All language subtitles for Stranger.On.Horseback.1955.1080p.x264

In the Old West,

justice and courtrooms
were often strangers.

The men who had conquered the
frontier considered themselves

complete rulers of their
hard-won empires.

The law held otherwise.

A United States circuit judge

needed three things to bring
justice to this country:

a law book,

a horse, and a gun.

The further west he got,
the less he needed the book.

I was headed west.

"Surely goodness and mercy

"shall follow me all
the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever."

May the Lord keep
thee and bless thee.

May the Lord make up his
face to shine upon thee

forever and ever, amen.

Hey Colonel, he's here.

How do you know?

Could be a preacher
in that getup.

No, that's Thorne alright.

Wait a minute, Colonel.

I was the first one that
seen him come into town,

and I think that's
deservin' of a drink.

Don't you think I should
have a drink, Colonel?

I have a horse outside
needs caring for.

You had to wake me?

I was dreamin'.

Number 10, $2 a day.

Hey, the fella before you stayed
over at the Bannerman Ranch.

Oh, that's fine for him.
I'm not the friendly kind.

Oh, well in that case,
it'll be $2 a day in advance.

And the horse?

Another dollar in advance.

Excuse me, sir.

Take that back, you scoundrel,

and give His Honor the best
room in the house.

Number 3 there.

Please keep your money
out of sight, Your Honor.

You're Bannerman's
distinguished guest, sir.

The town or Mr. Bannerman?

Well, sir, it's a mite
difficult to tell

where one begins and
the other leaves off.

As for myself, sir,

I'm Colonel Buck Streeter,
at your service, sir.

And I do hope that
service can begin

at the Bannerman Bar
across the street.

Do you work for
Mr. Bannerman, Colonel?

Well, sir, while legal
accounts is necessary,

in the main I'm attorney for the
United States government, sir.

That's what I understood.

I don't see how you
keep the two jobs apart.

Room 10 is good enough.

I don't wanna live too soft.
That might be bad for a judge.

Well, sir, I'm afraid
that's gonna

make Mr. Bannerman
very unhappy, sir.

Well, I didn't come here to
make Mr. Bannerman happy.

As a circuit judge, it's my duty
to review the town records,

to attend to any cases that
may be awaiting court trial,

and, wherever I can, to
strengthen or repair

the foundations
of law and order.

Of course.
the foundations
of law and order.

Of course.

Now, in line with that,
I might step across the street

to the Bannerman Bar to see if they're
selling any liquor to the Indians.

Well, good for you, sir!

Judge, for a moment there you
had me up a tree for fair.

I didn't tell you
to keep the change.

Oh, oh, sure.

I'll need it to pay
for my own drinks.

Isn't there a place in town that
doesn't belong to a Bannerman?

This is a Bannerman
town, Your Honor.

Name's Bannerman,

heart and soul are Bannerman.

If it isn't Bannerman,
it's Taylor or Kettering.

- Cousins, Your Honor.

Family takes care of its
own in its own affairs.

Got an immigration case.

Illegal entry.

Well, do the Bannermans
take care of immigration?

That's government business,
Your Honor.

Where's this Joaquin Morales?

I have him locked up.

Bring him in. I'll make
out the deportation.

I notice a funny thing,
Colonel.

Every time there's
a transfer of property

or a dispute over
property hereabouts,

the amount involved
never exceeds $499.

That is a strange fact,
Your Honor.

Especially since the
value of $500 or more

would bring these cases
under Federal jurisdiction.

Fortunately, sir, you are
relieved of a heavy burden.

Too bad it rests
entirely on Mr. Bannerman.

Joaquin Morales?

Sí, señor.

300 acres, $499.

1200 acres, $499.

750 acres, $499.

Mr. Bannerman
establishes the price, sir.

Keeping it away from
Federal examination.

That is so, Your Honor.

I suspect Mr. Bannerman
is being very clever, sir.

That's what I intend to
point out in my report.

- Well?
- Sí, señor.

Illegal entry and
so forth and so forth.

First question:
why'd you do it?

¿Señor?

El juez quiere saber porqué
usted cruzó la frontera.

Porque mi mujer ha muerto.

His wife died.

No hay trabajo.

No job.

Este país es muy rico.

Says this is a rich country.

Además,

Well, now, Your Honor,

I wouldn't be
one bit surprised

if Mr. Bannerman could
get this good man a job.

It seems a pity you
had to ride 60 miles.

I wrote the government we
didn't need a circuit judge here.

Do real well by ourselves.

Last item: population.

507.

I hope, Your Honor, you
don't intend to ride off

without affording
Mr. Bannerman the opportunity

to extend the hand
of hospitality.

Well, this is dated last week.

Population doesn't change
much hereabouts, Judge.

It's changed in the
last couple of days.

There was a funeral
yesterday morning.

Not a resident, sir.

He was a stranger.

What was the cause of death?

I beg your pardon, sir?

What did he die of,
this stranger?

What was his name?

Name, sir?

His name was Morrison.

Died of a gunshot wound.

It was a clear case of
self-defense, Marshal.

That's what they told me.

A case? Who tried it?

I didn't mean a case in
that sense, Your Honor.

It was a matter.

Mr. Bannerman handled it
very well, indeed.

Did he?

Where's the record
of the arrest?

I didn't make an arrest.

Why not?

Judge, it was self-defense.

Who did the shooting?

Well, now...

I suppose that
would be young Tom.

Tom who?

Bannerman.

The old man's son.

His only boy.

I don't understand this,
Marshal.

There's been a killing in your
town, and the killer's free.

Your Honor,

folks here are used to
runnin' their own business

and tendin' to
their own affairs.

It's a frontier, sir.

The garment of social
conscious fits loosely, sir.

I'm here to tighten it up.

Bring in this Tom Bannerman.

Your Honor...

I don't reckon I could
do that without a posse.

Form one.

Made up of his family?

Or the men who work for them?

You see how it is, sir.

I see how it is.

I'll tie it up for you,
Mr. Hammer.

- Judge still in there?
- Yep.

- Colonel?
- Yep, and the marshal.

And they're talkin'
about Tom Bannerman.

Oh, say,

it's been awful hot today,
Mr. Hammer, and

you know the dust gets in
a man's gullet somethin' fierce.

So I thought you...

You've got to decide
whether you're serving

Bannerman or the
Federal government.

Mr. Hammer, sir, this
is indeed a pleasure.

Your Honor, may I present
Mr. Arnold Hammer,

the president of the bank.

- The Bannerman Bank?
- That's the only bank there is.

Are you a Bannerman?

Hammer, sir. Hammer.

Related to them?

No, sir.

You had to think
it over, though.

What do you know about this
killing you had in your town?

Killing?

We don't have killings here.

Well, maybe you call
them something else.

But Thomas Bannerman did
shoot and grievously wound

one Sidney Morrison, after
which act said Sidney Morrison

did languish, suffer,
and die. That's a killing.

Your Honor, you misjudge Tom.

I take my oath
he's not a bad boy.

I haven't misjudged him.
I haven't judged him at all.

That'll take place at the trial.

A trial, gentlemen.

I happen to know there's never
been one in this town.

But a man's been
done to death,

and the law demands a search
into the circumstances.

I don't know what Mr. Bannerman's
going to do about this.

We'll hear from him.

Him and Tom.

Your Honor,

did you ever hear the recipe
for makin' tiger stew?

First, you catch a tiger.

He keeps moving it.

Well, maybe it takes a man

to hit a target that
won't stay still.

Here!

Pretend this is your bridegroom
puckerin' up to kiss ya.

Amy Lee, that's
no way to treat

a nice, quiet bank president
like Arnold Hammer.

Then don't tell
me to marry him.

Mr. Bannerman.

Amy Lee.

Amy Lee, I sent you
to that fancy school

to learn you some manners.

Lose what few you had?

Hello, Arnold.

Give your fiancé a kiss.

Isn't that kind of dangerous?

A couple of bear cubs
playin' around

are bound to get
a few scratches.

Where's that judge?

I told you to bring
him here for supper.

Didn't seem like a
good idea to invite him.

He's lookin' for Tom.

- What's he want me for?
- Sid Morrison.

You been out in
the sun too long?

That Morrison
business is finished.

He says no. He wants you.

Sounds real stiff-necked.

I couldn't reason with him.

I don't why I tried.

Simple thing to me seems
to be to go into town,

explain how it came
to be self-defense,

let the whole thing blow over.

Amy Lee, I never said you
were wrong about this fella.

But who else is there
to marry around here?

You're loco if you marry her.

She'll finish you off
inside of two weeks.

He's gonna come
here to my holdings,

my town, and carry
himself high, huh?

Is it true he carries a gun?

- A judge?
- I didn't see it.

I'm goin' into town,
have some fun with him.

You're gonna stay here.

- I'm goin' to town.
- Tom!

Are you afraid of this judge?

No.

But you heard a
few stories about him

and you want cousin
Tom to stay undercover.

Tom's a fool.

He'll make things
worse than they are.

What's worse than
a Bannerman hiding?

You still say it
was self-defense?

Would I lie?

Oh, you've had
plenty of practice.

- If I may say a word...
- Shut up.

All right, boy, take
some men into town.

Bring that judge
back here for supper.

Bring him back here? I aim to
chase him down the road.

You're gonna
bring him back here!

We're gonna give him the
hospitality of the ranch,

show him why it pays to stand
well with the Bannermans.

You Bannermans stand
above everybody.

You're sort of
like a royal line.

I don't know why anybody should
want to marry into it, Hammer.

It's a grave responsibility.

What are you doin' here, Tom?

You better get
back to the ranch.

Where's this judge
they talk so much about?

Uh-huh, there's reason to talk.

You get out of town.

Oh, I've come here to ask him
to put his feet under our table.

That's a fool idea.

Colonel,

never call a Bannerman a fool.

Somebody'll cut your wages.

Well, let it happen.

Come on in.

Good evening, Colonel.

A very pleasant greetin' to you, sir.

That is to say, I hope
it to be pleasant.

Well, why shouldn't it be?

Tom Bannerman's here.

That's what I wanted, isn't it?

Judge, I wish I could make
you understand that boy.

He's just a reckless, playful boy.

Then he shouldn't be
allowed to carry a gun.

He's at the Bannerman Saloon now.

Just a playful boy.

I should point out, Your Honor,

that he's accompanied by
several men from the ranch.

Twelve is more
than several, Colonel.

That's what windows are for.

Well, that's better.

Judge, you're a man of
wisdom and perspicacity.

No use tanglin'
with the Bannermans.

Let 'em tend to
their own problems.

Someday they'll realize
the error of their ways.

Colonel,

a circuit judge
receives very little pay.

I understand a Federal
attorney draws even less.

That's truly correct, Your Honor.

Makes it easy for a man
to choose sides, doesn't it?

He's in town.

Are you backin' me?

I'll tell ya how it is, Judge.

I've been around here too long
to have much faith in anything.

You go after him.

When I see it, I'll back you.

- Pick it up.
- Drop it!

- Pick it up! Pick it up!
- Come on!

- Pick it up! Pick it up!
- Drop it!

What'll it be, Judge?

Which one of these men
is Tom Bannerman?

You want Tom, holler it out.

If he wants to talk to you,
he'll make himself known.

Good evening, Judge.

- Bannerman?
- Yep.

Give him a drink.

No, thanks.

Oh, come on now.
You gotta.

How else anybody gonna
tell the men from the boys?

We'll manage.

I'm glad you came to town of
your own accord, Bannerman.

It'll count in your
favor at the trial.

What kind of a trial?

You're under a
charge of murder.

It was self-defense.

Are you this man's lawyer?

I'm Sam Kettering.

Oh?

One of the family.

You must be crazy
in the head

tryin' to come in here and
haul away a Bannerman to jail.

He's charged with murder.

We'll decide the charge.

In any event, Your Honor,
I'm sure there's no cause

to take the boy to lockup,
now is there?

Whatever bail you set
will be forthcoming.

I'll decide the charge
and the bail,

and there'll be no bail.

You're a hard-nose alright.

They tell stories about you.

I'm taking you to jail,
Bannerman.

They say you pack a gun.

I don't see no gun.

I don't want to turn
this into a shooting.

You'll have a fair trial
with all due process.

No.

I like shooting.

All right, Judge, we know
you're a tough hombre.

Now let him go.

The court's established
a fact, Colonel.

The prisoner who
pleads self-defense

doesn't hesitate to draw
on an unarmed man.

Jail's across the street.

What do you want
us to do, Tom?

Shut up!

What's the matter
with you boys?

Nobody takes a
Bannerman to jail.

How strong is your jail?

His old man'll tear it apart.

If we let him.

This is the first time
since I put this star on

I been able to work at it.

How's it feel?

Loathsome.

- Colonel.
- Thank you kindly, son.

Mornin', son.

Bright, beautiful morning.

Morning, Judge. I do
trust you slept well, sir.

I sat in my window
watching the street.

Well, no need to
do that, Your Honor.

This is a law-abidin' town.

Well, reasonably law-abidin'.

Where's the nearest
telegraph office?

Well, now.

That would be Cottonwood, sir.

That's 47 miles away.

I've got to ask Washington
to appoint a prosecutor.

You do not, Your Honor.

I anticipated the need and
I already attended to the matter.

You did what?

I sent a rider to
Cottonwood yesterday, sir.

He sent a telegram to
our national capital.

I already have the reply.

I fully realize my new
responsibility, Your Honor,

and I'll rise to it in a
manner that'll be a tribute

to Blackstone and our great
and glorious Constitution.

You work fast, Colonel.

Well, I knew you couldn't
ride to Cottonwood, Your Honor.

Your prisoner might escape
during your absence.

I might've sent the marshal.

Oh!

Oh, a difficult ride, Your Honor.

Who knows what accident
might befall him on the way.

Difficult country, Your Honor.

Indians, outlaws...

Bannermans.

Exactly.

You think we might talk to those
witnesses now, Your Honor?

What witnesses?

Why, the ones that saw
Morrison pull a pistol on Tom.

No, Mr. Prosecutor.

I think we can dispense
with those witnesses.

Why, they could establish the
boy's innocence, Your Honor.

Isn't the prosecutor supposed
to establish his guilt?

Why, Your Honor,

I'm only interested in justice.

So am I, Colonel.

So am I.

Mornin', Judge.

Everything quiet?

Just give 'em time.

How are you this morning?

You'll have breakfast
in a minute or two.

They're sending it
over from the hotel.

Is there a lawyer in town
you want to hire?

I'm gonna ask you
to sign a statement.

When are you gonna take
me out and hang me?

Well, it's a little early
to talk of hanging.

The tree ain't
been planted yet.

We'll knock somethin' together.

I'm gonna drag you
behind a horse

till there ain't an inch
of hide left on ya!

You won't fool with
any Bannermans

when we get
through with ya.

You'll be pickin' your
hide off every rock

and mesquite bush
in the county!

He's the one can do it, too.

He once killed a
Mexican like that.

Got mad.

Over what?

Mexican spilled a
pot of coffee on him.

When was that?

Oh, that was before my time.

Guess he was about 16.

- Self-defense again?
- Yeah.

That's a funny thing
about the Bannermans.

Folks are always
pickin' on 'em.

Morrison's widow
still in town?

Yeah. Next street over,
last house on the line.

Well...

something new has
come to town.

His Honor, I suppose?

What a waste.

Amy Lee Bannerman, Judge.

Cousin.

More like his guardian.

He's such a fool, Judge.

Good thing you're
teaching him a lesson.

Oh, I'm not teaching him.

I'm bringing him to trial.

Do you know where
Josiah is now?

I locked him in his room

so I could reach you first.

If he rides in and
Tom is still in jail,

he will burn this
town to the ground.

That's a serious crime.
I'd have to arrest him for it.

Josiah?

First of all, you couldn't.

Second,

this town is ours.

No, that's a state of mind,
Miss Bannerman.

The town belongs to the people,

and laws have been
written to protect them.

And you're the
great, big champion

who's going to see to it,

whether they want
protection or not.

No matter what they say,

they usually want it,
Miss Bannerman.

Amy Lee.

If the prisoner's family
wants to see him,

they can have
five-minute visits.

Well, he's human!

One at a time, at a
distance of five feet,

nothing passing
from hand to hand.

Miss Bannerman.

I pity his wife.

He's the kind who
would have one,

and well-broken, too.

Probably nine children,
all afraid of him.

He didn't say.

Sid was good to me.

He never raised a lot of dust,

but I knew about that
when I married him.

I married him because...

...because he was Sid.

That was about the only
thing he could do well,

braid rawhide.

He was always braiding,

even when he walked.

He knew how.

I'd like to buy some of this.

I could use a new bridle.

You don't have to feel
sorry for me, Judge.

I've got money.

Enough to get home on.

Where's that?

Pennsylvania.

Anyway, that's where
my folks are.

Sid and I, we never had what
you'd rightly call a home.

We just drifted,

Sid always laughing and saying
someday he'd find a gold mine.

We'd start a cattle ranch
or something like that.

He laughed a lot,
that Sid Morrison.

He wasn't much of a
troublemaker, was he?

Sid?

Even out here
he wouldn't carry a gun.

They say that he did.

They say that he used this.

But I never saw it before.

I don't see how he could've
had a gun and me not know.

How'd you come by it?

- They brought it to me after...

A lawyer.

His name was Colonel Streeter.

He brought it to me,

with some money from
Tom Bannerman's father.

Like I said, enough
to get home on.

Old Bannerman
paying your way home?

They said they didn't
want me in the town.

What was the fight about,
Mrs. Morrison?

The trouble between Tom
Bannerman and your husband,

what was it about?

How could I know?

We'd only gotten to town
a couple days before.

Everything seemed
to be all right.

Did your husband know
Tom Bannerman before?

No.

- Did you?
- No.

I'll have to
take this with me.

I don't care.

There's gonna be a trial.

I don't care what you do.

Did Tom Bannerman
bother you?

Did he?

I don't want any trouble.

If you tell this to anybody,
I'll say it's a lie.

- Even under oath?
- It's a lie!

Thanks.

It's a hot day.

Mr. Kettering.

Colonel, where'd the
shooting take place?

Didn't see it myself,
Your Honor.

Somewhere near
the edge of town.

I can ask the marshal.
I want you to tell me.

It's a small town. Which edge?

Past the corral, sir.

Show me.

I understand young
Tom Bannerman

is not exactly bashful
with the ladies.

Well, sir, as a former expert in
matters concerning the ladies,

I'd say he does right well, sir.

I don't like what you said.

I said it was a hot day.

But I don't like
the way you said it.

Go ahead.

Colonel.

A mighty unusual judge, sir.

A very unusual prosecutor.

This is a nice town,
Your Honor.

Folks'll get to like you here.

Bannerman folks?

Oh, they're just about
like other folks.

Like doin' things
their way, that's all.

A man like you could
settle in this town,

get elected year after year.

Might even be sent to our
national capital, sir.

With Bannerman backin' me?

Yes, Your Honor.

I'll ask him about that

when the trial's over.

Who lives there?

Oh, nobody of any
consequence, Your Honor.

Colonel, a man has been killed.

A fellow named Webb
has that house, sir.

Best gunsmith Bannerman
ever had, Your Honor.

Lives alone?

Well, he has a daughter, sir.

Mighty fetchin' filly.

I'll see you later, Colonel.

I'll go with you, sir.

Of course, Your Honor.

What are you gonna say?

I don't have to say anything.

I think you do.

There's a right thing
and a wrong thing.

Don't preach to me, Dad.

I'm only sayin' what
you already know.

There's right and there's wrong,

and when you
see the difference,

you just got to speak up.

That's all in books.
People don't live that way.

Tom won't ever
marry you, dear.

He just won't.

How do you know
about that?

Oh, honey.

Good morning, Judge.

- Mr. Webb?
- Yes, sir.

Do you recognize this gun?

Well, a fella like me handles so
many guns for so many folks, it...

it's kinda hard to say.

A fella like you sittin' here all day
could've seen the shooting.

Come in, sir.

Please stay.

My daughter, Judge.

I saw it.

Dad!

Well, I saw it.

I couldn't hear, though. I...

I don't know what they said.

Was Morrison armed?

That I can't say.

Did you see it?

Miss Webb?

Well...

no.

No, not the first shot.

I heard it and...

came to the window
just as Tom fired again.

Did you see Morrison
holding a gun?

Well, he was–
he was down in the weeds.

He was already
finished, but...

Tom fired again anyway.

I'll tell you
something else, Judge.

I was gonna lie to you.

Was even gonna call
my father a liar because...

because Tom had
promised to marry me.

It isn't easy for a girl
to find a husband out here.

It's not like back East.

The few men that are here...

well, they all bow down
to the Bannermans

like the Bannermans
were kings.

Will you repeat what
you told me at the trial?

Everything quiet?

Everything except
Tom Bannerman.

And he's losing his voice.

Got a little business
to attend to out of town.

It won't take very long.

Be back before night?

Why?

Aside from the accused,
I haven't seen a Bannerman,

a Kettering,
or a Taylor all day.

I think they're
holdin' a pow-wow.

Awful hot weather
for arguin'.

Run home. Go home!

Well, of all people.

Oh, uh, my horse left me.

He threw me and ran away.

I'll take you back to town.

Why aren't you back at
the jail guarding my cousin?

Nat Bell does all right.

Judge, you better
take me home.

You can get a horse in town.

You're riding like this
with a Bannerman

snuggling up to you?

Oh!

Your Honor, the prosecutor will
make you disqualify yourself.

You're staying
for supper, I hope.

I don't think so.

Well, I do. Come in.

Please come in.

What's this?

The gathering of the clan.

Come on. They won't bite you.

She brought him here, Amy Lee.

If I had a son like her,
I'd turn up my toes content.

I don't think you have
met everybody here, Judge.

This is my uncle,
Josiah Bannerman.

Don't tell him who I am.

He has the sense
to know who I am.

Sit down, Judge.

Have a drink. Let's be friends.

I'd like to know the names
of all my new friends.

What's he, a cousin?

Oh, brother-in-law.
Jesse Taylor.

The Taylors, the Ketterings,
the Bannermans–

the whole clan.

And now you're
marrying into it.

I certainly hope so, Judge.

"I certainly hope so, Judge."

Don't you know, talker?

Doesn't seem that Miss
Amy Lee's made up her mind.

"Doesn't seem Miss Amy Lee's
made up her mind."

I wish you wouldn't
repeat whatever I say.

Go get me some cigars.

Every time he opens his mouth,
a fool looks out.

What have you got
against my Tom?

Speaking as a private
citizen or as a judge?

You can forget
that judge part.

You ain't judgin'
any Bannermans.

Well, then speaking
as a private citizen,

I don't like him.

Well, that's straight out.

What have you got
against him as a judge?

Well, I'm sure the prosecutor
must've told you that.

This is an odd place to
find him, but since he's here...

Merely and simply investigatin'
the circumstances, sir.

I've always been
a staunch believer in

thorough and
careful preparation.

Ah, he's a windbag.

I can buy and sell
men like him everyday.

Anxious to get on in the world,
please everybody.

Warm your chair before
you sat in it.

Now, now, Mr. Bannerman, sir.

Now, you...

I couldn't buy you, could I?

You haven't made me
an offer yet.

I could make you some
would bust your britches.

You know what
I own around here?

A man can't ride
across it in two days.

And all the people
I got that counts

is Amy Lee and that one boy.

No one else counts?

They do what I say.

And why shouldn't they?

Where would they be
if it wasn't for me?

I took this land!
I made it mine!

And you know what
I started with?

With nothing.

I was a boy when I started.

I was layin' out here,
right there where you're sittin',

a 15 year old boy

with my ma's body across me
and an Injun arrow out of her back.

Nobody alive but me.

And I said right then,
"This is mine.

This whole piece
of country's mine."

My ma's blood's in it
like it's in me.

She give it to me–

the land.

And I got away.

When I was growed,
I come back and I took it.

What's good here
is good 'cause of me!

If anything's bad,
that's 'cause of me!

And I'll fix it my way!

You can't come
in here, mister,

and tell me how
to run my land.

Not with the law,
not with soldiers.

I got men can
handle guns, too.

You've got a son who's
too sudden with 'em.

I'll whip him
until he can't stand!

But I won't let any
other man whip him.

You'd better get him
a good lawyer.

He won't need one.

He will at the trial.

He won't need one.

You heard Mr. Kettering.

Amy Lee.

Excuse me.

You'd been away so long
I thought they'd bushwhacked ya.

Maybe they will. They don't
intend there'll ever be a trial.

Come sundown, I think
we'll have trouble.

Not if we can run from it.

I'm takin' the prisoner
to Cottonwood.

From here?

Judge, you won't get very far.

As far as an honest
jury is far enough.

How strong are you for
telling your story in court?

Well, we've been talking
some about that,

figurin' things out.

It's sure we won't be able
to live here afterwards.

I don't want to
live here, anyway.

I've had enough of it.

Are you willing to go
to Cottonwood to testify?

- When?
- Tonight, under cover.

We wouldn't come back here?

Well, what about our things?

I've got some curtains I brought
all the way from Boston.

I don't know why you had to
come here in the first place.

Everything was fine
till you came along.

You do what you have to do.

We'll wait for you on
the Cottonwood road about

two miles out of town.

I'll try to talk
the Federal government

into replacing your curtains.

Quite a crowd tonight.

Sizeable, sir. Sizeable.

I hope they're
in town tomorrow

so we can draw
on 'em for a jury.

Tomorrow, Judge?

Why, sir, by tomorrow...

What about it?

As the poet says, Your Honor,

there are determined
men who act by night.

Thanks.

Thorne.

I see you're carryin'
a gun under that coat.

You've got sense
enough to know

you can't do that unless
you're ready to use it.

I know.

You don't mind seein' blood?

I do, Judge.

I've been seein' it all my life.

I can smell it right now

just from talkin' about it.

I'd like to spend the rest of
my days never seein' it again.

Why don't you sit
down here, Judge,

have a drink,

and let's you and me talk this
thing over like sensible men, huh?

That would leave the
marshal alone at the jail.

I didn't knock, either.

What did your
horse do this time?

He's a mean animal.

I didn't want to come, but...

- he brought me anyway.
- Why?

Close the door.

The clerk see you come up?

He may have.

He's the talkative kind.

What do I care about clerks?

I cared more I might
never see you again.

Did it bother you, too?

How could you
walk away from me?

Why did you leave the ranch?

I was angry.

Why?

I knew it was all a trick.
Your horse hadn't thrown you.

How could you tell?

You didn't have
any dirt on you.

You looked me over?

Carefully.

Thanks for what
you were thinking.

How did you know
what I was thinking?

I could tell.

You're engaged to
Arnold Hammer.

- Not anymore.
- Since when?

Since you kissed me.

It isn't gonna work.

- What won't work?
- What about all the others?

- What others?
- Josiah Bannerman,

Tom Bannerman,
Kettering, Taylor.

Oh, all the Bannermans!

Let Tom out of jail
and the whole thing is over.

Better than over.

Josiah thinks you're the best
that's ever come to town.

He says when you left that–

What's the matter?

You're a Bannerman alright.

What does that mean?

You'd stop at nothing
to save your cousin.

Look there.

Just a minute. Where you goin'?

Tell me. Now, where you goin'?

- Who wants to know?
- Old Bannerman.

He wants to know.

Listen, I'm s'posed to tell him

anybody that goes in
and out of that jail.

Why did they pick you?

Because they can
depend on me.

Look,

because you
wouldn't suspect me.

You wouldn't want 'em
to put somebody out here

that would suspect me,
would ya?

Why, that'd be pretty close.

Well, now, look, why don't you
come in the marshal's office

and watch me in a nice,
comfortable chair?

'Cause I don't need a chair.

Maybe there's
another jug in there.

I don't care.

Hey, maybe there is.

I've given that fool judge
enough time to change his mind.

Go get Tom.

And no gunplay.

What?

You'd like to go on a
scalp hunt, wouldn't you?

If you kill that judge,
there'll be another fella

just like him snoopin'
around to see what happened.

And after him,
another and another

until they tramp down
all the grass.

We don't want him killed.

Just plumb discouraged.

Go on.

Tom, wake up.

Tom, it's us.

Hey, he's sick or drunk.
Somebody get a key.

Aw, they wouldn't
leave it around.

What we need is a blacksmith.

Might be somethin'
the matter with him.

Tom?

They took Tom away.

I've been thinkin' too tame.

All right boys, get your rifles.

Should be around
here someplace.

Hold up!

Vince Webb?

And his daughter.

What have they
got to do with this?

Witnesses.
They saw the shooting.

Well, well, we're gettin'
to be a nice-sized party.

Maybe now we can pick up a fiddler
and have us some weddin' music.

Leave her alone.

Who's gonna leave you alone,
and how far do you think you'll get?

Cottonwood.

- Yeah. 47 miles.
- We'll make it.

- I don't know about that.
- Get back in that saddle.

Judge, I'm tired of ridin'.

A man oughta walk
once in a while.

Get back in that saddle or you'll
come into Cottonwood across it.

Let's talk about it.

Judge, he looks to me like
a prisoner tryin' to escape.

He has all the earmarks.

You can't shoot him.

That's no better than
he did to Sid Morrison.

Why don't you button your lip?

Listen.

They're comin' right behind us.

If there's gonna be shootin',
I want protection.

- I am a prisoner.
- Shut him up.

They're ahead of us now.

You're worried, witness?

Look, there's a cut
through them hills.

Ain't much good
for night ridin',

but it'll save us 30 miles.

- Where'll it bring us out?

Down on the plain with
Cottonwood a mile away.

We'll take it.

I know that trail. We'll end up
over the side of a cliff.

Doesn't appear to be
a soul down there.

Used to be plenty of room
in them trees to hide Injuns.

Thorne doesn't stay
under cover. He moves.

You like him.

Didn't go by here.

How could he know that?

What do you think, Sam?

Well, if he took the other
road to Seven Pines,

Taylor's likely bringin'
him in right now.

They're headed for Cottonwood
where we don't stand so high.

They haven't passed by here.

You reckon Bell knows about that
fool trail through them canyons?

If he does,
Thorne would take it.

Then we've got him.

Sam, I want every man
in from the range.

You go on into town,
bring Taylor and his boys.

We're gonna tree this judge.

We'll close up both ends
of that canyon trail,

and if he gets by us in there,

we'll be waitin' for
him on the plains.

Joe, take some boys
and ride this road.

You come with me.

- I'll go back with Arnold.
- I said come with me!

And I heard you!

Fool women!

This is real nice of you,
Amy Lee. I didn't expect...

Well, you know.

Oh, don't expect
anything, Arnold.

- Do as you were told.
- I don't understand.

Seems to me that
every time we're alone...

Do as you were told!

All right.

Why don't we forget about
getting married, Amy Lee?

I don't know what
you want, but it isn't me.

Oh, I don't go through
there with my hands tied.

How will I manage this horse?

He's right.

A man can't ride that
trail with his hands tied.

And supposin' I wanna
put a lovin' arm

around this sweet,
cuddly girl here.

We gotta keep the
witnesses warm.

Judge, let him ride
the inside of the trail.

I'll keep him from a fall.

Think he's lookin' for us?

If he is, he's sure
gonna catch up.

Amy Lee!

You best danged
hombre in the world!

How'd you figure it?

- What are they doing here?
- Witnesses, he says.

I thought Tom had
his brand on you.

Until we saw him
kill Sid Morrison.

- You turn real fast.
- Never make a Bannerman.

You might as well let him go.

You can't make it
to Cottonwood.

We can try.

Not by this trail.
Josiah's at the other end.

I hope he'll be reasonable.

Keep an eye on Miss Bannerman.

You've come this far.

Why turn back?

Take a breather.

You believe the old man's
waitin' for us?

He'll be there.

Bannermans take care
of each other.

That's their strength.

Is there any water?

The judge has a canteen. I'll get
it for you, Miss Bannerman.

Get me out of this.

First chance I see.

And see something's done
about those witnesses.

How'd they get into this?

Morrison saw me
hankerin' after his wife

and he wasn't man
enough to call me out.

He ran to snitch to her.

I had to gun him down.

- You had to?
- Sure.

I'll give it to 'em.

Could I have some?

Sure, go ahead, witness.
I left a kiss on it for you.

Then I'll do without.

Stay here.

Hold the horses.

Get down.

You take care of her.

Steady, boy. Steady.

He's no Bannerman.
He's a killer!

He pushed her father
over the side! I saw it!

He was going to do
it again, to him!

Keep your eye on him.

What makes you so
bound to do this?

What's in it for you?

A man believes in a
thing and he goes ahead.

Like your reason for
tryin' to make me quit.

I could see you hurt or killed
if you didn't quit.

That was my reason.

Double-crossed you ahead
of time to keep you alive.

It looks like we've
come to Cottonwood.

Not yet.

Well, the old bloodhound.

I told you.

It's a faraway trial you've
got your heart set on, Judge.

Well, we back up in the
canyon and make a stand.

They're coming from
that way, too.

Stay on your horse.

- Tie his feet.
- Oh, quit it, will ya?

- You're done.
- I'll talk to you in the courtroom.

I'm not lettin' him go.

Thought you were ridin'
back with Arnold Hammer.

I made another choice.

What's she doin' with my son?

Oh, a witness.

Claims she saw
the shootin'. It's a lie.

That's for a jury to decide.

Judge, I'm tryin' to
be a peaceable man.

- Then get out of my way.
- I don't have to.

You're licked.

Licked!

What are you tryin' to do,
bluff me with a pair of deuces?

If any man moves to
help him, I'll shoot.

What does that add up to?

He dies this way instead
of by a hangman's rope.

I care how he dies, Judge.

Nobody comes to
where I am

and takes out a Bannerman
to stretch his neck.

Even if he's guilty?

That's still my family
and my business.

Call his hand.

I'm callin' ya, Judge.

Shoot him or let him go.

You, get back to your job
while you got a job.

Yes, Mr. Bannerman.

Caroline, I'll get you home.

Is this the end of it?

Then why did my father die?

How's about somebody
cuttin' me loose?

You oughta hang him yourself.

He's no good. He's a killer.

He killed Vince Webb
on the trail.

She's a liar.

I saw him do it.

He never had a chance.

Is somebody going
to cut me loose?

He's my son.

If he hangs,
I'll pull the rope.

No one else.

She double-crossed you,
a Bannerman!

Circle out of range!
Get into the town!

Thorne!

That's enough!

I'm trustin' you to
go easy on that boy.

He'll have a fair trial.

No favors.

You better take Amy Lee
with you when you go.

I set no table for them
that turns against me.

Court is in session.

Judge Richard Thorne presiding.

The People versus
Thomas Bannerman.