Original subtitles

♪

I'm out.

Well, biggest pot of the evening, Mr. Skeet.

It's up to you.

How much you got left there, boy?

Mm, about, uh, $300.

- I sure hate to do it. - Hate to do what?

Put the Nancy Belle on the line for 300.

- Nancy who? - The Nancy Belle.

That's a riverboat just like the one we're on.

Well, not just exactly like the we're on.

She's a mite bit older but a proud vessel, son,

a mighty proud vessel, and she's in Bristol shape.

And as much as I hate to risk parting with her,

I don't see how as I have any other choice.

An entire riverboat on one hand of poker?

Son, there must be several thousand dollars in that pot.

I'd like to take it home with me,

and with this hand, it ain't exactly a gamble.

It's a real good one, huh?

Try me.

Well, seeing as most of the money that's in front of me

belonged to you gentlemen Saturday evening,

I feel kind of an obligation

to give you all a chance to win it back.

You figure on bluffing, huh?

Oh, let's just say I'd hate to think

you talked that pot into your pocket.

I'll call.

Well, that makes two of us that figure

on taking that pot home to bed with us.

Any more?

- 300 to me, huh? - You calling or stalling?

- Don't go getting in a hurry, Pop. - Pop?!

I believe I'd like to stay in this

if you'll give me a minute or two.

Minute or two for what?

To go get the money I'm gonna need to win this pot.

You mean you ain't got the money on you?

I didn't exactly see that riverboat

tied up to the table, Pop.

You afraid I got the cards to do it?

It's all right by me.

Why not? More the merrier.

♪

Hoy.

Who is it?

It's me, Billy.

How are we doing? You get the deed?

It's on the table just like you said it would be.

That old river skunk.

He's a bigger crook than either one of us.

Not for long.

You caught a hand.

10, jack, queen, king, and ace.

Just a straight?

Of hearts.

- How much you need? - 300.

That's a lot.

Especially when they're looking for the stuff.

Nobody's gonna see it but me, Hoy.

That pot and that boat are as good as ours right now.

I hope so. Because one thing's plain.

What's that?

Time's running out for you and me.

Don't worry, Hoy.

Ain't nothing can beat a royal flush.

You sure took your time about it.

- Take it easy, Pop. - Where do you get off calling me Pop?

Look, you two can swap insults all evening,

but I'd like to finish this game and stretch my legs.

I think we're stopping.

We ain't due to stop till we hit Millstown.

If we ain't stopping, we're sure slowing up for something.

All right, now, slow and orderly.

And fan out all around the deck.

Anybody tries to get off the boat, shoot.

Let's finish the hand, gentlemen.

Got plenty of time to go outside and see what's going on.

I'm, uh... I'm calling you, Pop.

Well, you can just stop calling me Pop.

I'll call you anything you like if you'll just tell me

what you're holding in your hand.

Full house, aces over jacks.

That's a mighty fine hand, Mr. Skeet,

but not quite fine enough.

Four nines.

Four nines?

Well, I can see why you gentlemen were so confident.

I'd have felt pretty good myself

if I'd been holding either one of those hands.

Not good enough, however, to go upstairs for the $300.

Well, there ain't much that can beat four nines

except four of something better, friend.

And aces and jacks are already taken.

Well, I... I don't exactly have four of anything...

So I... I guess you win, son.

We're looking for some men. Hoy and Billy Valentine.

You take the doors on this side.

I'll take them on that side. Open up in there!

Open up!

Hey.

- These yours? - Yeah. It's my lucky night.

- Maybe not. - Huh?

- Let's go. - Let's go?

- Move it! - Yeah, but...

Leave it! The rest stays there.

All right, you can carry on now, folks.

But I wouldn't recommend any of you leaving this room.

Let's go.

Ain't that just the way?

Looked like such an honest fella.

What's this?

Where'd you get this, son?

The deed or the money?

Not interested in the deed. Where'd you get this money?

- Won most of it. - On this boat?

Mainly, but I had a streak of luck in El Paso, too.

It's gonna be hard to prove.

Why should I have to prove it?

Because a good part of this money's stolen, that's why.

Stolen?

He didn't have any of those notes in his billfold.

Fact is he didn't have anything in it.

Well, I will as soon as you gentlemen return me my money.

Afraid we can't do that, boy. This is evidence.

Evidence? I won that money. I'll be needing it.

You'll be needing a lot more unless you cooperate.

Just what did you all have in mind?

We're going to walk back into that gaming room,

and you're going to try hard to remember

just which of those particular gentleman gave you

- any of this money. - We've been playing for hours.

Men have been coming and going out of that game.

You're a long way from home, son.

If you want to get back to Wyoming,

you better try real hard to remember.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Hoy.

Put your glasses on! It's me!

- They found them! Let's go! - Hey, what about my money?!

Dang you, Hoy! It's me!

We ain't got much time!

Let's go.

♪

We'll never be able to pick up their trail in the dark.

We're right back where we started.

No photographs, no description, no nothing.

Wait a minute. We got something. One of them's hit.

Get up to the wheelhouse and tell them to head to shore.

- We're going after them. - Right.

What happened?

They went in.

They get 'em?

I don't know.

Oh...

How... how bad is it?

I don't feel like dancing.

Take this.

We got two choices.

What's the other one?

Well, we... we could give up.

Hoy, we've been at this for close to 45 years.

And the percentages are all against us.

You said yourself we're running out of places to hide.

But we got a plan.

And if we make it good, we can call it quits, retire.

Hoy...

I-I didn't get the boat.

Billy, nobody...

Nobody could lose a pot with a royal flush.

Nobody.

But, Hoy, the Plimptons were coming,

and I didn't want to get caught with those worthless notes.

Who got it?

A fella by the name of Trampas from up north.

They'll stop to look for us.

If we can make the train down to Howton,

we can almost beat the riverboat in.

Hoy... you didn't hear me.

Won't do us no good to go to Howton.

I... I didn't get the deed.

This fella Trampas got it.

Right.

Well, we'll just have to take it away from him.

Grandfather, over here!

Corey.

- I have a surprise for you. - Oh?

Look who I brought with me.

Oh, Jason.

Not just Jason, grandfather. Show him, Jason.

You, Sheriff?

Well, it's only temporary, but...

But Sheriff Wilcox had enough confidence in Jason

to leave him in full charge

while he's away at the county seat.

I always thought Sheriff Wilcox was a man of unusual vision.

Most unusual.

- Let me take your bag, sir. - Thank you, Jason.

Dear?

- Hey, Mr. Skeet! - Hey!

Let's be on our way, Jason.

Well, isn't that man calling you, sir?

No, that looks like one of those riverboat-type gamblers.

I'd rather not have Corey exposed to men of his ilk.

I couldn't agree with you more, sir.

- Hyah! - Let's be on our way.

Hey, Mr. Skeet! Hey!

Hey! He...

Four days including fee, that comes to, uh...

$4 even.

Well, I tell you what.

Why don't I give you $3.42 cash

and we can wipe out the bill and settle it all it once.

- Settle it all at once? - Yeah.

How else you gonna pay a $4 bill?

Tell you what, I'll give you $3.42,

and you can put the rest on my bill.

- Wait a minute. - Hmm?

You don't have a bill.

Oh, it appears I do now.

You trying to tell me something, mister?

Uh... I guess you get that feeling, don't you?

Well, I might as well spit out.

I ran into a little bad luck on the riverboat.

- Here, $3.42. - Gambling, huh?

Yeah, in way, but that's not how I lost all my money.

Young fella?

A man can't pay what he owes,

he deserves what comes to him.

Now hold on a minute. I only owe you 58 cents.

You can't take my whole horse.

Well, what do you expect me to do, section him?

No, but I got some money coming.

As soon as I go get it, I'll pay you the bill.

Fine, fine, your horse will be here.

No, wait. Can't we work this thing out?

I mean, see, I'll need my old horse here

to collect the money.

All right. We'll do it your way.

Oh, that's just fine, just fine. I appreciate that.

- You're a good man. - I know I am.

♪

Nice seeing you again, Jason.

Well, it's nice to have you back, Mr. Skeet.

Don't be long, Corey. I'm half starved.

I'll be right along, grandfather.

Corey, this ridiculous way of living has just got to stop.

Now, are you going to tell him or am I?

Jason, until he's back on his feet,

- there's nothing to tell. - Back on his feet?

Corey, do you have any idea how much money

that old man squanders on the poker table?

He could've fixed this old tub up ten times over

and made a wonderful place for himself.

Well, Jason, I'm the only thing that grandfather has.

And I'll just have to see to his needs.

See to his needs? What about my needs?

I know, Jason, and I have just the notion

that'll straighten you right out.

- What's that? - A nice big lunch.

Oh, I'd like to, Corey,

but, no, I think I better get back to town.

- There may be trouble. - Trouble?

Yes, Hoy and Billy Valentine might be headed this way.

Hoy and Billy Valentine? I never heard of them.

Well, I never did either, but the Plimpton Detective Agency

doesn't go chasing after one-time horse thieves.

These fellas must be pretty important.

Now, Jason, you be careful.

Don't go getting involved with them.

Don't go getting involved?

Corey, I am the acting sheriff.

Now if I happen to catch those outlaws, that would mea... n

But, Jason, if the Plimptons can't catch them,

what makes you think you can?

Well, I have natural instincts for detective work, Corey.

I have natural instincts.

Well, just you watch that you don't get

those natural instincts shot off

fooling around with those fellas.

Okay.

Corey?

I'm a lawman.

Like it or not, there are some risks

that just have to be taken.

I'll see you Friday night for dinner.

Bye, Jason.

Grandfather, do you know what you are?

You're a disgrace.

Now what'd I do?

You've been gambling again, haven't you?

Well, Corey, a man has to pass the time.

Well, you could pass the time trying to earn an honest wage.

Corey, dear, that's why I was down on the river.

It was business.

Grandfather, I know what you do on that river.

You do?

You sell the Nancy Belle to strangers

who don't know any better, and then after they've seen it

and while they're still stricken,

you buy it back for practically nothing.

Now, Corey, whoever told you an outlandish story like that?

Who hasn't told me?

You don't seem to realize that everybody knows

that my grandfather is simply dishonest.

Corey, there's nothing simply dishonest

about your grandfather.

Well, who was that young man on the dock today?

Young man?

The one that called out after you.

Oh, oh. Oh, that young man.

Why did he want to see you?

I don't know.

Your guess is as good as...

Corey, why don't you get lunch.

There's a couple of things I have to tend to.

Don't you start by getting yourself

all riled up, young fella.

I can explain...

What happened to your saddle?

Well, now that you bring it up, Mr. Skeet,

it's one of the reasons I stopped by.

You want to sell me your saddle?

No, more on account of its absence.

I don't know a thing about it, cross my heart.

Uh-huh, well, unfortunate thing happened

to my winnings on the boat last night.

Those detectives helped themselves to all my cash,

and it seems those notes were stolen.

- No. - Yeah.

Well, you don't think that I had anything to do

with a thing like that, do you?

I'm not here to accuse anyone, Mr. Skeet.

Well, I sure hope not.

What are you here for, anyway?

Well...

Mr. Skeet, I'm gonna need a small stake

to get back to Wyoming, and it seems

the only thing that I have of any value is a riverboat.

Well, why don't you let me show you around your new property.

Well, now I'm sure she's in the fine Bristol shape

- you said she was. - You remember.

Bristol shape. Yes, she's in Bristol shape.

Uh-huh, yeah, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose her

for a paltry $300.

So if you're in the mind to giving me my money back,

I'll return the deed and we can call it square.

I'd like to do that

seeing as how I do love the old Nancy Belle myself.

But recently, I've... I've suffered

several pretty severe financial setbacks

a couple of weeks ago.

So what you're trying to tell me

is this beautiful vessel is all mine.

Beautiful vessel?

Mm-hmm.

You know, I always wondered what it'd be like

to be a real-life captain of a boat like this.

But I hardly know where to begin.

Well, I suggest you begin by...

following me and...

looking her over very careful.

Now yesterday...

I'll get it.

I was gonna do that this morning.

Go straight ahead right in there!

Oh, excuse me.

You just go on about what you're doing, ma'am.

I won't be in the way.

Oh, by the way. I'm Trampas.

Grandfather?

I'll explain everything later, dear.

Say...

- Now that's a nice painting. - Thank you.

Curtains are nice, too.

Of course, they'll have to come down.

Come down? Grandfather!

Should push that wall back. Maybe make that into a bar.

Grandfather.

Don't pay him no mind, dear. You just get lunch.

I don't feel like getting lunch.

Not with some perfect stranger wandering around here

like he owns the pl...

Oh, grandfather, you stuck him with the boat,

and he's going to keep it.

It's not funny. It's not funny one bit.

This is our home. We live here.

What you mean is you may have to go out

- and get an honest job. - Mr. Skeet?

You should be shot.

Letting a fine boat get in this kind of condition.

- It's terrible, isn't it? - Disgraceful.

Well, I guess you'll wanna be on your way.

Well, I'd like to, but just like I told you,

I'm temporarily without funds.

Would you excuse us for a moment, Corey?

We have some business to talk over.

- Grandfather, I think... - Now, Corey.

Yes, grandfather.

Mr. Trampas? Be careful.

Yes, ma'am.

Mr. Trampas...

I tell you what I might be able to do.

I might be able to take the Nancy Belle

back off your hands, say, for, uh...

10 cents on the dollar?

$30 for 300?

Well, I'm not a businessman,

but that doesn't sound like much of a deal.

That's the best I can do.

I was afraid that might be the case.

Well, there is an alternative.

- There is? - Sure.

You and me will just have to fix up the old girl and sell her.

I'll just take my $300 out, and you can have the rest.

I'll go get my things, and we'll get right to it.

I, uh, expect we've got a lot of work ahead of us.

How do you like that?

I like it fine. Just fine.

Maybe he'll do some of the things

you keep saying you're gonna do.

Who taught you to eavesdrop? And don't be so naive.

He has no intention of fixing up the boat.

He's up to something.

Grandfather, the trouble with you

is you think everybody thinks the way you do.

He's nice.

He's devious!

I know his game.

- Oh, you do? - I certainly do.

He's gonna keep me working on this boat

till I have to buy him off to get rid of him.

♪

There, I got it, Hoy. It's out.

You good for nothing old butcher.

Why I've ever kept you around all these years,

I'll never understand.

Now you just rest.

Wait.

Don't try to talk.

I'm all right. I have to talk.

Make plans.

We have a plan, and I gotta get it moving.

You think you can?

Now you just take it easy.

Two weeks, we'll be in Mexico.

You know, I...

I've been thinking maybe...

maybe Canada instead of Mexico.

We got a lot of time to think about that.

In the meantime, I gotta get started on that boat.

Billy, good luck.

- Was it all right? - Hmm? Oh, it's fine.

Oh, it's better than fine. It's great.

Well, I guess I'll take the dishes out.

- I'll be glad to help. - Oh, no, no, you're a guest.

In a way.

You, uh... care for a cigar?

Yeah, don't mind if I do. Thank you.

♪

Well...

you've looked her over from stem to stern.

You've been very helpful.

The engine room's a mess.

Blacksmith can take care of that.

The wood's half rotted away from the stern wheel.

There must be an army of good carpenters in town.

The outside of this boat

would scare off a bunch of pirates.

A little paint, she'll fool anyone.

The layout's old-fashioned.

Mm, I'd call it more traditional.

Furniture's all worn and shabby.

Gives you that comfortable down-home feeling.

You mean to tell me that after spending two hours

looking this scow over, you're still not sore?

- Not a bit. - Ain't disgusted.

Not in the least.

You still think it can be sold.

Absolutely.

All right, Mr. Trampas, let's talk turkey.

How much would you take to call it square?

$300.

- 100. - 300.

- 200. - Three.

- I can't afford it. - Then I stay.

Oh, come on, you're a bigger storyteller than I am.

Tell me what you really think of this boat.

Well, all things considered, good and bad,

I think the old gal is...

In a real mess.

Well, do me a favor, take $100 for it

and leave me alone.

- Couldn't do that. - Why not?

- Wouldn't be fair to you. - How do you figure that?

If I let you take advantage of me,

then you'd lose all respect for yourself.

No, I won't.

Well, I just couldn't take that chance.

I wouldn't want it on my conscience.

Look, you know you can't sell this boat.

That piece of paper I gave you is worthless.

Now take my advice.

I'm offering you $50 cash for it.

Take it. Grab it and run.

- Afraid I just can't do that. - Why not?

Now who would be coming way out here at this hour?

Well, there's one way to find out.

Evening, Pop.

What brings around you here this time of night?

Well, I... I guess any fella who's fool enough

to play cards on a riverboat

is just about capable of anything.

Howdy. Trampas.

- Met you last night. - Yes.

This is Corey Anne Skeet, Mr. Skeet's granddaughter.

- This is Mister, uh... - Uh, Moose.

That's my name.

Is that your first name or last name?

Both. That's what most people call me.

Just plain Moose.

Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Moose.

Would you care for a cup of coffee or a little brandy?

No, thank you, ma'am. I have to get back to town.

So maybe I better come to the reason for my visit.

I, uh...

I'd like to buy the Nancy Belle.

Are you out of your mind?

Hoy, it was the only way.

That riverboat's in worse shape than the two of us put together.

Older, too, I expect.

We're gonna need a lot of help

or that boat ain't gonna be ready in two days.

That old crook and his daughter don't worry me so much.

But what about this Trampas? Exactly what did you tell him?

I told him I wanted to buy the boat.

But he'd have to get it down to Colton

where my own people can finish the repairs she needed.

You think he went for it?

Why not? Even sounded good to me.

I don't know, all he's got to lose is a couple of days' work.

I'll go get the rest of the boys.

Be back soon as I can.

You're sure you can ride?

I can ride fine. Just can't shoot too good.

All right. You take it real careful now.

The town's full of them Plimpton men.

You get the feeling the whole country's getting smaller,

closing in on us like.

Well... I ain't got no complaints.

If this is the finish we're looking at,

it's gonna be big and exciting.

We're gonna go out,

it's gonna be in true Valentine style.

♪

Ow.

- Something wrong? - No, no, it'll be okay.

- It just ain't normally done that way. - How would you know?

Hasn't been done on this boat for years, normally or otherwise.

Wait a minute.

Why am I lying flat on my back

working up a sweat while you're looking over me

- like some trail boss? - Oh, I'm sorry.

In that case, I'll just get out of your way

- so you can... - Hold it. Hold it.

Skeet, this is your boat,

your engine, and your engine room.

Oh, you're doing fine, just fine.

Those fellas are gonna pay you $5,000 for this boat

when they get to Colton, and you're gonna pay me $300.

- So? - So I think I've just done about $300 worth of work.

We ain't close to finished yet.

Skeet, I think I've been patient long enough.

Now you give me my $300,

and I'll be on my way.

You can't just go on your way.

I'll never finish her alone.

Skeet, I want my money.

Trampas, even if I had the money,

I think it'd be bad business for me to pay you

before I get mine,

presuming I had the $300 to begin with.

What are you gonna do with that?

What am I gonna do with this?

I tell you what I'm gonna do with this.

I'm gonna give it to you, Skeet.

- You're gonna give it to me? - Mm-hmm.

- Oh. - Now get busy.

Yeah.

- Oh, I see what it is. - He sees what it is.

♪

Yes?

One of you better get up here fast.

I'll be right there.

♪

I could see we were gonna have a little trouble

getting this boat ready to move downriver by tomorrow,

so I had a little help sent up from the ranch.

Oh, th... that's fine. Fine.

Miss Skeet, Trampas, this is my... my partner.

Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Just tell the boys what you want done,

and it'll be done.

Well, that's, uh... That's right, uh...

well, uh...

I'll see what we can find.

Fine. All right, boys, let's go!

We got work to do!

Why don't you go on inside, Miss Skeet?

What is it? Who are they?

Nothing to worry about. You just go on inside.

Well, uh...

well, I guess you can start on the paddle-wheel.

- She needs work. - Oh, fine.

No, the paddle-wheel’s at the aft of the ship.

Back... back there.

- Oh. - Yeah.

Did your partner say these fellas

work for you on your ranch?

He may have said that.

I think he did.

Uh-huh.

♪

- Skeet? - Yeah.

Skeet, I'm kind of worried.

I'm a little worried myself.

I think this valve is beyond help.

I'm talking about the men Moose sent to help us.

What about them? We need all the help we can get.

Yeah, I know, but there's something

about those ranch hands just doesn't sit right.

Like what?

For one thing, they're all too old

to do the hard work a ranch hand has to do.

Too old? How would you know?

That's the trouble with you young squirts.

You think a man's froze up for the winter

just soon as he shows a touch of snow on his peak.

I'm not talking about a touch of snow.

There's a full-blown blizzard just rode in up there.

Every one of them must be pushing 70.

I'm pushing 70, I'm the one down here

that's fixing the boiler, and you're up there supervising!

All right, there's another thing.

They're all packing guns.

A lot of men wear guns. Or haven't you heard?

There's outlaws running around this part of the country.

That's what's worrying me.

All right, Trampas, have it your way.

These old man you're telling me about aren't ranch hands.

What do you reckon they are, the James gang come back from the dead maybe?

James... I'm not... I'm not saying that.

- Well, what are you saying? - I don't know.

Just the idea of seven old men

paying $5,000 for a rundown riverboat

just strikes me a mite peculiar, that's all.

Trampas, you ever hear the one about the gift horse?

Yeah, I heard it, and I think that's exactly

what we should be considering.

Come again?

I think we should find out just who's on

the receiving end of that gift horse, us or them?

I don't know what you're talking about.

♪

Wait till you see the faces on them.

Came this morning.

This is what they're after.

Is it anything you'd care to share

with the local authorities?

Yes, if you promise to keep out of the way.

Mr. Plimpton, I'm aware of your reputation.

I'm also aware that your work for the railroad

gives you full authority from our state capital.

But I know my job, and I've been given authority

over this town, and I intend to hold it.

Oh, that's a very nice speech, deputy.

Are you sure you want full responsibility for this?

A million dollars in silver?

Boys do good work.

Huh? Yeah.

Something wrong?

I'm just thinking you're putting an awful lot

of time and lumber in this front part of the deck.

Cabin needs work, too, and the roof

over the main salon is open for rain.

I want a boat with a good strong deck.

It's strong enough now to take on a wagon load of lead!

Hey, Moose, how you doing?

Ah, just fine, fine.

Ah, hello, Trampas.

How's that old engine coming along?

It's coming along fine, too, just fine.

- Ought to be ready soon. - How soon?

Tonight, tomorrow night for sure.

If it isn't by tonight, the whole deal is off,

and that's a fact.

It hasn't been hasn't been run in a long time, Moose.

Take a little time to put it right.

- What's another day more or less? - More or less?

We gotta be downriver by tomorrow morning,

and that's the way it is, Trampas.

Yeah, we d...

Think it's started, Moose.

She works, boys, she works!

- Trampas. - Hmm?

Who are they?

Why won't grandfather tell me anything about them?

There's nothing to worry about, Miss Skeet.

Both you and grandfather are treating me like a child.

At least Jason thinks of me as a woman.

I think of you as a woman, too, believe me.

Who's Jason?

If you don't mind, that chair's taken.

I don't see nobody taking it.

Well, that's because he's not here yet.

- Who isn't here yet? - It's Friday night.

Sheriff Jason Wilkes is coming for dinner.

Well, I don't know when I've enjoyed a meal more.

Delicious food, warm, inviting atmosphere,

company of a beautiful lady,

and nice pleasant folk to be with.

Would you like some more wine, Jason?

Oh, thank you, Corey, yes.

I do feel like celebrating a bit.

It's been a long time coming, hmm?

Gentlemen, may I propose a toast?

To the new owner of the Nancy Belle.

I'll drink to that.

I hope you take possession soon.

Tomorrow morning, Jason, which means I'll be looking

for a place to stay by tomorrow night.

Downriver. Colton.

No, grandfather.

I think I'll stay here in Howton.

Howton? Why? We've got $5,000.

We can go anyplace.

Well, grandfather, Jason needs me,

especially with his new responsibility.

I'm under a great deal of pressure, Mr. Skeet,

great deal of pressure.

Your pressure's in your mind.

Take a nice cold swim in the river.

You'll be fine.

Well, I wouldn't call the Valentine gang

a state of mind, Mr. Skeet.

Never heard of them.

Valentine gang, is that the bunch

you were looking for on the river last night?

Mm-hmm, that's right.

We believe they're headed this way.

And we're ready for them.

Seem kind of foolish of them to stop here.

Those Plimptons are right on their trail.

That's exactly why the Valentine gang would stop here.

It's the unexpected thing to do.

Harv Plimpton himself was telling me about these fellas.

He figures they may be the smartest gang

in the history of the Plimpton files.

And that covers a lot of ground.

Well, if they were so great,

how come nobody ever heard of them?

That's the secret of their success, you see.

They've always managed to blame their work on other gangs.

The Plimptons are working on one theory,

that this gang has been in existence since 1849.

Of course that's ridiculous. They'd all be old men by now.

But the technique of the gang has survived,

probably passed down from one generation

of Valentine to the next.

You know, Jason's working on a plan to capture

the whole Valentine gang single-handedly

and put them exactly where they belong.

Behind bars.

In the ground.

That's a fact. You can't coddle outlaws.

Some people figure you treat them like wayward children.

How do you figure, Sheriff?

Corey, maybe Jason'd like some more chicken.

Oh, no, but I could use a little more wine, though.

Thank you, dear.

Uh, where was I?

In the ground.

Oh, oh, yes, thank you.

I was... I was about to make a point

about handling today's criminal element.

Yes, Sheriff, I'd be mighty interested in hearing that.

It's really very simple.

I just suggest we make an example

of the Valentine gang, throw the book at them.

No mercy, no leniency, just give them

the full measure of the law and then some.

That would go a long way toward discouraging

other outlaw gangs.

You happened to mention to anyone

you'd be out here tonight, Sheriff?

Just the Plimptons.

It's kind of, uh, kind of like being a doctor.

You know, I'm on call around the clock,

what with the train of silver coming in tomorrow

and the Valentines about.

Jason, it's kind of late. Why don't I ride back into...

Sheriff, have you got any idea

how this gang is gonna take that train?

Well, no, that's the hard part,

but even if they do come up with a pretty good plan,

they won't be able to do it.

Why is that, Sheriff?

Well, because there isn't gonna be one train tomorrow morning.

There's gonna be two.

Now, the first train will be carrying the silver,

but right behind it 10 minutes up the track

will be the train loaded with Plimpton detectives.

I'd like to see the faces of those Valentines

when they swallow that little surprise.

I'd enjoy hearing more about your plan, Sheriff.

Have some more wine.

Oh, well, thank you.

♪

Whoa.

Uh, what am I supposed to do in all this?

Well, there are some things our boys

just won't be able to handle as well as you, Trampas.

You'll see.

Just remember, those guns you fellas are wearing,

they ain't loaded.

You know how far you're gonna get with this?

Yep.

♪

Well, now what?

Now we relax.

Let's go, Sheriff.

You drive.

Pull her up.

I admire your courage, Moose, but isn't it plain crazy

to try and stick up a train right in the center town?

You don't see it done that way too much.

That's the trouble with today's young outlaws.

No originality.

Not with a train load of detectives

10 minutes up the track.

That is gonna make it interesting.

Hold it.

How long do you think it'll take to unload a silver?

Oh, I guess we're gonna handle in time.

Uh-huh.

They're all yours, Billy.

Well, you make it look all nice and legal-like, eh, Sheriff?

And what if I don't?

I just remembered,

those guns you fellas are wearing,

they ain't loaded.

They can't get away with this, you know that, Trampas.

That's what you keep on saying.

Well, the Plimpton detectives are only 10 minutes

up the track, maybe less.

I know that.

So do they now.

All right, drop the guns.

Sit down.

All right, fellas, let's see how cooperative you can be.

You got exactly eight minutes to get that wagon loaded.

I told you you'd be real useful.

Well, it's nice to be needed.

All right, fellas, get started.

♪

Had their best chance through that hill country.

Valentine gang never does the expected.

That's why we've been riding close to 100 miles

in a cattle car.

What do you think they'll do with Corey and her grandfather?

Got a more pressing problem.

Slow down, will you?

We can stall and wait for that other train.

I'm not worried about losing the silver.

Well, then start worrying about something else.

You and me.

Let's get going, on the double.

Hoy! You got two minutes left.

Grab that last box and let's get going.

We should just about be pulling into Howton.

All right, get her out of here and fast!

Sure is strange that they...

All right, boys, quiet down, listen.

This close to town? Can't be.

Not close to town, right in town.

That's exactly the kind of stunt they'd try and pull.

But this time, we got them cold.

All right, boys, get ready to mount up.

Somebody ought to take the whistle away from that boy.

- He's liable to wake the dead. - Too late now.

I'll handle it. You get going.

Where you fellas heading?

The job's done, isn't it?

Yeah, but you boys know where we're going.

Put the sheriff on a horse. Lock this fella in the office.

And, Trampas, you get up in the wagon.

All right, boys, we're slowing down.

This is it. Mount up.

All right, get them out of here.

Yah.

Yah. Yah!

Let's go get them, boys!

Open her up!

I said open her!

She must be locked from the outside!

Better stand back, folks.

They're coming out of there on a dead run.

Break it down!

♪

All right, Billy, get her moving!

All right, up the ladder, come on.

- Get up there! - Push off!

Forget it, stop firing.

- Let's go. - Downriver?

No.

The nearest telegraph.

Well, sorry it has to end this way, folks.

In the old days, we'd be partying by now.

I guess this country's getting just too darn organized.

Either that or you've been pushing your luck too long.

Luck has nothing to do

with running a successful business.

We're the victims of high-speed communication.

You realize you can send a newspaper

from California to New York in eight days?

No, that ain't healthy for fellas

who want to shy away from publicity.

You outlaws all like publicity more than money if you ask me.

No, no, no, no.

Me and Hoy got a special formula

for longevity in this highly competitive business.

Yeah, a fast horse and a fast gun.

No, it's a matter of ego.

You see, we take the money and don't mind

giving the other fellas all the glory.

Yeah, we made a folk hero out of them James boys.

You made heroes out of the James boys?

Why, sure.

You see, me and Hoy live by one simple rule.

Never try to be top gun.

As far as were concerned, we'd rather be number two.

Well, so long, folks.

Sheriff, Trampas, Captain, Miss Skeet.

I want to thank you. You've been a big help.

If you never need any references, why, uh...

All right, boys, let's go.

- Mr. Skeet. - Yeah.

How far down the river is the next town?

Uh, Colton, about an hour, why?

I get the feeling we're stopping.

Doesn't make much sense. Nothing around here.

They're not gonna sail into Colton

with the whole town waiting for them.

Mr. Skeet, see if you can get these knots.

What for?

They left us here all tied up safe and sound,

I'm willing to go along with them.

Trampas?

I think he's right, Jason.

Mr. Skeet, Trampas, we've gotta try and stop them.

- We? - Well, yes!

They took round one, but the next one's ours.

All right, Corey, here, see if you can get these ropes.

What's that?

Round two.

Why, those dirty crooks. They're leaving us.

Didn't even pay me my $5,000.

- I can't do it, Jason. - Just keep trying.

Well, we're moving again.

It's a short stop.

What do you suppose that was all about?

Well, if I had to guess, I'd say we've been left

holding an empty bag.

Just another good reason to stay tied up until we're found.

What do you mean by that?

I mean those Plimpton detectives

must be awful sore right about now,

and we'd have a mighty rough time trying to convince them

we had nothing to do with this operation.

Sheriff Wilcox wouldn't believe that.

He's not around. The Plimptons are.

♪

There. Here, that's got it.

Trampas, Mr. Skeet, we're in business.

There he goes with that "we" again.

I think he's got a we complex.

Now what?

Now we turn this thing around and go after them.

No, now we head for Colton and tell them what happened.

Trampas, I don't like to force a man to duty.

You're gonna force me?

On behalf of the people of Howton, I deputize you,

Trampas, and you, Mr. Skeet.

Now let's get down to business.

Deputy or not, you're never gonna find any trace of them.

There's no roads to follow.

Nothing along here but riverbanks and trees.

Right.

Mr. Skeet, is that clock the same

as the one down below?

Exactly. Only things on the boat that do work.

Maritime clocks, why?

Because we've been moving 14 minutes

since they left the boat.

Now how far do you think we've come?

That's about 12 knots, about 3 1/2 miles,

but it's gonna take three times that long

to go back upriver.

Then we'll turn around and head upriver for 43 minutes,

then pull in and see what we come up with.

Don't look at me. You're the captain.

Trampas?

You know, it might just work at that.

Nancy Belle, do your stuff.

Well, men, that's it.

It's over.

43 years in the saddle, and we're going out winners.

We got the big one.

Hard to believe it's over, Hoy.

And we're splitting up the old gang.

Couldn't last forever. Nothing ever does.

I'd say we had a pretty good run of luck.

Well, let's pack up and get out while we can.

Silver'll be safe here.

Nobody's gonna trace us to this place in 100 years.

- Hold it right there, boys. - That means you too, Pop.

Don't call me Pop.

♪

Well, it won't be long now.

I know I should be happy for Jason,

but they seem like such nice old men.

What's gonna happen to them?

If they did everything the Plimptons say they did,

it'll be kind of hard.

What if they had a real good lawyer?

Good lawyers cost a lot of money, Miss Skeet.

Well, Jason, looks like you're gonna be a big hero

for bringing all that silver in.

And the Valentine gang.

Yeah. But the silver.

The silver's really the important thing.

- Trampas. - Huh?

- Forget it. - Forget what?

You and Corey and those crafty old critters

have been trying to work on my sympathy

for the last two hours.

- Now, I'm not gonna do it. - Do what?

Turn 'em loose.

Well, that thought never occurred to me.

Still, it's not a bad idea, Jason.

You turn them loose

and you're still a hero for bringing the silver in.

Uh-huh.

But if you turn the Valentine gang in,

well, someone's liable to mention that it was you

that made it possible for them to steal the silver

in the first place, eh?

- That's true. - Yeah.

But I'm still a lawman, Trampas,

and I have to abide by the law, too,

even if it does...

make me appear a mite stupid.

Mm-hmm.

Thanks for trying.

You're a good man, Trampas.

You'd have made a fine outlaw.

Boat's in. The prisoners are on their way.

That's fine, Leroy, that's fine.

Oh, Leroy, maybe you could see to it

that that deputy Sheriff, that local boy, is occupied.

There's no sense in cluttering up this press conference.

Let's keep the attention where it belongs.

I think that can be arranged, Harv.

Gentlemen?

I appreciate you gathering here

to bring to the American people the news

of one of the most significant captures

in the history of American law enforcement.

Now, it has been my duty and obligation

as founder of the Plimpton Detective Agency

of St. Louis, Missouri...

It has been my duty and obligation

to fight crime wherever it exists.

- And furthermore... - They're here!

Just get right in. Excuse me, please.

- Jason, please. - What?

You...

Did you ever see so many reporters in all your life?

I'll be famous.

Uh-huh. Valentine gang'll be famous.

For all the good it'll get 'em.

- You're Billy Valentine. - Who wants to know?

Harold Thatcher of the St. Louis Dispatch.

Hey, Jason.

Hmm? What? What's the matter?

You know, Jason, I'd be willing to pay

$5,000 for the Valentines' own personal story.

What?

Mr. Valentine, if you will hold back

making any official comment, I am prepared to offer you

$20,000 for the exclusive rights

to the inside story of the Valentine gang.

$20,000?

Maybe $25,000.

Trampas, are you crazy?

You don't have that kind o... f

$30,000, exclusive rights for the Chicago Tribune.

That'd be enough to get you the best lawyers

in the country, Mr. Valentine.

You could come out of this with more money

than you've ever made in your whole life.

I'll make you the most famous gang of outlaws

in the history of the country.

And you're the one that brought the Valentines in.

Yes, you could say that.

Trampas, do you know what you're doing?

You...

You just bought those boys a lawyer.

Well, I always feel things have a way

of working out for the best.

People usually get what's coming to them.

And you're putting in for the reward.

Reward?

The customary reward for stolen money is 5%.

Sometimes people get a little more than what's coming to them.

5% of a million dollars.

Whoo-hoo!

♪

♪