Original subtitles

All right, Sam, let's go.

[ Horses Whinny ]

[ Coughing ][ Laughing ]

[ Chuckles ] Why are you laughing?

What a waste of energy-- runnin' away from some soldier boys.

- We should have made a stand. - Oh, no, no.

- Between the two of us, we could have taken them all. - What, 50/50?

Uh-uh. Three for me.

[ Laughs ]

You'll never believe it, will you-- how good I am.

Sam, everybody in the land from here to Texas knows you're the best.

[ Clears Throat ] Or almost.

You mean the best except you.

[ Chuckles ] Well, you can't have everything, Sam.

The soldier boys ran plenty besides us out of the country.

They were only doin' their job.

Sure, but when the job's bustin' up a range war, they're takin' money outta my pocket.

I don't like that.No, you wouldn't.

- What's that supposed to mean? - Whatever you like.

I sell my gun where they'll buy it, same as you.

No, not the same. There's a difference.

You tryin' to tell me something, Emmett?

Only what we've both known for some time, Sam.

We're heading different ways.

Well, I'm sorry to hear it. It was good for a while.

Well, no more.

I'm not sure I like you, Sam.

Let's not wait till it turns real sour.

Anything you say.

Crater City for me, I guess. I'll gamble a little.

Medicine Bow. A man there wants to talk to me.

[ Chattering ]

Yes, sir?Two beers.

Uh, where's your friend?Right here.

I can't stand to drink alone, so I drink with myself.

Three 10s?

[ Clears Throat ]

In this game, friend, you only watch when you play.

So you want to sit in?

Why don't I just give you the money?

It would be easier that way... for both of us.

What's the matter, mister? You think you saw somethin'?

I didn't say I saw anything.

I didn't even say I heard anything.

All right. Then no hard feelings.

No.

Deal me out.

Where'd you learn to draw like that?

In the cradle.

I'm Jack Karns, Sheriff Abbott's deputy.

- Mark Abbott? - You know him?

Yeah, I met him somewhere.

Well, we've been havin' a lot of trouble round here.

I just wanted to say we don't need any more.

That's reasonable.

You here on business?

- [ Clears Throat ] Well, I came to see a man. - Your name Ryker?

And I rode in to see a man named John Hagen.

Maybe you know where I could find him.

Yeah.

Well, then where could I find him?

I'll take you to him.

Where is he?

Well, right now he's... over in the pool hall.

Thanks.

[ Billiard Balls Clattering ]

John Hagen?

Yeah, that's right.

I'm Ryker.

Sit down.

Good to see you, Ryker. Uh, you play?

Yeah, a little.

[ Snapping Fingers ]

It's your shot.

[ Door Opens ]

[ Door Closes ]

Not bad.

I'll get right down to business, Ryker.

I hold a mortgage on a ranch north of here,

and, if I foreclose on it, I expect some trouble.

Now, uh, I want to be fair.

But I want that ranch.

So I may need some help, if you know what I mean.

How would I?

The owner is a man named Hale.

He's old and he's mean...

and he's tough.

And he still has some time left.

[ Blows ]

Time for what?

Well, he's got cattle, and he's bunchin' 'em for a drive.

Now, if he can make that drive and sell them,

then he can pay me.

I don't want him to make that drive.

I don't care how he fails.

And I'm willing to pay you $2,500 to see that he does.

You, uh, think I'm a hired killer,

that I'd bushwhack an old man?

That why you sent for me?

Well, I sent for you because I heard about your reputation.

- What'd you hear? - What is it, Ryker? More money?

What'd you hear?

You're another Sam Lake, only better. That's what I heard.

Well, you heard wrong.

I'm not another Sam Lake.

Just a minute.

You owe me.

You just lost.

How much were we playing for?

A dollar.

How'd it go?

He's not interested.

More money?

Then what is it?

Maybe he wants to think about it.

But I haven't got time for him to think or nose around or jack up his price.

I can't wait.

Maybe you won't have to.

He's got a bad reputation. We could use it.Go on.

Well, we could always have handled Hale ourself, except it was too dangerous.

Too many people would look our way.So?

We handle it, and they look his way.

I like it.

I like it a lot.

Ooh!

[ Randy ] Looks like I got you.I don't know.

Looks like a tie from here.

I'd say Randy by a hair.

Now, hold on. [ Horseshoes Clatter ]

And that's one point and game. Pay me, thank you.

- Betsy? - I'd say Randy.

[ Chuckles ][ Clears Throat ] Well, I tell you what.

Since it isn't a unanimous decision, we'll try her again.

Well, of course it's unanimous. The Virginian and I both agreed.

- But I didn't. - [ Chuckles ]

Pay me.

[ Hoofbeats Clopping ]

Hmm. Another game?I don't see why not.

I do.

Must be comin' to see you, Trampas.Why me?

Well, if I had a daughter, and you'd been hangin' around my place...

like you have old man Hale's,

I think I'd be over to talk to you.

[ Clears Throat ]

Hey, what about our game?

Whoa. Good morning, Mr. Hale. Janet.

Morning, Trampas.Hi.

Janet, you look prettier every time I see you.

Why, thank you, Trampas.

[ Hale ] Did you speak to the judge?

No, sir. I thought it'd be a good idea if we both talked to him.

- Maybe you better come in with me. - Yes, sir.

Hello, Janet.

You look prettier every time I see you.Thank you.

Come and say hello to Randy and Betsy.

A trail boss.

That's what I need, Henry.

I've got most of the cattle bunched.

I can start the drive anytime next week.

What about your foreman?He's never taken a herd on a drive across open country.

We've always shipped from Medicine Bow by rail.

But I can get double the price per head by taking that herd overland to Moose Jaw.

And I need every extra cent I can get.I see.

I have to get those cattle to market, Henry.

If not, I lose the ranch.

And I'm not about to do that without a fight.

I wish you'd come to me sooner.

For money? Borrow from Peter to pay Paul?

You certainly don't put me in the same class as John Hagen.

Of course not. You wouldn't foreclose.

But then it wouldn't be a loan. It would be a gift.

I'd rather do it my way, Henry.

Trail boss. [ Sighs ]

Someone who knows the trail well.

Anyone particular in mind?

[ Hale ] I thought I'd leave that up to you.

Can't be my foreman. He's going to Cheyenne in the morning.

- Who else is there? - [ Clears Throat ]

Well, uh-- Well, sir, I, uh--

Yeah?

Well, I--

- You? - Yeah.

Well, why not? I've been over that trail plenty of times.

I can handle the cattle and his men. I can give Mr. Hale all the help he needs.

[ Laughing ]

All right, Trampas. I can spare you.

I hope he pays as much attention to your herd as he does to your daughter.

Thanks, Henry. I appreciate this.

I might as well tell you that I expect trouble.

From Hagen?

Take care of yourselves.

You get your stuff ready tonight. You can go over to Ed's place in the morning.

[ Trampas ] Right.

One trail boss reporting for duty, ma'am.

Nice to have you with us, Sergeant.

Make that "lieutenant." Sounds better. Your dad around?

He's up with the men. He'll be back in a few minutes.

Why don't you come into the house, and I'll make you some coffee.

Now, that's the best offer I've had in hours.Oh?

Jealous?Of who?

The bunkhouse cook at Shiloh?

[ Chuckles ] Better get out of here before he eats your apples.

[ Cattle Lowing ]

Mr. Hale,

come down here and look at this steer's eye.

There's something wrong with it.

[ Horse Blusters ]Yeah. He's got a foxtail in it.

Take him back to the corral.

[ Lowing Continues ]

[ Horse Approaching ]

[ Gunshot ]

[ Trampas ] So I took the $25,

paid the fine and--

and got out of town.

Tell me more about yourself.

Well, no, I-- I don't think that'd be safe.

Safe?Mm-hmm. For you.

You know what the boys at the bunkhouse say--

to know me is to love me.

Hey, I wonder what's keeping Dad.

Well, when you're bunchin' a lot of cattle for a drive,

there's always something to be done after you thought you were finished.

Mmm. But he told me you were coming out this morning.

Um, where are they, uh, bunchin' the cattle?

- Oh, Forsythe Canyon. - Mmm.

[ Snaps Fingers ]Doggone.

- What's the matter? - Randy.

I forgot to collect that three dollars he owes me.

I tell you what. I'll, uh--

I'll ride out there, collect the three dollars from Randy.

On the way back, I'll stop at Forsythe Canyon and tell your pa you're expecting him.

Oh, but that's--I know it seems foolish,

but if I don't collect that money now-- Well, uh,

I'm sure Randy's gonna lose three dollars...

to some other cowboy at horseshoes just as sure as we're both standin' here.

I'll be right back.

Curly! Bob!

[ Exhales ]

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

Take him inside.

Janet.

[ Door Closes ]

[ Sobs ] No, no.

[ Sobbing ]

Hagen?

Or somebody he hired.

There's some talk in town about a man.

[ Sighs ] That old man was really somethin'.

He could ride anything or fight anybody.

[ Sighs ] What you gonna do now?

Here.No, I don't need that.

Are you going to leave now?

Well, ma'am, uh--

I'm not. I'm not leaving.

Ma'am, you can't take care of this whole ranch by yourself.

My father never left because he built this place...

and he buried my mother here.

And now I'm going to bury him, and I'm going to stay here.

Now, if you want to stay here with me, you can.

I need you.

Go and talk about it.

[ Door Closes ]

[ Man ] I don't know, Curly.

I don't think I want to work for a woman.

Do you want to work for Hagen?Heck, no.

- I don't want to work for him neither. - What about me?

What about you, Trampas?

I got a bunch of cattle to move.

Nothing's really any different than it was before.

But if that's not good enough for you--

- Nobody said it wasn't. - All right then.

Let's see some action. Go out there and round up those strays.

Yes, sir.

Well, Ryker. Been a long time.Yeah.

You know my deputy, Karns?Yeah, we met.

Sit down.

Corpus Christi, wasn't it?That's right.

- You delivered me a prisoner. - What's that mean?

This man is two men, Karns.

When he's broke, he's a peace officer.

When he's got himself a stake, he trades in his badge for a deck of cards.

Or a gun?

He didn't say that.

You were pretty handy with that gun at the poker game.

He drew on a man.

Why?He was fumbling around with his gun belt.

You think he was gonna draw? I thought he might.

I just changed his mind.

Did you think old man Hale was gonna draw too?

Here he comes into town, a driftin' gunfighter.

He sticks his nose into a peaceful card game, just seems to find trouble.

Next thing you know, old man Hale is shot and killed.

Do I have to listen to him?

All those people out there breaking those laws,

like spitting on sidewalks, and I have to listen to this?

I wouldn't be too high on myself if I were you, Ryker.

Oh, yes, you would... if you were me.

All right, Karns. I'll take care of this.

Miss Janet, I am--

Well, we're all so sorry to hear about your father.

I know. Thank you.

But you shouldn't have to come into town by yourself so soon after--

Oh, I don't have to--

unless I want to lose my sanity and my father's ranch as well.

He's dead, Mr. Frankel, and we're burying him tomorrow,

and there isn't anything I can do about it--

except try as hard as I can not to get a pistol...

and shoot John Hagen and his hired gunmen.

Meanwhile, I have a ranch to run, and I'm going to run it.

Yes, ma'am. And I believe you are.

Hale-- this old man-- he got shot in the back, didn't he?

I didn't accuse you. I just want to know what you're doing in town.

Oh, I could have come here looking... for a place to stay.

Settle down, like they say.Doin' what?

Well, like a little ranch maybe.

But I hear that's no good.

I hear one man wants all the spreads, and nobody tries to stop him,

including that loudmouth that just left us.

Old man Hale tried.

An old man.

Worse than that, I hear his daughter's gonna try the same thing.

I just don't want any more trouble than I got.

Okay, you wanna settle down? You wanna gamble? All right.

You want a badge, I-- I think maybe I can use you.

Let me think about it.

All right, go get broke.

I always have.

Oh. Thank you.

[ Clears Throat ] Ryker's the name.

I, uh-- I just wanted to--

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

She should have had those in a gun.

That was Janet Hale?

Yeah, that's who it was, Ryker.

This is the first town I was ever in where I got famous just by having two beers.

And one killing maybe?

You don't mean mine, do you?

No, no. I mean Hale.

I'd like to know about him. You knew him.

I fought beside him, mister. We fought Indians together.

I helped him build a shack before he made it into a house,

and that land before he turned it into a cattle ranch.

Nothing ever stopped ol' Hale--

Indians, cold, heat, hunger-- nothing.

Until you did.

Oh. Or somebody.

Or somebody.

- Where is he? - What's the difference?

You mean now that old man Hale's dead, I don't make a difference anymore?

What makes you think you ever did?

You're saying I'll have to find him myself unless he sends someone for me.

Some local tough maybe. Some kinda hero.

Some fella like you.

I don't want trouble with you.

Then don't ask for it.

You just go on, tell Hagen something.

[ Ball Clattering ]

Tell him yourself.

We don't need him.

All right. [ Billiard Balls Clatter ]

- Play? - Why not?

For a rancher, you spend a lot of time in town.

Yeah, I have other interests.

Yeah, that's what I hear.

Don't sweat. It's just a game.

You're lucky.

I'm good.

Wasn't a bad idea.

You couldn't afford to hit Hale.

You're too big and important a man.

You needed a fall guy.

You thought you'd throw me a handful of change...

and, uh, let me solve your problem.

- Well, what do you mean? - I mean this town liked that old man.

And they'd hate anybody who killed him.

They'd hate him enough to hang him.

They know you're a pig for anybody's land.

But they know nothing happened till I showed up.

So--

You're smart like a pig too.

When I wouldn't bushwhack that old man,

you had someone else do it,

figuring I'll either get hung or I'll run out of town.

How much will it cost?

- To leave town? - How much?

It's no good, Hagen.

And don't start anything with me for that Stackler to finish.

Because I'll nail you first.

And maybe him too.

Oh, uh-- [ Chuckles ] You just lost.

You owe me.

[ People Chattering ]

How about another drink, mister?

[ Clears Throat ] Later.

How about buyin' one for me?Some other time.

Where is he?

Over there.

[ Sighs ]

Did you kill Hale?

Take it easy.

- All you gotta do is say it. - You think I'd be afraid to say that?

Come on, come on. You're not some old woman...

running up and down the street with a bag full of gossip.

You know who I am. You answered your own question.

Sit down.

Sit down. Talk to me.

You can kill me later.

No, I didn't.

You work for Hagen?No.

He bring you here?

I never answered so many questions before.

Try the last one.

How about a drink?

Well, then I can't talk to you.

I can't talk to a man in a saloon, uh, he doesn't drink.

I've been that way all my life-- since the cradle.

Two beers.

I'm unemployed.

Everybody in this town knows who I am and why and what I'm doing.

Everybody but me.

Even that sheriff asked me.

You know something?

There isn't one place west of the Missouri...

or north the Rio except here...

where it could happen to me.

Where what could happen?

Where some old man could be shot in the back and anyone would point at me.

I don't know why, but I believe you.

That's better.

Now, everybody needs help in their business.

And they pay what they can. What can you pay?

Forty a month and board.

That'll be 50 cents.

Try one.

That's $10.Keep it.

Forty a month?

At those prices, how long would it take a man...

to save enough money to go around the world?

Sixty years.

I like you. You understand money.

That's all Janet Hale can afford to pay.

I guess you could get a better offer. So could I.

That's the difference between you and me.

Forty a month.

[ Mug Slams On Table ]And board.

What do you want, Ryker?

I wanted to tell Miss Hale something.What could you tell me?

I had nothing to do with that.

Trampas said that. Is that all?

It was important to me.

Anything else you want to talk about? Business?

- Maybe some other time. - We might not have much time left.

Why don't you come into the house, Mr. Ryker?

Trampas said that he offered you work.

Yes, ma'am, he did.

But the money wasn't enough?

Well, uh, ma'am, I've, uh, worked for more and played higher.

How high?

Well, all I own, ma'am.

Well, that's what I'll play for.What do you mean by that?

I'll lose everything I own, Trampas.

I'll lose it in a fight, but I'll lose it-- unless I get help.

And it has to be a certain kind of help.

What kind?

The kind you sell. And it seems I can't pay the price.

All right.

Trampas said you were a gambler also.

That's right.

Well, if I can't buy your services, maybe I can win them.

Uh, I don't ordinarily gamble with ladies.

Well, this isn't ordinary.

And I can't afford to be a lady anymore.

I'll cut that deck with you.For what?

I win, you work for me for nothing.

You win, you get half my ranch.

Janet, this may not be any of my business,

but I'm not gonna let you gamble half of your ranch against a 40-a-month job.

Oh, he'll be betting more than that.

He'll be betting his life.

Is that high enough for you?

[ Exhales ] After you, ma'am.

Just a minute.

Since I can't talk you out of this, the least I can do is shuffle for you.

That's not bad.

Take your best shot, ma'am.

High card?

Hmm. You're gonna meet a handsome man.

[ Sighs ]

The deed.

Ryker.

What are you gonna do?See about my mortgage.

You're gonna still need a trail boss.

And I'm still interested in savin' her half.

You know something, mister? You got class.

Forty a month.

And board.

He was out there at the Hale place today.

The funeral?No.

Just showed. Lookin' around with that dumb grin.

Just smellin' around. I don't like it.

Or him.Or him.

Tell him about it.

Sheriff, I want to give you a little information and, uh, get some.

Fair enough.This is the deed to the Hale ranch.

I'm half owner now. And a copy of, uh, Hagen's mortgage.

You buy in?No. No, not exactly, but, uh, it's on the level.

I'll bet.How much?

I don't know why you pick on him.

Why do you pick on a rattlesnake? They have to live too.

But not with us.

I just wanted him to know about it.

- Why? - I'm not sure.

All right. You told me something. Now, what can I tell you?

- The name of a good lawyer. - I don't know how good he is,

but his name's Cruikshank, and he's up over the general store.

And the bullet that killed Hale--

What-- Did you get anything from that?

We never found it. It went clean through him. Why?

Oh, just curious. Used to be a lawman, remember?

- Yeah, and a good one. - Thanks.

Ryker,

I hope you know what you're doing.

I hope you keep hoping.

[ Knocking ]Come in.

How are you?

My name's Ryker.

I'm the new half owner.

Record the deed and make a will for me.A will?

That's right. In case I come to an unexpected end,

I leave this ranch to Janet Hale.To Janet Hale.

[ Clears Throat ] You're the doctor?

Yes, I'm Dr. Spaulding. What can I do for you?

Can you, uh, check me over, Doc?

Sure.

It's too bad about old man Hale.

A grand old man.Yeah.

He was never sick a day in his life.Except one.

Hmm. They send for you?I was too late.

Ah. Pistol wounds, huh?

No, a rifle.How do you know?

From the bullet in him.

Oh, you took the bullet out?

Yes, I did, not that it mattered--

any more than this examination does.

What'd you come here for?For that bullet.

- Well, I don't have it. - Who does?

The sheriff.You gave it to him?

No. Deputy Karns.

Oh.

Well. Huh.

All right.

Oh, uh-- [ Clears Throat ] How's my health, Doc?

Like a mountain cat's. You got the body of a man 27.

[ Chuckles ] Why not? I'm 26.

Evening, Deputy.

Yeah, I guess it is.

You're a lawman, Karns. What kind of a gun you think killed Hale?

I figured you'd know about that.

Well, I might if there'd been a bullet. At least there'd be a clue.

But, uh, clues have a way of turning up missing in this town.

He didn't finish his beer.He don't have to. He never pays.

[ Sighs ]

[ Crickets Chirping ]

[ Hammer Cocks ]Move along, Ryker.

Why not here?

Somebody wants to see you. You want to go?

Sure. I'm a sociable man.

Open the door.

You better get somebody better than that when you send for me.

Yeah, I better had.

Go and find your gun.

Sit down.

Why didn't you just come to me at the bar?

We can always talk, you and me. Or did you want to do more than that?

You were makin' a big thing around town about that deed.

You wanted me to know about it.

Why not? You hold the mortgage.

And you own half the place?

You know, that Cruikshank's your lawyer.

You think you're gonna be able to take that herd up north all by yourself?

You think that one man-- even you-- will be able to swing it?

All I know, Hagen, is that I own half that spread.

And I wanna round up those cows...

and sell 'em somewhere and pay that mortgage.

It's all nice and honest,

and the way I like it.

And the way it's going to be--

with one difference.Yeah?

I'm not an old man...

or a pretty girl,

and I know what I know.

You try to stop me,

you find a way to do that against me,

and I won't try to prove it was you.

I'll just kill ya, Hagen.

That's how simple it is.

Like you cut a deck of cards.

I guess I sent for the wrong man.

That's right.

Now, you get somebody to take care of me.

Make it someone better than that little snake you sent tonight.

I might do that.

You have to.

Tell me.

How good is, uh, Sam Lake?

One of the best.

Probably been losing his money in Crater City.

[ Door Slams ]

Ho![ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Men Shouting, Whistling ]

[ Mooing Continues ]Ho!

[ Men Whistling ]

[ Man Whistles ]

Ho!

[ Shouting, Whistling Continue In Distance ]

No hard feelings?

For what-- about losing half to you?

None. Nothing.

Why?

'Cause I hope you beat Hagen. I couldn't.

I hope for my dad and myself, I guess.

I'll beat him.

You believe anything I say?

I don't know.

Hmm. Well, I'll say it anyway.

Look out there. You see?

Hills and plains and deserts.

They sit there forever. They keep their secrets.

And they stay just that way--

cool and beautiful...

and forever--

no matter what people come, no matter what they do to each other.

You know,

I don't feel so bad that you beat me.

I didn't beat you. I just needed to beat him.

Why?

I never knew my mother.

And my daddy--

My daddy lost a fight and died.

And all I learned was don't lose that fight, don't die.

Is that all?

No.

Let's get back to work.

Ho! [ Whistling ][ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Mooing Continues ]

Well-- [ Coughs ]

Trampas, you wanna try the drive?

You got about a week. You can make it. Just bring the money back.

- What about you? - I'm riding into town.

But you can't. Just don't argue with me.

I don't like to be argued with, especially by a lady.

Now, look, I, uh--

I couldn't win this thing without both of you, and you couldn't win it without me.

Is that right? Or is that wrong?

I guess you're right.

I'll tell you why.

I'm riding into town. And as long as I'm there, Hagen won't make a move.

He'll be too busy watching me to see you.

So you get on the road. You know a shortcut?

I know one, but it's rough.

Ah, well, you take it. You lose some cattle, you win some time.

- And what about you? - I win some time too.

Or lose your life?

[ Lake ] Emmett Ryker.

He's good. Fast.

- Are you afraid to take him on? - No.

Well, what's wrong with the deal? 2,500.

He used to be a friend of mine.

Well, what about that, Lake?

I'll tell ya.

It costs a little more to kill a friend.

Five hundred more as a bonus.

All right.

All right, Stackler. Get the boys and meet Karns out by the herd.

And don't shoot anybody. I just want the drive stopped.

He'll tell you what to do.

Where you goin'?

Where Ryker will end up-- in the saloon.

Oh, I'll join you. I don't want to miss that.

[ Cattle Mooing ]

He's goin' the hard way.

We spook that herd now, and you'll be workin' for him.

I know that.You'll just drive 'em up that pass where he wants 'em.

There's dry grass up there, and that's the only way he can come.

You fire it, block it,

and we'll have a stampede, all right?

And the biggest beef barbecue in history.

I like that. I like that a lot.

Hyah! [ Whistling ]

Hyah! Hyah!

[ Cattle Mooing ][ Men Shouting ]

[ Cattle Mooing ][ Men Shouting, Whistling ]

[ Horse Blusters ]

[ Abbott ] Ryker?

Step in here a minute, will ya?

Sit down.

I understand Karns lied to me.Oh, yeah?

About the bullet that killed Hale.Who told you?

Doc Spaulding. He came to see me after he saw you.

I'll take care of Karns.

Now, there's one other thing.

A man came into town today. Maybe you know him.

Name of Sam Lake.

You know him.

Well, that's what you're on your way to being, Ryker-- a Sam Lake.

- Maybe I already am. - No, not yet. But you can't go on the way you have.

You can't wear a badge for a couple of months and stand for the law,

then turn it in and hire your gun out in cattle wars.

There's a lot of money to be made in cattle wars.

And not much in being a deputy.

But deputies don't become Sam Lakes.

Lake fights a man where he knows he has the best of him. That's not much to be proud of.

A man shouldn't fight anything except rattlesnakes and ugly women.

There's a job as deputy open.

- You want me to wear this when I see Lake? - Yep.

It wouldn't be fair to Sam.

He might get hung for shooting a deputy.

Without this badge, it'd just be a fair fight.

I'd like working for you, Mark.

But not now.

Ryker.

Where you goin'?Where he'll be-- at the saloon.

And, Mark, do me just one favor?

Stay out of it.

[ Horse Blusters ]

[ Chattering ]

Yes, sir? What'll it be?A little whiskey and that deck of cards.

Get him into a beef-- cards or something.

"Or something."

How'd you do up north?

They busted me.With what?

Cards.[ Chuckles ] You never could play.

Sit down.

How much is he payin' you for me?

- 2,500. 500 bonus. - That much?

You're worth it.

You wouldn't shoot a friend, would you?

Why not?

I'm a nice, respectable rancher.

I, uh, can't stand firearms.

I heard about that.

I turned down this pig's money because I won half of a ranch.

I pulled a queen over a heart jack.

I always wondered what it would be like, Sam, to settle down sometime,

roust cattle, find a pretty woman who could cook.

That wasn't the way you used to talk in your sleep.

And I did it just by cutting a deck.

How would you like a break like that?

How do I get one?

Just cut.

- Hey, what is this? - Shut up.

Cut for what?

Half my action.

[ Lake ] That's worth more than 3,000.

He just sent his boys out there.

[ Sighs ] And you don't want to cut?

You first.

You go ahead, Sam.

You won.

Turn that card.

Turn that card, Ryker.

Don't.

He's a friend of mine.

[ Hammer Releases ]

[ Hammer Releases ]

All right, now you can show it.

Oh, I don't have to that, Sam. It loses.

Partner?

Right. Let's go see about our property.

Keep this away from him.

He could hurt himself.

[ Cattle Mooing ][ Man Whistles ]

[ Men Shouting, Whistling ]

[ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Men Shouting ]

[ Bellowing ]

Hyah! Hyah!

[ Gunshots ]

[ Gunshots Continue ]

Hyah! Hyah! [ Men Shouting ]

Try and turn 'em! [ Man Whistles ] Hyah!

Ho!

[ Man Whistles ] Hyah! Pull out!

[ Gunshots ]

[ Men Shouting ]

I'm gonna tell you men what to do.

I tell them that.

All right. I'll tell you.

Did you cut him in?

I cut myself in.

Well, you've had some fun.

You've burned some grass. You've stampeded some cows.

Now you can get back to work.

You can round 'em up again.We don't work for you, mister.

Then you don't work for anybody, because Hagen's out of it.

We've put him out.

You're six-to-one.Two.

Those are the best odds you'll have in your lives.

All I can do is kill the first man who moves.

You can do as he says...

or whatever you think you're good enough to do.

You too.

[ Horse Whinnies ]

I told you I was better.

[ Groans ]

[ Horses Approaching ]

Hang on.

I'll get you to town, to a doctor.

You wanna bet?

Let me see that card.

- Listen, Sam, I-- - Let me see it.

[ Laughs ]

He-- He cut himself in with you,

then he cut me in.

But seein' you, I-- I can't blame him much.

How-- How dumb do you think I was?

Sam, I--

You want to know some law?

In this territory, you can't win property in a gamblin' game.

He knew it.

You understand what I mean?

He's a lawman...

sometimes.

They-- They had you, buddy.

Almost.

Why, Sam?

If you knew it all the time, why?

Ah, they--

they use us.

Men like Hagen, they-- they use us.

Hold their noses while we're doin' their work.

It was good, for once,

to be-- to be workin' for myself.

You bring him in for me?Yeah.

[ Janet ] What are you going to do?

I'm going with him.

You want to wait for me?No.

You want to follow me till I kill him?

Not as long as I think I can stop you. He's not worth hanging for.

I don't want to see someone like you kill him.

Sheriff Abbott arrested him.

So, when I heard about your run-in at the saloon,

I locked him up for his own protection.I don't need protection.

You just tell me what charges you're prepared to hold me on, Sheriff.

Well, I could try murder.

Ryker will testify you offered him $2,500 to kill Janet's father.

That's a lie. You put him in court with his word against mine.

- Wh-What's gonna happen? - They'll let you off, I guess.

Yes. [ Ryker ] That's right.

I'm a gunman and a gambler.

And a drifter.

The only word they'll take about Hale's death--

or Sam Lake's-- will be Mr. Hagen's word.

What do you mean?I mean, when he admits it.

[ Abbott ] What do you want me to do about Hagen?

Well, let him go.

What else can you do?

What, do you want him to kill me?

Is that what you want, huh?

Oh, that's the way it's gonna be, is it?

I got nothin' to hold you on.I want my day in court.

You talked about protection. You know what he is-- a card cheat and a hired killer.

He's already threatened to kill me once. You wanna file a complaint?

Here's your gun. Well, take it!Oh, no!

Go on, get out!

All right! All right! I had Karns kill the old man.

I brought Lake in and left him at Doc Spaulding's.

Thanks. [ Cell Door Closes ]

Hagen?Confessed. It's all over.

Oh.

Curly, uh, rounded up most of the cows.

You want a job, Ryker?

He's got a job.

You want it?

I have to. I just went busted.

Well, I got some cows to move.

[ Horse Whinnies ]

[ Horse Approaching ]

Howdy.How are you?

Fine, fine.

You?

Oh, fine, fine. Yeah.

Well, uh, how's the lawman business these days?

Just great, just great. I, uh--

[ Clears Throat ] I like it. I like it a lot.

You, uh-- You here on business?

No, no. I, uh-- There's a dance in town tonight, and I--

Yeah, yeah, I know-- the one I'm taking Janet to.

Ah. You're taking her?

Yeah.

Uh, when did you ask her to go?

Uh, well, I asked her the day before.

You just got back from the railhead this morning.

All right. I didn't, uh--

I didn't-- I didn't exactly ask her, but it was understood.

I'm sorry, friend, but, uh, she's going with me.

You asked her while I was gone?

Maybe next time, but I doubt it.

[ Door Opens ]

Hello, Emmett, Trampas.

Hi, fellas.Howdy.

Sorry we can't stay and visit, fellas. We'll be late for the dance.

Oh, why don't you two meet us there?

I hear it's going to be a marvelous evening.

Right.See you there.

I'm surprised at you, lyin' to me like that.

Why, you hadn't asked her either.

Well-- [ Clears Throat ]

We can always cut in at the dance.

Mm-hmm.Come on.

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