Original subtitles

The hotel, please.

I'll have your best suite, please.

Uh, suite?

With one bedroom, please, since I'm alone...

with southern exposure.

Sorry, ma'am, but the best we got in this hotel

is a room with its own bath.

Oh? Well-- Well, then I'll take two adjoining rooms.

B

Yes. Two bedrooms?

I'll turn one into a sitting room.

Oh, no trouble to the hotel.

I'll purchase whatever furniture's necessary.

You're going to buy your own--

Be careful with that trunk.

How long you planning to stay?

Indefinitely.

One, two, three, four, five, six--

Oh, uh...

take care of the driver, too, please.

Thank you.

I'm--

I-I-I'm going to have to charge you full rate,

the same as two rooms.

I'm sorry, but it's the rules of the hotel.

That's all right.

Here's your-- Thank you.

They're the first two rooms on the second floor

as you turn to the right--

Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven.

Is this all your luggage?

Oh, yes, I prefer to travel light.

Good morning, ladies. Good morning.

Can you tell me, where can I hire a horse?

There's a livery stable right down the street.

Oh, yes, thank you.

You sure take to riding, don't you?

Not here hardly an hour

and already hankering to get on a horse.

Oh, but you're mistaken.

An hour and a quarter...

to be exact.

If we must observe, do let's be accurate.

Good morning.

Ma'am.

I'd like to hire a horse.

Thank you.

Preferably a spirited one.

Well, the only one I got with any speed's that sorrel,

but it would take an old hand to handle him.

Oh, well, I'm quite an old hand.

Gosh, I don't know.

In that getup.

Well, I don't think the horse will mind. Do you?

Well, it will cost you 25 cents by the hour.

I'd like to reserve him every morning.

Every morning?

Mm-hmm.

That is if he doesn't object to my attire.

Every morning... at 9:00.

Put that over there

against the wall.

Yeah, I think that'll do.

Oh, there's a table downstairs.

Please.

Come in.

Uh, help me put this by the settee, please.

Very good.

There.

I'm Tom Harrington.

I'm the new owner of the Medicine Bow Banner,

the town paper.

I'm sorry.

Oh, best wishes, Mr. Harrington.

Well, thank you.

I'm also the star reporter.

In fact I had to buy the paper to get there.

And you sent yourself out to find a story.

Oh, it's a little better than that, Mrs. Frances.

I know there's a story in your coming here.

Oh, thank you.

Why, it's caused all the town gossips to go wagging away,

and it's met no end of speculation. Has it?

Well, since you obviously know nobody here,

not having had a visitor from the day you arrived...

Well, I had no idea I lived in a glass bowl.

Mrs. Frances, in Medicine Bow

you can't make a move without somebody getting wind of it,

like riding at 9:00 every morning without fail.

What do you want to find out?

Why you're here...

if I may ask.

Oh, you can ask all right, but I don't think I'll tell you.

How long do you intend staying here?

Until I leave.

I guess there's no point in fishing, is there?

No, I'm really not that important.

Why, in a town of this size

where most of the news comes from the outside,

you're the biggest news to hit this town in years.

I mean, here you are, a beautiful woman,

obviously wealthy and cultured,

suddenly showing up in Medicine Bow...

alone.

La femme mystère, huh?

Now, if that's French for a woman of mystery--

It is.

...then you're it in this town.

I think I'd like to stay that way.

Good-bye, Mr. Harrington.

Thank you so much for dropping by.

Not at all, Mrs. Frances, not at all.

If I have to be turned down,

let it always be by a beautiful woman.

Whoa.

Don't move her, Betsy.

I won't. I know all about broken bones.

Hello.

How do you feel? You all right?

A little shaken up. Your horse must've thrown you.

Yeah, I think so. He must have shied.

Probably saw a snake.

Must be. I've been riding him every morning.

Yes, I know.

You're Mrs. Frances, aren't you?

Oh? Of course.

There can't be another lady

who dresses like that to get on a horse.

We heard all about you in town.

Betsy.

Oh, that's all right. Don't apologize.

I know I'm something of a--

Oh, my ankle.

Ooh.

Ooh, you better not try to walk on it

till the doctor takes a look at it.

Look, we're very close to Shiloh Ranch.

I can drive you over,

and we'll send someone to fetch the doctor.

Oh, I've been enough trouble as it is.

Oh, it's no trouble, Mrs. Frances.

Well-- No trouble at all.

Thank you.

Mrs. Frances can use my room.

I guess it's all right

if you don't mind living in a barn.

I thought you'd be more comfortable here

than in the guest room, and I straightened it up.

Oh. Oh, it's a lovely room, Betsy,

and I've never seen one so neat.

Hear that?

Tell Daddy what she said.

I will.

Yes, it's as orderly as you could expect

from a young lady of your age.

Oh, Mrs. Frances,

I'm beginning to like you more by the minute.

I feel the same way about you, Betsy.

Now, how about something to eat?

What would you like? Oh, nothing really.

Well, then, what about something to drink,

some coffee, milk?

I know, tea.

It will go with that riding outfit.

No. A glass of water.

Oh, you got it.

I'm glad I could get you something.

I'm terribly sorry this happened.

Well, I'm not...

not sorry at all.

Oh, why?

If you had to take a fall,

I'm glad I was the one who came along.

So am I.

Does this hurt?

No, Doctor.

Is there any feeling of tenderness

when I press?

Not at all, Doctor.

Will you please stand

and bring all your weight to bear on your left foot?

Oh, first I want to ask you a question.

I understand the relationship between a doctor and a patient

is strictly confidential.

Is that right?

Yes, of course.

And I am the patient.

Yes, even thought there's nothing wrong with you.

I can tell that much without any further examination.

I assure you there is nothing wrong with me.

Young woman, after 20 hours with no sleep,

riding more miles than I care to remember,

I don't know what game you're playing--

But you will abide

by the ethics of your profession

and say nothing to anybody?

If there's anything criminal involved...

Do I look like that kind of a woman?

Come in.

How is she, Doctor?

She's all right.

How long will she have to stay off that foot?

Well, that's-- that's really up to her.

Up to her?

Well--

What the doctor means is that...

I can get up as soon as I feel better,

and I feel much better.

I think I'll get back to town.

Oh, no, you've at least got to stay the weekend.

Gone three whole days.

Coming back with a man.

My gracious.

I think it's going to take those ladies weeks

to recover from the shock.

Oh-- oh, thank you.

You sure you're going to be able to manage by yourself?

Oh, perfectly,

thanks to the cane.

Gives me an air, don't you think?

I shall lie in this settee and rap on the floor,

and up will run the entire staff of the hotel.

I think his name is Wilson.

You know, there really was no reason

why you couldn't stay at Shiloh for longer.

I've imposed on your hospitality long enough.

There wasn't a single person on the ranch

who didn't enjoy your stay.

Including you?

Especially including me.

Why don't you let me repay you a little bit

with dinner?

That's not necessary.

Oh, a helpless invalid?

I'd be delighted.

Well, then,

8:00 tomorrow.

Until then.

Now...

how did the hotel chef

ever learn to put together a dinner like that?

I wonder.

I don't.

Well...

calls for another toast.

Oh, heavens,

I thought we'd exhausted every possible toast.

This is a very special one.

Special?

Mm-hmm.

To the horse that threw you...

and made all this possible.

I don't think I better drink to that.

Hmm?

I'd be drinking to myself.

What do you mean?

It was premeditated.

Y-y-you mean, finding you on the road...

hurt?

Oh, no, I wasn't hurt.

As Dr. Spaulding would be the first to admit,

if the ethics of his profession permitted him to speak.

Why?

I simply had to get to meet you...

as if by chance,

under circumstances that would...

draw your sympathy and...

bring your attention

and ensure your friendship.

You will forgive me, now, won't you?

You still haven't told me why.

Well, I had to bring you to the point where we are now.

And just where are we?

I believe you like me enough to...

do me a favor?

Oh, you're not angry, now, are you?

I'm a little baffled,

but I'm certainly not angry.

It must be something very important to you.

I want you to take me to Michael O'Rourke.

Michael O'Rourke?

Well, you're close friends, aren't you?

I don't know how you know that,

but you're right.

Mike was foreman of Shiloh Ranch

when I signed on with Judge Garth.

That was before he got in trouble when--

From what I heard the trouble had nothing to do with you,

and therefore you're still close friends, hmm?

Yeah, I thought a lot of him.

Then it would be possible for you to take me to see him.

What does a woman like you want with Michael O'Rourke?

Don't ask me that.

Just help me.

He's holed up in the badlands.

I know that.

I also know it's almost impossible

to find them.

Well, then, uh...

what makes you think I can?

You were Mike's closest friend.

Surely if you went anywhere near the hideout,

you'd be given safe escort.

Well, that may be so.

I...

I can't guarantee the same for you.

I'm willing to take that chance.

Do you know Mike?

No.

Then why? Why risk your life?

I believe my husband is with Michael O'Rourke.

Your husband?

Outlaw?

He thinks he is.

Seven months ago my husband had a fight with his uncle.

They were always quarrelling,

but this time my husband lost control.

He struck him with a poker.

That night he ran away from Philadelphia,

believing that his uncle was dead.

His uncle came out of the coma eight days later,

and my husband is running from the consequences

of a murder that never even happened.

There isn't even a charge of assault against him.

What makes you think he's with O'Rourke?

The Pinkertons traced him to Casper, Wyoming.

They saw him riding out of town

with two of O'Rourke's men.

That doesn't mean he joined them.

Well, where else could he be?

He was looking for some place to hide.

If he joined O'Rourke,

he sure found a good place.

I don't think there's anything I can do.

Yes.

The sheriff in Casper, Wyoming,

laughed at me when I asked him for help,

but then he told me about you,

how you and O'Rourke were close friends.

I haven't seen Mike in years.

Then tell me where he is. I'll go alone.

If you go, you'll go with me.

When?

I don't know. I have to think about that.

You must love this man very much.

Wait.

That's about as far as you go.

I want to see Mike O'Rourke.

That so?

What makes you think you'll find him here?

Tell him it's an old friend of his from Shiloh Ranch.

You from Shiloh?

Foxie, get his gun...

both of them.

You, uh... carrying any weapons, lady?

No.

She's not armed.

Make sure, Foxie.

Luke, go tell Mike he's got some company.

He's going to be gone a little while.

Might as well relax.

Thank you.

Don't thank me, lady,

leastwise not until we find out

what Mike wants to do with you.

Well, if it isn't the Virginian himself.

Mike, it's good to see you.

Is it, now?

Yes, it is, and I mean that.

And it's good to see you, and that's on my mother's name.

And who's the fair and lovely?

This is Mrs. Frances.

Michael O'Rourke.

How do you do, Mr. O'Rourke?

"Mike" will do.

Well, pull her up a chair. Where's your manners?

And take your hats off. You're in the presence of a lady.

They'll be wanting something for their hunger and thirst.

Oh, no, thank you, nothing for me.

Or me.

We better get on with it, Mike.

Yes, please.

All right, now...

what brings you up to my roost after all these years?

There's no social event that I can see.

Do you know a man named James Graham?

Never heard of him.

Well, uh, do you have anybody here who...

resembles this man?

What did you say his name was?

James Graham.

He's my husband.

Your husband.

What would he be doing up here

away from the likes of a woman like you?

Hiding.

He's under the mistaken impression he's killed a man.

Murder.

That's quite a mistaken notion, isn't it?

Please, Mr. O'Rourke--

He's here, all right.

Oh.

Eddie Thorpe, he named himself.

I never would have guessed he was married.

Never dropped the name of a wife

all the months he was here.

That's the way some of the fellas are.

The things that touch them most are--

Please, Mr. O'Rourke--

All right, all right.

Pico, tell Thorpe I want to see him.

Can hardly wait, can she?

Hmm.

Mike, it's only a matter of a few minutes.

Couldn't we leave them alone?

Yeah, we will. We will.

It's just the expression on his face,

I'm wanting to see.

How are things at Shiloh?

The same.

How did you make out as foreman?

You manage to fill my boots?

Mighty large boots to fill, Mike,

and how are you?

I'm king of the roost. That's me...

and you can tell all the good people of Medicine Bow

that's just where I am to stay.

All I asked was, "How are you?"

It's just my way of saying, "Never better,"

and that's a fact.

Come in.

You wanted to see me, Mike?

Yes, Eddie, come on in.

What's it all about? Pico wouldn't say.

I will.

Did you let her through with a gun?

She didn't have it on her when Foxie--

Get him over to Jake.

Did you know what she was up to?

No, I didn't.

Then I want it from you.

I want the truth, the whole apple.

I lead and protect my men,

and if one of them almost gets killed,

what do you suppose happens

to their faith in Mike O'Rourke?

I'm sorry I didn't kill him.

That's what I thought.

Now, why be aiming a gun at your husband...

if he is your husband?

He's not my husband.

Then all you told me was part of your plan

to get me to bring you up here, huh?

So I could kill him.

Why?

He killed my daughter.

She was 18. She was just 18.

He found out...

she was pregnant...

and he was gone.

I--

I f--

Found her...

with that gun in her hand,

that beautiful face...

I didn't even recognize.

Foxie. Yes, Mike.

I want Thorpe here right away,

and I mean right away.

Yup.

I'm sorry I had to be so rough on you,

but I had to know the truth.

I can't have people go around shooting at my men.

Next time don't be using a Derringer

because past two feet you couldn't hit the side of a barn.

It's a lucky accident you even nicked him in the shoulder.

That's the same gun she used.

I'm all right. It's not bad.

It's a pity she missed you.

What's that supposed to mean?

Any man who would take an 18-year-old girl and do what you--

What is this? What are you talking about?

I'm talking about her daughter. That's what I'm talking about.

This is the gun she killed herself with after you--

But she never had a daughter.

She's taking you in. Can't you see that?

Trying to win your sympathy, Mike.

I guess there's no limit

how far someone will go for revenge.

And what would she be revenging herself for?

I drifted into Philadelphia about a year ago.

I was on my uppers when I met her,

a rich widow, plenty of money to cover my bad checks,

and she would've kept on covering,

no matter how much.

Only I got tired of her,

and I dumped her for someone else

younger and prettier.

I knew she was jealous,

but I never figured she'd be gunning for me

clear across the country.

Why don't you admit how you carried on

when you found out I was done with you,

how you threatened to kill yourself

and that girl I picked up with?

Go on, admit it.

You're not fooling anybody around here

with that story about a daughter.

Everything I said was true.

My men know better than to lie to me,

so unless you can prove this...

There's a suitcase

in my hotel room in Medicine Bow.

Inside it is a scrapbook.

It contains a clipping

with a picture of the two of them together

the day he--

Promised to marry her.

You don't believe that, do you?

I can send one of my men to fetch that scrapbook,

see who's the liar.

Good. That should prove it once and for all.

Get back to the bunk house. Stay there.

I hope you're sending for that scrapbook.

That's for me to decide.

Now, do as I say. Stay by the bunkhouse.

This the key to your hotel room?

Yes.

I'll send a man there and fetch that scrapbook,

not that it matters if you're telling the truth.

I'm wanting to know if one of my men is telling a lie.

Well, in that case,

I don't think there's any reason

for us to stay around here any longer.

I think we had better get started.

No, I want to stay here.

Oh, so it's the never-give-up kind we are, is it?

You're thinking if you stay around,

you might get a chance to take another crack at him.

Well, you've had your chance, and you missed,

not that I'm one to turn away a stranger,

so if you're wanting to sleep over the night, you're welcome

on one condition--

We hear no more about your grand feud.

That's closed, Missus, uh--

What is your real name?

Graham.

Mrs. what Graham?

Mrs. Graham will do nicely.

No, it won't do at all.

Frances, the Virginian call you,

so Frances it'll be.

That's because you make me think

of a colleen called Frances.

Now, Frances, do we understand each other?

There will be no more talk

about who's telling the truth

and who's lying.

Cold out there on those rocks, Whitey.

I'll bet it is.

This is my room, but you're welcome to it.

Thank you.

There's water in the pitcher and, uh...

there's plenty of towels.

Thank you. I'll manage.

Well, if you need anything, just holler.

I'll be right outside all night.

That's just in case you have any ideas

about getting at Eddie Thorpe.

Well, that's Mike O'Rourke for you,

protects his men even against beautiful women.

Good night.

No.

No.

I tell you, no.

I tell you, no.

You're lying in your teeth, the lot of you.

You're lying.

Lying-- Mike.

Huh?

You were having a nightmare, Mike.

Find out about all the women in my life, did you?

I found out enough.

There's some things a man can't forget.

Or won't forget.

Mike, this life you're leading,

a man like you...

all I can say is,

revenge is a pretty dusty answer.

You know, you're too young to lecture me.

Come in.

Morning, Frances.

Morning.

There's no need to be doing that.

I'll only be mussing it up again tonight.

Did you get any rest?

Oh, yes, thank you.

It doesn't let you sleep, does it,

your vendetta?

Thought we weren't going to talk about that.

Oh, that's right.

Well, I came to escort you to breakfast.

The Virginian's waiting for us.

Oh, thank you, but I--

No, I won't take "but" for an answer.

That's unless you want cold steak, potatoes,

bacon, pancakes, eggs, coffee.

Coffee, that will do.

Mike. What's wrong?

Thorpe's not in his bunk or anywhere else. What?

Nobody's seen him since the boys turned in last night.

He must've lit out while everyone was asleep.

You didn't have him guarded?

Tell the boys to saddle up and pan out.

I don't want him to leave the badlands, and I want him back.

Dead or alive?

If there's any choice, alive.

Come on before that grub freezes.

Thanks.

I don't want to impose,

but if I could just stay a little longer

until I know what's happened to him.

What difference will that make if you know?

I can't explain,

but I must know where he is.

And if he's taken alive, what then?

You think I'll set him up so you can kill him?

I'm not tracking him down

for what you want to do to him, Frances,

but for what he did to me.

All right, Mike, so he lied to you.

Why not just let him go and leave him alone?

Because he knows too much to be tearing around loose.

He cheated me, so he's not to be trusted. That's for sure.

It may take you days to find him

if you find him at all.

Oh, we'll find him,

and you can figure on staying till we do.

Thanks, Mike.

Not for your reasons, Frances.

I just don't want both of you walking into an ambush.

If he finds out you're gunning for him,

he might want to return the compliment.

Uh, if you'll excuse me.

You'll never get to be a big girl

on the little you eat, Frances.

Well, I'm not very hungry. I have this terrible headache.

If you'll excuse me.

You're planning to leave the table, are you?

Well... I slept so little.

I have such a bad headache.

If I could just lie down and rest.

Well, I'll fetch you a coffee.

No need. I need absolute solitude.

It's a shame, such a lovely woman.

A shame?

Living just for revenge,

what kind of a life is that?

Well, that's a fine thing to be saying, Michael,

coming from you.

No, with me it's different. You know--

You stay there. I'll fetch her.

Frances.

I'm sorry I had to do that.

I'm all right.

You best let Doc O'Rourke take a look at you.

No, it's all right. Is it now?

It's just my wrist.

Yeah, and hurt it must, like the very devil. No, it doesn't!

Well, it hurts me. Now, sit down

while I make myself feel better.

So you had a headache, did you?

Why, it's the queen of liars, you are, and that's for sure.

Tell me something.

What did you plan to do if you found the man

when you didn't have a gun?

I'd find a way.

To get the man's blood on your hands?

That would make you happy, wouldn't it?

It isn't a question of happiness.

That died with my daughter.

Well, hate won't bring your daughter back.

Hate will kill him.

What kind of a life are you wishing for yourself?

Tell me that. No, I'll tell you.

Living for revenge,

that's as empty as a dried-out well.

You should talk. What about your own life?

A hunted man, an outlaw.

I have a good reason for what I--

What reason could you have?

Everything I ever had in the world,

everything I believed in, they took away from me

when they threw me in jail for something I had nothing to do with.

All the good people of Medicine Bow

will tell you I had it coming to me

for being on a drunken party

that turned into murder

when one of the fellas started to shoot up the town,

but I just happened along by accident,

and nobody thought I had a right

to be so careless about the company I kept.

Do you wonder I want to get my own

back on that double-dealing, lying, twofaced world?

I can't blame you,

but at least grant me the same.

Well, it's not the same as what you're living for,

to throw away your life for the killing of a snake,

a woman who has so much beauty

with so much to give

and so much to get back.

Any word of him?

No. You all right?

Fell off her horse. You better have Jake take a look at her.

Oh, that's all right. Thank you.

Fascinating woman, isn't she, Mike?

How long's her husband been dead and gone?

I don't know.

I wonder why some man hasn't done something about it.

Done something?

A woman like that should be married

and settled down in a home

with a good man to look after her.

What's keeping you?

It's not a wife I need if that's what you mean?

How about a game of chess?

For Auld Lang Syne?

Yeah, fascinating woman

in every respect, especially stubbornness.

She won't give up. That's certain.

There's one woman no man will budge.

You never know till you try.

Are you wanting to gab or play?

It's your move.

Mike, I've been meaning to speak to you

about something for a long time now.

And what makes you think you've got the right?

Well, I never had an older brother.

I always figured you were about as close to that as anybody could be.

I think that gives me the right.

All right, little brother, you get it over with.

Mike, you've been carrying on a personal war

with the whole world for a long time now

because some people on a jury made a mistake.

Good people and true, let's not be forgetting that.

Do you think people are infallible

just because they've chosen to serve on a jury?

The jury made a mistake in your case.

There's no doubt about that.

Those people aren't the whole world,

even the whole state of Wyoming.

Would you be letting me think about my next move?

After one last word, if you don't mind.

All right, get on with it.

As far as I know

there's nothing you can be charged with right now

except cattle rustling,

and one of these days it might be something far more serious,

like murder.

Well, that's one thing they'll never put around my neck.

Don't wait till they might.

Give yourself up, Mike.

Turn yourself in.

A few more years in jail

with time off for good behavior,

you wouldn't be in for very long.

You'll be tried in Medicine Bow.

You know the Judge would stand up

for a character witness for you.

So would I.

Have you forgotten how he swore up and down

what a good man I was, fit to be his foreman?

"Character witness--" I've been through all that, I have.

What you haven't been through

is a Federal force moving in on you,

and that's bound to happen sooner or later.

Well, I'll be out of here long before that

with all I want.

Come on, Mike.

You know as well as I do.

When it comes to this way of making a living,

it's a lot easier to get started

than it is to quit,

but it's not too late right now.

Well, it's too late for them, the world--

All right, people.

They don't live by the law. They try to get around it.

The only difference is

that I live outside and off it.

You tell me I'm guilty of rustling?

What about all the honest, decent, law-respecting people

that buy the cattle I steal so they can make a dollar?

Would you tell me the difference between them and me?

None, not a bit.

Then why doesn't the law apply to them?

It does.

Sure, on the books,

but a dollar in the right place

and everybody looks the other way,

and you know why?

Because there's no real law in the world.

Yes, there is, Mike.

It's what people really think is right and true

inside themselves.

You know what your trouble is, my friend?

You've got a lot bigger sense of right and justice

than most men do.

That's what makes you strike back so hard at injustice.

Can't you think of your case

as the mistake it truly was and close it?

A few more years, that's not much out of a man's life.

They've already taken four years too many.

I'm not thinking of giving them another day,

and don't be telling me the time will go fast

because when you're behind bars,

every second crawls.

I have nothing more to say, Mike.

Well, I have.

Checkmate.

We got him.

What are you going to do?

I'll ask you to step out back for a moment.

You, too.

Come on, keep each other company.

Bring him in, Pico.

Roxie.

All right, leave us alone.

Now, what have you got to say for yourself?

Be quick about it.

Look, Mike, I know I shouldn't have lit out.

And tell me why.

I know the rules. No man can leave without your say-so.

Because?

Well, it's up to you if you can trust a man to leave,

but I wouldn't have said anything about this place.

You can trust me.

Can I...

with you stealing out in the middle of the night like that?

Why, I guess I got panicky for some reason.

Could it be she was telling the truth and your were the liar?

No. Then what, then?

Well, the truth is,

I was scared I wouldn't have a chance

once she turned it on.

So that was a lie about you and her daughter?

I told you, she never had a daughter.

Why don't I hear the truth from you?

I'm telling you the truth.

She's in love with me.

She'd sooner see me dead if she can't have me.

That's a lie.

You're a liar!

Here you go, Foxie.

Lock him in the storage bin and guard him at all times.

What are you going to do with him?

I haven't decided yet.

I'd like to speak to the young lady alone for a minute.

Sure.

Where is he? What did you do with him?

I beat him up for you. Is that enough?

No.

I'm not going to kill him for you.

I want to kill him myself.

I know how you feel. Believe me, I know,

but you've got to learn to live with it

without the memory of it tearing you up.

Have you ever lost anyone?

Have you?

There was a colleen in Ireland.

Yes?

I was going to send for her

when I had saved up enough money

to buy a farm of our own.

She died?

While I was in prison.

The knowing of it helped kill her.

You found no one to replace her.

Well, maybe I haven't looked.

Even if you had, you would've have found anybody

because no one on Earth replaces another...

least of all a child.

That's quite a beating you gave Thorpe.

You always that rough on your men?

He got what was coming to him, no more, no less.

Aren't you going to turn in?

Mike?

I heard you.

Did the Judge ever say how long a man the likes of me

would be breaking rocks?

It would be six years, I guess.

Six years?

He'd get out in three if he didn't give them any trouble.

Why?

Did something get through to him?

Nothing that was said.

There's a woman he can't say good-bye to.

Is he in love with her?

All he knows is he can't have her walking out of his life,

and the only way is to walk into hers.

Nothing to stop him.

Except three years in jail.

Anyway, a beauty the likes of her

wouldn't be waiting around for him,

so let's forget it.

If you ever change your mind,

you can come down to Shiloh Ranch

and give yourself up to the Judge and me.

We'd be proud to ride beside you

to the U.S. Marshall's office.

Well, I wouldn't be holding my breath for that event.

Good night. Good night.

Mike?

Why don't you talk to her?

It's me, Mike.

Come in.

You're leaving...

first thing in the morning.

Why

For what reason,

to be killing one of my men?

Well, I'll not be party to murder,

and that's the only thing that's keeping you here, isn't it?

Oh, no-- no, that isn't all.

What do you mean?

What other reason could I possibly have for staying?

You expect me to believe that.

Well, isn't that what you were trying to tell me

when you kissed me...

that I wasn't dead inside?

I was.

I was until...

you kissed me.

It's wrong you were about...

no one on Earth replacing another.

I mean, they don't exactly,

but you remember that colleen I told you about?

Well, now that's you,

and everything I wanted for her and with her

I'm wanting with you.

Then I don't have to leave.

No, I'm not letting you stay.

But, Mike, you said--

Because it's the death of him you want and not the love of me.

Well, isn't it? Isn't it?

Yes.

Has he given you any trouble, Pete?

No, everything's fine, Mike.

Mike.

The men want to know about tomorrow.

They figure with those two gone,

you'll want to go ahead with your plans.

I'll let them know.

Just say the word.

It's a shame she had to leave.

Even if she didn't say two words to the rest of us,

it was right good, her being here.

Just knowing there was a woman around

made a difference.

You let us know.

Hey, Pete.

Oh, what's up?

Mike wants to see you.

What about Thorpe? Just leave him?

I don't know. He just said, "Round everybody up."

You got him locked up, haven't you?

There's no windows.

How's he going to get out of there.

Go on. Whitey?

If Mike says so.

Come in.

They're all here, Mike,

like you said, even the one standing guard.

I'll be right out, Pico.

All right, sit down.

I wanted all of you to be here

because it will take every man to be speaking for himself

when you hear what I have to put up to you.

What's our understanding

if a man wants to quit the Bunch?

Pico.

Well, you know it as well as anyone else, Mike.

Anybody can leave the Bunch

as long as you figure they can be trusted

not to give the rest of us away.

That's right.

That's right. That's right.

And it worked fine, didn't it, now,

with the two that up and left?

Evans had enough and went to California,

and Willis found himself a fair colleen

and made tracks for the preacher,

and I had all the say-so

whether they could take their leave or not.

What are you driving at?

Who wants to leave, except maybe Thorpe?

I do.

You do? You do?

Now, who's got the say

I can't walk out on you

just by asking myself permission,

so I'm putting it up to each of you,

and that's another thing I want to tell you.

When I give myself up,

I'll have to tell them where I holed up with the Bunch,

which means you'll have to find another hideout

or break up.

They'll shoot you on site.

You won't get a chance to open your mouth.

I'll ride into Shiloh and give myself up to Judge Garth.

He'll take me to the U.S. Marshall.

Well, what's the word?

You letting me go or not?

Well, Mike...

there's something we've been holding back on you,

figuring that you wouldn't go along,

but now that you put it up to us, well...

Go ahead and tell him, Pico.

Yeah, tell him. Tell him, Pico.

Well, for a long time now,

the boys and myself

have been thinking about pulling up stakes

and getting out,

getting out while we can.

With this country growing like it is,

it's not going to be too long

before they'll be sending in the state militia

or maybe even the army to drive us out of here.

And besides, some of us want to head out

and try our luck someplace else,

maybe Mexico or South America.

So Mike, if you want to give yourself up,

there's no man here that's going to say no to you.

Well, that's sweet music to my ears.

I'll be leaving at sun-up.

Until then, I want each and every one of you

to be the guests of Mike O'Rourke in a farewell ball

he's giving for the Badlands Bunch.

Except the unfortunate ones who drew guard duty tonight.

Oh, come on, Mike.

If you can't be with us in the body,

at least be with us in the spirit.

Help yourself out.

Hey, Pete.

Pete!

Easy there. I'm coming.

I'm coming.

Sit down.

Now, what do you want?

What's the celebration all about?

The Bunch is breaking up.

It is? What brought that on?

Mike quitting.

Quitting?

He's turning himself in down in Medicine Bow.

Why?

Ask him.

What happens to me? Did he say?

No, but maybe he'll have you shot

at sun-up when he leaves.

Here you are, Pico.

Remember the time when Whitey hit this man.

Whitey hit this guy...

Did you get what I sent you for?

That scrapbook's in there...

all of it.

Hey, Luke, come on.

We got a lot of catching up to do.

Come on, Luke, come on!

Boys...

There's a little change of plans.

I won't be waiting till sun-up.

Anyway, it would be a waste booze

with me getting more sober with every drink I take,

so I'll just be saying good-bye...

and good luck to all of you.

Good luck. See ya, Mike.

Mike.

What do you want us to do with Thorpe?

Turn him loose when you break up.

He's not worth the rope to string him up.

I propose a toast.

Here's to the last three years.

We had it good, and we didn't kill nobody,

and we all know who we can blame for that.

Here's to Mike.

To Mike. To Mike.

Before you go, why not stop at Shiloh for a few days?

Betsy would love to see you.

Hmm, I'd love to see her.

You must know that Betsy reminds me of my daughter.

I imagine she does.

Did you think you would make me forget?

If I could do anything to make you forget,

I'd do it,

but that wasn't my intention.

I'd love to. Good.

That's O'Rourke, Sheriff.

All right, boys, remember what I told you.

There's a lot of us and only one of him. I want him alive.

We'll never take him alive, not Mike O'Rourke.

When he sees how much he's outnumbered?

He'll still try to shoot his way out.

I heard him say so when he talked over

what he was going to do with the Bunch.

You'll have to kill him,

or some of us are going to get killed for sure.

I got to try to make him give himself up.

He won't do it, Sheriff. Believe me, he won't.

There's going to be a lot of blood spilled for no reason.

Why don't I ride out and meet him,

as if by accident?

He won't be suspicious of me,

and I can get the drop on him,

and then you can move in and disarm him.

Well, I guess when he sees you, he won't run.

Remember, I want him alive.

Oh, don't worry.

That'll be easy enough for me since he won't suspect anything.

Go ahead.

Now, hold your fire, men.

There should be no need to shoot.

Hello, Mike. I busted out.

Well, now, you didn't have to.

Didn't I? I heard you were going to have me shot.

And waste a bullet. I told the boys to let you out.

Even so, Mike, I didn't want to take a chance of missing you,

pay you back for the going-over you gave me.

Hold it. I'm not armed.

I figured you wouldn't be, riding in to give yourself up.

I said not to fire.

He's not armed.

Well, I thought he was.

Looked like he was reaching for a gun.

How is he, still alive?

No thanks to you.

Go get Doc Spaulding. He's in town.

We're close to Shiloh Ranch.

I think that's as far as we better take him.

Where are you going?

You said I could leave once you got Mike O'Rourke.

I said alive.

If he doesn't pull out of this,

you're going to lead us to the roost.

You stick close.

Right.

Miss Betsy, is the Judge home? We got a wounded man here.

No, but you can bring him in.

All right, boys.

That's Mike O'Rourke, isn't it?

Yeah.

How badly hurt is he?

Couple of bullets in the shoulder.

I'm afraid he's lost a lot of blood on the way.

I'll send one of the men for the do--

I've already sent for him. Oh.

You stick close.

What's he got to do with this?

You know him?

He's one of the Bunch.

Some day you'll have to tell me how you knew that.

In here.

It's bad.

All right, fellas, there's nothing more we can do

till Doc Spaulding gets here.

Suppose you wait outside, huh?

Can you tell me how this happened, Mark?

Suppose you tell him.

Well, I heard Mike say he was riding to Shiloh

to steal the Judge's payroll.

That's a lie.

It's what I heard him tell the Bunch.

I was riding in to give myself up to the Judge.

That's not true. I heard him tell the rest of the boys--

No matter what he tells you, you can believe this.

I was with Mike a day or two ago,

and he offered to ride in and give himself up at Shiloh.

You don't expect the Sheriff to believe that.

Why would Mike O'Rourke give himself up?

For the love of a woman...

to serve out his time and set himself free.

No.

I promised you I wouldn't miss the next time.

Don't.

Frances, don't.

You can't bring back what's gone.

You'll only be destroying what might be ahead.

It was love of you that brought me here.

If you have any love for me,

you won't be pulling that trigger

'cause it's me you'll be taking dead aim on.

I can understand shooting an unarmed man once

thinking he tried to draw,

but a second bullet in his shoulder,

that adds up to attempted murder.

You're under arrest.

I think they can do without us for a while, too. Come on.

Better not be trying that when I'm up and around.

Yes, darling.

Rest.

Frances. What?

Do you think you can wait three years?

Oh, Michael.

But tell me something.

What?

What's your real name?

No, no, don't tell me

'cause if it's not Frances,

I'd be disappointed.

Frances, it is.