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OWEN DAYBRIGHT I got a story

to tell, yarn about cow country and cowpunchers,

cattle and men.

I was working for the Strobie Ranch, learning my trade.

Trade a worn leather saddle blisters and branding irons.

Trade with some song, some fun, some blood.

It was as good a job as a man could ask for.

Lonely sometimes, cold, so much distance,

you thought you'd never get back.

But for me, a young kid, it was a fine time.

Memories are mostly good.

You're up there on top of the world

where the air was clear and thin.

The only sound was the wind in the pines.

We were in the business of growing beef.

Always moving the cattle, looking for new feed.

They were those new bald-faced Herefords,

not like the longhorns.

Wild and spooky, but friendly critters.

Gentle as a dog.

Seasons melted away peaceful, from spring to summer,

fall, then winter.

Cows had to look out for themselves in the snow.

The winter drift.

As soon as a man on horseback could get around,

they'd go out and locate the cattle,

spot them for the spring roundup.

They'd come back from the winter drift, cold and worn out.

Our foreman was Owen Daybright.

He knew what he was doing.

We all liked him.

And there was his foster brother, Lee Strobie.

Their father owned the ranch.

The night they got back, the trouble began.

Well, look who's turned up?

Hi, Cal.

People still drink whisky?

Hi, Lee.

Be down to my shoes.

That's comes from working for someone you've known too long,

Lee.

See my wife this winter?

Jen coming down a couple of times with your old man.

How did Arch look?

Oh, just fair, I'd say.

Cold weather always seems to bother him.

How did Jen look?

Way to find that out is go home and see for yourself.

Can I borrow your razor, Cal?

I don't want to scare. her in the back.

Keeping you busy, doc?

The night--

I've been trying to get him all day for that girl

that used to work at the Eaton house.

Lily?

I wouldn't know her name.

What's her trouble, doc?

Oh, small variety.

About that big.

Arrived a couple of hours ago, they tell me.

You wouldn't go?

That's right.

I don't take calls like this until I hear from the father.

That isn't likely.

There's a rifle on you, cowboy.

Get down and walk over here so I can see who you are.

Get down now!

Owen, is that you?

Yeah.

Put that gun down.

He's a friend.

What are you doing here?

Helping.

Nobody else would come.

So I heard.

How's Lee?

Wanting to see you.

I'll be home as soon as she's asleep.

Who is he?

Her brother Dick Fasken from out of town.

He spent the day looking for the man.

Lily all right?

You've got company, Lily.

Hello, Owen.

Lily.

Princess!

And beautiful.

Good color too.

Yes.

The doctor wouldn't come.

Jen came instead.

Don't you even think about it, Lily.

Not now.

I'm really pretty lucky, Owen.

I couldn't face up going back to the restaurant to work.

Mrs. Burke offered us work out at her place

when I'm ready for it.

We're grateful to.

Sounds queer to say it here now, but he'll have a good life on.

I'm sure he will, Lily.

I'm sure he will.

Coffee?

Thanks.

You've seen me before, Owen.

There's been a change.

Somebody's washed your face and got you a new dress.

Arch.

And a tub in my own room.

I bathe every day now.

It's an improvement.

How was the winter?

Well, we stayed alive and we kept the cattle alive.

We were snowed in at the ranch.

Didn't see our nearest neighbor in nearly five weeks.

We missed you, Owen.

I brought Lily some grub.

Owen, who was it?

Good night, Jen.

Hold on a minute.

You live in these parts?

Around here.

Who's the father?

That'll be Lily's business, wouldn't it?

I'll find out for sure.

I'll find out if it takes me a lifetime.

Fine.

It's a nice country to live in.

Who was that?

Owen Daybright.

Your husband's foster brother, ain't he?

That's right.

How much?

$500.

He brought this food too.

Why?

You're wrong.

He's good.

And there's no one else around here like him.

And again.

Hey, he keeps his aces a kicker.

And he draws to it every time, three times.

Mr. Kicker.

It's a game of chance, boys.

We'll play again sometime.

I ran your errand.

Thanks, Owen.

It's paid for.

You paid for a coat.

I appreciate it.

This isn't the first time you saved my hide.

Why don't you grow up, boy?

Oh, kid, it happens.

I sleep good.

Your wife was there.

She have any idea?

Hmm-hm!

It happened before I met Jen.

Even so, she wouldn't understand it.

You know what she's like.

Why should I know what she's like?

Oh, that's right, you don't.

She's what all the others weren't.

She's everything I ever wanted for myself.

It's been a long time.

Let's get back to the ranch.

Stand where you're at, Daybright.

You, move away.

You brought Lily $500.

That's right.

Don't she need it?

Not that kind.

That wasn't grub money.

It was get out of town money.

I'll ask you one time.

Was it yours?

Point that gun to the floor, son, and turn around.

There'll be other times.

You're a conclusion jumper, my friend.

I don't like them.

Quit it, Owen.

I'll handle this myself, Con.

Not as long as I'm sheriff.

All right, Con.

You've scared me twice tonight.

Next time you point a gun at me, shoot it.

Well, welcome home, boy.

How are you?

You look fit, son.

How are you, Owen? - Good.

How's the leg?

Got the misery.

Same as every winter for 20 years.

- Evening, boys. - Hello, Mr. Willoughby.

Hello, Mr. Willoughby.

Thought you might want some hot coffee, Arch.

Well, thank you, Mr. Willoughby.

Same old dishwater?

You don't want any, huh?

Oh, no, I'm just kidding.

Then watch your language.

How's the bad stomach?

Owen, some days, I doubt if I'll make it till sundown.

Well, why don't you stop eating your own cooking?

Oh, I'm stuck here.

Can't help it.

Arch, these cigars ain't from Pittsburgh.

Kansas City.

Lee sure isn't going downhill fast.

How'd it go?

Ask the foreman.

I just took orders.

You got a wife waiting for you.

I haven't forgotten.

I'll look in on her.

Night.

Good night, son.

Night, Lee.

Boy looks trim.

Nobody could have worked harder this winter.

He's got a lot to make up for.

He'll come around.

Maybe Jen has something to do with it.

Anyway, he can handle it alone now.

Well, it sounds like you're giving notice, Owen.

Well, he's married now.

Jen's a fine daughter for you.

I'm just crowding the place.

Oh, if you're not comfortable here--

I'm not forgetting, Arch.

You've done everything you could to make me belong.

When you picked me up, I was just a stray off, foul-mouthed,

and flea-bitten 15 years ago.

It's been a long time, a good time.

Now, it's time for me to go.

You really mean it?

Well, I want to push on try my own wings.

Owen, how do I say this?

When I took you, it was for Lee.

I couldn't get around outside and raise my own boys,

so I picked you to do it for me.

What I didn't know then was that I needed you too.

I need you now.

All right, Arch.

I was just hitting you for a raise anyhow.

Night.

Night.

Jen, will you hurry up and come on out?

I don't know why all of a sudden you

can't get dressed in front of me.

I'll be two more minutes, Lee.

The top of all winter, that's a long time.

I know that better than you.

You mean you've missed me?

Of course.

You're beautiful.

Do you think so, Lee?

Do you really mean it?

The first time I saw you, you were wearing

a pair of split britches.

And you helped me come out of the back country, you and Arch.

This is the second Sunday dress I ever owned, Lee.

First, when I wore to my mother's funeral and then

I used it to bury my father.

And I branded.

And now, you're a lady of fashion.

Well, that's what it says in "Godey's Lady's Book."

I haven't done many smart things in my life,

but marrying you is one of them.

We'll be happy.

Nothing can stop us, honey.

Checking his last call.

Where have you been?

Good morning, Mr. Willoughby.

Good morning, Owen.

Nice to see a real man back again.

Well, thanks, Mr. Willoughby.

Morning, real man.

That nasty old noise wake you up

or were you waiting for the sun to hit your dimpled cheeks?

You sandy men haven't lost any sleep in so long.

You've forgotten what you go to bed for.

Mr. Willoughby, it's better than the foreman.

All right.

All right. I slept late.

Why is it, though, when a man's out on the range all by himself

and eating his own cooking, he looks forward

to getting up for breakfast?

Well, of course, when he's home,

he lies there and has to figure out if it's worth

the belly getting up for.

You, uh, ain't done the contract with the south.

Any time my cooking gets so bad that you've got to go hungry,

I could give you your time before you know

what gave you the miseries.

That's telling them, Mr. Willoughby.

No offense, sir.

Mr. Willoughby, I accept your apology.

I do.

Sure there's no hard feelings.

How about another cup of coffee?

Sure.

|- I have to move you, sheriff.

Taking the census again?

Yeah.

I like to see who comes and who goes.

Hello, Hub.

I got your letter a week ago.

You're an uncle.

How's Lily?

She's doing all right.

Who's that?

It's her brothers.

Brothers, aren't you?

I'm going to kill a man before I leave here.

Anybody special or would I do?

I don't know the man yet, but I will.

Keep an eye on me.

The name's Fasken.

Where are the horses?

Behind the depot.

Fasken boys were looking for Lily.

I heard she'd been taken in and given

a home by a widowed woman named Mrs.

Burke who owned a ranch nearby.

We're looking for Lily.

We're her brothers.

I didn't know Lily had this much family.

Never said a word.

Maybe she's ashamed of us.

Not Lily.

She's not that kind.

She's in her room.

I'll call her. - Never mind.

Is the room here?

So you sent for him?

For reasons over there.

I didn't ask for you to come.

I didn't ask for you to come, do you hear?

We're this kind of family.

We don't waste any love on each other.

We fought amongst ourselves.

We've even shot at each other.

We got one tie.

We have blood relations.

Go away, Hub.

Go away.

Do you want to marry Owen Daybright, Lily?

I don't want him and I don't want you.

I'll manage myself without any help.

Daybright knows something.

If he can't talk when I get through with him,

he'll write the name with his feet.

Ride him.

Scratch him, boy.

Hey, Mr. Kicker, you dropped something.

What he means now is that fourth ace.

You know that's no way to break a horse.

Now, get on him and ride him like you were taught.

Hold 'em!

That's it, boy!

Hang on.

Did you have to use that whip?

Oh, it's touchy.

Stop being such a farmer.

A good whipping never hurt any filly.

Come on.

All those authorizations come in?

All but Mrs. Burke's.

I'll ride over.

Cut me a horse, you.

And one for yourself.

Hi, Lily.

Hello, Owen.

Hello, Hewie.

Good day, ma'am.

How do you feel?

Feel good.

Why?

I just wondered.

That's mighty good to hear.

Well, thank you.

Well, I just ask because--

because you look real fine, Lily.

Just fine.

Had your breakfast?

Mr. Willoughby's best.

I can outcook him with my two arms broken.

Business first, then we'll trade recipes.

Write me a note authorizing us to cut out your cattle

at roundup and bring them home.

Been wondering if I was being snubbed.

The only thing could snub you is a mountain.

I'll get paper and pen.

Thanks, Owen.

But I'm all right again.

You look fine, Lily.

Yeah, that's what Hewie says.

I wish I could find the words to thank

you for bringing me the money.

But I can't.

Well, don't try.

I hate to see you fronting for Lee.

Well, I'm--

I'm thinking of Arch.

I know.

You go on standing in front of Lee,

protecting him, letting his dirt rub off on you.

Maybe.

I'm thinking of Jen.

And all she's done for me.

That's why I can't tell.

So we'll both keep it a secret.

Lily, it ain't right.

Owen, I've been afraid of a lot of things this past winter.

What people would say about me.

How I'd raise a baby.

How I'd keep us both alive.

Well, now it's happened.

I'm not afraid anymore.

I'm not glad it happened.

I was wrong, I know that.

I'm just not afraid of living anymore.

Daybright here?

In the house.

Start walking to that shed over there.

Why?

You won't get hurt if you don't break for the house.

Go on.

What is this?

You bought your ticket.

You'll see.

Sit down.

Goodbye, ladies.

See you after rondo.

Daybright.

So you sent for big brother.

Why don't I remind myself to pack

a gun when I visit my neighbor?

That money was yours, Daybright.

Oh, it was, huh?

That baby's going to need a name.

Yours.

You want another helping?

Well, come on.

Pull the trigger.

First you shoot me, and then you got to shoot Hewie,

because he saw you.

Then you'll have to shoot Mrs. Burke and your own sister

because they'll see you.

Well, come on. Pull the trigger!

Quit it, Owen.

He'll do it!

I don't think he's got the guts.

Put that down.

That gun down, big brother.

You won't use it.

And I'll break your arm if you keep it.

Get up, Hub!

Dick, put that gun down.

Well go ahead. Cut down on her.

She's only your sister.

You got to kill somebody.

Be careful who you poke in the belly.

Hewie, that's enough.

Whatever you say, Lily.

All right, Hub.

This is still our dance.

No, Owen!

Haven't I made enough trouble for myself?

For my baby?

You want to add murder, too?

Go on, take them to the sheriff.

If you need someone to sign the complaint, I'll do it.

All right, Lily.

You got the right.

Come on.

Go on.

I hear the Lazy W's for sale.

How much?

They're asking $35,000 cash for it.

That reminds me, you owe me some money.

I generally do, Arch.

Joe Benson told me yesterday at the bank

that you were overdrawn.

Don't worry.

The old man covered it for you.

Thanks.

Still trying to fill those inside straights, huh?

I always forget what you told me.

Hey.

Have you been spending our money?

You know, that's a joint account.

How much did he draw?

$500.

Said you drew it in gold.

Makes a nice clink in the pocket a bit.

I'll see you later.

I've got to get ready for work.

Is there some cream there?

Jam?

Excuse me.

You don't believe that story about the $500, do you?

No, I don't.

Well, look, honey, there's certain things

that you've got to understand.

I don't like Arch knowing everything that's going on.

Yes.

And I can understand your not wanting him to know.

That $500 is a lot of money.

I didn't like taking it out of the account, either.

But well, it-- it was for a lady's honor.

Stop it, Lee.

Stop it.

I know all about you and Lily.

Oh.

I know what you're thinking.

Oh, honey.

That $500 was to help Owen out.

I don't want Arch or anybody else to know about it.

But now that the fat's in the fire,

I guess I'll have to tell you the truth.

You see, Owen got in trouble with Lilly.

And the least I could do to help him was--

well, you know how much I think of Owen.

The least I could do to help him was to give him the money.

You're a liar.

You're a mean, contemptible liar.

Hey.

You're all alike.

You and Arch and Lee.

You could be a little--

You're all a pack of liars.

Well, I'm through.

I'm leaving.

Slow down to a walk.

That $500 you gave Lily.

I know where it came from.

Now, wait a minute, Jen.

Protecting him again.

Fighting with Lily's brothers.

You've known all about her and Lee from the start.

It's just a lot of talk.

I'd pay it no mind.

Owen.

Why can't you be your own man?

These misunderstandings happen.

All married people have a quarrel once in a while,

I guess.

I hate him.

Jen.

You and I are kind of in the same fix.

Arch is all the family we got.

With him, we belong to something.

Shouldn't we give him back a little bit in return?

Owen, what can I do?

What can I do?

Stay around.

For Arch.

All right.

But all I'll do is stay.

Morning, Mr. Ticker.

Hey.

Hey, Owen.

What fell on you?

A couple of hard cases.

Brothers.

Name of Fasken.

Fasken?

Two of them?

Lily's clan is gathering.

Do they know?

They're still alive.

Do you they'll find out?

Well, not for a while.

The Sheriff's got them locked up.

How long?

Week.

He'll try again.

We'll tell them.

Well, Lily might.

She doesn't want to, but they're kind of hard to handle.

Well, what do I do?

You wouldn't do it.

Let's see.

There's only one way.

Take Jen and get out.

Stay away from here.

Begin all over again.

Because you've worn this place out and all

your friends are with it.

Sure.

It's either that or get shot.

With me gone, the ranch is yours.

Nobody can stop you thinking that.

But don't say it to me.

All right?

Picture?

One day, you definitely want once too often.

Now, you boys are going out on a big round-up.

If you ride with a short or underfed string,

you might as well be afoot.

Now here's a horse you can have cheap.

A real Saturday afternoon bargain.

Sound of limb and body.

Rune, he's been burned so often,

he looks like a brand book.

Just give me an offer.

I make out about 12 brands. What do you say, Lee?

Oh, I'd say a good round dozen.

That means 12 unhappy customers.

Oh, Rune.

I pass. - All right.

Anybody else?

Take him away.

- Put him out to grass. - Let's see him fed.

All right, all right.

I got the best tow horses this side of K State.

I got a pedigree comes with this one.

Name your price.

Well, this looks more like it.

Here, let me check.

Open the gate, boys.

Good horse, Rune.

Only trouble is he's a whistler.

He leaks air!

Call that a leak?

Owen, you know better than to ride a horse that way

through town on Saturday.

That team of Wilsons took after you and almost ran away.

Well, don't blame me. Blame the horse.

He whistles, and everything follows.

Hey, hold on.

I ain't through yet!

You sure are.

Can't you hold your breath a minute?

Put him away.

Oh.

I wonder if the Fasken boys are comfortable.

Who cares?

Let's go look in on them.

Pick me up later at the saloon.

Oh, Owen.

How are things?

Quiet, Con.

Getting ready for a round-up.

Tough job.

How'd you like to sign on?

30 a month in meals.

Oh, not me.

I sleep in a soft bed every night.

Help you?

I'm bringing the Fasken some cookies.

Better push them into their cage with a stick.

They're a troublesome pair.

One inside?

Might be catching.

I understand the judge gave you boys a week.

Judge?

A stinking justice of the peace.

Well maybe next time we can arrange a real judge.

Claw, hammer, coat, and all.

Next time will be different.

Look.

Lily's doing all right without you boys.

Why don't you leave her alone?

I don't see no Mrs. in front of her name.

Well, that happens.

Not to a sister of ours.

All right, act like jackasses and you'll

be treated like them.

When you get out, the Sheriff will

put you on the train himself.

Show your faces after that and you'll be back,

right here, for six months.

You scare me.

Just say the word and I'll order

some curtains for this place.

By the way, I've decided to go on a round-up with you.

Not so easy, Lee.

There's some things and some people you can't run away from.

Well, I'll think about that when I get back.

You ought to think about it now.

Hold it.

There's a Cheyenne in that tree.

Got him.

Hey, that thing jumped in your hand.

How did you get it so fast?

Practice, son.

You ought to try it.

Haven't got the time.

Lee, the old Cheyenne camp.

Yeah.

Remember the night we rolled the rocks down on them?

I remember when Arch caught us and the licking we got.

I'd sooner been scarred by the Cheyennes.

A couple of fool kids playing with Indians.

We had our times, didn't we?

Good morning, Arch.

Good morning, Lee.

Good morning.

Phew.

I'm getting too fat.

Well, did you buy any horses yesterday?

Well, Obie Rune tried to push a wind-broke gelding off on us,

but Owen caught him up.

Obie never quits trying.

All right, you know I got the thinking last night.

Come on.

Tell me why you were walking.

Come on, walk with me.

Walk with me.

What started me thinking was that I saw a horse

in Rune's that I'd like to own.

And I'd begun talking about price before I

remembered that I'm strapped.

Buy him.

We always got money for a good horse.

Oh, I don't care about the horse.

I probably own too many.

No, Arch.

The point is that a man my age with a wife with a father who

owns half the county has to hold off

buying a horse because his wages won't let him afford it.

Oh, listen, Lee.

You haven't been able to trust me.

Now that's in the past, Arch.

You were right, but it's done.

I've been a good hand this winter, haven't I?

Yes, you have.

You think I know the cattle business?

Maybe not as well as you or Owen,

but well enough to make money at it, huh?

Of course, if you need more money, you'll get it.

Let me tell you.

When you came home with Jen last fall,

I thought it was another piece of foolishness

like all the others.

It wasn't.

Jen was something else.

Something right.

That's why I put you on the top hand's wages.

I'll raise them.

Oh, that's too easy.

Either I'm your son, entitled to your trust

with the ranch or anything else, or I'm not.

It's one or the other.

What do you want?

I want to be part owner of the ranch, Arch.

I want a share in it.

I'm married and settled down now.

Why, here is where I'll live and raise my kids and die.

Here's where I'll help take over from you when you've--

had enough of the business.

I'm not just camping here for wages.

I'm here to stay, Arch.

I'm your son.

I've been thinking about it, too.

More than you.

A lot more than you.

You're my own blood.

Man has a debt to that.

Oh, you got no debt to me, Arch.

Yeah?

It's an old one.

Began the day your mother died.

You got it coming to you, Lee.

For doing without her.

Well, we've managed, old timer.

Beginning to feel like one.

I'll go in town tomorrow and draw up the papers.

From now on, half the ranch is yours.

Oh.

My half will go to Owen when I die.

Hamilton.

Flying H.

Neely.

Dog Iron.

Sans.

Lazy S Double-O.

Frank Peter.

Box Pitchfork.

Frank Martin.

Let's see.

Box F.

Double F.

That's right, Double F.

What are you carrying them in your head for?

Well, you got 40 different brands.

The biggest shuffle you ever saw.

We'll have to move fast.

Talk to you a minute, Owen?

Sure.

Go ahead, Hewie.

I was back up in the mountains yesterday

looking for the last of the horses.

Well, we finished the tally this morning.

They're all in.

There was a small jag of our cattle up there.

Brands are still haired over, but I

could tell that it was ours.

Couldn't stop because I was trying to turn the horses in.

By the time we got them headed downhill, I was miles away.

Do you want to pick them up today?

Well, I aimed to this morning.

They're gone.

They've probably been rounded up by the other crew already.

Nope, they was drove the other way.

Did you trail 'em?

As far as I could.

Let's go try again, Hewie.

I'll come with you.

Dust up and get my gun, Hewie.

Better get Owen's, too.

Take a look at this shoe.

You see the two clocks on the inside, how it's built up?

This rider signed his name for us.

Two horses and four steers.

These tracks go straight for a while.

Got dark on me here and I turned back.

Good place to cross.

If they want to cross.

You think like a cattle rustler.

Let's look on the other side.

Only one horse came out of the water here.

I was right, this horse is a decoy.

They either went up or down stream.

Hewie, you look below.

Yeah.

There ain't even been a horse down this way.

There has been here.

And they've been driving some steers ahead of them.

Here's where they come out.

It's Herb Backett's place.

Yeah.

Let's go over and have a look.

Here he comes.

Two of them.

You looking for something?

Four steers.

Well, they ain't in that watering trough.

Their ears would stick up.

Come here, mean.

Notice that core.

They built up inside of that shoe.

Who owns the horse that wears them?

Never seen it before.

There's another one.

It's fresh.

What about it, Herb?

What about what?

Whoever rode that horse drove four of our steers in here.

Look, if you see your steers here, you can talk.

If not, I ain't accountable.

Get on your horse and get out of here.

Everybody figure you butchered their beef

and buried the hides, but I can't prove it.

So I'm going to do the next best thing.

I'm going to show you what you buy into every time I

track our cattle here.

I always heard you were a pretty good saloon fighter, Herb.

How are you without a bottle or a knife?

Now we're going to take four of your steers.

You licked him.

Why go to jail for stealing his cattle?

You talking as the new half owner?

You got a round-up to go to.

So have I. How are we going to make it if we're in jail?

You coming, Hewie?

You're still foreman.

You're going to keep me from going to the Sheriff?

Think back aways, Herb.

Did I put a gun on you?

Did I shoot the knife out of your hand?

Am I driving off your steers?

I got no part of this.

He's your foreman.

Sad, but true.

Put a good price on your beef, Herb.

You can't buy me off.

Don't try.

It wasn't a $250 beating, was it?

All right.

It's a deal.

But I ain't done with him yet.

Long as I can look down a gun barrel, I ain't done with him.

Come on into town with me.

I'll get you the money.

I can't sit a horse till I get this hand fixed

and get a drink.

Ain't you dancing tonight, son?

I'm drinking tonight, Mr. Willoughby.

Careful that applejack don't put your lights out.

Seen Owen?

Start bleeding again.

Jen took him to the house.

Too tight?

The tighter, the better.

You seem to be getting a lot of trouble lately.

Trouble?

You don't have to, you know.

You can stop them from saying those things

about you and Lily.

Oh, I don't mind.

I happen to like Lily.

There.

Here, let me help you.

Thanks, Jen.

Owen.

You can't make it up to Lily by yourself.

If Lee was half a man and--

I want to see Jen alone.

Wait, Owen.

Stay.

What do you want?

I'm leaving in the morning, honey.

Big round-up.

I'll be gone a long time.

I know that.

Well, I've got to say goodbye, don't I?

Well, goodbye, then.

Oh, no.

Not like that.

Not anymore.

Leave me alone.

Oh.

It's easy enough to lock one man out as long as there's somebody

else to take his place, huh?

You're drunk, Lee.

Drunk enough to see double.

To see you here with Jen!

I'm sorry you had to see that.

I wish I could help you.

Just knowing you're around helps.

There are things I'd like to say.

What would you say, Owen?

I'd say I haven't got the right to help.

I'd say it's too bad.

What do you want?

I want to talk to you.

How's the hand?

Still sore.

Sit down.

Still sore, huh?

I guess you don't have much love for Daybright.

Man's time will come.

I hear the Fasken boys are getting out of jail soon.

So I hear.

And they'll still be looking for Papa.

I got them figured.

Daybright will be dead in another few days.

No.

He'll be gone.

The round-up?

That ain't going to be hard for him to find.

Oh, a couple of saddle tramps like them would be picked

up in no time at round-up.

In order for them to join, they'll

have to have a letter of authorization

from some well-known brand.

Like yours, say.

Daybright'll try to keep them out.

Sure he will, if they try to join the Western Division.

But if they ride to the Eastern Division, present your letter,

they can get in.

I'll be with the Eastern.

Likely his wagon captain.

East and West Divisions meet, don't they,

to finish up the roundup?

Yeah.

To finish up.

You know, Herb, I should have made that check much bigger.

That was a bad beating you took.

Yeah.

An awful beating.

Jones, Western.

Hewie, you're with me.

Stu Miller, Western.

Orv, you're Eastern.

Hung over?

I feel fine.

How'd you make out with Backett yesterday?

I bought the steers.

Good price?

$250.

Just for cattle?

Yeah.

I've decided to take your advice, Owen.

I'm getting out of the country after this round-up.

You, starting all over again?

Working for a living?

Yeah, just like that.

What about Jen?

I'll send for her when I'm ready.

She'll join me.

Was a nice morning the day we left.

The sun warm on your shoulders.

But we didn't feel good.

This time, there was something under your wishbone

that said we were in for grief.

Seems like they were just coming

home from the winter drift.

We turn around, they're off again.

How do you feel about another month with me?

Scare you?

You'll wait for him alone this time.

What's wrong, Jen?

Something to do with Lee?

I can't talk about it, Arch.

Sounds final.

It is final.

I was going to leave without telling you.

Where are you, Jen?

Can't I help you?

You can't always make it up for him.

I always have, till now.

That's part of the trouble.

Look, maybe it's my fault. Maybe it never could have worked.

I'm restless here.

I've been alone so long, I'm used to it.

We've never lied to each other.

We don't have to start now.

Are you running away from Owen because he loves you?

You're a good woman, Jen.

Your life should be rich and peaceful.

But if you run away from it now, you

will spend what's left with bitter memories of the house.

Wait till they get back.

That's something like what Owen said.

It's good advice, Jen.

The spring round-up is a cow hunt.

In the winter, they drift.

The aim is to get them back to the home range.

Besides that, there's the calves.

Make a tally, brand, crop, and dehorn.

I was with Owen in the Western Division.

We worked hard, and the hours were long.

You didn't measure time by the day,

but by the greening of the grass.

It was all planned well and the work went even smooth.

Get on.

- What about our guns? - Get inside.

I'll throw them in the back platform

after the train starts.

You were going to kill a man, remember?

I ain't through yet.

- Next visit? - That's right.

Now I'm worried.

Sheriff tell you to stay out?

What do you want?

Being neighborly.

Help you find the man you're looking for, Daybright.

Why do you care?

I run a business.

It's the business of moving cattle

fast over long distances.

Mostly in rainy weather and at night.

Daybright bothers me.

Well, why don't you level on him, then?

That shouldn't bother a man like you.

And hang?

No.

I'm looking for someone to shoot him who's got a right to.

You found him.

Here's the setup.

Daybright's on round-up.

I can get you into it legally.

Once you're there, you'll have no trouble finding him.

Go on.

When this train hits the top of Bench Grade,

it'll be slowed to a walk.

We get off there.

I got three horses waiting.

Daybright would sure be surprised to see us.

Yeah.

Come on, here we are.

On the other side of the mountain,

Lee was with the Eastern Division.

Orv.

Cut out all of our brand.

It's local.

Turn them over to Mr. Jenkins here.

Right.

Get out too far.

Get out too far.

Lee!

Referee that brand.

- I read O bar. - I take it back.

It looked like mine. - Satisfied?

Satisfied.

He's yours, Jenkins.

What brand?

O bar.

See that pair with a pack horse behind Hardison?

They brought this.

Claim to represent an outfit near you.

Yeah.

They're from our part.

Know these two riders?

Yeah I've seen them.

All right, I'll assign to your wagon.

No, no.

Some of the boys having a very friendly

feeling for that brand.

Well, if they're wrong ones, I'll send them whistling.

Well, you can't do that.

They got a right to their stock.

We'll keep a close look out of the stuff they cut out.

Meanwhile, assign them to another wagon.

Somebody who doesn't know 'em.

I don't want them around me.

Well, that's fair enough.

In Lee's division, work was the same as ours.

They'd make the combings, snake them out of the draws,

gather them, push them toward the middle.

Hey.

First of our stock we've seen.

Yeah, they really wintered.

Heavier than anything on the home range.

Yeah.

Looks like a bonus for all hands.

Arch, you'll be a rich man.

So will you.

You're a partner now, ain't you?

That's right.

I was forgetting.

Well, I got a half of summer's work laid out.

I'm heading for Texas to restock.

How are you going to get your beef from Texas

all the way home to Montana?

Yeah, by the time you buy your herd,

Kansas will come up with some new kind of fever

and quarantine you out.

If you move to New Mexico, the same thing will happen.

I reckon you'll just have to stay put in Texas,

and that's no life.

Now, son, you must have heard of railroads.

I'm just going to lock my herd up in airtight boxcars,

put a bag of that clean Texas air in each car,

and unload in Montana.

Sir, my name is Strobie.

I don't think I got your name.

Oh, Dave Allard.

I gathered you're sending your crew back

to Montana with your strays while you

head for Texas to restock.

That's right.

Well, I can save you the trouble.

I'll have 3,000 double wintered steers for sale

at the end of round-up.

In good shape?

You're picking them up every day.

Look at them.

They've got our brand.

What price?

14.

Laid down at Wet Mountain Meadow.

14.

You just made a deal.

I'll have to find the nearest telegraph station.

And it'll take a few days till I can cover a check for $42,000.

That's all right.

Here's some hot coffee.

Well, thanks, Mr. Willoughby.

Why don't I save my money and buy

a nice warm store I can sit in?

I've seen them stores.

They're drafty.

Beats washing away.

Sure does.

Come on in out of the weather, friend.

What are you, East or West Division?

West.

Name's Allard.

Daybright.

Thanks.

I needed this.

I need a horse, too.

I wanted to ride on through tonight.

Mine's beat.

Hewie, get the man a horse.

Where are you headed for?

I left the East Division for a few days.

I'm looking for a telegraph.

Missed it in the rain, huh?

Man can miss anything in this.

I don't know whether I'm drowned or not.

Well, there's a telegraph at our meeting

place, the Wet Mountain Meadow.

Hewie, change the man's saddle while he finishes his coffee.

Say, is that your brand?

That's right.

I just bought your herd.

That's why I was looking for a telegraph,

to get my credit and shape by wire.

Bought?

You must be mistaken, Mister.

Strobie own the brand?

Yeah.

That's it.

3,000 double winter steers delivered at the meeting place.

Strobie's the owner, ain't he?

He can sell them?

There anything wrong?

Not a thing, friend.

Not a thing.

Well, thanks for everything.

I didn't think he could plan that far ahead.

You reckon that's why Lee made his bid to be partner?

That's why.

Sell the beef and get the money to clear out.

What's he running from?

There's people he has to answer to.

You always stand up for him, don't you, Owen?

When you're loyal to a man, Hewie,

you're loyal to everything about him.

Even his faults.

Even his son.

It's funny what you just said about Arch.

I've been feeling that way a long time about somebody else.

About Lily.

Day by day and hour by hour,

the two divisions pushed closer together.

So did Owen and Lee for the showdown.

Only an hour away, Owen.

Eastern Division's over the next hill.

Hiya, big fella.

Howdy, Orv.

How are you feeling?

Making too many days in the saddle.

I'll take it.

Lee around?

Yeah.

Lee! - Owen!

How'd it go?

How are you?

Oh, smooth as silk.

- What's your count? - 2,000.

Yours?

Good.

A little over 1,000.

Well, that gives you Allard's 3,000 and some to spare.

Who's Allard?

Man you're going to sell the herd to.

That's right, so it is.

It'd be news to Arch.

Especially since he's planning to get down to the panhandle

and buy more stock.

The deal's going through.

How much does foreman make?

And I'm a partner.

I pay half your wages, remember.

You give me half my orders?

Your orders are to keep your nose out of my business.

And let you steal Arch's cattle?

I'm a little hard of hearing, Lee.

Day after tomorrow, we start for home.

It's a big herd.

A man in the way could get run over.

You better tell it was a mistake.

To forget about it.

Your orders are still to keep your nose out of my business.

Wait a minute, Lee.

I don't get it.

You don't think you can pull this off with me around,

do you?

Let's get on with the cutting.

Owen.

Figure this one out.

I was working down by the river past the last of the wagons.

Don't make sense. - What?

Well, passing one of the wagons,

I saw those two Faskens.

You're sure?

No mistake.

They've been on round-up.

Stood there talking with the rest of the crew.

Needed a shave.

They've slept in wet clothes like us.

Lee knew it and didn't say anything.

And he isn't worried like he should be.

Owen.

You know, I've been thinking about that deal

I made with Dave Allard.

Yeah?

I admit, I made a mistake.

Like I always do when I haven't got you around to steer me.

Well, I'm glad you see the light, Lee.

Yeah.

Well, I better get down to the depot

and stop Allard before he gets too involved in that deal.

Fine, you go ahead.

Will you come with me?

I'm pretty busy here.

Well, it'll be much more convincing with you around.

All right, I'll tell Mead we're going.

Lee and I are going over to the telegraph.

We won't be long.

All right.

Remember now, we don't blast till Daybright

gets to that boulder.

Yeah, I'll remember.

Looks like this is our last round-up together, Owen.

Oh, I tried to pull a fast one on you by grabbing that

Allard deal, but I couldn't.

So I'm going anyway.

Just like I told you I would.

Fine.

I'm leaving you to win right down the line, Owen.

I'm leaving everything.

Arch.

The ranch.

Jen.

You.

It's yours.

The works.

You sure you thought this out good?

You've been trying to tell me for years

how to do the right thing.

You gave me the straight line about getting away from here

and beginning all over again.

I just kind of hate to do it, that's all.

Maybe it's because, well, we've had a lot of fun together.

We have at that.

Remember that time in Kansas City when Arch took

us to the cattlers' convention?

Yeah.

I played cards with the big Texan.

Yeah, man.

You beat him in five cold poker draws.

Right.

That's when I found out what good a kicker was.

Yeah, we sure had a lot of good times, Lee.

That's what I'll miss.

I'll miss 'em, too.

No matter how old you get, there's that part

of growing up you never forget.

I'm glad you said that, Owenn.

I'll remember that when I'm gone from you.

Now.

Where's Owen?

Went with Lee over to the telegraph.

You hear that?

Somebody's in trouble.

Take some men and go see.

Go around the other side.

Try to sneak up behind him.

I'll cover you.

Lee!

I'm taking you in, Lee.

We're going to settle up.

Not a chance.

We're going to face Arch and tell him the whole truth.

For once.

Come on out.

You're forgetting.

I still got my kicker.

I always could outdraw you, Owen.

I'll spot you that, but it won't change anything.

Come on out.

Or do I have to come in and get you?

That's the whole story, Arch.

All of it.

It was in front of me for years, Owen.

I refused to see it.

I lied to myself.

You lied to make it easier for me.

You didn't kill him, I did.

A long time ago.

The day I looked away and hoped he'd change.

Hoped he'd work out.

I'll have to tell Jen.

I'd like to tell her myself.