Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

Whoa.

Whoa.

Howdy.

How's it goin', Trampas?

Oh, I can't complain.

How do you like workin' for Mr. Bowden?

Which one?

Old man Bowden may own the place, but Ward runs it.

Well, I stand corrected.

You're lookin' fat and sassy. They must be feedin' you good.

Oh, Shiloh food's better.

But not the wages. Oh?

Yeah, oh-- Ward made me top hand a couple of weeks ago.

I ain't drawin' ordinary rannie's wages no more.

[ chuckles ]

Well, there's no accountin' for taste.

What?

Oh, nothin' much. [ chuckles ]

[ clears throat ]

[ horse approaches ]

Howdy, Trampas.

How are ya, Ward?

I'm fine.

See you've been to town, huh?

Yeah, yeah.

The next time, take the long way around, you hear?

Why would I do that?

Well, for one thing, you won't be trespassin'.

You callin' Ogallala Strip Bowden land?

Now, Ward, you knowShiloh's got as much right to that land as you do.

Now, Havens,

you better make up your mind whose side you're on.

Since when are there sides?

Oh, there's sides, all right.

Now, don't tell me you don't know about our claim to the strip.

Uh-- yeah, yeah, I heard somethin' about it.

It hasn't been settled yet.

Till Mr. Grainger tells me different,

I'll keep usin' the strip like I always have.

I'll tell you what.

Why don't you step down and we'll settle it here and now.

Uh-- now, what's fightin' me gonna prove?

Well, it may prove who's got enough muscle to keep the strip.

Might not prove nothin'.

But it's sure gonna make me feel good.

Well...

if it's gonna make you feel good.

Yaah! Yaah!

Trampas could get himself killed in that wagon.

We'd better go stop it.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

Ain't you comin'?

Yeah, sure, but take it easy.

We'll catch up to him sooner or later.

Ho! Ho there, boy. Ho! Ho!

Do you know them?

I thought I did.

Let's get outta here.

What's eatin' you?

Know who that is?

Oh...

Are you all right?

I've felt better, mister, and that's a fact.

Oh...

Kinda dizzy.

Where you headed?

Uh...

Shiloh Ranch, 'bout a couple miles down that road.

All right, you just take it easy. I'll get you home.

Come on.

Come on, buddy. Come on.

Haah!

Thought you were gonna doctor those yearlings today, son.

Where'd you go?

Roy and I took a ride down to the strip.

Had a run-in with Trampas.

Trampas? How come?

Well, the strip belongs to us, he had no business on it, so I run him out.

[ sighs ] Well, you did wrong,son.

Now, I told you before, that strip doesn't belong to us yet.

We gotta wait and see what the Land Commissioner says.

Wait!

That's all we ever do is wait for somethin' good to happen.

In Kansas, we waited for the wheat that got washed out.

In Arizona it was that mining claim that never saw the light of day.

But, Pa...

this is the closest we've ever come.

Now, in this world, there's the takers and the have-nots.

How do you think Clay Grainger got what he got?

He just reached out and he grabbed it, that's how he got it.

The only way I want that strip is legal and proper.

Now, Pa, you're as good a man as Clay Grainger any day of the week.

But he's rich! He's a big, powerful man around here.

Ain't no Land Commissioner gonna favor our claim over his, and you know that.

Now, hold off, Ward. I just don't want any more trouble.

Sometimes you gotta have a little trouble to get what you want around here.

These folks ain't ever gonna respect us unless we have the guts to take what's ours.

And you know that that strip is rightfully ours!

Well, if that's so, then God willing, we'll have it.

Now, in 10 days' time, the Land Commissioner'll settle the whole case.

10 days.

Roy! Come in here.

In 10 days' time, that strip could be soaked in blood.

What're you drivin' at, son?

Yeah, Ward?

WARD: Now, you tell Pa.

Make it slow and clear.

[ clears throat ]

Well, sir, Mr. Bowden, uh--

it seems like old man Grainger's gone and hired himself a fast gun.

We seen him up on the strip, bold as brass.

Who?

Who are you talkin' about?

His name's Ned Mullins.

Well, I just don't believe that.

Why don't you believe it?

Grainger's not the kind of a man to hire himself a gun hand.

Now, how do you know what kind of man Grainger is?

Is he a friend of ours? Have we ever taken supper with him regular?

No.

I tell ya, it was Ned Mullins, and he and Trampas headed back towards Shiloh.

Pa...

what do I have to do, draw you a picture?

Clay Grainger means to keep us from getting that strip one way or another.

I-- I just can't believe that.

Can't you see he's callin' our bluff?

Without that strip, we're nothin'.

With it, we can be as rich and as important around here as heis.

But he don't want that.

He's the big fish in the pond and he means to keep it that way.

Pa?

This is our big chance--

our last chance--

and we can't back down.

What could we do against a man like Mullins?

I ain't afraid of him.

Well, I am.

I want you to promise me that you'll let things stand for now--

that you won't go up against Mullins.

Pa--

I want you to promise me, Ward.

All right.

I promise.

But I'll tell you right now--

I'm not gonna hang fire forever.

Come on, Roy.

That's a bad cut, Trampas.

But it's clean and the bleedin' has stopped.

Now, Mrs.-- oh--

I'm sorry.No, that's okay.

Mrs. Grainger,

we have as much right on that strip as the Bowdens, haven't we?

Maybe more.

That strip's been in common use for years.

I wonder why the Bowdens are gettin' so feisty all of a sudden.

I think I'll ride out to their place in the morning and ask 'em.

I'm goin' with ya.

I think you had enough excitement to last for the rest of the week.

I'll see that he stays put and gets some grub.

[ chuckles ] You know-- oh--

uh-- when I get my own spread,

I think I'll hire him for the sole purpose of-- ooh--

bringin' me my breakfast in bed every morning.

Don't count on it.

Harper, get Trampas some food.

HARPER: Right.

We are certainly beholden to you for helpin' Trampas.

Won't you come up to the house and join us for supper?

Much obliged, ma'am.

Won't you join us, too, please?

Certainly.

Thank you.

Well, I'll, uh-- I'll go see to my horse.

It doesn't make any sense.

Why would Ward deliberately--

A lot involved here, Liz.

That Ogallala Strip means a great deal to the Bowdens and to us.

I know.

But I still can't think why Ward should do something like this.

I wish Clay weren't away at this time.

I don't know what the Bowdens are thinking of.

After all, the strip could be awarded to them as easily as to us.

VIRGINIAN: I hope not, Mrs. Grainger.

Wouldn't hurt go on sharing the Ogallala Strip with the Bowdens,

but we can't afford to lose that grazing land entirely.

You must think we have no manners at all--

talkin' about our problems in front of a guest.

Not at all, ma'am.

Some more cake?

[ sighs ]

I don't know where I'd put it.

That's the best meal I've had in a long time. Thank you.

Do you realize that we are eating supper together and we don't even know your name?

Call me Jim.

Will you stay the night with the boys?

I'd sure appreciate a roof over my head for a change.

If you're finished, come on over to the bunkhouse. I'll get you fixed up.

Thanks once again for the hospitality, Mrs. Grainger-- Miss.

Good night. Good night.Good night.

Stop by the house in the morning,

and have a good, hot breakfast before you go.

Thank you.

Who do you suppose he is?

Well, whoever he is,

he's a very uncommon man.

Honey... about Ward.

He's always been so nice to me--

always laughing and making jokes,

doing little things to please me.

This thing with Trampas--

it's a side of Ward I've never seen before.

Well... [ chuckles ]

Ward is a man who can charm the rocks right down off the mountainside.

But men are funny sometimes.

I think that this Ogallala thing has got him by the throat,

shakin' him this way and that.

He's got something in his craw,

and I just can't help but feelin' sorry for the boy.

Aunt Holly, what should I do?

Talkin' sometimes helps.

Thank you.

Well, not to me, honey--

to Ward.

You know what the old-timers always say--

"If you want to cure an ailing tree, go to the roots."

You mean chase him?

I'd be making a fool of myself.

Chase him?

Why, you never called it chasin' before when you visited back and forth.

Have it right out with him.

There's nothin' like clearin' the air between friends.

And as far as you making a fool of yourself--

I trust your judgment, Elizabeth.

Whatever you decide about Ward Bowden,

I know it'll be the right thing.

Mornin'.

Mornin'.

You leavin'?

Yeah, I thought I'd get an early start.

Oh.

Gotta be someplace?

No, no special place.

Oh-- [ clears throat ]

you know, uh--

I never got a chance to thank you last night.

No need.

Well, you probably saved my life.

Probably did.

What do they call you?

Mostly, people call me Jim.

Jim.

[ laughs ] I used to have an old mongrel dog, once--

well, no, no, he wasn't exactly a mongrel,

but, uh, I call-- I called him Jim.

No special place, huh?

That's right.

Well, we could always use an extra hand.

You do the hirin'?No, but, uh--

well, I got a little influence around here.

Well, thanks anyway, but I don't think I'd be much use on a ranch.

I don't know the first thing about cattle.

Oh, well, uh--

you could, uh-- well, there's a lot of wood needs cuttin'.

Fences need mendin'.

Harnesses need repairin'.

There's a lot-- a lot of odd chores that need doin'.

Well, I sure could use a job-- Good.

I'll talk to the foreman.

Pa?

Better come out here. We got a visitor.

Morning.

Mornin'.

Step down. Speak your piece.

In just 10 days, we'll know where we stand concerning the Ogallala Strip.

Now, I don't see any sense in starting trouble--

especially since the decision is out of our hands.

You speakin' for Clay Grainger?

I'm speaking in his place.

Well, now, that's not quite the same thing, is it?

Close enough.

Mr. Bowden, we never had any bad blood between us--

until you claimed the strip for yourself.

You ain't begrudgin' us that little old piece of real estate

with all the land the Graingers already have, are ya?

Shiloh needs the strip as much as you do.

What we don't need or want is a ruckus kicked up

just when the whole thing's about to be settled.

Oh, you Shiloh people are really somethin'.

Born on Wednesday, lookin' both ways to Sunday, ain't ya?

You don't want much-- you want the whole thing!

And you're sorighteous, you go outta your way to avoid trouble,

but yet you got a gun hawk up there patrollin' the strip.

Am I, uh-- supposed to understand any of that?

Oh, come on, you ain't denyin' you've hired Little Ned Mullins, are ya?

Ned Mullins? From Virginia City?

Oh, that's good! That's real good.

Pretend like you don't know what I'm talkin' about.

Well, this may come as a big shock to you,

but I don'tknow what you're talkin' about.

WARD: Well, play it any way you like.

We saw Mullins takin' Trampas back to Shiloh,

and it's not gonna change a thing.

You're not gonna scare us off with the likes of Mullins--

or anyone else, either.

Goin' someplace, boys?

I said what I came to say.

Well, looks like you took a long ride for nothin'.

Now, you tell your boys to stay off of that strip. Belongs to us.

You speakin' for your father?

I am. Ain't I, Pa?

Pa?

Yeah. Yeah, he's speakin' for me.

WARD: Now, you tell Liz I said hello!

Be over to see her soon.

Well, we told him, Pa.

We really told him, didn't we?

I only hope we don't live to regret it.

Been to the Bowdens', huh? What happened?

Thought your friend was supposed to leave bright and early.

Oh, well, uh--

well, he said he needed a job, and...

And?

Well, uh--

Well, he did me a pretty good turn yesterday.

I thought maybe--

Well, I hoped we could use him around here.

Doin' what?

Uh... well...

Odd jobs, chores-- Things like that.

Trampas, have you got any idea who your benefactor is?

Says his name is Jim.

It's funny...

He's kinda familiar, I think. I get the feeling I've seen him before.

Well...

I wouldn't be surprised.

The Bowdens claim he's Little Ned Mullins.

TheLittle Ned Mullins?

I don't imagine there are two like him.

Jim?

Can I see you a minute?

What's the matter?

Oh, nothin'. I was just thinkin'.

You know, he seems like a mild sort of fella.

He says he needs a job.

Haven't you got somethin' to do?

No, no, I'm supposed to take it easy.

Uh-- Mrs. Grainger's orders. [ chuckles ]

Mister, I'll come right to the point.

One of our neighbors claims you're Little Ned Mullins from Virginia City way.

Now, I know Trampas wants me to hire you on,

and we do owe you for bringin' him in last night,

but Shiloh's never hired a fast gun,

and I don't see any reason to start now.

I'll get my things together.

You're welcome to some provisions, if you like.

Don't you have to be in Denver in a couple days?

So what?

Well, it means we'll be one man short around here.

Huh! Well...

I figure you can get along without me.

Yeah, yeah, we can,

but I was just thinkin' that, well, it's not--

it's not such a bad idea to keep that little fella around while you're gone.

Not much to do on a workin' ranch for a man like Mullins, Trampas.

If he isMullins. He didn't actually say he was.

Doesn't make any difference whether he said he was or he isn't!

You want a drink? No!

Yeah. Good.

The Bowdens think he is.

Well, now, that's just it.

As long as they think so, why don't we just accommodate 'em?

Ha! You know, sometimes you surprise me.

That's gonna be askin' for a lot of lead flyin' around

in opposite directions, isn't it?

You want to bet? Now, look.

Ward Bowden takin' one of uson is one thing--

but he's not about to start any real trouble

if he thinks we got Little Ned Mullins workin' for us.

What's to keep him from goin' out and hirin' his own gun hand?

Who?

From all I hear, there's nobody quicker than Little Ned anywhere around,

and that's a plain fact.

All right, you play chess.

I play atit.

Well, it seems to me we got ourselves a little old, uh--

a checkmate workin' for us.

Hmm.

I'll get a stalemate at the very least.

Mm-hmm.That's all we need till the Commissioner gets here.

You know, I think you're right.

Ha-ha. I think you'reright. You better catch him.

Yes, sir.

How come? Influence.

[ men whooping ]

Haah!

Run 'em into the draw, boys!

Be right back!

Come on, now.

Howdy there, little lady.

Allow me to pay my respects. My name's Ward Bowden-- foreman of the Bowden ranch,

fanciest rider in Wyoming, the straightest shooter, friend of man and beast.

I couldn't help see you ridin' out here all by your lonesome.

I said to myself, "Ward, boy, there goes the most beautiful lady you ever likely to see.

Why don't you pick her some of those sweet-smellin' posies and pay your respects?"

Sure is good to see you, Liz.

I'm glad to see you.

You haven't come to call for quite a while.

Well, I been kinda busy-- you know, what with one thing and another.

I know, I heard.

Now, what's wrong, Liz?

What's botherin' you? Now, come on, tell old Doc Bowden.

I can't believe you don't know.

It's this Ogallala Strip business.

You and Trampas fighting--Now, hold it.

Now, what's that got to do with you and me?

Everything.

Trampas and the Virginian, they're family.

Yes, my father-- our ranch-- that's myfamily.

Someday, we're gonna be famous. We're gonna be as big as Shiloh.

Ward, is that so important, being as big as Shiloh?

Of course it's important!

Now, when you're big, people respect you.

You respect your uncle Clay, don't you? Yes.

Well, how do you think he got what he got?

Well, he didn't go around starting fights with his neighbors,

or causing trouble over a little piece of grazing land.

He did what he had to do.

Now, that's all I'm doin'.

And I don't think it should rub off on us.

It does.

I'll be over to see you soon!

Let's see... where did we leave off?

Oh, yeah.

JIM: All right, ease off.

What are you doin' here?

Just passin' by.

You about finished with your business here?

Yeah.

Nothin' keepin' us, then.

I think he loosened this one.

[ laughs ] Wouldn't be surprised.

"Just passin' by"?

Well, I saw you ride out here alone.

I thought you might need a little help, so I followed you.

[ chuckles ] Well, I'm much obliged to you.

Hey, isn't that my shotgun?

I guess so. I found it on the floor under your bunk.

Oh.

Couldn't find any shells for it, though.

You-- you--

Little Ned Mullins?

One and the same.

What's he doin' at Shiloh?

I just told you. He's workin' for Grainger.

It just don't figure.

Sure, I know. I understand.

Everybody knows you're good friends with that Shiloh bunch.

Now that they've hired themselves a fast gun--Friends or no,

if they hired a gun, they're no better than anybody else.

It's just not like the Graingers.

Well, I'm tellin' you.

Trampas lit into me while his pal Mullins sat there,

daring any of my hands to make a move.

We can't fight an outfit as big as Shiloh as it is.

We're small potatoes.

Now that they've got themselves a fast gun to patrol that strip...

Isn't Mullins wanted?

Haven't seen a dodger on him.

That don't make a difference.

A hired gunfighter is one thing Medicine Bow don't need.

I'll ride out to Shiloh, have a look for myself.

Little Ned Mullins?

That's the name.

Working here at Shiloh?You tell me.

Mark, you're developing quite a sense of humor in your old age.

I don't see anything funny about a man like Ned Mullins.

What gives you the idea he's workin' out here?

It's no secret. Ward Bowden walked into my office and told me.

Huh.

You don't suppose he could mean-- oh, no, not him!

Not who?

Well, we did hire a new handyman--

a little fella to do chores and odd jobs--Where is he?

Out back, I think.

What do you think of him?

Well, he doesn't look like a gunfighter.

Doesn't even look like much of a handyman.

Sit down.

By the way, did Ward tell you that he and Trampas had a little go-around

on the Ogallala Strip a couple days back?

No, he didn't.

Gave me the idea Trampas just went over to his place

and started a fight-- period.

You know Trampas better than that, Mark.

As a matter of fact, I do.

You know, I just had a funny thought.

I could use a good laugh.

Well, Ward Bowden says we want trouble.

I say we don't.

Now, if nobody tells him any different,

and they go on believing this runty little handyman of ours

really isNed Mullins,

things oughta stay nice and calm around here

till this Ogallala Strip business is all settled in a week or so.

Well...

I've heard funny ones, but...

that makes sense.

I'll see you.

You think he is Ned Mullins?

Can't say for sure.

All I can say is if he's a famous gunslinger,

he's sure a sorry sight these days.

Well, he may be down on his luck, Harp.

That has nothin' to do with handlin' a six-gun.

What gun? I never seen him with a gun.

Bet he ain't even got one!

You about finished here?Hmm?

Oh, yeah, yeah. It's all yours.

Evenin', Jim.Evening, Trampas.

You know, Trampas,

I used to be pretty handy with a six-gun myself.

Oh, a real terror, huh?

[ laughs ]

You oughta take better care of that.

[ clears throat ]

Well, I'll tell you one thing, terror,

he may not weara gun, but he sure owned one one time.

[ howls ]

[ mumbles ]

Aah!

Nice night, isn't it, Jim?

I woke ya, didn't I? Hmm?

No, no, no--

Yeah, you did.

I'm sorry. Oh, no, no, that's all right.

Uh...

You, uh, rather be alone?

No, no, I-- I don't think so.

Musta had a nightmare.

Hmm.

Well, that happens to everybody.

Um...

As a matter of fact, I keep havin' the same one over and over.

You do?

Yeah.

Yeah, I keep dreamin' I'm in this saloon,

and I'm awful lonesome,

and there's this city fella--

all decked out in fancy duds.

And he's holdin' up his derby hat like this, see.

And he says, "And now, gentlemen,

"I will pick a name from this hat,

"and the winner will enjoy the exhilarating company

"of the fair Miss Julia...

in private."

Well, then there's a lot of hootin' and hollerin' and carryin' on-- you know.

Well, anyway...

then, this fella calls out this gal Julia.

[ gasps ] Jim, you have never seen anything like her.

Pretty as a painting, with long, blond hair...

and eyes greener than... a pool tablecloth.

You listenin'?Uh-- yeah, yeah, I'm listening.

Yeah, well, anyway,

then, this fella picks up his derby hat like this, see--

reaches in, pulls out a piece of paper,

looks at it...

and calls my name.

My name! Well...

I take a look at this gal Julia...

and she's lookin' at me with those pool-table eyes,

and I know I'm through bein' lonely.

There she is, Jim, holdin' her arms out to me like this.

Well, I nearly break my neck rushin' up to her,

and just as I'm about to take her in my arms like this,

the biggest, meanest, ugliest, scar-faced hairpin you've ever laid your eyes on

steps right between us, and says in a voice that sounds like broken glass,

"What do you mean cozyin' up to mywife?"

Well, before I get a chance to explain,

there's this fist, about as big as a--

medium-sized dog is rushin' right at my nose.

Pow.

Next thing you know, I'm lyin' on the floor of the bunkhouse,

wide awake, shiverin'.

And you won't believe this,

but three out of four times, I wake up, my nose is bleedin'.

[ laughing ]

Ssh! Ssh.

We wake up those hands,

you'll hear the cussin' all the way back to the ranch house.

Hey, you know, you handled that gun well before.

Jim, I-- I get the funniest feeling that we've met someplace.

No, I've never seen you, Trampas. I'd remember.

It's gettin' kinda cold. Better get some sleep. I got a big day tomorrow.

What's tomorrow?Haven't you heard?

I'm back in the barn tomorrow, cleanin' out the horse stalls again.

Some people have all the luck.

[ laughs ]

JIM: Trampas. Huh?

Thanks.

For what, Jim?

Attaboy, Jim!

You got him, Jim.

Throw him down!

Attaboy.

Whoa. Look at his eyes.

Looks all right to me.

All right, come on, little fella.

Get loose. [ chuckles ]

That was real good. Here.

Go ahead. All right, I'll try it.

And in view of the research I've done, I think it only fair to warn you

that your case is anything but strong.

I thought you said our case was good. That the claim was--

No, Ward. Yousaid.

You gave me to believe that the Ogallala Strip

belonged to the original owner of this property,

but as I've told you, that is not the case.

Walt, are you sure of your facts?

As sure as I can be at the moment, Arnold.

From all indications, the strip was first used by the founders of Shiloh many years ago.

Since it bordered your ranch,

grazing rights were offered the previous owners of the property.

But there's no question that Shiloh was settled first,

and that should give them prior claim.

But they don't own it legal, do they?No, they don't.

That's what this hearing is all about.

When the U.S. Land Commissioner arrives--

There's a lot that can happen between now and then. A whole lot.

Ward.

I'll tell you this--

if you make trouble with the Graingers, there's--

your case is weak as it is.

You don't wanna do anything that'll prejudice your chances, slim as they are.

And just what do you mean?

The Graingers are fine people.

They have a lot of friends around here.

You kick up a fuss, it's yourreputation that'll suffer--

not theirs.

Just who're you workin' for?

You workin' for Shiloh or you workin' for us?

I'm working for your father.

He's paying me his hard-earned money for advice, and here it is--

I'd drop the case if I were you--

and hope Clay Grainger is still willing to share the strip with you.

Mr. Hardesty, if there's anything that gags me, it's charity.

I don't wanna drink out of the same cream pitcher that they're drinking out of.

I want a cream pitcher all my own.

And the cowboy, he comes up, builds his loop,

throws it right over 'em.

The other cowboy says, "That's all she wrote. Let the good times roll."

[ laughing ]

That's good. I like that one.

Hey, you did real well out there today, Jim.

I'll bet you could do good at anything you set your mind to.

Well, I've, uh-- I've done a few things.

Yeah? Like what?

What did youdo before you came to Shiloh?

Phew!

You got more sides to you than a barn.

It's 4:30.

How do you know that?I'm hungry.

Come on, let's go home.

Sounds good.

Ward?

Ward?!

Ward?

Why didn't you stop?

I didn't see you.

I thought you said I'd be hearing from you.

Look, I been thinkin'.

We shouldn't keep seeing each other.

Why not?

'Cause I don't wanna come calling with my hat in my hands.

Bowin' and scrapin' ain't my strong suit.

Nobody has ever asked you to bow and scrape, and you know it.

Look, Liz, I can't help my feelings for you,

but it's like your people are doing me a favor lettin' me breath the air around here.

[ train whistle blows ]

Here.

Think you can handle things while I'm gone? Yeah.

You tell those Denver hotshots if they keep lowerin' the price of beef,

they're gonna force us into farming.

Trampas, watch your language.Yeah.

Don't worry, I'll tell 'em. Oh!

Have a good trip, now, you hear?

So long.

What's the matter, Liz?

Nothing. Can we go home now?

Well, I did wanna get something outta the general store here.

Please, Trampas, take me home.

What's the matter? Aren't you feeling well?

No, I'm not.

Oh. All right.

Come on.

Folks in town are sayin' they're real glad you didn't have no run-ins with Shiloh

over that Ogallala Strip business.

Well, I'm sure glad to hear what the folks in town are sayin'.

Well, now, what's eatin' you?

Shiloh.

Shiloh. That's what's eatin' me.

That's all I hear in this town nowadays.

Shiloh! Grainger. Trampas. Little Ned Mullins.

Was he a friend of yours?

What?

I thought you mentioned something about Little Ned Mullins.

So?

Just asking if he was a friend of yours.

No offense.

Wait a minute.

What do you mean, "was"?

I don't follow you.

You said, was Mullins a friend of mine.

What do you mean, "was"?

Maybe you ain't heard.

They hung him in Rawlins, about a month back.

Now, you say that one more time.

Look, are you deaf, pilgrim?

I said they strung Little Ned Mullins up in Rawlins--

Were you there?

Yeah, now let go of my shirt.

I'm not lookin' for any trouble.

I said, were you there? Did you see him hang?

No, I didn't see him hang, but I sure seen him buried.

Everybody said it was Mullins.

Man, is everybody in this town as crazy as him?

[ sighs ] Mister, you'll never know what you've just done.

What do you want, Ward? I wanna get back to the game.

You made me throw away three ladies and a pair--I oughta break your neck.

What'd I do now?You almost lost us the strip, that's what!

You know who that little man is workin' for Grainger?

Well, sure, like I told you first--I'll tell you who he ain't.

He ain't Little Ned Mullins.

You're foolin'.Mullins is dead.

They hung him over a month ago.

Now, you know what that means, don't you?

Yeah.

It means they're laughin' their heads off at Shiloh.

I wonder who that sawed-off runt is.

Well, you tell me.

He sure looks like Little Ned.

I used to work a spread up near Virginia City

and I seen him many a Saturday night in town.

My eyes must be playin' tricks on me.

I'm sure sorry, Ward.

I'll tell you one thing--

now that Mullins is dead,

this game's got a whole new deck of cards.

Oh, no, man, not like that.

You gotta point that plowhandle of yours like pointin' your finger.

Now, watch.

[ all laugh ]

HARPER: Oh, everybody misses once in a while.

From here? Why, from here I can hit it with this.

I don't believe it.

HARPER: Now, you see, that's what I'm talkin' about.

I hit what I'm shootin' at four out of five times.

DICK: Only four out of five?

This close?

Them bottles is just sittin' there ready to be picked off.

Now, if those bottles were movin'...

Toss one up for me. All right.

Go ahead.

[ men chuckle ]

Well, she broke when it hit the ground. That's somethin'.

[ laughing ]

I suppose you can do better. No supposin'.

It's a natural fact.

Good and high.

Jim!

Now, that's what I call shootin'.

It'll do.

Just a lucky shot.

What's wrong with him?

Trampas, care to take a shot?

[ clears throat ]

Ward, the barn's on fire! Come on!

How'd it happen? This is how.

Mark, I'm surprised at you for sayin' a thing like this.

Mrs. Grainger, I'm not saying anything,

but Ward Bowden is.

Ward Bowden.

Oh, poor Elizabeth when she hears about this.

If that boy had any backbone,

he would come here and say it to us in person.

Well, he's never come right out and said that it was Shiloh.

Nonsense!

Trampas is Shiloh. There's no difference. You should know that.

And I know that Trampas had nothing to do with the trouble at Bowden's,

but I do think you should know that some people around Medicine Bow are beginning to--

well, feel sorry for them.

You see, first off, there's this trouble about the strip.

Then the rumors about your handyman, and now the Bowden barn burns.

These people are beginning to talk.

Well, I never.

Mark, there is one thing around here that we value more highly than anything else,

and that is our good name.

Howthe people in this town

could thinkthat Shiloh would go around burning other people's barns--

I-- I just don't know.

Why, this kerosene can could've come from anyplace.

The point is, Ward Bowden's askin' these people

who would have a reason to burn his barn?

I'm afraid there are some people who sooner believe bad over good.

And there are people who are jealous of what you folks have built up here.

Not many of 'em, but enough to keep the pot boilin'.

Well, thank goodness Clay'll be back in a few days

and that commissioner is due to show up about that time.

Then it'll all be over.

Now, let's hope that nothing else happens in the meantime.

[ sighs ]

I've been waitin' for you, Sheriff.

Now what?

Come on out and see for yourself.

It's been cut.

Someone cut it and drove these cows right up to this rotten water.

For my money, it's the same fella that burned our barn the other day.

Yes, we all been sorry about your troubles.

Guess your Pa's beside himself.

It's worse than that, Mr. McBee. He's down-right sick about it.

It's a terrible thing.

Any idea who did it?

Deep down, I know who did it.

I guess the folks around here know, too.

But I can't-- can't prove anything.

I don't know when I'm gonna be able to pay you for these supplies,

but the last few days have set us back--Don't you worry about that.

I'll fill your order. You pay me when you can.

Well, thank you, Mr. McBee.

That goes for my Pa, too.

You tell your father,

if there's anything we can do to help,

just let us know.

I'll sure do that. Thanks again.

If he come in here for supplies, make sure you sell him a big can of kerosene.

I'll bet he's fresh out.

What's that all about?

Don't you know?

Funny how things change all of a sudden, Roy.

One minute, people won't look at you twice,

the next minute, they're carin' about you.

We belong. Look.

I think it's about time you and I had a talk with that fella.

Excuse me.

They tell me you're a regular curly wolf.

[ laughs ] You don't look like no wolf to me.

You look like a puny, white-faced little old she-calf--

no bigger than a minute and twice as ugly.

Well, I've been called worse.

I just don't remember when.

Now, I wouldn't stand for that if I were you.

ROY: He'll stand for it. He's yellow.

Sticks out all over him.

Are you finished?

I'm just startin'.

Little man, I'm gonna stomp on you.

Oof!

All right, that's enough!

Did you see what happened?!

I said that's enough!

Jim. You-- you all right?

Yeah.

Do you know what he's goin' around town sayin'?

Yeah, I heard.

Look, I know how you feel, but I draw the line at fightin' in the street.

All right, you just do that,

but I'm drawin' my own line!

And don't you step across it.

Either one of you.

Come on, Jim.

Jim?

Looks like a couple strays wanderin' off.

I'll shoe 'em towards home.

Thanks for what you did back in town.

Just passin' by.

I'll tell you, Ward...

your old man ever finds out it was you who thought up settin' that fire

and cuttin' that fence, it's gonna kill him.

And how's he gonna find out about it?

You and me are the only ones that know it.

And I ain't gonna tell him.

Don't look at me. I ain't about to spread the word.

It's just that your pa wouldn't understand why you'd wanna do that.

Well, Pa don't see things as clear as I do.

Now, it's gonna work out just like I said it would.

Folks in town are beginnin' to notice us for the first time,

beginnin' to feel sorry for us.

I still don't see how it's gonna get you the strip.

Well, it will.

It will.

The more those Shiloh people put us down, the better we look.

Yeah.

But if Shiloh did use that strip long before you--

Now, don't you start that.

The thing is, there ain't no Land Commissioner gonna deed over valuable property

to a trouble-makin' outfit like Shiloh.

No matter what.

Now, their reputation's hurtin' right now.

And that's all to the good.

I dunno. I just hope it's all worth it.

I didn't care too much about the barn. You can build a new barn...

but killin' all them helpless animals-- I never done nothin' like that before.

I ain't complainin'.

Gave me a share in your ranch.

I'm grateful to you, Ward.

I sure feel bad about them cows...

[ fires shots ]

It's Roy Havens.

Yeah, I know. Let's have your gun.

You don't think I had anything to do with it?

I don't know what I think till I see your gun. Let's have it.

Two bullets missin'.

I was target practicin' the other day. I forgot to reload.

Looks like the only target you been practicing on's Roy there.

Now, you're crazy if you--

Get mounted.

Trampas has been arrested.

Arrested? Arrested?

No, no, that's wrong--

Well, what we waitin' on, boys?

HOLLY: All right, just a minute.

Going into town isn't gonna help Trampas one bit.

You'll just wind up in trouble and in jail along with him.

With Mr. Grainger at the capital and the Virginian away

and Trampas in jail, I just can't spare a single one of you.

Mrs. Grainger, I thought the sheriff and Trampas were pretty thick.

The sheriff doesn't believe that Trampas killed Roy Havens any more than we do,

but he is duty-bound to hold him, what with those witnesses.

Bowden men!Yeah!

Yes, Bowden men, and the fact that there were two bullets missing out of Trampas' gun.

HARPER: Like I told you, we were out havin' fun shootin' the other day,

and Trampas said--Harper, I know that and you know it,

but you can see how it looks.

Oh--Oh, no--We don't--

Boys.

Boys, there really isn't another thing we can do tonight.

Tomorrow, I'll make another trip in and see our lawyer.

Boys, please.

Stay close to home tonight.

Kickin' up any fuss in town will only make matters worse.

Good night.

Night.Good night.

[ all mumble ]

I'll tell you this-- I wouldn't give a plugged nickle

for the Graingers' chance with that Land Commissioner now.

What do you think Trampas' chances are?

HARPER: Well, with the Bowden hands ready to stick him in his coffin,

and Ward Bowden standin' by to pound the nails in--

Funny, Roy bein' alone out there like that.

Yeah, he hardly ever went anywhere without Ward.

[ mumbling ]

I'll tell you, I nearly died when I heard.

Poor old Roy.

I still can't believe Trampas'd shoot a man in the back.

Yeah, I know it's hard to swallow.

Shiloh people were pretty good neighbors

until this wrangle over the Ogallala Strip come up.

But that's when things started to happen to us.

Look-- Pa and me, we're little people.

We're plain folk like most of you.

But we had a dream.

Wanted to build our spread up into somethin'-- somethin' to be proud of.

But the Graingers, they didn't like that, see?

Figured we were steppin' out of our place.

Wasn't room enough around here for two big spreads.

So, they...

they run us off the strip. Worse than that.

We all know what Clay Grainger is and what he stands for.

You're sure quick to lay the blame on him, Bowden.

Well, who am I gonna blame it on?

I sure didn't burn my own barn and cut my own fence!

You're a liar.

Are you callin' me a liar?

That's the word.

You know, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you're the one that killed Roy.

Roy gave this fella a hidin' the day before yesterday.

Now, maybe that's why Trampas did it.

He and this little hyena are pals.

We both know who killed Havens, don't we, Bowden?

Yeah, we sure do. And he's gonna hang.

Stand up.

What'd you say?

I said stand up.

I don't wanna kill you while you're sitting down.

You know, you better be careful, little man.

[ spits ]

You may shoot yourself in the foot.

Who are you?

I'm justwho you think I am.

What do you want?

The truth.

You are Mullins, ain't ya?

You must be.

I've got one left for you.

You did it all, didn't you?

The barn, the cattle--No.

No, Roy did it.

Roy burnt the barn, he cut the fence.

But you gave the order. He did it on your say-so.

Then you killed him.No, that's wrong!

No, don't shoot! I killed him!

I had to, don't you see?

Look out!

You know, Pa and me, we coulda been somethin'.

We coulda really counted for somethin', mister.

What's wrong with wantin' a little respect?!

Havin' folks look up to you?!

Nobody in this town even knew we were alive until--

till we were almost somebody.

And you ruined it, mister.

You ruined it.Stop it, Bowden!

Ward and I never were close.

I've tried, but...

he was different somehow.

I know there was good in him.

You cared for him, Elizabeth.

You must have seen the good in him.

I think I know why he did what he did.

He just wanted.

Well... [ clears throat ]

Got your horse all ready for you, Jim.

Uh...

You sure you don't wanna stay on awhile?

I guess not. I...

I'm afraid I didn't amount to much of a handyman.

I'd say you're as handy as they come.

Well, you know what I mean.

Um...

you know, uh--

folks are sayin' in town you coulda gotten yourself killed

turnin' your back on Ward like that.

Matter of fact,

the day you followed me out to the Bowdens' with my empty shotgun...

Well, it's almost as if you're tryin'to get yourself killed.

Here, let me help you up here.

All right.

Watch that arm, now.

All right.

Well...

sure glad it turned out all right, though.

You know, it's sure great to be alive on a morning like this, isn't it, Jim?

Jim?

Yeah.

Yeah, it is. It's...

it's good to be alive.

So long, Trampas.

So long, Jim.

Take care now, you hear?

Is that Jim leaving?

Uh-huh.

Did he ever tell you if he was really--

No. No, Liz, he never did say.

But I figured out who he reminded me of.

Who, Trampas?

Oh...

There was a fella I saw in St. Louis a long while back.

I went to this show in a theatre, and, uh--

there was this trick-shot artist.

What he could do with a Colt, you just wouldn't believe.

Anyway, uh...

he had a lady assistant.

His wife.

She was the most--

most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

She used to just stand there,

cool as ice while he shot things out of her fingers,

like, you know, playing cards, glass balls, things like that.

Anyway, uh, later I heard one day he--

he showed up drunk, and...

and killed her.

It was an accident.

Next thing you know, he just disappeared.

Nobody ever saw him again.

Hmm.

[ theme music playing ]