meet you, Quentin.

Hey, wasn't there a sister, Two Persons?

She is still with the Cheyenne.

Iron Hawk's band.

Iron Hawk? Tough as his name.

Are you two planning on bringing her back?

Because if you are, he'll put up a hell of a fight.

We'll fight if we have to.

Uh, we think we know where they've made camp.

We're headed that way now.

Well, uh, look, look, hold on a moment.

I got a herd going out in a few days up to pueblo.

Colorado.

I could use some good men.

Most others have signed on with other outfits and gone north.

Look, I can pay $20 and the share.

That could work out pretty good at the other end.

Any other time, Mr. Hatcher, thank you.

Well, uh, I sure could use you.

We--we plan to spend the night in red bluffs

and then leave first thing in the morning.

It is important. We just stopped to say hello.

Ah. Ah.

You're sure?

Yes, thank you.

But if you should happen to be in town tonight,

we could have food together.

Ah.

Uh, thanks just the same.

(Tucker) Hey, mister,

I curried and fed them horses

and gave 'em brand new shoes.

You owe me 50 cents apiece more.

Here's 2 bits.

Go buy yourself 5 beers.

Mister.

I'm a peaceable man,

but you ain't makin' it easy.

[Groans]

[Coins clinking]

[Coins clinking] Thank you.

I do not believe what I just saw.

Would you mind doin' that again?

For a price,

I might do anything.

How much to board 'em overnight?

2 bits in advance.

So I don't have to do to you what I did to them.

And that's each.

That's a little bit high, isn't it?

They'll get grooming and a measure of grain.

I'd say they need it.

No more than I do, friend.

Oh, he threw his right front shoe.

Come on.

[Clicking tongue]

You know, I'm so hungry I don't know whether to eat first

and then take a bath or vice versa.

Here it is.

This is the one I did today.

Oh, Tom.

Tom, it-it's so lifelike,

there's a whole story here.

And that man,

you can just feel him hurting,

wanting to be free.

Do you really see all that in there?

Uh-huh.

Oh, Bess.

Bess, you're so beautiful.

Hold it.

I wouldn't go no further if I was you, Wakely.

I've heard that speech before,

and I know what you're leadin' up to.

Now Bess might think it fine to marry you, but I see it different.

Papa. Quiet!

Pretty pictures never put no food on the table.

He can't even take care of himself, much less a wife or a baby.

[Sighs]

Oh, wait a minute, Bess.

Wakely.

You take your paper and your pencils and you find yourself a job.

[Gasps]

(Cooler) Oh, you guys still here?

Ya know, there ain't no doctor in this town

in case you catch pneumony.

Well, I happen to be a doctor

and you don't ketch pneumony from takin' a bath.

(Cooler) My arms ache so bad

[water splashing]

From fetchin' and haulin'.

It ain't no sunday picnic haulin' this boilin' water.

[Pouring water]

Hey, now, look son. There is no need for you to do that--

[gun firing]

[Sighs]

Ooh.

Well, you sure made a mess, didn't you?

Suppose I have to clean up after your little

target practice.

Well, nothing like a man who's grateful.

♪ [Music playing]

[Men laughing]

(Drifter) I heard tell any buster worth his salt

can break a green horse

while calmly rollin' a cigarette.

Oh.

Well, that's right, my friend.

But when he's finished, he lights up and has a smoke.

[All laughing]

(Hatcher) Can an irishman get a drink around here?

Come on, Don, give me a whiskey.

[Women giggling]

For those of you who don't know me,

the name's Hatcher.

I got 1500 head needin' to move up to pueblo.

I can pay $20 and a share. That's short up front,

long in the end.

Any takers?

Amos.

Buel.

How do like workin' for that four-flusher Aames?

I'm sorry, Mr. Hatcher,

but we're offered a better job workin' for him.

I always give you fair treatment.

We know that.

Mr. Aames offered more pay.

Well, you tell Mr. Aames next time you see him

to keep out of my way, you see.

(Hatcher) I suppose you're goin' over to Aames, too, huh?

Yes.

Because you push everyone too hard.

I don't push anyone any harder than I push myself.

And that is too hard.

No one will work for you anymore, old man.

Anybody else talks to me that way, I'd kill 'em.

(Morgan) I think the bath first was a good idea.

I'm not so sure. Let's eat.

[People chattering]

(Morgan) Mr. Hatcher.

Two Persons.

Quentin.

Ah, you came after all.

Well, I'm not what you call fit company tonight, Two Persons.

But, uh, you're welcome if you want to sit down.

Would you have something to eat with us?

I've had something.

Thanks, Doug. What will you have?

Uh, I'll have a beer, and supper for both of us.

Eats are over there. And I'll fetch you the beers.

I'll get it.

Uh, I just lost my ramrod to another rancher.

(Man) Oh, Mr. Aames.

I figured you would show up sooner or later.

You drunk or just lookin' for trouble, like always?

I've drunk enough to stand for all of my men

bein' hired away by you.

(Aames) You're dead, Hatcher, only you don't know it yet.

Why don't you go and find yourself a hole and lay in it.

[Women screams]

Mr. Hatcher.

[Aames cursing]

(Man) Oh, no.

(Quentin) Morgan!

(Morgan) Get out of here.

I was only protecting myself. Everybody here will testify to that.

Looks like he's finished. No, he's not.

I'm a doctor, get everybody outta here. Get back.

(Barkeeper) Uh, clear the bar. Vamos.

Give me my gun!

I'll give this to the sheriff. Now get outta here.

(Barkeeper) Come on, come on, come on.

Give me a couple of tables under that light.

That's deep enough. Give me some pressure here. It's bleeding too much.

Easy, easy.

Now give me the bistoury.

The bistoury. Which one is it?

I'm sorry, it's the flat one. The thin flat one.

Here.

[Footsteps approaching]

How did it happen?

He and Aames got into it.

I'll kill Aames for this.

The sheriff is taking care of it.

(Morgan) You know Mr. Hatcher?

For many years.

Well, you can stay around. If you're gonna be useful, hold him down.

I can't risk him wakin' up and movin'.

Give me the probe.

Will he live?

I don't know that.

The bullet entered his left side,

and it's right next to his spine.

Now if I can get it out,

if I don't paralyze him doin' it.

(Santos) You gotta-- don't talk to me right now.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yes.

I don't think I would like to be a doctor.

[Sighs]

You should live with one.

Bartender, give me a tablecloth that's clean,

something we can use for rags. Uh, make sure it's clean.

Tear it into strips, 2 inches wide.

[Cloth ripping]

(Quentin) Well, your ticker sounds all right.

I think you're gonna make it.

Thought you two boys was all fired set to getting north.

We were,

until you got yourself into trouble.

Hmm.

Guess I was out of order.

One of these days my temper's gonna get me buried.

Sorry sight I must seem to you this way, Two Persons.

Not like the man you met when,

when you was 10.

No.

The man I met when I was 10

[clears throat]

Would never have felt sorry for himself.

But who's got a better right?

What you seen today is all that's left of me

and my life.

[Breathing heavily]

A shot-up, battered,

ruin of a man.

And the ranch ain't no better.

The laudanum's taking effect, just let yourself go to sleep.

10 years,

15 years ago, we was

the best in the territory.

Had me my missus then, and my boy,

and the whole world outside my doorstoop.

Where are they now, Mr. Hatcher?

Buried

outside my doorstoop.

Lost Ethel

the winter of '68, November the 11th, 6:40 P.M.

Son Carl was next.

Was teachin' him to brand a steer.

Got his head stomped in

by a no-good-for-nothin'.

He was only 9.

Shot that steer 6 times,

cryin' all the time.

How did things get so bad, Mr. Hatcher?

After my family died, I just sort of went to seed.

By the time I come out of it, I was too far gone.

Drove too hard, was too scared.

No way to make up for it.

The bank's gone with me as far as it'll go.

If I don't make this drive,

and I lose everything,

the ranch, that's the end of me.

You can bury me out there with my wife and son.

My life would have gone for nothin'.

Mr. Hatcher,

I do not know much about cattle,

but maybe we could find others who do.

And we could help you on this drive.

Only thing is you know how far I got by tryin' to hire men.

Well, there must be men who need work. I will find them.

Could I talk to you for a second?

Outside?

[Sighs]

What are you thinkin' about?

That's 2 months' work at least.

Quentin, when I was 10 we had a very bad winter.

I don't want to hear your past history.

There was no game finally, even for the wolves. I'm not gonna like this.

Everyone went to sleep hungry and cold.

And some of the old people and children began to die off,

I think I began to die with them.

And one day this man came in on a horse,

and 12 steers,

and he--he warmed his hands by our fire and then he rode away.

He never even asked for a payment, or thanks.

All he said was,

"I near froze to the saddle gettin' 'em up here.

Do not aim to take 'em back down."

You don't figure I evened that score

by patchin' him up?

I will only offer myself.

Quentin, I have to do what I can to help him.

Would you even like me if I did otherwise?

No.

We'll try.

Mr. Hatcher,

you cannot think of anyone that will work for you?

(Hatcher) Not since Santos left me.

Unless we're forced to

scrape the bottom of the barrel.

I think we are.

Well, there's--there's plenty at the stables. Tucker.

He's older now, but maybe...

He had it once, anyway.

I hear Walter Lucas is back in town.

And there's the janitor of the bathhouse,

cooler.

Uh...

I don't want to think anymore, I'm gettin' depressed.

(Quentin) I can see that you know and care about horses.

But do you know anything about cattle?

Cattle?

I'm probably the best black cowboy

that ever rubbed his legs raw on a drive.

Believe it or not,

it's all up to you.

(Quentin) Where did you do all this 'cowboyin'?

Ranch in Texas.

Yeah.

I was born there.

After that great wonderful war that they talked about,

I took my freedom and went

where I wasn't a black man.

That was on a trail drive.

And I worked hard.

But I become the best there is.

Now I don't

pay much attention to this black and white business,

but it's always nice to have the best.

How would you like to come along?

Now, the pay's not much up front, it's only $20.

But with a share,

by the end of the drive you could do real good for yourself.

Maybe $50.

$50?

Are you runnin' stolen cattle or what?

No, no. It's Hatcher's drive.

You mean old man Hatcher?

Yeah, they say--say he's jinxed or something. Now if that worries ya...

Jinxed?

All you gotta do is step out on the trail.

Luck and god kiss you goodbye.

A man can get stampeded,

drowned, dragged, gouged, stomped,

frozen and fried all in one day.

Jinx. Every day's a jinx.

Hey, he's havin' trouble findin' men, ain't he?

W-what makes you think that?

You're askin' me, ain't ya?

You figurin' I'm too old?

I'm askin' you, ain't I?

I'll go.

I'll show these people around here

I ain't no stable boy.

(Morgan) Mr. Lucas.

That's right.

Can we talk?

I got more important things to do, boy.

This is important.

I usually only say things one time.

It is about Matthew Hatcher.

[Sighs]

He gonna live?

I think maybe so, yes.

Come on up, boy.

I wasn't plannin' on no spectators.

Yeah, I don't pay you to talk, Fran. Get up there.

Oh, want a drink, boy?

I ain't refusin'.

Mr. Hatcher says that 12 years ago,

you were the best wrangler on his ranch.

[Clears throat] Hmm.

I was.

Then I left Hatcher and I,

I signed on with one of them outfits in a range war.

Killed a couple people

in the line of duty I guess you would say.

Now it never seems to stop.

The last kid tryin' to prove himself

was 17, 18 years old, I guess.

Well, there's nothing more, right.

I got me a close personal relationship

needs developin'. Mr. Hatcher needs help.

Boy, I can't even help myself.

He's taking 1500 steers on a drive.

And no one will help him.

Yeah, well.

I heard he's had a bad run of luck.

A long run.

Mr. Lucas,

he needs you bad.

Say, uh, did Matthew ever tell you

how he helped me?

He wouldn't. He's not the type.

He's the one man in the world I owe somethin' to.

Where's this drive end up, anyway?

Pueblo.

Pueblo, that's on the way to Chicago.

Mmm-hmm.

Let's go.

Oh, uh...

Sorry, Fran, guess I'm outta the mood.

(Fran) Well, I ain't.

Here you go, girl.

Take care of yourself.

[Explosion]

[Horse whinnying]

[Crackers continue bursting]

[Chuckles]

Well, uh,

I guess it's time I quit playin' the bad guy

and went on back to see my family, huh?

Mr. Hatcher said that you used to ride Chuck wagon.

I use to do a lot of things.

Would you be interested in going on another cattle drive?

I've rode with some of the best outfits of my time

and I was paid real proper, too.

Of course, I had a lot of dignity back then.

Before the bottle got to me,

and old age.

But drunk or sober,

I could feed a man and keep him happy.

We need a cook,

but he'd have to stay sober.

I'll give it a try.

[Crickets chirping]

Hi, sweetheart. Are you ready?

Yeah.

Hurry up.

But I, I've never eloped before.

Well, neither have I. Neither have I.

I got just a few things.

Oh, Bess, we don't have time for all of this stuff.

Give me your hand.

You're taking everything you own?

You don't expect me to elope with what I have on, do you?

[Knocking on door] Yes, I do.

(Pratt) Open up.

What's going on here?

(Bess) Nothing, father.

Is this what I think it is? No.

Wakely? Is that you out there, you no-good-for-nothin' squirrel!

Where's my gun?

Father, don't shoot him! I love him!

Oh, father, don't!

[Chicken clucking]

[Cow mooing]

Mr. Hatcher.

I have your drones.

Bring 'em over.

[Horse neighing]

Come on in, fellows.

Here they are.

(Hatcher) Hello there, Tucker.

(Tucker) Mr. Hatcher.

Cooler.

Lucas, it's been a long time.

Yeah, longer, longer for me than you, I reckon.

This is all you got?

Well, there are 2 more,

but they will join us on the trail.

Ah.

So, you're all gonna do me a big favor

by going on the drive, are ya?

Let me tell you somethin'.

You ain't doin' me no favor,

I sure ain't doin' you one.

All of you been on drives before,

but you've most likely forget what they was like.

A thousand miles of nothin',

except dirt and grit and heat

and sore bottoms

and aches in places you wished you didn't have.

I said we wasn't gonna do one another no favors.

Well,

maybe I was wrong about that.

Because yesterday at this time

I wouldn't have given myself a chance in hell of ever gettin' this drive goin'.

But now,

lookin' at you,

I figure we're all gonna make it.

Because we've gotta make it.

Because we got nothin' to look forward to

except the end of the drive. Pueblo.

'Cause there ain't nothin' here for any of us.

Nothin'.

Sign 'em up!

Whoa. Whoa.

Uh, Mr. Hatcher.

Huh.

I'm Wakely. Remember me?

I was sketching over at the corral the other day.

Yeah, I remember you.

Thomas r. Wakely, Jr.

I'd sure appreciate it if you'd take me along with you on your drive.

Uh, the sooner the better.

[Chuckling]

Well, Mr. Thomas r. Wakely, Jr.,

judgin' by your dress,

you wouldn't know the hind end of a cow from the drother.

What makes you think you're a cowboy?

Well, i'm--i'm a real hard worker.

There's no reason why I can't dress differently.

I learn real fast. After all, i-I'm a Yale man.

(Hatcher) Well, Mr. Yale man, whatever that is,

put your signature on the book and let's see if it's legible.

Yes, sir.

[Horse neighing]

(Quentin) What's that, cooler? What have you go here?

I thought we had a deal.

You saw me driving. I'm doing my job.

You broke your promise.

I haven't been sober in 20 years. Or clean either.

Hey, now wait a minute! Now wait.

Hey, now wait a minute! Wait a minute!

Wait a minute! Wait a minute!

I'll take care of this myself.

I'll go to the bathhouse.

[All chattering]

Wait a minute! Wait a minute!

My boots!

I'll get your boots.

You take care of that hat now.

You understand?

Wait a minute! Wait a minute!

Oh, we don't have time for this.

[Yelling]

It's worse than I remembered.

[Bell clanging]

You're getting better.

[Horse nickers]

A saddle on Two Persons' pony.

[Laughing]

I never thought I'd see the day.

This world will take some getting used to, this cowboy.

Nice pair of chaps, Quentin.

Yeah.

[Laughing]

Who's in charge here?

[Horse whinnying]

(Morgan) We are.

We heard in town that you're takin' out a drive and can use hands.

(Quentin) You heard what the pay is?

Yeah, we heard.

Have you had any experience?

As much as anyone around here has.

You wanted for anything?

Well, uh,

in these parts, it's usual not to ask questions like that,

but I'll answer you.

We ain't wanted, and we're not runnin',

and we'll cause you no trouble.

What we want is work.

Jess?

That's right. We need the pay.

You sign up with Mr. Hatcher.

He's in the house.

Come on. Whoa.

I know. But we do need them.

[Cattle lowing]

[Mooing]

[Grunts]

You all right?

[Laughing]

Fancy pants don't make a cowboy, arbuckle.

I'd rather brand Billy Don's hind end than the steer's.

You wanna try again?

I'm gonna have some words with him. He had no cause to do that.

I think Wakely can take care of it himself.

He just does not know that yet.

Well, now maybe you don't wanna try again.

All right.

All right, McKinnon, let's get this straight right now.

(Billy Don) You want me to take you apart in front of all these men?

Ok, now, you-you're new at this, arbuckle.

But I wanna tell you, it hurts when Billy Don hits.

I think you're all mouth, McKinnon.

Now you stay out of this. This is between him and me.

Yeah, he's right. He's right.

Let's go.

He ain't nothing but a city slicker.

Come on, let it go now.

Come on, Billy Don.

(Tucker) That's it, Wakely.

Come on, Wakely.

Come on, Billy Don, don't just look at him. Hit him.

(Morgan) Just do it.

(Tucker) Come on, come on!

[Grunts]

[All shouting]

[Groans]

Go get him, boy.

Never seen anybody fight like that?

(Cooler) That's what you call boxing.

(Lucas) Get him off!

(Quentin) Come on, do it. Get him on his feet, Wakely.

[Grunts]

That's it. Come on!

(Quentin) Come on, Wakely.

[Grunts]

Come on.

(Quentin) Come on, Wakely, come on. Keep him on his feet.

Use your left.

(Quentin) Come on, jab him, Wakely.

Come on, Billy Don, hit him!

(Quentin) Wakely, use your left.

[All continue clamoring]

Come on. That's it.

[Grunts]

[Exclaims]

[Both panting]

(Cooler) That's it.

Get up, Billy Don. Don't just lay there.

(Lucas) Get up. Get up.

[Both panting]

(Morgan) Is that enough? Is the fighting over now?

[Cattle lowing]

Good. We have work to get back to.

[Both continue panting]

(Billy Don) Ow! It hurts.

Hey, McKinnon.

Yeah.

Let me ask you something.

What's that?

Arbuckle.

What does it mean?

[Laughs]

It's what I ain't gonna call you no more.

[Laughing]

All right, come on, give it to me.

Put these back here now.

Will you wait a minute? I've only got 2 hands.

Hatcher wants to have 'em to brand any mavericks on our trail.

[Grunts]

Come on down, cooler. I'll...

Look at it this way.

You could have been bitten by that snake my brother shot.

[Grunts]

Either way the snake would've died.

[Can clanking]

[Horse nickering]

[Cow mooing]

[Birds chirping]

You all right?

Yeah.

I've got a rash.

Oh, it'll take a few days to get over that.

Meanwhile, Quentin has some salve.

[Chuckling]

Oh, sounds wonderful.

(Quentin) How you feeling?

(Hatcher) Let's get one thing straight.

I don't want you around nursemaidin'.

You're here to push cows and not to push me.

Just do what I tell you to do, I won't push it.

I got you an extra supply of laudanum

and some bullets for you to bite on.

I don't need no bullets as long as I got this.

We're gonna head northeast

and join the goodnight-lovin' trail until the Colorado badland.

Then straight up to pueblo.

Do we have to cross 'em?

Yeah, I've been up to them badlands.

I swore I'd never go back.

I've heard they can kill ya.

(Hatcher) They can, but we are not gonna let 'em.

There've been Indian uprisings.

But we go around the extra 300 miles, we'll miss the market.

Then none of us will get any shares.

I ain't a quitter.

I don't want to hear no talk of quittin' from you neither.

[Cattle continue mooing]

You'll learn fast out there.

You'll prove up. You'll show 'em!

Well, what're ya waitin' for?

Get these things moving!

(Morgan) Hee-ha.

[All chattering]

[Men whistling]

[All shouting]

[Cattle mooing]

[All continue shouting]

[Whistling]

(Santos) Mr. Hatcher. Mr. Hatcher.

Mr. Hatcher.

Hold up, cooler.

Stop, go, stop, go! What do you want?

What're you doin' here?

I have an amulet.

What's that?

The jinx cannot harm me.

[Laughing]

An amulet.

I suppose you got drunk

and spent all of that 30 burstin' dollars on some stove-up woman.

You comin'?

Someone has to be there to Bury you.

Well, we'll see who buries who.

What're you doin' standin' there? Get to work.

[Chuckling] Amulet.

(Billy Don) Hoo. Hoo, cattle.

Oh, let's go.

[Whistling]

Ho, cattle. Ho, cattle.

[Men shooing]

(Billy Don) Go. Go up there.

[Continue shooing]

(Morgan) Hey, Mr. Cooler, it smells real good.

Will you open some of those air-tight cans.

Get corn and tomatoes.

Just give me a little more--

it will be here when you come back. Will you do what I tell you?

Yes, sir.

All right, come on, come on, come on. Who's here?

Pointed out to you exactly.

Will you get your thumb out of your food?

Say, Tucker,

[cooler shouting]

Ever been on a drive before?

Yeah. How many drives have you been on?

2 or 3.

That was before.

Before?

Yeah, before I started usin' my gun.

[Snickers]

I had my wife then.

And I dragged her and the kid from place to place,

no roots nowhere.

My wife was gettin' near the end of the line

when I got slapped in jail for 2 years.

Got out,

I heard that she'd been workin'.

Bein' friendly to men.

Supportin' the kid, you know.

Was Hatcher had found out

and he--he paid their fares back to Chicago.

And i--

I never been able to catch up since.

Is that why you took this job?

Yeah.

You might say it's a new start.

Say, you know, Tucker, I been thinkin',

this here drive ends up in pueblo,

there ain't no reason why I can't make a go of it in Chicago.

I'd get to my wife and daughter back.

And I'd never leave again. I'll tell you that. I'd never leave again.

She wouldn't be lonesome like she was before.

I'd get me a house,

be with civilized folks and have friends over.

Don't you think that'd make her happy?

I don't see how it wouldn't make anyone happy.

Yeah, nothin' fancy, mind ya.

But just a nice house in town.

Now me, I got my eyes on a piece of land in new Mexico.

I can get it real cheap.

Worst piece of land in the country. Nobody wants it.

That way everybody will leave this old boy all alone.

[Chuckles]

Amen, brother. Amen.

[Cattle mooing]

(Jess) Lay it down.

Time it just right, little brother.

[Jess grunts]

[Cow groaning]

(Jess) When the hair grows back, we can put on our own brand.

[Mooing]

(Billy Don) We done about a dozen, Jess.

Now, ain't that enough?

Quit lookin' so scared.

I know lots of big ranchers started out this way.

Yeah, pappy got himself killed startin' out this way.

Men like Hatcher steal a few cows from each other

and it's ok.

They call it enterprising, 'cause it's amongst friends.

Pappy wasn't their friend,

so they hung him,

without a trial or nothin'.

We gonna cold-brand a couple dozen more,

pull out quiet one night,

put our own brand on them beeves,

and they ain't never gonna prove rustlin' on us.

Come on, let's go.

We just got to be a little smarter'

than everybody else, Billy Don. That's all.

[Men whistling]

[Man grunting]

[Men hooting]

[Cattle mooing]

[Man whistling]

[Cows mooing]

Hey, bunch-quitter, I'll get you back.

(Lucas) Moving forward.

[Hooting]

[Mooing]

[Whistles]

[Neighing]

[Groaning]

Rider down!

[Horse neighing]

[Horses neighing]

[Snorting]

[Gun firing]

[Horse snorting]

(Quentin) He's dead.

His neck's broken!

Bury him!

[Sighing] I don't believe in jinxes,

but this is an awful way to start off.

[Panting]

This is just the beginning, Quentin.

[Cows mooing]

When we get to pueblo,

I'll send Lucas' wife and daughter his share.

Not much consolation, though, is it?

[Snorts]

It's strange to think that he'll never enjoy anything again.

A cup of hot coffee,

a woman,

the sunrise.

I have the feeling

that Lucas would rather have had it like this

than to be shot down in an alley somewhere.

Yeah.

[Men hooting]

[Grunts]

[Man whistling]

[Men grunting]

Hey, Two Persons.

Got another double 'a'.

Put it in with the others. I'll tell Hatcher.

All right.

[Crickets chirping]

You didn't have nothin' to eat, eh?

Got any complaints?

I always got complaints.

Jess, my brother's still on watch out there?

He's out on it now.

You figure on going back out yourself?

I'm thinkin' about it.

[Sighs] Mr. Hatcher,

we brought in another double 'a' stray today.

Remember Dalton Aames, the man who shot me

and hired all my hands away?

Mmm-hmm.

That's his outfit, double 'a'.

His boys brought a herd through here about 2 months ago,

early in the season.

Keep 'em with ours.

I'll sell 'em in pueblo.

[Laughs]

Want to see his face when I give him the money.

Settle for my commission and aggravation.

After what he did to you, you will do him this favor.

Two Persons, just 'cause I hate his guts

don't mean I don't have no honor.

(Quentin) Where were you, McKinnon? It's your watch.

Making sure you have a good time.

Well, why don't you go and join the fun?

Saved some pie for ya.

[Sighs]

Hey, look at this.

(Quentin) You know, Wakely,

if I had your talent, I sure wouldn't be out here nursemaidin' cattle.

You say that.

I tell you, there's something about this kind of life

which I've never experienced anything like it.

What I hope to do with these drawings

is show the city people what it's really like out here.

I mean, it's--it's hard.

The grimness of death.

But also,

all this open space.

Feeling of freedom.

[Chuckles]

Anyway, that's what I'm trying to get in these pictures.

I don't know.

I've seen a lot of photographs of dead men before.

But they all look like they were asleep.

But that picture shows you death.

You can feel it.

Thanks, Tucker.

You know, son, you're right.

There ain't a cowboy worth his spurs

that would want to end up in a boot hill or a cemetery.

He'd want the open spaces.

The sky for a blanket.

Old man Hatcher's takin' it pretty hard.

He always has.

I was with Hatcher on his last drive.

At the fording place on the salado, we lost most of the herd.

The water was bad. The cattle drank and died.

And on the way home, 2 men were struck by lightning.

You were still riding with him?

[Sighs] Yes, why do you suppose that is?

Why are you here?

I have my reasons.

I owe him a lot.

So do I.

I promised myself I'd never ride with Hatcher again,

but here I am.

He pushes too hard, he yells at you,

he tells you, you aren't worth anything,

and you can hate him but you go along.

Maybe it's because he wants so badly to make it,

or maybe it's because he needs you

but doesn't know how to say it.

[Snorts]

[Cattle mooing]

[Men grunting]

[Cattle mooing]

(Jess) Faster, faster. Come on!

(Quentin) Come on!

(Tucker) All right now.

Come on.

Come on here!

[Mooing]

Didn't I teel you.

I know.

They've been following us for days.

Well, why ain't you up there talkin' to 'em?

Because it is not yet time for talk.

I know them. And for now, we wait.

Just let the herd move on ahead.

I ain't just gonna sit and let 'em pick us off.

Hey, we can take 'em easy.

I say we wipe 'em out!

Make one move for that rifle and I will shoot you myself.

Look.

[Grunting]

Arapahoe.

[Indians shouting]

Keep still.

This is their way of testing. A display of strength.

You're sure they're not trying to spook the cattle.

No.

It's us they're trying to scare.

I think it's working.

[Indians hollering]

[Hollering continues]

Look, McKinnon, my brother warned you now.

Hey, now put it away! If he says wait. We wait.

Hut!

"To all outfits,

"this man is a good Indian.

"Treat him right and you will have no trouble

driving through his land.'

Dalton Aames!

Two Persons, cut out them cows with a double 'a' brand.

[Laughs]

Hey, cooler, imagine Aames' face

when he finds out he's feedin' the whole tribe of arapahoe this winter. Huh?

[Both laughing]

Well, what are you waitin' to run for, cooler? Get movin'!

[Grunts]

[Cattle mooing]

[Men grunting]

[Men whistling]

[Shouts]

[Horses neighing]

(Cooler) Giddy up! Giddy up!

What's happening, cooler?

Stop!

[Grunts]

What the hell are you doing?

I'm doin' the best I can!

Hey, up from here!

[Cooler grunts]

Look what's behind us!

[Horses neighing]

[Cooler grunting]

Wagon in trouble!

Tucker, come here!

[Grunting]

Tucker, the horses!

Hut!

Push it, Tucker!

[Hatcher shouting]

(Hatcher) Tucker!

[Grunting]

[Tucker grunts]

(Hatcher) Hurry up, to the wagon!

Hurry up!

[Gasping]

[Cooler grunts]

Keep it steady, cooler.

(Quentin) Tie it off now, Morgan.

That's it. Now, come on, cooler. Keep it steady.

(Quentin) Ready yet!

We're good! Pull them!

[Grunting]

[Horses neighing]

Come on, pull now!

Hurry. Tucker!

Hey! Hey! Hey!

[Horse neighs]

[All chattering]

Pull!

[Quentin whistling]

[Grunting]

[Groans]

[Cooler grunts]

(Quentin) Tucker!

[Tucker gasping]

You all right, Tucker?

No, stay down. Stay down.

[Gasping]

Get him some water. It's his back.

Tucker, your back is hurt now lay down.

[Gasping]

[Panting]

[Sighs]

Let me rest

[gasping] Awhile.

I'll be all--all right.

[Sighs]

[Insects chirping]

[Clears throat]

I'm all right.

Is that too hot?

No, it feels fine.

What does it do?

He never knows, but it always works.

Might even grow some hair on your head.

When we started out

I didn't give a hoot an a holler about any of you.

But you've proved up.

You're all good men and I think you're beginnin' to know it now.

You help me get my herd through,

your shares are doubled.

[All whooping]

Thank you, sir.

Well, thanks, Mr. Hatcher.

Mr. Tucker. Yeah.

I just want to thank you for what you done for me today.

You're welcome.

Mr. Cooler, where's my coffee, huh?

Are we waitin' for the snow to fly?

[Horse whinnying]

[Sighs]

Give me the coffee.

Could use some doctorin'.

Stay and have a dollop yourself.

How many years we known each other?

[Sighs]

Too many.

Just a minute, I ain't through with you yet.

I remember the first time I seen you.

You was hangin' on to your mama's skirts,

and bawlin' your eyes out like I was gonna eat you alive.

[Chuckles]

If I'd been smart, I would have run away then.

About 5 or 6 years or whatever,

all kids look the same to me.

Is this goin' somewhere or can I get back to work?

Your mama worked for me 15, 20 years.

I brought you up with my boy.

I always treated you like a son, didn't I?

Yes. You treated us both the same.

But I forgave you.

Damn it! Why are you so smart-alecky?

It's only out of self defense.

Oh.

Well, what I am trying to get at

is my ranch is the only home you've ever known.

And what I am also trying to get at,

is I ain't gonna live forever.

What I'm sayin' is, when this drive is over,

will you come back with me

and be part of my house?

I didn't hear that.

When I'm dead the ranch will be yours!

[Laughs]

This is the first time I've ever seen you with your mouth shut. Huh?

Well?

I would like that.

I didn't hear you.

I said yes.

[Laughing]

Now go on and get outta here.

Now don't go telling everybody what we talkin' about.

I wouldn't want to know I had a half-breed for a son.

[Man whistling]

[Men grunting]

We gotta pull out soon, Jess.

Don't worry or you'll get old before your time.

[Jess grunts]

[Cattle mooing]

[Jess whistling]

Come on, giddyup.

[Whistling]

[Horse neighing]

There is a waterhole ahead. And 3 men camped by it.

Uh, squatters.

Happens every drive I take.

Some no-good worthless scum

stakes out a waterhole and tries to charge you for it.

I ain't never paid 'em and I ain't going to now.

What do you wanna do about it?

You better go back to the herd and hold 'em there.

They mustn't get a smell of that water

or they'll trample themselves trying to get to it.

Bring 'em up 100 at a time.

Cooler and I will go ahead and take care of the squatters.

I'll send Quentin to help you.

I'll ride ahead of the first 100

to make sure there's no trouble.

Leave me alone, cooler.

All right.

[Scoffs]

They're only kids.

Don't let that fool you.

We can shoot better than most growed men.

This is free land.

Not no more it ain't.

Cost you $20 to water here.

$20!

Well, if that ain't the bull's behind!

I don't wanna talk to you no more. Get me your father?

We ain't got none. And if you don't talk to me, you don't talk to no one.

I oughta blow all of you young ones clean apart.

You won't.

Man like you ain't got the heart to shoot children.

[Rifles cock]

We might shoot you.

You're bluffin'.

You're squattin' on this land.

Show 'em we mean business.

Now those men there, might not shoot you, little man.

But I will.

[Gun thuds]

Go on, drop 'em.

[Cattle mooing]

(Willie) You was right.

We was just comin' along and found this here old waterhole.

We needed money so we squatted.

You got no family. You've no place to go?

We had our pa till a month ago.

He went to bring supplies and never come back.

Either he ran off on us or got himself killed.

That don't make no never mind.

We can always get by.

That's what worries me.

You can't lock us up in jail, we're too young.

You're right about that.

I sure hate to turn you loose on the world.

Don't see that you have much choice, do you?

Since being we ain't got no choice,

you'll take my advice, you'll stick to the legalities from now on.

Now, I thank you for your advice, sir.

You know, it seems to me

like y-you might give us some money for our travellin',

seein' as how we are poor orphans.

They're just wolf pups now,

I can imagine them in 5 or 10 years.

[Cattle mooing]

(Billy Don) We shouldn't have left the herd, Jess.

They're gonna miss us.

Will you shut up with your bellyachin'?

Now that herd's awful jumpy.

[Sighs]

What with them wolves.

By the time anyone comes to take over watch, we'll be long gone.

Hatcher's shorthanded as it is.

He won't trail out after us for the sake of a few head.

I just don't like what we're doin'.

I mean, Hatcher and them, they've all been real good to us.

Put that iron down, McKinnon.

Now, Quentin.

Yeah. Uh, Quentin--

you heard him, Jess. Put it down.

Now, Two Persons, look.

Now, look, I ain't gonna make no excuses for what we done here.

Just let us go.

No. I cannot do that.

. You signed on with Hatcher.

You're gonna talk to Hatcher.

I don't aim to be the guest of honor at no hangin'.

Jess, wait. Jess, no!

Don't fire that gun!

[Grunts]

[Cattle mooing]

Here they go.

Stampede!

Jess!

[Neighing]

Jess!

(Billy Don) Jess!

They've shotgunned 6 ways to sunday.

It's gonna take us at least a day to round them up

[sighs]

I know. There are at least 100 scattered to the east.

Let's keep moving.

Giddyup.

There's another one, Mr. Hatcher.

[Wagon rattling]

[Shuddering]

Oh, Jess.

[Cattle mooing]

I--i--i found my brother.

There wasn't much--much left

to--to Bury.

Let's take these in.

Feelin' better?

It's gettin' better.

That axle grease seems to work.

Looks like we got 2 doctors in the family.

Sure do.

[Grunts]

Hey, Santos.

How is it?

8 horses still missing. And mine's worn out.

Never seen the like.

Goin' from bad to worse, right on down the line.

Ain't you got one of them patron saints

that take care of things at times like this?

I been thinkin'.

Maybe we're all being tested, you know?

The saints,

they don't like to interfere in these things.

Well, either I'm a great doctor

or you're a piece of leather.

(Morgan) Mr. Hatcher?

Yeah.

Jess McKinnon is dead.

How?

Stampede.

[Horse snorting]

The fact is, Mr. Hatcher,

Quentin and Two Persons caught me and Jess cold brandin'.

Jess wouldn't have it any other way but to shoot it out.

That's what started the stampede.

I'd do anything I can to pay you back.

I'll--I'll finish the drive with no pay.

[Mumbling] No, no.

Never in my life worked a man without payin' him.

Sorry about your brother.

But it wasn't you Mr. Hatcher. The rustlin'.

He just had all-- all this hate eatin' in him

ever since they hung pappy.

Go get yourself some food or cooler will get insulted.

Yes, sir.

I'll come with you.

[Sighs]

Wakely?

Well, he's still riding herd.

Hadn't seen him around, afraid we'd lost him, too,

and nobody knew it yet.

[Cows mooing]

(Wakely) It's not time yet.

Mmm-hmm.

Go on in. The food is still warm.

I'm all right.

Not from where I sit.

You didn't sleep.

Yes, I did. A few minutes.

Go on in.

(Hatcher) I know what you're thinkin',

you can't go another step today.

And maybe you're wonderin' about tomorrow as well.

Well, I'm sayin' you can go another step

and another and another after that.

You can go as far as you have to

because I'm sayin' it.

And it's gospel.

I don't want to hear no bellyachin'.

I just want to hear grunts from you tryin'.

Is that clear?

Yeah.

We've gone more than halfway.

So it don't make no sense to try and turn around and go back.

There's one thing I will do for you.

I'll stick to the regular trail.

Doesn't that put an extra month on it?

I thought you said it would make us late for the market.

Well, maybe that was a little bit of greed talkin'.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

And what happens if we just follow your route right through the badlands?

Well, we gotta push,

and push and push until we get to the other side and water.

For 40 hours of hard drivin'.

We all got a stake in this.

The quicker we get that the herd to pueblo,

better we get paid.

Right. That's right.

You know, my granddaddy used to say,

"trust in the lord."

But I don't trust in nobody but us.

All right, somebody come on and help me up on that horse.

All right, then let's git, huh?

All right, let's go.

Mr. Hatcher, you, uh, you just might have a chance.

Of what?

Of outlasting your jinx.

We're near outta water.

We better keep movin'.

You know, cattle is unruly when they're thirsty.

Sometimes they go blind.

[Man whistling]

[Hollering]

[Whistles]

[Insects chirping]

(Cooler) No more water to cook with,

no one hungry,

[horse whinnying]

Couldn't even work up enough spit to chew a biscuit.

Well, this is the end of it.

You know, I knew a horse once,

old Jake.

Texas pony.

That smartest horse I'd ever seen.

He wouldn't work a watch more than 2 hours.

You had to stay out a little longer,

you had to ride back to camp,

dismount,

fool around a couple minutes,

mount up again.

See, that way old Jake figured he was takin' on a new turn.

Wasn't workin' overtime on the old one.

[Laughs]

Darnedest thing I ever seen.

[Cattle mooing]

Wakely.

[Exclaims]

[Sighs]

Can't keep my eyes open.

Well, here.

Try rubbin' 'em with some, uh, tobacco juice.

It's gonna burn like hellfire,

but you'll stay awake.

Ow!

Ugh.

[Snorts]

[Sighs]

It should be here.

[Sighs]

Quentin, we could be lost

or maybe

the landmarks have changed.

[Sighs]

Wind, rain.

I have known just one storm to change the look of hundreds of miles.

Ah, we will let the men rest soon,

and then I will look for the water again.

[Snorting]

(Morgan) Come on, get. Come on, move on.

Go now.

[Horses neighing]

[Quentin hollering]

Go, get up there. Don't quit know.

Go, cattle.

[Billy Don whistling]

(Santos) Who says it would be bad to die?

Right now it would feel nice

and cool.

(Wakely) Football.

[Panting] Yeah.

God, I loved football.

I went to Yale

to study art.

I hated the classes.

[Sighs]

[Chuckles]

Only thing I was good at was football.

Played halfback.

The last game I played, it was against Princeton.

6 inches of mud.

A scoreless tie.

Oh, god.

You should've been there.

You could play that game, you know.

Yeah.

Someday I will.

(Hatcher) Cooler. Cooler.

[Panting] Do you hear it?

[Sighs]

[Cattle mooing]

[Hatcher sighing]

[Panting] This way.

The herd.

Milling.

They smell water.

Water?

Yeah. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.

(Morgan) Water?

Yes.

Got to move the cattle, there's water.

They'll drown themselves going for the water.

[Cattle mooing]

[Men whooping]

[Man hooting]

[Men laughing]

[Shouting]

[All cheering]

[Horse neighing]

I found that water.

(Wakely) You found that water.

(Santos) The animals found the water.

You like it, boys.

It's great.

Well, that smells good.

Mr. Hatcher, I don't know what you're made of.

According to every medical book I've read,

you should be buried out there somewhere.

I think we should hole up here for a few days.

Let you all get a rest,

let the cows get some meat on their bones.

And cooler, here. Cooler.

Yes.

Why don't you-- I ain't goin' in!

[Men laughing]

(Billy Don) Next stop, pueblo.

[Cattle mooing]

(Quentin) Push 'em to the left.

(Wakely) Ho, cattle, ho, ho!

Hold 'em up there. Ho. Come on, now, ho.

[Guns firing]

[Horse neighing]

[People chattering]

(Man #1) I just don't drink.

(Hatcher) I can't wait to get back to tell the folks at home

I got me a son now.

You weren't so happy about having it known when we were on the trail.

A couple of these in me

makes me liberal.

Hey, maybe with a couple of drinks in me,

I would rather not have it known

that I have you for a father.

[People chattering]

Ladies and gentlemen,

on behalf of the cattlemen's association of pueblo,

I'd like to welcome you.

We figured we'd seen the last of these drives 2 months ago.

So in appreciation,

as soon as you've drunk all that you can,

we're turnin' the whole hotel over to you.

[All cheering]

[People chattering]

(Tucker) Wakely, there's a telegraph come for you.

(Wakely) Thank you, Tucker.

Hey, Tucker.

You're still the prince of wales.

You're gonna stay on in town for the winter?

Nah, I know some outfits that need hands.

You know, winter work's a whole lot different than trail drive.

You knew how to play this game.

Where did you learn how to play this game?

I'm gonna read my telegram.

You wanna ride up with me?

Yeah.

Don't make no sense for me to be sittin' around town

when I could be makin' me some dollars.

(Hatcher) Hold up there, Tucker.

You're gettin' too old to be workin' so hard.

I want you to come back to my ranch with me.

As what? Stable boy?

I deserve more than that.

That's what I was sayin'. I accept.

[Laughs]

Hey, wait a minute everybody. I got myself another job.

(Woman) Oh, very good.

Yeah, that's great.

There this a magazine in the east called Harper's weekly.

I sent them a whole slew of my pictures a long time ago.

And now Bess writes me and tells me that they bought one.

Congratulations.

You did some really good work on the drive,

you could sell some of those.

Well, that's just it, they want to see more of my work.

It's just like I told you.

All the people in the east

are starting to be curious about what it's like out west.

They should see it the way we've seen it.

Anyway I was talkin' to some of these army boys in here,

and they said that they're sending out a detachment next week,

and I thought maybe I could go along with them

and make some army paintings.

You know, have--have another set ready.

Wait a minute, the whole drive

all I heard about was, "Bess, Bess. I love Bess." What about Bess?

(Morgan) That's right, what about Bess?

I--i still-- I still love Bess, of course.

But I think her father was right.

I--i still have a lot more to learn

before I'm ready to go home and settle down.

I'm gonna write to her and tell her that I love her.

Ah, who am I kidding?

I'm gonna marry her and bring her along with me.

You're right. Who are you kidding.

Quentin, I'm out.

Let me buy you another beer.

I-- I never realized

what those 12 steers Hatcher left us in the village would mean to me.

I don't know about you, Morgan, but I feel real good.

I did not think we will feel so good about it tomorrow morning.

(Hatcher) Come on, all of you.

Come over here, gather around.

Well, y'all got your $20

and another $30 share besides.

That's pretty good money in my book.

Remember, boys, way back in red bluffs

I said we was gonna make it

because we didn't have anywhere to go.

Well, now we got everywhere to go.

Now just don't hold it up to me

if you come lookin' for a job again next year.

Because I don't want the folks back home to know I gone soft.

[Laughing]

Anyway,

it's been a pleasure.

And from now till you fall flat on your ugly faces,

the drinks is on me!

[All cheering]

[Man whooping]