03x26 - Dangerous Road

[bunniefuu]

[ People Chattering ]

Beer.

Thanks.

Another.

Don't move.

What's this all about?

You're worth $500,
dead or alive.

It's up to you how I get it.

I don't know
what you're talking about.

You're Bob Coulter.
You're wanted for m*rder.

I've got a description of you
in the office.

Let's go.

Wait. I haven't eaten
in two days.

I bought a beer.
I got a right to a sandwich.

All right, go ahead.

What do you say?Howdy.

Coffee warm?Help yourself.

Uh, Randy said
you wanted to see me.Yeah, that's right.

I didn't do it.[ Chuckles ]

I got a fella
in jail back there who's
wanted in Coulter Junction.

Coul-- An old friend of mine's
the sheriff there. Sam Dolan.

Yeah, I know.
I've heard you talk about him.

Oh, sure. Why, old Sam was
like a second father to me
back in the old days.

How'd you like
to see him again?

What, is Sam in town?

No, but I thought maybe you'd
like to go to Coulter Junction
on official business.

What kind of business?

Oh. It wouldn't have anything
to do with taking your prisoner
back there, would it?

See,
Sheriff Brannan's sick in bed,
so I can't leave town.

I thought as long as I had
to send somebody else
down there,

and you and Dolan
being good friends--

Well, I'd have
to ask the judge
if he could spare me.

I already did.

He can. Can you raise
your right hand, please?What for?

I gotta deputize you.Dep--

Do you swear to uphold the laws
of the territory of Wyoming
to the best of your ability?

Well, yo.Good. Put this on.

You can leave
as soon as you get ready.

Uh, what I wanted to ask you is,
what's he wanted for?

m*rder.

Oh.

You wouldn't have any,
uh, crooked gamblers
or petty thieves that, uh--

Don't worry.
He's not very tough.

You said he's wanted for m*rder.

The victim was a woman.

Seems like
you could at least
turn me loose to eat.

I like it better this way.

I came this far without
giving you trouble,
didn't I?

Yeah, but you're
getting close to home.

You might start thinking
what'll happen when
you get there and spook on me.

I wouldn't do that.

That's what you did
the first time, isn't it--
got scared and ran?

That's what you told me.

Doesn't matter.

I'm not hungry anyway.

I don't see how I could have
done a thing like that.

I'd have sworn--

Said you were drunk,
didn't ya?
Yes, but--

Well, a man
gets liquored up enough,
most anything can happen.

But I was in love
with her.

I was trying to get up
enough courage to tell my father
we were gonna get married.

That's what the argument
was about.

Look, you'd better not
tell me any more.

They ask me what you said,
I'll have to tell 'em.

I'm not trying to deny anything.Maybe you will
after you see a lawyer.

How can I deny something
when I don't even know
what happened?

All I can remember
after we left the dance
is that we got in an argument...

over when I was gonna
tell my father.

Kept sayin' I was stallin'.

Finally she started
hittin' at me.

Then I remember
tryin' to grab her
to try to quiet her down.

Well, then I must have
passed out.

I'll never forget it if I--
if I live to be a thousand--

waking up and seeing her kinda
slouched over in the buggy.

At first, I thought
she was asleep.

But she was dead.

That's a laugh, huh?

Me sayin'
"If I live to be a thousand."

- Think they'll hang me?
- That's not for me to say.

You bein' a lawman,
you got some idea.

I'm not a lawman.
I was just deputized
to take you back there.

Besides, it's hard to say
what a jury'll do
or a judge'll decide.

Take a guess.

Well, if you didn't
mean to k*ll her--
and they believe you didn't--

chances are
they won't hang you.

Be a long time in jail
though.

This your father's range?

Yeah.

I expect the best part
of Coulter County is,
uh, Coulter's range.

Must be a right smart
piece of land.

Did he put it
all together himself?

He and my mother came into
this valley with a buckboard,
two mules and a milk cow.

You stick around, you'll
hear that story more times
than you care to listen.

- Still a piece of work
a man can be proud of.
- Oh, he's proud.

If my old man's nothing else
under the sun, he's proud.

Those your father's men?

Yeah.

[ Horse Whinnies ]

[ Blusters ]

Run off
like a dirty coward.

Brought back handcuffed.

I never thought
I'd live to see it--

a son of mine.

Did you k*ll her, boy?

Speak up now!

She was dead.
It had to be me.

Were you drunk?

I had nearly a quart
of Fat Mike's whiskey
that night.

Quart of that stuff would
make a stone horse go crazy.

Why'd you run?I don't know.

When I came to
and found she was dead,
I-- I cut and run.

Time I stopped
to think about it,

I was too far away to do
anything else but keep on goin'.

You couldn't have done worse
by yourself, or by me, if you'd
planned it a whole year.

You know that?

Yeah, I-- I know now.

What's your name?

Trampas.

Glad to know you,
Trampas.

You know who I am--
Bob Coulter, the boy's father.

Trampas, you know
how I stand around here?

No.

People say that my word
is as good as a signed paper.

You believe that?I have no reason
to doubt it.

What do you think
of what this boy of mine did?

Well, from what
I know about it,

bad for him,
worse for the girl.

It was an accident, wasn't it,
her getting k*lled?

An out-and-out accident.

It's not for me to say.

It was an accident.

And when Judge Porter gets
to town, he's gonna agree
it was an accident.

He'll let the boy loose
on bail.

Well, that may be.

It willbe.

I know the judge well.

He's a fair man.

Now, I'm gonna ask you
to turn the boy over to me now.

I can't do that.

I give you my word
I'll fetch him into town...

so he'll be there
when the judge gets there.

My orders are to deliver him
at the jail at Coulter Junction.

The girl's people
feel strong about this.

They want a hanging.

I'm not surprised.

That jail in town
wouldn't be hard to take apart.

Her people
could do it in 10 minutes.

I imagine they'll have to
k*ll a few lawmen doin' it.

We can take that boy
if we want him.Back out of this, Jim.

You're saying no.
Is that it?

That's it.

That badge
is keeping you alive, boy.

Badge or no badge--

if anything happens to my son,

I'll hunt you down
and see you dead for it.

All right, Bob,
let's go.

Koski.

Get down, Bob.

Sheriff Sam Dolan here?

I'm a deputy from Medicine Bow.
I brought Sam a prisoner.

Jack Fenton.

This is his g*n.

Wallet, knife,
watch, money.

So, the bad penny
comes home, huh?

Give you any trouble?

No. No trouble at all.

Come on, Bob.

In here.

I'll get word to your father
you're here.He already knows.

[ Exhales ] If you want
anything within reason,
I'll try to get it for you.

For me or for Big Bob?

I don't know
if it means anything,

but a couple men over there
at that freight office
looked mighty unfriendly...

as we rode into town.

Girl's father runs it.

Where's Sam?You knew him?

Well, sure, I--

- What do you mean "knew"?
- Sam's dead.

[ Bag Thuds On Desk ]

We buried him
three days ago.

How'd he die?

His horse threw him.

A horse k*lled Sam Dolan?

Well, this wasn't exactly
a cow pony.

Smoke's a big stallion
with a k*ller streak.

He's kinda laid back,
gentle as a rocking chair,
till he lulls you half asleep.

Then it's too late.

Sad thing is most people around
here told him that stallion
would get him sooner or later.

How'd it happen?

As near
as we can figure it,

Sam's foot must have
hung up in that stirrup
when the horse threw him.

That stallion
drug him quite a ways.

- How's Kitty?
- You know her?

I used to, uh, six, seven,
eight years ago.

She's holding up fine.

Who's taking care
of her now?

Well, I've been around
to do what's needed.

Kitty and I have had
kind of an understanding
for quite some time.

I expect we'll be
getting married
before too long.

I see.

If you want to see her,
she's at the house.

It's two blocks down,
one block across.

Place with
a little white picket fence.Okay, thanks.

Where is he?

If you mean Young Bob,
he's locked in his cell.

Bring him out here.
I wanna see him. I wanna see
if he can look me in the eye.

You'll see him in court,
Mr. Koski.

If you won't bring him out here,
then take me where he is.

Unlock this.

I told you
you'll see him in court.

Girl k*ller!
You're in there!

You hear me!

I make you this promise!

If the court doesn't
put a rope around your neck,
then Clint Koski will do it!

And all your father's money
and all your father's men
won't stop me!

Uh, look, mister, uh--

Who is this?His name's Trampas.

He's a deputy from Medicine Bow.
Brought Young Bob in.

Then I owe you the reward.

$500 for my daughter's k*ller.

That's what I promised to pay,
and Clint Koski always
keeps his promises.

- He put up the reward?
- Take it.

I didn't make the arrest.
Send it to Emmett Ryker
in Medicine Bow.

- That is, if he's guilty.
- He's guilty.

Well, the court
hasn't said so.
Not yet.

The court doesn't have to.
Isay so.

Mr. Koski,
I understand how you feel.

No, you don't
understand.

And you heard me.

Either the law kills him,
or I do.

[ Exhales ] [ Door Closes ]

I believe he meant
what he said.

He gets the bit
in his mouth,
he can be tough.

They all can.
Those freighters
are tough.

Who's that big one?
The one with the whip.

That's Hans Wollsack.

When the old man's drivers
give him any trouble
he can't handle,

he sends Hans
to have a talk with 'em.

They quiet right down.Looks big enough to quiet
a herd of buffalo.

Well, good luck.

[ Whip Cracks ][ Horse Whinnies ]

[ Whip Cracks ]

Trampas?Hello, Kitty.

Well, where in the world
did you come from?

Well, I just
got in town.Come in, come in.

Trampas, I'm so glad
to see you.

Dad and I talked about you
so often.

I'll miss him.
There weren't enough
like him to go around.

Hey. Hey, now.
Sam wouldn't like that,
would he?

No.

Another thing
he wouldn't like--

I haven't poured you a drink
from the bottle he kept
for special friends.

Well, now, I could say
it's too early in the day,

but, uh, I won't.

Well.

To time, Kitty.

It heals all wounds.

I hope so.

You know, Kitty, uh,

Sam and I talked about death
a time or two,

and he always said
he wanted it to be quick.

He-He didn't want
to linger around
sick and helpless.

And he didn't want
any sad songs
or tears either.

I'm trying, Trampas.

[ Sobbing ]
I really am.I know, Kitty, I know.

It's just that it's
so hard to realize--

Well, now,
there's been some changes
while I wasn't lookin'.

Last time I saw you,
you were all skinned knees
and pigtails.

Bad as that?

Oh, who said bad?

A little leggy,
but the promise was there.

You've come on real fine.
Prettier'n a little
red wagon now.

Where are the freckles?

I never had freckles.

Oh, yes, you did!
I counted 400 one day
right there on your nose.

Trampas, I never in my life
had freckles.

[ Laughs ]

[ Laughing ]
I know what you're doing.

Like the time
I backed into the bees' nest...

and you made me so mad
I forgot how much I hurt.

I'll never forget that.

Oh, you were so darn smart.

Half the time, I wanted to
break something over your head.

And the other half,

I wanted you to wear my scarf
into battle.

Scarf into battle?

Didn't you know?

That's why
I was always underfoot.

You were my Sir Lancelot
come to life.

[ Chuckles ]
First liar
doesn't stand a chance.

Oh, cross my heart, it's true.

[ Snickers ]

I'm glad you're here,
Trampas.

I needed someone to make me
stop feeling sorry for myself.

That sounds like
the girl I knew.

Well, come on.
Sit down.

Yeah.

[ Sighs ]

Well, tell me,
how did you hear about Dad?

Oh, uh, well,
the deputy told me.

Oh? Well, I-- I thought
that's what brought you here.

No. No, I was deputized
to bring a prisoner here
from Medicine Bow.

Bob Coulter.Oh.

Hey, I was happy to hear
about you and Fenton.

Must mean a lot to you now.

What do you mean?

Well, he-- he said you two
were gonna get married.

Jack Fenton and I?

Well, he certainly takes
a lot for granted.

- You mean, you two aren't--
- We certainly are not.

Well, I don't know, Kitty.
He seems all right--
a steady kind of man.

Oh, no. He's--
He's spineless.

He not only jumps through hoops
for Big Bob Coulter,

it seems he runs around
carrying a hoop to jump through!

Kitty, I didn't mean
to get you all upset, but--[ Huffs ]

when I talked to him,
it sounded like the whole
thing was all settled.

I'm sorry, Trampas.
It's just that he makes me
so angry sometimes.

But that's not
your problem.

How long
are you staying?

I'll be leaving
in the morning. Why?

Did Jack Fenton tell you
how Dad was k*lled?

Well, he, uh,

said that he was thrown
from his horse and dragged.

Dad was a wrangler
before he was a lawman.

He broke a lot of wild horses
in his day,

including the stallion
they say k*lled him.

He thought more of that horse
than any horse he'd ever owned.

You think the stallion
didn'tkill him?

Isn't it hard to believe?
A man like Dad?

Well-- Well,
things like that can happen.

The longer I think
about it, the surer I am
it couldn't happen to Dad.

Yeah, that's funny.

I had the same feeling when
I first heard about it, but--

What do you think
didhappen?

I don't know.

That's why I was hoping
you'd stay and try and find out.

I-I-I don't know, Kitty.

He could've bumped into a--
a wanted man...

or, uh, somebody
riding a stolen horse
or runnin' a brand.

A lot of things.

Fenton must have
looked into all that.

Oh, Jack Fenton.

He doesn't know what
he sees or hears or thinks
until Big Bob Coulter tells him.

Hmm.

Maybe I'd better have a look
at that stallion, find out
if he really is a k*ller...

and slick enough
to k*ll Sam.

I don't think he is.

All right, let's find out.
Where is he?

Down at the livery stable
corral.

All right. I'll go tell
the fella down there...

that you gave me
permission to ride him.

Trampas, there's
no reason for you to--

Come on. Let's find out if
he is a k*ller or he isn't.
Simple as that.

Trouble is,
I don't know for sure
one way or the other.

The only one sure way
to find out, Kitty, is to
ride him for a while and see.

I'll keep in touch.

Trampas?Hmm?

Would you have supper
with me?You got a deal.

Oh, and be careful.

If Smoke is a k*ller,
I don't want it to happen again.

That makes two of us.

So long, Kitty.

Somethin'
I can do for ya?

My name's Trampas.
I'm a friend of the Dolans.Glad to know ya.

Uh, you have a stall
for him?Sure. In here.

Use this one.

Good enough.

Kitty says you have
her father's horse
in your corral.

That's right, I have.She gave me permission
to try him out.

You want to ride Smoke?

That's the idea.

Thought you said
she was a friend of yours.She is.

From way back.

Don't you know that's
the horse that k*lled Sam?Whoa, son.

That's what I heard.

Now, uh,
about that stallion.Out here.

[ Horse Whinnying ]There he is.

[ Blustering ]

If you want my advice--Yeah, I know.

He's a bucker,
all right.

Worse than that,
he'll lay in wait for ya
if you ride him.

Wait six months
to break your neck.

Sam ride him often?

Wouldn't ride
anything else.

Smoke wouldn't let
anybody else touch him.

It's a one-man horse.

Wasn't another man in town
could even saddle him,
let alone ride him.

Well, I'm gonna
give him a try.

[ Whinnying Continues ]Good luck.

You'll need it.

Whoa, now, son.[ Blustering ]

[ Whinnying ]

Whoa, now. Whoa.

Whoa, son.

Whoa!

Whoa, now.
Whoa, now. Whoa!

[ Whinnying ]Whoa, whoa! Whoa!

Hold on.

Whoa.

[ Whinnying ]

Whoa, now. Whoa.

All right,
let me have him.[ Blusters ]

[ Whinnying ]

What do you figure?Come on!
Ride him, boy!

[ Men Shouting, Hooting ]

Hang in there!
Let him kick! Let him kick![ Shouting Continues ]

[ Whinnying ]

[ Chattering,
Shouting ]

Whoa. Whoa!

h*.[ Whinnying ]

Well, you still got
some fight in you, don't you?
Still got a little fight in you.

Okay, pard, let's go.
Come on! Come on!

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ Whinnies ]

Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa, son.

I was beginning to think Smoke
had k*lled himself another one,
you've been gone so long.

Well, he had some--
some running to do.[ Chuckling ]

Uh, thanks for
opening the gate.

One or both of you was gonna
get hurt, you needed some room
to spraddle out.

Looks like
he's calmed down
a little bit now.

Oh, yeah, we did.

You can ride some.Well, he's some horse.

Hey, what are you doing
with Dolan's horse?

I was riding him.

Come here. Come here.

And I was also looking
at the way Sam Dolan was
supposed to have been k*lled.

What do you mean
"supposed to have been"?

Sam Dolan was
a better rider
than I am.

Smoke couldn't throw me.
He must have thought Sam
was nailed to the saddle.

What are you trying to do,
make it look like
I don't know my job?

I never gave that part
much thought. I just wanted
to find out for myself.

Was it your idea,
or was it Kitty's?

It was my idea.

It was on Kitty's mind too.

Go on now!
[ Whistles ][ Whinnies ]

Now, I investigated
Sam's death thoroughly.

The coroner
and the coroner's jury...

investigated and walked over
that ground thoroughly.

The verdict was unanimous.
That stallion k*lled Sam Dolan.

I'm not gonna have you
making me look like a fool,
trying to prove something else.

I don't want to make you
look like a fool,

but I am gonna
go on looking into it
till I'm satisfied.

Not as a lawman,
you're not.

That badge you're wearing
doesn't mean a thing
in this county. You hear me?

Just as you say.

Yes, I examined Sam's body
when it was first brought in.
Why are you asking?

Well, I--

I imagine Sam's body
was-- Well, um--

He was dragged
for some distance
over rough ground.

What are you
getting at?

Well, Doc, I was wondering
if there was any possibility...

that Sam was dead
beforehe was dragged.

Like maybe he had
a heart attack, or--

That thought
also occurred to me.

I dismissed it
as being most unlikely.

Sam Dolan was
a healthy, vigorous man.

The horse is the k*ller,
mister.

There's no need
to look beyond the obvious.

Well, Doc, like you said,
Sam was dragged
for quite a distance.

Can you say for sure
he wasn't shot
out of the saddle?

No, not for sure.

The lacerations
caused by the dragging...

might have obliterated
signs of a b*llet wound,

depending on
where it was, of course.

But again I say,
the possibility
is extremely remote.

- But it could have happened.
- Yes, it could.

Thanks, Doc.

Have you
any reason for believing
that's what didhappen?

No. No, sir, I don't.

All I know is what
I think didn'thappen.

Good day, sir.Good day.

I want a room.Yes, sir.

For how long, sir?I don't know yet.

You.

Mr. Coulter wants
to talk to you.

In the dining room.

Your key, sir.

[ People Chattering ]Well, hello,
Trampas.

Sit down.
Let me buy your supper.

Uh, no, thanks.
I've got a date.Already?

[ Chuckling ]
Well, you must
work fast.

She's a friend,
an old friend.

Well, sit down
for a few minutes.
I won't keep you long.

Here you are, sir.Oh, uh,
give that to him.

No reason why
my boy can't eat well
while he's in jail.

Thanks for the meal,
Mr. Coulter.

My pleasure,
Fenton.

Well, now,
I talked to my boy
a little while ago.

He tells me
that you were good to him
on the trail here.

Well, he behaved himself.

I'm glad to hear that. That
proves that he's a good lad.

It's a shame
this accident had to happen.

Jim, why don't you
step over to Fred's place
and see if he cut that lumber?

Save us from going
out to the mill.

Uh, miss, will you
bring my friend here
a cup of coffee?

Now, it was
an accident.

I talked to the boy
and to Jack Fenton...

and to a lawyer
and the county prosecutor.

Everybody's
of the same mind about it.

It was an accident.
Nothing else.

Well, I guess if the judge
sees it the same way,

you've got nothing
to worry about.

He will.

I've known Randolph Porter
for a good many years.

He's a reasonable man,
a smart man.

He'll see it was an accident.

Well, then--

Well, I, uh--

I don't want it
to come to a jury trial.

Oh, a jury shouldn't
worry you, Mr. Coulter.

Folks around here seem
to see things your way.

[ Chuckles ]

Well, not exactly.

Ed! Will you step
over here a minute?

Yes, Mr. Coulter.

How are you, Ed?
And your wife?

Fine, Mr. Coulter.
We're just getting along
fine, thank you.

I'm sorry to hear about
that dab of trouble
that your boy's in,

but I'm sure everything'll
work out all right.

Ed, this is my friend,
Mr. Trampas.

Ed Blackburn.
He's the local blacksmith.

You need any work done,
you come see me.

I got a special price
for Mr. Coulter's friends.

I'll do that, Ed.

That's all, Ed.Yes, sir,
Mr. Coulter.

Now, Ed is likely
to be on any jury
they got up in this town.

You're not worried
about him, are ya?

Ed started out
owning his own ranch
here in the valley.

Owned it.

Didn't work it right.

I own it now.

I'm a better rancher,
better businessman
than he is.

Now, he'll smile at me
and call me "sir,"

but he'll never forgive me
for being a better man
than he is.

Now, you put Ed in a jury room
and give him a chance,

and he'll do me
all the hurt he could.

And I can name you a dozen more
that'll do the same thing.

Do you see why I don't want
my boy to stand jury trial?

Well, it's plain enough.

Now, Fenton tells me
that you're staying around
to look into things,

to satisfy yourself about
what happened to Sam Dolan.

That's right.

You might do something for me
while you're about it.

Like what?

Well, you might stumble on
something that might prove
beyond any kind of doubt...

that what my boy did
is pure accident.

And if I did?

It'd be worth
something to me.

Like $500.

No use waitin'.

Here.

Take it now.

Nice town.

Everybody's
got money.

[ Sighs ]

I'll bet they don't
have pie like this
at the hotel.

Do you think Mr. Coulter
wanted you to invent some kind
of evidence to help Young Bob?

Well, he didn't say
how I was to get it.

He just sorta
threw the money
out there in front of me.

Wasn't that bribery?I'm wearing my badge
in my pocket.

You can't bribe
a private citizen.

Well, it's just as bad
trying to hire you to lie.

He didn't exactly say
I was to lie.Oh, no, no. He's too smart.

Mmm.

Well, maybe--
[ Clears Throat ]

he wants me
working for him.

That way, he knows
I can't work against him.What do you mean?

Well, supposin' I do stumble
on something that proves...

that Young Bob had a reason
to k*ll Dorothy Koski.

Now, if I'm carrying $500
of Big Bob's money
in my pocket,

I probably wouldn't
mention it to a soul.

Oh. I see.

Well, do you think
it could be something like that?

I'm sure
beginning to think so.

[ Clears Throat ]
You know,

small town like this,
I guess everybody
knows everyone.

Did you, uh, know
Dorothy Koski?Yes.

Were you friends?

Oh, I wouldn't say that.

Enemies?

No. Just acquaintances.

We said hello,
and that was about all.

She went her way,
and I went mine.

What kind of girl
was she?Nice.

- What else?
- We didn't have much in common.

I guess "bold" says it about
as well as any word I know.

She wanted to be noticed.
She wanted to be
the center of things.

Noticed by men
or women?

- Men.
- Hmm.

- Lot of beaus then?
- Well, until Young Bob
came along,

I don't think she ever
went to two dances in a row
with the same man.

She seemed to thrive
on excitement and new faces.

After Young Bob
came in the picture,

did she shoo
the others away?

I think she did.

Do you think the fact that
Young Bob stands to inherit
most of the county...

had anything to do
with that?

Every woman wants to be proud
of the man she marries.

[ Chuckles ]
You didn't answer my question.

Money was important
to Dorothy.

Money and position.

I told you, she wanted
to be the center of things.

So you did.

I'm gonna need somebody to ride
out with me tomorrow morning...

and show me where Sam,
uh, had his accident.

- Who do you think I oughta--
- I'll go with you.

Oh, no, Kitty, I-- Please.

Now, you're staying
to look into Dad's death
as a special favor to me.

The very least I can do is
help you in any way I can.

Well, you sure it won't be
too rough on you?

I'm sure.

All right, I'll pick you up
first thing in the morning.

I'll be waiting.

Oh! I'm supposed
to help you
with the dishes.

Oh. And how many times
have you done dishes?

Well, there has to be
a first time for everything.

Yes, but not
with my best dishes.
Thank you for offering.

And thank you
for a nice supper.

Good night, Kitty.Good night, Trampas.

I oughta hate this animal
for k*lling a good friend,

but I just can't
bring myself to do it.

It's funny
the way things happen.

We ain't had a death
in months.

Then we have
two of 'em in two days
not more than a mile apart.

That close?

Nobody told you?

I guess
I never thought to ask.

Just watch yourself
with that horse.

Uh, Mr. Jones.Yeah?

You said Dorothy Koski
and Sam Dolan were k*lled
within two days of each other...

and less than a mile apart?

That's right. Why?

Thanks.

Fenton?

Bob?

Wake up.
I wanna talk to you.

What happened to you?

You mean this? Who did it? Koski?

Did Fenton
let him in here?

My father gave me this.

It's all right.
I had it comin'.

- Some father you got.
- I told you, I had it comin'.

That's the way he is.
If I get in bad, he'll--
he'll go out on a limb for me,

do anything he can.

But he'll whale me first.

What'd you want?

Some answers.

Look, I told you everything
there is to tell
on the way here.

Then we'll
go over it again.

Look, Trampas-- You said you tied your horse
on the back of the buggy.

When you woke up
and you found the girl dead,

you got out of the buggy and
got on your horse and lit out.

Right?That's right.

Where did you go?

There's a line shack
the other side of Blue Ridge.

- I hid out there while
they were looking for me.
- How long were you there?

Almost three days.

Then you went straight on
to Medicine Bow.That's right.

- You never came on this side
of the ridge at all?
- No, I was scared to.

Can you prove you never came
on this side of the ridge
on Thursday?

How can I?
I was alone.

What is this?
What are you asking
all these questions for?

Sheriff Sam Dolan was k*lled
two days after you left.

Wait a minute.

Fenton told me he was
dragged to death by his horse.

He could've been dead
before he was dragged.

- You saying
I k*lled Sheriff Sam?
- Did you?

Do you think I was gonna
come back and hang around
where Dorothy--

- He was hunting you for m*rder.
- I didn't do it!

You gotta believe that.

- I'll swear to you
on a stack of Bibles.
- What's going on here?

He's trying to say
that I k*lled Sheriff Sam.

You can't pin every death
in the county on me.Shut up and simmer down.

Here's your breakfast.

I'll say one thing
about this jail--
you sure do eat well.

I'll talk to you
inside.

I thought I told you
to keep your nose out
of this county's business.

You weren't here.I went across the street
to have breakfast.

I'm here day and night.
I have to eat sometime.

All I said is
you weren't here.

So you come in here
and start accusing my prisoner
of k*lling Sheriff Sam.

I wasn't accusin' him.
I was just tryin' to
find out somethin'.

Well, if you can find out
something I've overlooked,
you go ahead,

but I'm not gonna
have you come in here...

and start scarin' the daylights
out of my prisoner.

But it's all right
to come in here and
beat the tar out of him...

if your name's
Big Bob Coulter.

I didn't know
he was gonna do that.

Would it have made
any difference?Yes!

Anything else Coulter wants
seems to set just fine
with you.

Now, I don't know
what you're after, but don't
you go call me a bootlicker.

You know how it is
as well as I do.

There's a sheriff's job
open here,

and the man that Big Bob
points his finger at
gets the job.

If you're gonna
hold a political job,
you have to play politics.

I want that job.
I'm gonna get married.
I need it.

I'm gonna do anything decent
I have to to get it.

If you rub my nose
in what I have to do,
I'm gonna break yours.

Now that's a promise.

All right.

- Then you listen to me.
- You go ahead
and say somethin'.

- After you left the hotel,
Coulter offered me $500.
- What for?

To bring anything I could
to show that the k*lling
of the girl was an accident.

The way it stands,
it's already an accident.

Then maybe that $500
was for somethin' else.

Maybe it was to keep me
from asking questions like
I was just asking Young Bob.

There's no reason why
he'd k*ll Sheriff Sam.

Sam was huntin' him
for m*rder.

He didn't try to k*ll you
when you brought him here.He didn't have a chance.

If I try to prove
a case against him...

and it doesn't stick,

well, I'm through
in Coulter County.

That's right.
No sheriff job, nothin'.

Well, I'm not
gonna do it.

It's not because
I'm afraid.

It's because the coroner's
jury went over it-- not once,
but a lot of times.

And they're satisfied
that that stallion
k*lled Sheriff Sam.

- And that
makes you satisfied?
- Yes.

That money was to pay me
to back away from something.

It was to get you
on his side.

When your son stands a chance
of going away to prison,

you can't have too many men
workin' for you.

It's your conscience.
You've gotta live with it.

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

Just let me
look around a moment.

You get along fine
with him, don't you?

Once he found out
who was boss, he was easy
to get along with.

Right over there.

This where he was found?

With his foot still caught
in the stirrup.

Ground looks
pretty well worked over.

The coroner's jury
was out here.

I... guess they tr*mp
back and forth a lot.

Yeah. Hey! Whoa![ Whinnying ]

Hold on. Hold on.
Whoa.

What was it you were saying
about as soon as he knew
who was boss?

I didn't know
he was listenin'.

At least I had time enough
to get my feet out
of the stirrups.

What I'd like to do now
is take a look
at the place...

where Dorothy Koski
was k*lled.

[ Kitty ]
The buggy was probably tied
to that tree when they found it.

I'm gonna have
a look around.

Hey!

- What's the idea?
- Trespassin' on Coulter
property.

Unbuckle that g*n belt.
Drop it.

Be mighty careful
how you go about it.

Get it.

[ Whinnies ]

- Let him go!
- Get her away from him.

[ Grunting ]

We got no trouble
with you, Miss Dolan,
and we don't want any.

- Let him go!
- He's going to town.

And how he goes
is up to you.

Now, you mix into this,
and he drags...

all the way.

Now, if you'll just
get on your horse,
behave yourself,

maybe I'll let him walk.

- [ Straining ]
- Kitty.

Do like he says.

Get your hat.

What's going on
here, Brandt?Give his g*n to Fenton.

- Now, what gave you
the right to do this?
- He's a troublemaker.

He's been warned,
and he won't listen.

Caught him trespassing
on Coulter property,

if you need a reason.

We better go inside.

[ Blusters ] [ Door Opens ]

Sit down.

[ Murmurs ]

What kind of man are you
to let Trampas be roped and
dragged through the streets?

Now, just stop it, Kitty.
I've enough troubles.

Why'd Brandt rope you?

- You heard him.
I was trespassin'.
- That's a technicality.

A lot of people trespass
on Coulter's property...

without getting the kind
of treatment you got.

First Coulter tries
to buy me out.

Then he sends his top hand
to try and scare me out.

I'm asking you why.

Because Coulter's
the one that's scared.

Scared of what?

He's scared I'll pin
the m*rder of Sam Dolan
on his son.

You really believe that?I've always believed it.

He never took to that story
of Sam bein' thrown
and dragged--

no more than I did
or Kitty here.

A man's gotta work awful hard
to believe a story like that.

He's gotta want somethin'.

Like a sheriff's job
he wouldn't get
if he gets nosy.

The coroner's jury
believed it,

and I believed it 'cause
I thought it was the truth.

No other reason.

I find out it's not the truth,
then I'll do what the law says,
and you can believe that.

Good, 'cause I'm gonna prove
Sam Dolan was m*rder*d,

and nobody's gonna
buy me out, scare me out
or run me out until I do.

If you got anything
to go on, Trampas,
it's your duty to tell me.

You'll know about it
when I'm sure. [ Stagecoach Approaching ]

You don't have
to worry about that.

Well, whatever you're gonna do,
you better make it quick.

Judge Porter's
on that stage.

[ Man ]Whoa.

Trampas, have you really
got something to go on?

I think so.What are you doing?

Kitty, you go on home.
I'll be there
in a few minutes.

Can't you tell me?Later.

Take off
your right boot.What?

You heard me.
Sit down and take it off.What do you want it for?

You said you didn't
k*ll Sam Dolan. Now's
your chance to prove it.

Come on. Let's go.

What's my boot
got to do with it?

I'll tell you later,
one way or the other.

Judge.Fenton.

I can't tell you
how sorry I was
to hear about Sam Dolan.

How's his daughter?Oh, she's holdin' up
fine, Judge.

Good. Good.

That reception
in my honor?

Well, not exactly,
Judge.

It's-- Well, feelings
are runnin' high about this
young Bob Coulter thing.

That account
for the shotgun?Yeah.

[ Crowd Chattering,
Muttering ]

Those are
the dead girl's people.

Wouldn't take much
to set 'em off.

Folks, there will
be a hearing
on the Coulter case...

in the courthouse
in an hour.

It'll be open
to the public.

In the meantime,
I suggest you go on
about your business...

and keep the peace.

[ Crowd Murmuring ]

Tell me about it
at the hotel?

Well, I'd better get back
over to the jail, Judge.

If you could stop by there
before court.

Very well.

Will this do?Yeah, that'll do fine.

Well, it's not the one
Dad was wearing
when he died.

That's all right.Now will you tell me
why you want it?

I found a couple
of things out there
before I was roped.

One-- somebody swept
a lot of ground.Swept it?

Yeah, from a branch
pulled off a tree.

Whoever did it used it
to sweep the ground
out there clean.

Well, what on earth for?That's what I
asked myself.

The only thing
I could think of was
to cover up footprints.

From Sam most likely.
He was a good tracker.

So I started looking around.
I found a couple he'd missed
by the creek.

There's sand
near some bushes.
They was clear as could be.

And you think they were Dad's?
I told you he was out there.

I know.

Now, if this boot fits,

that means your dad
was standing like this.

But there was
another print on top of it,
and it was a different size.

What does that mean?

If young Bob Coulter's boot
fits that other print,

that means he was out there
after your dad was,

and he wasn't there
until after the girl
was k*lled.

Then that could mean
Young Bob came back,

and he could have
k*lled Dad.

Well, I'll soon
find out.

Isn't it pretty risky,
going out there again after
what happened the first time?

I'm bettin'
Coulter's foreman thinks
he taught me a lesson.

He won't expect me
to go back for more.

Trampas? Are you sure
it's worth it?

Nothing you can find out there
can bring Dad back.

You didn't think
that way before.

I didn't realize it would
lead to this before.

I can't let go now, Kitty.

I'd never get
a good night's sleep
if I walked away from it.

And I did enough walkin' today
to last me for a lifetime.

Don't worry, Kitty.

I want to talk to you.

Go ahead,
but make it quick.

This thing is getting
too big for you, Fenton.

I want you to deputize
a half a dozen of my men...

to back you up
in case of trouble.

No.

Why not?

You don't wanna
back me up.

You want a license
for your men to k*ll.

I'm not gonna deputize anyone.
There's no one I can trust.

But there's gonna
be trouble.

[ Fenton ] If you
wanna stay out of trouble,
get your men out of town.

[ Coulter ]
We're staying right here
to protect my son.

We've got a right to.

Then you get this
through your head.

I'm gonna cut down
the first man
that starts anything,

and that goes for you
as well as those freighters.

Now get out of here.

[ Door Slams ]

- [ Whip Cracks ]
- [ Grunts ]

So it was you.

You wouldn't quit,
would you?

Sam caught you out here
covering up your tracks?

You couldn't explain
what you were doing,
so you k*lled him!

What are you gonna do now--

put my foot up in the stirrup,
like you did with Sam?

You k*lled the girl too.

You followed Bob Coulter
and the girl out here
so you could k*ll her.

I wasn't going to k*ll her.

After he passed out,
I offered to drive her home.

She wouldn't go with me.

She said she
liked him better than me
even when he was drunk.

She laughed at me
when she said it,

like I was dirt
under her feet.

I grabbed her, shut her up.
Now I'm gonna shut you up!

[ Grunting ][ Blows Thudding ]

[ Grunts ][ Choking ]

[ Grunting ]

Do you remember
striking her?

No, sir, I don't.

Seems like a man
would remember doing
something like that,

specially if
it was the first time
he ever did it.

But I just don't.

I never
hit a girl before.

I'll swear to that.

I can remember
other things, though,
like--

like her gettin' mad
and scratching me...

and-- and me trying to
grab her hands to stop her,
but--

What is your last
recollection?

Well,

she was sittin' in the dark
on her side of the seat,
too mad at me to talk.

Least, I thought that was
what was wrong with her.

And me sleepy, thinkin'
I oughta take her home.

Nothing more?

Well, I guess
I went to sleep.
Passed out, I guess.

And when you awakened?

I saw she was dead,
and I-- I spooked.

Spooked?I was scared crazy.

I-- I just got
on my horse and... ran.

That's all for the moment.
You may step down.

The purpose
of this hearing...

was to determine
whether the defendant
was to be held...

on a charge
of first-degree m*rder...

or on a lesser charge
for which he could be
admitted to bail.

A charge
of first-degree m*rder
requires...

that there be
substantial evidence...

a crime was committed
with malice aforethought.

I can find
no substantial evidence
of malice aforethought.

It is my decision,
therefore,

that the defendant be charged
with involuntary manslaughter...

and released
on $2,000 bail.

This is wrong!
He must hang!

[ Spectators Shouting ] [ Gavel Rapping ]

- Sit down.
- [ Spectators Murmuring ]

You can't let him go.
He k*lled my daughter,
and I demand justice!

Now, I told you
to sit down.

You too.

All of you, sit down.

[ Trampas ]
Judge?[ Spectators Chattering ]

[ Gavel Rapping ]

I'm sorry to barge in
like this, Judge,

but you've been trying
the wrong man.

Bob Coulter didn't do it.

He's the one you want.

[ Spectators Chattering ]

I found two footprints
out where Dorothy Koski
and Sam Dolan were k*lled.

One of them fits this boot.

Belonged to Sam.

The other matches his.

He k*lled 'em both, Judge.

[ Spectators Chattering ]

[ Gavel Rapping ] Order. Order!

- Can you prove this?
- I left everything out there
just like it was.

You can go out there
and see for yourself, unless
he wants to save you some time.

He already
admitted it to me...

just before he tried
to k*ll me too.

I didn't mean to k*ll her.

[ Murmuring ]

Trampas.

Thanks.

So long, fella.

How much do I owe you?Two dollars will do it.

That's fair enough.

Come here, Buck.

[ Blusters ]

Trampas.

You gonna run away without
even saying good-bye?

I thought
we said 'em all
after the trial.

We certainly did not.

There. That's better.

Uh, you better watch her,
the way she goes around
kissing people.

Well, I'll make
an exception this time.
Good luck, Trampas.

Well, I guess
you got yours.

Oh, uh, Kitty, uh, I think
you better sell Smoke.

He's a good horse, but, uh,
well, he might be a little
rough for you to handle.

Trampas, you know
perfectly well--I think you're right, Trampas.

But I'll buy him
just to keep him
in the family.

That's a good idea.

[ Coulter ]
Hello, Trampas.Hello, Mr. Coulter, Bob.