Original subtitles

? Let's go a-huntin' said Risky Rob ?

? Let's go a-huntin' said Robin to Bob ?

? Let's go a-huntin' said Dan'l and Joe ?

? Let's go a-huntin' cried Billy Barlow ?

I wouldn't move if I was you, mister...

Your backbone'll get surrounded by a lot of buckshot.

Turn around here.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

What's so funny?

Why, the expression on your face!

It's the funniest thing I ever did see.

Take a look here.

Lookie there. It ain't even loaded.

Ha ha ha! What are you doing around here?

Well, I... I lost my horse a ways back,

I thought I'd join up with your wagon train.

You'll have to talk to the wagon master about that.

Sure. Sure, I'll be right with ya.

I'll just get my saddle.

? ?

So, you've been traveling alone, huh?

That's right, Major Adams,

all the way from Missouri.

I'm going out to California to join my folks.

They got a little ranch started out there.

I'll tell you one thing, young fella.

For the most part, everybody on this train is pretty friendly.

We've learned to get along with each other the best way we can.

I want to keep it that way.

It's a lot different than riding alone.

I get along just fine.

Well, what I mean is,

folks back home consider me right friendly.

I got just enough gold here to pay for the trip.

Mr. McCullough here told me about how much it'd be.

It's gettin' mighty lonely out on that trail all alone.

I sure hope you can see your way clear to take me on, Major.

All right, Munroe.

Here. Put that away, Charlie. Yes, sir.

I like the look of that young fella.

What'd he say his name was?

Munroe. Ruttledge Munroe.

Odd name.

Odd sense of humor.

Yeah? Yeah.

Well, Charlie... See you when you get back.

I got a supply wagon right back here,

you can use that for your headquarters.

I sure am obliged to you.

You'll have to share the wagon with a couple other fellas.

That don't bother me none.

I don't know these men much,

we just picked 'em up on the trail a few days back.

But for the most part they've been staying to themselves.

They don't talk to people very much.

Sound like they're on the run.

Yes, Mr. Munroe, they might just be.

And so might you, for all I know.

But I don't figure it's any of my business

why a man's going from one place to another.

I just run this wagon train, that's all.

As long as folks behave themselves and don't cause trouble,

that's good enough for me.

I didn't mean nothin' by what I said, Major Adams.

It's just that, well, I guess in a way

most all of us are running away from one thing or another.

Take me, for instance.

I'm running way 'cause I'm lonely without my folks.

I can hardly wait to get to California and join up with 'em.

Well, you won't be lonesome around here.

We got as many people in this wagon train

as there are in most towns.

That suits me fine,

'cause I sure do like being around folks.

Masters...

Major Adams.

Sorta startled me, coming up behind us like that.

Shake hands with Ruttledge Munroe.

Mr. Masters. And this is Mr. Henshaw.

He'll be riding with you from now on.

Glad to have him with us.

McCullough tells me that he's quite a singer,

so maybe you can get a little free entertainment out of him.

Oh, I don't know how good I am,

but folks back home talk right kindly about my songs.

I make up the words myself.

Oh, I expect you're wondering about this, huh?

Yeah, I did notice it.

It's kind of an unusual gun.

I guess I never saw a shotgun sawed off that far before.

Just an old family heirloom given to me by my granddaddy.

You know, I reckon that's about the only thing in the world

I can really call my own,

except maybe my saddle.

Don't ever shoot it less'n I have to.

You know, get myself some game, something like that.

It's the only gun I got. Don't want to get it wore out.

Well, I'll leave you fellas alone, you can get acquainted.

Maybe you got some leftovers,

you can give this young fella some supper.

You haven't eaten, have you? No I ain't, sir.

I'd be much obliged to you.

We'll fix you up.

All right, Munroe, if there's anything else you need, let me know.

Thanks, Major.

I think I'm gonna get along on this train just fine.

Good.

You mind if I help myself?

No, go ahead.

Don't pay for a fella to turn down a meal

in this part of the country, does it?

He doesn't hardly know whether it's likely to be his last one.

What do you mean by that?

Why, nothin'.

You seem mighty nervous, Mr... Masters?

What are you afraid of?

I ain't afraid of nothin'.

Now, isn't that funny?

I coulda swore when the Major and me came up behind you

you started to reach for your gun.

What did you think we was, a couple of Indians?

Maybe.

Man that's got that nervous a gun hand

liable to get himself in a pack of trouble, I'll betcha.

Say, who are you, anyway? Where are you from?

Just like I told the Major.

I'm just a little ol' country boy.

Why?

You think I's somebody else?

I was just wonderin', that's all.

Mm-hmm. I do a lot of wondering about people too.

I kinda like to know all about 'em...

Where they're from, where they're going...

and why.

Where'd you say you fellas from?

Philadelphia.

Now, that just goes to show you how wrong you can be.

I never woulda taken either one of you boys

for fellas from the big city.

Philadelphia, huh?

Where you goin', Mr. Henshaw?

To bed.

If I had to judge it by you, Mr. Henshaw,

I'd say you fellas didn't like having me here.

That's the first word you said to me since I joined up with you.

You going to bed too, Mr. Masters?

Yeah, I think I will.

That's a killer if I ever saw one.

You don't suppose Blackie sent him here, do you?

I don't know.

But one thing I know, Blackie'll send somebody.

He ain't gonna like us running out with his cut.

Maybe we're just imagining things about this fella Munroe.

You just go on with your wishful thinking if you want to.

I'm gonna keep an eye on that sawed-off shotgun.

? Runaway, runaway, runaway, hide ?

? Your troubles will tag along right by your side ?

? No matter how far nor how fast you may run ?

? You'll find that your troubles have only begun ?

? Runaway, runaway, in a disguise ?

? Your whole appearance you try to revise ?

? But even if you take on a new name ?

? The fear in your eyes is always the same ?

? Runaway, runaway, what have you done ?

? To cause you to be so afraid of someone? ?

? What is your shame or your guilt or your sin ?

? That's caused you to be in the fix that you're in? ?

? Runaway, runaway, no use to run ?

? No place to hide your past under the sun ?

? Someone will chase you until you're outrun ?

? And you'll meet your end with the sound of a... ?

? Gun ?

Good night, Mr. Masters and Mr. Henshaw.

I sure hope you boys have a good night's sleep now, hear?

Is there any doubt now about who he is

or what he's doing here?

No, there ain't. He's after us, all right.

But he can't just shoot us while we're lying here

with all these people around.

He's gotta make it look good in front of Adams

and the other people before he can warm up that shotgun.

He'll go to sleep sooner or later.

When he does, we're pulling out.

What about Adams's money?

You get the horses ready.

I'll take care of getting the Adams money

just as soon as he goes to sleep.

Wake up. Shh.

Those two are sneaking around over there.

Drop it, Henshaw.

Which way'd he go? I'll get him!

Put that thing down, Charlie, before you shoot yourself.

What's the trouble, Major?

Henshaw and Masters were trying to get their money back along

with everybody else's.

They just about got the job done,

if it hadn't been for this young fella here.

I didn't do nothin' nobody else wouldn't have done.

You saved my life.

Masters coulda shot me in the back

if Munroe hadn't got him first.

McCullough said that thing wasn't loaded.

Well, it wasn't.

Not until I woke up and heard them two sneaking around

like they was up to no good.

I loaded it then.

Well, folks, looks like we've traded

two bad passengers for one good one.

This here's Ruttledge Munroe.

He just joined the train this evenin'.

I'm glad he did. Well, I...

That's about all the excitement for tonight.

See you first thing in the morning.

Who's that, Major Adams?

What? That young lady walking off over there.

Her name is Ruth Hadley.

She sure is pretty.

Is she... Married, you mean?

To tell you the truth, I don't really know.

You don't know?

About all I know about her is

she's got a little baby with her but no husband.

Didn't she ever say nothin' about no husband?

Nope, she's hardly said anything to me

ever since we found her and the baby hiding in one of these supply wagons.

You mean she just stowed away on this here wagon train?

Yep, when we stayed over one night near a little town along the way.

That sure is funny, ain't it, Major Adams?

What is?

Like I said before, that...

each one us is sort of trying to run away from one thing or another.

Well, maybe you're right. I dunno, maybe you are.

But as far as Ruth Hadley is concerned,

when she wants to talk to me, I reckon she'll come and talk.

Boy, she sure is pretty.

Well, I'd have to go along with you there, too.

Good night, Munroe. Good night, sir.

Thanks again.

Just trying to help out, that's all.

Ruth Hadley.

? Runaway, runaway, no use to run ?

? No place to hide your past under the sun... ?

Fresh water!!!

Pass the word! Fresh water!

Circle up, circle up! Whoa!

Fresh water!

Fresh water! Circle up!

You be a good girl, Elizabeth, and don't get lonesome.

Mama's just gonna fetch some water, and she'll be right back.

Hello there, Ruth.

I... don't know you.

Well, don't just stand there looking at me

like you never seen me before.

Well, last night at the shootin', remember?

Yes.

What do you want?

Well, nothing special.

Hey, maybe I could fetch some water for you.

No thank you, I can do it.

Ain't you goin'?

I'd be right happy to watch that baby for you, if you like.

Move along, boys.

Get as much water aboard as you can before sundown.

Just fill your buckets and then we'll fill the barrels later.

Oh, Mrs. Hadley.

Looks to me like you got your hands full.

Here, let me have that. Thank you.

What's the matter with you? Ever hear of ladies first?

That lady's dressed just like the Major.

The lady's right behind ya, brains.

Pardon me, ma'am. It's all right.

I don't mean to be a bother.

He's a cute little fella, Mrs. Hadley. What's his name?

His name is Elizabeth.

Can't you tell the difference? Very funny.

Here ya are.

I'll carry this back to the wagon for ya.

Oh, no, I can take it.

I've caused you enough trouble by just being here.

I have an idea you have big enough burdens to bear as it is.

Come on, let's go.

Keep 'em movin', Bill.

All right, folks, hurry along. Let's go.

"What's his name?" "Elizabeth." Why you...

Anything wrong, Mrs. Hadley?

No. No, nothing.

You can just leave it here. Thank you very much, Major.

Any time, Mrs. Hadley.

Major Adams.

Yes?

I've... I've got to talk to you.

Well, right now?

Oh, no, you're awfully busy right now.

Maybe tonight would be better.

Yeah, I think it would be a little bit better.

Soon as we get camp made you come on up to my wagon.

Or better still, why don't you have supper with me?

I can't guarantee Wooster's cooking,

but if he doesn't poison us, we'll have time to talk.

Thank you very much.

All right, I'll see you then.

Achoo!

Achoo!

Oh, look what you've done. You've wakened the baby.

I must have caught cold. I got wet this afternoon.

What were you trying to do,

take a bath with your clothes on?

Not on purpose. That Hawks again!

Yeah? What did I do?

Pushed me in the waterfall!

Didn't lay a hand on ya.

You woulda, if I hadn't stumbled.

Is it my fault because you're so clumsy?

I don't care whose fault it was,

but one of you is waking up this baby.

You're gonna have to take it back to the wagon

and get it in out of the night air and take care of it.

I don't think I should go near that baby.

You know how babies are with colds.

Maybe you're right at that.

Bill, I guess you're elected.

I don't know anything about babies!

Well, as a married man, it's high time you found out.

Yes, sir.

No, I'll look after her.

Mrs. Hadley, Bill's an old, old friend of mine.

It's all right, really.

Of course. I-

Of course it's all right.

I hope the baby knows it's all right.

Come on now, little girl,

be good and stop your crying for Uncle Bill.

Well.

Mrs. Hadley, are you really that worried

about the safety of your baby?

Yes I am, Major...

I'm terribly afraid.

I've been afraid to trust anybody until now,

but I've got to talk to someone.

Well, I... I think you can trust me.

If you hadn't been camped with your wagon,

I don't know what I would have done.

I was exhausted, and there was no place else to hide.

You feel like telling me who you were hiding from?

My husband. Oh? Why?

Because if he'd found me,

he would have killed me...

and my baby.

Ralph was a... cruel man.

But I didn't know it until the first time I saw him drunk.

It was shortly after we were married.

He flew into a rage... For no reason at all.

He beat me and threw me out of the house.

I spent that night in the barn.

Sounds like a nice kind of a fella.

Did he do this often?

Every time he got drunk.

Then...

he took on a hired hand named Lon.

One day Lon tried to defend me.

Ralph was drunker than usual.

He accused Lon of being my...

He killed him.

He was wrong, Major Adams. I hardly knew Lon.

Then...

when the baby was coming,

Ralph brooded over his suspicions that it wasn't his.

And when he finally convinced himself of it,

he swore that he'd kill me...

and my baby.

Then he started drinking to build up his courage,

and that's when I slipped away.

I ran all the way into town with my baby

and hid in your wagon.

Other times before when I threatened to leave him,

he said he'd have me tracked to the ends of the earth if I tried it.

And he'll do it now, Major. I know he will. I know him.

Now, don't you fret, Mrs. Hadley.

There's plenty of guards around this train.

Nobody's going to get in here to bother you.

But what about the people who join the train along the way?

Wouldn't that be a good way for someone who was looking for me

to get to me?

Well, I suppose that is possible, but...

we'll be really careful now who we take on the train,

so don't you worry about it.

Those men who were killed last night, when...

When they joined the train, I was petrified.

They acted so strangely, and...

Well, we won't have to worry about them anymore.

I know, Major, but...

there's somebody else.

Oh?

He was standing by my wagon this afternoon

when we stopped for water.

The way he looked at me and the way he talked...

I'm afraid that he's the one.

Well, who was it?

That Mr. Munroe you introduced last night.

Ruttledge Munroe?

That's why I was afraid to let the baby out of my sight.

What exactly did Munroe say to you?

Well..

I asked him what he wanted.

And he said, "Nothing special,"

but he just keep standing there.

And then he said he'd go for water for me,

and when I refused, he said that he'd look after my baby for me.

And that's why I was carrying Elizabeth at the waterfall.

Hmm. Is that all?

Well, yes.

Do you think maybe that...

he was just trying to be friendly with you?

No, it was the way he talked,

and the strange way he kept looking at me,

just kept grinning like he knew all about me.

It just might be that he would like to know more about you.

What do you mean?

Well, last night, Mrs. Hadley,

after the ruckus when those two fellas were killed,

Munroe noticed you standing there

and he asked about you...

Asked me your name

and told me how very pretty he thought you were.

Now, do you suppose that this is just a clumsy way

of trying to court you?

I never... thought of it that way.

You know, he did warn me that those two men

were going to try to rob my wagon.

And he actually saved me from being shot in the back.

That doesn't sound like a killer.

No, I guess not.

I'm so upset, I guess I imagined things.

Looking back on it,

I suppose that's just what he was trying to do,

be friends with me.

He must think I'm some kind of witch, the way I acted.

Would you like me to tell Munroe to stay away from you?

Would that make you feel better?

Oh, that won't be necessary.

I feel much better about it already just talking to you.

We'll keep a close eye on you anyway.

And if there's anything that bothers you,

even the slightest little thing,

you just come running to me.

Thank you, Major. Thank you very much.

All right.

I'll tell Mrs. Hawks how good you are with babies.

I didn't know I was till tonight. Thank you so much.

It's been a pleasure, ma'am. Good night.

Good night.

? Runaway, runaway, what have you done ?

? To cause you to be so afraid of someone? ?

? What is your guilt or your shame or your sin ?

? That's caused you to be in the fix that you're in? ?

? Runway, runway, no use to run ?

? No place to hide your past under the sun ?

? Someone'll trail ya until you're outrun ?

? And you'll meet your end with the sound of a gun ?

Now, I wouldn't make any loud noise if I was you, Ruth.

Couldn't nobody get here quick enough to make any difference anyway.

What do you want?

Don't you know?

Ralph sent you.

I didn't say that... did I?

You didn't have to. I know it.

He sent you to kill us.

Why, Ruth, I'm not gonna hurt you.

Not as long as you do what I say.

No, please, don't!

You're letting your voice get loud, Ruth.

That's one thing I don't want you to do.

Please. Ralph was wrong, the baby is his. I swear it.

He had no reason to send you. You've got to believe me.

I do believe you.

Never said I didn't.

You do?

Why, sure.

Then you're not going to hurt us?

Why, nothing in the world would make me hurt you, Ruth.

All I want you to do is be friendly.

Well, Ruth... honey.

Does that mean you ain't gonna be friendly?

Look, I'll give you money.

I'll pay you more than Ralph could.

You got money?

I'll get it. I'll work.

I'll pay you whatever you want!

No, I don't want money.

All I want for you is...

is for you to be nice to me.

That really isn't asking so much, is it?

Not considering what you're asking of me.

Oh, no.

It seems to me your life oughta be worth something to you, Ruth.

Just be friendly, that's all I ask.

I sure wish you could be my girl, Ruth.

Will ya?

Will you be my girl?

Oh, now... Now, please don't cry, Ruth.

I can't stand to see girls cry.

Every girl I ever knew in my life run away from me and cried.

My own mother run away from me

when I was no bigger than that baby of yours right there!

Just... just smile at me once in a while, that's all.

Be nice to me.

And I'll be nice to you.

I'm gonna stand right here, Ruth.

Yep, I'm gonna stand right here.

Mornin', Major Adams. Mornin', Munroe.

Sure is a nice morning, ain't it? It is that.

Morning, Mrs. Hadley. Good morning, Major.

What was that you just put up there behind you?

Just this.

Go ahead and open it.

There's nothing in it but... That's all right.

Go ahead, open it.

I just wanted a couple of hair pins.

Yeah, you're right.

Be a shame to get your hair messed up.

It's right pretty hair.

Oh, Ruth...

it ain't that I don't want anybody to know we're friends just now,

but well, I wouldn't try to tell Major Adams

exactly why that was, if I was you.

Not even by the way you look at him.

Smile.

You know, be happy.

'Cause I'm gonna be driving my team

right from the ground over there.

You know, sort of keep my eye on you.

Understand?

All right, everybody, let's get ready to roll!

You all right, Mrs. Hadley?

Oh, yes, I'm fine, Major.

I'd be glad to keep an eye on Ruth for you, Major.

I'm driving that wagon right over there.

Oh, it's "Ruth" already, is it?

Well, yeah, we... we're getting along just fine.

Ain't that so, Ruth?

Oh, yes, it's fine. Just fine.

That's good.

We gotta get movin'.

ADAMS: Wagons... ho!

Heeyah!

Close 'em up, close 'em up!

Yeehaw! Get on there!

I sure am glad to find out you're such a good cook, Ruth.

Fella gets awful tired eating hardtack on the trail.

More coffee, huh?

Thank you.

Where are you going?

To, uh, check on the baby and get a shawl.

I feel a chill in the air.

All right, but hurry back. I'll miss you.

Darling, wake up. Mother needs your help.

That's it, wake up. Wake up. Now, cry.

Oh, Elizabeth, why do you have to be so good-natured?

Come on, cry for Mother.

You're taking an awful long time, Ruth.

The... the baby's awake.

Yeah?

There, you see?

I'll have to tend her.

All right. But hurry it up, now.

I don't like sitting out here alone, hear?

Psst!

Pssst!

Well, hello, ma'am.

Please, help me.

Go get Major Adams.

Tell him Munroe is the killer.

Munroe a killer? Yes! Yes!

That Missouri hayseed?

Yes, it's the truth.

Don't argue with me, just get Major Adams.

He'll understand.

All right, I'll get the Major.

Hey, boy.

Where you goin'?

Nowhere.

Yeah?

You in a powerful hurry to be going nowhere.

That's my business, I think. Hold it, boy.

It just might be some of my business.

Come on in here and we can talk it over.

Come on, come on.

Come on in here where people'll see us.

What's so important that people have got to see us?

Well, I think it customary to have witnesses

when a fella gonna get himself killed.

Ruth!

Hey, Ruth, come out here!

I said come out here, Ruth!

Now, you're talking to my girl, boy.

I seen you right underneath that wagon

talking to my girl.

I don't think I like that.

That's no reason to have a shootout.

That all depends on what you said to her.

And what she said to you.

Please... please don't do it.

Well, I gotta, Ruth. You can see that for yourself.

Now, Ruth, I know you've been dying to talk to Major Adams,

so why don't you go ahead and call him?

Go on, go on, I mean it! Call him!

Call him.

Major Adams.

Louder.

Major Adams!

Louder!

Major Adams!! Major Adams!!

Your gun's in your hand, boy.

You got the edge.

Go.

It ain't cocked.

Well, cock it. I'll wait.

Just what the devil was this all about?

Just self-defense.

You could see that for yourself, Major Adams.

That fella over there,

he was making his play first, cocking his rifle.

But I want to know why. Who started it?

Well, I... I reckon it ain't kindly

to talk about the dead this way,

but, well, he was bothering Mrs. Hadley.

Downright insulting her, he was.

Well, I couldn't let that happen.

She's such an awful nice lady.

Especially after I told you just this morning I'd look after her.

You know, Munroe,

there's one thing bothers me about that gun.

You told me you seldom fired it,

but I just saw a professional fast gun

that I wouldn't be a nickel anybody could beat.

I just said I never shot it less'n I had to.

I didn't say I couldn't.

I guess there's no doubt that I had to just now, is there?

Huh?

What was Mrs. Hadley screaming about?

She sounded hysterical.

Well, yeah, I reckon she was at that.

She was calling you, Major Adams.

I suppose she was scared something was gonna happen to me.

We're getting along just fine, you know.

Are you?

You ain't doubting my word, are you?

Maybe. I don't know.

That boy you just killed there

never stepped one inch out of line

since he joined this train in St. Joe.

Maybe I'd better see what Mrs. Hadley's version of this is.

That won't be necessary.

I think it will.

You know, Munroe,

you don't quite ring true to me.

You always said you were one thing

and acted like you were another.

I just can't quite figure you that little farm boy that you say you are

in such a fast gun.

Now, she can't tell you nothin' that I can't.

Then you'd better start talkin', mister.

Why, sure, Maj.

I'll tell you.

I'll tell all of you all about me...

just how I happen to be here and everything.

It ain't no accident, you know?

No, sir, it's a purpose.

I had a good reason for joining up with this particular wagon train.

What was it?

Don't you think we need some more wood on this fire?

Somebody throw a log on this fire, huh?

A big one!

Gotta take the chill off the air.

That won't be necessary.

Well, it's a powerful long story, Major.

I mean, you might as well be comfortable.

Besides, how else you gonna find out all about me

if I don't tell ya?

Have a seat, Maj.

Go on, sit down over there.

Well, I'll reckon you don't wanna hear my story.

Would you nice people kind of move over there behind him?

Thank you.

All right, Munroe, you've stalled long enough.

Mrs. Hadley, you'd better tell us what you know about this.

Now, Ruth isn't gonna say nothin'.

Fact is, she may find out some things she doesn't even know.

There's a boy dead, and you killed him.

You better speak your piece.

Why, you sound like you're gettin' mad.

You ain't forgettin' that I saved your life the other night...

are you, Maj?

I'm not forgettin'.

Ha ha ha ha!

Boy, that is the funniest thing I ever did see,

them two fellas, that Masters and Henshaw.

You know they were trying to rob you that particular night?

No, I don't.

It was on account of me.

Not that they wouldn't have tried it sooner or later,

but that particular night it was on account of me.

Go on.

You remember when you introduced me to 'em,

I could tell right off they didn't want to have me around.

I didn't like that.

So I started to work on 'em.

Work on 'em?

Yeah. You remember how nervous and skittish they was

when we come up behind 'em,

that Masters fella reaching for his gun and all?

Yeah, I noticed that.

Well, I could see right off they was running away from somebody.

All I had to do was make 'em believe I was the one

that was after 'em.

Ha ha! It was easy!

One thing I always found interesting about people...

if they got something they're guilty about,

it always shows in the way they act.

And in their eyes.

Why, take a look over there.

Look at that fella over there!

I even wrote a song about people who are running away once.

You should seen them two fellas

when I sang it to 'em,

getting more and more nervous all the time, they was,

whispering together.

All I did was make 'em believe I knew all about 'em.

Then they snuck out,

stopping just long enough to try and get your money.

Only they got killed instead.

They shouldn't have treated me that way.

Well, they was no good anyway,

they deserved to die.

But Ruth...

yeah, Ruth is different.

What about her?

Well, I...

I liked her.

I want her to be my girl.

Did you do the same thing to her,

pretend you were on her trail,

just because I happened to mention to you

that she was hiding in one of my supply wagons?

Oh, now, that wouldn't have made no difference.

I'd have seen the whole story in her eyes anyway.

You know, you can't imagine just how easy it is

to make someone believe you're someone you ain't.

You don't even have to lie to 'em.

If they're scared enough,

they'll tell you all you want to know.

Why, honest, Maj, I never knew no more about Ruth

than I did about them other two.

You've said enough about her, Munroe.

Just a minute, Bill.

He hasn't told us yet

why he picked this particular wagon train.

I want to hear that.

Well, no, I haven't, have I?

That's the best part of the story.

Yeah, I've been following this wagon train

a long, long time.

Why?

Just so you could find people

and scare 'em into doing what you wanted 'em to?

No. No, I had another reason.

Oh, it ain't hard to find runaways,

they're all over the place.

Why, I bet even you have something you feel guilty about.

Why don't you get to the point?

I wouldn't talk harsh like that if I was you, Maj,

considering I'm doing you a favor by talking to you at all.

I can remember a time you wouldn't even see me.

Just say what you mean.

I was in the army once too, you know.

Yeah, I was.

I even wrote a letter to you once.

Signed it Ruttledge Munroe.

Remember the name?

Ruttledge... it's got two Ts.

Munroe...

M-u-n.

I knew a lot of men in the army.

I don't remember all their names... their faces either.

Well, you never saw my face.

I was just a plain old soldier. You was a Major.

Didn't nobody see my face outside of prison for five years.

Yeah, they sent me to prison, that court-martial board did.

And then I wrote a letter to my commanding officer asking him to hear my appeal.

I wrote to Major Seth Adams.

That's who I wrote that letter to.

You never even bothered to answer it, did ya?

Never even came to see me at that outpost where I was guarding them rebs.

You were a guard at that outpost at Little Mesa.

Now you remember, huh?

Yeah, I remember you.

I remember the guard that killed eight Confederate prisoners in cold blood.

Why, them rebs attacked me.

Sure they did.

Sure.

Because you taunted 'em till they had to.

I read the court-martial record.

That's why I refused to review your case,

because I thought the five years you got wasn't half enough.

Don't say a thing like that, Major.

And that five years didn't make a bit of difference in you, did it?

You're still doing it,

still taunting people,

plaguing them to death.

And why, Munroe? Why do you do it?

Does it make you feel big? Make you feel powerful?

Oh, no, that ain't the reason.

Then why did you play cat-and-mouse with those other people

when it was really me you were looking for?

I wanted to give you time to notice me.

You didn't pay no attention to me while I was in prison,

but you're noticing me now, aren't you, Maj?

Why, everybody is.

And you noticed me the other night when I saved your life.

I couldn't let them two fellas kill you...

'cause that's what I came here to do.

Now, don't nobody make a move,

'cause this little ol' scatter gun here

got an awful powerful spray to it.

I bet with my eyes closed I could get 10 or 12 of you,

standing close together like you are.

See what I mean about being noticed, Maj?

Makes all the difference in the world

when you know what side of the fence you're on.

Why don't you put that thing by your side, Munroe,

and start even?

Oh, come on, now.

You saw me go against that other fella.

You know the Maj here wouldn't stand a chance of outdrawing me.

So there ain't much point in going through the formality, is there?

If you pull that trigger, one of us is gonna get you.

I'm saving one barrel for that.

Frankly, I don't think I'm worth it.

But you can try if you want to, Maj.

I'll try, all right.

Step aside, folks.

Now give me that gun.

I tell you what I'm gonna do.

I'm gonna put that little ol' gun

right back down by my side.

I'm gonna give you the same chance I give that other fella.

Are you ready?

I'm ready.

Well, go.

Ruth?

It's Major Adams, Ruth.

Are you feeling better?

I think so, a little.

I can't tell you how sorry I am

I did such a poor job taking care of you.

It wasn't your fault, Major. You can't see everything.

Well, I'm gonna start making up for it every way I can.

Starting with these folks here.

Mrs. Mitchell, this is Ruth Hadley. And Mr. Mitchell.

How do you do. How do you do.

How do you do.

They have something they want to say to you.

Mrs. Hadley...

Ruth... we'd like to have you and your baby

come live with us in our wagon.

We have plenty of room.

There's... just Ma and me.

You'd be just like part of the family.

Are you sure I wouldn't be too much bother?

My dear, you couldn't possibly be any bother.

There isn't anyone in this whole train

could take as good care of you and your baby as they can,

I'll guarantee you that.

Why, I'd be so grateful.

Then it's settled.

You just get your baby and your things, and we'll go now.

Ruth...

There's just one thing,

and then I promise I'll never mention it again.

Munroe told me that that boy he killed

had been bothering you.

Was that true?

Oh, no, Major. He was trying to help me.

Oh, I'm so glad.

Did you know him well, Mrs. Mitchell?

I feel so awful about it.

And there's nothing that I can do to make it up.

I think maybe there is, Ruth.

I don't even know his name.

His name was... Mitchell.

Warren Mitchell.