Original subtitles

Gold is where you find it, the miners say,

and this was never better demonstrated

than at cripple creek, Colorado,

where back in 1892 a cowboy stubbed his toe

on a strange-looking piece of rock

and started one of the last gold rushes

in western history.

Within a year, 50 deep shafts

were pouring out tons of the richest ore ever found.

The town grew fast and loud,

and, as usual, men died faster, louder.

But along with the customary violence

and bloodshed of a gold camp,

something new was added to make cripple creek unique

among all her sinful sisters

waylaying shipments of smelted gold

was too old-fashioned for the cripple creek gang.

These boys weren't waiting

for the ore to reach the smelter.

Wagon load upon wagon load of the highest-grade stuff,

some of it running as much as $60,000 a load,

was simply disappearing

in the thin, rocky-mountain air.

They got Sam the driver, two of the mine crew,

and wounded four others, besides me.

Well, couldn't you identify any of them?

No, marshal, they were all masked.

That's the tenth wagon load of my richest ore

that's been hijacked this month.

Six loads of mine never got to the smelter.

The way they select only the richest ore,

you'd think they had access to my secret assayer reports.

I think you gentlemen should appeal to your senators in Washington.

What do you suggest, Sullivan?

Well, as a government assayer, i must agree with the marshal.

The loss of gold in such quantities

is a matter of national concern.

Gentlemen, I think that's a good idea.

They were right about that.

It was a matter of national concern.

This year of 1893 was one of financial depression

and near panic.

The country's gold reserve had reached such a low ebb

that president Cleveland placed an embargo

on the sale and shipment of that precious metal

to foreign nations.

Every ounce of gold

was needed by the national treasury,

so the problem of the wholesale looting of cripple creek mine

became the immediate and urgent business

of the United States secret service.

Reach.

Turn around, easy-like.

Larry!

Kinda jumpy, ain't ya, Bret?

That Texas lingo of yours had me fooled.

I thought the panhandle boys... Well, chief brummick.

Hello, ivers. Glad to see you, sir.

So you did get my wire after all.

Yeah, I got it all right,

but I had quite a time following your instructions.

When you didn't reach raton on time,

galland and i started down to see what had happened to you.

Every peace officer in Texas

was after my scalp for that border job.

How come you didn't clear me with the state authorities?

It's better this way, Bret.

Your Texas reputation may help a lot

on that cripple creek case.

Oh, so that's where we're going.

It's the biggest gold-stealing case in history.

They're getting away with tons of it.

Well, how can they hope to sell tons of gold

in the United States, here?

They don't. They're smuggling it out of the country.

Sounds like a big job.

Big and dangerous.

More than a dozen local peace officers have already been killed,

merely trying to stop the high graders.

Is that as far as they got?

Yes, but that's only the first link,

and we want every link in that chain,

but most of all, the men who engineered the scheme

and arranged the payoff.

Is this big bronc the only help I'm to have?

Now, ain't that nice?

You won't go wrong with Larry,

but you'll also have his brother strap.

Well, now that's better!

Where do we pick him up?

He's already in cripple creek,

giving it the once over.

Any report from him yet?

Nothing definite,

but he spotted one of the toughest gangs in the west:

The muldoon outfit.

Working for the cabeau Liberty stable.

Well, that might be a lead, sir.

Maybe. anyhow, strap suggests

that a couple of new gunfighters

and outlaws might find it easy to make a hook up.

Well, with Billy the kid

here as a partner, i can't miss.

Well, don't force your hand.

The right people will spot you soon enough.

Where do we find strap?

Don't try. He'll be watching for you.

Let him make the contact.

Well, that's all i have to tell you.

From here on, you're on your own.

Thanks, chief.

But I'm counting on the three of you.

Thank you, sir.

Which way to the Liberty stable, friend?

Liberty stable?

Right down there, at the end of the street.

Holly, Jack,

three wagons to go back to the wood cutter's camp tonight.

Fresh horses... And sober drivers.

Yes, boss.

You're early, muldoon. We don't roll for a couple of hours.

We won't roll at all...

Till we get our pay for those last three jobs.

You'll get your pay when I get mine,

but not before.

We want ours now,

or you can get yourself a new crew.

Nobody quits this outfit.

I'll see the boss.

Go ahead.

Stable your ponies, gents?

Thanks. we'll take care of them for you.

Any ideas as to where we can get a room around here?

It's hard to say. Town's overcrowded.

Might try over the silver palace.

Much obliged. Customers, Jake.

What'll it be, gents?

Who do you see about getting a room here?

You can ask the boss there, Mr. Kirby.

Mr. Kirby?

Better known as silver Kirby. What can I do for you gentlemen?

Well, we'd like to get a room.

Oh, I'm sorry,

but I'm afraid we're all filled up.

Deliveryman and cabeau figured you might be able to take care of us.

So, I see.

And you boys must have ridden up from the valley tonight.

Yeah, 40-mile day.

It's a long pull.

Let's see if we can't do something for you.

Julie!

Have we a canceled reservation available for these gentlemen?

Why, yes, we had a room ready for Mr. mckee,

but he's gone back to Victor.

Well, boys, it looks like you're in luck.

Come along, gentlemen, I'll show you the way.

Thanks, ma'am,

and thank you for being so accommodating.

Glad to oblige. That's what we're here for.

I wonder what cabeau saw in those two to worry about.

Maybe it's the way they sling their artillery:

Texas style, low and handy.

I suppose you boys came here hoping to get rich quickly,

like all the others.

No, ma'am, we just drifted up from Texas

to take in the sights of cripple creek.

Yeah, and we sure like what we've seen so far.

They must have moved the blarney stone to Texas.

Here's the room. We had it ready for Mr. mckee.

He owns the gold dollar mine,

so at least you boys'll sleep in a millionaire's bed.

Ah, looks real cozy-like. Thanks, miss Julie.

Not at all, it's part of my job.

Now, if you'll give me your names, I'll register for you.

Ivers is mine. Bret ivers. This is Larry galland.

Mine's Julie hanson. Good night.

Good night, miss Julie. Good night, ma'am.

Ya see strap down there, dealing faro?

Yeah, looks like a real sweet listening.

I sure hope...

Why, do you think somebody's worried about us already?

We're in the right place, they'd worry about any strangers.

Sure hope strap gets in touch with us tonight.

Well, we'll leave that to him. It's his play.

Silver says, "no dice."

Everybody waits for the big payoff.

So we wait, is that it?

No. we make our own collection tonight.

Now, you two stay here. I'll get the boys in the other room.

Okay, judge.

One dealer left. Get the boys.

Night, gillette.

G'night, Mr. Kirby.

It's strap. Yeah.

Hold it.

Must've gotten wise to strap.

Wait! they're using him as a decoy for a holdup.

Mr. Kirby! Mr. Kirby!

All right, keep it quiet, you two. This is a private gold strike in the house.

Well, I'm not waiting anymore.

I reckon it's all here, Mr. Kirby.

You didn't give them a chance to spend any of it, that's certain.

Put it away, ed.

I don't like to look a gift horse in the mouth,

but how did you happen to invite yourselves to muldoon's party?

Ah, I reckon it's just force of habit.

You see, Larry and me, we're sorta ground-floor fellas.

Anytime we're sleeping two stories high, we get kinda nervous.

So, I was just looking out the window,

just to make sure we could reach the ground easy...

In case of fire.

Yeah, fire, or even the wrong kind of knock on the door.

Then you saw that muldoon out to jump me.

Yeah, four guns on one man.

We don't like that kind of odds down in Texas.

It's a lucky break, all the way around.

Gentlemen, this calls for a drink on the house.

And that's bill Tate of Colorado Springs.

He work for you too?

Drove for me once in a while.

Very sad affair,

but the best night's business we've had for some time.

I can make a very attractive club rate for all six.

Well, silver, you can lock up now.

Corpus delicti's been identified,

and Hawkins here offers a very good club rate.

Six coffins, no flowers, no mourners.

Seems to me that's up to cabeau.

I'd be more careful about my hired help if I were you.

Look, I gotta take what I can get.

Cutting and hauling this town's supply of cordwood is a tough job.

But if that's all, marshal, I'll be rolling.

I gotta hustle up a new crew.

That's all, cabeau. Thanks.

I can make it easier for you, Mr. cabeau,

if you'll furnish one of your own wagons.

My largest hearse is only a two-passenger job.

See Jake at the stable.

Oh, splendid!

I'll send my decorator over to drape it in black.

You can drape it in red, white, and blue, for all I care.

A patriotic idea,

but a little too unconventional for cripple creek.

Well, good night, all,

and thanks again, gentlemen, for being so cooperative.

Miss Julie?

Sure glad you weren't down here when this happened, miss Julie.

So am I.

Yeah, it's pretty rough.

Couldn't be helped, once it started.

I suppose not.

And I'm sure Mr. Kirby's very grateful to you.

Good night.

Good night, ma'am.

I'll reckon Larry and me'll shove off our bed. Good night, men.

Consider yourself the honored guests of the house,

for as long as you want to stay.

Well now, that's real handsome of you.

See ya in the morning.

Good night. G'night.

Nothing like good ol' Southern chivalry.

Imagine those boys,

risking their lives for a total stranger like you.

Or am I taking too much for granted?

I never saw them before, boss.

And it's my hunch they made this grandstand play

to get in your good book,

not mine.

What do ya think, Denver?

Well, all I say is, boss,

you better keep that safe locked

while your new guests of honor are in town.

I agree with Denver. I'd not only lock the safe,

I'd change the combination.

Night, gents.

Well, marshal,

how does it check out from the point of view

of the law?

Well, I'd say the town

is well rid of the muldoon outfit,

but I'm not so sure it'll benefit by the change.

Those two gun artists ain't here for their health.

Maybe I better contact my old friend

sheriff summers down in amarillo.

He's got a record of every gunfighter in Texas.

It's a smart idea, marshal.

We law-abiding citizens can't be too careful.

Hmm.

Why don't you look under the bed?

Why don't I knock your block off, you mean.

I'm sorry, Bret. You're dead right.

I nearly wrecked our case.

You sure did.

Strap!

Hiya, strap.

I ought to take you across my knee and spank you,

like I did when you were a kid.

Oh, all right. Ball me out.

I got it coming.

It isn't that bad, Larry.

You just broke a plate.

I think I saved the pieces,

but you guys'll have to glue 'em together.

How bad is it broken?

I can't tell for sure.

Silver Kirby's grateful, but suspicious.

Now, that fish-eyed killer of his, Denver Jones,

figures you're a couple of refugee outlaws

looking for a soft touch.

I helped the idea along.

Swell! if Kirby runs things,

he might make us a proposition.

How does Kirby add up?

I've got nothing but hunches so far,

but there's a tie-in between him and cabeau.

Yeah, I figured as much,

the way cabeau's name got us this room.

How do they work it?

Here's all I got...

Cabeau has ten four-horse wagons

hauling cordwood.

That's the only fuel they have here.

Where do they get it?

I don't know, but his woodcutters' camp

runs full blast all summer,

and his rigs roll day and night.

Out empty, and back loaded, huh?

Hasn't anybody ever tried to trail them? Yeah.

Six marshals and ten deputies,

but they never got back.

Hmm.

Well, it begins to figure.

You've done all right, strap.

For a guy anchored to a feral bank layout

and only here a week.

What about this gal, Julie hanson?

All I know is she works for a living

to keep her old man eating.

He's an old, hard-luck prospector

who's dug more holes

than all the gophers in the west.

Well, we can't overlook anybody

connected with Kirby.

I guess I'll have to give miss Julie

my personal attention.

There he goes again,

grabbing off the best assignment.

Mr. cordwood cabeau himself at the reins.

Off the bed, Larry, and harness up. We're going for a ride.

You got it, Bret.

That wagon may put us on first base.

I have a hunch it'll do more than that.

May buy us a seat at silver Kirby's table.

That's the best night's sleep I've had

since I met up with him.

Strap, blow out the lamp.

That's it, boys.

Well now, how d'ya like that?

I'll be doggone.

What do we do now?

Follow cabeau to the second link in the chain?

No, we haven't got time. It's too near morning.

Besides, I've got a better idea.

Mask up.

Hey oh.

What do we do with the stuff we got?

Dump it in some abandoned hole.

It'll be safe in this dead shaft.

Well, I couldn't sleep,

so I got to the window for a smoke,

and there's those two buckaroos

climbing down from the roof to the ground.

Why didn't you tail 'em?

I'm just a faro dealer.

I haven't been hired to tail anybody.

I appreciate your loyalty, gillis.

Perhaps I can throw something your way.

To start with, take your things and move

into that empty room next to our Texas guests.

Keep cases on them, night and day.

I'll stick to 'em like a brother.

Where have you been?

Sleeping in your stable?

I've been walking ten miles.

Can I see you in private?

Well, that's all right.

I've, uh, just taken gillis

into the corporation.

Pour our roughed-up friend a cup of coffee, strap.

What's the sad story?

Two masked gunmen killed Ben fry

and hijacked my wagon last night.

They get the ore?

Yeah, and the wagon's back at the stable...

Empty, so they've cashed the load some place.

- Morning, miss Julie. - Morning, ma'am.

Morning, boys.

Morning, Mr. Kirby. Morning.

Have breakfast with us.

Well, that's an invitation we never refuse.

That belt buckle!

Why, you!

Cabeau!

These are the two yeggs who stuck me up.

There must be some mistake.

These men are my friends,

they've proved it.

How 'bout it, ivers?

Well, we're mighty sorry, Mr. Kirby.

Larry and me had no idea

you were mixed up with cabeau's outfit.

Naturally, we'd have laid off that ore wagon.

Naturally...

And, that being the case, all you have to do is tell us

where you dumped those sacks,

and there'll be no hard feelings.

That was mighty rich ore, Mr. Kirby.

Yeah, from what we hear,

must be worth close to $40,000.

Gold!

Gather around!

"Canceled Polly," you called that claim of mine, did ya?

Hey, give me that, you gopher!

It's Julie's father. He struck it rich.

Nonsense. that old claim of his isn't worth a quarter.

Never will be. If there's any gold in it,

somebody dumped it down the shaft.

Three count chorus to the old Juliana,

the richest strike this year.

The Juliana.

So, that's where you dumped it.

Our mistake.

We thought it was just an abandoned hole in the ground.

I admire your nerve, ivers.

This sort of changes your plans, doesn't it?

I don't think so.

If we can take it away from cabeau,

there shouldn't be much trouble handling hanson,

especially since the old man is trying

to get away with it himself.

Granted. lets presume you recover the gold.

How do you dispose of it?

You can't go driving around a mountain

with a wagon load of stolen gold.

Larry, looks like he's got us, there.

Yeah, we never figured on that.

Okay, Mr. Kirby, it's your deal.

I'd thought you'd see it my way.

Larry, since we've caused all this trouble,

the least we could do is help Mr. Kirby

get that ore back.

That's straight talking.

You won't lose by it.

Cabeau, you've got yourself a couple of men

worth a dozen muldoons.

You're asking a lot of me, silver.

Kiss and make up with a couple of guys who

pulled me off my wagon and near break my neck.

Cabeau, you surprise me.

These two Texas tornados

might be just what the doctor ordered.

One way to find out is...

Let them sit in the game,

deal 'em a few hands,

and see how they play 'em.

If that's the way you want it.

That's the way i want it.

Won't be long now before I be joinin'

that millionaire club of yours, Mr. hatton, yessir.

My congratulations.

It's beautiful stuff, hanson.

After I get a few tons out, Mr. Sullivan,

will ya assay it for me, so I know that I got a vein,

not just a pocket?

Any time. I'll be glad to oblige.

Thanks, thanks.

Oh, dad, this is wonderful. I can hardly believe it.

Won't be long before we have that big house in Denver,

like we both wanted, honey.

My gal won't have to work here much longer, Mr. silver.

Come on, honey, I want to talk to you alone.

Now listen, honey, and don't jump.

That ore really isn't ours.

A gang of high-grading skunks dumped

a whole load of it down the Juliana shaft.

Dad, you're going to pass it off as yours?

Oh, now you know your dad better than that.

But all the excitement you started.

But I figured it was the best way

to catch the crooks that dumped the ore on us,

and they're sure to hijack it away from me.

I won't have you trying to fight off hijackers.

Then not me. I'll get marshal tetheroe

to set a trap for 'em.

Well, that's different.

And you're not too disappointed?

No, dad, and I'm proud of you.

We'll strike it rich, someday, and it'll be

on the up and up too. Sure, we will.

Now, remember, don't say a word

to anybody about this, will ya?

I understand. And you be careful.

I will be, honey. Don't you worry about your old man.

It's okay. Open up.

Where's silver?

He had dinner out. He'll be back soon.

Well, I can't wait.

Tell him this just came in

from a friend of mine in Texas.

He wants anything done about it tonight,

he knows where to find me.

Okay, marshal.

1,200, gilles.

Sign the book.

Sit in for me, will you, George?

While I run an errand.

Sure, strap.

Good evening, Mr. Kirby.

Evening, ed. Nice crowd out there.

Marshal tetheroe left a letter for you to read.

Where? right there on my desk.

Sounded important. Something from Texas.

There's no letter here.

Why, he put it right down there.

Gillis just signed the money book.

He was the last man in here.

All right, men. Get your bets down.

Get the horses. We gotta see the marshal right away.

♪♪

Well, I guess that does it, marshal.

Now you wait here while I go get energy.

Well, uh, never mind.

We can take it from here on.

Now, gal darn it, marshal,

I want to see that ore delivered

just like I promised.

Now, hanson, let's be reasonable.

I want to make it as easy as possible

for the hijackers.

Just me and the driver.

Then my deputies can ride down

from the hills and get them all.

Well, me going ain't gonna stop

them high-graders from...

Nah, nothin' doin'.

Besides, I promised Julie

I wouldn't let you take any chances.

Now you just ramble on back to town.

Eh, all right. I'll go.

But I don't like it.

"Hanson, go back to town." Well, I ain't going.

This is my business too.

Energy! are you listening?

This is my idea, and I ain't gonna get froze out of it.

Let's go. C'mon. C'mon. C'mon, energy! C'mon!

Come on!

Hiya, boys. Marshall.

All right, cabeau, take it over.

There's nothing like having the law on your side.

All right, let's get along.

Hi, cowboy.

Marshal, silver wants to see you right away.

Did he get that letter?

He sure did.

He said to let all bets ride as they lie.

He'll take care of it.

Well, boys, have a nice trip.

Come on, young fella.

We've been two-timed by the orneriest critter

that ever wore a tin badge.

Come on, let's get to town.

Come on, energy. I gotta go, now.

I've got business to attend to.

Will you come on? Come on, energy,

will ya come on? Come on.

Ride up and tell cabeau my horse picked up a stone.

I'll be along in a minute.

I didn't know you were in so deep on this play, gillis.

I wasn't, till tonight.

That letter put me in.

What did you make of it?

Same as you did, marshal.

Ivers in this town might be government men.

I don't know why silver didn't

wipe them both out right there.

Reckon it's because he never saw the letter.

Take it easy.

All right, gillis, what is it?

Federal or state?

Secret service.

Now, ride slow. Left turn.

Well, cripple creek's to the right.

I'm taking you down to Colorado Springs,

and let an honest sheriff put you on ice

till this case is closed.

Oh, don't do that, gillis.

They don't give a double-dealing marshal

like me an even break in this state.

I hate crooks,

but most of all a sworn officer of the law

with a dirty badge.

Get going.

Any explanations?

Give me time, and I'll think of one.

Where's that letter?

What letter?

Let's go.

What about the marshal?

Haven't you heard?

He died in the line of duty.

The high-graders got him.

All right, you two. We don't need you any longer.

You can go back to town.

Right.

Reckon here's where they want to stop our education.

Yeah, I'll guess we'll have to work our way through college.

Take it back to the stables, boys.

Hyah!

Lead.

This slag is full of it.

That's what you get from processing silver ore.

Right. this used to be a silver camp.

They've got some of the old machinery

down there running the gold ore through.

Yeah, but I wonder how they ship that gold out.

Well, we haven't got time to find out now.

We've got to beat cabeau back into town.

This is sure the main link in our chain.

Break this, and we break the case.

Let's try this way.

All right, Mr. secret service.

I know all I need to know about you.

There's one other question:

Are Bret ivers and Larry galland working with you?

Those two trigger-happy hillbillies?

Not a chance.

I never saw 'em before in my life.

That's a good answer, gillis.

Let's see how long you stick with it.

We're going to play a little game...

My own version of Russian roulette.

Did you ever hear of it?

No.

Stand him over there, against the wall, lefty.

There's one cartridge in this gun,

and five empty chambers.

The slug with your name on it

may be in the first, or the last.

Or, somewhere in between.

Chief, that's one for the book.

I'd thought you'd like that.

I'm going to give you a gambling chance.

If you give me an honest answer to my question,

you walk out that door a free man.

You expect me to believe that?

That's another gamble you'll have to take.

At the moment, the odds are five to one

that this is an empty chamber.

Ready, gillis?

How 'bout my answer?

Have it your way.

That was a long shot, gillis.

Now it's four to one.

Same question.

Same answer.

This is getting interesting.

One of the next four. It may be the very next.

Any change of mind?

Here goes your three-to-one shot.

Well, what do you know?

With luck like yours, a man could get rich.

I'll lay two to one on our lucky friend from Washington.

I'll take ten. Me, too, boss.

Forty to twenty, it is.

Good luck, gillis.

My money's on you.

Uncle Sam has some durable employees,

I'll say that for you, gillis.

But now we're down to cases.

One of the next two.

An even money bet.

Still gambling, gillis,

or do I get my honest answer?

You had it, silver.

Go ahead. Wind it up.

What do you say, boys? Double or nothing?

You're on. Shoot, boss. You're fated.

My hat's off to you, gillis.

I've been a gambler all my life,

and I've never seen a better play.

As far as I'm concerned,

you've earned a break.

You don't believe me?

I'm going to turn you loose.

That is, when my gold investments pay off.

Take him to his room, lefty.

Have a good sleep, gillis.

You've got it coming.

Too bad.

He was the best faro dealer I ever had.

That you, gillis?

Oh, hi, Denver.

Hello, gents. Just get back?

Yeah, we just rolled in with a roll of logs. Where's gillis?

He isn't with us any more.

Something happen to him?

That skunk turned out to be a government man.

How'd you find out?

Marshal titheroe got a tip-off letter from Texas,

from an old friend.

What does gillis do,

but steal the letter, and shoot the marshal?

Silver and I got there just in time.

Just in time for what?

To grab gillis and bring him in.

We worked him over plenty.

Finally came through and admitted everything.

Can you imagine a weasel like that?

How 'bout that?

What'd ya do to him?

I always give a game guy a break.

I plugged him in the back so he wouldn't see it coming.

See ya downstairs.

Right.

Larry.

Funny about that letter.

Nobody in Texas knew strap's business but me.

Not even our own folks.

That letter was about me, Larry.

Not strap.

How do you now?

He gave it to me last night.

He wrote a message on it that he'd have to drop off the case

and take tetheroe with him. Let's see it.

I burned it back on the road when I stalled

to take care of the horse's hoof.

It's all my fault, Larry, for holding out on you.

You couldn't of known they'd catch up with strap.

All he had to do was light out for

Colorado Springs with the marshal.

Could have hung back long enough

to cover the road for him.

He didn't ask you to, did he?

No.

No. he just said, "good luck."

You did just what he wanted you to do.

That's why he slipped the letter to you

instead of me.

I might have jumped in like I did on muldoon,

and taken all three of us off the case.

As it is, he... He covered us good.

So...

Let's get back on the job.

I'll wash first, if you don't mind.

I rubbed it in good, but it didn't seem

to mean a thing to him. They never batted an eye.

Then in your book, they're okay?

You know me. I don't buy many gold bricks,

but I'm almost sold on that pair.

Keep your wallet in your pocket.

Till we checked with that old friend

of the marshal's down in Texas.

Strap's lucky gun,

and if he had it on him,

he might be alive today.

Strap was only worrying about keeping the case alive.

Now that we haven't got him as a listening post,

we're on our own. Yeah, nobody to tip us off

how close we're being watched.

And time's running short, too.

Somehow, one of us will have to get away

and down into that smelter in buena vista.

Got any ideas?

Not a glimmer.

Hanson, all slicked up.

Looks like he's going away.

Let's find out where's he's going.

But why didn't you explain

to Mr. Stratton and the others?

Well, doggone it, i tried to,

but they wouldn't believe me.

Why, the way they acted,

you might think i stole that ore myself,

and that marshal was in with that gang, too.

I'm going to take action, that's all.

Dad, I won't have you mixed up in this. It's too dangerous.

I ain't afeared!

I'm going to see my friend lieutenant governor Jim black.

He and me used to prospect together,

and when I tell him about this ore,

he'll bust this gang wide open.

Dad, please, don't. You just don't...

No, Julie. I'm going, and nothing's going to stop me.

Don't worry about your old man. He'll be all right.

Good bye, now.

Looks like your dad means business.

Yes, and I'm worried to death about him.

I don't blame you for worrying, ma'am.

If the wrong folks heard about that,

your dad's life wouldn't be worth a nickel.

That's what i told him,

but his mind's made up,

and there's nothing i can do about it.

I wish we could do something to help him, miss Julie.

I don't see how...

There is someone who could help.

Mr. Kirby likes father.

He's been very kind to him.

Maybe he could think of some way to stop him.

I'm sure he could.

I'll go see him right away.

This is the break we need.

We'll grab old man hanson off that stage

and stash him away somewhere. How'll that help?

It'll put us in solid with silver.

And while we're guarding hanson,

I'll take a shot at that buena vista lead.

Let's ride.

Hanson wasn't on the stage.

A couple of guys with masks held it up

and took the old man away.

Well, I reckon I'm guilty, your honor.

You make rather hasty decisions,

don't you, ivers?

We had to. The stage had left.

I knew you didn't want hanson stirring things up

around Denver, so Larry and me picked him off the coach.

Where is he?

Larry's got him in that old trappers cabin,

up on tabor mountain.

I came in to tell you and take some supplies

out to them.

Smart thinking, ivers.

After all, you couldn't know

that Julie hanson would be foolish enough to

tell us about her father.

That's right. Of course if you don't think

holding the old man alive is safe enough...

Well, that's good enough for now.

Besides, I owe him a rain check

for helping me get back that ore

that you boys lifted.

Yeah.

Am I interrupting?

Not at all. Come in, Julie.

I was just wondering if

you'd done anything about father.

He's in good hands.

He's the guest of our Texas friend,

in a mountain lodge.

Oh, that's wonderful. Thanks, Mr. Kirby.

And thank you, Mr. ivers.

Only, please don't tell him i had anything to do with it.

He'd be furious with me.

Oh, we won't, ma'am. Why, he doesn't even know

that Mr. Kirby acted for ya.

He thinks we're members of the high-graders

and kidnapped him to keep his mouth shut.

Thanks again, Mr. ivers.

Can't smoke until i get something to eat.

Ain't enough you have to kidnap me,

you're trying to starve me to death, too.

Hey, where you going now?

Well, there's my partner with the grub.

Just take it easy, pop.

Am I glad to see you.

Hi, Larry. How'd you'd make out?

Well, if there are any names he hasn't called me,

I don't know what they are.

Coffee and bacon!

Maybe this'll soften the ol' boy's heart.

How'd you make out with Kirby?

Fine. we're now his fair-haired playmates.

Better get him to send me up some help.

I can't stay awake another night

listening to hanson cuss.

Well, stick with it until I get back.

I'm going down to buena now to smoke out link number two.

See ya pronto.

♪♪

I'll get the wagon packed up.

We have to make today's train to leadville.

Hey, Joe, give him a hand over here.

♪♪

Now get back to work.

Here you are, you grinning Texas hyena.

Only wish I had some rats to put in it.

'Preciate that, pa.

And don't call me pop, gall darn ya.

Like when I said when I fought with general ulysses Grant,

a Johnny reb is just a no good cuss,

and never will be anything else.

And that goes for you too!

Now hold it. Hold it, old timer,

- you've got us all wrong. - Hi, Bret.

Hi, Larry. And just to prove it,

I'm gonna send you in this afternoon on a train to Denver.

What kind of new weasel-pussing you trying now?

Eh, maybe we got religion and turned honest.

Go pack your valise and hurry.

Glory be, will I!

I got down in among the gophers, Larry.

Slickest operation ever pulled.

You mean they're smelting that gold underground?

Not only that,

they're plating it to make it look like

ordinary pig lead, and shipping it out that way.

Lead-plated gold bricks. Well, what do you know?

Now get this:

The gold shipment's going out on the same train

with you and hanson.

The crates are marked, "pier 63, San Francisco."

Pier 63. What about hanson?

Well, just keep him pacified

until you get him to Denver

and then turn him over to the U.S. marshal

there to hold his... Friendly custody.

And, at the same time, i follow the pig lead.

Right. now, get all the dope you can

and then meet me back here at the shack.

I'll let you know when I'm getting in.

One of those "love for mother" telegrams.

Check.

Well, what's holding us up? I'm ready.

And if this ain't some more monkey shines,

why, maybe I can get the governor

to let you boys off with 20 years.

Thanks!

Well, come on. Lets get going, come on.

Well, what do you know?

The laundry man of cripple creek.

Translate this for me, will ya?

It means, "when this is in your hands,

fulfill all obligations."

So, in other words, "on receipt of this, pay off."

Yes.

Can you tell me when this will reach cripple creek?

- Well, uh, lets see. - Two days.

Three.

Stage coach to cripple creek...

It ought to be Thursday morning.

Good. so will I.

Thanks very much, Mr. postmaster.

Not at all.

Your name's ivers, isn't?

That's right.

The operator down at the Springs

sent this up to you.

Much obliged.

Cabeau.

Silver.

What are you so glum about? Today's payday.

The biggest we've ever had,

set for 2:00.

Here's how the cuts are going to run.

You're gonna...

Denver, you're just in time for the big news.

Mine's not so good, boss.

Well, that's what i get for counting

my chips while the game's still running.

Go head. Spill it.

Sherriff summers of Dayton county

met me halfway, at Trinidad.

That letter he wrote the marshal

was about ivers, not gillis.

It said the set-up in Texas looked like

ivers was a government man,

working on the inside with the border smuggler.

And gillis covered for ivers and galland.

A three-horse team.

Looks that way, but what are they waiting for?

They must know everything there is to know by now.

No. no, they can't possible know

who pays us off or when it's to be.

Could be that's what they're waiting for.

Send a couple of men up to the cabin

and bring in galland and the old man,

and tell ivers i want to see him.

Shouldn't take us long to find out exactly

how much they do know.

Hey, galland.

Nobody here. It's a cold camp.

There hasn't been anybody here for days.

Hi.

Well, howdy.

Where's the old man?

Ran out on me while I was asleep.

I just went after him.

Saddlebags?

Oh, you boys get funny ideas, don't you?

Hi, ivers.

Hi, cabeau.

I figured you might be here.

Yeah, I was just looking for my pal, Larry.

Oh, he's gone on in with the boys.

Say, silver wants to see us all there. This is payday.

A big payoff, hey? Sounds mighty fine.

You said it.

Look's like there's been a fight in the cabin.

Sure Larry's all right?

Oh, sure he is. I passed him on the way up.

Funny, I didn't.

They took the cut off.

Come on, I'll show you.

Maybe it was old man hanson

who put up the fight.

How did he look?

Oh, fine and dandy.

Still cussing everybody in sight.

♪♪

All I want to know, galland, is, uh,

where you went with the old man.

And whether you and ivers sent for any help.

Keep on trying, silver.

I may break down any minute.

Our obstinate young friend

has told me more than he realizes.

If he were expecting help,

he'd be bragging about it.

I think it's safe to go ahead with the payoff.

In the meantime, keep our friend well entertained.

Hello, ivers.

Cabeau tell you the good news?

Yeah, he sure did.

I'm giving a little party in honor of the occasion.

Come on up and join the boys.

I'll be back in a little while.

Right.

Enjoy yourselves.

You first, cabeau.

Hold it.

Get rid of those guns.

Left hand!

Untie him.

Everybody's payday but ours. Is that the idea, Denver?

It's your play, ivers.

Spread your cards on the table.

Okay, you're all under arrest.

Hold it.

Get 'em up.

Take em down to the miner's committee

and let them take care of them.

All right, get moving.

Aces full.

Okay, get up.

I'm going to save you for the hangers.

Strap would like it better that way.

Okay, let's go.

Come on, get up.

Gentlemen!

I'm speaking to you as agent

of the U.S. secret service.

These men are leaders of the high-graders.

Mr. hatton...

I'm placing them in your charge. Take over.

I'll be very glad to do so.

Mort, Johnson, hibbs!

Well, kid, there's only one chance now

to complete our case.

If silver Kirby is still around,

he may try to collect the payoff.

The Chinese laundry is the spot to watch.

I learned that in 'frisco.

Well, what are we waiting for?

Well, at least miss Julie

don't have to do her own washing.

You don't get your laundry in the back room.

Can she be in on this, too?

You better leave, too.

There's no telling how much they found out.

If they don't know about you,

they couldn't have any suspicions about me.

And my market for unlisted gold

is inexhaustible.

Sorry, Mr. Sullivan, but the market is closed.

I'll take that bag, Julie.

Not a payoff, Larry!

All in brand new, U.S. yellowbacks.

You're a prisoner of the government

you were supposed to serve, Mr. James c. Sullivan.

Sir, the name is James Chang Sullivan,

and I only owe allegiance to my mother's country.

By now the gold is well on its way

to the dowager empress of China.

Sorry to disappoint you,

but by now, it's in the mint in San Francisco.

Take our oriental friends to the miner's committee.

While I ask miss hanson some questions.

Drop that gun, galland.

Julie, dear,

take that bag out to the buckboard and wait for me.

Give her the bag, ivers.

Julie can't stand bloodshed.

Not a bad try for a gal who can't stand bloodshed.

He was my husband.

All right, Larry, take her away.

I'll get the loot.

What a foolish pair of young men you are.

There's a half million in that bag,

and the possibility of much more to come.

And I'll bet he could even get us an introduction

to the empress of China.

I'll bet he could!

That's too bad, Larry.

We're just a couple of chumps.

Born to die poor, but honest.

Yeah, reckon that's about the most money

we ever don't get as long as we live.

Oh, good afternoon, gentlemen.

Am I wrong, or are my services again in demand?

You get around fast, don't you?

It my profession, it pays to keep one's ear

attuned to the bark of a six-gun.

If this keeps up, I'll really have to put you two

on a commission basis.

And, thank you again, gentlemen.

Well, if we ever need one, we got a job.