Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

[ train whistle blowing ]

Next stop-- Medicine Bow.

Medicine Bow.

Five minutes to Medicine Bow, ma'am.

Yes, much obliged.

Your stop, young fella. What?

Medicine Bow.

Oh, thank you.

So, this is the Wild West.

Your first trip?

Oh, yeah. Sure is empty.

You won't see too many horse cars.

Planning on settling out here?

No, I'm just visiting.

Perhaps you know the gentleman's name-- Judge Garth.

He owns a ranch out here.

Oh, so you're a friend of Judge Henry Garth.

Yes, I had the honor of making his acquaintance

when he and his daughter visited Chicago last fall.

Then you know his little girl, too.

Little girl?

No, I just know the one daughter-- Miss Betsy.

That's the one I was talking about.

You call Miss Betsy a little girl?

What do you call her?

Why, I'd call her a young lady

of poise, charm, grace, dignity...

maturity, grace.

You said that.

Well, it bears repeating.

Heh.

One day, you're chasing them out of the apple tree,

and the next thing you know, they're walking up the aisle

on some young fella's arm.

Well, I wouldn't exactly start throwing rice yet.

I only knew here for one week.

Oh. Well, if you need a ride out the Garth place,

the mister will be picking me up with the wagon.

We'll be glad to drop you off there.

No, I sent a telegram.

I expect there'll be someone there to pick me up.

I expect she will, at that.

We'll be getting into the station any minute now.

[ train whistle blows ]

Are you sure they expected you this morning?

Well, I told them what train I'd be on.

Maybe she's waiting in the station house.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Betsy?

Not there?Not there.

Must be some sort of a mix-up.

Well, you just come along with us, then.

This young man's visiting Judge Garth.

I told him we'd be glad to drop him off.

Oh, sure thing.

It's right on our way.

What's that about visiting Garth?

You heard him.

Not sure I like that.

You don't have to like it.

You want out, kid, say so, but say so now.

I guess one more won't make too much difference.

I don't guess so.

[ men shouting ]

Keep his head up, Belden!

Ahhhh! All right, gentlemen!

You were just fortunate enough to have witnessed

that world-famous Belden technique

for soothing the wild beast!

[ booing ]

No applause, please! It'd only serve to embarrass me.

My old granny could've rode that one.

Professional jealousy.

Keep 'em comin'. I'm on a lucky streak.

That'll be plenty.

We got our remuda, boys.

Such as it is.

What do you mean, such as it is?

These horses are a long way from being broke, Judge.

A week or two.

We'll just have to do the best we can.

I still say we're bringing the herd in too early.

They could stand a couple more weeks of grazing.

They'll be all right.

I'm sure you must have a good reason for it.

I can guess what it is.

Looks to me like you're trying to get everybody

off the ranch in a hurry.

Why would I want to do a thing like that?

That was gonna be my next question.

BETSY: Hi!

Don't tell me. Let me guess.

You've been, uh... sewing?

I have been painting the trellis,

because certain people around here

who promised to do it for me broke their promise.

I'll have to speak to Randy about that.

It wasn't Randy who made it.

It was a certain foreman.

I would've lived up to it, too, Bets,

but your father moved a roundup on me.

Why'd you do that? The boys promised

to help me with spring cleaning.

You two may not believe this,

but I do know what I'm doing.

He's being very mysterious.

You can tell by the dimple in his chin.

It gets deeper when he has something devious on his mind.

I will say this-- I'm expecting visitors.

And I don't want anyone on the ranch to know about it.

That's all I can say now.

Looks like they're comin' right now.

Looks like the Wingates.

Hey, in the back seat, it's--

It is! It's Eddie Tighe!

Eddie Tighe? You mean the boy you met in Chicago?

The newspaper fella?

And look at me!

What's he doin' here? Did you--

I don't know. Don't let him see me.

Keep him away till I get cleaned up!

I take it you're not too happy to see him.

Any other time, yes. But not now.

Maybe he's just passing through.

Let's hope so.

Hi, Judge!Hello, Henry.

We brought you a visitor.

How are you, sir?

Well, how are you, Eddie?

Judge, I hear in town

you're gonna start the roundup next week.

JUDGE: That's right.

A little early isn't it?

Seems to be the general opinion.

Well, good-bye.

Thanks for givin' me the lift.

Not at all.

All right?

I tripped.

How about that for a sure-footed dude?

The things you see when you don't have a gun.

I want you to meet my foreman.

This Mr. Eddie Tighe,

of that well-known Chicago newspaper, the, um...

InterOcean.

The InterOcean.

Glad to know you.

We'd better get goin'.

I got it.Thanks.

See you.Bye.

Bye.Bye, thank you.

Well, how's Betsy?

She's fine. She's up at the house.

I kept thinking about her

all the way out here on the train--

how she looked when I last saw her in Chicago.

You have a very beautiful daughter, sir.

Well, yes--

I can hardly wait to see her.

I wouldn't go up there just yet.

Why not?

Don't you want to see the ranch first?

Oh, yeah. Let me show you the stable.

It's over there.

The corral's very interesting, too.

Well...you certainly have a fine ranch here.

I didn't realize there were so many buildings.

Betsy! You go company!

Be happy to show you the rest tomorrow.

You are staying overnight, aren't you?

Yeah, I'll be here for about two weeks.

Hello, Eddie.

Hello, Betsy.

Gee, it's nice to see you again.

It's nice of you to ask me.

Well...it's nice of you to come.

Why don't you show Eddie up to the guest room?

Oh, sure.

Oh, wait. Let me take this.

It's very heavy.

Oh. Right this way.

Come with me.

Seems like a nice enough young fella.

He is, but he... can't stay.

Why, because of this mysterious visitor you're gonna have?

Exactly. Sit down.

Here it is.

I hope you'll be comfortable.

Well, I--

I hope I'm not putting you and your father out any.

I said in my telegram

that you should've let me know if it wasn't convenient.

Telegram?

Yes. Didn't you get it?

Oh. That telegram!

Well, uh...

it sure is nice to see you again, Betsy.

It's nice to see you again, too.

How you been?I've been fine.

How have you been?

Just--Just fine.

That's good.

Well, did you have a nice trip?

Very nice.

Kind of long.

But I enjoyed it.

That's good.

Um...would you like to see the ranch?

I just did.

I saw the barn and the corral.

Oh, I mean the range.

You do ride, don't you?

Yeah. I brought my riding habit, too.

Oh, good. Um...

well, I'll--

I'll see you downstairs.

Um...I'll see you later.

So you can see why I wanted all the hands off the ranch

before next week.

Why I didn't want this young man around, either.

I see your point. I don't envy you

having to tell him he can't stay, though.

I wouldn't have to if he had the manners

to send a letter or a telegram without just--

He did. He said he sent you a telegram.

What? There hasn't been a telegram deliver here since--

Since I handed you one ten days ago

right in this room.

You were talking to that old Indian gentleman.

And you took it from me and...

put it right here in this pocket.

I'll, uh... see you later, Judge.

Would you like to open it?

Well...

I don't think it'll do much good now, but...

Yeah, I'm sorry.

I did the young man an injustice.

That's all right.

Only...

Only what?

Well...

he's different from the way he was in Chicago.

In what way?

I don't know, exactly.

But when we were in Chicago, we talked all the time,

and now I can't think of anything to say to him.

He even looks different. I think he's shrunk.

Heh! That's not very likely.

But at least you won't mind so much now that he can't stay.

What do you mean? He just got here.

That old Indian gentleman you mentioned.

He was here to arrange a very private meeting

between the Chief of the Sioux,

the Indian agent, and the general

commanding the army forces in this territory.

A private meeting? Here?

They sort of selected Shiloh as neutral ground,

where they could meet face to face--

you know, informally.

Find out what's causing the Indian trouble up north,

and work out a solution.

They're coming here unarmed and unescorted.

Hence the need for secrecy.

You can imagine the repercussions

if anything happened to either of them.

How exciting.Yeah.

It's also a grave responsibility.

That's why I don't want Eddie or anyone else around.

How are we gonna get rid of him?

I don't know. We'll have to work something out.

You mean, you'll have to work something out.

You're the one that didn't open the telegram.

I'll accept that.

Can he stay till next week?

I thought things weren't working out so well.

Well, they're not going that badly.

All right.

Till Monday.

I have to change now. I'm going riding.

Bye.

I don't believe it.

Believe what?

What's he dressed up like that for?

That happens to be the way they dress for riding in Chicago.

For riding what?

Very funny.

Hi.Hi.

This is Randy, Belden. This is Mr. Edward Tighe.

How are you? Sure good to--

Uh, yeah. To know you.

Well, shall we get going?

Sure.

We flung a little leather on the--

Well, we saddled this one for you.

Right here.

Thank you.

I've never ridden a western saddle before.

Well...see you.

Yeah.

What's all that bouncing up and down?

You suppose that's how they ride in Chicago?

It'll be a long day.

Yeah.

[ both laugh ]

Would you believe that?

What do you think of Betsy's new friend?

Seems like a nice enough young fella.

Think they're serious about each other?

How should I know?

I wouldn't want to see Betsy pick the wrong man.

She's got pretty good judgment.

Think they should go riding off by themselves like that?

A fella we don't know anything about?

I think she's safe with Eddie.

I wouldn't worry about it.

[ knock on door ]

Clay, come in.

Wasn't expecting you so soon.

I got into town a little earlier than I expected.

Instead of going straight to the hotel,

I thought I'd impose on your hospitality.

That's if it's all right with you.

Come into the study.

How have you been?Fine, Judge.

It's generous of you to let us use Shiloh

for the meeting.

Have a drink?

It's a little early, thanks.

Oh, but I'll have one.

Heh heh.

I was surprised when I got your letter.

I thought everything up north was under control.

We all did.

Haven't seen Black Feather in several years.

Always respected him.

It's not easy to keep a lot of young braves

from kicking up their heels every so often.

Thanks.

I'm afraid it's a little more

than just some braves kicking up their heels.

At least General Burke thinks so.

Incidentally, it was his idea to have the meeting here.

He said it was the only place

he could be sure of complete privacy... and good food.

[ laughs ]

I don't know if I can guarantee the latter.

But I've arranged for the former.

Tell me--how acute is the situation up north?

It's pretty touchy. Each side blames the other

for starting the skirmishes.

The general wants to cool it off

before the situation gets completely out of hand.

Each side blames the other?

Well, if neither is at fault--

Exactly. Someone else is trying to stir the kettle.

That's the general's theory.

But the main thing is secrecy.

If word of this meeting got out,

if anything happened to either of them--

Oh, we'll see that nothing happens.

Well, now...

Bring me up to date

on what's been happening in Washington.

Well, now...

Well, what happened?

His horse shied crossing the bridge.

You all right?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, I'm just...dandy.

We thought he'd better get some dry clothes.

Betsy, I only brought one pair of riding pants with me.

So I'm afraid we'll have to call off the ride--

That's all right. I'll loan you some.

Them's no good for this kind of country anyhow.

Oh, thank you very much.

No trouble at all. I'll bring 'em up to your room.

Excuse me.

Are you sure you're not hurt?

Oh, no. No, I'm-- I'm fine.

I'll wait for you.

I don't know which way he looks funnier--

wet or dry.

Well, you've done very well for yourself, Henry.

I sometimes wish I'd have struck out for myself.

But every man to his own calling.

Say, we've been talking for almost an hour.

I'm sure you have things to do. I'll get my luggage.

Oh, by the way, I'll have to put you in another room.

We have another guest. A friend of Betsy's.

A young newspaperman.

A newspaperman? Here?

Don't worry. He'll be gone before the meeting.

A very nice young man, as suitors go.

A very fastidious dresser for this part of the country.

I'll see what's keeping him.

Betsy, you remember Mr. Billings?

Of course. Nice to see you again.

Every time I see you, you're more grown up.

I heard a young man came out to see you.

All the way from Chicago.

Daddy...

All I said is we had a houseguest.

I trust he's worth of the prettiest girl in Wyoming.

Nobody is. But I must say,

he's a very presentable young man.

By the way, where is he?

He's changing his clothes.

Eddie, I want you to meet Mr. Billings.

Mr. Tighe.

How are you?

Oh, uh... how do you do?

You're not that much bigger than him.

I didn't have any clean clothes handy,

so I borrowed some from Belden.

Eddie, let's go. We brought the horses.

Glad to meet you.

Same to you.

That's the young man you were talking about--

the fastidious dresser?

Excuse me.

Where'd he get those clothes?

I don't know. They sure look familiar.

Hey! Good shot! You won!

What's the matter with you, Betsy?

I've never seen you miss like that before.

I've watched you knock 'em--

♪ Alas, my love

♪ You do me wrong

♪ To cast me off

♪ Discourteously

♪ And I have loved you

♪ Oh, so long

♪ Delighting in your company ♪

♪ Greensleeves was all my joy ♪

♪ Greensleeves was my delight ♪

♪ Greensleeves was my heart of gold ♪

♪ And who but my lady Greensleeves ♪

♪ Thou couldst desire

♪ No earthly thing

♪ But still thou hadst it readily ♪

♪ Thy music still

♪ To play and sing

♪ And yet thou wouldst not love me ♪

Come on, sing.

BOTH: ♪ Greensleeves was all my joy ♪

♪ Greensleeves was my delight ♪

[ off-key ] ♪ Green--

♪ ...was my heart of gold ♪

♪ And who but my lady Greensleeves ♪

You, uh, sure you want to make that move?

Ha! How about that?

Hey, let Eddie take a shot.

That's about all there is to it.

Doesn't seem like much of a game to me.

Ow!

♪♪

♪ I ride an old paint

♪ I lead an old dam

♪ I'm goin' to Montana

♪ For to throw the houlihan ♪

♪ They feed in the coolies

♪ They water in the draw

♪ Their tails are all matted ♪

♪ Their backs are all raw

♪ Ride around, little dogies ♪

♪ Ride around them slow

♪ For they're fiery and snuffy ♪

♪ Are a-rarin' to go

Hey, that's pretty good. How's it feel?

Not too bad. Just can't get a boot on over it.

Then you won't be goin' along with us tomorrow, huh?

Guess not.

Well, I feel kind of bad about that.

I was the one who told him to take a whirl at it.

I don't reckon you could've guessed

he was gonna throw it backwards.

No, that's for sure. Nobody could've guessed

he was gonna do that.

Can I come in?Come on in.

How you feelin'?

Like I just had my toe broke by a horseshoe.

I hope you didn't think he did that on purpose.

Oh, of course not. He he'd have been aiming at me,

I'd have been safe.

I never seen a boy as clumsy as that

in my whole life, and I've seen some clumsy people.

Now, Belden--

I don't see how he manages to stay alive in Chicago.

I'd give odds against him gettin' across the street all in one piece.

Sure can't figure out what you see in that boy.

Me, neither.

That's none of your business.

Aha. Randy, maybe she feels sorry for him.

Now, I had a dog once--

BETSY: Belden!

Stupidest dog you ever seen in your life.

He couldn't do nothin' right. Cats chased him.

He got lost if he got out of sight of the ranch.

But you know somethin'?

That was the dog that everybody made a fuss over.

I don't think that's very funny.

Just because he's a little awkward at certain childish games--

Hello.

Hello, Eddie.Hi there.

Hi there.

Uh...

I'm sorry about your foot.

That's all right. It was just the little toe.

Yeah, he's still got nine good ones left.

Ha ha!

I, um...

Well, I thought I'd come by

and see if there was anything I could do.

That's the first ringer I ever seen in the wrong direction.

Don't worry about it, Eddie.

Nobody ever died of a broken toe.

Did they, Randy?

There's always a first time, Betsy.

Well...

I guess I'd better be going.

Eddie, I was just leaving.

I'll go with you.

Yep. Sure does remind me of old Sam.

That was the dog's name.

We ask Thy blessing on this household

as we give thanks for Thy bounty.

Amen.

Well, what did you two do today?

I broke, uh, Randy's little toe.

It was an accident.

See, they were teaching me to throw horseshoes.

Oh.

Randy says his foot doesn't hurt.

He just can't get his boot on.

Oh, I see.

I'm very sorry, sir.

Oh, accidents will happen.

Oh, that reminds me.

Almost forgot. This'll make you feel better.

The boys are going on a cattle roundup tomorrow,

and I've arranged for you to accompany them.

Thought you might like to tell your readers

what a western cattle drive was really like.

Think you can get a whole series of byline articles out of it.

I think that's a wonderful idea. Don't you?

It certainly is.

How long does this cattle drive last?

Five, six days.

I'm sure you'll find it most interesting.

You'll probably get enough material for a book.

Well, thank you. Thank you very much.

It certainly is thoughtful of you.

Not at all.

[ piano playing ]

[ playing Schubert's Serenade ]

[ stops playing ]

Morning.Good morning.

Did you have a nice time in town last night?

I just rode in with the supply wagon

to see what it was like.

I understand they have some very pretty girls

at the saloon.

I hardly stayed long enough to notice.

[ knock on door ]Excuse me.

[ tapping out notes ]

Thank you.

It's a telegram for you.

For me?

I wonder who it could be from.

The newspaper.

My vacation's been cancelled.

I've got to come right back.

Oh, Eddie, that's too bad.

It sure is. And I was having such a good time.

So was I.

Well, that's the way it goes in the newspaper game.

I guess I'd better go pack.

Pack?

Eddie just got a telegram.

He has to go back to work.

That's too bad.

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry I'll miss the roundup.

It sounded like great fun.

But you know what they say--

business is business.

What time does the train leave?

Not till this afternoon. I'll see you get there on time.

Thanks. Well... excuse me.

I'm sorry, Betsy.

Well, maybe it was just as well.

I don't think he was having too good of a time anyway.

Maybe you both were trying just a little too hard.

Nothing seemed to work out.

We'd go riding, his horse shies, throws him in the creek.

We play horseshoes, he breaks Randy's toe.

I'll bet he'll be glad to get back to Chicago.

Well, he was a little far out of his element here.

But I don't think that was the whole trouble.

What is it, then?

Why does everything go wrong when we're together?

Well, it's a peculiar phenomenon,

for which there isn't any scientific explanation.

But somehow, at a certain age,

when he's with a girl he's trying to impress,

a young man seems to grow an extra left foot

and spare set of thumbs. Why this is, I don't know.

Daddy.No, I mean it.

Young men with normal agility

find themselves tripping over thresholds,

glasses of water unaccountably fall off tables, and--

I bet you were never that way when you were young.

Parents of girls I used to court

would hide the china when I showed up.

[ chuckles ]

Well, you see, Betsy...

it's all a part of growing up.

You can't help these things.

Sure wish I was goin' with you.

You take care of that foot. I want it to heal

so you can make up for lost time when I get back.

All right, let's go, everyone!

[ clatter ]

I wonder what that is.

Excuse me.

Alex?

Alex, what--

[ muffled shouts ]

Keep it down, sonny.

Where's the Judge?

He's in his study.

Call him in here.

I said, call him in here, son.

Judge Garth?

I'd also like you to drive Eddie

to the station this afternoon.

He's leaving on the 4:15.

He is?

Yeah, you can contain your pleasure until after he's left.

Yes, sir.

Judge Garth, will you come in here a minute?

Excuse me.

Morning, Judge.

See who else is in there.

There's a good field of fire from the window in there.

Indio, get outside.

Anyone comes near here, I want to know about it.

Well, looks like we're gonna have to be together for quite a while.

So, we might as well get used to each other,

try to get along.

I hope you'll behave and do as you're told

because I don't want to hurt anybody.

The cook? He was foolish.

There's no need for any more of that,

not till the Indian gets here.

What are you talking about?

Now, Judge, let's not smoke each other, huh?

I knew about this meeting as fast as you did.

And I know that Black Feather

will send a single brave in here first.

And he won't come in himself until you tell that brave it's all right.

What makes you think I'll tell him with you here?

You'll do it.

How did you know about the meeting?

Well, that's my secret, Mr. Billings--

Mr. Indian agent Billings.

You've got the advantage of me.

That I do. That I do, indeed.

I mean, I don't know your name.

Oh.

Ask the Judge there. He knows me.

This is all of 'em.

That everything, Bear?

Did you look upstairs and down?

In the closets, in the drawers, everywhere?

It's all I could find.

All right, get rid of them.

Uh...Bear.

You'd better break off the firing pins first.

And dig a hole for the cook while you're at it.

There's no reason we shouldn't be decent.

Kid. Here.

How about a fresh pot of coffee, pretty girl?

Nobody in this house does your bidding.

I'm not talkin' to you, mister.

When I'm talkin' to you, I'll be lookin' at you.

It's all right, Daddy.

I'll make some.

Go with her, Kid.

You know, there's a lesson in this for everybody--

never kill the cook.

[ laughs ]

Well, how about it, Judge?

You place me yet?

You were a witness at a trial.

That's right. Six years ago.

JUDGE: Morgan's Ford. Dakota Country.

A man named Joe Bristow killed a woman.

Your name is Troxel. Mark Troxel.

Bull's-eye.

Heard about you more recently, too.

Something about gunrunning.

You sell guns to Indians, don't you?

No, sir, I don't. That I do not do.

I trade guns for ponies.

And then I sell the ponies.

And with the money I get from the ponies,

I buy more guns. Works out real fine.

Providin', of course, there's a market for guns.

And you see to that.

Well, it's economics, Judge. Economics.

Supply and demand. That's what keeps the gravy in the bowl.

Hey, boy, come here. Clean this mess up here.

[ coughs ]

Boy, did you hear what I said?

I heard you.

Then clean it up.

Troxel?

Yes, Judge, what is it?

I thought you might be interested to know

that General Burke is expected here any time now...

with a troop of cavalry.

General Burke isn't due here till early evening, Judge.

I told you, I know. By the time he gets here,

we'll be long gone.

All right, mister. Put... your hands up.

TROXEL: You just stay right where you are.

Boy, give me that thing before it goes off

and scares you half to death.

Put your hands up or I'll shoot.

I said, give it to me.

EDDIE: I mean it. I'll shoot.

No, you won't.

Well, go ahead!

TROXEL: Kid, get in here!

What happened?

I got careless.

There was a gun in the drawer.

Had the gun right smack on him,

wouldn't pull the trigger.

I--I tried. I--

That was a bad move the boy made.

Now, we can't watch everybody all the time,

so this is the way it's gonna be.

Kid, you keep your eye on Miss Garth.

That'll be a pleasure.

Keep your gun on her, too!

The next time anybody else makes a bad move,

I want you to remember your fine upbringing.

Ladies first-- no questions asked.

Do you understand that?

Is that clear, Judge Garth?

It's clear.

All right, everybody in the living room.

Come on, Kid, move it!

Something wrong?

Got an awful hot ankle here.

Might be a bowed tendon.

Want to ride him in with the string?

No, I think I'll take him back to Shiloh.

He's too good a pony to take a chance on.

All right. Hey, Dinker!

Cut that sorrel out! When will we see you?

Just keep movin'. I'll catch up with you when I can.

Okay, you're the boss.

Let's go!

You--Billings.

What do you want?

Light someplace.

Betsy, the queen of spades.

Sorry, I didn't see it.

I was wondering-- are there any other guns in the house?

Now the ace.

No.

I know where one is.

It's in the bunkhouse in my foot locker.

Careful.

Awful lot of jabbering going on over here.

There is now.

Well, now...

Troxel, will you call off your ten-cent tough boy?

You call me what?

I think you heard me.

They rate me a little higher at the post office.

I know. I saw your picture there.

What do you know? I'm famous.

The Judge saw my picture.

What's my name, Judge?

Tell the pretty girl.

You call yourself the Utah Kid.

You've heard of me, huh?

Yes, I heard of you.

I think I'm gonna give you a full--

Troxel, call him off!

Sit down, Kid.

I just want to knock some of the wind out of him.

Do as you're told!

I'll talk to you later.

[ grinding ]

He's young and impulsive, Judge.

Don't pay him any mind.

Go ahead and play, Betsy.

I'm sick of this game.

I can't sit still.

[ sighs ] Eddie, I bet you wish

you'd gotten that telegram a day sooner.

Betsy, I've got a confession to make about that.

I sent it to myself

when I went into town the other night.

I figured I'd better get out of here

before I made matters worse.

Eddie...

Even that didn't work.

All I did was make everything worse.

Then I got the gun and--

Eddie, it wasn't your fault.

I couldn't have done it, either.

Yeah, maybe not, but...

I'm supposed to be a man.

I went through the bunkhouse like you said.

I found this in one of the foot lockers.

[ birdcall ]

It's a big, dark-haired fella.

He's leadin' a lame horse.

You know him?

I know him. I seen him in town.

Bear, keep the gun on the girl.

Maybe he'll just leave the horse and go.

Then again, maybe he won't.

Randy?

Randy?

Troxel, let me send him away.

Just keep your mouth shut, Judge, and nobody will get hurt.

Randy!

Judge?

Judge Garth!

Don't come in!

Now, that's what I call a good lookout.

Let's get him in the house.

That's about the best I can do.

He needs a doctor.

You're not sending anybody into town,

and you're not bringing anybody out here,

not till after we're gone.

Is he gonna be all right?

It's a clean wound, that's all I know.

He looks all right to me.

Hey.

You leavin' me here with a bunch of them?

Don't let anybody get between you and the girl.

You'll be just fine.

How is he?Still unconscious.

How much longer do you think it's gonna be?

Till Black Feather gets here.

Soon enough.

I'm not very good at this thing.What?

Waiting for a man to walk in and get killed.

He's not going to get killed.

But what could we do?

I don't know. We've got to do something, and soon.

But how can we?

You heard what he said about Betsy.

Don't you believe that he meant it?

He meant it.

Bear.

Take the window.

What have you got there, Judge?

Blackstone-- it's a book of law.

I can tell that.

Maybe you ought to read it one day.

I tell you, Judge-- I'm not much on reading.

There was a schoolhouse nearby where I lived.

Well, near enough, anyway.

But it seemed like I was always needed for something else,

like bucking barley.

You ever buck any barley, Judge?

Some.

There's some kind of an education in that, too.

Leastwise I learned something.

There's no future in farming.

You really believe all that stuff?

I believe in justice, the rule of law.

I'll tell you what I believe, Judge.

I believe the big dog gets the meat.

You know something else, Judge?

I believe that's the way it's meant to be.

For dogs, maybe.

Oh, but we're people, huh?

Yeah, we got high ideals.

We live by the Golden Rule, huh?

Do you know what the golden rule really means, Judge?

It means, you don't hurt me, and I won't hurt you.

Me--I say, take your best cut and I'll take mine.

And you just write of law, civilization?

Just go back to the jungle? Is that it?

You're so full of law and justice

and high ideals, aren't you?

Tell me, Judge--

have you ever heard of a man

who got himself hung for something he didn't do?

I suppose it's possible.

You suppose it's possible.

You kill me, Judge. You do, indeed.

Bear--

Oh, Judge, come here. I want the Bear to hear this.

Hear what?

The Judge here allows that it's just possible

that a man might get himself strung up

for something he didn't do.

It's not only possible, Judge,

it happened. And you know who did it?

You.

What are you talking about?

My brother Joe Bristow.

TROXEL: We were talking about it earlier, remember?

The one who was supposed to have murdered his woman

up in Morgan's Ford.

Except he didn't.

I've got no ax to grind in this, Judge.

I'm just telling you the way it was.

You hung Bear's brother

for something he didn't do.

Ask the Bear.

The night she was murdered,

me and Joe was over in Fetterman.

That's more than 20 mile away.

He's telling you the truth, Judge.

You got a bible, I'll swear to it.

If it's the truth, why didn't you swear to it in court?

I couldn't.

You see, Judge, the Bear was wanted himself.

If he'd showed up in court, he would've been hung.

Kind of shakes you up, huh, Judge?

I mean, all this law and justice.

Makes you wonder if it's not a lot of--

BETSY: Daddy?

I think you'd better come. I don't know, but he's bad.

[ groaning ]

He'll be all right for a while.

Then it'll hit him bad.

Is there anything we can do?

I don't know.

Wait a minute. The top drawer of the dresser.

The bottle--the one Doc Thompson left.

He seems to be comin' out of it.

Sorry, Judge. I walked right into it.

You know what's going on?

We told him about it.

Pour me a glass of water.

Gonna give you something to ease the pain.

What is it?

Laudanum.

Doesn't look like there's very much there.

There's more than enough to put you to sleep.

Wait a minute.

The best thing you can do is to get your rest

until the doctor gets here.

If that's what you want.

Thanks.

You know, Judge...

what I'd really like is a cup of Betsy's coffee.

Well, I don't see anything wrong with that.

Betsy, will you make some?

Go along and help her.

What's takin' so much time here?

She's gonna break down and make us some coffee.

You stay with her.

Here, Betsy, let me help.

Hey.

Don't you know how to pour pan coffee?

Maybe you like to much grounds. I don't.

[ whispers ] You'd better do it. I'm too clumsy.

All right.

Now.

What is it?

What? What?

I didn't hear anything.

You want something?No. No.

So, help her with the tray.

I'm all right.

She-- She's all right.

I said, help her with the tray.

Clumsy.

What's the matter, boy?

You nervous?

Yeah, I guess so. A little bit.

You're kind of a nervous kid, aren't you?

Yeah, I-- I guess so.

Let's go.

Ah, coffee.

Put it down there on the table.

Where are you going?

I'm just going to take him some coffee.

Bear, you go with her.

[ birdcall ]

Keep 'em covered, Kid.

It's Black Feather's scout.

Garth, you tell him everything's all right.

Garth?

Judge, I want to hear every word you say.

Black Feather at fork of river.

He come now.

Tell him he'll be welcome.

[ speaks native language ]

You're gettin' to be a good little soldier here, Judge.

How long do you figure it'll be before the old man gets here?

Half hour, no more.Good.

Don't turn, Mr. Troxel, until I tell you.

There's a gun on you.

On you, I'm afraid, Judge.

Good work, Clay.

What happened here?Drugged.

From the way he looks.

Keep him covered.

You?

I'm sorry.

There. Let me take a look at you.

You feel all right?Yeah.

All right, get in the house.

Don't give me that judicial look, Henry.

If my job paid a decent wage,

we wouldn't be here now.

You don't believe that, do you?

No.

Then suppose you tell me why I'm working for a man like Troxel.

No matter how much your job paid you,

you'd always be tempted to switch sides

if someone offered you a little more.

It's easy for you to talk. Look what you've got.

Tell Bear I want to see him.

Get out there and watch the girl.

Give you any trouble?No.

That's a smart trick you tried to pull-- very smart.

I'll remember it.

What do you think they're gonna do to us all?

It don't matter what I think.

There's nothin' we can do about it now. We had our chance.

Look, I told you I was sorry about that.

Well, sorry don't get the hay in, buddy.

How is he?Sleepin'.

What are you playin' with?

Hangman's noose.

Never can tell when one might come in handy.

That's no way to do--

scaring His Honor here.

[ laughs ]

You scared, Judge?

Why, because of your brother's hanging?

A jury convicted him.

I only passed sentence.

You didn't have to hang him.

Let's see.

I'm trying to recall the trial.

Your brother lived at Morgan's Ford with a woman?

Luanna Tate.

Yeah. She was found dead

in the back room of your brother's shack one morning.

She's been beaten, as I recall,

and your brother was asleep in the front room.

That's right.

He was out of town that night.

He didn't even know she was dead.

Pretty hard to believe.

Joe Bristow's been dead six years.

There's no reason he'd lie about it now.

I'm tellin' you straight out, he didn't do it.

Oh, that's right. You said earlier

you spent the time in town with your brother when she was killed.

Why couldn't he have killed her when he got back?

I'll tell you why, Judge.

Me and my brother, we went over to Fetterman that night--

on some business.

Only the business didn't work out.

So, we cracked open a bottle.

On the way home, Joe passed out.

I got him home about 5:00 in the morning.

I just tossed him in bed and went on my way.

Some folks come by and found her body.

And they found Joe still asleep right where I left him.

If he was innocent,

I would think you'd be out looking for the person who did do it.

If I knew where to look, I wouldn't be sittin' here

listening to you.

Did she have any friends?

Any men who came to see her

when your brother was away?No!

She wasn't that kind.Oh, you knew her?

Of course I knew her. Joe and me were friends.

What was she like?

Pretty, real pretty.

But not the kind who would open a door to a stranger?

No.

Hmm.

This business you and your brother had at Fetterman--

what was it?

What's that got to do with it?

Well...

I don't know. Just curious.

We were gonna crack a Wells Fargo box.

You said earlier it didn't work out.

The wagon never came through.

And it was while you were away with your brother

that you think the girl was killed?

That's how it had to be.

It's too bad your brother didn't have a better lawyer.

What do you mean?

I remember all during the trial,

he was trying to persuade the jury

that some drifter committed the crime.

Yet nobody had seen any stranger around.

What are you getting at?

Well, now, I'd have looked closer to home,

for someone who had your brother's...

friendship.

And who knew he wouldn't be home,

and who coveted his woman.

Why do you say that?

Well, figure it out for yourself.

Troxel here says she wouldn't let a stranger in the house

if she were there alone.

Yet, someone did get inside.

So, it's safe to assume

it's someone she knew and trusted.

Go on.

Following the same reasoning,

we can also assume that this friend

knew that your brother wasn't home...

and knew that he wouldn't be home for some time.

Yeah. You said you went to Fetterman

to stage a robbery?

Well...

your brother wouldn't confide a thing like that

to a chance acquaintance, would he?

It would've had to be someone...

very close to him.

Someone who had his complete confidence.

Someone who knew him so well

that the defense could call him as a character witness.

The only witness we had was...

[ laughs ]

It won't work, Judge.

It was a good try, but it won't work.

Are you trying to make me believe that you think--

I'm not trying to make you believe anything.

But if I was a betting man,

I'd give odds that your friend here

couldn't establish where he was that night.

[ laughs ]

You're not fallin' for that, are you?

I'm not fallin' for anything.

I'm just tryin' to remember.

I'm trying to remember why you didn't come with us that night.

What difference does that make?

Don't you see what he's trying to do?

Where were you that night, Troxel?

How do I know where I was?!

It was six years ago! I can't remember!

I can remember!

I can remember a lot!

You were always hangin' around!

Sure, I was! We were friends! Why shouldn't I?

Bear, Troxel, stop it!

You killed her.You're crazy.

You killed her! You let my brother hang for it!

Stay right where you are!

[ grunting ]

I think you'd better take this.

I feel kind of funny.

Thank you, son.

How'd you figure it out so quick

about him killin' the woman?

I wonder if he did.

My friend.

Welcome to Shiloh.

I heard sounds of shooting.

It's all over. There won't be any more shooting.

I'll cool 'em off.

I'll help you. I'll be right back.

Fine.

Well, did you have a nice ride?

Wonderful.

He's a good boy.

Just took him a while to shake down.

I gather you've forgiven him

for sending himself that telegram.

Telegram--Eddie!

This came for you today.

"Wyoming stuff excellent.

"Plan series of continuing features-- your byline.

"Vacation cancelled, return immediately.

McConnaghy, editor."

Eddie Tighe, if this telegram is another one of your--

No, this one's for real.

But, you know, I have another vacation next year.

We'll see if we can't whip up

some more excitement for you next year.

[ laughter ]

Well...

is he ready?

Almost.

Sorry to see him go?

Seems like just when everything was the way it was in Chicago,

he has to leave.

You heard what he said. He'll be back next year.

We'll have to start all over again.

Heh heh.

I'm all set.

I can't thank you enough, sir.

It's our pleasure.

Well..

Buggy's outside.

No hurry. Randy and I will get your luggage aboard.

Let's go, Randy.

Don't take two of us to load two suitcases.

Oh, yes, it does.

Well, it was nice of your father to leave us alone.

I guess he thinks I might want to kiss you good-bye.

I guess he did.

Do you mind?

Well...

guess I'd better be goin' along.

Oh, Eddie! Oh!

[ laughing ]

So long, now!

Bye!Bye!

Bye!