Original subtitles

-Starring James Arness as Matt Dillon.

[ Birds crying ]

♪

[ Horse snorts ]

-Laziest critters on the earth.

Only meal they take supplied by others.

Need misery to feed on.

-Sort of like a bounty hunter.

-Nothing lazy about my job, Downing.

Mighty hard work.

Well, that last remark, you'll do without water for the day.

-All right, Newly, here you be.

A better shoeing job than that couldn't have been did

by old Hank hisself.

That'll be $2.50.

-$2.50?

-I ain't gonna charge you a penny more.

That's it. -Well, now, wait a minute.

Hank charges $0.50 a shoe. That's $2.00.

My horse has four legs, Festus, not five.

-Just hold on, now, Newly.

Two days of stabling this here horse,

well, that comes to an extra $0.50 right there.

-Well, it's not my fault it took you two days to shoe him.

-All right. All right.

Go on, blabber.

Poor, ol' Hank, him laying up yonder sick in bed.

And here you are a-hagglin' over a few measly pennies. You --

-All right.

All right.

$2.50. Thank you.

-Much obliged.

And if you're gonna be wearing that badge,

you ought to polish it up.

[ Scoffs ]

♪

-Shoe loose.

Got a lot of hard riding to do.

Best check shoes on both horses.

-Get to it first thing in the morning.

-You'll get to it first thing right now.

-Whoa, now.

You ain't just too flush with common manners, are you?

-Sorry, friend.

Uh, I've been a bit on edge bringing this killer south.

I want to get across that south waste in the cool of the night.

-I'll get started when I can.

No, no.

Just pay for what you get when you get it.

Uh, ol' Doc, he's went out of town.

He'd ought to be back directly.

-[ Chuckles ]

No sense wasting doctoring on him where he's heading.

Move.

[ Rumble ]

-Look out!

[ Crash ]

[ Groans ]

I'll tell you...

-[ Exhales ]

-[ Sighs ] I sure am beholden to you,

even though you did ruin a fairly good hat.

[ Spectators murmuring ]

[ Sighs ]

-Well, you're -- you're a pretty piece, anyway.

-I sure would like to buy you a drink.

-Well, I sure would like to take you up on that.

-Downing!

You'd be drinking with a murderer, ma'am.

You know, it's coming down to what'd give me more pleasure.

Taking you in for burying,

or watching Bob Mathison put that noose around your neck.

And, boy, I am close to denying Bob the pleasure in hanging you.

-You all right, Miss Kitty?

-Yeah. I think so.

♪

♪

-I told that Burke 101 times

not to load them great wagons so high.

And ol' Don Happy.

He ought to know better than that hisself.

You sure you're all right, Miss Kitty?

-Festus, that boy.

-Yessum, I seen him.

-Yeah, it's like, getting kicked in the belly

knowing that he's gonna hang

on the same breath that he saved your life.

-They're gonna hang him?

-That -- that man said he was taking him to Mathison County.

To hang, he said.

-Well, I think I can stand a drink.

-A cold beer would go good right now.

-You think I'm wasting a nickel on your comforts?

-I'm making you a rich man.

The least you could do is buy me a drink!

-You're gonna stay out here with the horses.

If you get thirsty, you can do the same as them,

drink out of the trough.

-Hold it!

-Mister, you come closer to dying

than that prisoner of yours.

-This is one prisoner that ain't likely

to reach Mathison County.

-Mathison County's in Missouri.

You got a poster on this man?

-I'm a bounty hunter. -I know what you are.

I asked you if you had a poster on him.

$5,000.

Mathison must want him pretty bad.

-Real bad.

Tell him about it, boy.

[ Chuckles ] He don't want to talk on it.

Now, if you're aiming to take a bullet instead of a hanging,

I'm gonna oblige you without too much coaxing.

-You're carrying a bullet in that leg?

-Naw, I was lucky. Passed right on through.

-When'd it happen? -Yesterday on the trail.

Tried to escape.

-If that wound isn't tended to,

infection's gonna set in real fast.

Now, you got rights in this town.

Have the wound treated,

put you up at the jail, and have you fed properly.

-Uh, Deputy, if it's all right by you,

after six days on a trail,

a saloon sounds better than a jail.

-Well, I figure you earned it,

but you're not leaving town till that wound is treated.

-Well, now, look, Deputy,

I'm not hanging around here waiting for no doc.

-I said you're not leaving town till that wound is treated.

-They ain't fixin' to leave no way, Newly,

till I get done shoeing their horses for them.

Now, Doc -- he's out at the Owens' place.

If you want me to, I'll go fetch him.

-Appreciate it, Festus.

-Sure glad it wasn't no worse than it was, Miss Kitty.

-Thank you.

♪

-When does Matt get back, Newly?

-He said he'd be back tonight,

and I hope those two are here when he does.

-I hope so, too. -Miss Kitty, that bounty hunter

gives his prisoner any unnecessary trouble,

you tell me.

-High four. Big ace.

Pair of queens. -No.

-What are you doing?

-Five.

-I'll see it.

-There she goes.

-You're high.

-He'll be all right.

-Warhorse.

-Pair of aces. Pair of both.

-Could you leave the bottle, Sam?

-Not feeling good, Sam.

Kind of put on today, you know what I mean?

-Yeah, that's right. No help for anybody.

-Jack, seven over. You're high.

Hey, you all right?

-That whole card matching your pair again?

-Why don't you find out?

-[ Groans ]

-Well... -Wait a minute.

-What do you mean, "Wait a minute"?

-The whole card.

-Oh no, no. You don't pay, you don't see.

-This ain't much a friendly game.

-It was until you invited yourself in.

[ Cards shuffling ]

[ Footsteps ]

-You sure look more relaxed

than the last time I seen you, ma'am.

-[ Chuckles ]

Can I get you something?

-A good-luck charm.

-Seriously?

-A beer would go good.

-Coming right up.

-Let's make that five.

-Stay away from that kid.

-What's the matter with him? He got something catching?

-Animals generally do.

What he is, an animal.

-The only animal I've noticed around here is you.

-You bet.

-Let me have a beer for the boy, Sam.

-And jack. Now, let's go.

-Miss Kitty, there's something that keeps coming up in my mind.

I just can't understand why someone

who's supposed to be a cold-blooded killer

would risk his life to save a total stranger.

-Yeah, well, he sure wasn't thinking of his own skin,

was he?

You know what bothers me even more is where he's wanted,

Mathison County.

-Well, Bob Mathison

still calls the tune down that end of Missouri.

-You remember when I went through there about, oh,

three years ago?

Well, I didn't think it was possible anymore

for anybody to be tried and hanged within one hour.

But from the time it took me to get from one stagecoach

to the other one, that's exactly what happened.

[ Clicks tongue ]

-Seven, black.

-Eight.

[ Coins clanking ]

-You mind telling me about it?

-[ Sighs ]

I'd as soon not.

-It's, um, it's not just curiosity.

-There's a deuce. -I'd like to help you.

-Why?

-Well, you risked your life to save mine.

-So? I'm partial to pretty women.

-You talk pretty easy.

You got anything going for you at your trial?

-The trial's over and done with. I wasn't even around to see it.

I was, uh -- What's the word?

Absentia, I was absentia.

You know Bob Mathison?

-[ Scoffs ] I know of him.

-Well, then, you got all the answers right there.

-How come every time either you two deal

I get shaded out every time?

-Well, that's about it for me, anyway.

-Hey! You got over $200 of my money.

-You're cleaned anyway. -I still got...

-You got what?

Haven't got enough to bet one card.

-There's $5,000 sitting right over there.

-You're saying there's $5,000 bounty on that kid?

[ Paper rustling ]

-It says so right here.

-Well, that kind of money, I don't want.

-Well, it's money, ain't it?

-I'll give you a credit on your bounty...

...if you don't mind playing against the house.

-The house?

-Me.

♪

Sam, bring in a fresh deck.

-Miss Kitty.

-Thank you.

Why don't you sit down and name your stakes?

-How much credit you give me?

-You've got $5,000. I'll give you $5,000.

-I thank you for the trust.

-I wouldn't trust you three cents worth

if he wasn't sitting there.

Sam, bring in the chips, please.

-Yes, ma'am.

[ Cards shuffling ]

♪

[ Deck thuds ]

-200.

-Thank you, Sue. Much obliged to you.

-Cards?

-Two.

-I'll take three.

Your bet.

-500.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

-500.

And 500 more.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

-That whiskey ain't gonna help you

see them cards any better, Jarvis.

-You, shut up!

-Your bet.

-Eh, you can't be having that kind of luck all night.

Lady, I'm betting you're playing a bluff hand.

-Then bet.

-I'll see your 500, and raise you 500 more.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

-I'll call.

-Sixes, four of them.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

-Tens, four of them.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

-Those are the luckiest house cards I've ever run across.

Either that, or you got a special way of dealing them.

-If you mean cheating, then why don't you just say it?

You're out $4,000, Mr. Jarvis.

You got $1,000 left in your prisoner.

Put the keys to those irons and the poster on the table.

Well, sit down, or cough up $4,000.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

I'll make you a sporting proposition, Mr. Jarvis.

High card.

$4,000 you owe me

against the $1,000 you got left in your prisoner.

If I win, he becomes my property.

[ Cards shuffling ]

-What are you gonna do with him?

-It's none of your business.

-Except, and I want a new deck, and I deal.

High card?

One turn?

You're some woman, I'm beginning to think.

-Spare me that, please.

Don't I get to cut?

As the saying goes, bury yourself.

Have a good trip.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Laughter ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Gentlemen, ladies, drinks are on me.

[ Laughter, exclamations ]

-Well, you're -- you're the prettiest bounty hunter

I ever seen.

-[ Chuckles ]

[ Piano music playing ]

-Want a drink?

-Uh, ma'am, what you -- what you gonna do with me?

-Well, I thought I'd try to get you as comfortable as possible

and have Doc take a look at that leg.

Sue, would you mind going up and fixing a room for him?

Thank you.

-I'm much obliged to you about my leg, but, uh,

I didn't mean about my leg.

I meant what you gonna do with me?

-Well, I'm gonna wait until the marshal gets back to town,

and we'll see that you get a fair shake.

-You know Bob Mathison ain't gonna wait for no marshal.

He's gonna breathe fire.

He'll -- he'll take this town apart to get to me.

-I'll worry about Bob Mathison when the time comes.

I'll get your drink.

-[ Sighs ]

-Miss Kitty,

I know it's been a spell since you handled a deck of cards,

but you can sure still haze them.

-Sam.

-Well, you were dealing cards out the bottom of that deck

smoother than any tinhorn I've ever seen.

-He dealt the last hand, remember?

-Well, that last deck was an ace shy,

and it was up your sleeve.

-You've got eyes like an owl in the night.

-Miss Kitty, I'd like to buy youa drink.

-[ Chuckles ]

-[ Chuckles ]

[ Thunder crashes ]

-It's a mighty good thing you sent Festus for me when you did.

In a couple hours, I might have had to take that leg off.

I want you to stay off of it.

-[ Sighs ]

I don't think you need to fret about me much, Doc.

I don't think I can move one leg after another right now.

-Matt, you know very well what Mathison County is.

Bob Mathison even appoints his own judges.

-Well, Kitty, the only thing I can tell you is, as soon

as the boy is able to be moved, I'm gonna have to lock him up.

-[ Sighs ]

What if Bob Mathison shows up? And you know he's gonna.

-If he shows up with the law,

and he can prove that the boy is guilty of murder,

I'm gonna have to turn him over.

-Well, I just can't believe that boy killed anybody.

-Yeah, but can you prove it?

-No, it's just a hunch. -You know,

it would help matters if you can get the boy to talk.

-Tell you what, Matt.

Why don't you let me play my hunch through?

Let me talk to him and see what I can find out.

Let me find out if that trial in Mathison County

was really on the level.

-All right. You've got until Mathison shows up,

or the boy's able to be moved. -All right.

-You know, Kitty, there is one other thing.

There's a judge, lives up in Lone Butte, name of Moore.

Now, if I can get out of here tonight and ride up there,

I could talk to him in the morning.

The only chance this boy has got is if the judge

will grant him a new trial outside of Mathison County.

-Well, I can't see how Steven Downing could ask

for anything more than that.

-I'll give it a try, Kitty.

-Matt?

Thanks.

-See you later.

[ Thunder crashes ]

-[ Breathing heavily ]

The doctor wasn't -- wasn't fooling around, was he?

-He sure wasn't.

-Thank you, ma'am.

You mind telling me why you and the marshal

are doing all this?

-You saved my life.

-I know -- I know I saved your life.

-I'm playing a hunch. The marshal's backing my play.

-I just -- I just ain't too sure I'd be all that trusting.

-I promised the marshal you'd be behind locked doors.

-That's all right, ma'am. I understand.

-Night.

-Night.

[ Thunder crashes ]

[ Door locks ]

-Well, I would have thought you would have left town by now.

-Been down to the telegraph office.

Got Bob's answer.

-Answer?

-Right after that poker game, I wired him.

He's on his way here with the Mathison County Sheriff

and a few of his men.

And they're bringing with them a death warrant,

which means they can hang that killer trash

wherever they want and anytime the feeling hits him.

♪

-Miss Kitty.

-Newly.

I just talked to that bounty hunter.

He said Bob Mathison is on his way here with a lawman

and he's carrying a death warrant.

Could you keep Steven here until Matt gets back?

-Well, Miss Kitty, if Mathison has a lawman with him,

and he's carrying a warrant, I'm gonna have to turn him over.

I'm sorry.

[ Clatter ]

-Now, don't you start yelling, Miss Russell.

-I'm not the yelling type.

-Where -- where do you keep the money?

-Why do you want to add burglary

to everything else you've got against you?

-Add to murder, Miss Russell.

I got only one neck.

-I'm sure you're not gonna break my arm,

so why don't you just let go of it?

-I need money, and I need a horse.

And I'm willing to break more than your arm to get it, too!

-Why don't you give it to me straight?

You owe me the truth.

Bob Mathison is coming to this town personally to see you hang.

Why?

-I killed his wife.

-When I go out on a limb,

I sure pick a long one.

-We're talking about money, Miss Russell.

-Youwere. -Miss Russell.

-Go ahead. You've killed one woman.

Killing another one shouldn't bother your conscience.

-You're calling it right, now!

-Well, go ahead.

[ Banging ]

-Ugh!

-Steven, you're no killer.

You're in no condition to ride anywhere.

Why don't you tell me about it?

-I killed Bob Mathison's wife.

That's -- that's enough for anybody to tell any--

Now, just don't pry, Miss Russell.

Just leave me alone, now.

-Well, I'm just trying to put together a picture

of you killing anyone.

-I hit her.

She fell up against some rocks

and, uh, she must have hit her head.

-Why'd you hit her?

-Just hitting her with a riding whip.

She lived just long enough to tell him it was me.

And she had to go on and say she was fighting me off.

-Well, was she? Was she telling the truth?

-[ Chuckles ] Miss Russell, you always this tough?

Well, I'll tell you the truth.

I, uh -- I don't believe Tess ever fought any man.

But it comes to me, I don't, uh,

like to mess with another man's woman.

I just don't have no stomach for it.

And that's what I told her!

It's bad business. I told her that.

And then she starts yelling

at me and hitting me with that riding whip.

And I -- I just struck out at her.

I hit her...

harder than I intended.

So I just...got on my horse and rode.

[ Chuckles ]

-Why didn't you stay and tell the truth?

-[ Exhales sharply ]

-How you gonna tell a man a thing like that?

How's he gonna face up to it?

A prideful man like Bob Mathison,

he don't want to know it.

He don't want to know

if his hat's turned 'round backwards on him.

How you gonna let him know a thing like that?

How's he gonna fix that?

[ Sighs ]

Well, you gonna pour me another drink?

I have to tell my life's story here.

[ Sighs ]

-I don't want you to give up hope.

Matt'll be back in town tomorrow,

and he just might have some good news about a new trial

outside of Mathison County.

-[ Sighs ]

Miss Russell, it comes to a certain point

and a certain time, you don't go hoping for, uh,

your troubles to turn out like a storybook ending.

Now, I'm not saying I'm giving up.

I'm just facing facts as they are.

I heard what that bounty man said.

They're coming in with their own rope,

and I'm gonna end up doing a jig off the end of it.

[ Sighs ]

I guess I'm just a little scared, that's all.

♪

[ Exhales sharply ]

-Steven, you stay put.

I'll be right back.

-Miss Kitty.

What are you doing out this time of night?

-Festus, I need some help. -You betcha.

All you got to do is ask.

-Could you hide my prisoner here in the back room?

Nobody would think of looking for him here,

and you're here all day.

And if they did come after him, you'd know that.

Bob Mathison is on his way here

with one of his own private sheriffs and some of his boys.

And they got a death warrant out for him.

-Death warrant?

-That means that Newly would have to turn Steve over to them.

-I'll do it, Miss Kitty.

-Thank you, Festus.

Bring the wagon, and meet me down at the Long Ranch.

-Yessum.

-Thank you.

♪

[ Door closes ]

[ Spurs rattling ]

-Easy, easy. Easy does it.

That's right.

♪

Well, I don't reckon you're in no shape to care

that Mathison's riding into town.

I just wished ol' Matthew was here, that's all.

[ Horse snorts ]

-Come on, now. Come on.

All right. Whoa, now.

Whoa.

-Doc?

Oh codger gonna be all right, do you think?

-Yeah, if we can keep him from falling out of his hay loft,

he will be, I guess.

How's Downing?

-He's kind of peeky, Doc.

I moved him over to the stable. -Stable?

-Miss Kitty thought it'd be safer over there.

-Why? -'Cause Mathison's in town.

I think you'd ought to take a look at him, Doc.

You'll need this here to get in.

-Well, I'm gonna have to go up to Bob's

and get some more bandages now.

Would take care of my rig for me?

-You betcha.

Doc, they sure are looking for him, too.

Mathison's got a death warrant.

Giddyup.

-Whiskey for my men.

You're Miss Russell?

-That's right.

-I understand I owe you $5,000.

-You do?

-I'm Bob Mathison.

[ Chuckles ]

Would you care to count it?

-Well, I'm sure you wouldn't ride all this way

to cheat somebody.

-He at the jail?

-Mnh-mnh.

No sale.

-I told you you'd be running into trouble.

-Why don't you keep that lip of yours shut?

You're gonna have enough trouble for gambling with that kid.

I'm willing to listen.

-I'll turn my prisoner over to the proper authorities

when the marshal gets back.

-I brought the proper authority along.

Saved you the trouble of a trip.

Sheriff Ryan here is carrying a death warrant

that closes the case completely.

-I'll still wait for the marshal's opinion.

-I understand you have a feeling of obligation

towards young Downing.

I appreciate those feelings, but they're misplaced.

He'll hang.

There isn't a thing you can do to prevent it.

What is it you want?

-Mr. Mathison, I'm new at this bounty game.

Aside from the reward,

I think a little consideration

ought to be given to, um, justice.

-My wife is dead.

I am deeply concerned about justice.

When you harbor a wanted man,

you leave yourself open for grief.

Fred!

-You stay away from there.

If you have any intentions of, um, searching my place,

I don't think the marshal's deputy's

gonna like that too much.

-Deputy, that badge on your shirt

says it's your duty to turn young Downing over to us.

-Except I don't know where he is.

-[ Chuckles ]

Seems to me that half this town knows where that kid is,

which puts you all outside the law, especially you.

-Mathison County law.

-Bob!

-Hi.

-Town doc.

I'm betting where he's going, you'll find Downing.

Cagey.

-Come on!

-No, no, no. Just take a little off the top.

And don't scalp me, either, like you did last time.

I almost caught my death of cold.

-Now, how come a doctor can catch cold

with all the medicines he's got?

-Oh, it ain't easy.

That proves my point. Just--

-Excuse me, sir. -Yes, sir?

-Are you the doctor in this town?

-Yes. What can I do for you?

-Well, I'd like to ask, if I may,

where you're headed with that medical bag.

-Well, I don't think that's any of your concern.

-Uh, are you taking care of a young man named Steve Downing?

-At the risk of being repetitious,

I don't think that's any of your business, either.

-Maybe we can change your mind about that.

-Are you gonna cut my hair,

or you gonna just stand there all day?

-That kid is holed up here in this town.

And there's plenty knowing about it, like you said.

-Folks! Would you good people come here a moment, please?

Here's $5,000.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

There's certain people in this town

that have been hiding a fugitive from justice -- a murderer.

Now, he's been tried... -Hold on a minute.

-...and convicted.

And yet, people in this town, including the law,

are harboring him, a woman killer.

Steven Downing murdered my wife in cold blood.

[ Crowd murmuring ]

And I'm offering $5,000 for any information

leading to the apprehension of Steven Downing.

This offer stands until 2:00 this afternoon.

I can be found at the hotel.

[ Murmuring continues ]

That'll flush our bird from cover.

Human nature is always dependable.

♪

-Mathison.

-Get up, Steve.

-There might -- might be a problem

with me riding all the way to Missouri.

-No problem, Steve.

You're gonna hang right here in Dodge.

Take him!

-Mathison, listen to me, now!

You know why Tess is dead?

'Cause I turned her down.

Probably the only man in Mathison County that ever did.

A-And don't tell me you don't want to know about it

'cause -- just 'cause you don't want to know.

Because your men do. Everybody else does!

Ask your men here!

Ask Colby!

Colby! Tell him, Colby!

Now is the time to talk about it, Colby!

Now, when a man's life is at stake!

Now, tell them!

[ Scoffs ]

I -- I don't suppose you could open your mouth

and tell him I'm a liar, can you?

Can you?

Mathison, how you gonna face up to these men?

You ain't gonna shut it out by hanging me, Mathison!

If you do that, you're gonna have to hang

near every man in Mathison County!

-Miss Kitty!

Oh, Miss -- Miss Kitty!

They're gonna hang that boy!

♪

-Hold it! Just hold on there!

There's not gonna be any lynching.

-Lynching?

We're within the law.

-Just seeing that justice is done, Deputy.

-Let him swing.

-Mathison!

This is a court order.

Now, Downing's getting a new trial outside of your county.

Turn him loose.

♪

-Hang.

Hang.

[ Shouting indistinctly ]

[ Gunshot ]

Whoa!

-Newly, get a couple men to help him get him off his ass.

There you go.

-Thank you.

[ Grunts ]

I'm -- I'm much obliged to you.

Ma'am.

[ Exhales ]

Cold beer would go good right now.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

-Well, because that's the way it is, Newly.

That's just -- you hold them up by the heels

and spank them on their little bottoms.

And they start to bawl, and that's all there is to it.

It's not complicated.

-Doc, all I'm asking is,

what did people do before they had doctors around

to spank them and get them started on their way?

-Well, Newly, that's one

of the silliest questions I've ever heard.

You -- I'd expect something like that from him,

but you ought to be able to figure that out for yourself.

-How do you do, Miss Kitty?

This here's for you, Matthew.

-Why don't you just go ahead and tell him what's in it?

I bet you know.

-All right, smarty-britches.

It just so happens that Barney didtell me what's in that.

Uh, Miss Kitty, that Steven feller got hisself set free.

-That's about the size of it.

Well, Kitty, it looks like your hunch really paid off.

-Yeah, well, I'm glad.

Although I got to admit,

I'd just as soon not have any more bounty prisoners

coming through Dodge anytime soon.

It's a bit wearing on the nerves.

-Doc, you never answered my question.

-Well, I -- Talk about wearing on the nerves.

I did too answer the question!

But I'll -- I'll do it one more time for you, slow.

You pick a little baby up by the heels,

and you just give nature a little help, that's all.

You spank them, and they start to cry.

And that gets them started off.

And that's all there is to it. -Whoa.

Doc, ain't that acting kind of raunchy?

-Raunchy?

-Well, I mean a great, big, ol' man

a-pickin' on a little baby that-a-way.

After they get to be a year or two old,

then a feller can heist them off the woodshed

and just thump the daylights out of them.

But picking on a little baby that-a-way, it...

-You know,

this day was starting off just fine -- just fine!

And I'm gonna keep it that way.

-Well, here's mud in your eyeball.

-[ Chuckles ]

-Stay tuned for scenes from next week's "Gunsmoke."