Original subtitles

Come here, boy.

Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on.

Just hold it right where you are.

Now you just turn around...

Real slow...

And state your business.

And if I won't?

Will you take a willow stick to my britches,

like you used to? Dewey!

How are you, Pa?

I didn't think your school would be done with for another month.

Was I wrong, Son?

No, Pa.

You just up and left?

I didn't have any choice. The money ran out.

But I sent you money three months ago for your schoolin'...

and your ma's doctor and the funeral.

It went awful fast... all of it.

You wrote me that, and I'd said I'd send more.

I waited, but the debts kept gettin' bigger all the time.

- I still owe money back there. - I said I'd send more.

If I stay and work, I could save money even faster.

Work? Doin' what?

You don't know nothin' about no mustangs.

No, but I did ranch work around Fort Worth... some with horses.

These ain't no horses, boy. These are mustangs.

And it takes a man to work 'em.

You weren't no older than me when you started.

But savvy adds a lot to a man's years.

Pa? Aren't you glad to see me?

For visitin'? Yeah.

But if you plannin' on stayin' to work, well...

Well...

Go on up to the bunkhouse and see Joe.

Tell 'im who you are. He'll give you a bunk.

We'll talk later.

- Pa... - I said we'll talk later.

- Help you? - We're here to buy some horses.

Can you tell me where I can find Joe Williams?

I'll get him for you.

Joe.

Huh? There's some fellas out here to see you.

Said they wanna buy some horses.

Mighty fine boy you got there.

Yeah. Favors his ma.

Took the bunk next to yours.

I'm Joe Williams. You're from Shiloh? That's right.

I'm the ranch foreman. This here's Dave Sutton, one of my hands.

Glad to meet you, Mr. Williams.

I take it you got Mr. Grainger's wire. Sure did.

Said you needed horses in a hurry for a cattle drive.

That's right. Four dollars more a head...

if we drive those 1,100 steers to Omaha ourselves.

We need more horses to do that.

Well, you come to the right place.

Yeah.

- It looks to be good stock. - I'll guarantee it.

You'll see for sure, though, later on.

Right now, though, I guess the two of you is

just about ready to clean up and rest a spell.

Well, there's plenty of room in the bunkhouse.

I give my hands some free time when we come in off the range.

Right now, there's just Ben Harper and me tradin' watches.

- There's been some rustlin' lately. - Say, did you say Ben Harper?

You heard of him?

I guess anybody ever heard of a mustang has.

He's been working all over the state, one time or another.

Been with me seven, eight years. Ben!

Best bronc snapper that ever lived.

Part Mustang himself, they say.

All mustang, some say.

Includin' my disposition.

Ben, this is the Shiloh Ranch foreman...

and one of his men, Mr. Sutton.

Come all the way from the Wyoming Territory. Glad to meet you.

It's a real pleasure, Mr. Harper.

Say, how'd you like some company tonight standing guard?

It'd be good to have someone to talk to.

All right. Dave, you take care of the horses.

Then we'll clean up and eat.

You can take the first watch tonight, and I'll take the second.

Well, I was kind of looking forward to that soft bunk.

But, as William Hazlitt said,

"Satisfaction is not lessened by being anticipated."

Yeah. Well, see you at the bunkhouse.

Mr. Williams.

Oh, Dewey.

This is the Shiloh foreman, come to buy some horses.

This here is Ben's boy. Oh, glad to meet you.

Uh, look, you can use this bunk.

And if there's anything you need, just holler.

Thanks, Mr. Williams.

Did you get a look at those horses?

Just a once-over.

One of 'em moves around like he'd never been rode.

I bet he gave Pa quite a time 'fore he settled down.

You bust horses yourself?

No, not really.

I did some riding around Fort Worth, but nothing on horses like those.

Like that bay... I bet the day Pa busted him, he really earned his salary.

You break a horse like that, and you've really done something.

Well, you sure sound like Ben Harper's son, all right.

Yeah. I guess I do take after him quite a bit.

Howdy.

Mr. Sutton,

that thing you said before about, uh, satisfaction...

What was that again?

Uh, "Satisfaction is not lessened by being anticipated."

The man who wrote that was really talking about reading old books.

Even though you've read them before and you know what's coming...

Well, they're still good to read.

I wouldn't know too much about that.

Never got past the third grade myself.

- Well, I was lucky. I got to college. - You did?

Well, for a time.

Hmm. The closest I ever got to college was lookin' at one.

Looked at it a long time...

Uh, from the outside.

Never could muster up the stomach to go in.

Well, there's no reason not to.

A college is no different from any other kind of school...

Just classrooms and hallways.

Exceptin' what they teach you.

Imagine. Bein' able to learn...

everything you need to know in a couple of years.

Uh, is that how long you went there?

I'd have been there longer than that if I'd finished.

- I was studying medicine. - But now, look, it did cost a lot...

They got 'em... the horses. All of 'em.

What did you say?

They came up from behind and slugged us.

Did you see their faces? No, I couldn't see a thing.

How could you let a thing like that happen?

I'm sorry. We were talkin', I guess, and... You were talking?

I know. It was stupid.

Ain't no use strainin' yourself.

They're long gone. We can trail 'em, can't we?

Not till daylight we can't, and that's more than three hours off.

Anyway, they'd have 'em branded by the time we found 'em.

Well...

I know how you feel.

You know how it feels to lose $5,000 when it isn't even your money?

And it's not just my boss. It's my friend.

There's a... There's a horse trader round here named Cal Hobson.

He ain't got the best reputation around, but then I don't figure...

you care who you do business with as long as they got the stock you need.

'Sides, he might be the one took our horses.

Well, let's get at it... All of us.

Well, no... No need for the boy to go. Why not?

I just rather he didn't. That's all.

Mr. Williams, it seems to me we're gonna need every hand we can get.

He's right, Ben.

We catch Hobson with the goods, he's gonna put up a fight.

It's all right, Pa.

I'll go. I'd like to.

The boy goes. Saddle up, Ben.

Now, tell me some more about Cal Hobson.

You will join me in a cup of coffee?

Well, yes. Thank you.

I'm, uh... I'm sorry to get you out of bed, Mr. Hobson,

but I need those horses pretty bad. Well, that's me business.

Uh, there's only one small problem though.

I've been exceptionally lucky this season,

and I've managed to unload every animal I could get my hands on. Oh?

Uh, as your men outside are going to discover.

Ah, you didn't get me out of bed.

I watched you ride in.

Well, they wanted to see what kind of horses you had.

Joe was sold out too then?

Williams.

I did recognize him, didn't I?

Well, yes, as a matter of fact.

Ah. Joe. Ben!

Good to see you. Uh, más café, Querida.

You will join us in a cup of coffee, won't you?

We come for horses, Hobson, not coffee.

I'm sorry you didn't find what you were looking for.

I know you are.

There's nothing quite as discouraging as making a long trip for nothing.

Now, is there? Nothing like it.

Nothing makes me quite so mad as having stock stolen right out from under me.

Stolen? You didn't tell me that.

Well, now, we weren't sure we'd have to.

That sounded almost like an accusation, Joe.

Let's put it this way.

Seems kinda funny you ain't got any hands around.

Bunkhouse is as empty as your corrals.

I give my hands time off. Don't you?

How about that, Ben?

If Joe's too hard on you, you can always come and work for me.

Double pay.

I can always use a good buster.

That a fact?

I always thought you weren't interested in horses unless they were already broke.

If I ever find the man who stole those horses,

it won't be anything to laugh about.

Well, I'm sorry. There's no other way I can look at it.

I can't accept money for horses you never got.

Well, they were here. I saw 'em.

We could have completed the transaction then and there.

But we didn't. That's the point.

Well, a man could say I'd already accepted the horses.

I had my own man watching 'em.

Look, we could argue about this for quite a spell.

Right now, though, I'm afraid we're both losers.

I've lost my money, and you those horses you need.

Well, then, maybe the only thing we can do...

is pitch in together, and find another herd and break 'em.

All right, let's say we try it again.

Who's gonna bust 'em?

My peeler's long gone. He quit right after he finished your herd.

Now, you don't want just any saddle stiff...

spoilin' them mustangs for you any more than I do.

But you've got the best there ever was right here... Ben Harper.

"Was." Just about right.

By golly, that man's...

been straddlin' mustangs 15 years more than most men could.

Why, Ben's so busted up,

that ride out to Hobson's and back made him sore.

No. No, he's not ready to admit he's all washed up yet.

Sometimes a... a man is one of the last to know...

a thing about hisself like that.

Now, mind you, I haven't said anything to him.

But I been easin' him out kinda gradual-like.

That foreman of yours is still fussed at you, ain't he?

He's got a right to be, I guess.

It wasn't your fault those horses got stole.

You're new to these parts. I ain't.

Should be me takin' the blame, not you.

I sure wish I could fix it so it would ease up on you.

Maybe you can.

Meanin'? Meaning you break 'em as fast as we can rope 'em.

I know he's not going back there without 'em.

You mean he's gonna try for a new herd?

He would, maybe,

if he thought you were gonna break 'em for him.

I don't know if one man can do all of that or not.

Ben Harper can.

You're temptin' me, David.

But we need hands to corral those mustangs.

Maybe you could get some of the men to come back, if you knew where they were.

Oh, I know where they are all right enough.

But gettin' them to leave Soapie's before they've spent their last nickel,

now, that's something else.

Soapie's? Yeah.

That's a place that sits way out on the range all by itself.

Yes, sir. Ol' Soapie... she just sits and waits...

while the hands go out and sweat in the heat and dust,

fightin' those wild mustangs,

and knowin' dang well they're gonna come draggin' in her place,

anxious to spend all their pay on her whiskey and women.

I'll tell you what. Uh, you and me...

We'll ride down to Soapie's.

We'll see if we can't talk some of the boys...

into cuttin' short on their "hurrahin'."

♪♪

Ben Harper! What's happening?

Hi, Ben. Did Williams fire you, or did you just get lost?

Maybe our job won't be so tough after all.

I wouldn't bet on that.

Well, Ben.

It's real good to see ya. Oh, it's been a long time.

No use wastin' all those kind words, Soapie.

We're only gonna be here long enough to drink a beer.

Draw two.

Wait here while I do some convincin'. Mm-hmm.

What's he up to? Hmm?

What's he up to?

Mr. Williams just wants some of his hands to come back. Already?

Mmm. They ain't no more than got here. Well...

It's an emergency.

Yeah.

Sure is.

Ben, you know we'd do most anything for you,

but this here's downright unreasonable.

Look, we can't do it without you,

not without at least some of you.

Roy, if you'll say yes, maybe... maybe the others will.

Well, how about it?

Heather.

Excuse me, Roy. Soapie wants to see me.

You realize you're askin' me to leave that little bird, Ben?

And that'd just about break her heart.

Heather, I want you to take care of that young fella there.

Convince him that stayin' with us...

would be more fun than mustangin'.

But Roy wouldn't like it.

Never mind Roy.

I'll take care of him.

Hello. Howdy.

You're new.

I mean, I've never seen you in here before.

Well, that's because I haven't been in here before.

And we're not staying very long either.

Aw. I was hoping you would. Oh? Why?

Well, I mean, the place looks pretty busy.

Yeah, but look at 'em.

You're not the same.

No, I mean it. You're a gentleman. I can tell.

There's very few gentlemen that I've...

I'd really like it if you'd stay.

Would you? Well, that's nice of you, miss, but...

Now, Roy, hold on. Hold on while I explain.

I told you Roy wouldn't like it.

Lay off. He's a friend of mine.

I don't even know what I did.

You came in here. That was your first mistake.

Tryin' to stay might be your last one.

Oh...

I'm goin', all right... soon as we finish what we came to do.

You're already finished.

He's right, David. They won't help us... none of 'em.

Except me.

I'm goin' with you... all the way to the front door.

Now, wait just a minute. Don't do it, Roy.

He doesn't want to fight.

That's right, Miss. I never did see much sense in fighting...

'less there's a good reason.

Well, how's this for a reason?

Now, all you gotta do is stop me from throwing you outta here,

and she's yours.

Well, no offense to you, miss,

but that's not really what I came in here for.

There is one thing that I would consider fighting you for.

What is it?

Well, I think you might think the stakes are too high, and I...

- Name them. - We need men.

If I walk out of here, you go with me.

All right. You got a deal.

Might even take one or two of the boys along with me.

David, you don't know what you're doin'.

Could be, Ben. Just could be.

Take a nice rest.

Where you been? Who's that?

Ben and I have been over at Soapie's to recruit some men.

Now, that gentleman lyin' there is, uh, Roy,

who... consented to come along.

I'm sorry we couldn't get more, but they just wouldn't leave Soapie's.

I had to take what we could get...

Him and two others. What happened to your lip?

Oh, I got in a little fight.

Great. Great!

You go out to recruit men, and the first thing you do is get into a brawl.

That's a great way to get people to hire on.

Maybe you should have brought somebody with more experience.

Maybe I should have. The point is, you're the one I did bring.

I figured what you lacked in experience, you'd make up for in common sense.

And what's that supposed to mean?

It's supposed to mean you don't go around...

trusting everybody until you know them better.

Like who? Like anybody.

Williams, Ben, these new men you brought back...

Well, don't tell me you think Joe Williams had something to do with that robbery.

No. He's an honest man.

Tried to take the full responsibility for the loss. No, I trust him.

- But you don't trust Ben. - Well, I don't know.

When an old-timer like that starts letting...

men and horses slip up on him, I've got to wonder why.

Ben Harper wouldn't have anything to do with horse stealing.

You told me how he talked to Hobson.

What'd you expect him to say?

"Gee, Cal, we sure slipped it over on these two suckers."

- Something like that? - It was his idea to go to Soapie's.

Now, how do you explain that?

Maybe he explained it himself yesterday...

when he said a thief isn't interested in a horse...

that isn't already broken. Now, look.

I know you're under a lot of pressure, and I can appreciate that.

But if your idea of experience means that I've gotta suspect a man like Ben Harper...

of being a horse thief,

then I'm glad I'm still green.

Well, I see you got some of the boys to come back.

I appreciate it, Mr. Sutton.

But it's stretchin' things to think we could get the job done.

We still haven't got enough men.

Mr. Williams? There's one more if you count me.

We don't.

Why, Ben? You know we need every hand we can get.

That's my private business and not yours.

All right. I'll agree to that.

But I'm hiring men.

Dewey wants to sign on, I'll just have to figure...

you settled it between you.

Sure is pretty country, isn't it?

It will be when we find a herd.

Roy.

You head east. See what you can find.

We'll keep workin' straight ahead.

Hey, Joe! Over there!

There they are.

Move up a little closer. Find a spot to make camp.

I remember, Pa, when I was very little,

you used to tell me about how you walked down a herd of mustangs.

And after you'd leave, I'd pretend I was doing it.

Except my herd of mustangs wasn't nothin' but a pair of yearling calves.

I don't suppose you'd let me go with you this time, would you, Pa?

Now, look, boy.

You left Fort Worth without my permission.

You come along mustangin' against my will.

All right, you're here.

But you a cook's helper. That's all.

Why?

'Cause I said so.

What is it, Pa? How come you're so dead set against me being here?

Gotta get started.

Pa!

Pack enough up for me, Ben. I'm goin' with you.

I don't usual take nobody along.

Well, we haven't got time to do things the usual way.

We're gonna have to double up on everything.

I reckon he's right, Ben.

If you run into trouble, you might need some help.

Then I'll choose my own company.

I'll take David.

Well, I've never walked down a herd before, Ben.

Maybe you'd do better to take somebody more experienced.

Ain't nothin' you need to know I can't tell you.

We just keep chasin' those mustangs day and night,

so they don't get no time to rest.

He'll do all right.

Looks like maybe they're getting ready to bed down for the night.

We don't rush 'em, now. Just ease towards 'em.

Let 'em see us... just enough to spoil their plans a little.

Ben?

You wanna talk about it?

- About what? - Whatever's on your mind.

It shows, huh?

You're like you'd chew somebody's head off if you had the chance.

Well, if that foreman of yours was here, I just might.

He's got a pretty big problem, Ben.

So have I.

Ain't got no cause to meddle. Gettin' Joe to bring Dewey...

I don't want him here. Why not?

Cause he ain't gonna be no mustanger. That's why.

Maybe he wouldn't take to it anyway.

'Course he'd would, just like I did.

Who wouldn't want to match wits with that stallion out there?

Most excitin' thing a man ever did.

You'll see.

You'll see just how tricky it gets.

Won't be long before he knows that I'm not just passin' by.

And I'll follow that manada right back over its own trail, just where he left 'em.

They'll run by night and try to rest during the day.

But I won't let 'em.

Neither would Dewey.

I, uh... I saw it in his eyes.

He's got a natural-born hankerin' for horses,

and I don't aim to let it get a firm hold on him.

Boy that smart can't spend the rest of his life on the range like I did.

Doesn't he want to finish his school?

It makes no difference if he does or not.

He's goin' to.

Well, they left their flag.

They ought to be here pretty soon. I'm sure not anxious to hear...

what Pa's gonna say when he sees I've come along.

Well, he'll blame me for that.

He used to like havin' me around.

Always did his best to keep the family together...

Till I was of school age.

Then he left me with Mama in Fort Worth.

Even then, he'd get back as often as he could.

Seemed like the only thing he had on his mind was for me to get an education.

Well, what's wrong with that?

Oh, nothin'. It just took money.

I had to take care of Mama when she got sick, and I had to work too.

Finally, there just wasn't any money left.

He made a lot of good money in the old days...

bettin' on how long he could stay with a bronc.

If he wasn't too old to win bets,

I bet you he'd pile up enough to stick me back in school...

so fast I wouldn't know what happened.

But I don't see how we're gonna be able to do it on a dollar a day.

Cal Hobson offered him double the money.

- Cal Hobson is a horse thief. - Well, no offense.

I don't know of anything anybody's proved against Hobson yet.

Well, I'll take Joe Williams's word for it.

My Pa wouldn't be caught dead even talkin' to him.

Maybe he is a little hardheaded,

but he sure ain't no horse thief. Who isn't?

Howdy, David.

Who isn't a horse thief?

Nobody, I guess. Where's Ben? Watching the herd.

How y'all doin'?

All right, I guess. You guess?

I'm really not an authority, you know.

You, uh, stayin' with 'em all right?

We lose 'em, but we find 'em again.

They can't fool Ben.

They slowing down any?

A little, I guess.

Yes.

Ben says, in about two days, we'll separate the stallion from the manada,

and then the men can start gathering up the horses.

You think this is a good idea?

He insisted.

Some things you just can't tell a man.

He's got to find out for hisself.

Well, Joe, looks like you've done real well for yourself.

Is that what you rode out here to find out?

Now, Joe, I didn't know you'd go out again.

No, actually, I'm looking for a herd for meself.

I just bet you are.

Someday, Joe, I'm going to take exception to your remarks.

Now, you do that, Hobson.

And, while you're thinkin' about it, why don't you ride outta here?

Let me have him!

You hurt, Pa? You all right?

I'm all right. I'm all right. You shouldn't have tried it.

No. Leave me be. Come on, Pa. You know your side's all...

I said leave me be!

Ben, I'm sorry.

I never should've let you get up on that pile driver.

Shouldn't a' let me?

This is Ben Harper you talkin' to!

Now you hold on. You're not as young as you used to be.

You gotta face up to that. You get outta my way.

I'll show you who... All right, let him go.

- Yeah! Yeah! - Dewey.

Whoa, whoa. Whoa.

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa.

Whoa. Whoa.

Pa! Hey, Pa?

He's not here, Dewey. Well, where'd he go?

I imagine somewhere where he could be alone.

Is he mad at me?

I don't reckon he's too happy with anyone right now, least of all himself.

I wouldn't... wouldn't try to find him just yet.

Besides, we've got some talkin' to do.

No use broodin', Ben. It's not the end of the world.

My offer's still good, lad.

- I've got a job. - Doing what?

And for how long?

Every man comes to a crossroads, Ben.

You know? A time to look at things as they are.

To reevaluate.

You know? Hey?

For instance, uh,

there may be a way for you to make more money in a few days...

than you've ever made in your whole life before.

And you'd never have to look down on the ears of a mustang again...

Until he was ready to ride.

Never?

Never.

All right.

All right, Ben.

I know how you feel.

You got to strike out at somebody.

But it doesn't change anything, and you know it.

Look. I'll be at Soapie's for a couple of days.

You can ride out there and back in a night.

Nobody'll ever know you've gone.

Think it over, Ben.

Thanks, Roy.

Pick a spot.

Get it off your chest.

- Well, I... - This time I've gone too far, right?

Well, I think...

I had no right to hire Dewey to break the horses, right?

- Right. - Then who's gonna do it?

You. Joe. Even me.

Come on, David.

You saw Dewey ride. He's got the touch. He's here and he's willing.

Plan on driving a useless herd of horses back to Shiloh?

Maybe there's something more important than breaking horses...

or driving cattle... or making a few more dollars a head.

Maybe what happens to a man who just wants...

what's best for his son is more important.

Maybe what happens to that boy is more important...

than what happens to a bunch of animals.

Wait a minute. I didn't ask in on their family fight.

Maybe not, but you're in it anyway.

You couldn't have gone more against Ben if you were trying.

I'm not going against anybody. I've got a job to do.

If it doesn't happen to suit Ben Harper, that's just too bad.

The job's going to get done.

- Well, he deserves more than that. - For what?

He almost got himself killed trying to ride that bronc...

because he wanted to help me.

He just didn't want me to have to feel responsible...

for losing that herd, so he offered to help.

He didn't have to do that.

So you go on and tell me why he did.

What are you doing up here? I'm the last watch.

I'm not here to take your place, Roy.

- But I'd sure appreciate your help. - Help?

I'm gonna rope one of those broncs, saddle him and ride him.

Now?

It's important to me, Roy...

Maybe the most important thing I ever did.

Why, you're plumb outta your mind.

I can't argue that,

but I'm gonna do it anyway.

You gonna help me or not?

Ben, this is just plain crazy.

Ben! Roll outta the way, quick!

You men, help with that horse.

What are you trying to do, Ben?

You know blamed well what I was tryin' to do.

But I guess you was right, Joe.

I just ain't fast enough for 'em any more.

Ben?

That's was a pretty hardheaded horse you had there.

A little like some people you know maybe.

I mean...

A man can get all wrapped up in buying horses and...

delivering the best herd he knows how,

and, well...

Sometimes a man can forget...

that the other fella's got important things on his mind too.

I mean,

sometimes a man gets in another fella's way...

without really meaning to, and...

Give him a little time.

He's taken quite a beating for one day.

Only because he asked for it.

And, I'll tell you something else. He's wrong.

Not because he wants his son to have an education.

Because he's trying to force him into it.

Dewey happens to want the horse business.

If you think there's something wrong with that,

you haven't paid much attention to those history books you read.

You know, man would still be in his cave...

trying to figure out what to do with the wheel, if it hadn't been for the horse.

He'd never have gotten near as far as he has on foot.

And he's got a sight further to go.

If Dewey wants to help him down the road,

then I think that's his business.

It certainly isn't any of yours... or mine.

I can do it, Pa.

I can be the best... same as you.

You saw me ride.

Yeah. I saw you. Hold this.

Just like watchin' myself up there...

a long time ago.

Oh, I remember the praise and the back-slapping.

Why, with just one ride, I could really become somebody.

First time anybody ever knew what my name was.

Yes, Son, I tell you, it's a nice, warm, cozy feelin'...

knowing you're the best there is.

Kind of feeling I never wanted you to know, Dewey.

No, not here.

Not bustin' broncs.

It's not enough, rattlin' around...

in this tight little world of mustangin'.

Why, there's a whole big country out there.

But it's different than this,

and you've gotta get yourself ready for it.

Pa, I like it here. I like horses.

You spend a lifetime fightin' them,

and you'll learn to hate 'em.

Yeah. I hate 'em.

It's war, Dewey, and them cayuses out there are the enemy,

and they'll always win in the end.

Every year, there's new ones comin' along...

Always young.

But you keep gettin' older.

Yeah, I saw you on that mustang and saw myself.

Now you look at me and see yourself 20 years from now.

All right, Pa. Fine.

But who are we foolin'?

It's gonna take more than you and I could save in a lifetime...

to beat the odds on the outside.

Sure, I'd like to take a whack at it, if I had the money.

But it's not gonna happen, and that's the truth.

It could happen, Dewey. It can happen.

No, Pa. This is where I belong.

And I ain't gonna tear myself to pieces wishin' I didn't.

Feelin' better, Ben?

Well, to tell the truth, Joe, I don't feel too perky.

Get on back into your bedroll.

I'll get one of the boys to cover for you for a few days.

No. No.

I'll just go on back to the place, I reckon.

All right. Suit yourself.

Just remember, you ain't as young as you used to be.

Hi, Ben. Now, what can I do for you?

- Just gimme a beer, Soapie. - Put it on my bill, Soapie.

I can pay for my own, thank you.

What you said before... The offer still good?

Just one thing.

Those horses don't get touched until Joe Williams gets paid for them...

and they're on their way to the Wyoming Territory.

Now, he don't deserve to take the loss.

I ain't so fussy about that Shiloh foreman.

Look who's back. Yeah.

Well, how you feelin', Ben?

All right? Yeah.

A little time took care of it.

Sorry I haven't been able to be much help,

but, well, maybe I can make up for it.

Well, we're leaving tomorrow.

Joe's going back to his ranch, but Roy and the others...

are gonna stay with us and give us a hand.

You'll need more than that to drive those horses back to Shiloh.

Looks like I ain't gonna get Dewey outta here no other way.

- So if you'll have us, we'll go along. - You talk to Dewey about it?

I just talked to him. He's willin'.

Well, all right, fine. Dollar a day apiece.

Thank you.

You sure you're feeling all right, Ben?

Ben? Huh?

You feeling all right? You haven't said a word all day.

Ain't no need to. Hah! Hah!

Pa? Hmm?

It's almost 4:30.

Roy.

Roy, let's go.

Ben?

I thought I was supposed to stand watch with you tonight.

No. Roy's with me.

Let's go.

The horses are gone!

Ben! Ben.

Ben.

Ben! Ben, wake up.

He's hurt.

He's coming around, Dewey, but he's got a pretty good lump on his head.

Anybody know what time Ben went on watch?

4:30. I was awake.

Then they couldn't have gotten much of a head start.

This time, we trail 'em. Let's go.

Hold up.

If this is Hobson, he sure isn't headed for home.

Straight for the border, looks like.

That would account for the disappearance of the other herd...

Far enough away so the brand wouldn't be recognized.

Dewey.

Looks like he's still headin' south.

Now, there's a little town about two hours' ride from here... Perryton.

Ride over there and get the sheriff...

and maybe a couple of men, if you can.

When we catch up with those horse thieves,

I don't want there to be any doubt about the outcome. Hyah!

Hey.

Well, we're in the clear.

We'll be across the border in about half an hour.

And then we can make camp early, and we'll do something about the brands, right?

Hah! Come on. Come on.

You were right. It's Cal Hobson.

Looks like he's doin' a little artwork on

your Shiloh brand. How many men does he have?

Looked like 10, 12 maybe.

We'll have to wait for Dewey for sure.

I could ride out toward Perryton. Maybe pick him up, show him where we are.

All right, Roy. Come on.

All right, let's get some rest.

No fires.

Ben?

You about ready to tell me what's ailin' you?

You know. Dewey.

You sure there's nothing else?

With Hobson, there's bound to be shootin'.

Now, just in case I don't make it,

I want you to see that Dewey gets this.

What makes you think I got a better chance than you have?

Well, I just want you to know where it is. That's all.

One of us should make it.

It's all I own in the world,

and I want Dewey to have it.

Now, you'll see to it, won't you?

I'll see to it.

Turn him loose.

Come on, get a move on. We haven't got all day.

You asleep?

- What's up? - I want to talk to you.

Want some jerky?

Thanks, but I think I'm about to eat some crow.

I think Ben didn't want me to stand watch with him the other night...

because he didn't want to have to hit a friend.

I think he's been avoiding me because he...

Well, he's got a guilty conscience,

and it wouldn't be easy talking to the one that's always stuck up for him.

- Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute. - I'm not through yet.

I also think I let Ben get away just because I wasn't ready to believe it...

and took so long... Get away?

I think he left to warn Hobson.

Are you sure?

No.

But I think we can be,

if we look inside a leather pouch that's buried over there.

Whoa. You left a good trail. No trouble following you at all.

What's wrong?

Did Hobson get away?

- No, no. He's still there. - Well, let's get after him.

What's the matter?

Where's Pa?

He's not here, Dewey.

Well, where is he then?

We think he's with Hobson.

With...

- We think he's one of them. - Liar! You liar!

My pa's not a horse thief!

Dewey. Dewey. I don't want to believe it either.

I hope we're wrong.

He left this for you.

I think you better open it.

I don't want this.

You don't know where it came from. Put it in your pocket.

I said I don't want it.

I said put it in your pocket. Let's go, boys.

I'm going with you.

I want to hear it from Pa.

Cal!

Cal.

Ben, what?

You gotta get movin' right now. They trailed you.

They're sittin' out there, only waitin' for help from Perryton.

You heard him. Get moving.

Run the horses off. Get started.

Yeah! Come on!

I need a horse.

You go back. Maybe you'll be able delay them for a while.

I can't do that. Sutton's on to me, I think.

- Go back! - No.

Come on! Hurry!

Give up! Give up!

Be a long time before you hold a branding iron again, Hobson.

A long time.

Ben? Ben.

Where's Dewey?

Dave, does he know? Where is he?

He's over here, Ben.