Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

That ain't nothin'.

I had a long rifle one time

that could knock down a prairie dog

two miles away.

That so?

I had the range measured

by a licensed surveyor.

Two miles even.

That was his sworn testimony.

[ chuckles ]

I had a long rifle like that one time.

Carried quite a bit further, though.

Further?Three miles?

Carried so far, I had to use smoked and salted bullets.

Smoked and salted bullets?

Like I said, it killed at such a distance,

if I didn't use them smoked and salted bullets,

the game would spoil before I could get to it.

[ laughs ]

Hey, Sheriff? [ laughs ]

Sheriff, you'd better get out there.

What's the trouble?

You gotta see it to believe it.

[ laughing ]

Howdy.

Looking for somebody?

Could be.

I'm the sheriff here. My name's Ryker.

I keep the peace here in Medicine Bow.

Yeah, well, we're inquirin'

after my little brother.

He's just a bald-faced boy.

He have a name?Randy Benton.

Randy?

We come all the way from Bald Knob to find him.

[ chuckling ] Bald Knob?

Howdy, Brett!

Hey, Randy.

Brett. Why didn't you all let me know you were coming?

That's some greetin' you got for strangers in this town.

Don't pay 'em no mind. It's their fool way of havin' fun.

Anyway, I'm glad we found you in time.

In time for what?

I'll tell you later.

Speak your mind. We're among friends.

No, it's just as well that you don't trust

nobody but your own kinfolks.

Let's go somewhere where it's kind of quiety-like.

All right, come on.

Hey, Trampas.

Why don't you meet some of my kin?

Oh.

This is my oldest brother Brett.

That Uncle Del, cousins Peck and Razz.

If you don't mind, we'd like to be alone.

What's the hurry?

That's all right, Randy.

I'm sure you and your folks have a lot to talk about.

There wasn't no cause to do that.

He's a friend of mine.

Yeah, well...

What's botherin' you?

Jim Claiborne's headin' up this way.

Claiborne? Jim Claiborne that--

Ah, you recall him.

I don't suppose he's forgotten

it was your testimony sent him up to the pen.

But that was years ago. Time's washed all that by now.

Nah, Claiborne don't never overlook a chance for revenge.

Especially some butter-faced boy

who left his nest and went alone out into the world.

Listen, the law's different out here.

If he starts that fussin' and feudin' we used to do back home,

he'll get locked up quick.

You mean you trust that sheriff

more than your own kin?

No, don't get me wrong.

I just mean that things are different out here.

As far as protecting me from Jim Claiborne,

you're just wastin' your time.

Well, he's been set free.

He's steppin' just as tall as a rooster in deep mud.

He come up to the crossroads store askin' about you.

Some dang fool told him where you went.

Now, that's enough for me.

Well, I've never had any love for a Claiborne.

I sure ain't goin' out of my way to miss a fight with one.

That's right, boy. That's just the way I feel.

Maybe you're jumpin' the gun.

We come here to protect you, and we aim to do it.

Listen, brother, let's forget all this feudin' and fightin' stuff.

Let's just enjoy your visit.

It's nice to have you around,

but I don't need anybody protecting me, all right?

Little Randy's grown up now.

Let's just celebrate this reunion.

We'll start off with supper,

and then paint this town red, yellow, pink, and purple,

and when you all go back to Bald Knob,

you'll have a tale to tell about the Wild West.

No, sir. We're set for a tangle.

There ain't nobody gonna get out of it.

Now, that's just kin sharin'.

And unless I miss my guess,

Jim Claiborne's a whole lot closer than anybody knows.

James Claiborne and daughter.

Welcome to Medicine Bow, Mr. Claiborne...

Miss Claiborne.

Thank you.

Happy to be here. It's been a long trip.

I'll give you a hand with those bags.

No need. I can manage them.

I so like this new, fresh-smelling country.

Tomorrow we can go for a ride...

and you can get a lot of sun and good, clean air.

Oh, Father, I'm so excited.

It's like a whole new life.

A new life? Maybe, Glory...

but certain things about the old life

a man doesn't forget.

Some things he can't forget.

Now, you just listen to me, Mr. Claiborne.

When I was away at school, I used to worry

about how you'd be when you get out of prison.

And then, when you said you wanted to move here,

I had some funny doubts about that, too.

Just as I was beginning to feel better at it,

you just had to spoil it again.

Well, I think we should get this thing

out into the open once and for all.

Why did you pick this particular town to start over in?

I heard about it when I was in prison.

Heard there were good people here,

that it might be the kind of place I've been looking for.

You know, back home there was nothing but ingrown misery.

Well, if you don't find it here,

we can always move to San Francisco.

[ laughs ] No fear of that, child.

I have a hunch that I'm going to find

exactly what I'm looking for here in Medicine Bow.

You go on in there and freshen up.

A little later, we'll take a look around this town.

[ laughs ]

And then his pet possum

ate up his wedding papers!

[ all laughing ]

Those were some times.

All the women brought a cake or pie,

and all the men brought a good jug of white mule.

Hey, speakin' of whiskey, I don't know if y'all know it or not,

but there's other ways of drinkin' besides out of a jug.

Come on and see.

Give these kinfolks the best you got in the house,

and don't let 'em run dry. I'll have my usual.

Hey. What's that there red stuff?

That's good red whiskey.

Extra gentle and mild.

What'd you put in it to color it so?

One drop of blood from a day-old quail chick.

That makes it real smooth.

Hurry it up. I just can't hardly wait.

Boys?

Here's to all the old Bald Knobbers

that never left home.

Ooooh!

Great snakes!

This is smooth?!

Tastes just like sugar water.

Oh, yeah. I think I could've used

a drop more of blood in mine.

That's a powerful good aftertaste.

Nothin' but the best for you boys.

Thank you, boy.

Let's do it again, bartender.

Uncle Del, how come you didn't bring Aunt Smyrna?

DEL: Don't you mention that woman's name!

Just jabber, jabber, jabber, jabber!

A man arguin' with a female

is like a cockroach arguin' with a chicken.

[ laughs ] He's always wrong!

Ain't that right, Randy?

That's right, Uncle Del.

How about singin' a song for your old uncle Del?

You know, you used to sing so pretty.

And even old Aunt Smyrna would stop her jabberin' just to listen.

All right, I'll sing you something.

But take it easy on that whiskey.

Do it again.

♪♪

♪ I'll eat when I'm hungry, I'll drink when I'm dry ♪

♪ If hard times don't kill me, I'll live till I die ♪

♪ Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry ♪

♪ If I can't have rye whiskey, I surely will die ♪

♪ Jack of diamonds, jack of diamonds ♪

♪ I know you will fold

♪ You robbed my poor pockets of silver and gold ♪

♪ Rye whiskey, you villain, you been my downfall ♪

♪ You've robbed me, you've cuffed me ♪

♪ But I love you for all

[ all cheering ]

Randy, you're just the truest little old nephew

I ever have had.

So I'm gonna stand by you

through all of your troubles.

I ain't in no trouble, Uncle Del.

I'm up to my ears in apple pie.

A nephew is a nephew,

and a Benton is a Benton.

Right, Brett?Right, Uncle.

And I'm gonna take care of you,

come marbles, money, or chalk.

Uh-oh. There he goes.

[ laughter ]

All you need is a little fresh air, Uncle Del.

What you need is some fresh prairie breeze, Uncle Del.

You got nothin' to worry about, boy.

Your uncle Del is here.

I'll stand up to that Claiborne.

Sure, sure. We're all stickin' together now.

You rest quiet for a spell.

I'll let you take care of me all you want

as soon as you're feelin' stronger.

I'll be back.

[ Del mumbling ]

I'll get that old badger.

I'll skin him and hang him up to dry.

Randy Benton.

Howdy, Mr. Claiborne.

I heard you might be out this way.

Do you mind?

No. No, sir.

You've got as much right to be here as anybody else.

Then I guess I ought to thank you for your generosity--

my being a jailbird and all.

[ laughter ]

Relatives of yours?

Just Brett. We're having a little celebration.

Oh, I see.

You remember my daughter Glory.

Glory. Yeah, sure.

But you can't be the same Glory I used to know.

Pretty near the same, Mr. Benton.

Except we're both a trifle older.

Yeah, I'll say.

Time sure works wonders, doesn't it?

Glory and I are planning to settle here.

Medicine Bow's a good, peaceable town.

I've been workin' here as a ranch hand for a couple of years.

I'd be pleased to show you around the country.

I'd be delighted.

I don't think that will be necessary.

GLORY: Now, Daddy.

It isn't as if Mr. Benton were a complete stranger.

And you know what we talked about.

We came in peace, didn't we?

Or did you lie to me?

[ laughter ]

[ laughter stops ]

Well, it's a nice, friendly town, Mr. Claiborne.

I hope it stays that way.

You all right, Randy?

No trouble, Brett.

Come on, boys. Let's get him right now!

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

I ain't waitin' for no bushwhackin'!

Wait a minute!

[ shouting ]

Stop it!

We didn't come here to fight!

All right, break it up.

Break it up, I said!

All right! All right!

You're all under arrest.

We're goin'. We're goin' right away.

You and you and you-- you're goin' to jail.

He's the criminal! Take him!

Tell me, what's this all about, mister?

I did six years because of them boys.

And I came here in peace.

What's your business here in town?

I studied a little medicine while I was serving my time.

I'd hoped I might find a friendly doctor who'd let me help him out.

Doc Kehr's just down the street.

I think--maybe-- he'll be glad to meet you.

Thanks, Sheriff.

I think I could've handled it myself, but thanks anyway.

You yellow snake, you couldn't handle anything--

especially not a Benton!

All right, you're going to jail right now.

Brett, you're in town.

You gotta pay attention when the sheriff talks.

I ain't town-broke yet.

All right, let's go. Let's go!

I'm sorry, miss. We try to keep our streets safe

for ladies.

Coming, Glory?

Yes, Dad.

See you tomorrow?

All right.

Put your pouches right there.

Let's go.

All right, back here.

You just settle down.

You'll see things differently in the morning.

And Randy was tellin' us

how this was such a friendly town and all.

Emmett, they were just havin' a little hoorah.

They won't give you any more trouble. I'll see to it.

There's more to it than that, Randy.

He said some insulting things to us

a red-blooded man wouldn't take.

I doubt he'd say anything in front of his daughter.

It sounds like you're choosing sides.

BRETT: Yeah, an ex-convict walks free

and we end up behind bars. You got a contrary sense of justice.

You'd better keep quiet, mister.

In my town, troublemakers are locked up.

You learn that by morning, you'll be free.

If you don't, you'll stay longer.

I give you my word-- I'll take full responsibility.

They're too much for you, Randy.

They'd better stay here a while.

But they're my brother, my own kinfolk.

They haven't done anything to deserve--

BRETT: Randy, you'd just better go on

before this friend of yours locks you up with us.

I guess you see how it's gonna be

when the sheriff takes the side of a criminal.

Look here. Remember this, little brother.

I want you to be careful.

I want you to watch your back,

don't stand in front of any lights,

and you keep that gun handy all the time.

Don't worry.

Any trouble, Randy, I'll take care of it,

no matter who it is or what, understand?

You mean I ain't supposed to defend myself?

I don't want you to go off half-cocked.

Well, I won't.

♪ Oh, whiskey, you villain

♪ You've been my downfall

♪ You whipped me

♪ You beat me

♪ But I love you for all

♪ You killed me darned pappy ♪

♪ Now, dang, you tried me

What happened?

Where is everybody?

We'll see the others tomorrow.

It sure is funny sometimes.

What's funny?

How you don't know who your friends are.

You know somebody for a long time,

and something will happen,

and you find out you don't really know 'em at all.

Who's that?

I was talkin' about Sheriff Ryker

back there in Medicine Bow.

Now, you just take it slow.

These hill mules of yours don't understand this country so well.

Well, just hold 'em down.

DEL: ♪ Rye whiskey, rye whiskey ♪

♪ Rye whiskey I cry

[ mumbles ]

Good thing you was limp.

Yeah.

[ grunts ]

If you don't grease 'em, Randy, they'll come off.

That wheel went over 2,000 miles of rougher territory than out here

and it didn't come off.

Looks like somebody had it fixed to break.

I suppose you're trying to make a case against old Claiborne.

And I suppose every accident that happens from now on

you're gonna lay onto him.

I'm just sayin' it looks suspicious.

If that wheel had come off any sooner,

we'd be over Dead Man's Cliff.

If you want to take sides--

I'm not taking sides.

I'm trying to be fair, Randy.

You're lucky it stayed on as long as it did.

Maybe you're tryin' to be fair,

but it isn't helpin' out the Bentons very much.

Somebody's been puttin' ideas in your head, Randy.

It isn't like you to get so riled.

Riled? Old Jim Claiborne's always had it against the Bentons.

That's a plain fact. And he's got a special reason for remembering me.

He says he wants to make a fresh start,

just like you did when you came here.

Maybe he does and maybe he doesn't.

Who's got a right to say no to him? Not you, not me.

Well, the sheriff's saying no to me.

He might just as well think

you were holdin' a grudge against Claiborne.

You just don't see.

I see a friend of mine borrowin' a lot of trouble,

and I don't like it.

That's the best bed I ever slept in in my whole life.

Hope I never do it again.

Just remember, gents.

We've got a nice, peaceful little town here.

You got any law and order problems,

the sheriff will handle 'em with a badge and a six-gun.

A badge and a six-gun.

Mister, I don't know why you're gettin' so top-doggy with us,

but I don't like that kind of talk.

Take it easy, Brett. I got a feelin' it's be easier

convincing a team of mules than these two.

That's what I've been tryin' to tell you.

Come on.

Hey.

You see that weather bird atop that roof?

Yeah.

I'm gonna give him an eye.

[ gunshot ]

Can he see now?

He can.

Heh. A badge and a six-gun.

Can I depend on you to stay out of trouble for a couple of hours?

You can depend on me not to be goin' back to the jail.

What are you gonna do?

I got a little errand to run.

Uncle Del's down at the wagon yard

gettin' the wheel fixed. As soon as it's fixed,

we'll be goin' out to the ranch.

We'll take care of the wagon.

You go on with your errand.

My, this sure is a pretty spot.

Pretty as the hills back home.

There's lots of places out here like this,

that can be homesteaded.

You surely have learned a lot in a hurry.

Comin' from a poor, scratchy old farm the way you did,

rollin' out here on your own.

Now you're a real bronco buster.

As soon as I save up a little stake,

I'm gonna take a spread of my own.

The Judge is always tellin' the men--

get on their own, not just draw wages all their lives.

You're gonna own a ranch of your own.

I swear it must be this pure mountain air

that gives poor folks such gumption.

Anybody can make a fresh start.

Me, or your dad.

Hmm. If my Dad knew I was here with you--

If he gets mad,

I'll tease him out of it.

You know, Glory...

it is a big country out here.

It does get pretty lonesome at times.

Well, I suppose you have a lot of friends, though.

Girls, too.

No, ma'am. Nary a one.

You know, I hardly would've recognized you.

You've grown up so fast.

Well, it's been six years.

It just doesn't seem possible.

You used to be such an eentsy-teentsy,

spindling, flour-sacked tomboy.

Now, all of a sudden, you--

you kindly filled out.

Time passes, and one does grow up, Mr. Benton.

Now, why did I call you Mr. Benton?

I don't know.

Can I call you Randy?

I don't know why you ever stopped.

You always used to. Remember?

We used to rattle the milk pans.

And made the cats mad!Yeah.

Remember the time we put the hard-boiled eggs

in old widow Thompson's hen nest?

She probably still thinks it was sun spots.

I still remember the basket you brought me.

The one plumb full of rhododendron

and lilac and... mountain honeysuckle.

Seems like a hundred years ago.

Glory, you sure are pretty.

Your eyes are like a couple of black-eyed Susans.

When you talk to me, it sounds more like singin' than talkin'.

Speakin' of singin',

I saw your guitar in the buggy.

Sing me a song like you used to.

Sure.

Now, maybe I don't know a lot of things to get excited about.

Nothin' seems to really make me want to run and jump and shout.

There is one thing, though, that I'm really in favor of.

♪♪

And that's love.

♪ Now, lots of words and sounds and colors ♪

♪ Have been put down describin' love ♪

♪ Of all the things there is ♪

♪ I guess it's about the most spoken of ♪

♪ It's something that no one ♪

♪ Can tell you, though

♪ You've gotta know

♪ I've always wondered how anything ♪

♪ Can do you the way love does ♪

♪ It showed me there was more to life ♪

♪ Than I'd ever thought there was ♪

♪ And though I've been told to search for love ♪

♪ Will only make you cry

♪ I'm still gonna try

♪ Now, if I don't know a lot about love ♪

♪ I know a lot about a lot of things worse ♪

♪ And before I mess with all that other stuff ♪

♪ I want to try that love stuff first ♪

♪ When all the talk about the problems of love ♪

♪ Is all said and done

♪ I bet it's fun

♪ I've always wanted to be satisfied ♪

♪ With just one pretty girl

♪ And I've always wanted to know ♪

♪ All the happiness in the world ♪

♪ Love's the only way

♪ That I'll get to have all that ♪

♪ So for me that's where it's at ♪

♪ Yes, sirree

♪ Love's where it's at

[ song ends ]

That sure was pretty, Randy.

I thought you might like it.

I wrote it just for you.

Did you?

I mean it.

[ water splashes ]

It's your dad!It couldn't be!

It has to be!

[ laughing and whooping ]

Now, look here!

Can't a fella have any privacy?

I told y'all I didn't need any help. Leave me be.

Look here, nephew.

Don't go galloping your insides out.

We're just doin' our duty.

Duty? Well, leave off.

I don't need you overseeing me or my sparkin'.

Maybe you ought to get yourself another girl.

The Bentons and the Claibornes don't mix.

Well, times change.

Now don't get all fetched up, Randy.

We're just lookin' out for your health.

Look, I like you folks as much as I like anybody.

We've had a lot of fun together,

we've worked hard together

and fought some together in the old days.

But out here, I can stand on my own two feet.

Well, it could be you just might change your mind

about them Claibornes.

Maybe he's using her for bait.

You don't even have a gun on you.

I want to go right now.

I'm sorry, Glory.

Mr. Benton, I wouldn't have come here

if I'd have though I'd have the daylights scared out of me

by your snoopy kin.

And the insults to my daddy on top of that.

And furthermore, I wouldn't have even come here

If I thought your snoopy kin was gonna be hiding in the bushes.

At last.

Glory, honey, I do hope I can see you again soon.

I don't see how that's possible.

You practically accused my father

of sneakin' out there.

And all the time, it was your very own kinfolk.

I trusted you,

but you have not trusted me.

Well, I say what I mean, but I guess you don't.

Father always told me not to trust anyone

who talks honey-sweet speeches to you...

'cause he won't be man enough to live up to 'em.

Listen to me, dear--No, Mr. Benton.

I think it best just to say good-bye.

All that fancy, frilly talk

about gettin' a ranch and all.

Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you,

but us Claibornes don't go around

suspecting every little rustle in the brush

to be a threat to their lives.

Aw, honey.

Wait a minute. You don't understand.

I do think you're the prettiest thing that's every come into my life,

and I wouldn't do anything to hurt your feelings. You know that.

Well, it's too bad,

but you'll probably always be of a twisted mind.

No doubt you'll see to it that something evil overtakes my daddy.

I promise never to hurt you or yours.

Randy, I just don't know what to tell you.

We'll just have to wait.

Can I see you tomorrow?

Let's have dinner together. We can eat right here in the hotel.

All right.

I trust you and my daughter had a nice outing.

Yes, sir.

I didn't stand in the way

'cause I thought she ought to see for herself

what sort of a man a Benton is.

Before I'm a Benton, I'm a person

with the same rights and feelings as anybody.

That's not the way I heard it.

There's been four generations of you people

trying to cut down the Claibornes.

But now it's turned the other way around.

I'm not sure I know just what you mean.

Well, I'm here and you're here.

It's a free town. I'm sure you're welcome.

I asked where you might be found. They said Medicine Bow.

I said, well, that's a pretty far piece.

But I best get out that way

just to see how little Randy Benton is getting along.

'Cause him and me got something to talk about.

All right. I'm willing to talk about it-- the sooner, the better.

No need to hurry.

I lost six years' time because of you.

It may take me five or ten years

just of makin' up my mind how to collect.

You can't collect something that ain't owed you.

You've never been locked up

behind blocks of stone and bars of iron.

You just can't know.

A man does a lot of thinking about justice and punishment.

He gets mad.

Sometimes they break him or shoot him just for that.

And then he thinks about his own justice.

Well, you'd be surprised.

You'd be surprised what goes on in a man's mind

when he's got nothin' else to think about.

Listen, I just testified to what I saw.

There was half a dozen saw and told more than I did.

It was self-defense, me against two.

That was for the jury to decide, not me.

I just said you and them was in a fight

and Simp Oliver got shot.

I ain't never said it was or wasn't self-defense.

But you seen it was.

No, I didn't. By the time I got there,

y'all three was already in a fight.

Well, then, boy, we all gotta pay.

Well, I'm clear. I just did what I had to.

I'm sick of these dead old hill country feuds.

Back shootin', barn burnin', poisoned wells.

Half the time, reason is forgotten.

You and me both know that blood is thicker than water.

Out here, people don't carry a family harness like that.

If a man has a hate, he comes out with it face to face.

Shoot it out if you have to.

I only takes one minute and one bullet

to settle an argument like that.

Too fast for fun.

Mr. Claiborne.

Can't you see? You came over 1,000 miles across meadowland,

and wasn't one grudge fighter on the way.

Out here, people try to be neighbors, or they just don't make it.

In my mind, boy,

you and me are going to come to an understanding soon.

A real hard understanding.

Let's do it now, then. I'll go down and get my gun out of the buggy,

and we'll shoot it out--

It'll be in my time.

And in the old hill way.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

Layin' behind a brush pile somewhere

with a long rifle, blowin' out my back ribs.

There's no end of ways.

When I worked in the prison hospital,

I learned a lot about medicines

that makes folks feel well.

And I learned a lot about poisons--

makes folks feel so poorly,

they'd just as soon not feel at all.

Boy, I know a poison you can slip into a man's coffee,

his beer, canteen--

he doesn't even know it's there.

It eats up his insides so slow,

it'll take six months before he even knows he's sick.

And then he just prays to be dead.

I'd say that beats back shootin' all to pieces.

What about your daughter? What about Glory?

Does she have to think what you think?

Suffer your suffering? Pay off your festering debt, too?

She's a Claiborne.

Good day.

You was a long time.

By golly, Brett, I'm glad to see you.

Yeah, well, I thought you gave up on the old family ways.

Not hardly.

Don't you worry. We'll take care of him.

I'd like to have you all stay close for a while.

Razz, will you take the buggy down to the livery stable?

I'm gonna go talk to the Sheriff.

That sheriff of yours may know somethin' about law and order,

but he don't know nothin' about a man like Claiborne.

Yeah. Kinfolk gotta stick together. Right, Randy?

Yeah.

Right.

Y'all will like it out at the ranch.

Beats the town all to pieces.

Well, old Grandpa always said,

ain't nothin' like them wide open spaces

for pure enjoyment.

Gosh, I'd almost forgotten about him.

He ain't forgotten none about you.

It was all I could do to hold him back

when we told him we was comin' out here to see you.

Heh. He said we'd never make it without him.

Made us bring Bonnie and Gina.

Bonnie and Gina?

His mules.

His prize mules.

He said we might lose the way, but they wouldn't.

[ laughter ]

You know, I think that it's the first time

he's ever been apart from them mules

since they was born.

He thinks more of 'em than he does Grandma.

[ laughter ]

Knowin' Grandma, can't see as I blame him.

[ laughter ]

Right yonder's a likely spot

for a Claiborne to bushwhack a Benton

on his way home alone.

Whoa.

What's that flag flyin' yonder?

Search me.

Best we take a look.

Whoa.

Somebody's puttin' a sign on you.

I don't like that kind of sign.

Easy, boy. Don't lose your head.

PECK: He's just tryin' to scare you, tryin' to make you run.

BRETT: That's what I've been tryin' to tell you.

If we don't get him, he's gonna get you.

Whoa.

Brought some of my kin to visit a while.

Glad to have you.

Just in time for chow.

Come on in. Plenty of room, plenty to eat.

Fellas, these are some of my kin that come to visit.

If you don't mind, we're gonna sup up a few vittles with you.

Just grab a chair anywhere there's room.

The boys are moving kind of fast today...

bringin' in the bunch quitters and mavericks.

What is a maverick?

It's an old critter that ain't never been branded or tamed.

What's a bunch quitter?

That's a worthless one that won't even stay with his own kind.

Pass me the beans.

Here were are in the flatland,

where they eat nothin' but beef, mornin', noon, and night.

No more cornbread and beans.

I don't know if my innards can run

without grits and corn dodgers.

Our cook bakes some of the best biscuits

that's ever been slapped in an oven, so don't worry.

Hmm. If that cook ain't married yet,

I aim to propose.

I dibbed her first.

Suppose we just leave it up to her.

Sure is nice to be in a high-class, civilized place

where they serve all these vittles.

Plain cookin', plain food.

That stew's made from an old Indian recipe.

Got it from Chief Rennis himself.

Try it.

Injun? You say Injun?

Well...maybe I'll just hold off a bit.

The cook would take it unkindly

if you didn't try the Indian stew.

Well, all right.

RANDY: Dig deep. You never know what you're gonna find.

Last week we found an old moccasin at the bottom.

The cook's not gonna like that

spillin' out all over the table.

I believe I'll just make your apologies to the lady.

[ shouting in Chinese ]

Excuse me?

[ cook screaming in Chinese ]

Oh, pardon me, ma'am.

Uh, sir.

You eat!

Indian stew! Dig deep!

Yeah, but I didn't spill it. He did.

You eat!

Yes, sir.

[ speaking Chinese ]

Do you suppose I hurt his feelings?

[ pans clanging ]

Randy, can I see you a minute?

Is it about my folks eatin' here?

No objection to that. Have a seat.

It's just that I don't like to see 'em

tryin' to bend you back to their ways.

They came here to help me.

What kind of help?

I told you-- Claiborne's after me.

That's just talk, Randy.

Talk, huh? We just found a grave up the road

with my name on the headboard.

And that wheel comin' off wasn't any accident, neither.

Could be somebody's tryin' to scare you

into makin' the first move.

I wouldn't like to see that.

Listen, Claiborne killed my granddaddy and his brother,

and another one hamstrung my daddy's prize mules.

They poisoned our stream.

And this one holds six years in prison against me personally.

No Claiborne ever forgives or forgets anything.

And neither do the Bentons.

Either you live by the law, or you live outside it.

You can't have it both ways.

Will the sheriff stay with me day and night?

Neither will your kin.

The bunkhouse is full up with workin' hands right now.

They can stay outside, then.

I ain't gonna ask 'em to leave. I won't ask 'em.

They're all I got to count on right now.

Nobody else believes I have any problem.

CLAIBORNE: Randy.

Randy Benton.

I'm gonna get you, Randy.

Sure as shootin', I'm gonna get you.

Randy.

Randy.

Randy!

Aah! Aah! Give me my gun! My gun!

[ Randy gasping ]

Give me my gun! Give me a gun!

Randy! Steady, boy!

Steady.

There must've been too many pickles

on that piece of blueberry pie.

Ha ha!

Talk to you in the morning.

Oh! Oh, sir!

Don't put no more garbage anywhere, do you hear?!

Now, get out! Get out!

Out! Out! Out, I said! Out! Out!

Ooh!

Oh, sir!

That's a darned right unfriendly fella.

He had no call to throw them turnips at me

the way he did.

If he hadn't been so pushy,

I might've invited him to breakfast.

Brett?

When are we goin' home?

I just don't feel right around here.

You're eatin' good.

It's too hot, too cold, too somethin'.

We're stickin' till Claiborne's taken care of.

Then let's get it done.

What's all this?

I don't know. The boys were using the forge

to fry up some fatback and turnip greens.

It only takes a minute.

What's all this?!

Don't you worry about us, Mr. Foreman.

Randy said there weren't no room out in the bunkhouse.

We're doin' just fine here.

Don't get excited. They'll be goin'.

The Judge had this carriage that you're using for a rooming house

imported from London, England--handmade--

for his extra fancy handmade imported visitors.

Has it gone over every Monday morning.

Not a squeak in them springs.

Not a speck of dust.

Every glass like a mirror.

You said there wasn't any room in the bunkhouse.

Look at it!

Lard on the cushions!

Straw all over! Chickens on the seats!

As soon as they clean it up, they're finished.

That don't hardly sound like no western hospitality to me.

Out! Out!

Jimmy! Jimmy!

If you treated your critters better,

they might not be so mean.

Aah--Jimmy!

Go pick up your horse.

Randy, I need Jimmy.

Just give me a little time.

I'll give you about a minute and a half.

I can't afford to have them on the place.

That's all right, Randy.

We'll be goin' on, but we'll stay close by.

We'll meet you tonight.

Not tonight. I gotta see somebody alone.

Well, like I told 'em, nothin' but the best.

Champagne!

I'm speechless.

[ pop ]

[ giggles ] Oh!

Well...

like I told 'em, nothin' but the best.

This is from Paris, France, you know.

Here's to us.

Glory and Randy together.

You and me.

Yeah.

[ giggles ]

It tickles.

Like a cat's tail.

Glory, ever since you've been here,

my head's been spinnin' around

like I've been eatin' loco weed.

Can't hardly believe it.

I know I've known you ever since we were children, but..

you've changed so much, it seems like I just met you.

Sounds kind of mixed up, doesn't it?

No, Randy.

I love what you're sayin'...

because it sounds like you.

Not just somethin' a boy makes up

because he's alone with a girl.

That's good.

I wish there wasn't this other thing bothering me.

'Cause ever since y'all been here,

I've felt kind of like a red fox

with a pack of hounds after me, huntin' me down.

It's a bad feeling, Glory.

Why can't we just work things out ourselves,

without lettin' other people interfere?

Like your brother?

Like your father.

You know how it is, Glory.

I'm afraid to walk out onto the street

for fear somebody'll take a shot at me.

Can't hardly sleep.

The other night, I woke up hollerin'.

Everything would be so good if your father wasn't here.

Or your kin!

Yeah, but your father's out to kill me.

Well, it wasn't my father who started the fight in the street.

And it wasn't my father who was snoopin' on us

when we thought we was alone.

And if there's any killin' gonna be done,

it won't be my father who'll be doin' it!

[ neighing wildly ]

Emmett? You in there?

I want you to see this paper.

I found it with a burr under my saddle.

Somebody been sending you love letters?

Just a picture.

Looks like a spade.

To the mountain people, that spade means

that somebody figurin' on burying me.

Who do you think it means?

Claiborne, of course. Only mountain people know the sign.

All right, come on in.

Mr. Claiborne...

do you know what this mark means?

That's a hex mark.

They hang that on your gate just before they kill you.

Sure glad it ain't for me.

You drew it, put it under my saddle with that burr.

You jumping to conclusions again?

Not jumping--thrown. What are you doin' here anyway?

I asked him here, Randy.

You ain't gonna kill me, Claiborne.

If you have anything to do with this business,

I wouldn't take it kindly.

Your charging me with something?

No, no charges.

Then I'll be leaving.

I believe this is yours.

No charges.

What do you want me to do?

I want you to stop a killing.

That's what I'm trying to do.

I sure hope so.

MAN: Drop your gun!

If I'd been a Claiborne, you'd have been dead.

Boy, you scared me.I meant to.

I just seen old man Claiborne go by.

I could've shot him just as easy as ducks in a barrel of molasses.

Found this in my saddle.

Uh-huh.

What were you doing in the sheriff's office?

Just tryin' to stay within law and reason.

Law?! This fight ain't gonna end

until somebody sheds some blood.

You seen them Claibornes.

They're like dogs, struttin' around with their tail up proudy.

Just snarlin' and bitin' anything

that looks like it'll stand up on its two hind legs and fight.

Well, the Bentons have always stood up on their hind legs--

not just to protect themselves,

but for the little people, too.

Them Claibornes is always pushin'.

Just pushin'.

And if you don't kill 'em right away,

it's twice as hard later on.

We dang near got the job done, you know.

I think the job was done

the day we sent old Claiborne to the penitentiary.

They try to take our land.

Try to take our women, take our good name.

But we've almost got 'em beat.

I just can't think of Claiborne as bein' a threat to me.

He's the last one of 'em. He's finished.

Just as long as he bears that name,

he bears in his heart the hatred.

I'll tell you the truth--

we're gonna kill him.

What about Glory?

She'll be better off without him.

A feud cleans the blood.

It weeds out all the weak ones.

It makes a good, strong family.

Ain't never been a cowardly Benton.

Listen, Brett, I didn't run.

I just left home because I wanted to make a better life for myself.

I ain't sayin' you're scared of Claiborne.

I'm just sayin' you could come on back home easy

once we got rid of him.

You could buy up some land,

settle up alongside us.

We'd own that whole south parish.

There wouldn't be nothin' but just peace and quiet

and one big happy family.

We'd be singin' and dancin' every Saturday night.

People gotta get along-- all kind of people, everywhere.

They don't never forget.

Not them Claibornes.

Do you think that he'd come all this way

just to introduce you to his daughter?

Or maybe you think he's made up them notes and such

just for old times' sake.

Why don't you just go on over there

and bare your shoulder blades to him,

and say, "Stick the knife in right here."

We've just got to wait him out, hope he gives up.

Randy, sometimes I'm wondering about you.

Listen, Brett,

I've got a lot of things I want to do in my life,

and killin' old men ain't one of 'em.

You think I like killin'?

You ought to know me better than that.

It's just sometimes a man ain't got no choice.

It's just kill, or you're gonna be killed.

[ Glory sobbing ]

Glory?

Glory?

What is it, child?

Glory?

I've been away for a long time,

and I don't mind tellin' you--

sometimes I thought I'd never make it out of that place.

Two things kept me going.

One of them was hate. Now, that's bad.

It's bad for a man to hate,

but it's the truth.

I think of those Bentons and what they did to me,

and I couldn't give up.

But the other--

the other thing is something I am proud of.

It was love.

I'd think of my little girl and...

how close we used to be.

And if I could just hang on...

we'd be together again.

You brought me back, Glory.

Now, don't shut me out.

[ crying ] Oh, Father!

Oh, Father!

It's Randy.

He thinks you want to kill him.

What do you think?

I know I love you very much.

And if you didn't want me to see him anymore,

I wouldn't.

But if anything happened to Randy,

I'd never forgive you.

A raise?

What do you need with a raise?

I need a stake for settling down.

I'm willing to take more on myself

and put in extra time.

Sounds like you mean business.

It's a matter of my future.

I'm thinkin' about takin' up land.

As a matter of fact, I wanted to ask you-- friend to friend--

since you know the property around here--

if you knew some little green valley I might could get.

All of a sudden, you've got a lot of plans.

I'd hate to lose you, Randy.

I'll stay on a while.

But if I'm gonna ask somebody to settle down with me,

I gotta have something to offer.

As a matter of fact, I do know of two or three short little valleys.

You sure you're ready?

Yes, sir.

You've been awful good to me here,

and I've learned a lot.

But a man's gotta be makin' his own life,

or else it's all skittered by before he knows it.

Where I'm from, I'm already late getting started.

All right.

I know of a nice little claim out there.

With deep grass and year-round springs.

Even got an old cabin on it.

It's called Cedar Hills.

Cedar Hills?

Is that what you've been callin' paradise?

I know it's all run down, Uncle Del, but with some work--

Work, work-- that's about all you can say.

Well, anyways, at least it's private.

Ain't it grand, though? It's sheltered,

it's got a real good stream runnin' through it.

I told Glory about it. She's in love with it.

There's plenty of land back home...

that's safe from blizzard winds.

I know. That's mighty beautiful country back there.

But I've grown attached to this country out here.

You forgot about that yellow moon

that hangs over our hills?

And the kinfolk gatherin' to sing and dance?

Ain't so bad, you know.

A man's got time to loaf.

He don't have to get up

and chase no crazy critters.

Look at that grass. It'll grow as high as your belly.

Jug's empty.

Let's go back and get some of that red stuff.

All right.

Howdy, Brett.

You look mad as a stump-tailed bull in fly time.

Finish up your drink. We gotta hurry.

What for?

Razz just saw old man Claiborne

buyin' tickets for the evening train.

Tickets? He's leavin'?

Both of 'em. Only they won't be on that train.

Now, hold on.

We're gonna have a talk with him--

just a straight out talk.

He must be doin' this to break me and Gloria up.

It may be that.

Or maybe he's just fixing to get himself an alibi

and sneak back into town

and get you when we ain't around.

We're gonna settle up with him.

Then you can do whatever you want.

How do you mean that?

If you want to be a cattle nurse,

it's all right with me. Or you can come on back up to the hills with us.

But whichever way it is, you won't have to watch your back no more.

Suppose I want to find a little green valley all by myself.

I expect I can do that, too.

Ain't no skin off my nose.

If you want that Cedar Hills place, you go right ahead.

But listen here, Randy.

Don't forget them high hills where you was born.

You know every holler, every coon trail,

every catfish hole in that county.

It ain't like it is here.

Here, instead of huntin' and fishin',

it's cattle and cash money.

That ain't no kind of deal for me,

but you got a mind of your own.

But right now, we gotta make sure

that Claiborne don't ever come back.

How do you expect to get him loose from the law?

We already got him, little brother.

Any of you seen Claiborne?

No, sir.

His daughter's been lookin' all over for him.

You see him, let me know.

Sure.

That's it, little brother.

You're on the right side now.

Where's Claiborne?

We've got him out at your place.

He ought to be comin' to about now.

We're gonna plant him in the front yard of your new homestead.

RANDY: Mr. Claiborne, all we want is a straight answer.

What'd you come to Medicine Bow for?

And why are you leaving?

I got nothin' to say to any of you.

That's what we figured.

That's why you're here--

so's you can change your mind.

I thought when you left Bald Knob,

you showed a speck of good sense.

Guess I was wrong.

I didn't run from any feud or from fear of anybody.

Just couldn't see lookin' over my shoulder all my life.

Huntin' with the hounds is fine,

and makin' corn whiskey is fine.

But I wanted a look-see on the outside,

and I liked what I saw-- till you came along.

You're afraid of me.

You bet I am. I'm afraid of anyone

that hates as much as you do.

If you were a man and you had a problem,

you'd have it out with me face-to-face, the right way.

There's a right way, and there's a wrong way.

You keep listening to Brett's lies,

you'll bend his way, and that's wrong.

You just won't leave well enough alone, will you?

You got out of prison, you come up to Bald Knob

lookin' for my little brother.

You've been after him ever since!

If I gave it up and Randy gave it up,

you'd still want to gnaw at that old bone.

Let me get you somethin' straight--

Somebody's coming.

It's Peck.

Glory, what are you doing here?

I couldn't help it, Brett. She's got a proud neck,

and she made more noise than a night-screamer.

BRETT: You didn't have to bring her here!

Better if she brought that sheriff?

It's gonna be all right, Glory.

You're all alike-- a dog pack of Bentons

pickin' on one peaceable man.

We didn't come here to listen to no female bellowin'.

Glory, just wait until we get--

No, I'm not waitin'!

I should've known--

a Benton doesn't change his spots. Not likely!

He wouldn't have come out here peaceful.

We just wanted to have this thing out with him.

I meant to bring you out here later,

show you how this place would look fixed up.

But you preferred outlawin'.

It's born and bred in you!

Night-ridin' and barn-burnin' and back-shootin'!

Shut up! We come here to talk to this old razorback, not you!

All right!

I came here to get my own back.

I did mean to kill Randy.

You're the one that changed my mind.

You made it a choice

between my hate for them and my love for you.

Suddenly it wasn't a choice anymore.

I believe you.

I'm sorry.

I never knowed a Claiborne could be so yellow.

You gonna believe him?

He's even got his own daughter lyin' for him!

You're the one who put the hex out on Randy,

and you tried to put it on me.

CLAIBORNE: Isn't that the truth? Go on.

Go on! Tell the truth and shame the devil!

You just go on talkin'.

Pretty soon, I'll put a hole in you so big,

you can see the sun rise through it.

At least I'll have the satisfaction

of knowing what a schemin', night-prowlin',

ring-tailed squealer you really are!

Wait a minute! There's something I want to find out.

A man's lucky if he has a brother to help him out

when the going gets tough.

You can always trust him no matter what, can't you?

Only one thing you can trust-- your own family.

So you tried to scare me to prove another man was no good?

Would that be your way of showing brotherly love, too?

If I thought it'd bring a stupid, weak-kneed boy to his senses

and back home where he belongs-- yes, I'd do it!

I trusted you, Brett.

I believed you when you talked about your honor.

But I can't respect anybody that's gonna lie to me!

I'm the head of this family.

And it's up to me to bring you along one way or the other.

Ain't that right, Uncle Del?

You boys shouldn't be buttin' heads.

Maybe you forget how we used to do it in the old days!

Maybe you're goin' against your own ways, too!

My memory goes back a long ways.

And I don't ever remember brother being set against brother.

Well, tell that to the kid! Don't tell me!

I'm tellin' you, 'cause you're the one that brung us out here!

You're the one feudin' and fumin' for blood.

You're a proud boy, Brett.

Maybe a mite too proud.

You think I'm forgetful?

I remember things you didn't even know.

I remember the blood wasn't all on the Claiborne hands.

The Bentons had more than their share of it.

Of course, I guess there's maybe one thing I have forgot.

What started this whole feudin' thing.

If you could tell us that, I'd be mighty obliged.

All right.

There ain't but one Claiborne left.

I guess it don't take but one Benton to finish the job.

I don't need no help!

You came all this way just to kill yourself another Claiborne,

but not to help me at all.

You got one last chance.

Which side are you on?

I aim to be on my own side.

Maybe you ought to take another name, too.

Try Claiborne!

You aim to shoot me, go ahead.

I want you to shoot that old man for me, like you should!

Well, I ain't. And you ain't, either.

Uncle Del, grab him! Get him out of my way!

Peck!

Razz?

Put the gun down, Brett.

You can't do it, Brett!

Out of my way! I'm gonna shoot Claiborne!

Get out of my way!

[ gunshot ]

Get up, Randy.

Randy, get on up, come home with us.

Randy, get up.

Come on, little brother.

I'll make it up to you.

Oh, Randy! Don't die!

Please don't die!

I have to stop this bleeding, and stop it fast.

Glory, see if you can find something we can use for bandages.

One of you go get some water.

Can you save him?

I'll try.

With all my heart, I'll try.

Just save him. I'll make it up to you.

No deal.

Make it up to him.

I'll do that. I promise.

DEL: Randy boy, you sure had us scared to death.

Old Claiborne fixed you up just fine.

Randy, after all this excitement,

even Aunt Smyrna might look good to me.

Any of you tell her that,

I'll shoot you down like a coyote.

Well, your color's pretty good.

You're lucky to be alive, boy.

Pleased to have a doctor around at shootin' time.

I, uh...

gather everything's all right around here.

Just one thing more to do.

Unless I'm imagining things,

the last thing I remember was you sayin' something

about makin' it up to me.

I said it, and I mean it.

I'd like to see you fellas shake hands

and get this thing settled.

Well...

I come here to save my brother from you.

You ended up savin' him yourself.

Ain't nothin' I can say except that I was wrong,

and I just hope we can be friends from here on out.

It's not easy for a man to admit he's wrong.

On the other hand, I suppose he's not a man

unless he does admit it.

Let's just say we both learned a lot today.

Better get some rest.

I'll be waiting outside.

Randy, you take care of yourself.

You come up to see us soon.

Sure will, Brett.

Uncle Del, kiss Aunt Smyrna for me.

What'd you go and say that for?

You don't have to go.

Better make the scars heal

before making any permanent plans.

All the scars.

Will you be back?

Try and keep me away.

Bye.

Bye.

I make this just for you.

But I'm a sick man.

You eat this! Quick!

You'll like this! You'll see!

And when you get to bottom...

you find surprise!

[ laughing ]

[ theme music playing ]