Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

Here she comes!

You can see the smoke as plain! She's comin'!

We've got time.

I'll get the package.

I believe you have a package for me.

EMMETT: Heh heh. Yeah.

Well, sheriff, half the town's down at the station already.

They're gonna give you a real send-off.

You'd better tend to the office.

Now, Emmett, don't forget what I told you.

It's right off 4th Street.

Get out of here.

This is not a pleasure trip, Regan!

None of us really likes it, Emmett.

Can't be helped, Charlie.

Besides, Regan's gonna be here.

I deputized him this morning.

Giving a man a badge doesn't make him a lawman.

If you ask me, we'll be without the law till you get back.

It won't be the first time, Jim.

Anyway, it's just two or three days.

The way things have been going around here, I won't even be missed.

It has been quiet. Maybe the town's growin' up.

Yeah. Good morning.

Noble, ain't he?

He doesn't have to be.

He's the new king of Shiloh.

You guys could give little old ladies lessons,

talkin' across the back fence.

Ma'am.

I swear, I'm so clumsy.

Thank you, sir.

Are you going to the railway station?

Yes, ma'am.

My aunt finds crowds vulgar,

but personally I find it tumultuous.

Don't you?

That great, monstrous engine,

straight down the track,

and all that excitement and controlled power.

Do you know, sir, what I liken it to? Can you guess?

Ma'am?

My name's Louise, as you well know.

Heh. Miss Devers, it isn't that I...

don't want to guess your thoughts, or that I couldn't.

It's just that I don't really care to test

your fiancé's ability with a handgun.

Oh, Ben's in San Francisco. Everybody knows that.

Your boy seems to have his hands full.

Hmm.

Calming nervous fillies is a specialty of his.

And yours?

Texas is full of horses.

Honey, I remember.

Hmm.

Well, don't worry. These aren't the old times.

Not around here, anyway.

The Bozeman mines are closed up,

the Arapaho and the Cheyenne-- they're gone.

When was the last time you saw someone on the prod?

I guess you're right.

Better get aboard, Emmett.

You know where I am if you need me.

Take care.

Let me say good-bye to Emmett.

Mornin'.

Which one of these fine buildings

may call itself a hotel?

Uh, that one.

You're the sheriff?

Who, me?

Oh. Heh heh. No.

I'm just a deputy.

Since this morning-- just fillin' in.

Couldn't rightly say I'm a deputy at all.

Wait till you see it, Mr. Davis.

There hasn't been so much hardware since Manassas,

and that's been a long time.

One of them got himself a thumb buster the size of a hog leg.

Must be .80 caliber, maybe .100.

Probably uses cannonballs as wadding.

Regan, there's no sense

in telegraphing to Sheriff Ryker.

There's nothing to say. What could he do anyway?

Besides which, they haven't done anything.

Well, I don't know about you,

but I can recognize a rattlesnake on sight, Mr. Starr.

I reckon I don't need to get bit before I move.

Back home, I had a colt. He was a pretty thing. Good lines.

The only thing is, we couldn't take him out of the corral.

He had this powerful imagination.

He's look at a dead branch,

and he'd see himself a diamondback.

He'd look at a rope on the ground, and he could hear it rattling.

Maybe his senses was better than, uh...most.

What happened to him?

Wood poisoning.

One of the dead branches up and bit him.

[ laughter ]

I hope this takes care of the paperwork.

Where are they now, Regan?

I expect over at your hotel.

That's what they asked for.

And you say there's a whole troop of them?

Maybe a dozen.

Indians?Some.

Some breeds, some whites.

Maybe you'd better go take a look in.

There's no maybe about it.

Shouldn't you be doing it?Me?

Ryker gave you the badge.

Well, it ain't like I asked for it.

Tell the truth, I wasn't too pleased on it.

Besides, I told him I had a lot of work

to be done on my place.

Looks like we just lost ourselves a deputy.

You can count on me, same as always.

All right.

Let's go.

Let's get back to Shiloh. There's work waiting.

I'm afraid the clerk was mistaken.

He seemed right sure about it before.

Plenty of room, he said.

Well, he's new.

He, uh-- He didn't know.

You sure, now, that you know?

Well, uh...

the guests prefer-- some of them--

to leave their keys here at the desk.

And others, as yet, haven't arrived.

But, yes...

I do have some room available...

I notice now.

Think you could notice how many?

Well...three.

Uh, that is--uh, four.

Four rooms. But--

But?

I mean to say--

Look, mister, we've been riding a long time.

A lot of miles. We're lookin' for a place to bed down,

not burn down.

I mean to say, tired men--

they're usually close to being nervous.

So, if we could stop this little dance,

talk straight...

Yes. Yes, of course.

You have four rooms?

How many beds?

Well, I was at the point of saying...

that the rooms are costly.

$5 a day.

[ chuckles ]

Your arithmetic, sir...

All right, five it is.

That is per room, ain't it?

Sign here.

Mademoiselle?

Oh, no. Thank you, no.

I meant to drop it. I have others.

That one began to bore me.

There is one other matter I'm forced to bring up...

since you haven't, sir.

MAN: We'll arrange for their lodging.

I'm sure they're all nice fellows.

But it's been a standing rule here.

I know they'll understand.

Indians seem to sense these things.

Don't you think?

Oh, I know they do.

Leastways...

my ma always did.

Mister, uh--

Chilton.

We don't want any trouble here in Medicine Bow.

Then relax.

You and this whole town--relax.

How long will you be staying?

[ French accent ] We stay...

up to the moment we are to go.

Maybe I'm a little thick up here,

but what are they?

I can tell you what they're not, and that's ranch hands.

I didn't know you'd seen.

Enough to know that.

They could be anything. Maybe we ought to take a ride in.

I hear the town's gettin' a little dry in the mouth.

Some of the wire's worked loose down by the cottonwoods.

It's almost suppertime.

We'll tack it down tonight

and restring it in the morning.

The boys look tired.

They've been at it pretty steady,

with us being a hand or two short.

Also, there's these new ideas you've been comin' up with.

Men like to chew a thing over before they swallow it.

Takes energy.

Spoiled, aren't they?

They like to understand what they're doing.

I suppose the Judge would sit down and explain it to them?

Suppose you pass along to them

that I don't happen to have Henry Garth's patience.

If that offends anyone, he can collect what's owed him

and haul saddle anytime.

Well, maybe you don't have the Judge's patience,

but your temper's just as bad.

Only thing is, you get at it quicker.

Some of the boys were talkin' about riding into town tonight.

What for?

Just to take a look around.

They're a little curious

about those strangers that rode in this morning.

You can tell the boys if they want to stay at Shiloh tomorrow,

they'd better stay here tonight.

And let them chew over this.

One of the funny ideas that I've brought up with me

was that a neighbor's business is his own, not mine.

I don't interfere.

I don't expect to be interfered with.

Back home, each man takes care of his own affairs.

And up to now, that's worked out just fine.

I'll pass the word, Mr. Starr, just like you asked.

I can guarantee...

what'll happen after that.

[ speaking French ]

[ speaking French ]

Look, uh... I didn't make the law

or the rules.

We just ain't allowed to serve Indians.

He's Cheyenne-- he knows that.

Tell him-- Tell him I'm sorry.

[ speaking French ]

Oh.

He says he's not full-blooded Indian.

Only part.

And he will make sure that that part

does not have the liquor.

Heh.

That's very good.

Tell him I think his argument's very good,

very--very humorous.

And very good.

[ speaking French ]

This is a nice, quiet town here.

It's peaceful. A lot of women and children.

It's no cow town. You savvy "cow town"?

Oui, oui.

We don't like trouble, so we don't go lookin' for it.

We found that... that way, it don't come lookin' for us.

That's the way it is, ain't it?

Ain't that the way it is, men?

[ singing in French ]

[ singing continues ]

Kind of takes you back, don't it?

Like the old days.

Yeah. These aren't the old days.

We've got families here.

Decent women and kids.

We've got a growing, God-fearing town here.

They're no Saturday night cowboys on a tear.

Suppose they're here to take us over.

What do you mean, take us over?

Medicine Bow, this town.

We have no way of stopping them.

I don't know for what it's worth,

but Billy over at the hotel--

he heard something before supper.

He don't know who was doing the talking,

but it was one of 'em.

Billy would say anything for a drink.

He's stone cold sober.

Has been ever since they come in.

He couldn't make it all out,

except he heard one of 'em mention gold.

$1 million in gold.

French Canuck, isn't it?

Most people wouldn't know that.

Oh, they would if they'd been around any.

You Canucks?

Metis.

Is that good?

Well, I--

You say it like you're really glad to be.

Well, what is a Metis?

In Canada, in a cafe or in a saloon...

a man's dog will be served before us.

And if it comes down to the choice,

they'll let the dog inside....

and keep us out.

Can't be much of a place, your Canada.

Wrong.

It's a paradise.

It was our paradise.

Our prairies, our settlement along the Red River.

Homes, land we had there--

before Saskatchewan was even called Prince Rupert's Land.

We and the Hudson's Bay company--

we got along fine, we did.

They were white...

Protestant...

English and Scotch.

They were men.

They didn't care our religion was different from theirs...

that we looked different...

or that we were part Cree...

part Algonquin...

or that we were...

French.

Well, it was a long time ago.

Things are different since '67.

Well, it must be nice to think of a place as paradise.

Even though it isn't for you anymore.

It'll change for us again.

I wish you luck.

Only I don't think so.

Not once something's spoiled.

This will change.

You sound as if you know something.

I know once we had a leader...

and a voice.

We'll have him again.

You won't him here.

No, no.

But your being here has something to do with it, doesn't it?

Uh, it's just a dream, that's all.

There are 30,000 of us scattered all over,

with an impossible dream.

I like dreams.

Only, uh, all of you...

riding in here and staying here--

I mean, why?

What do you want with us? Why here? Why Medicine Bow?

Miss Burns, I take you for an honest person.

But I got no answers for you.

Look, I'm not prying into your business.

It's just that I like talking.

I don't get much chance for meaningful talk.

We're... waiting for something.

Constance your real name?

Yeah.

It means faithful.

It's real upside-down, isn't it? Heh.

It's like somebody knew.

That's what they call ironic.

What's "ironic"?

Another word for "Metis".

[ singing in French ]

Oh!

Bon soir, mademoiselle.

Oh, it's you.

"Ohh, it's you."

Oh, how sweet.

You found it for me.

And, uh... you hunted all over to return it.

How perfectly sweet.

You're very strong.

Are we to play a game?

Forfeit?

Are we to play forfeit, sir?

Must I give you something

in return for my property?

For-feit.

Yes.

Mm-hmm.

I'd give you something, or...

you'd take something as...

payment for helping me.

Aaah!

Forfeit, mademoiselle.

Merci.

[ laughing ]

Well?

There's nothin' out there.

You must've been hearing things.

I thought I kind of heard something out there.

Oh, we're all getting spooky.

Starr was right. We're jumping at our own shadows.

I'm for goin' home.

Maybe it'd help if we--

Somebody?

Please?

When you've looked your fill, you can hand me a coat.

[ train whistle blows ]

[ speaking French ]

[ speaking French ]

[ horse snorts ]

How long are we gonna wait?

Maybe something's happened to him.

How would we ever know?

Maybe he don't come. What then?

You think we can sit in this town forever?

You think they'll let us?

We wait.

It's a mistake.

One, two of us, should've come in.

The way the Cree slip through the woods--

quietly.

But, no, no.

We're Metis.

We came in like an army,

so this village starts shakin'...

lockin' its doors, reaching for its rusty guns.

They will do nothing.

The English are right. We're--

We're children!

That is enough.

I think one of us should talk to this town,

explain, tell them why we're here.

No!

[ all shout in French ]

Don't you see how this looks?

Especially after... what happened to that girl?

We dare not.

We are not that far from the border.

The last spy I killed in Laramie.

There might be others like him.

Let them watch us.

Let them wonder.

They will know soon enough.

We wait.

What we need is some order around here!

[ all shouting at once ]

I have already sent a telegraph

to Sheriff Ryker.

He couldn't get here for at least three days,

so I don't know what good it did.

It let the law know.

It let him at least know.

Hold it down, Regan. Hold it down.

They ain't here. They all moved out.

To the shack down at the edge of town

where the Injuns was bedded down.

Then they're all together?

They said God didn't make one man to sleep in a barn,

whilst his brothers slept in a bed.

Of course, we know the real reason is,

their force ain't split up now!

[ all agree ]

Well, gentlemen, I thought maybe all of us together

might figure out something,

some way to resolve this situation

without the town getting shot up,

innocent people maybe getting hurt...or worse.

What out Louise Devers?Yeah.

She named the skunk.

We all know who did it.

But he's still walkin' around like nothing happened.

When decent women can't walk down the streets alone,

it's about time we did something else besides talk.

Right!Right!

A bunch of foreigners, breeds, and Injuns!

Maybe where they come from, they can act like they do,

but we've got laws, and decent God-fearing citizens

who treasure these laws!

Seems to me like you're bent

on breaking some of these treasured laws.

If you had a woman, Starr, who belonged to you,

you'd see things different.

DAVIS: Hold it, Sunderland.

Nobody's anxious to break any laws--

man's or God's.

But there comes a time when first things come first.

"Render unto Caesar," the book says.

Well, I reckon it's time that Caesar was rendered unto.

What are you proposing, Mr. Davis?

Well, I-- I don't truly know.

I thought that's why we were all here.

While we're hiding behind the curtains,

waiting for the good Lord to rid of this plague in our midst,

we're forgetting a simple thing like how to count.

What do you mean, count?

There's only ten of 'em.

Take away everything else, there's only ten of 'em.

Ten men! And we have a town!

Yeah, now, that's an idea.

That's enough!

Have you completely gone over?

Think clear-- morning clear.

What have these men done?

Even in Texas, Mr. Starr, they have laws

against attacks on defenseless women.

If he broke a law, then it's up to the law to take him.

One, not ten.

He's mixin' us up! What law?

There ain't no law till Ryker gets back!

Well, there was some sort of law, as a matter of fact.

What have these men done to make you think

they're going to overrun your town? Forgetting about the girl.

Forgetting about--

For the moment, forget about her.

What are these terrible and frightening men?

What's their threat been?

That they steal raisins?

I heard. Especially the Indians.

They go into your store, Sunderland,

and grab themselves and handful of raisins

when they think you're not watching.

And they're loud, and they're vulgar,

and they drink and sing till all hours.

These are their crimes.

Frightening crimes, boys-- I gotta admit.

Enough to panic a whole community

and make them reach for rope and guns.

It that's the way you feel about it,

you don't belong here, you belong with them.

[ all agree ]

Now, Sunderland, don't say that.

No! No, I mean it!

I say they've taken over this town.

I say I don't like them.

Decent people are afraid to walk down the street alone.

My wife doesn't go out alone. And even when I'm with her,

they say things in that funny language of theirs and they laugh,

because they know we put away our guns a long time ago.

Yes, that's why we're here tonight--

to maybe even the odds.

And they're looking for an excuse!

They want somebody to draw!

You know this?

Why else are they here for?

I don't know. Do you?

Any of you?

Anybody think of asking them?

Maybe we ought to admit something.

Maybe we don't want an answer. Maybe we're just scared.

You ought to be.

Not because of what they might do,

but because of what you might do...to yourselves.

They say that down in Texas,

you're ready to shout "Death to freedom" at the drop of a hat.

Why are things so different now, up here?

You all have gotten smug and forgetful.

Freedom isn't an ax.

Freedom is something you fight for, not with-- like a club.

Maybe I don't feel a part of this town yet.

Belonging takes time, but I'll tell you one thing.

After what I've seen and what I've heard,

I don't think I want to be.

Is that it, then?

We met here, all of us, so we could agree to do nothing?

Well, now, we're all reasonable men, Sunderland.

Yeah, maybe that's the trouble.

Why don't we take a vote on it?

"They were reasonable men." Sounds right, don't it?

Epitaph for Medicine Bow-- "They were reasonable men."

Go on, talk some more!

This town deserves everything it gets!

[ overlapping chatter ]

He'll calm down.

He always was given to the hothead side.

All right. We'll wait.

But, Starr...

I hope we're doing right.

[ laughing and shouting ]

[ speaking French ]

Good morning.

Oh, that's the truth.

May I?

How's that girl? What's her name--Laura?

Louise. Louise Devers.

Oh, she's fine. Just fine.

Blooming like the sweet old lily of the valley.

I didn't mean it to sound the way it did.

You're entitled to your dislikes,

the same as the rest of the town.

What do you want from me, Starr?

An opinion, for openers.

I gave up cards.

Besides, what could I tell you

that you haven't learned a long time ago?

There was a meeting last night.

I heard.

About the strangers.

Heard that, too.

You hear a lot of things.

You're in that position.

Especially about them.

Most of them hang out in here a good deal of the time.

They've been in.

They're the first Metis I've ever seen.

Metis?

Mm-hmm. That's what they call themselves.

Uh...it means mixed blood.

They're from Canada mostly.

Part Indian, part French.

I don't believe in rooting around in other people's business,

but it's become my business.

I can't run a ranch with half of my men learning vigilante talk

and the other half thinking about it.

Now, ma'am--

Don't call me ma'am. I'm not a ma'am.

And don't you use that Texas steer grease on me.

You're no different to me, Starr, than the others.

I was Connie when I got off that train,

and that's exactly the way I like it.

So, you just go back to those meetings,

and you tell them that Connie's got no facts.

And no opinions.

I think you do.

And especially about the girl.

We're a lot alike, Starr, you and me.

In one way, just so you know--

like you being a stranger here.

That's what I am wherever I go.

Oh, I see things.

Like from the top of a hill.

I watch them like ants.

Like they were pets of mine.

I see what they are, where they're heading.

Oh, I see, but...

I don't interfere because, uh...

even if I wanted to, they wouldn't let me.

But, you know...

that makes living nice and simple

It's uncomplicated.

I never have to cry...

or be angry...

get envious.

Oh, I wouldn't be one of them.

I don't believe you...

ma'am.

Connie...

I think you can help.

Hey! Wait--

[ grunting ]

Stop it!

Aah ha!

[ both laughing ]

Good to see you, old boy.

[ speaks French ]

Ohh, 20 years!19 years!

Morgan, you old jackrabbit.

How'd you jump up here?

Huh? Ha!

STARR: Oh, I just hopped up here, Chilt.

Why don't you come out to the ranch with me, Chilt?

At least you'll get a decent feed.

We've got a lot of years still to cover.

I'd like to. I will someday.

No, I mean right now.

I will. Someday I will.

I'd better be getting back before I'm missed.

See you tomorrow.

Good woman. Good woman.

You never got married?

You? I mean, after your wife and little girl--

No, no. I don't say it hasn't been...

oh, empty.

Yeah, yeah.

Only it seems like time is sort of runnin' out.

For me, anyway.

You know, two hours in there,

and that's the first personal thing you've said.

Uh, Chilt--

what's going on?

What do you want from Medicine Bow?

I figured you'd get around to askin' that soon.

Who are these men with you? Why are you here?

I can't tell you that, Morgan.

I didn't think I'd have to ask.

Anything else, you'd be right.

Not that.

Not even if you was my own brother.

There's ugly feelings here.

Yeah, I know.

I can tell you this. We didn't come to this town

to make trouble.

Then trouble found you.

That girl's in a bad way, I hear.

Maybe so, but not from us.

She says it was you.

Name of...John? Jean?

He claims he didn't touch her.

Except the hair.

Then she's lying?

Jean has got to be believed.

He's a man who's responsible for--

He's a man with honor.

Responsible for what?

Did you ever hear the Cree death chant?

It's like wind cryin'.

My mother was woods Cree.

I knew that.

That's right, you did.

Morgan, my people were made promises

of justice and land.

These were broken.

The man who led us then was a man of peace.

He believed new promises.

We put our flag away.

He was wrong.

We're gonna convince him of that.

Convince him to lead us again.

30,000 of us, Morgan.

30,000 of us...

needin' his voice and his heart.

Who is he?

You don't know him.

We found out he's just north of here,

about two days' ride. Doesn't even know we're comin'.

Well, that doesn't explain

what you're doing in Medicine Bow.

We're waitin' for...

something that's been promised us.

Something we need to take to him as proof

that, uh...that we can fight for what's ours.

With more than stones and 20-year-old rifles.

You say you're gonna take on Canada?

I'm sayin' nothing.

And if I--

if I'm suggesting certain things,

it's because I know they won't be spread to the winds.

Morgan, we've got to stay in this town

till what we're waitin' for arrives.

What are you asking me to do?

This town will listen to you, Morgan.

Convince them that we don't mean harm.

I've already tried, Chilt.

I can tell you that it's a mean horse

you're all sittin' on-- spooks real easy.

You're all right, just so long as things stay quiet.

Anything happens-- anything serious--

I most always thought of myself as white, you know?

But the older I get--

There's a feel of blood here, Morgan.

A dark feel.

Like the roar of a river you can hear deep in the woods

and never see.

That's my ma's side of me talkin', I guess.

It's there. I can feel it. Oh, I can feel it.

Take care, Chilt.

Doc Hobson's parting word was for you to take it easy.

I intend to.

I'm gonna use the buckboard.

You didn't possible recognize who it was that jumped you?

Let's say I have a...

close idea.

It's, uh...

it's all over town about...

you and one of them being close.

I knew him in Texas.

A good 19 years.

Saw him a lot eight years ago, and then I heard

he was gunned down between Deadwood and Fort Meade somewhere.

Is that what you'd call him-- a gunfighter?

I'd call him a friend.

Get 'em to hitch me up the wagon.

I suppose you're headin' for town.

If I live.

That's maybe not so funny as it sounds.

There's a different smell about things--

even than yesterday.

It's not fear, not anymore.

It's more inside. Before, you could see the fear.

But you've gotta sense this, it's hidden.

You fixin' to bust out cryin'?

Heh. I remember an old Cheyenne medicine man.

He'd near make you see his ghosts and spirits.

The town could use him. He'd have a name for this...

and powders and a dance.

Maybe you're listening to the wrong spirits.

I think maybe this town is waking up some.

Maybe if the fear is hidden like you say,

that's because it's gone.

Here, take a look. This week's editorial.

Old Krause-- he did himself proud.

"The irrational fear and suspicion

"that is gripping Medicine Bow must be checked

before it breeds--"

Well, here.

It's already bred for him.

What do you mean?

There's gonna be a big run on out-of-town newspapers for a while.

This is the beginning of night.

They'll be burning our homes next, Mr. Starr.

But you could stop them if you had a mind to.

They're your men. They'd listen to you.

The Metis?

Who do you think did this?

Pourquoi?

What for you did this to me?

What sickness and disease make you do this?

This? No.

No, it's deeper. It's in you.

Why?

I wish not to hurt you.

I want you to leave.

I want you to get out at once.

You shall...

say the truth.

[ speaking French ]

I cannot... become in trouble now.

If I scream--

if I should scream, they'd kill you.

You understand that?

Why don't you leave?

Or beg me not to scream.

Should I save your life?

Save your arrogance--

your masculine arrogance--

when it disgusts me so much?

Or do you understand what I'm saying?

LOUISE: Aaaah!

[ overlapping chatter ]

Hold it.

You've had this coming for a long time.

Get yourself a rig now, if you've got the guts for it.

Ten minutes.

I'll see you by the blacksmith's in ten minutes.

[ speaks French ] Ten minute?

[ speaks French ]

Boom, boom.

No, monsieur.

I do not want trouble now.

Never.

Will you tell now?

The truth?

Get him out of here!

Please get out!

You heard her.

Go on, you blue-meat breed. Git!

Bon, monsieur.

Ten minute.

Miss Devers, I was just doing

what your fiancé would've done if he was here.

What this whole town should've done five minutes after--

after it happened.

Are you really going to?

You may not know it, Miss Devers,

but there are a lot of men in this town.

It's about time one of us proved it

and acted like one.

[ laughter ]

Mr. Starr.

I'm not really used to the middle of the road, you know.

No matter how much I keep saying to myself

to stay calm and wait

and let the law handle it...

well...

[ gunshots ]

I didn't see him! I didn't see him!

Did anybody see him?

I don't think it was me.

How far is the doctor?

Doctor?He's still alive.

Oh.

Randy?

Trampas!

Randy?

Trampas?

All right, what is it?

What's going on?

What's going on where, Mr. Starr?

In this place. It's like a graveyard.

Where in the thunder is everyone?

I expect where they usually go Saturday nights.

I'm getting as spooked as the rest of the world.

I didn't think of it being Saturday.

You hear anything about the boy?

Just that it doesn't look good.

Yeah, I heard the same.

He's a strong little kid, though.

That's what they said about...

a little girl I once knew.

Nobody is stronger than death--

child, man, woman.

Good night, boss.

Uh, how about a couple of hands of red dog

and some coffee before you turn in?

Well, to tell you the truth...

I thought I'd ride into town.

See if there's a game I can sit in on.

Hmm. Sure.

Hey! Wait up!

[ dog barking ]

You did say it was Saturday.

[ clinks glasses ]

[ clinking ]

Evenin'.

I thought I heard somebody.

Sure must be a good sized broom come through town

to sweep it so clean.

Kind of jumpy, aren't you?

Heh. No, not me.

He'd leave his skin behind if one of us sneezes.

Why are you so nervous?

I don't know nothin'. I swear it.

That's the way I want it.

That's the way I keep my job.

Where is the meeting, Tim?

What meeting's that, Mr. Starr?

Let's poke around a bit.

You go on. I got some notions of my own I want to see about.

♪♪

Mr. Starr.

You'd better stay off the streets tonight.

What was that goin' by?

They've all gone crazy.Who has?

Everyone! Some of them are your boys.

This has been coming a long time.

They've already killed one that I know of.

Took him down to Ryker's office, put him in a cell.

Ten minutes later, someone came by,

poked a shotgun through the bars and pulled the trigger.

I don't believe that.

Well, you just saw that.

You'll see a lot more before this night is over.

And it could've been any one of those fellas,

the way they're acting.

How did it start?

Well, we called a meeting this morning

after that senseless, terrible shooting.

I had to open up both dining rooms,

to give you an idea of how many showed up.

But there were no moderates there to speak of.

You understand?

What are they after? And why?

Purify the town. Cleanse it.

Make it the way it was before they-- the ungodly--rode in.

That's insane.Of course it is.

But that's what they want.

I say, let 'em have it.

Let the mob rule by day, as well as night.

They'll inherit the earth, you'll see.

I wash my hands of it.

Oh, do you? And can you?

Wait a minute. Don't go out there.

Where are they--

Chilton and the others?

Scattered. I don't know.

What do you think you can do against madness?

Show them their own image.

They won't look.

They'll have to.

It's the same as ours.

Our neighbors.

Remember?

Hold it.

[ horses approaching ]

Here. Give me your arm.

Wear this.

There's not guarantee what they might do in the dark...

accidentally.

[ horses passing ]

MAN: What's that?

Well?

It seems all right.

Let me look.

Something movin'.

Across from the post. You see it?

Yeah, it's a rag.

Somebody's hung a rag there.

A signal maybe.

You listen to me.

Will you listen to "J" for Jeremiah Chilton talkin'?

Connie, what did they do to me?

Oh, shh.

You go on over there. I'll draw the shade.

Go on.

Funny how you just naturally whisper in the dark.

Yeah.

There was no need to turn on the lamp.

We could've easily, uh...

just said our good-byes.

There was enough light for that.

No.

At my age...

I need all the light I can get.

My eyes can't pick up things in the dark

like they used to.

What do you mean, your age?

What kind of thing is that to say?

I know how old you are.

I could be your daddy.

You know that.

Well...

Maybe I ought to look out again.

That's all right.

I'm sure it's all right now.

You take good care of yourself, you hear?

Best I can

Well--

Just like it is.

I like to look at you.

Don't go.

Don't.

[ struggling ]

[ grunting ]

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Mor-Morgan?

Let me see.

Come on, Chilton. Get your hands away.

You get him?

Some blue-bellied, lint-back--Uhh!

Ohh, that dirty--

With my own knife.

Gut-hooked me, Morgan.

Did you get him?

Now, don't talk.

I'll get you out of here.

No, no.

Forget it. Forget it.

[ groans ]

It's funny.

It stopped.

Don't hurt none.

Why is that, Mor?

I don't feel it at all.

The hurt just stopped.

Who'll guard the gold?

Who'll build our empire? Who'll buy the guns, the cannons?

We are Metis.

Where's the gold you promised?!

Chilton. Chilton.

[ Chilton speaking French ]

Morgan?

My ma.

My ma was right.

Where's Connie?

[ grunts, exhales ]

[ singing in native language ]

[ singing echoing ]

[ singing continues ]

Oh.

Where's the light now, Mr. Chilton?

[ overlapping shouts ]

Well, we did what they hoped for.

Brilliant strategists.

There we are, all collected nicely

in one convenient big...oven.

SUNDERLAND: All right, come on! Start it, will you?

Let's go! The town's at stake! Come on, let's go!

Come on, let's get it over with!

Put your rifle down if it's in your way!

Come on over there! Get it over with!

Good evening.

Oh, my.

This is an unexpected occurrence.

I'd ask you to come in, except people wouldn't understand.

Come along, Miss Devers. We're going for a little ride.

A ride, sir?

In the night air?

I have no proper clothes.

What you've got on will do just fine.

I--

If you wait downstairs...

I'll wait right here. You can close the door.

Where are we going?

Well, I got to thinking about you

and about that awful thing that happened to you.

Right outside there in the street, wasn't it?

I don't care to even think about it, please.

You fought like a cougar.

I thought to myself, you fought like a real mountain lion...

protecting her honor.

It was horrible. It was.

You wouldn't know.

That may be.

But I do know that when a man tangles with a cougar,

it isn't a one-sided affair by a long shot.

I'd say usually the odds are with the cougar.

If a man tangled with a cougar

that put up a fight like you put up,

well, ma'am, he'd be a sorry sight to se.

All scratched, torn, ripped, and bleeding.

That's what I couldn't get out of my mind.

How he could get close enough to you

to cut off five inches of your hair...

and all his terrible wounds healed up

inside of five minutes.

Get ready, Miss Devers.

In there! You hear me?

You savvy?

Come on out and surrender at the count of three like men!

Or come out like torches!

All right, Regan, nice and loud.

We watch to give 'em a chance, after all.

One...

two...

three!

BRULE: With our compliments!

Matches.

All right, we'll use 'em.

Go ahead! What are you waiting for? Go on!

On your toes, men. Any minute now, they'll be coming out!

Well, it is time.

We walk from here.

Each of us alone.

As it is always at the dying.

But each remembering this--

we are Metis.

THE VIRGINIAN: Sunderland! You men! Wait a minute!

Don't interfere! Get away! Cover him!

Go on, talk! Tell him!

I can't! I can't!

Watch for them! Watch for them!

[ coughing ]

She lied, understand? She lied!

He never touched her!

[ gunshot ]

All right, now, drop 'em!

All of you!

Sunderland! Wait!

Cover 'em both!

Your madness is now mine, too!

I killed a man!

I killed a friend!

Now there are two men dead!

The good and decent citizens are wet

with the blood of two innocent men!

Innocent? Innocent?!

Listen to him! When they gunned down the boy in the street?

He's alive. He's going to live.

So what?! That's not important!

It's not important at all!

The important thing is, they pay for what they did!

That they die for it! That--

Go on! That they die for what?

To save this town

from arson and murder?

Two of them are dead!

Who'll make the creed?

Quick! Make up your minds!

Here they come!

Hurry! Hurry up and kill!

Kill! In the name of decency!

[ coughing ]

I deserve dust!

I'm so sorry! I didn't know!

I deserve to be punished! Cruelly punished!

You deserve to be--

to be pitied.

[ coughs ]

All of you!

It's gonna be a long ride home.

Maybe I ought to stick around.

What for?

Make sure the fire's out.

It'll be a long time before those flames die out.

50 years.

If we're lucky.

[ theme music playing ]