Original subtitles

[theme music]

NARRATOR: "Gunsmoke" with Milburn Stone as Doc, Ken

Curtis as Festus, Buck Taylor as Newly, and starring

James Arness as Matt Dillon.

[dog barking]

Deputy.

If it had been you and me in that tree out there alone,

you'd be crow bait by now.

This here's one hanging I'd sure like to see.

Don't count on it.

SHERIFF GRIMES: Rope's all ready, Dixon.

Tomorrow we start working on the gallows.

FESTUS: I come within a whisper of shooting him twice.

SHERIFF GRIMES: Well, I'm glad you didn't, Deputy.

All right, Dixon, get back there.

Come on. Come on!

Get. Ah!

He's escaping!

[gunshots and horses whinnying]

[ominous music playing]

Come on.

Burke said it was important.

Gard Dixon killed the sheriff over in Cottonwood and escaped.

Festus has gone after him.

Well, Festus has always been able to handle himself.

Well, as good a man as Festus is, I'm

worried about him this time.

This Gard Dixon.

About the closest thing to a vicious animal I ever saw.

[gunshot and horse whinnying]

Your turn to sweat, Deputy!

[echo]

That horse [inaudible]!

[echo]

I told you you'd end up crow bait!

[echo]

I'm sure he's all right. I fixed the hammer a month ago.

It's him then. Where'd he find it?

He claims he found it on a dead horse

in the desert near Rimrock.

How far is that?

Hm.

That's a good 60 miles or so.

But there's no water out there, Marshal.

There's not a tree or a blade of grass.

Them badlands just ain't no place for a man, Marshal.

Not even for the likes of a man like Gard Dixon.

[running water sounds]

My name is Snow, Ben Snow.

Who am I addressing?

Festus.

Festus Haggen.

Festus Haggen. Festus Haggen. [shouting] Festus Haggen!

Tenstrike would have been a good place for the likes of you.

Run all over with rats.

A good ratting dog was worth his weight in gold there.

Still hungry, are you?

Eh.

Here you go, boy.

[chuckle]

Oh, sorry to have waked you, Festus.

[rattlesnake rattling]

Homer!

Homer!

Festus here is a guest.

You just pull them fangs in and get!

[chuckling]

He's apologizing for his behavior.

He don't come out lessen he's hungry.

I've been fetching him mice for quite a spell now.

[non-english speech]

Well, put that down!

[laughter]

Put down my personals!

Here, here, yeah!

[gunshots]

Sam Bristol shot me.

Took the gold.

Took the water.

Left me on the desert to die.

Well, Ben, I reckon it's time for me to be moving on.

Come first light, I'm setting out for Cottonwood.

You've-- uh-- seen my gold, ain't you?

Yeah, I seen it.

I know you did.

I got a fortune, Festus.

You help me get to Tenstrike, I'll buy you a horse.

No, sir.

Cottonwood's the closest, and that's where I'm going.

I don't want to go to Cottonwood.

I've got to get to Tenstrike.

10 more just like it if you help me get to Tenstrike.

Maybe $4,000, $5,000 worth, Festus.

I'll send somebody to fetch you, Ben.

No.

No need for that.

I'll think of a way.

[snoring]

BEN SNOW: I'll cut you, Festus.

I'll cut you good.

I'll take the gun.

[trigger cocking]

One from me, you'd be dead by now,

buzzards picking at your eyes.

We get to Tenstrike, I figure I'll see you [inaudible].

Till we get to Tenstrike, you're a mule.

And you'll pack like a mule.

You don't, I'll shoot you like a mule gone lame.

[gasp]

Looks like somebody went down there.

Some blood stains.

Think they belong to Festus?

Or Dixon.

Nobody else would have any business out here.

Look at them oxen tracks.

Well, they came from over this way and went back that way too.

Except going back he wasn't alone.

Those boot tracks belong to Festus.

That means he's still alive.

Let's go.

[gasping]

Get up!

Get up on your feet!

What do you figure to do to Sam Bristol once you get there?

I'm going to buy and sell and finagle

Sam Bristol till he's ruined.

Till he's nothing!

Move out.

Go on, move out!

[gasping]

Gold has always been the chord of folks' foolishness.

Going way back, Christians used to get slaughtered for it.

Temples got gutted for it.

And graves got robbed for it.

Um-hm.

Now I got it.

[birds calling]

FESTUS: I figure it'll be about a mile from here.

Yeah, about a mile.

But it ain't none of our business.

Move on!

Now I told you about that once.

I don't want to tell you again.

I don't want you jabbing me with that there stick.

Now I mean it.

I mean it.

[suspenseful music playing]

This here's his horse, all right.

Rode pretty near to death.

Broke like.

Put him out of his misery.

Oh.

BEN SNOW: Festus.

If you're thinking of following them tracks.

Well, if you ain't a mind to, you can

go on to Tenstrike by yourself.

Go on!

Hold it or I'll kill you!

I'm not breaking direction for no scum-sucking outlaw!

All right, then.

Go ahead on.

Kill me!

Go on!

Then who's going to tote your rotten gold for you?

Now think about that.

You stinking whiskered hard tail!

If I didn't need you to tote, I'd shoot you in the back right

now!

You going to stand there squalling

till your old tongue gets so swole up it

chokes your wind off?

Or are you going to come with me?

Oh.

Look at that water.

I can't believe it.

It's a cinch nobody from Cottonwood

knows about this place.

No white man, probably.

Just the Indians use this desert.

Well, maybe it's an Indian who's

been trying to help Festus.

Been here a long time.

And alone.

Maybe he was an outcast from his tribe or something.

MATT DILLON: Well, at least we know Festus has

been here the last few days.

The only way out is that pass we just came through.

Well, maybe the Indian's trying to help him

find a way back to Cottonwood.

Yeah, maybe.

Except I don't think this was an Indian.

I think it was somebody living like an Indian,

either because he had to or wanted to.

Look at this pottery.

No Indian makes stuff as crude as that.

You know, they've been prospecting for gold here.

That's why he was making these.

Making these bags to hold it.

Look at that.

Bet that waterfall's got its share.

There's almost two hours of daylight left.

Are we going to go on?

MATT DILLON: No, Newly.

We've pushed the horses as hard as we can for one day.

We better rest some, get an early start in the morning.

At least we know Festus has water now,

so he might be all right.

[ominous music playing]

Get his gun, Festus, and throw it at me.

Why are you bothering?

He's dead or about to be.

Is he still living?

Just by a hair.

Well, what are you doing?

He's got to have some water or he's a gone gosling.

Well, what do you care?

He bushwhacked you, didn't he?

Left you to die?

He's going to live long enough to hang.

What difference does it make he dies out here or lives?

It makes a heap of difference to me!

Here.

Open your mouth.

You're fixing to take him with us.

How else is he going to hang?

You are the stubbornest human I've ever seen.

I bet your head bent that bullet.

He'll slow us down.

He'll cut into our water.

He stays here.

Ben, I took you to be a might smarter than that.

What do you mean?

Well, for just a little bit of water,

you got yourself another pack mule, don't you see?

That old leg of yours acting up like it is.

I figure that's a pretty fair price.

More sappy than a bunkhouse rat.

I got another pack mule.

But if you're fixed on him facing the noose,

he's going to share your half of the water.

[ominous music playing]

No, you ain't dead, but you're going to wish that you was.

Ha, ha, ha!

Seen you jump like you had a scorpion down his back.

Don't get your hopes up, Bushwhack.

You're in the same fix that he is.

Water.

Eh, just told your taters.

I'll get it for you.

[grunting and gasping]

If I was you, I'd plant him right now

without even a reason.

All right, all right.

You're going to have to get used to taking

one swallow at a time.

What's going on?

All right.

I'll tell you about that.

You and me's fixing to take this old fella to wherever

it is he wants to go.

And then you and me's going on to Cottonwood.

And this time I'm going to lead you up them steps.

And I'm going to stand there and watch

while you swing on a rope.

Got about as much chance as a rabbit between a dog's teeth.

[chuckling]

You better get your rest, you two, because we're starting

first thing in the morning.

Bushwhacker, roll over on your belly.

Put your hands behind your back.

Go on, roll!

Festus, tie him up.

[grunting]

Old man?

You'd save yourself a heap of grief

by handing over that gun right now.

Colder than a witch's kiss, ain't you?

Better get your sleep, both of you.

You'll need your strength.

Get back over to your place, Festus.

[ominous music playing]

[heavy breathing and grunting]

What are-- what are you carrying in these bags?

Rocks?

Just tote them.

What's in them is none of your business.

[music playing]

BEN SNOW: Ah, ah!

Your water's at the other end.

Come on.

FESTUS: Now hold it to one swallow.

That's it!

I told you just one swallow.

Besides that, you spilled some.

Your ration's getting low, Festus.

Before long you're going to be sorry you took him in.

Hey, old man.

Are you sure you know where you're going?

Another day's steady walking.

Four would be more like it.

Traveling day and night, we'll make it in one.

All right.

Let's move out before the shade spoils you.

Go on.

Well, get up, Bushwhack!

Up on your feet!

[music playing]

[panting]

Up on your feet!

I can't.

Festus, this one's made of butter.

He ain't nothing lest he's on the working end of a gun!

I'm finished.

Let me tell you something.

You better give both of us a good rest

or you're liable to wind up toting all this your own self.

All right.

You've got one of two choices.

Up on your feet, or you can stay here and collect ants.

Come on!

Tenstrike's awaiting.

Cold beer brimming with foam.

Saloon gals making a fuss.

And the look in Sam Bristol's eyes.

Up on your feet, you milk-fed, soft-bellied lap dog!

Uh! Uh!

Uh!

Get back!

Get back!

Get your knife off.

Not this way.

Easy.

Give me your knife.

Handle first!

Oh!

Get over there!

Get your head down.

Get your head down!

So that's water.

I nearly forgot what it tasted like.

Now I'm going to see what you had us packing, old man.

Get your head down. Get your head down!

Down!

Get your head down, I said!

It's gold.

It's gold!

Ha, ha, ha!

Who'd have guessed?

A crazy, mangy old fool like you.

It had gold!

Ha, ha, ha!

I was heading for Mexico.

My horse gave out.

I had nothing but the clothes on my back.

Now I'm going rich.

Rich!

I guess it's two days.

One canteen ought to do it.

What am I going to do with you two?

Hm?

Kill you?

[gunshot]

Oh, no.

Hey, old man.

You gave me a swallow.

I'm going to let you take a drink

before I bust the other jugs.

Ain't thirsty.

Ain't thirsty.

Last call.

How about you, Deputy?

Quit your badgering.

Bust them or leave them.

[gunshots]

Take your time dying.

BEN SNOW: Please, mister.

There's no gold in that bag.

It feels like gold.

Please.

They're just personal things.

No good to you.

GARD DIXON: Is that so?

Just things I collected.

Thingamajigs.

Ha, ha, ha, ha!

Thingamajigs.

[rattlesnake rattling]

BEN SNOW: Get him, Homer!

Bite him good!

Greed, boy!

Greed!

Greed is what got you bit!

Stealing from a crazy, mangy old man!

You learn hard, boy, hard.

And the wages of sin is dying.

Snakebite is nothing to what you deserve.

In a gold camp, you got your ears cut off, you got branded,

and you got hung.

Dixon, if you've got any sense, you'll lay still.

Get away from me!

BEN SNOW: Leave him alone, Festus.

Now you know how a sick coyote feels when he's

out of luck and friendless.

Uh. Uh.

BEN SNOW: That's it.

That's it.

Just keep thrashing around.

Get that blood to circulating so that snake

poison goes right to the brain.

I should have killed you!

[WEAKLY] I should have killed you.

Throw me the gun, Festus.

Sorry to cheat you out of your hanging.

When it comes to your gold, you-- you don't miss a trick,

do you?

Only reason I'm alive.

Let's move out.

I'm burying him.

You've already wasted water on him.

Now you're willing to waste sweat on him.

You're a fool.

That could be, but I told you I'm burying him.

Like it or not.

He's under.

Let's move out.

[music playing]

[grunting and panting]

I see it.

[horse neighing]

Whoa.

Dixon's.

I was right.

That was his horse back there.

I wonder how he died.

Looks like broken water bottles here.

Must have been some kind of struggle.

Maybe Dixon made a play for it and lost.

Yeah, those tracks are still weaving,

and they're cutting pretty deep, which

means we're probably right about what they're carrying too.

If they're in as bad of shape as those tracks indicate,

I wonder why Festus just doesn't leave

the gold instead of toting it.

Newly, I've known Festus a lot of years.

Never knew a man cared less for material things.

If he's still toting that gold, it's because somebody's

making him do it.

I tell you something else.

They've got to be low on water.

We don't catch up with them soon,

it's going to be too late.

[ominous music playing]

Festus!

Got to have water.

Just enough.

One more swallow apiece.

Sure is sneaky, Festus.

I didn't count on you for that.

It took me long enough.

The key.

What you going to do?

The onliest thing I can do.

Go on into Tenstrike.

Both of us?

Both of us.

Without the gold.

We can't get there toting that gold!

I ain't going back to Tenstrike without it!

Ben!

I'm talking about living or dying!

Gold stays, so do I!

You're a mighty man, Ben Snow.

But you ain't got sense enough to holler sooie

if the hogs is eating you up!

All right!

You and your gold stay here.

Stay here and die!

I don't give a hoot.

You stubborn old--

I'd rather die than be without it!

[music playing]

[sobbing]

Just don't say nothing.

Festus, bring me my cane.

[soft music playing]

Festus!

Festus!

There it is, Festus!

Just the way I recollect it!

I'm home.

[chuckling]

I'm home.

Ben, they ain't nothing down there.

[saloon music playing]

Come on, Festus.

Town's waiting and I'm buying!

[chuckling]

Ben.

BEN SNOW: Come on, Festus.

This is my town!

My town!

[SALOON MUSIC PLAYING AND CHATTER]

TOWNSMAN: Hey, folks, Ben Snow is in town.

Ben Snow is back.

Hey, there, Ben.

TOWNSMAN: Welcome back, Ben.

TOWNSMAN: Ben, it's good to see you.

How's your diggings?

You get anything?

TOWNSMAN: [inaudible], Ben?

TOWNSMAN: Looks like he's carrying a sack of gold.

TOWNSMAN: Ben Snow is in town.

Hey, folks, Ben Snow is back.

Ben Snow is back.

Ben Snow is back.

[silence]

[SALOON MUSIC PLAYING AND CHATTER]

TOWNSMAN: Welcome back, Ben!

[SALOON MUSIC PLAYING AND CHATTER]

[silence]

[dreamlike music playing]

[SALOON MUSIC PLAYING AND CHATTER]

Welcome home.

I'm back!

[silence]

[grunting]

[SALOON MUSIC PLAYING AND CHATTER]

TOWNSMAN: Ben, it's good to see you!

Drinks are on Ben Snow!

TOWNSMAN: Drinks are on Ben Snow.

Set them up for Ben Snow.

TOWNSMAN: I'll drink to that, Ben.

TOWNSMAN: Here you are, boys.

Drink to [inaudible].

Belly up to the bar, boys.

Whisky for the house!

Ben Snow is back, and he's rich!

Where's the proprietor?

Where's the proprietor?

Where's that bushwhacking cur?

Where is Sam Bristol?

[laughter]

Is he hiding from me?

[silence]

[SALOON MUSIC PLAYING AND CHATTER]

Tell him that Ben Snow is back.

[SALOON MUSIC PLAYING AND CHATTER]

[silence]

[whimpering]

Festus.

Festus!

He's hiding from me!

Ben.

He ain't here.

There ain't nobody here, can't you see?

The town's empty.

Sam Bristol.

I'm going to break you, Sam Bristol.

I come home to finish it.

Sam Bristol!

Sam Bristol!

Sam Bristol!

Where are you, Sam?

He's got to be here.

He's got to be here.

Sam Bristol, where are you?

[ominous music playing]

Bristol.

He's dead.

Bristol.

Dead.

When?

'59.

'59?

This year's 1873.

You've been out yonder in the desert for all these years,

hating a dead man.

Help me, Festus.

Help.

Help me.

I'm going looking for some water.

It's green around here.

There's got to be water someplace.

He-- You're dead.

I come all this way for just one reason, and now you're dead!

All this gold.

Look at it!

Look at it.

Look at it!

And now there's no reason for it.

It don't mean nothing!

Nothing!

Nothing, nothing, nothing!

Nothing!

Gold don't mean nothing.

[sobbing]

[panting]

[horse neighing]

Newly!

Festus.

Festus.

Matthew?

Easy, Festus.

Hear me?

Ben.

Is that the man what was with you?

Ben Snow.

Ben Snow!

Ben!

Festus, there's nobody here.

Easy now, easy. That's enough.

That's enough.

I got to help him, Matt.

Please.

Ben.

Please, Matthew, I've got to help him.

There's nobody here, Festus.

I got to help him, please.

Ben, I got you some water.

Ben?

Oh, Ben.

[soft music playing]

NARRATOR: Stay tuned for exciting scenes

from our next "Gunsmoke."

[theme music]