Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

THE VIRGINIAN: It was a quiet time at Shiloh.

One of those rare times when there were no fences to mend,

no cattle to haze, no waterholes to clean out.

We were between jobs,

and most of the men were taking it easy.

But not for long.

We had a contract to round up some horses for the Army,

and one of the hands had spotted the herd.

We'd had a glimpse of them from time to time up in the hills,

but none of us was really prepared for the sight

of all those mustangs bunched together-- pretty as you please.

Turn 'em in! Turn 'em in!

Turn 'em in!

[ whistles ]

Keep 'em movin'!

Keep 'em movin'!

Keep 'em movin'!

They were pretty, all right.

They were also stubborn, mean and ornery.

They were man-killers.

By the time we got those horses gentled

and delivered to the railhead in Rawlins for shipment,

none of us was in one piece.

I wish I had a dollar for every sprained muscle

and cracked rib.

I didn't need Trampas to point out the sorry shape we were in.

But, being Trampas, he pointed it out anyhow.

As a matter of fact, he went on about it at some length.

When he was all run down, I told him he and the boys

could lay over for a while before they started back.

I'd go on ahead and catch up with them at Shiloh.

Trampas figured he'd hit me on an off day

and took off happy as a clam, so he could tell the others

before I could change my mind.

The next day, I started back for Medicine Bow alone.

As it turned out,

I guess maybe I should've put pleasure ahead of business for once

and stayed over with the others.

[ men whistling, shouting ]

Whoa!

Here we go, men.

[ laughter ]

There you go.

Tom, I still think we should've brought them girls along.

How would you explain them to Mrs. Conlan?

A female wouldn't get within a mile of you this morning.

Well, Mason, you ain't exactly no bouquet of posies yourself.

Dink, I just gotta do this.

But it's for your own good.

Aah!

[ laughter and shouting ]

Come on. We're gettin' out of here.

[ laughter ]

You know something? You feel better already!

Ha ha ha!

Sorry about that, mister.

But there was no harm intended.

No harm done.Good, good.

My name's Conlan. Tom Conlan.

Morning.Mornin'.

You got a right good-lookin' piece of horse flesh here.

I like him.

I've been lookin' for a horse like this for myself.

How much you want for him?

I'm sorry, he's not for sale.

Oh. Well, look...

why be so hasty? Have a drink with us and we'll talk about it.

No, thanks.

Some reason you don't want to drink with us?

Just a little early for me, is all.

You sure you don't want to change your mind?

No, thanks.

Now, mister, I'm--

I've been tryin' to be sociable with you,

but you ain't makin' it too easy.

Don't mean to be unsociable.

Just in a hurry, is all.

[ chuckles ] Well, mister.

When a man refuses to have a drink with me,

I get a little unhappy.

And when he walks away and turns his back on me,

I get downright upset.

But I'm gonna give you a chance to apologize.

Now, have that drink.

Dink, hold the man's head for him.

[ laughing ]

You're wasting good whiskey, mister.

Now, come on. Have that drink.

Wait, Tom! Maybe he's had enough.

Yeah, maybe.

Let's get goin'.

Well, now, stranger, you look a little worse for wear.

This road lead to a town?

Three Falls.

Mind if I hitch a ride?

Get in.

Hyah!

Doc Kane will fix you up good as new.

Seein' it was Tom Conlan, you got off easy.

Much obliged.

Don't mention it.

Hi, Ma.

Where you been?

Well, we've just been in town.

For two days?Yeah.

Who'd you think would see to things around here

while you were gone?

Well, the boys needed some rest,

and I just figured that the beef business could wait.

You don't start spendin' some time running this place,

there isn't going to be any beef business.

Yeah, I know, I know, I know.

Where'd you get the new horse?

Well, we just kind of ran into the fella that owned it

and made a deal. Do you like it?

Looks good.He is good.

I figure on raising a whole strain just like him.

I always thought that we should run our horses

on the Double C.

But Pa just never quite saw it that--

Someday, Ma, I'm gonna make the Double C

richer than it ever was.

That I'd like to see.

I'm glad Aunt Meg didn't ask to see that bill of sale.

Yeah, me, too.

What she doesn't know won't hurt her.

Let's keep it that way.

Put the horses up and get yourself some sleep.

Wonder you didn't wind up with a cracked rib

instead of those bruises.

Yeah, Tom can get mean when he's riled.

I noticed that about him.

Understand, I don't approve of what Tom did.

But he's not too bad if you know how to handle him.

Handle him? You mean he does things like this often?

I mean, we all know he's got a temper,

so we get along with him as best we can.

Manage to avoid trouble... most of the time.

Did your sheriff ever try locking him up?

The last sheriff we had gave it some thought...

just before he quit.

You'll be sore for a while.

Don't get in any wrestling matches

and you should be all right in a few days.

Well, how much do I owe you, Doc?

I'll take a dollar.

If you're a little short--

That's all right. I can send a wire for some more money.

Why go to all that bother?

You've got enough there to hitch a stage out of town,

forget the whole thing.

Heh.

You mean, just walk away from it?

It's an idea.

I've known Tom Conlan ever since his folks moved in

and started building up that Ranch.

I know him pretty well. It'd be the easiest thing.

Where's the telegraph office?

Down the street on the other side. But like I said--

I heard what you said.

Thanks anyway, Doc.

Good afternoon.Howdy.

How much to send that?

Looks to be about 50 cents.

Excuse me.

Hi, honey.

Well, how's my girl?

Ellen?

You and my wife know each other?

Your wife?

And my daughter Kathy.

Who's he, Mommy?

This is an old friend, Kathy.

My husband-- John Cooper.

How are you, John?

My pleasure.

We met about seven years ago

in Beaverville.

Briefly. I was in town for about week selling some cattle.

Oh, I see.

What brings you here?

Well, I had some business to take care of in Rawlins.

Then I was on my way back to Medicine Bow,

and I ran into a little trouble with a fella outside of town.

He and his men stole my horse.

It was you?

You know about it?

The whole town knows about that.

Too bad you didn't kill him.

Ellen.

You've just witnessed the cardinal sin.

The one thing you don't do in Three Falls

is suggest standing up to Tom Conlan.

How long will you be here?

Just long enough to catch my breath and get my horse back.

You'll need some place to stay while you're in town.

That's kind of you, but--

Don't argue. Just say yes. John?

Well, I guess you could use our front room.

Thank you very much. I appreciate that.

Here's for the wire.

It's the house on the rise

at the end of the street.

I'll have to stop by the bank first

and arrange for some money when the confirmation comes.

The banker's name is Ainsworth. He'll oblige you.

Thanks again.

Seems like a nice enough fella, honey.

Yes, he is.

Well, I'll see you for supper, huh?

You be a good girl.

Bye, Daddy.

You sure put away a lot of pie for a little girl.

Mmm!

More coffee?Please.

You look mighty pretty tonight, honey.

I don't see you wear that dress very often.

Not much occasion to.

You been in Three Falls long, John?

Most of my life.

When I was a kid, I used to watch Mr. Decavitor

operate that telegraph key.

It fascinated me.

I swore when I grew up I was gonna get his job.

A man likes what he's doin', that's half of living.

That's true.

Uh...how well do you know Tom Conlan?

Now that I think about it, not well at all.

Of course, everyone knows him one way or another.

Before he died six months ago,

Tom's father was one of the biggest men in this area.

This town sort of grew up alongside that ranch of his.

I see.

Old man Conlan held a pretty tight rein on Tom.

When he gets used to his freedom, he'll stop abusing it.

You sure of that?

No, he's not sure. He's just hoping.

Like everyone else in this town.

No action, just hope.

Time for bed, young lady.

Up we go!

I want more pie!

You're about 90% pie already!

[ both laugh ]

Well, say good night.

I'll have the rest for breakfast.

Ha ha! Good night, Kathy.

Sleep well, sweetheart.

[ humming ]

Whoa! Ha ha ha!

I was gonna--You're looking--

[ both chuckle ]

Go ahead.

I was just going to say that you're looking well.

So are you.

This kind of life sure seems to agree with you.

Uh...

when I got back to Beaverville that spring,

I tried to look you up, but you were gone.

I wondered what happened to you.

Oh, I guess I...

just got tired of working in the bank and all.

I decided to look around for something else,

something new.

I drifted in here,

and then I met John.

He's a fine man.

And you have a beautiful little girl.

I envy you.

Well, it's...

not the life I had in mind for myself.

But...it's a life.

Well, I guess I'd better get out these dishes.

Say, is there a Mr. Clymer in here?

Playin' cards.Thanks.

Morning, gentlemen.

How do you feel?Better, thanks.

Mr. Clymer?

Can I do something for you?

The boy at your livery stable said you could rent me a horse.

A dollar a day, plus the deposit.

A dollar happens to be all I got right now.

But I've made arrangements to get some more.

I'd be happy to pay you the rest when I get an answer to my wire.

Don't extend credit. Whose deal?

Confirmation should be here in a few hours.

Fine. When it gets here, come and see me.

Ned, you ought to mind your manners.

Fella will think we're all as unsociable as Tom Conlan.

So, you're the one.

You gonna let me have a horse or not?

If you've got your money, I've got a pinto I'll sell you.

Sell me?

You can't ride home on a rented horse.

I didn't figure on going home.

Not just yet.

Just what did you figure?

I'm gonna ride out of here

on the same horse I rode in on.

I'll also need a gun.

I thought you were gonna walk away from it.

Did you hear me say that?

Since you're so intent upon killing yourself,

Asher here runs the only gun shop in town.

Sorry. Business had been pretty bad,

but I don't think I'm gonna improve it much

by extending credit to a dead man.

I'll back up his credit.

How are you today?

I'll let you know when the day's over, Mr. Ainsworth.

Until the confirmation comes from Medicine Bow,

I'll pay for the rent of his horse and his gun.

Let me show you what I got.

Koler.

We need six bottles, to travel.

You drank the rest already?

Just get 'em.

Well, now, look who's here.

Thought you'd have walked out of the county by now.

As a matter of fact, I will be leaving...

now that you've brought me my horse.

I'm sorry, Mister. I didn't tell Tom I took that horse.

He'd be a little upset if I gave him back to you.

Well, thanks.

Terry, don't!

He's dead.

Couple of you pick him up

and take him down to the undertaker.

Mister...

you just made your second big mistake.

That was pure self-defense,

no matter how you look at it.

You be sure and explain that to Tom.

That's how you look at it.

Let's go.

You'll live to regret puttin' that bottle to me.

Now the fat's in the fire.

I'll buy you a drink.

Yeah.

Get on your horse and ride out of here.

This ain't ended yet, mister.

You don't want some citizen to arrest you

for disturbing the peace, you'd better ride out of here.

Mr. Ainsworth...

looks like I won't be needing the money after all.

You say you're leaving now?

I got back what I lost.

As far as I'm concerned, that's the end of it.

That's not the way that I look at it.

This man has stood up to Tom Conlan

and his hands twice now.

I think we're making a big mistake

letting him ride out of here.

What are you drivin' at?

Three Falls hasn't had a lawman in quite a while now.

Ainsworth, are you out of your head?

You want to hire the one man who can't get along with Tom?

The idea isn't to get along with Tom.

The idea is to make him get along with us.

I'm sorry, gentlemen, but I've already got a job I like.

And I'm overdue gettin' back to it as it is.

Just a minute. Before you say no,

I'm willing to add $40 a month

right out of my own pocket

to the regular money the town pays.

Why would you want to go and do a thing like that?

Maybe it's because I'm interested

in seeing law and order in Three Falls again.

Maybe it's because you loaned Tom Conlan money in the Double C

and you can't collect it or foreclose without a gun behind you.

Doc, you've got no right to talk like that.

Gentlemen, please.

I wouldn't take the job for any money.

Sure. Get Tom Conlan in a rage

and leave us with it.

His quarrel's with me, not with anybody else here.

The sooner I leave, the safer it'll be for all concerned.

You're really leaving?

That's right. Anything wrong?

I agree with Mr. Ainsworth.

Listen, Ellen, I--

No. You listen, please.

I am tired of living in a town

where one man can...

turn everyone into a herd of frightened cattle.

There are other towns.

I won't--

My husband and I won't be run out by Tom Conlan.

Look, Ellen, I understand how you feel.

If I lived here, I might feel the same way.

But I don't.

I'll be saying good-bye to John,

and then I'll be on my way.

He's up at the house.

Where's Terry.He killed him.

Killed him? Who killed him?!

The stranger. Killed Terry and took back his horse.

He knew nobody was supposed to ride that horse but me!

I was just comin' into town to straighten him out.

What are you gonna do about it?

I don't know.

We can't just let him ride away

after what he did.

If we hurry, we can still get him.

All right.

I'm sorry we didn't meet under more pleasant circumstances.

So am I. Maybe next time.

Nothing I can say will change your mind?

I'm afraid not. Say good-bye to Kathy for me.

I don't know where she's gone to.

[ horses approaching ]

Ellen, you'd better get inside.

John, do you still have the gun?

Yeah.

Get it. Help him.

You should've kept walkin', mister.

You made a mistake stoppin' in my town, killin' one of my men.

Me and my boys want to have a little talk with you.

We got nothin' to talk about.

Uh-uh. Don't you turn your back on me again.

John? Kathy's not here. We've got to find her.

[ gunshots ]

[ gunshots continue ]

[ barking ]

Kathy!

[ Kathy screams ]Aah!

Tom, I-- I didn't see her.

Now, get out of here. All of you!

I'm sorry, Ellen. It was an accident.

Take her inside. Ned, get my bag from my office.

What are you going to do?

I told you, it was an accident, Aunt Meg.

We're not gonna do anything.

And if the child dies?

It was the stranger's fault.

He started all this when he killed Terry.

Why did he kill Terry?

Did you really buy that horse?

Of course I--Or did you steal it?

I paid him for it. Just ask the hands.

The hands.

Do you think I'd believe a word any of them would say?

Since your father died, you turned them

a drunken bunch of saddle tramps-- good-for-nothings.

Well, if they're a little wild now,

it's because he rode 'em too hard,

just like he rode me!

Worked you, you mean.

It took your father 15 years

to build this into one of the best ranches in the territory.

You've half destroyed it, Tom, in six months!

And now you may have destroyed a helpless little child.

It wasn't our fault.

It was your horse, wasn't it?

But it was your fault!

I haven't had the courage

to show myself in town for weeks.

If you and Cal don't show enough courage now

to go back, face this,

what little is left of your father's good name will be--

Aaah!

The devil with my father's good name!

I'll sit with her for a while, John.

Why don't you get some sleep?

No, thanks.

How's Ellen?

Doc Kane's with her.

Drink this. It'll help you sleep.

I don't want to sleep. I want to see Kathy.

She's the same. There's nothing you can do for her.

Drink it.

There.

[ knock on door ]

Ainsworth.

Evenin', Doc.

How's Kathy?

Nothing's broken, but she may be hurt inside.

We'll have to see what happens in the next few hours.

And Ellen?

She'll be all right when Kathy is.

What are we going to do about it?

I'm a doctor.

Ask me how to treat some sickness or some disease,

I'll do my best to tell you.

Now, this--

This is a disease.

Maybe we didn't see it when it was just some broken windows

or hurrahing in the saloon...

or horseracing down the middle of the main Street.

But it is a disease--

You still think it's not your problem?

My problem or my fault?

Maybe that, too. If you'd left when I asked you--

But he didn't.

He had a right to get back what was his, and he did.

The question now is...

whether you feel responsible enough to help us.

Can I see Ellen?

For a minute.

What about Kathy?

Tell me the truth.

The doctor has done everything he can.

Now we just have to wait.

Promise me something.

Anything I can.

Promise me...

that you'll do what Mr. Ainsworth asked--

get Conlan and the others.

It's not just Kathy, is it?

You had a strong feeling about Conlan before she was hurt.

It is Kathy.

The town and--

And something else.

You see...

I knew Tom Conlan before.

It wasn't exactly like I said--

the way I left Beaverville.

I was bored and restless, but...

I left because of Conlan.

I met him in the bank

a few weeks after you'd left.

Heh.

I thought he might be

that new life I wanted.

We didn't know each other very long,

but after he rode away, I was lonely.

I followed him here.

When I talked to him, I saw he was different.

He just wasn't interested anymore.

John was...

a good, steady man.

So I married him.

It never came up again with Conlan?

And your husband doesn't know?

I never told him.

He isn't strong...

like you. He never was.

And now our Kathy is dying,

and he's dying with her.

Kathy isn't going to die, Ellen.

Whatever happens, Conlan has to pay.

And if you don't make him pay, no one else can.

I beg you.

Please don't let him get away with it.

Tell me something.

Does Conlan really owe you money like Doc Kane said he did?

Yes.

But what I said is true as well.

We've got to put this town back on its feet.

We've got too much invested in it--

all of us-- to let it fall apart.

All right. I'll bring Mason in for running Kathy down

and Conlan for causing it.

But there are conditions.

I want authority for this from the whole town,

not just one or two interested parties.

You'll have it. You'll be deputized officially.

Next, if and when I bring in Conlan and Mason

and get 'em behind bars,

I want you to get a circuit judge and try 'em.

You can count on it.

There must be a dozen charges to try them on

in the past few months.

Also, I may need some help.

That could be a problem around here.

I'll go with you.

Doc Kane will stay with Kathy and Ellen.

You should be with your wife.

Kathy is my daughter.

It's as much my responsibility as yours--more!

All right.

I'll tell the others.

[ horse neighs ]

[ horse neighs ]

[ cocks gun ]

Let's go.

All right, we're going in the house to take Conlan.

I wouldn't try anything.

Come on.

John, what are you doing here?

I'm sorry, Mrs. Conlan.

We came for him and Tom.

Aunt Meg, this is the one who shot Terry.

He figures on takin' Tom and me in.

My son buy that horse from you?

No, ma'am. He stole it.

We have a warrant for his arrest. Him and Mason.

Tom and I had an argument.

He rode away.

He's probably at a place up in the hills.

He used to go there when he was a boy and his pa whipped him.

He'll drink himself sick with whiskey,

and then he'll come home.

When he does,

I'll tell him to turn himself over to you.

Aunt Meg!

How is Kathy?

She's hangin' on, Mrs. Conlan.

I'll keep praying for her.

Thank you.

Climb up.

All right, folks, there's no sense in hangin' around.

We've got Mason safe and sound behind bars.

The next step will be to wire for a circuit judge,

arrange for a trial.

That is, as soon as we have Conlan in custody, too.

You mean you don't have him yet?

He wasn't at the ranch.

When I heard you'd gone after him,

I was worried for you.

And I was proud, too.

But it's not over yet,

not until Tom Conlan is in there.

His mother said she'd talk to him.

Anyway, it's my guess that with Mason behind bars,

Conlan will show himself soon enough.

And you'll arrest him?

I'll be back as soon as I look in on Kathy.

Tom.

Tom, don't do this.

You wanted me to go into town, didn't you?

Not this way.

Just stay out of it, Ma.

Go alone, turn yourself in.

Look, that little kid gettin' hurt was an accident.

An accident! If we allow those folks in town

to make something more out of it, we're through, we're finished.

And no outsider is gonna shoot one of my men

and then walk onto this ranch and start arresting us

just for fightin' back.

Tom, listen--Ma...

I'm just runnin' things the way Pa would've done.

[ knock on door ]

We got trouble.Conlan?

He's sending all his men ahead of him.

They're covering the whole street,

telling everybody to come to the saloon

so Conlan can talk to 'em when he gets here.

What do you think it means?

Guess we'll find out soon enough.

Maybe you ought to go stay with Ellen.

Don't think I wouldn't like to.

But I have a feeling you'll need me here.

Ellen?

Stay with Kathy, Doc, please.

Gentlemen...

I'll come right to the point.

Your, uh--

Your deputy has killed one of my men.

When we came into town to talk to him about it,

a little girl got hurt.

By accident.

Now, I'm real sorry about that.

But I'm not so sorry

that I'm gonna let you keep Cal Mason in jail...

or put me there because of it.

Now, I've been trying to keep my men in line.

But they're gettin' a little edgy,

what with one thing and another.

It's hard to keep men in line...

unless they've got respect.

And they can't have that

if I swallow this down smiling.

I hope you understand that.

[ knock on door ]

Ellen, what are you doing here?

Tom Conlan is in the saloon.

We know.

Why don't you go after him?

Because he's got a lot of men with him.

And half the citizens of Three Falls.

Ellen, you'd better go stay with Kathy.

Doc Kane is with her.

John's right, Ellen.

I want to know what's going on in that saloon.

Looks like we're about to find out.

Well, Mr. Ainsworth?

We've just been talking to Tom Conlan.

I should say, he's been talking to us.

And?

We're faced with a difficult decision.

Ainsworth, stop beating around the bush.

He wants you to release Mason.

Everybody does.

Am I hearing you right?

Before you start yelling,

you'd better listen to our side of it.

Conlan made it quite clear

that unless Mason is set free,

we're all going to regret it.

So, you want to just forget the whole thing?

Mason and Conlan get away with it, huh?

Well, after all, it was an accident.

Their fight was with you, not with us.

You cowards, you.

Ellen.

You said you'd back me all the way.

Yes, but we never figured on anything like this.

No matter what you figured on,

there's one thing you better face.

You let him get away with this now,

and he'll own you from here on out.

We've got no choice.

Well, I've got a choice.

If you won't back me up here, I'll take Mason out of here

and turn him over to the nearest Federal Marshal for trial.

You can't take that on yourself.

We gave you the responsibility, and we can take it away.

You really think it's that easy, huh?

Wait a minute.

Let's think about this.

If he wants to take Mason out of town,

maybe we should let him do it.

You think Conlan will stand still for that?

No, he doesn't. That's not what you think, is it, Mr. Ainsworth?

You think Conlan will probably try to stop me.

I'm willing to let you do the job you set out to do.

Would you both please do us one favor?

Try and keep him occupied down at the saloon

for as long as possible.

Tell him we're thinkin' it over,

anything else you can think of, all right?

We'll do our best.

Mr. Ainsworth.

Still worried about your town fallin' apart?

Bring my horse around back, and one for Mason.

And mine. I'm going with you.

You'd better go back to the house.

Thank you.

I'm not doing this just for you...

or Kathy.

Or the town. Not anymore.

It's just as much for me now.

I think John feels the same way.

Mount up.

You won't get five miles.

Move.

Think Conlan knows what we're doing?

If he doesn't yet, he will soon.

I don't figure it'll take much persuading

for one of the citizens to tell him. Let's go.

No sign of them yet.

Look again.

You were right. Someone didn't need much persuading.

Take cover.

Whoa!

All right, spread out!

Listen to me!

You let Mason go, we'll ride out of here!

You go your way,

and we'll forget everything that's happened. We got a deal?

You send your men away. Give yourself up.

I'll make sure you and Mason get a fair trial.

Tom, hold it! It's me!

You winged him.

We can finish 'em off easy.

No.

No, hurting that little girl was bad enough.

I got no stomach to kill her father

just to try to get at him.

If he's not discouraged now, he never will be.

Till he's dead.

All right, come on, boys! Back off!

We're gettin' out of here!

Let's go!

Let me see.

I don't think it's that bad.

Get the horses.

[ indistinct chatter ]

I found these at the sheriff's office.

It's about time.

You and I still got a score to settle.

Don't we, Koler?

Pour me a drink.

You better mop that up, Koler.

Now try again.

If you spill any this time, I'll kill you.

[ footsteps ]

Who's there?

What happened?

He got hit in the shoulder.

Help me get him to the sofa.

He's lost some blood.

Where's Doc King?

He should be back in just a few minutes.

Conlan and the others brought Mason in...

as if nothing had happened.

Is Conlan in town now?

He's in the saloon.

How about Kathy?

She still hasn't come around.

What do you think you're doing?

I'm gonna finish what we started.

Have you gone out of your mind? You can't go alone.

Kathy is lying in there.

Now he's hurt! I've had enough!

John, wait till I can go with you.

I'm tired of waiting. All of a sudden,

I don't want to be pushed any farther!

Will you listen to reason?

You can't do it by yourself.

There is no one else left to do it.

I'm gonna make those animals look up to what they've done.

They would kill you.

Ellen, I love you-- you know that.

But you've always made me feel like--

like I wasn't a real man,

like I couldn't stand up to things.

It wasn't what you said exactly. It was--

A man and woman live together,

they get to sense things about each other.

Well, now I'm gonna stand up.

John, if--

if I made you feel that way--

the way you said-- I am truly sorry.

But I don't want you killed.

I don't want it, either.

Then please! Wait until he can help you!

Kathy, she's my daughter. She isn't his.

She's not yours!

What are you talkin' about?

She's not yours, John.

She's--

Tom Conlan is her father.

Why would you say a thing like that?

Because it's time.

You're lying.

I can forgive you that.

You're lying because you don't want me to go out there and get hurt.

I don't want you to die, but I'm not lying.

I never told you when I met you

why I'd come here.

I wasn't just passing through.

I was looking for Tom.

He's never known it,

but, uh...

I was carrying his child.

And that's why I said yes

when you asked me to marry you.

That's why the baby came early.

John, there was no way to tell you.

No reason to.

Sixteen.

I'll stay.

You're gonna stay on sixteen?

Seven.

All right, Conlan.

I want to know what you did.

Where's the Virginian? Where's John Cooper?

Right here, Mr. Ainsworth.

You two are comin' along with me.

Heh.

Do you know that fella?

Never seen him before in my life.

He does look kind of familiar, though.

Now that you mention it,

he does resemble the telegrapher.

What's his name? Coop?

You mean that quiet kind of fella...

with the pretty wife?That's the one.

But this can't be the same man.

Not this fire-breathin' devil. Ha ha!

Unbuckle your gun belts.

John, you're makin' a big mistake.

It's not like you at all to go around

lookin' for trouble like this.

Come on, we've known each other a long time.

I don't know you. I don't want to know you. Do what I said!

Cooper.

[ gunshot ]

[ horse neighs ]

Take him!

I told you to stay out of this!

I'm in it. We're all in it.

Bending over backwards to look the other way,

excusing you because of who your father was.

And the pity of it is, you never even knew who he was,

what made him a man.

Not meanness, not cruelty...

but strength.

You never knew the difference.

That's enough, Ma.

I haven't been to town for some time.

I was ashamed to show my face to all of you.

But now I know my shame is yours, too.

How much longer are you gonna let these tramps

do this to you?

No longer.

Lift 'em.

Come on. The house will buy you one.

Let me see.

I know what that must've cost you.

But it had to be done.

I was coming after you when--

when Kathy woke up.

Doc Kane is with her now.

She's going to be all right.

[ sighs ]

Help me.

I want to see my daughter.

Rubbed him down myself

and gave him a real good feed.

Much obliged.

Got everything you need?

I think so.

Here's some salve.

It'll take the soreness out of that shoulder.

Thanks very much.

It's funny--the Coopers leaving like this.

They're young. Got plenty of living ahead of them.

What's to keep 'em here?

Well, Kathy, ready for that long ride?

I want a piece of pie.

Ha ha! I'd say she's feelin' better.

[ dog barks ]

Do we say good-bye to you here?

I'll ride along with you for a ways.

Good. I got a couple more bags.

I'll give you a hand.

Ellen.Mrs. Conlan.

[ Kathy laughing, dog barking ]

She's a beautiful child.

You've known all along, haven't you?

Since that time you came to the ranch to see Tom.

I saw the look of desperation in your face

when you talked to him out in the yard.

He didn't understand, did he?

It's hard for me to look at Kathy

without seeing a little bit of my son in her.

Ellen, I--

After the hearing is over--

no matter what he did, no matter what they do to him--

he's still my son.

And there's good in him. I have to believe that.

Now, maybe if--

if he knew that his own daughter

was nearly killed because of him,

maybe I could use that to make him understand

that it's time for all of this to stop.

I've stayed here all this time.

Too stubborn to leave.

Nursing all the hurt...

I blamed Tom for.

It nearly destroyed me

and my marriage.

It's over now.

You tell him, Mrs. Conlan, if you have to.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Ready to go, Ellen?

[ theme music playing ]