Original subtitles

♪

- Whoa. - Good morning.

Good morning.

I understand your new owner arrives today.

I'm looking forward to meeting him.

So am I.

How are things at Shiloh?

Just fine.

I wish I could say the same.

We lost over 50 calves this morning.

- How? - The usual.

Another herd mixed in with mine.

Whose was it?

I'd rather not say just yet. You have a good crew at Shiloh.

I wish you worked for me.

Well, thank you, ma'am.

Get up, boys.

♪

Colonel MacKenzie?

- Yes. - I'm the foreman from Shiloh.

Oh, how do you do?

- Welcome to Wyoming. - Thank you.

- Have a good trip? - Oh, very. Thank you.

Surry's right around the corner.

Oh. Oh, you're very kind. Thank you very much.

So this is Medicine Bow.

All aboard!

Does it look like you expected it to?

Not one bit.

Things never do.

But it looks good.

This is Shiloh.

Magnificent.

Restores my faith in human nature.

You see, I bought this place from a description.

Naturally I thought that half of it was sales talk,

but... that it wasn't.

Well, we've had a few problems.

Last couple of years there's been trouble at calving time.

All the big ranchers have been bothered.

How?

Small herds getting mixed in with big ones.

You lose a lot of calves that way.

But aren't they branded?

Newborn calves aren't branded.

Oh.

Small rancher comes to get his herd,

he sometimes leaves with more calves than cows.

Under the Maverick Law,

he can slap his own brand on them.

Has that been happening at Shiloh?

We've been keeping watch around the clock.

Branding calves as fast as possible,

chasing off strays.

Everything's under control for the moment.

Good.

You know, it's hard to imagine trouble here.

And yet, who wouldn't fight for a place like this?

Well...

I guess it's smaller

than some of the English country houses you're used to.

Well, it's not as big as Buckingham Palace.

But then, I don't own Buckingham Palace.

No, it suits the country.

So do the men who have lived here.

I hope I don't prove a disappointment.

Why should you?

Exactly.

Parker! What the blazes are you doing here?

Welcome home, Colonel MacKenzie.

But I...

I gave you money to buy a farm.

What happened? Did you lose the money?

Oh, no, sir.

After due consideration, I decided to invest part of it

in passage to the New World, sir.

Yeah, well, you can invest the rest of it

in a passage right back to the Old.

There's not a bob left, sir,

what with the expense of getting here

and one little thing or another along the way, sir.

Parker, if I'd have wanted you here,

I'd have brought you here myself.

I suppose you were so busy, it slipped your mind, sir.

Our army days are over.

I have no more need of an orderly, corporal.

Someone has to look after you, sir.

I'm quite capable of looking after myself, thank you.

Speaking apologetically, sir, I don't think you could brew

a good cup of tea if your life depended on it.

Oh, you don't, huh?

Parker, American ranchers do not have orderlies.

They will, sir, the Americans will catch up

will all the civilities in due time, sir.

Oh, Parker, I've told you, I've finished with the old days.

Now, coming here was rank insubordination.

Sir, may a poor corporal be permitted

to word in his own defense, sir?

No, definitely not.

Sir, we are in the land of free speech.

Oh, yes. So we are. All right.

What have to say in your defense, huh?

Well, sir, we each have our own calling,

and taking care of you has been my career.

Why, sir, I couldn't sleep at nights on that farm

worrying about what might be happening to you, sir.

Oh, come on.

When a man has spent 27 years, six months, three weeks,

and five days worrying about another person,

well, it's hard to put aside that burden, sir.

All right, Parker. You've made your point.

Thank you, sir.

But only temporarily. Understand?

Yes, sir.

I've taken the liberty of unpacking your things

you'd sent from England, sir.

Will your lunch be 12:30 as usual?

Well, evidently it will, won't it?

Oh, dear. Parker!

Sir?

Parker...

I really am glad to have you with me again.

My pleasure, sir.

Well, what have we here?

Oh.

Parker, you can bury that deep.

Hmm? Our wars are over.

You don't really expect another range war.

Got to be ready for anything.

It's sure a fine time for a tenderfoot to take over.

He's no tenderfoot.

He's a retired British army colonel, remember?

Yeah, but he doesn't have an army to back him up now.

He's got us.

He's heading for the horses.

Why shouldn't he be? We're taking a ride.

Yeah. He sure stands out like a sore thumb, doesn't he?

You sure can't miss him.

Give him a chance, will you? He just got here.

We should get these guns ready in a hurry

and get them back to the boys.

What did you see in town that got you so fired up?

Some faces I haven't seen lately, except on posters.

Gunmen?

I think that's what he's trying to tell us.

That's right, that's what I'm trying to tell you.

I don't know.

I'm just a hired hand.

Ah, it's a fine-looking horse, but is that my saddle?

Well, I know it's not what you're used to.

It looks like an overstuffed chair.

Well, it's hard to stay on an English saddle in this country.

You know, British cavalry has ridden over

some pretty rough country,

like up one side of the Himalayas and down the other.

We're not noted for falling off.

Try roping a steer on a flat saddle and you will.

Suit yourself, but that's got a lot more leather to hang on to.

Well, when in Rome.

Whoa.

♪

Boys. This is Colonel MacKenzie.

Men, you're doing a fine job.

As of now, you're getting $5 a month more.

How do you do?

How do you do?

Colonel, this is Trampas, my top hand.

- Oh, how do you do? - Howdy.

How about you? You staying on as foreman?

Well, as a matter of fact,

Trampas and I were planning to move on.

Neither one of us expected to stay for more than a few weeks,

and it's been nine years.

Yeah. Nothing personal, you understand.

No, no. I understand.

We'll stay till you find somebody else.

Well, thank you. I appreciate that.

Well, I... I guess I'll go back to work.

Whoa.

John, good to see you.

I didn't realize your family would arrive so soon.

Yes. This is my sister Faith and my son, Petey.

Hello.

Well, this is Colonel MacKenzie,

- the new owner of Shiloh. - How do you do?

- How do you do? - Howdy.

Faith and Petey just arrived from the East.

Yes? Well, then,

we're both experiencing Wyoming for the first time.

Oh? I hope you're finding it as beautiful as we are.

Well, I am.

Look, when I'm settled in,

I hope you'll bring your sister and Petey to dinner.

Sure will.

John, everyone's so hospitable.

It's such a friendly country.

I like it. I'm going to stay.

So am I.

It's really the beginning of a new life for all of us.

- Shall we be friends? - Please.

Me too?

You too.

Hey, haven't we got some colts to show him?

Sure do. Some beauties. John, you know where they are.

Thanks. We'll see you soon, colonel.

That's a promise.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Goodbye.

What a nice family.

Yes. John was one of the best hands we ever had.

We had to let him go.

The Wyoming Cattlemen's Association passed a rule

that no hand could own his own beef.

Well, what kind of idiotic rule is that?

An idiotic one.

John was building towards the day

when he could make a home for Faith and Petey.

No one here had any objection,

but they had to comply with the rule.

No organization should be able to tell a man

he can't own cattle.

Too many abused the privilege.

They'd fatten their own herds at their boss's expense.

And men like John had to suffer with the bad.

Well, you tell him he's got a job at Shiloh

anytime he needs it.

I'm afraid you can't do that.

You're a member of the Wyoming Cattlemen's Association.

Oh, I am? When did I sign up?

You automatically became one when you bought Shiloh.

Oh, no. Nothing like that was written into my bill of sale,

and nobody's going to tell me how to run my ranch.

Well, looks like things are going to get

- a little lively around here. - Yeah.

What's wrong?

Harper counted nine men riding through the calving range.

What are you going to do?

Make sure they keep riding.

Go to it!

They look like a combat patrol, don't they, sir?

Unfortunately, yes.

Remember what it was like to ride into new country?

Everything we could see was so peaceful and still.

It's what we couldn't see that sent the chills down our spine.

But there was enemy country, sir.

Yeah. And this is Wyoming.

Colonel MacKenzie!

What is it? What's happened?

It's John.

John...

he's been hanged!

- Hanged? - Who did it?

Masks. They had on masks.

They just dragged him right out of his bed.

When?

Last night!

Who are they?

Where's Petey?

They took him.

I've been looking all night.

I've been looking and looking.

- I've been looking. - Don't worry, we'll find them.

Trampas, go for the sheriff. I think Miss Andrews

- better stay with Parker. - No!

I'm going with you.

You're going to stay here, my dear.

I'd go crazy waiting here.

I've got to find Petey.

Petey!

Petey?

Petey?

Petey? Petey!

Petey! Petey!

Petey?

Petey?

Petey?

Petey?

Hello, Petey.

Come on.

- I've got him. Found him. - Petey.

- There he is. - Oh!

Oh, Petey.

Pete...

What have they done to him?

He's in shock.

His mind couldn't accept what he saw.

What do we do?

Well, treat him gently.

Mustn't force him.

You know, it was only yesterday we were all together.

There were John and Petey and me.

I know.

We found him.

Some kind of a shock.

Hello, Petey.

We've been looking all over for you.

I'm happy to see you.

He doesn't even know we're here.

Good morning, sheriff.

This is Miss Andrews and Colonel MacKenzie,

the new owner of Shiloh.

- Very glad to meet you, sir. - How do you do?

I just wish it was under other circumstances.

What's the matter with the boy?

He's been through a terrible ordeal.

So have you. Come sit down.

He may have been taken with his father.

You mean he could be a witness?

It's possible.

Can you identify any of the men, Miss Andrews?

No.

Uh, they, um...

I only saw them for a moment,

when I looked through the window.

And they had handkerchiefs over their faces.

How many men were there?

Four or five.

Exactly what did you see them do?

They were, uh...

dragging...

my brother t-toward the horses.

Was he alive?

He... he was then.

He was fighting.

Where did you find the body?

Don't you realize this girl has just gone through a nightmare?

I know, I know.

I'm sorry, Miss Andrews...

but this is my second hanging this morning,

and I'm angry and disgusted.

I've seen another sad house

and another sad woman crying her eyes out.

Another children fatherless.

Clancy?

- Clancy. - It's like I said,

Medicine Bow is coming apart at the seams.

It's like the Civil War all over again.

Does anyone know the reason why?

We found 20 Clark calves mixed in with Clancy's herd,

with the brands altered.

So they hung him with his running iron tied to his hands

for all to see.

I guess his sins finally caught up with him.

Sheriff, uh...

are you accusing my brother of rustling cattle?

Ma'am, I haven't seen his herd.

You know as well as I do John wouldn't do anything like that.

He worked so hard for everything he had.

Well, first things first.

- Where's the body? - I'll show you.

Now, Miss Andrews,

you just try to calm yourself.

We'll find out what's what around here.

Let's go.

I'm coming with you.

Will you be all right alone?

All right, let's have a look at John's cattle.

Now?!

Why? Do you have any objection, colonel?

Go after the murderers.

Everything in due course.

Don't give them time to get away.

They already have several hours on us.

Well, then don't give any more.

Colonel, stealing a cow is a hanging offense out here.

You hang a man without a trial?

I don't, but as you can see, it does happen.

Don't hand over to renegades who drag innocent men

out of their bed and hang them.

It's your duty to bring them to trial.

I don't need you to point out my duty!

Well, you seem to.

Just what is your interest in this case?

I'm a friend of the family.

Since when?

That's my business.

All right, all right, we're losing time.

You keep your nose out of my job.

[Sheriff' That's the Evans brand underneath.

See? There's the circle.

You can still see the top of the "E."

The Andrews brand has been stamped on top of it.

It certainly has.

Well, do you see it, colonel?

Yes, I saw it.

But I still say that's beside the point.

A calf is not more important than a man.

I don't make the laws, mister. I'm paid to enforce them.

I'd like to see the law that says a man that finds a calf

with an altered brand is entitled to hang the man

he thinks altered it.

Well, you won't find it worded that way in the books,

but we don't have a police force out here.

Sometimes a man just naturally

takes the law into his own hands.

Do you mean you're not even going to try

to catch these murderers?

You bet I'm going to try, mister.

I'm going to do everything I can.

But I'm one man and two deputies.

And we're surrounded

by thousands of miles of wilderness.

So don't expect the impossible.

I'll send the coroner out for the body.

What happened? Did you see the calves?

Well, tell me.

Impossible as it seems...

No, he did not do that.

He couldn't have done anything like that.

Don't worry. We'll find who did it.

In the meantime, you and Petey

are going to come and stay with me in Shiloh

till you can make plans.

Oh, that's very kind, but no.

It would be a terrible imposition.

No, it's no imposition at all. I insist.

And you should know,

I'm accustomed to getting my own way.

So go on, get your things.

Thank you.

You know, John told me that he'd been having trouble

with the Cattlemen's Association

ever since he branched out on his own.

They wouldn't be involved in anything like this.

Some of Wyoming's most prominent people are members.

The governor, the legislature.

Even the President of the United States.

Nevertheless, he said they threatened him several times.

Did he mention anyone specifically?

No, he just said the Association.

It just isn't possible.

Well, it got to be investigated.

I'll take the boy. You take care of Miss Andrews.

Right. I'll hitch up the buckboard.

Petey...

you are going to come and stay with me

at Shiloh for a few days.

There are mountains and streams and pastures to explore.

And there are kittens and calves and colts

just waiting for a little fella like you.

Come on.

There we go.

Mrs. Clark,

I'm not sure how much longer the colonel will be.

Well, that's all right. I'll give him a little longer.

Would you care for a nice cup of tea?

No, thank you.

Well, well, well, who do we have here, sir?

This is Master Petey Andrews.

Oh, welcome, Master Petey.

And he and his aunt will be staying a few days.

Well, I'll back him some cookies straight off.

Oh, we'll like that, won't we, Petey? Huh?

- Who's that? - Oh, I forgot, sir.

You have a guest in the parlor.

A very handsome woman. Mrs. Clark.

Ah, right.

Well, look, you take Petey up to the guest room.

And when Miss Andrews arrives,

you put her in the room next door, huh?

Mrs. Clark, I'm Alan MacKenzie.

I'm Amalia Clark, colonel. Your closest neighbor.

How nice of you to come. Can I offer you some tea?

- Sherry? - No, thank you.

I just dropped by to welcome you to Wyoming

and invite you to a party this evening.

Oh, that's very nice of you, but I'm afraid I can't accept.

Well, I realize it's short notice,

but it's the regular night for the Cattlemen's Association.

Cattlemen's Association.

I've just come from the house of another neighbor, John Andrews.

He wasn't exactly what we'd call a good neighbor.

You did say "wasn't"?

Yes.

Then you know he's dead.

Everyone in Medicine Bow knows it, Colonel MacKenzie.

I suppose you couldn't shed any light on why he was killed?

If you're asking if I have any firsthand information, no.

If you'd like me to speculate...

Please.

I imagine because he rustled cows.

They found them.

That does not prove that Andrews is the one who did it.

Who else would put his brand on them?

Well, I think we should find that out.

You're a stubborn man.

So I've been told.

Are you sure you won't have a drink?

- No, thank you. - May I?

Please.

And you're complicated.

We're not. We're simple people.

Candid about our likes and our dislikes.

We're not devious and we're not two-faced.

If you don't bother us, we don't bother you.

Is that a threat or a warning?

Good heavens, neither.

Now, look, I wasn't speaking personally.

I was just trying to explain Westerners to you.

Are you so different from everyone else?

Well, we live differently.

Most of the people you'll meet tonight

settled here before there was even a town.

People gather, problems arise.

They have to be dealt with. We can't stop progress.

But you'd like to, huh?

Of course.

We'd love to keep this beautiful wilderness unblemished.

Wouldn't you?

Oh, come tonight, colonel.

You'll meet some lovely people

who are very anxious to meet you.

You know, I think I should meet those... lovely people.

Good. Anytime after 7:00.

Your men can show you the way.

Or shall I send someone for you?

No, no, no. I'll find it.

Until this evening, then.

I must say, it's a joy to have an attractive bachelor among us.

You are a bachelor?

I'm a widower.

I'm a widow myself.

Thank you.

Mrs. Clark, may I present Miss Andrews?

May I extend my sympathies, Miss Andrews?

Mrs. Clark.

The last thing I want from any member

of the Cattlemen's Association is sympathy.

It's yours all the same.

Good day, colonel.

We look forward to seeing you at the Association meeting.

Thank you.

Where's Petey?

Upstairs with Parker.

I'm taking him back to my brother's house.

Why?

It was a... mistake to accept your hospitality.

I thought you were a friend.

Well, what made you change your mind?

You're going to their meeting.

So many people are telling me what to do and how to act.

Now, don't you star, too.

Why are you going?

Because I think it's a good thing to do.

Now, please trust me.

I trust you.

There.

Now, no more talk about you leaving this house

until those murderers are behind bars.

Now, this is the safest place

for you and Petey to be right now.

Safe?

Do you think we're not safe?

You saw them.

No.

No, their faces were covered.

Yes, but when they've had time to think,

they may worry that you may be able to identify them.

But I can't.

Yes, and when you've had time to think, perhaps you can.

Then there's Petey.

Now, we can only guess at what he saw.

But they know.

Well, here's a group of people I'd love for you to meet.

Colonel MacKenzie, Mr. Lamb.

- How do you do? - Colonel.

Mr. Evans.

Been looking forward to meeting you.

That's very kind of you.

And Mr. Hoag.

Welcome to the Cattlemen's Association.

You're very gracious, Mr. Hoag.

- Frank. - Frank.

But I'm afraid I'm not a member of the Association.

Oh, of course you are.

Shiloh is one of the oldest spreads out here.

Mr. Cavett, the first owner, was one of the founders.

Oh, really?

Colonel MacKenzie's very disturbed

about the death of John Andrews.

He should be. We all are.

Oh, it's a terrible thing for Medicine Bow.

Oh, I'm glad to hear you say so.

Although in all fairness,

there's no question he had it coming.

None at all.

He stole my calves.

They caught him red-handed.

Who caught him?

Naturally, no one left a calling card.

Has it ever occurred to you that Andrews might be innocent?

Would you like to see my stolen calves?

Somebody else may have altered the brand.

And put Andrews's on top of mine?

- Possibly. - Well, that's ridiculous.

For what reason?

That's exactly what I said.

Colonel, you're new out here.

For years, we've tried to keep peace,

and watch our herds plundered and our hands shot.

What's that got to do with Andrews?

Every rustler we ever caught and brought to trial was set free.

Oh, then you know Andrews was a rustler.

Just wait till you find a Shiloh cow

with another man's brand on it.

I won't think it'll give me the right

to hang the man who did it.

Last year, I caught Pete Clancy rustling my cows.

I had him arrested and brought to trial.

The jury voted not guilty.

I was one of Frank's witnesses,

and I saw Clancy using the running iron.

Did you testify to that?

I did. It didn't make any difference.

Juries are never on the side of the big property owners.

I took my loss.

But I can't do that indefinitely.

None of us can. We'd be out of business.

Good men have to stick together and fight.

And if we don't, the lawless will run the territory.

If there isn't any improvement,

this may be only the first of many unpleasant occurrences.

Really?

How many men are you planning to hang?

We didn't do the hanging.

Your attitude, sir, is insulting!

Gentlemen, gentlemen.

Colonel, this may offend your sensibilities,

but hanging's been known to work out here

when nothing else did.

Thank you, Mrs. Clark, for your hospitality.

And thank you for asking me

to join the Cattlemen's Association.

I know it was meant kindly.

Good night.

Colonel, colonel.

If you're not with us, you're against us.

Of course.

Colonel MacKenzie, wait.

Please don't go like this.

Mrs. Clark, I don't belong here.

I may not even belong in Wyoming.

You're so quick to judge.

You don't know what this land is like,

or what we're up against out here.

Right and wrong is the same in every country

amongst decent people.

And you feel qualified to pass sentence on us?

Mrs. Clark, I feel obligated to speak out for a murdered man.

Why?

Maybe because I'm the only one who will.

When you know Wyoming better,

you won't speak out for a rustler.

I'll speak out for his rights.

You're a difficult man, Colonel MacKenzie.

So I've been told.

And yet, charming.

When we met today, I said to myself,

"Here's a man I'd like to know better."

Mrs. Clark, I intend to know you better.

But I will not be a member of your sewing bee.

You heard what Mayor Evans said.

If you're not with us, you're against us.

Is he speaking for you as well?

Yes.

Good night, Mrs. Clark.

Goodbye, Colonel MacKenzie.

As you wish, ma'am.

What am I doing about it? I got men out hunting.

How many?

Two. I told you, that's all I had.

- Have you asked for volunteers? - Nope.

Why not?

Now look, you,

don't come in here with a chip on your shoulder,

cross-examining me.

I was riding posses while you were sipping tea

in your fancy castle.

Well, why aren't you riding one now?

Because someone has to be on duty here.

They could be miles away by now!

Exactly.

So don't expect miracles.

Sheriff...

are you a member of the Cattlemen's Association?

No, I'm not a member.

I don't own a cow. I'm not a rancher.

And I'd appreciate it if you'll take care of your business

and let me attend to mine.

Mm-hmm.

Who's your boss, sheriff?

I'm a servant of the people.

And who looks after the people you don't serve?

The only people I don't serve, mister, are criminals.

I arrest them. That's why I wear this badge.

Thank you for clearing that up.

Now, will you get out of here?

If you don't catch these men, there'll be other murders.

Well, thank you for clearing that up.

All right, sheriff.

All right.

I'll do it my way.

Mr. Mayor?

Good morning, Colonel MacKenzie.

What can I do for you?

MacKenzie.

Why don't you just relax

and enjoy this beautiful country?

You're wasting an awful lot of time trying to stir it up.

If trying to solve a murder is stirring things up, so be it.

Out here, we each try to do our own job

and let the other fella do his.

Now, if I was in London,

I wouldn't go around trying to do Scotland Yard's work.

You wouldn't have to.

Neither do you.

You're running around tilting windmills.

And giving an awful lot of nice people

the wrong impression.

And I shall continue to do so.

Colonel MacKenzie,

let me ask you something.

Just why did you come to Wyoming?

I'm glad you asked that.

Are you?

I came here because I thought I might find something

almost nonexistent in other parts of the world.

Which is?

Liberty and justice for all.

Whoa, hey.

Okay, that's enough.

Robin Hood was the bravest knight

in all of England.

He wore a suit of Sherwood green

and his bow was slung across his shoulders.

Now, Robin Hood believed in taking from the rich

and giving to the poor,

which was quite all right with the poor.

But the rich considered it downright dishonest.

Now, Robin Hood had an enemy.

A no-good varmint called the Sheriff of Nottingham,

who came with his soldiers, looking for Robin Hood.

Parker?

Sir?

Oh, I ran into an ambush down in... nothing serious.

Now, what do you make out of that?

Hello, Petey.

Did you have a good day?

Good.

Would you like to tell me about it? Hmm?

Well, my day was nothing to brag about.

Hey, I forgot to give you your present.

Remember the pony I promised you?

He's in the stables right now.

I think he's forgotten how to speak, sir.

No.

He'll speak when he's ready.

Won't you, Petey?

You and I are friends.

We don't need words to understand each other,

do we, Petey, huh?

Petey, I'm going to clean up,

and then I'll come down and tell you a story.

I was telling him about Robin Hood, sir.

But I don't believe he heard a word.

Robin Hood?

Oh, that's one of my favorite stories.

He was the knight who lived in Sherwood Forest

with his merry men,

and they all wore special suits

of bright, bright red.

Green.

Are you sure, Petey? I thought it was red.

Green. Robin Hood wore a suit of Sherwood green.

And his bow was slung across his shoulders.

Well, you know I believe you're right.

It was Sherwood green.

He was the bravest knight in all England.

Oh, yes, he was the bravest knight in all England.

Ha-ha!

Hey.

I forget what happened.

Do you remember any more of the story?

There was a sheriff.

Oh, there certainly was. The Sheriff of Nottingham.

And what did he do?

He was a no-good varmint.

He certainly was.

You remember how the rest of the story goes?

Hmm?

I don't remember anymore.

I didn't tell him any more.

Oh, you mean Parker didn't finish the story.

Well, now let's see...

You've been hurt.

Um...

where did Parker leave off?

The Sheriff of Nottingham came with soldiers looking for him.

Of course.

And Robin Hood and his merry men,

they hid in the trees,

and the Sheriff of Nottingham couldn't find them.

Now, there was a beautiful lady called Maid Marian.

For a while, I thought he was never going to speak again.

Will he be all right now?

Oh, in time.

I've seen the same thing with soldiers in battle.

Their mind just stops functioning

when it can't take any more, but time usually heals it.

He's such a little boy.

Yes, but he's strong.

He's coming out of it.

This country isn't nearly as pretty as it was a few days ago.

I understand.

As soon as John's affairs are settled,

I'm taking Petey to San Francisco for a while.

But I thought your brother wanted him to grow up here.

I won't raise John's son in a town

that calls his father a criminal.

Well, when we've cleared his name,

perhaps you'll think differently.

Alan...

Alan, I've had second thoughts

about your hunting down John's murderers.

I don't want you to die the way he did.

I don't intend to.

You didn't have an accident today.

There's no use trying to make me believe that you did.

If you go on with this,

your life isn't worth anything in this country.

If I don't, it isn't worth anything to me.

You can't bring John back.

I'm just terrified for you.

I was born with nine lives.

I've got at least three left.

Has any woman ever been able to handle you?

No. You see, I'm a man who believes in causes.

Women don't understand that.

We understand.

We know what the price may be.

Will you help me?

Yes, in any way that I can.

It's going to be painful.

I want you to relive that night again.

All right.

Now, when the men took John, where were you?

In my bedroom.

Did they come in?

No, no.

I heard a scuffling, and low voices.

At first I thought I was dreaming.

What did you do?

Well...

I think I...

yes, I...

I went to the window.

All right.

Now, you're standing at the window.

What do you see?

I see John. They're dragging him.

Who's dragging him?

I don't know. It's dark. I can't see very well.

Is John on the ground or standing up?

He's on the ground.

But he's squirming and twisting.

He's trying to break away, but...

they're holding him by his hands and his feet.

How many are there?

Four... no!

No, there...

There are five.

Are you sure that's all?

I think so.

Where are the horses?

Horses?

They're in the front. They're...

outside the fence.

Can you see what kind of horses they are?

No, they're just shadows.

Are there any men with the horses?

Yes. There are three.

Then you saw eight men.

Five with John and three with the horses.

Yes.

And they're... They're dragging him, and...

he's... he's fighting.

He... it...

It's all they can do to just handle him.

And then one of the...

One of the men raises a rifle...

and he smashes it down, and...

John falls.

And they lift him up,

and they lay him over one of the horses.

Only, he isn't moving.

He isn't moving!

Oh!

Parker! Parker!

Brandy, quick!

What happened, sir?

Oh, she fainted.

What the blazes do you think happened?

I'm beginning to think that Wyoming

is more dangerous than India or the Sahara.

Well, why don't you go back to the Sahara, huh?

Well, I'm not complaining, sir. Just editorializing.

That's better.

- I'm sorry. - No.

I should apologize for what I put you through.

No, I...

I...

I do remember something else, though.

One of those men was...

unusually tall, and...

I think he walked with a limp.

Well, that could be useful.

Do... do you know who it is?

No, but I... I'm not sure,

but I think I may have seen him this afternoon.

I wish I knew what you're talking about.

That's all, Parker. Thank you.

Yes, sir.

- Easy. - Oh.

It's just that it all happened so fast.

It was over before I was awake enough

to know if it was really taking place.

By the time I ran outside, they were out of sight.

I do remember how still it was.

There wasn't a sound.

You saw no one else?

No.

You're positive?

What should I have seen?

A ninth man.

The one who took Petey.

You see, nine men rode through Shiloh in your direction.

I never saw him.

Don't worry.

Maybe in time, Petey will tell us about him.

Oh, Alan, I dread to think what Petey must have seen.

What do you think of that little fella?

Isn't he a beauty?

You know what I said to myself when I saw him?

I said, "Petey's going to like him.

He's just his size."

Now, would you like to give him some sugar?

All right. Hey, how would you like to ride him, hmm?

Come on, then.

Let's say hello to him, shall we?

Do you want to take him back in the barn

and pick out another one?

Hmm?

Petey...

do you want to tell me why you don't like him?

Don't be scared, Petey.

I won't let anything happen to you.

Come on.

Petey, do you know something?

When I was a little boy like you,

I was frightened of something.

And then when I went back to look at it,

there was nothing there.

You know, all of us get a bit scared sometimes.

Hmm?

Like to ride him, hmm?

Come on, then.

That's right.

Petey, what's the matter, huh?

Petey...

Petey, what happened?

Tell me.

What happened?

I was asleep.

Then I was awake.

There were lots of men in the dark.

My daddy was fighting them.

I was fighting them too.

They dragged my daddy outside.

He was on the ground. They were hitting him.

They put my daddy on a horse.

It was a black horse with white spots.

The man picked me up on him

and we rode off.

Where did you go?

A place.

Some bad men held my daddy.

They put a rope around his neck.

And then the man carried me to my daddy.

He said, "Say goodbye to your son."

My daddy told me to close my eyes,

not to look.

The man said,

"Let the boy go, Luke.

He's only a baby."

Then...

then somebody hit my daddy's horse hard.

My daddy, my daddy...

The horse is a black-and-white pinto.

Evidently it's marked just like the pony.

I know one horse around here that fits that description.

- Who owns it? - Mrs. Clark.

- Amalia? - Yes.

Oh, I'd better ride over and talk to her.

- Want me to go with you? - No, no, no. No.

Look, will you send two men over to the house,

keep their eye on Miss Andrews and the boy?

I'll tend to it right away. Are you expecting trouble?

I'm an army man. I always expect trouble.

Hyah.

Do you have a black-and-white pinto horse?

No, I don't.

Would you care to check my stables?

No, if you say it's not there, I'm sure I won't find it.

Why is this particular horse so important?

Because the man who rode it

may be concerned with Andrews' murder.

Thank you for not saying "woman."

No, there was no woman present.

What makes you so positive?

Well, I think I know what happened.

Tell me.

First, I have to find the horse.

Thank you.

Colonel MacKenzie.

Out here, landowners try to stand together.

Now, we're in the minority, and we need one another.

Now, I hate cattle rustlers like poison,

but I wouldn't be a party to killing one.

And contrary to what you think,

I don't believe a cow is worth the life of a man.

I'm very glad to hear you say so.

I don't know anything about those murders.

I don't know what happened.

But I can tell you something more about my horse.

- Yes? - Almost a month ago,

I sold him to Mayor Evans.

Evans?

Thank you.

I'm sure you'll find he doesn't know anything

about that night either.

I certainly hope he doesn't.

I'll let you know.

Good day.

Sure, I remember the pinto well.

Beautiful animal.

I intended to breed him, but I changed my mind.

I sold him to a man who rode through here,

oh, probably a couple of weeks ago.

What's his name?

Well, I don't believe I even asked him.

He'd paid cash, and that was the end of that.

You have any idea where he is now?

Horse and man are long gone.

Uh, when do you intend to give up amateur detecting

and settle down to ranching?

When the murderer of John Andrews is caught.

You may spend the rest of your life finding that out.

Yeah. Maybe I will.

Suit yourself.

Thank you for your time, Mr. Mayor.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Yeah, I'm sure you are.

Jethro.

Get yourself a horse.

I want you to deliver a message right away.

♪

Hold it!

Watch.

You get the idea, chum?

I can blow your head off at 300 yards.

Now, I'll tell you what I want you to do for me.

Good afternoon.

I'm Mayor Evans.

I stopped by to pay my respects to Miss Andrews and her nephew.

Are they in?

No, sir. They're not.

Is Colonel MacKenzie in?

No, sir.

Well, then, in that case I'll just come inside and wait.

Well, sir, I'm afraid I can't invite you in.

Colonel MacKenzie left specific instructions

that no one was to enter.

Well, now I find that hard to believe.

Colonel MacKenzie isn't a rude man.

Well, no one can enter without his express orders.

Well, afternoon, mayor.

Hello, Harper, would you be so kind

as to vouch for my character?

Parker, this is the mayor of Medicine Bow.

Well, Colonel MacKenzie said...

The colonel's orders didn't apply to the mayor.

Don't worry. I'll take full responsibility.

Thank you.

Well, well, this must be Petey!

How are you, Petey boy?

No, no, no, don't. Don't take him away.

Petey and I would like to have a little talk, wouldn't we?

No, put him down, put him down.

I'm not going to bite him.

What's the matter with you, Parker?

I see I'm gonna have to work on you, Parker,

or I'm not going to get your vote in November.

Look, if you don't mind,

I'd like to talk to the boy alone.

We can't get acquainted with all you people around here.

The boy's afraid to open his mouth.

Come on, Parker. How about a cup of coffee?

Come on over here, Petey,

and you sit yourself right down there.

And I want you to tell me how you like Wyoming.

The boss wants you to stow your gear and get moving.

He wants you out of the territory.

- Well, what about our money? - You'll get it,

just the way it was arranged.

Or you'll get it in two weeks instead of four.

- All of it? - That's what he said.

So, when do we finish the job?

You're finished. There's been a hitch.

And he wants you to kill that pinto

as soon as you get down the other side of the mountain.

No. No, sir.

He wants it done. I wouldn't cross him.

It ain't human to kill a good horse.

Hold it right there!

Now raise your hands very slowly.

That's nice.

Now, I'm taking you men in for the murder of John Andrews.

Well, you're crazy.

We don't know anything about that.

No?

I'm also charging six of you with assault.

- On who? - On me.

Now, one of you's missing. Where is he?

Right behind you.

Raise your hands nice and easy,

or you're going to get it right in the back.

Well, we're all accounted for, hmm?

You're the one that brought him here!

That limey'd blown my head off!

Now, if you gentlemen would cooperate?

Unbuckle your gun belts, huh?

Petey...

are you sure you'd remember the man with the limp

if you ever saw him again?

And the horse.

Are you sure it's the same color as your pony?

I'll tell you what, Petey,

if your pony's black and white,

I'll give you a shiny new dime.

I'll show you.

All right.

Uh...

Petey,

after we take a look at your pony,

how would you like to go for a ride in my buggy?

That would be fun.

All right.

I may even let you hold the reins.

Hello, Mr. Mayor.

Hello, Colonel MacKenzie.

Petey here was just about ready to show me his pony.

Weren't you, Petey?

Hey?

Parker!

Hey, Petey, did you miss me?

Yes, sir.

Parker, why don't you take Petey down

and let him ride the pony, huh?

Righto.

Well, I'm thirsty. I could do with a drink.

Would you join me?

Sure.

Up you go, lad.

Well, I could use one of those myself.

I don't drink with murderers.

And I don't like that kind of talk, MacKenzie,

whatever it's supposed to mean.

Mayor, you try and go out that door

and I'll take great pleasure in putting you in the hospital

for six months, which wouldn't be fair to the hangman.

Now, sit down and listen.

It better be good, or you've got trouble.

I have, huh?

Knowing what the cattlemen thought about rustling,

you decided to start a range war for your own profit,

and you brought in hired guns to do your own dirty work.

Profit how?

By framing men like John Andrews.

It was your men who put the brand on his cattle

and shoved it in with his stock so that you could hang him

as a cattle rustler and steal his land.

This is absolute nonsense, MacKenzie.

And you can't prove a bit of it.

So get out of my way.

Your own men have already proved it.

If anybody told you that,

they're lying.

All nine of them?

Do you expect loyalty from hired guns?

Come on, the sheriff's waiting for you.

My pony won't forget me.

No, not a chance.

We're going to put a picture of you in his stall with him.

- Ah! - Ah!

Don't you worry about your aunt.

We'll make sure everything's okay.

Thank you.

Aboard!

You be a good boy, huh?

You won't forget we're friends.

Friends? We're more than friends. We're partners.

I got your cows on my ranch.

Mwah.

I'll see you real soon, Petey, hmm?

Come on, Petey.

Let's see if we can't find a seat by a window.

I'll be back next summer.

I don't know how to thank you.

You should take lessons from Petey on how to say goodbye.

Ma'am.

There you go.

So long, Petey.

Hate to see them go.

Yeah, so do I.

Well, I suppose it's better for Petey to get away for a while.

Uh, by the way, about me leaving Shiloh, uh...

Well, I was hoping you won't.

I was hoping you were hoping I wouldn't.

How about you?

Oh, I'd be afraid to leave now.

- Afraid? - I'd miss something.

♪

♪