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Whoa, there.

Whoa.

Excuse me a minute, major.

You know, fellas, I've sure been thinking hard

about home the past couple of hours.

These here hills and all this mud's

beginning to get me.

Didn't seem to notice it so much when we was a-fighting,

but this here just riding along

through it day after day,

it gets awful.

Hello there, little fellar.

Man...

I'll sure be glad to get back home to Texas again.

Well, now tell us about Texas, tiny.

He must think we're from that place

they call the rest of the world.

You mean to tell me there's really some place else

besides Texas, Neil?

Yep.

I was sort of hoping

maybe we was just living in a bad dream.

And don't you think it's about time you two woke up?

Shiloh, murphysboro, chickamauga.

Dirt, muck, blood,

four years for nothing.

We fought for something we believed in, Dan.

There's been no disgrace.

So we'll pick up just where we left off, huh?

If we'd make up our minds to it, of course we can.

I wish I were like you, Neil.

You can always make the best of anything.

Well, so can you.

No.

No, at least I'm smart enough to know myself.

You see, little brother, I just don't like to lose.

Anything.

Well, now I don't know about you fellas,

but I got me a lot of plans.

See, the way I figure it,

the future of Texas lies in its people.

And I'm going back to assist

in the ever-expanding population

of my beloved state.

You think your wife still loves you?

You know she does.

I got two kids to prove it,

and there's going to be more little texans.

You're a fine Shepherd.

That poor little lamb might have drowned.

Yes, sir.

When tiny mcgilligan gets back to Texas,

they're going to be a-calling me populatin' papa.

Well, Dan, we're finally getting close to home.

Got a lot of years to make up.

You said it just right, Neil.

A lot of years to make up.

Believe me, I'm going to make them.

Are you sure this is Austin?

Maybe we've been away more than four years.

Why don't you two look around for a couple of minutes.

I got something to tend to.

I'll take those, miss.

I'd say, miss, on first and second sight,

you don't need a new hat.

You must be a stranger here.

That's right, miss.

First return in four years.

Major, there have been some changes.

I can see that.

I hope you think they're for the better.

I'm not in a position to know... yet.

Maybe you'll find out soon.

I'm beginning to wonder what you would look like

with a shave and some up-to-date clothes.

Goodbye.

Dan, you can look, but even that's wasting your time.

She's taken.

Sam hunter,

you're the first proof I've had that I'm back in Austin.

You're not only back, but I'll buy you a welcome home drink.

Let's go. Come on.

J now she is known as Alexis, darlin' of Texas j

jj

J she is just a 5-foot girl

j but she gives 6-footers a whirl j

j that's what they say of Alexis j

j darlin' of Texas j

Sam, looks like you got the wealth of the world

right here in Austin.

Oh, a lot of it here, all right.

Well, we really do have it, though.

Most of it new money.

Northern capital.

I guessed as much.

If a fella has money, there are ways of making more.

I hope some it has rubbed off on you.

No. Still chief county clerk.

Good job, but I reckon I just lack the old savvy, that's all.

That girl, uh, in the carriage.

Who is she?

I told you, she's taken.

What do you mean, taken?

Married. Oh.

To whom?

Cord hardin from Illinois.

Money, plenty of it.

Ranches, cattle.

How do you stack up against that?

I don't.

I'm one of the vanquished.

The back home and broke kind.

You know, a fella gets back

and starts looking at all his wealth,

he begins thinking.

About making money?

About making big money.

Fast money.

You got any ideas?

No, but if I could get a start somewhere...

I'd better go find Neil before he thinks

I'm swallowed up by the new world.

Good luck.

Sal!

Sally eaton!

Neil!

Welcome home!

Tiny, when did you get back?

Oh, just passing through on our way to the circle h.

Dan with you? Mm-hmm.

Is he around here?

Somewhere around here. Where?

Look, I don't keep him tied at the end of a rope.

Hey, you've grown up.

And you're even prettier, if that's possible.

Well, thanks.

What are you doing here in Austin?

Father died last year, so...

Your mother wrote us about it.

Hey, don't tell me you're running the freight company.

Look, just because this is man's world

there's no reason a woman can't do... a woman!

She's still wet behind the ears.

Say that again.

Easy, gal.

She's still the Texas terror.

Dan!

Dan, welcome home.

Hey, don't you remember me?

Of course I do. Sal eaton.

You've sure grown up.

No wonder I didn't recognize you.

You're forgiven.

Well, we'd better get started. The sun's moving.

Good to see you, Sally girl.

Come by the ranch sometime, sal, and visit the folks.

Yeah, do that, pig-tail.

Soon as I can.

Mommy, hurry.

Mr. Hammond!

Daddy's coming home.

Dan!

Hi-ya, pop.

Oh, thank god. Oh!

How ya been, huh?

Children, this is your father, general mcgilligan.

He win the whole war.

Juan, what a big soldier you are.

And little Celeste, what a beauty!

Oh, how proud I am of you.

Ma, you're wonderful.

Ira, I don't know how to thank you

for taking care of my family all this time.

Tiny, they've done a lot to take care of us.

It isn't every ranch that's lucky enough

to have a foreman like you.

We missed you.

Thanks, Martha.

Major, I'll take care of the horses.

You folks go on in the house.

All right.

Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight?

Cornbread? We've had cornbread in the oven for you

for the last two weeks.

And here are the two of you as youngsters.

That neill was a little beauty, wasn't he?

Yeah, the two Hammond kids. Beauty and the beast.

Oh, to me, it just seemed like yesterday.

Oh, here's a picture we took of you

right after you came to live with us, Neil.

You know, it's real nice to have been picked.

I hear he just happened. Okay.

Boys, boys.

Pretty wonderful having you boys home again.

Now, that's something special I've been saving.

You know, there've been times during the past few years

when I didn't think...

That's right, dad.

There've been times during the past few years

when we didn't think so, either.

Go on.

Here, son.

Ira. Thanks, dad.

Well, here's to us.

Ah.

What is this stuff, dad?

Whiskey.

Well, it won't be long before the circle h is yours.

Maybe your mother and I'll take a trip

back home to Kentucky.

But right now there's tomorrow.

We'll start life as though there hadn't even been a war.

Yeah, that's... that's right.

What's the matter, boy?

I don't know. It seems kind of quiet around here.

Well, Texas is a mighty big country, son.

Sound kind of gets lost in it.

Maybe I've been so used to sound and excitement

that the idea of ranching kind of slipped away from me.

Ah, it'll slip right back again.

Tomorrow you'll get back into the swing of things.

You know, you never really lose the love of ranching.

Well, we'd better get some sleep.

Tomorrow is a big day.

Good night, Dan.

Good night, mother.

You really like this, don't you?

Sure.

You know, I believe you do.

Look, Dan, for dad's sake,

try to make a go of it, will you?

You'll break his heart if you give up.

Well, let's just do one more. It's getting late.

Getting near suppertime.

See? There's excitement in this ranching, Dan.

A man and his dream and cattle and the future.

Yes, sir.

We used to talk about this.

What we'd do when we got back.

Well, we're doing it.

The old life again.

Yeah, the old life again.

Dad.

Who are those men down there?

Well, they're just about everything under the sun, I guess.

Ex-army deserters, renegades of every stripe.

Is that where they live?

Yeah. Theyre a pretty tough lot.

I doubt even if the Texas rangers...

If they hadn't been disbanded...

Would relish tackling them.

Dregs of the war.

Ah, what more could a man want?

A fine home, good food.

This year plenty of cattle.

1,600 head in the extreme south section.

950 in the big meadows.

When the eastern markets open up

and the big drives to Kansas begins,

with a little luck,

we ought to be in pretty fair shape.

Meanwhile, you're short on money.

Yeah, meanwhile.

And in cities like Austin

men are making money hand over fist.

That kind of money is no good.

What's the matter with it?

It's promoter's money.

That doesn't build solid land.

That's false prosperity.

I'd like to have a little of it.

What are you trying to say, son?

Maybe I can't be satisfied with ranching.

Trying to make ends meet, year after year,

the way you've been doing.

But we're happy. We have everything we want.

Part of the joy was in not having to hurry.

Let's face the facts, dad.

You're 65 years old,

and the ranch isn't even paid for yet.

And I haven't got that kind of Patience.

I'm sorry, dad.

Excuse me, mother.

I suppose an ordinary citizen

doesn't have the right to bother a public official.

You can.

After all these years, let's have it, Dan.

I want to make money.

Is that all?

Well, that's just about everything to me.

It's funny.

I had you figured as a rancher.

A chip off the old block.

No, sir.

What changed you?

Oh, the war, I guess.

You're not the only one.

I've seen it in others, too.

Well, how do you figure I can help you?

You know people.

Mm-hmm, I know a lot of them.

What kind of people do you want to know?

The rich ones.

Are you still a fervid southerner?

Naturally, but I could forget that for money.

No grudges?

Same answer.

If I introduced you to a yankee,

I wouldn't want to see you

start trading punches right off.

No, I'll be careful.

I'm serious, Dan.

It's a new world.

The old one ended when the confederacy went to war.

The new one started the same day.

We... come in, cord.

I'm glad to see you.

I'm delighted you could drop in.

Mm, thanks.

I want you to know my old friend, major Hammond.

This is cord hardin.

Major. Mr. hardin.

May I, frank?

Oh, yes. Help yourself.

How about a little poker tonight?

Something special?

Mm, in a way, yes.

Some of us are getting a pool together

to buy 50,000 acres.

Cotton land in the brazos.

I'd appreciate it if you'd check

on the legal details for us, frank.

I can't tonight, cord.

How about bringing the papers here to the office tomorrow?

I can do that.

By the way, are ozben and Kenny

going to be in the game tonight?

They're both in the pool.

I'd like to have major Hammond meet them.

Perhaps you can get him in on some business venture.

Frank has put it rather bluntly.

You play poker, major?

Fair game.

I'll see you tomorrow, frank.

8:00.

That'll be fine.

Bye.

I'm very grateful.

That's all right, Dan.

But they play a rough game of poker.

So if you value your money, look out for yourself.

Thanks for the warning. Good luck.

Hello, Sam.

Why, hello, Dan.

What are you doing in town?

I just thought I'd drop in and say hello.

Well, sit down.

How are things at the ranch?

The same.

Sam, I'd like to ask you a favor,

but I won't blame you if you say no.

Money?

I can't tell you when I'll be able to pay you back.

Well, I can spare a thousand.

I wish it could be more,

but it's from my own private kitty.

No questions?

Why should there be?

Jacks and 9s.

Beats me. Too much for me.

I'm out.

Queens and 10s.

Up until now, the nice part about this game

has always been that no matter how much you win or lose,

we've always kept it in the same crowd.

Say, major, you're looking for an opportunity to start in a business?

I'd like nothing better.

For 25,000, you can start a cotton mill.

I've got a little deal I could fix up for you for only 50,000.

Ernie Grayson was telling me the other day

the fastest way to make money...

The fastest way to make money is right here in this game.

Who's going to open?

A hundred.

I'll stay. I'll see you.

See you and up you five.

Hello, dear.

Please don't get up, gentlemen.

I believe you know everyone here except...

Hello, major.

- Oh, you've met before? - Yes.

As a mater of fact, the major insulted me

in a very nice way.

That's a new kind of technique.

I'll have to try it sometime.

I'll see your raise, major.

Excuse me, Mrs. hardin.

How much have you got there?

2,400, even.

You look beautiful tonight, darling.

2,400.

And raise you 5,000.

That's too good for me.

I'm out.

Me, too.

I don't have that much with me.

Cards?

I'll play these.

I'll take two.

Full house.

Full house, kings high.

Aces high.

I'll expect the 5,000 tomorrow.

5:00.

I'm afraid that's too fast.

When can I have it?

You'll have to give me a little more time.

I don't like that answer.

I'll try to get it for you as quickly as possible.

That's the best I can do.

I have a couple of ranches.

Paradise can use an extra cowhand.

You can work it out.

Report to my foreman tomorrow morning.

If you don't mind,

I'd like to work it out in my own way.

Hammond, you've stepped out of your class tonight.

You're a farm boy.

You were born a farm boy, and you'll end up as one.

On top of that, you're a welcher

and a smart-Alec.

Now get out of here.

I had that coming... this time.

Gentlemen.

Lorna.

Fix me a drink.

Somebody's coming. Scatter.

Keep riding, mister. Right into the light.

Get off your horse.

Drop your gun belt.

Start walking.

Who are you?

A friend.

Where are you from?

Austin.

What makes you think you're wanted around here?

Whatever you want, say it fast.

Who's the spokesman for all you men?

We all do the talking here.

Let's see what the gentleman from Austin looks like.

Hey, fellas, look what we found.

A dude from Austin.

You two are awful tough with all that artillery.

Better not hit him with your right hand, sy.

You want to go first?

Get him! Hey, go get him.

Hit him!

Atta boy! Come on.

Hit him, sy! Hit him!

Atta way!

Hit him, sy. Hit him.

Sy, give it to him! Give it to him, sy!

Go get him!

Sy.

Come on, sy. Let's keep it clean.

Man, do I always enjoy seeing a good man in action.

How are you?

Dandy Taylor, I thought I left you

doing guard duty in chickamauga.

Men, I want you to meet the fightingest major,

the crackest shot, the toughest soldier that ever lost a war,

major Dan Hammond.

What are you doing here, major?

I heard about you men being down here,

and I came to talk to you about making a living.

A living for all of us.

And he means all of you.

The war's over, you know?

Yeah? Well, you wouldn't think so.

I see soldiers here from the north

and from the south,

but none of us are soldiers any longer.

Also among you, there are men

who are deserters from the army

for one personal reason or another.

Others among you may be wanted by the law on various charges

and are now facing an uncertain future.

I came here to tell you

that we can all make it a little more certain

for you and for me.

I need men who can ride hard,

shoot hard, and live hard.

Well, that ought to be easy.

What are the wages for this kind of work?

You're going to get loyalty from me

and that's what I expect to get from you.

That ain't enough.

What about wages?

When Dan Hammond says he'll give you loyalty for loyalty,

he means you'll get more money

than you ever made before.

Thank you, dandy.

And to that,

let me add one last thing.

If you men decide to go with me,

this is the last night you'll ever spend

hiding in a river bottom.

Make up your minds.

I'm going to make some money.

Hyah! Hyah!

Come on, git!

Come on! Come on!

Dandy!

Get those strays.

Giddyup!

$5,000 for French wine.

Check.

$50,000 for diamonds. Check.

Of course, monsieur auriel,

for the $20,000 of French silk,

percentage to us, $4,500.

$4,500! Why?

To buy your silk I've sold champagne, jewelry, perfumes.

And general Escobar"s percentage

has always been 20%.

What is this 22 1/2%7?

Mi general.

Please, mi general.

Buena tardes, senor auriel.

Buena tardes, mi general.

Senor Hammond.

General.

Please, mi general.

What is this 22 1/2%7?

It's like lieutenant Salazar says,

$4,500.

Arande the Cuban, hiedler the German,

and Lopez, they bring goods to you.

They sell, but always it is 20%.

It's Escobar's new rule.

French silk now, $5,000 cash.

But, mi general, you said $4,500.

Yes, I know. I know.

But you talk and talk. You waste my time.

$5,000 cash.

All right, I pay.

You know, auriel, it's a good thing for you

Escobar make a place like zona libra, no?

But for me, it's very expense.

I have pay my police, my other helpers, everybody.

And nobody helps me.

It costs very much to make this army,

and I have to take care of my people.

And I do!

That's why we make me the general.

General Salazar.

Si, mi general.

You see?

Auriel, you and I, we won't have any trouble.

I hope so.

Buena tardes y muchas gracias.

Buena tardes, general.

And remember, you're always welcome here.

Ah, mi amigo Hammond. ¢ como esta, hombre?

A long time no see you.

General, you look magnificent.

What, this uniform?

Ah, it's nothing.

Maybe I make one for Salazar next week, huh?

Gracias, mi general. Gracias.

Te gusta?

Si, mi general. Si.

But without the hat.

Gracias, general.

La silla para El senor.

Bueno, mi amigo Hammond...

Tell me, how have you been?

Fine, general.

And you?

Well, business has been not too good,

but I think it'll pick up.

Well, let's see.

On this trip I only sold 15,000 head.

Commission for you, $9,000.

Senor Hammond, was it not 15,202 head?

That would be for me, my comision, uh...

$9,121.40.

Well, forgive me, general.

I didn't want to bother you with little figures.

Dandy.

How did you get such an accurate count?

Oh, the cows, they count each other for me.

All right, let's see.

$9,121 and...

Oh, amigo, forget the centavos.

This one is on me.

Well, thank you, general.

Now you smoke a fine general Escobar cigar, eh?

See? My picture.

Well, dandy.

Yeah, that's pretty.

You don't smoke?

You know, you make almost $50,000

since we met in zona libra, eh?

Very fine meeting.

I'll tell you what.

You stay with me one week, I give you fine time.

Salazar...

For you, the best, my friend.

Si, mi general.

Very nice, general, but I have a date back home.

Oh, you're going to kill somebody?

No, no, no. This is with people I love.

Well, maybe next time, huh?

Good.

Come on, dad. Half of this is yours.

Here's to the best parents anybody ever had.

Here's something a little special, honey,

for sticking it out with him so many years.

It's beautiful. Oh, thank you, son.

I'll tell you one thing, dad.

If he'd stayed on the ranch,

he would never have had money for a bauble like that.

May I see it, Mrs. Hammond?

Oo, it really is beautiful.

Well, come on, you two.

Let's cut the cake.

Right.

Well, you sure make that money-making business

sound easy, son.

Just how do you go about doing that in the big city?

I was lucky, dad.

Here, that may be warmer back there in the pan.

A friend of mine has taken me to a thousand dollars.

Sam hunter. Mm?

On a hunch he took a trip to New Orleans.

Great town, New Orleans.

Yeah, so I've heard.

Everybody's speculating.

I got a tip on cotton futures.

I bought quick, sold quick,

well, that was sure a fine present you gave mother.

I don't think she ever expected

to get anything like that.

By the way, dad, here's a letter for you.

A letter?

Where... what?

That's right.

6,000 you owed the bank all paid up.

Why, son, I...

I don't even know how to begin to thank you.

You just try it and I'll punch your head in.

Sure takes the pressure off all of us.

I confess I've been pretty worried.

You see, the circle h has come to mean

just about all the living to me, son.

Of course, it goes way back when Texas was pretty young.

That's why I didn't want anything

to happen to the circle h.

Well, so far, nothing has.

How do you mean?

Cattle rustling, Dan.

They've been stripping some of the biggest ranches

in Travis county.

They've come close to us, but so far they've kept clear.

Sheriff clawson, what's he doing about it?

Well, he thinks it's a regular organized gang.

They keep it up, we got to do a little organizing ourselves.

What are your plans, Dan?

I got some money.

Enough to move in any direction I like.

Mother and I'd sure like to see you settle down,

particularly in Austin.

You could be a big help to us.

Ira, Dan. Our guests are leaving.

Thanks, son.

Oh, I'm so sorry you all have to go.

I've enjoyed it so much.

Awful glad you could come today, sal.

Thank you.

When can I see you again?

Whenever you want.

I didn't know you were interested.

Interested?

It's just that I always thought

you paid more attention to Dan.

Neil, don't you know I'm in love with Dan?

Have been since I was 2.

But I'll give you a chance to change my mind.

See you in Austin, pig-tail.

Goodbye, Dan. So glad you're interested.

Say, what's, uh...

Good.

Oh, Dan.

There's a rumor around Austin

that cord hardin has your iou for $5,000

and that you've welched.

It's a bad story if it's true.

If it isn't true, you better nail it right away.

I'll nail it tonight.

Thirsty?

Two whiskeys.

As I was saying, no matter where you go,

you always find a man who reminds you of a welcher.

Here's an i0ou for $5,000.

I'd sell it to the highest bidder,

but it isn't worth the paper it's written on.

I was going to see you at your ranch later tonight.

This saves me the trouble.

See me about what?

Some more poker?

Here's the 5,000 I owe you Mr. hardin.

And here's the rest of it.

Just stay seated, folks.

Gentlemen, the major and me came in peaceably.

That's the way we'd like to go out.

Tarleton, Butler, Clark.

All friends of Hammond's.

My ranches.

What's this? A new game, boss.

I was just trying to figure out

where Hammond got $5,000.

None of these ranches have been touched.

My land's been raided three times.

Well, major Hammond, hello.

Hello, Mrs. hardin.

Would it be too bold if I were to say

it's, uh, good to see you?

You just said it, Mrs. hardin.

That's right, I did.

Walk to the carriage with me?

You've been out of town, haven't you?

Yes.

Have you tagged on to the kind of money

you seem so eager to make?

I think I've just begun.

Mr. hardin was wondering about you.

I just paid Mr. hardin off.

Good for you.

You staying at the hotel?

As of this morning.

We stay here whenever it's too late go back to the ranch.

Look us up sometime.

I don't think he'd approve.

Perhaps I have something to say about that.

I don't think I'd approve.

Oh, I see.

Convention.

Well, good luck to you, major.

All right, Edward.

All right, Hammond. Up with them.

Start riding.

What are you talking about?

Jack, check the brand on those cattle.

Okay, Hammond. Move.

Move.

Who's in this with your brother?

Aah!

Give me the belt.

Take over, ed.

Let's start over.

You and that brother of yours.

Lorna.

You're home early, dear.

You're a brave man, cord.

Maybe you'd like to see Dan Hammond in there tomorrow.

Perhaps you'd like that better.

Come in.

You're certainly inviting gossip, Mrs. Hardin.

Breaking into a man's room like this.

Your brother's in trouble, Dan.

They've got him at our ranch.

You've got to believe me.

Why would I come here, run this risk?

That's what I was wondering.

Trying to find out what he knows about you.

They might kill him.

Dan.

They may be expecting you.

Be careful, will you.

Please be careful.

Thanks.

Reach!

Get off that horse.

So Mrs. hardin did pay you a visit.

Interesting.

Where's my brother?

We're not looking for your brother, Hammond.

We're looking the man who rustled my cattle.

You saved us the trouble.

Get his gun.

Drop your guns.

Don't any of you move.

All right, where's Neil?

He's not here.

Hardin, I'll give you five seconds to produce him.

Al, get him out.

All right, hardin.

Now you're going to take it.

You, what's your name?

Ed tompkins.

You his top man?

I took his orders, mister.

Major.

You're going to tell the truth about this shooting.

He's going to tell the truth, all right.

Sy, get these men out of here.

Let's go. How about him?

Cover him up.

Dandy.

Stick around here till I get back.

Neill, I'm sorry. I'm sorry as I can be.

Thanks for the rescue.

Hardin thought he had something on you.

You don't have believe everything you hear, do you?

No, only I'm thinking of the folks, that's all.

Nothing's going to happen.

I'm not running away from anything.

I'm going to report this to the proper authorities.

Let's go.

I'm truly sorry, madam,

but before I can take this case to the grand jury,

I thought we ought to meet here informally

to determine whether it was murder.

Mr. tarleton. Excuse me.

As major Hammond's attorney,

I can assure you that he'll answer frankly

any question you care to put to him.

Thank you, Mr. dodson.

That's very kind of the major,

but it's only fair to inform you

that my office is aware of this fact.

Mr. hardin strongly believed

that your client had rustled a lot of his cattle.

How could that be possible?

Of course, a man in my position has enemies.

Mr. hardin was a man on horseback around here.

I was fair game for any accusation he wanted to make.

May I be allowed to say something, Mr. tarleton?

Yes, Mrs. hardin.

Major Hammond is innocent of everything.

He would not be here now except that I went to him

and told him my husband and his men

were torturing his brother.

Did you kill hardin?

Yes.

Was it premeditated murder?

It was not.

My brother killed hardin in self-defense.

There was no way to avoid it.

I'll swear to that, too,

in any court.

Yes, sir. I'll swear that.

As prosecuting attorney,

I don't see any case against Dan Hammond.

Major Hammond, madam.

I was rather expecting you.

So I see.

Thank you for this afternoon.

Was there ever any doubt?

Sit down.

Well, major, what are your plans?

That's very simple.

Money?

Money.

A few years ago, I had a idea

money could buy everything in the world.

Well, I married cord hardin.

Didn't buy me anything very much worthwhile

except hate.

He was the meanest, cruelest man

I've ever known.

Anything else you might want, Dan?

You're very beautiful, Mrs. hardin.

Thank you.

Suddenly I...

I want very much to be beautiful.

You know, I've always wondered what it would be like

if I were a free woman again.

So now you know.

No, I don't.

No, I thought there would be nothing

that could keep me here.

I'd be free to go wherever I cared.

Now I know I can't go anyplace

without you.

Has it ever occurred to you that you've never kissed me?

That's something I tried not to think about too much

till now.

The conventional major Hammond.

You have rather a strange code of honor, Dan.

You break every rule in the book but one.

Perhaps I've even admired you for it.

I'm pretty much of a fatalist.

That someday...

You look like such an angel.

I'm going to have land,

and the land will be covered with cattle and cotton.

I'm going to have lumber mills,

grist mills.

And when the railroad comes in,

I'm going to have a piece of that, too.

How do you aim to do that?

You're going to help me get started.

You're going to dig into files and discover...

Discover loopholes and land tiles.

And errors and official surveys.

Dozens of them.

You'll get information on all

the places staggering under accrued taxes.

I'll see that you can grab them for practically nothing.

You're in a position to make everything legal.

Legal and above board.

But you might have to back up some of the grabs with force.

We've got that. We got everything.

This reconstruction period is made to order for you.

No Texas rangers. Very little law.

Why, Sam, you old thief,

you told me once you didn't have the old savvy.

I've been waiting for somebody I could trust,

for somebody strong like you.

Oh, the major will make a rich man out of you, hunter.

Me, I'm going to have me clothes, rich cigars,

best liquor, tastiest vittles.

Yeah, I'm going to pick money off of bushes

like I used to pick mesquite beans when I was a kid.

You don't have to reach very high.

It's just soft and easy, huh, major?

You said it just right, dandy.

I'll have judges, lawyers, peace officers.

They'll jump traces, cut circles, follow the word.

They'll see that nothing happens to what I'm building

because I'm building an empire.

And when I'm on the top, Sam,

people will swear that I've done nothing wrong.

Nothing wrong at all.

You know, Dan,

I'm not much for tossing compliments,

but I'd say you are really on the way.

Sorry.

Thanks, Sam.

So far it's been slow but sure.

But from now on, I don't want it to go that slow.

Come here.

Right now, here's the spread.

Schneiderman ranch, 6,500 acres.

Here. Dorfolden's here.

Cooper xp about 4.000 acres here.

And that's just a start.

One word of warning, Dan.

I can't go in for too much skullduggery.

You can't back out now. You're in too deep.

I got enough on you to hang you.

Dennis. Dennis!

Get out here.

I've got a mandate for you.

The Hammond land company has boughten your property for delinquent taxes.

And unless you vacate within three days,

you'll be faced with ejectment proceedings

and forcibly removed.

And as marshal of Austin,

I advise you to obey this order.

Marshal clawson, if you try it,

there'll be shooting.

Dennis, we can make trouble for you.

A lot of trouble.

What do you mean no?

Dan Hammond offers you a third interest

in any cattle province for the next five years.

You want to tell him something for me?

You'd better not say it, Layton.

Get off my land.

Al.

You'll pay for this!

Thank you, major.

I've been thinking about that Bronson case

against me, judge.

How did you plan to handle it?

That's funny. I was just going to ask you.

Dismiss it.

Throw it out.

Very good recommendation, sir.

I'll never forgive him, ira. Never.

Legal trickery, that's what it is.

Through a piece of legal trickery,

I lose my ranch. Everything.

My cattle are rustled,

my house is burned to the ground,

and I can't prove anything.

What is the power the law can't touch?

I can't understand it.

Our son... the soldier we were so proud of.

We got to do something about this.

Hello, Neil.

You look like a man with something on his mind.

That's right, Dan.

Spill it.

I come on my own account.

Mom and dad don't know...

Make it short.

Dan, you're running away with yourself.

I know that when we came back,

you had no idea of doing all this,

hurting all these people. I said make it short.

All right, Dan.

I just can't believe you alone are responsible

for doing all these things.

I think there's something more, someone else.

I think it's that hardin woman.

Now look, that's enough from you.

A woman like that

with all that gossip going on about her.

Get back to the circle h

and keep away from me.

I'm going to stop you, Dan.

That's a man-sized job, Neil.

Wouldn't want to see you get hurt.

It's the only way you figure things, isn't it?

Gun against gun.

I'll tell you one thing, little brother.

Don't expect any quarter from me.

Don't worry. I'm not asking for any.

Well, they're making a fight of it.

Tarleton, my brother.

My own brother.

All right, I'll make it tough on them.

I can't back away now.

Why not?

Because when I started out, I had two ideas...

To build a western empire

and to make you the greatest lady in Texas.

For the first time in my life,

I know what it is to love a man.

And that's why I'm afraid of what might happen to you.

Let's get away from here, Dan.

New Orleans, anywhere.

I want the empire, honey.

More than you want me?

One doesn't go without the other.

Dan, you haven't told me everything.

I want you to go to zona libra.

Wait for me there.

I rather stay here with you.

Takes the stage to brownsville,

cross the river to matamoros, and you leave tonight.

Dan, you're expecting trouble.

I didn't say that.

Will you do as I ask?

Haven't I always, Dan?

So, gentlemen, I've got to know

that every man here will back me up.

Furthermore,

that you're willing to testify

in a court of law against Dan Hammond

when the time comes for such testimony.

Each of you may be risking your life.

Hammond and his riders aren't going to take this lying down.

If we can't get action legally,

we'll take the gun, too.

I'm sorry, ira.

But if we have to, we will.

I understand, frank.

You have your job to do.

Now that I know that each of you will stand with me,

I can leave for Washington tomorrow morning.

We've got to have action, federal troops...

Troops who ride the border, have police authority.

As soon as I get back,

I'll campaign for the re-establishment

of the Texas rangers.

That's it, gentlemen.

Ira. You and me will stay.

Jim.

Legal authority

for me to ask for your resignation.

Read it.

What's in back of this?

I don't trust you.

I didn't ask you to come to this meeting.

I don't know why you came.

As soon as I come back,

I'll give you a hearing, if you still want it.

Meanwhile... suppose I don't stand for this.

Let's have your badge, please.

Pick it up, Jim.

You heard what the man said.

Now get out.

Ira?

I'm going to ask Neil to take this job

until I get back.

I'll take it.

Come on, dad.

So you think it's bad, eh, clawson?

It's even worse than you figured, Dan.

How much worse?

Tarleton's leaving for Washington in the morning.

He's got people behind him.

He'll stir up agitation.

Why, he's even asking for federal troops.

Special federal troops.

He wants the Texas rangers back here.

Thanks, Jim.

Incidentally, I'll take care of you.

You won't lose out.

Thanks, Dan.

Get the light, dandy.

I'll take that rig, Mr. tarleton.

Good evening, frank.

I want to talk to you.

Hello, Dan.

Let's go in the house. Let's take a walk.

That's better.

Borden, drive the rig around in back.

Frank? What is it? Who is that with you?

Just some friends. Everything's all right, dear.

What do you want?

Let's take a walk.

Frank! Dad! Oh, dad!

I'm all right, Jane, dick.

Just some friends. Nothing to worry about.

Frank, you're not going to Washington.

Not tomorrow or any other day.

Dan, you've lost all sense of reason.

I'll tell you another thing.

You're going to resign your office.

Oh, no, I'm not.

I've had you dead to rights a couple of times

and let you get away.

I'm not going to make that same mistake again.

I haven't the time to stand here and argue.

I suggest you be sensible.

I'm not like these men you've been terrorizing.

I'll use all my influence to destroy you.

I'll never give up... You'll do as ll...

Dandy, you fool!

Oh, frank! Frank! Frank!

Frank! Aah!

But, judge, I don't even understand why we're having a meeting.

It's so obvious.

But, Mrs. tarleton,

so far there's not a shred of concrete proof.

Proof? I'll go on declaring again and again

that it was Dan Hammond's voice I recognized.

Recognized?

With all our respect for you,

that's not sufficient.

Sure it's sufficient. If you weren't prejudiced in favor of Dan Hammond,

you'd do something about this.

Yes. This'll be like every other time.

We'll stay here all day and nothing'll happen!

I'll throw you both out if you make another out-of-order comment!

I'm very sorry, my dear.

These things are so unpleasant.

It's a dirty rotten disgrace!

The best public official Austin ever had, murdered!

Well, what are you going to do about it?

Mrs. tarleton swears it was Dan Hammond.

Well, sure it was Dan Hammond.

But you can't arrest a man just because somebody says...

Mrs. tarleton ain't just somebody.

Judge Smithers won't issue a warrant.

He says there's not enough evidence.

We're not waiting for any evidence.

Mrs. tarleton's word is good enough for me.

Well, what are we waiting for?

They want me for a killing I didn't commit.

I can't figure out what dandy was thinking about.

One trigger-happy kid ruins all my plans.

This is something new for Austin.

All right, Hammond, up with them!

You're coming with us.

Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Stay out of this, dodson.

You're lucky we're not after you.

Hold it!

Put those guns away.

Come over here, Dan.

This isn't the way we're gonna do it.

If my brother's guilty, he's gonna get a trial.

You mean there's a question of his guilt?

There ain't no question.

Is this town gonna be run by you hammonds?

I happen to be acting marshal,

and I'm gonna make my orders stick.

We'll take the law away from you.

You just try it, mister.

You just try it.

Let's go, Dan.

Neil! Neil, that mob means business!

We gotta get Dan out of here!

Nell, let me have a gun.

What if they break down the door?

They're not gonna break down anything.

Neil, you gotta give me a gun! No gun!

Get out there and tell them there's not going to be any lynching party,

even if we have to shoot into 'em.

Tell 'em we'll shoot! Tiny!

Take Dan to the basement of St. David's church.

When things quiet down, maybe by night,

we'll take you to Houston.

Get going!

We gotta pile everything we got against that door.

Hold it, major.

Sit down, major.

You'll be a lot safer down here for a while.

Major, it sure seems kind of odd

you being my prisoner, in a manner of speaking.

I can't get used to it.

Tiny, don't give it a thought.

No hard feelings, major?

None.

I sure wish we'd have stuck together.

Over at the circle h, I mean.

Wasn't in the cards.

Do you mind if I ask you something?

Go ahead.

Well, something happened to ya.

Major, I...

Go ahead and say it.

Well, somewhere you lost ideas like pity and mercy

and... and understanding.

It was like you was trying to build the whole world

just around you.

Major, what's it all about?

Tiny, I'm not just certain.

Something deep inside me.

Maybe it's cruelty and ambition together.

Kind of a driving force.

Maybe it's because I want to be the biggest man in the state,

and I don't know how to do it any other way.

All right, tiny.

Get away from those stairs.

This ain't the war, Dan.

You better give me that gun back.

Major!

Major, take my horse.

Major, please!

Ira, somehow it doesn't seem right.

Father against his own son.

Would it be better brother against brother?

No, mother. This time it's not Neil's job. It's mine.

I'll bring him back for trial.

I don't know what to say.

I don't know what to ask for in my prayers anymore.

Nell.

I want you to know I'll be waiting.

You speak english? Yeah.

Can you tell me where Dan Hammond's office is?

What do you want to know for?

I'm his father.

Yeah?

That two-story adobe over there.

Thank you.

Hello, dad.

Hello, son.

This is kind of unexpected.

Dan, you're going back with me.

You know that's impossible, dad.

You're going back with me,

and you're going to return everything you've ever taken.

I'm going back, but in my own sweet time.

I've got airtight titles to everything I own.

I'm not giving up anything.

You're giving everything back,

and you're gonna stand trial for murder.

Give me your gun, Dan.

Take a look around for Mrs. hardin.

You've done your last killing, Dan.

So you say.

I'm not tiny, trusting you,

or tarleton without a gun.

Drop your gun, Neil.

Just step back here, Mrs. hardin.

Don't make any noise.

Where'd you tie your horses?

Dan!

Dan!

Dan! Dan!

Honey...

I guess we're gonna have to wait a while...

To build our empire.

Dad, I...

Dan!

Looks good, huh?

Looks wonderful.

It'll be the very first Texas herd into the railhead

at abilene.

That ought to make some kind of history,

eh, mother? I'm proud of all of you!

Be seeing ya.