Original subtitles

We'll never track him in those rocks. Break a horse's leg like a toothpick.

Now is no time to quit, Mort.

No, Morgan knows this hill country.

He could have us sighted in right this very minute.

There's one way to find out.

I'll not have a good man killed to get a bad one.

Griff Dome was a friend of mine

and his killer's not getting away this easy.

All right. Let's cover him as best we can.

[ gunshot ]

Are you satisfied now?

That's not the word for it.

I'd better get you to the doc.

It's not that bad, Mort.

Now see here, Slim.

I'm responsible for this posse and I'm running it.

I told you not to climb that bluff,

but you had to go ahead anyhow.

Well, I'm telling you now, you're gonna see the doc

and that's it.

Well, I guess I'm not in any kind of shape to argue.

No, you sure aren't. You're just lucky you lit on that hard head of yours,

or you'd have broken every bone you got.

Somebody'll get Morgan sooner or later.

Well, that you can count on.

Give me a hand.

Thanks, Daisy.

I finally found out how to get some service around here.

Yeah, well, just don't get used to it.

Go on, Mort.

Well, after Slim took his fall,

we had no choice but to give up on Morgan for the night.

Did anybody see Morgan kill Griff?

No.

They had an argument over a poker game.

I broke it up before anybody got hurt,

but Morgan made a threat to kill Griff

in front of half of the town.

And Morgan knew that Griff was carrying that money

from the cattle sale.

Somebody should have locked him up a long time ago.

I know that, Jess, but he's pretty smart.

He's made friends with every barfly and drifter that ever hit town.

Buys 'em drinks, feeds 'em,

then they cover for him any time he needs it.

I'll get him one of these days.

Poor Mrs. Dome,

left with two children.

I must go over there.

Has she been told, Mort?

One of Griff's riders is with the posse.

He won the job.

You mean Joey Dome's father is dead?

Yeah, tiger, he is.

We'll go over there, Mike,

as soon as we get Slim to bed.

I'm all right, Daisy.

It's just fine.

But the doctor did say bed, didn't he, Mort?

Yep, at least a week of it.

A broken collarbone has got to be cared for.

Well, you heard him, pard.

It sure beats all what a man will do to get out of a little work.

Well, I'll trade places with you with pleasure.

Well, I reckon if I'm gonna be doing it all,

I better get to work on the north fence.

We're still losing stock up there.

I'll be back by noon.

Keep your eyes open, Jess.

That's where we lost Morgan last night.

I'll do that.

I'm taking you in, Morgan.

Throw down your guns.

Nobody is taking me in,

not for something I didn't do.

Then you got nothing to worry about.

I'll guarantee you a safe trip to Sheriff Cory.

He'll give you fair treatment.

But it ain't going to do you any good

if I have to put a slug in you to take you back.

All right, don't shoot.

It's a deal.

All right, throw that rifle down.

Take your gun belt off.

Anything you say.

I didn't kill Dome, Harper.

- I swear. - Yeah?

Why'd you open up on me like that?

I suppose you're gonna tell me that this isn't Griff's money.

I didn't kill him. Nobody'd believe me.

I couldn't let you take me in.

I didn't kill him. It was--

What's the trouble, Jess?

You were right, Mort.

Somebody did catch up with Joe Morgan.

Gunfight?

I gave him a chance to come in peaceful.

He decided not to take it.

What did Joe Morgan ever do to you, Harper?

Ain't you got the guts to face a man?

Looks to me he was shot in the back.

Joe Morgan was our friend.

If it's the way it looks,

you had no call to back shoot him.

I was lucky to shoot him any way I could.

He missed me by an inch,

and then took for cover still firing.

That's when I dropped him.

Yeah. That's your story.

You calling me a liar?

Hold it, Jess.

Now all of you move off. I'll handle this.

Sure, you'll handle it, sheriff.

A friend of yours shoots an innocent man in the back.

Harper gets off free and easy,

that's how you'll handle it.

You think Morgan is innocent?

Well, I took this off him

and I'll stake my life it's Griff Dome's cattle money.

You figure that's reason enough to shoot him in the back, is that it?

I figure Morgan had to kill Griff to get this.

I just wanted to bring him in, that's all.

All right, take it easy. You want to claim the body?

We might as well. But there's gonna be some others

mighty interested in this thing.

All right. Take it on down to the undertakers.

Now the rest of you, go on about your business.

Come on, Jess.

Now wait a minute, Mort.

I want to know what's going on around here.

I'll tell you inside. Now come on.

Rake him good, sheriff.

Folks don't take to back shooters.

Jess! Hold it, Jess. Now come on.

Joe. Oh, Joe.

What's going on around here anyway, Mort?

This whole town gone loco?

Last night you had a posse out after Joe Morgan.

Today I shoot it out with him,

kill him to keep breathing myself,

find Griff's money on him.

Everybody acts like I've done something awful.

I got a feeling that includes you too.

Got it all out now?

I mean, so you can just listen to me?

I'm sorry, Mort.

I'm listening.

It's not the whole town, Jess.

Mostly the no-good friends of Morgan's.

I don't care who says it. I don't like being called a back shooter.

I know, Jess. And anyone else close to you can be pretty sure

that you were forced into it.

The trouble is...

Morgan didn't kill Griff Dome.

Say that again, Mort.

When I got back to town this morning

after taking Slim out to the ranch,

some of the boys had picked up a drifter.

They found some of Griff's personal property on him.

His watch, hunting knife and his gun.

Then this fella was in on it with Morgan.

No, that's not the way it adds up.

You mean that ain't Griff's cattle money?

Oh, I'm pretty sure that it is.

The drifter found Griff after Morgan had stolen the money.

He'd only knocked him out to get it.

And when Griff started coming to,

the fellow got scared and shot him

with his own gun and ran off.

He confessed the whole thing.

Then Morgan only robbed Griff.

That's right.

And those folks outside think you killed an innocent man.

And the way they see it,

you ambushed him.

WOMAN: Harper?

Jess Harper?

You come out here.

Hold on, Jess.

I don't care what you say, sheriff.

He killed my man. He's going to pay for it.

Like I said, miss, I sure don't want to use this,

but you're giving me no choice.

Hold it, Mort.

You plan on going through with this

without hearing my side of it?

What's there to hear?

I'm not blind.

I saw Joe with your bullets still in him

where you shot him in the back.

Wait a minute.

Might not hurt to think this thing over.

He's gonna get his soon enough.

Stay out of this, Deevy, it's none of your business.

All right, sheriff.

It's good enough for me if you say so.

I'll take that.

I think you'd better come inside, miss.

Well, wait a minute, sheriff. What for?

She's not gonna give any more trouble, are you?

Why should I bother with the likes of him?

Some things you need to get straight, young lady.

Now inside.

You two dream up a pretty good story?

Nobody in here is making up anything.

But you've been listening to a pack of lies outside.

There's one thing out there that puts a lie to anything

you have to say, back shooter.

Now you listen and you listen good

because I'm gonna tell you or anybody else for the last time.

Joe Morgan emptied a rifle and half a six-gun at me

before I stopped him.

And if you don't believe it, you can check his irons.

Sure, I can.

After you fired it, made it look like Joe did it.

What is he, sheriff? Is he your deputy?

I mean, what is it that gives a man

a right to shoot somebody for something they didn't do?

Does that make you feel good to kill an innocent man?

I took this off of him. You call that innocent?

What's wrong with Joe carrying money?

Is there a law against that?

It's about the same amount that Griff Dome was carrying from a cattle sale.

That don't prove nothing.

Look, ma'am,

if Morgan had have come back to Laramie without a fight,

he could have cleared himself.

But he must have had a reason

to start shooting at me.

I'm sorry I was the one that had to be there,

but that's the way it was.

You're gonna be sorrier, Mr. Harper.

Before long, you're gonna be the sorriest man in Laramie.

I think you'd better explain

what you're driving at, young lady.

Maybe I don't want to.

Maybe? You're not leaving here till you do.

Did it have anything to do

with what Deevy was whispering to you out front?

You keep company with Deevy and the no-goods

he travels with, you're gonna find yourself in a lot of trouble.

Oh, now you're criticizing the company I keep, huh?

Every one of that bunch is as worthless

as a four-card flush.

Well, it's very kind of both of you gentlemen

to try to keep a girl off the primrose.

But it just so happens

that not many of the respectable men in this town

want to have anything to do with me.

What's my name, sheriff?

And I don't recall receiving any invitations from you,

Mr. Harper, to have supper

out at that farm of yours either.

If it makes you feel any better to talk that way, miss,

go right ahead.

But I still want to know what Deevy told you.

It sure changed your mind mighty quick.

All right.

Might be kind of fun to see Mr. Harper worry a little bit.

Give you something to think about too, sheriff.

You see, I wasn't the only one who cared about Joe.

All Deevy told me was a telegram had been sent

to his brothers.

The Morgan boys.

I think you've heard of them.

Yeah, we've heard.

Then I guess I don't have to tell you

what they're gonna do to you

when they find out what happened to Joe.

They're great family boys, those Morgans.

They just might be on their way here right this minute.

And of course, when they ask me who did this to Joe,

all I have to do is point,

and that's gonna give me great pleasure.

Well, it looks like we're gonna have our hands full, Jess.

Al and Mac Morgan are a couple of rough customers.

They both handle a gun like they were born to it.

It's not your problem, Mort.

I made the mistake.

I don't see it that way.

If I'd been in your boots this morning

and run across Joe Morgan,

I'd have done the same thing.

And maybe not have lived through it.

Well, thanks.

But I can't start letting you shoulder my troubles.

As far as I'm concerned, you're wearing a badge for me this morning.

I back my deputies all the way,

and my friends even further,

even though they may be as stubborn and ornery as they come.

Of course now, you wouldn't have a trace of anything

like that in you.

That's right, not a trace.

I'll level with you, Jess.

Every lawman in the territory has been trying

to close the door on the Morgans,

all of them.

I'm not wanting to use you as bait,

but it looks like it's already been set up for us.

Yeah, I reckon.

I guess I better stay in town.

I don't want to chance them following me out to the ranch

and getting Daisy and Mike mixed up in this.

With Slim busted up, I guess you're stuck with me.

I can't think of anybody I'd rather be stuck with,

lessin' it was a troop of horse soldiers.

I'll check with you later.

They won't be around for a while.

Where are you headed?

I feel kind of bad about that girl, Mort.

I want to see if she's cooled down enough to listen to me.

I know how you feel, Jess,

but don't let the riffraff in this town

push you into anything.

All right.

But if they try...

I'm sure you won't mind if I push back a little.

Deevy.

Howdy, Jess. Like a drink?

No, thanks, Sam.

Morgan's girl, is she around?

Well, no, she just went home.

She has a little place few miles west of town,

it has a white fence, you can't miss it.

Thanks.

Jess?

I heard what she tried to do.

Now it may not make sense,

she's a pretty nice kid for the work she does.

They're all nice... to somebody.

Cal!

Cal!

I need a fresh horse, Cal.

I'd appreciate if you take care of mine, he's down at Mort's.

Are you thinking about leaving town, Harper?

How about that horse, Cal?

Well, go on, Cal, you heard what the back shooter said.

You all right, Cal?

Yeah, sure. Sure, Jess.

I'm fed up with the lot of you.

Now clear out, every one of you.

Look at him.

Drawing on unarmed men.

No cause to worry though, I guess,

unless we got our backs turned.

Would two at a time suit you?

Oh, it suits me just fine, Harper,

Two at a time.

Jess.

You get me that horse now, Cal.

I'll never make it if I have to walk.

Sure, Jess, sure.

Coming right up.

All right, on your feet.

Let me see how fast you can clear out of here.

Starting right now.

[ knocking on door ]

I'd like to talk to you, ma'am.

I think we're about talked out.

No, we ain't.

I'm sorry I come busting into your home like this,

but I had to.

What do you want?

I want to talk to you.

I don't even know your name.

It's Gladys. Gladys Mor.

If that's what you came to get, you got it.

Now leave me alone.

That isn't what I came for.

I came to tell you I was sorry.

That won't bring back Joe.

No, I reckon it won't.

You got a real nice place here.

I've been fixing it up for Joe and me.

I know it's not much, but I never had a place of my own before.

Now it don't mean anything.

I guess I know how you feel.

How could you?

Maybe it's not the same,

but I lost both of my folks

when I was just a kid.

I know what it's like to be alone.

Why are you bothering with me?

I don't mean nothing to you.

I don't mean nothing to nobody now.

I figure I got you into this mess.

I'd like to help get you out of it.

Just how do you expect to do that?

I got $380 in the Laramie Bank.

It's yours if you want it.

What for?

I don't rightly know.

Maybe you could use it to go home on.

Back home, that's a laugh.

What you're trying to say is, that you're offering me

$380 for Joe.

Isn't that right?

No, it isn't.

And if I had more I'd give it to you.

I'm sure you would.

But you wouldn't think he's worth it.

I'm gonna tell you something, Mr. Harper.

Joe wasn't half as bad

as what you and some of the other people in this town think.

He was going straight, he promised me.

Yes, ma'am, if you say so.

Well, I say so.

And I don't need any help from any back shooter,

especially one that doesn't have very long to live.

Just how well do you know the Morgans?

Joe told me about them.

There's nothing much that can stop them.

No, I reckon not. And that includes the law in half the towns

in this territory.

You've said just about enough.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Wait a minute.

It's pretty swollen. Did you break it?

Well, I don't know.

I ran into Deevy and some of your other friends before I left town.

Well, they are not half as rough

as two of my other friends

that are on their way here right now.

Then this ought to make you feel just fine.

Well, thank you for your help in doing the shopping.

We went so fast, I hardly had time to talk to anyone.

Well, I always did say that women folk

could cut their chores in half

if they'd only ease up on the chatter.

Is that right now?

You know, I had a feeling you were asking Jess

to stay in town just to have someone to chin with.

I guess you caught us, Miss Daisy.

Jess is helping me clear up this Morgan thing.

It shouldn't take long.

Truth is, Daisy, I think Slim is getting more work done

without me being there.

Well, not that I can see,

so don't you stay away too long.

No longer than I have to.

This town's cooking can't hold a candle to yours.

Oh, you're flattering me, Jess Harper, and I love it.

Jess, aren't you gonna load me up?

You know, like a sack of potatoes.

Well, yeah, tiger.

Thanks, Jess.

Well, take care of yourself, Jess.

Goodbye, Mort, and thanks.

- Bye, Daisy. - See you, Daisy.

Bye.

You think we fooled 'em?

Yeah, I think so, Mort.

Daisy wasn't in town long enough to find out anything.

I sure hope so.

You all right?

Yeah, I feel all right.

I'm just a little tired.

Think I'll go to the hotel and get some rest.

Good idea. I'll be over in the office.

Jess, don't you take any chances

without letting me know now, you hear?

Yeah, sure, Mort.

[ knocking on door ]

Who is it?

AL: The Morgans.

Come on, open up.

- You Gladys? - Yes.

Joe did right well to find himself this cozy setup.

Oh, this is my house.

Well, sure it is, Gladys.

We appreciate the use of it.

We know all about it from Joe.

You going somewhere?

There's nothing left for me here now.

Now what's your hurry?

We figured you'd help us with some unfinished business.

From what I heard, you're not the types that need much help.

That's true, honey.

But there's a lot of ways to skin a cat,

and we'd like to find the best way. Now do you know this...

- Harper. - Harper fella?

I do now. He's in town.

Got himself a reputation with a gun, is that right?

I guess so.

But I don't think he'll give you much trouble, not now.

- How come? - Well, he got in a fight in town with Deevy

and some of the others, and he hurt his gun hand. He's swollen pretty bad.

Good for Deevy. Looks like he's finally been of use to us.

It seems like you know quite a bit about Harper and that hand of his.

He was out here today.

He wanted to give me some money

in case I wanted to leave town.

I guess he felt sorry about shooting Joe.

Now wasn't that nice of him.

How much did he offer you?

About $400.

That's not much for a member of the family.

I was worth more than that on a wanted poster when I was 17.

I told him I didn't want a cent of his money.

When are you planning on going after him?

Well, now,

who said anything about going after him?

It seems to me like we can figure out something

to bring him to us.

Ain't no use facing the whole town

just to get a dirty back shooter.

Now you figure it any way you want.

Just as long as we get him cold.

While brother Al is thinking,

how about some grub?

You Morgans eat with your feet?

Your brother Joe had a little better manners than you two.

Oh, now, Gladys honey,

I don't want to speak bad of the dead.

But if you're claming old Joe was a teacup dandy,

you're talking to the wrong parties.

He was going straight. We were gonna get married,

that's why I was fixing this place up.

And you shouldn't talk about him like that.

Joe? Married?

Oh, ma'am,

remind me to fill you in sometime

on the poor dead and departed.

And how about that grub, huh?

Well, look at you.

Old Joe had all the comforts of home, huh?

"Joe was gonna marry me."

[ knocking on door ]

Jess, it's Mort.

Jess?

Come on in, Mort, it's not locked.

Could have been somebody else.

Why don't you keep that door locked?

What for? If they want me that bad,

a lock ain't gonna stop them.

Well, at least you're thinking about them.

That's a step in the right direction.

Why all the sweat?

We don't even know for sure if they're gonna show up.

We do now.

Morgan sent a reply to Deevy and that bunch of no-goods.

Got a copy of it.

"Thanks for the information.

We'll make burial arrangements with you tomorrow.

Morgans."

Burial arrangements for who?

Joe Morgan or me?

I tried to find Deevy.

He rode out of town as soon as he got this.

Probably went to meet them.

At least we can get a good night's sleep.

Why don't you bunk over in the jail?

We ought to stick together.

Oh, we got plenty of time.

Besides, I'm bushed.

Thanks anyway, Mort.

I know you run a real nice jail and all,

but your beds are harder than rocks.

I can't deny that.

You will need your sleep, but do me one big favor

and keep that door locked, huh?

Sure, Mort.

See you in the morning, early.

Good night.

I said, lock it.

Sure thing, Mort.

You stay awake, Al, I'm gonna get some shuteye.

You got a plan yet?

It will come. It will come.

Dirty saddle bum.

Do you have to tear everything up?

Get your dirty boots off my couch!

Now why don't you leave him alone, lady?

Can't you see he's thinking?

Now don't start crying.

If there's anything I can't stand,

it's a crying, moaning woman.

I just can't believe that Joe could have two brothers

as mean and no good as you two.

Now there you go again.

I'm beginning to think you just didn't know old Joe at all.

Why do you think Mac and me split with him?

On our own.

Because he couldn't stand you.

That works both ways, honey.

Nope. Joe was a loner.

But then he had to be

'cause nobody except maybe Mac or me

would dare turn our backs on him.

If you feel that way about him, then why bother with Harper?

Well, because he's our brother.

And...

he's our meal ticket too.

See, every job we've ever done with,

planned by Joe.

Oh, he was a good planner.

What do you mean?

Oh, stagecoach hold-ups, cattle rustling,

whatever turned a profit.

We'd all meet somewhere,

and Joe would have the job all planned.

See...

he's a mite quicker than Mac and me.

We pulled the job, split the take,

and then Joe would come back here.

I don't believe you.

That's 'cause you don't want to.

But I'll prove it.

Now any time you have a mind to,

you go out back and dig up that vegetable garden you got,

you know what you'll find?

You'll find a strong box, that's what.

Three of us took it off a stage about a month ago.

Hey, as a matter of fact,

old Joe killed a shotgun guard.

That's right.

He killed a man?

Oh, lady.

That old Joe of yours, you might say,

got away with murder.

Got away with murder, got it?

[ horse approaching ]

Horse outside.

[ knocking on door ]

Who is it?

It's Deevy. Let me in.

Say, have you seen the Morgans ar--

That's what I thought I'd find you two out here.

You get the telegram?

Yeah, and I got out of town

before the sheriff could stop me.

Sure you weren't followed?

Well, don't worry about that.

I got a couple of friends in town

keeping an eye on him and Harper.

When are you gonna get him, Mac?

I got me a little plan now, Deevy.

I'm glad you stopped by.

Want you to take a note to that Harper fella.

Sure, Mac, I know right where he is.

Good.

Okay, I want that back shooter out here alone.

So you can start thinking

what you're gonna write in it, little lady.

'Cause what you say is what's gonna get him here.

Now I know you want to do that,

for Joe's sake.

Is that the truth now?

All clear.

Sheriff's got his horse tied in front of his office.

All right. Make it sound good.

You sure you can outride him?

I got Mac Morgan's horse.

He's the fastest one in these parts.

As soon as you see the sheriff head out after me,

you get this to Harper, and don't let him see you.

No problem.

There goes Tip now.

Morning, sheriff.

Morning. Kind of early for you to be up and around, isn't it?

No, just doing my duty as a citizen, that's all.

Like what?

I understand you'd like to know

where our friend Deevy is.

And you're gonna tell me?

Am I? If you make it worth my while.

Is there anything you wouldn't do for money, Tip?

I can't think of a thing.

Including turning in a friend.

Oh, I figured Deevy would do the same for me.

Well?

I just seen him across the watch,

heading toward town.

He might still be out there.

Why didn't you say so in the first place?

[ knocking on door ]

Who is it?

Mort?

Mort?

Them Morgans sure got heads on 'em.

They'll not only get that back shooter,

they get all his money too.

And the sheriff pays me for my part.

Yeah and me too.

You be sure Mort gets that message, huh, Cal?

Are you sure you ought to go up to that girl's place?

I got to. She wouldn't be asking for money from me

unless she really needed it.

And if the Morgans are up there?

One place is as good as another.

I'm gonna wait out front,

you cover him from the window.

Nothing to it.

Now leave him to me, you hear?

Unless something goes real wrong.

Suit yourself.

But when people find out he had a busted hand,

they ain't gonna think too much of you facing up to him.

Maybe they won't know.

You don't examine a man full of lead

for a broken hand.

Anyhow, that's the way I want it.

He shot Joe in the back, I'm gonna take him head on.

Have it your way, as long as I get half his money.

He was gonna give that money to me.

Well, things have changed.

By all rights, it should go to Joe's next of kin.

Keep your eye on her.

He was gonna give you that money.

Something on your mind?

Just wondered if you and Mac had any plans for after this is over.

What's it to you?

Well, I thought you might like a little company.

I figured you as the type of woman

to go where the money was.

Forget it.

But I could keep house for you.

Stay right where you are.

Harper!

Name's Mac Morgan.

Where's your brother?

Sighting in on my back?

Don't need two for a dirty back shooter.

I'm giving you the chance you never gave Joe.

You must know something, Morgan.

Unless your brother said to drop me

the second I go for my gun.

You figure it matters the way it is?

You're getting a better break than you gave Joe

no matter how the wind blows.

All right, Morgan.

You figure I back shot your brother.

Well, just for the record, I didn't.

But if you start to draw on me,

I'm gonna stop you the best way I can.

It seems like the talking is over.

I thought you said he couldn't use a gun.

What made you change your mind?

You were right.

Joe was as bad as both of them put together...

killer and a thief.

I don't suppose you'll believe me,

but I didn't know it...

or at least I didn't want to.

Right now I'm too pleased about still breathing.

I reckon I'll believe anything you say.

Well, we certainly wish you all the luck in the world

when you get back home.

Oh, thank you, Daisy.

I never would have been able to do it

if Jess here hadn't insisted

I take that reward money for the Morgan boys.

Well, if it hadn't been for you,

they wouldn't be in jail now.

I'd likely be sitting on a cloud somewhere

playing a harp.

That'll be the day.

Gladys, I tell you, if that hat you're wearing

is a sample of those you're going to sell in your shop,

it will be a tremendous success.

You mean, she can get money

for something like that?

Mike!

Take that bag out to the stage.

You are much too young

to have an opinion about women's hats.

Oh, Jess, I don't know--

No, whoa, now.

You thank me one more time,

I'm gonna eat all the flowers off

that thing you call a hat.

Well.

That was pretty close, pard.

For a minute, I thought you were gonna go into the ladies hat business.

Well, wait a minute now.

To know something about ladies hats, you have to understand women.

That's one thing I don't think I ever will.

[ groans ]