03x29 - Showdown

[bunniefuu]

[ Train Whistle Blows ]

[ Bell Dinging ]

You the fella
from the Shiloh ranch?That's right.

I'm Billy Landers.Glad to meet you.

Got a room for you at the hotel.
It's just up the street.All right.

Hey, it sure is peaceful.

I'm surprised.
I'd heard Monolith
was a real rip-roarer.

Yeah,
real quiet these days.

Used to be pretty wild.

Things settled down, huh?Yeah. Things get
settled down, you mean.

Yeah, that happens too.
There's a bank handy?Yeah, right over there.

I've got a draft
for your cattle.

I'd better put it on deposit
if you want cash.Cash? Well, I heard of that.

Ain't sure I've ever
seen any though.[ Chuckling ]

Who's the man with Billy?I don't know.

There was some talk
old man Landers had
a fella up in Wyoming...

set to buy some stock.Wyoming, huh?

That's a long way off.
You'd have to ship 'em by rail.That's right.

A fellow'd do that,
he'd have to drive 'em
into the railroad pens.

Five thousand dollars!
Oh, boy!

Just a minute.
My name's Merle Frome.

Howdy. Town marshal.

You got business
with this man?

- Might have.
- What kind?

Private business. Well, that doesn't
answer my question.

That's right.

You're new here.
Where you from?

Wyoming, maybe?[ Sighs ] Well, it's, uh,
really not your concern.

Anything you're involved in
is liable to be my concern.

The old man
has come down here...

to, uh, look over
some of our cattle.

Oh? They don't have
enough cattle in Wyoming?

Look, I've had a long ride
on a dry train.

I thought I saw a saloon
down the street.

You planning
to buy some cattle
from the Box X?

If I like the looks of 'em.I wouldn't do that
if I were you.

I usually make up
my own mind.

Now, you don't know
anything about
the Landers, do you?

Unless we've broken
some kind of law, why
don't you just leave us alone?

You mind what I said, mister.

Box X raises cattle.
I buy cattle.

I don't think
we have anything more
to talk about, friend.

All right.
You've been warned.

Is that what it was?

One more thing.

If you're gonna be
in town for a while,
you might as well know.

We like it
very quiet here.

Fine.

I'm a very quiet man.

Beer all right?Good.

Two beers, Charlie.

[ Both Laughing ]

What was that all about?You mean Frome?

Does he make all
the visitors to Monolith
feel at home like that?

Oh! Excuse me.

Hello, Billy.
What are you doing in town?Hello, Jimmy.

This is the foreman
of the Shiloh ranch,
Wyoming way.

Jimmy Brady,
county sheriff.Howdy.

Pleased to meet you.
Join us?Ah, it's a pleasure.

Haven't seen you around.Oh, comin'
to meet our friend.

He's gonna look over
some of our stock.Our scrubby old cattle?

You fill one of those skinny
critters up with good Wyoming
grass, and you've got something.

[ Laughing ]

You should have heard him
talk back to Merle Frome.

Well, anybody who talks back
to him is a friend of mine.

I get the feeling
he's not too popular
with you boys.

Nor with anyone else
in town.

People don't like
getting pushed around.

I gotta say
he was a little pushy.A little?

[ Chuckles ]
You're lucky
he just talked.

Usually, he uses
a g*n barrel.Well, you're the sheriff.

But the Fromes
run the township--
run it like they own it.

The county's
my jurisdiction.

That's why
we have a happy county
and an unhappy town.

That bad, huh?Worse, maybe.

You know,
bringing law and order
to a town is one thing.

Setting up
a reign of terror,
that's another.

Oh, they make it
look legal.

But when it gets so
that a man is half afraid...

to walk down the street
without winding up in jail,

that's too much--
way too much.

Sounds like you folks
have got a problem.
Me, I'm just passing through.

[ Chuckles ]

So you're going to
buy some stock
from the Box X, huh?

Maybe.Well, you'll like doing
business with Jake Landers.

He'll treat you right.
I've known him for years.

Tell me one thing. Why did
Merle Frome warn me not to buy
any cattle from your outfit?

Well, this is open range.

Indian reservations
all around.

Lots of maverick cattle
out there.

Now, I figure if you find
a maverick and brand him,
you'll take him in.

If you don't,
the Indians will.

Now, I don't call
that stealing.Neither do I.

But the Fromes do.

You take my advice.
You stay away from them.

Like I said,
I'm just passing through.[ Chuckling ]

[ Lowing ]

Well, there's
some of them.

The rest of 'em
are out on the east range.

Pretty thin.

Well, not bad
for sagebrush and mud.

No telling what they'd do
on that good Wyoming grass
of yours.

Tell you what.
We still got time
for you to take a closer look...

and then make it back
to the ranch in time for dinner.

Pa would raise Cain
if you didn't eat with us.Done.

Well, it's the fella
from up Wyoming way, Pa,
from the Shiloh ranch.

Is that a fact?
Well, we're sure pleased
to see you, mister.

Take care
of his horse, Billy.

Did you have
a nice trip?All right.

Well, you gotta
meet my folks.
This is my oldest boy, Tom.

Welcome to Box X.This is Bobby.
He's my middle boy.

Howdy.Howdy.

And my top hand,
Curly Laughlin.Hi. How are you?

You're just in time
for dinner.I wouldn't mind that a bit.

[ Chuckling ]
As long as you're here,
this is your home, son.

The whole Box X
is yours.

No, no. I couldn't eat
one more thing.Ah, come on.

You ain't eatin' enough
to feed an Apache yet.
[ Chuckles ]

Seems to me a fella
would work up an appetite
coming all the way from Wyoming.

- Well, they fed us
on the train.
- Oh, train food. Oh!

I went on a train once,
and I like to
starved to death.

You starve to death
on anything less than
a fresh quarter of beef.

[ Chuckles ]He's a growing boy.

- You don't like our food.
- Oh, just fine.

But you boys have
got me beat hands down.

Yes, sir.

Work hard,
play hard, eat hard.
That's how we look at it.

First time
in Arizona, huh?

I've been
in the territory before, but,
uh, the first time in Monolith.

God's country, purely.

It ain't an easy place
to make a living,
but it's a good one.

Pa, Merle Frome
stopped us in town.
[ Chuckles ]

He tried to jostle Shiloh here,
but he don't take
much jostlin'.

Oh.
[ Chuckles ]

Yeah? You tell
old kingpin Frome
where to get off?

We had a few words.

I gather he doesn't think
too highly of you boys.

The feeling is mutual.You take my advice.
You stay clear of him.

[ Chuckles ]
Everybody gives me
the same advice.

Well, it's sound advice.
They're good for nothing
but trouble.

How come you
and the Fromes
feel the way you do?

Oh, it ain't just us.
Ever since they
came here,

they've managed
to pick a beef with just
about everyone in town.

They've been ridin' us
pretty good.

Look, it don't
make no difference
what a man's done in the past...

as long
as he does everything
all right in the present.

Ain't that right?Maybe.

Well--
You take Tom here.

Now, he was
pretty wild as a kid.

Done a stretch
in a Colorado prison,
as a matter of fact.

He done somethin' wrong,
but he paid his debt.

And you take Curly.

He used to hang around
with Sam Bass once.
You know how kids are.

- But it's in the past,
you know what I mean?
- I guess so.

Well, it ain't never
in the past with the Fromes.

A man with a prison record
is dishonest for the rest
of his life.

- That's how they think,
and they don't let up.
- It's a fact.

It's gettin' so we can
hardly go into town without
bumpin' heads with the Fromes.

A lot of other people
around here
feel the same way.

Oh!

I reckon you wanna
be ridin' out, take a look
at the stock you're gonna buy.

Oh, it won't be necessary,
Mr. Landers. Billy and I
looked them over on the way in.

Well, good. Good.
What do you think?

Well, they need some feedin',
but, uh, that's what
I'm buyin' 'em for.

As far as I'm concerned,
it's a deal.

250 head
delivered in town
for $5,000.

Whoo![ Laughs ] That's fine by me.
A deal it is.

Now, I can't
have 'em ready
till tomorrow for you.

That don't bother me none.
Figured I'd ride back in
and take a look at the town.

Hey, mind if I go with you?

I, uh, got a girl down
at the Lost Lode Saloon.

[ Laughs ]
You ain't man enough
for no girl.

She thinks so.

[ Laughing ]Well, how about it?

Why not?Hey, how about me?
Can I go, Pa?

Well, seein' as how
you've been workin' pretty hard,
I guess it can't do no harm.

But you be
back here tonight,
both of you.

We'll be drivin' the herd in
first thing in the mornin'.

♪♪ [ h*nky-tonk Piano ]

[ Chattering ]

Thanks.

That's her.

Ain't she something?Pretty.

She likes me.
I gave her that necklace
she's wearing.

She's kind
to stray dogs too.

Here. Sit down.

She can hardly keep
away from you.

We'll see.

Wish I had me
a gal like that.

You're lucky.
Ain't he lucky?

- Just bubblin' over
with it.
- Oh, you think so?

Well, she'll be over.
She just has to be nice
to the customers.

But I thought you and her
were somethin' special.

Wouldn't have
no gal of mine sittin'
with that rock breaker.

Well, she ain't gonna
sit there long.

No, sir.

I got a funny feeling
she don't know
she's your girl.

We'll see.

I want you
to meet her.

Billy, uh, this might
not be the right time.

No, you just watch.

[ Sighs ]

Uh, hey, Junie,
I got someone
I want you to meet.

- [ Man ]
Go away, sonny.
- Not now, Billy. I'm busy.

You heard her.

I ain't
talkin' to you.
Come on, Junie.

Go away, boy.I'll be right back.

For heaven's sake, Billy,
can't you see I'm busy?

How come you
wanna sit with him
when I'm in town?

How do I know
when you're comin' into town?

When I gave you
that necklace, I
figured it meant something.

It does.

It's the prettiest
thing I own,
and I like you for it.

But it can't interfere
with my job.

Now, go on back
to the table.

Maybe I can get
rid of him later
and-- and see you.

But the last time you said
if I come into town--Never mind last time.

This is tonight.
And they had
a payday at the mine.

Now, leave me alone.

Hmm.

[ Chuckles ]

Junie,
come right now.I said I'm busy.

[ Billy ]
With him?

Just what's wrong
with "him," cowboy?

Stop it.

I said come on.

[ Glass Breaks ]

[ Groans ]

Sit down.

- Sit.
- You're drunk and disorderly,
Landers. You're under arrest.

Now, wait a minute.
He ain't done nothin'.

- You're under arrest too.
- Now, hold on a minute.

You're gonna arrest someone,
what about the man who hit him?

You've been drinking, mister?

I had a couple of beers.

You're drunk and disorderly.
You're under arrest.

- What?
- You want to argue?

You're pretty big,
aren't you?

Big enough.
Get movin'.

You too, mister.

The jail's right
across the street.

You just
gonna lay there?

Huh. It seems like
I'm accomplishing
as much as you are.

Wait till Pa
hears about this.

He'll probably tell Billy
to find himself
a new girlfriend.

[ Footsteps Approaching ]

I was down
at the stock pens.

Hmm.

Ed tells me he's
expecting old man Landers...

to bring about 250 head
in tomorrow.

Oh?

Except he's liable
to be a mite shorthanded
with his boys locked up.

Well, we wouldn't
want that, would we?

Doesn't seem fair.

Let the boys out.
Keep the other one on ice.
Do him good.

You can go.
Pick up your g*ns outside.

[ Laughs ]
It's about time.Hey, what about him?

He's staying.

You two get
before we change
our minds.

We'll get you out of here
first thing in the morning.

Hey.

What charges
you holding me on?

I was just
an innocent bystander,
and you know it.

We've got laws against
innocent bystanders.

Them Fromes
a nice pair, ain't they?

Just fine.

You didn't do nothin'
either, did you?Not that I know of.

I'm walkin' down the street,
and they come up and say
I'm committin' a disturbance.

So I told them--
I said I'm not
committin' no disturbance.

I no sooner got it
out of my mouth,

and one of 'em had his g*n out,
like to bust my head open--
for nothin'.

I wasn't even
having any fun.I can believe that.

You can believe
they ain't gonna
get away with this,

'cause ain't nobody
gonna bend a g*n barrel
around my head.

You got it?

What about him?

He's comfortable.

He's gonna yell.Let him yell.

Frome. Hey, Frome!

Hey, Frome!

Hey, Frome!

[ Door Opens ]

What's the matter?
Didn't you like
your breakfast?

When do I get
out of here?

- Now, have we
been mean to you?
- I got things to do.

Well, you just be patient.

Look, you know
as well as I do I didn't
break any laws last night.

How come you let
the Landers boys out
and you're keeping me here?

Well, we don't like
the Landers boys.

- We like you.
- Well, you sure got
a funny way of showing it.

We got our ways
of doing things.

You'll get out...
one of these days.

[ Door Closes ]

[ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Man ]
Hyah!

[ Whistles ]

[ Men Shouting, Whistling ]

Hyah![ Mooing ]

Nice-looking stock, huh?

They ought to be.

Wanna serve it?

Sure.

All right, you can go.

Thanks a lot.

Hey. What about me?

You're getting out
at noon.

Well,
where's my g*n?

You planning on
sh**ting somebody?

I've heard worse ideas.

You don't believe
in taking advice, do you?

Depends on who's giving it.

I told you not to buy
the Landers's cattle.

And I told you
I usually make up
my own mind.

All I wanna do now
is get my stock loaded
and get out of this town.

- It's gonna be
a little hard to do.
- Downright impossible.

- Why is that?
- Because we've just
impounded that stock, mister.

It's being held.You what?

That goes
for your $5,000 too.

We need that
for evidence.

I'm afraid
you're out of business.

Well, here he is.

Boys tell me
you've been spending
a little time in jail.

I'm afraid we've got
a few problems.

Well, I don't see what.
The cattle are all in.

Just pay us the 5,000,
and you're on your way home.

They're in,
and I can't touch 'em.

The Fromes have impounded
the cattle and my money.

Impounded? What for?Well, they weren't
too clear about that.

- Something to do
with an investigation.
- What are they investigating?

- They didn't say.
- Same old story, boys.

Pa, I think it's
time we put a stop
to all this stuff.

I'm gettin' tired
of the Fromes.

Before you do anything rash,

maybe the sheriff can get us
some kind of a writ
to get the cattle out.

Now, that's what
I call thinkin'.
I'll go with you.

Now, you boys stay here
and you keep out of control.

We're gonna go see
what Jimmy Brady has
to say about this.

I might have known
something like this
would happen.

Well, you're not
gonna help things any
by trying to empty that bottle.

Well, I'm disgusted.

Maybe if his girl was here,
she'd make him feel better.

Don't be funny.

Say, isn't she the girl
you sent to Santa Fe
for that fancy necklace for?

Yeah, but the miners are
the only ones that are
gettin' their enjoys out of it.

By rights I ought
to take it back. [ Bobby ] From her?

Who you kiddin'? I could.

When a rooster lays eggs.

- Yeah?
- I understand she's
the original bank vault.

When she gets it,
she keeps it.

Well, we'll just
see about that.

I don't know
about the law around here,

but frankly, I think
the whole thing's ill*gal.

Well, they may
have precedent
in impounding the stock.

But how they think they
can hold up your money--

How they think.
They think they can get away
with anything, that's how.

Typical Frome tactics.The question is,
can we do anything about it?

I wouldn't be surprised.

Now, you go with me
to Judge Sims's office
and we'll swear out a complaint.

How about it, Jimmy?
You think the judge
will go along with us?

He will if he wants
any Brady votes
in the next election.

By golly, maybe
this time they've gone
a little bit too far.

Maybe this will help us
fix their wagon for good.

- Who is it?
- It's me-- Billy Landers.

What do you want? You got somethin'
of mine.

- Go away.
- I want my necklace back.

I'll talk to you later.

Now, Junie!

Now, you let me in!

[ Rapping ]Junie, let me in, or I'll
bust it down, so help me.

[ Rapping Continues ]

Now, you let me in, Junie.
Now, open this door.
I want that necklace back!

[ Rapping ]

Now, you open up,
or, so help me,
I'll knock it down.

[ Door Rattling ] Get away from there, Landers.

I told you to git.

This ain't any
of your business.

Are you arguing with me?

Now, you stop
pushing me around.

We've taken about all
we're gonna take from you.

Well, you wanna fight me, boy?

- You ain't so tough.
- You wanna try me?

Let's see
how stupid you are, sonny.

Next time your betters
tell you something, boy,
I wanna see you jump.

Look like
you enjoyed that.

I did.

♪♪ [ h*nky-tonk Piano ]

♪♪ [ Continues ]

Beer.

♪ If you got a woman
hold her ♪

♪ If you got a woman
treat her right ♪

♪ If you wanna keep her
hold her ♪

♪ Hold your lovin' woman
Hold her tight ♪

♪ Oh, men

♪ Girls are one in 10

♪ There's a reason then

♪ We're the precious
female gender ♪

♪ Oh, men [ Men Laughing ]

♪ Odds are one to 10

♪ You're a loser, men

♪ When you're not in love

♪ If you got a woman
kiss her ♪[ Laughs ]

♪ If you got a woman
treat her right ♪

♪ If you wanna keep her
hold her ♪

♪ Hold your lovin' woman
Hold her tight ♪

♪ Oh, men

♪ Girls are one in 10

♪ There's a reason then

♪ We're the precious
female gender ♪

♪ Oh, men

♪ Odds are one to 10

♪ You're a loser, men

♪ When you're not in love

♪ She will get you
to the preacher ♪

♪ Isn't gonna do
much good to fight ♪

♪ In her little hand
she'll hold you ♪

♪ You'll never get away

♪ No, never get away

♪ Never get away
She'll hold you tight ♪♪

[ Cheering, Whistling ]

♪♪ [ Piano: Western Ballad ]

Hello.Howdy.

You're Billy's friend,
aren't you?That's right.

It's a terrible thing
Merle Frome did to him today.Yeah, I heard about it.

Billy's a little wild,
but he didn't rate
anything like that.

Course nothing
Merle Frome does
surprises me.

You don't think
much of him, huh?

You won't find anyone
in this town who does--
him or his brother.

As far as I'm concerned,
a girl can't make a living...

in a town that's
capped up and stoppered.

- Frome boys are bad
for business, eh?
- It's a lot more than that.

When you have to keep
looking over your shoulder...

for fear one of 'em
is watching you
all the time.

Look, I don't mind living
in a nice, peaceful town.

I just don't like
being afraid.

Don't tell me
they'd rough up a girl. Maybe not.

But I depend on friends.

I know boys who used
to travel 50, 60 miles
just to buy me a drink.

Not anymore they don't.

They don't like
the Fromes' jail.

I can't hardly blame 'em
for not liking
the Fromes' jail.

I'm kind of happy
to be out of it myself.

Don't speak so soon.

You may be out of jail,
but you're not out of town yet.

I hear you saw
Judge Sims today.That's right.

You had a little run-in
with Billy Landers today.

Not hardly.

- I bother you?
- No.

Well, you bother me.

You like taking chances,
don't you?

How about me
buying you a drink?

Charlie.

[ g*nsh*t ]

[ Murmuring, Shouting ]

Merle.I'm all right.

Shot through
the shoulder.Who did it? Did you see?

No, I didn't see,
but I know.

Give me a hand with him.
Somebody get the doc.

What's the verdict?

You Fromes are lucky.

Half an inch up
or so to the right,

he'd have a shoulder
full of smashed bone.

As it is, it went in,
it came out.

Who do you
think did it?Billy Landers.

- What makes you think that?
- He doesn't like to be dunked.

It could have been anybody
you hit over the head
and threw in jail.

You boys don't go out
of your way to make friends.

- It was him.
- You'll have to prove that.

It's not easy to prove
anything against the Landers,
but we're working on it.

And when you
see your friends,
you tell 'em that.

I'll tell 'em.

Ben, I want you to go
out to Charlie Hobkins
first thing in the morning.

Get him in town
to help us check out
that herd.

I don't suppose
it'll do any good
to tell you to go easy,

stay in bed
a couple of days.Wrong time of the year, Doc.

Well, that's what
I'm telling you.
You do what you want.

[ Horse Whinnies ]

Hyah!

Good morning.Morning.

Found a little maverick
with no place to call his own.

You always
brand your mavericks
with a running iron?

Usually. I prefer 'em.

I could write you a letter
on a yearling's flank if
I could write a little better.

You ride out to tell us
the money's been cleared?

Not yet.
Is Billy at home?

As far as I know.

Why don't you ride on in?
Pa'll be glad to see you.

Thanks.

Well, howdy.Good morning, Jake.

Billy here?No. He's down
on the south range.

It's just as well.
I wanna talk to you.Come on in. Coffee's still hot.

Judge Sims
spring your money yet?Not yet.

You got to sign
this thing first.What's that?

Affidavit.Ah, yeah.

Mm-hmm.

Yep.

That's the way it happened.

You hear what happened
last night?

Not unless
it happened here.

Somebody took a shot
at Merle Frome.

Is that a fact?
Hit him, I hope.

Hit him.
Not bad, but close.

[ Chuckles ]
Well, well.

And some folks say
there ain't no justice.

[ Chuckles ]The, uh, Fromes think
it was Billy that did it.

It figures they would.
They'll try anything.

Have you got any idea
how many people there are...

that are just dying
to take a crack
at either one of them Fromes?

Some, I imagine.You can bet on it.
But it wasn't Billy.

Can you be sure of that?He was here all night,
drying out.

He had a headache.

Merle Frome buffaloed him.
Like to bust him wide open.

Well, that's why
they think it was him.

Well, it wasn't.
We'll all swear to it.

Well, I think there's
a good chance they may
come after him, Jake.

Well, if they do, they'll have
a fight on their hands.

Well, the sh**ting
happened in town.

If they think they
can prove Billy did it,
they'll get a legal warrant.

- You can't fight that.
- I can fight anything
the Fromes try to pull.

You don't know 'em
like I do.

They'll come after Billy first
and worry about a warrant later.

Thanks for letting me
know about the Fromes.

You run into either one of them,
you tell 'em they'll be smart
to leave my boy alone.

Oh, there's one other thing.

On the way out here,
I ran into Tom.
He was branding a calf.

Uh-huh. We do that here,
this being a ranch and all.

He was using
a running iron, Jake.

Yeah.

One of the best hands
I ever seen with
a running iron, that boy.

Kind of, uh, unusual--
branding with a running iron,
isn't it?

Well, he likes
a running iron, that's all.

It's your ranch.

We don't like being
thrown in jail
for nothin'...

or being pushed around.

Well, now you're giving us
plenty of good reason.[ Chuckling ]

Not yet we haven't.

But we're fixin' to.

Oh.

I'm sorry I don't have
a buggy whip for you, Frome.
That's what you rate.

You're digging
your own grave--
all of you.

[ Chuckles ]

I'd watch all
that loose talk
about graves if I were you.

Can't even stand
on his own feet
without his brother around.

Hey, maybe we ought to see
how fast he can run, huh?

Yeah. Why not?
Come on! Come on!

[ Horse Nickers ]

[ Galloping Hooves ]

Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa.

What happened?I'd say he's been dragged.

Who by?That I couldn't say.

Then they dragged me.

Three of 'em.

I reckon this fella
came by later.

Well, you'll be all right
in a couple of days, Ben.

And you're gonna be
pretty stiff for a while.He bounces well, Doc.

Well, it's a good thing
it didn't go any further,
that's all.

Stay in bed
for a while.

The way things are going,
you boys are gonna run
out of beds.

Wait a minute.

We owe you something.

No, you don't. I'd have done
the same thing for anyone.

But you did it
for a Frome.Let me buy you a drink.

I'm careful
who I drink with.

So are we.

I'll buy you a drink,
and don't give me
an argument.

Charlie.

You're not drinking.I don't drink much.

We've been
a little tough on you.

You haven't made
a lifelong friend of me,
I'll say that.

Whether you
believe it or not,
we've got our reasons.

I believe it.And they're good ones.

That I'd have
to be shown.

My brother and I
are peace officers.

Some people
call us town tamers.
It's a rough line of work.

I've known a lot
of peace officers
in my time.

They didn't
have to resort
to the tactics you use.

Maybe they didn't have
the same kind of problems we do.

Now, you take Monolith.

We don't have any authority
outside the township.

So we have to improvise.

Like impounding
those cattle?

We need those
for identification.

Whose
identification?

For the half dozen
or so ranchers...

who've been slowly bled dry
over the past few years.

I'm talking about
a regular planned
bleeding-off process.

Hundreds of head--
from all the ranchers
in this area.

Except
Jake Landers, huh?

Ah, he's complained
to Brady a few times.

Brady will believe anything.

These other ranchers took those
stories to the sheriff too,
but nothing ever happened.

They brought 'em to us.

But we couldn't
do anything,

not without getting
our hands on some
of Landers's cattle first.

That's why we didn't
try too hard to keep you
from buying his cattle.

So you decided to use me
to get the cattle into town.

- That's right.
- Well, I don't like
being used.

Look, you've seen the kind
of people the Landers are--

the way they dragged Ben.

Anybody who'd do
a thing like that...

wouldn't be afraid
of a nice, safe
bushwhacking job.

They're tough,
so we got to be just as tough.

[ Sighs ]
You're doing that.

I tell you the Landers
are behind every cattle theft,

every stage robbery
in this part of the country.

How come Sheriff Brady
doesn't seem to know
anything about this?

Brady's a politician.
He doesn't wanna rock
the boat.

One way to have
a good record as a lawman
is to never make any arrests.

But you don't
like that way.Sure, we make lots of arrests.

But Monolith
is a quiet town.

Yeah, from what I've seen,
it's also a town full of people
who hate the Fromes.

That's their privilege.

Look, I don't wanna
get involved in this.

You got me fixed
so I can't move.
My money, my cattle--

You know how to check and see
if a brand has been altered?

Sure. Skin the steer.

That's right.
It's being done right now.

You got authorization
to do that?

Sometimes you
have to skin first
and authorize later.

What are you
gonna do about Ben?

I'm bringing
in Billy Landers.

I figured you would.
Jake won't like it.

Fine.

He told me to tell you
there'd be sh**ting
if you tried to take Billy.

It's overdue.

They dragged Ben
in county territory, you know.

I've been shot.
Ben's been hurt.

I'm getting a little mad.

I can't say as I blame you.

You, uh, changing your mind
about the Landers, are you?

I'm doing a lot
of thinking about it.

All right, Frome,
make it snappy.

What do you
wanna see me about?

Where's Merle?He had something
to do, Sheriff.

You know Charlie Hobkins.Of course I do.
Now, what is it?

Well, we slaughtered
a couple of steers
out of that herd...

that Jake Landers
drove in.

Oh, he'll love that.

- Box X.
- Did you have to skin it
to find that out?

Take a look.

You can see
where it was altered.We got another one just like it.

[ Hobkins ]
I went through that herd.

I'd bet money
that 10 or 12 of 'em are mine,
and maybe even more.

Now, we didn't
think it was necessary
to slaughter the whole herd.

It might
be interesting though.

I wouldn't
have believed it.

Well, I complained
to you often enough
about it, Sheriff.

I never had any proof.
I checked Landers's herds
lots of times.

I never found
anything wrong.Pretty good running iron work.

Yes, it is.

Tom Landers is right proud
of the way he works
a running iron.

He told me so himself.

I'll-- I'll
swear out a warrant.

No hurry, Sheriff.

You see
those hides?I saw them.

Now, maybe somebody
will do something
about it.

Sheriff, I picked
this boy up
in county territory.

Arrested him
for as*ault
and attempted m*rder.

You might add rustling
to those charges, Sheriff.

I'll hold him.

You're taking their word?

I thought you
was our friend.

Sheriff, I'd be very unhappy
if he got out of jail somehow.He won't.

But the next time
you've got somebody
to arrest in the county,

you tell me,
and I'll do it.

Is that clear?Be glad to
from now on.

Get movin', Billy.When my pa hears about this,
he's gonna be in town.

I've got a room
for him too.

They're crazy.
I didn't do anything.

You could have k*lled Ben,
dragging him like that.

Well, he looks
all right to me.
Besides, he had it coming.

You feel the same way
about Merle?

- Yeah, I do.
- But you missed.

- I didn't say
I shot at him.
- You don't have to.

Sheriff, if you're
gonna lock me up,
let's get going.

[ Door Closes ]

Anybody know
you took him yet?Not yet.

- He didn't wanna
come with me.
- I bet he didn't.

I think I can get
your money for you now.

There's a train north
at 5:00.

I'll be on it. That's very prudent.

And I'd like you
to sign a statement
before you leave...

about witnessing
the brands on those hides.

All right.

Pa! Pa! Whoa!

Pa, Merle Frome
arrested Billy
and took him into town.

He turned him over
to the sheriff,
and Brady locked him up.

- Well, that does it.
- One more thing, Pa.

Them Fromes skinned
a couple a head
of our stock.

They seen
the Lazy L brand.

Tom, you go get Curly.

- What are we gonna do, Pa?
- What we should've done
a long time ago--

chase them Fromes
clean out of town.

- What about Billy?
- There ain't no man can hold
no son of mine in jail.

Fromes nor Jimmy Brady.

All it says is
that you witnessed
Charlie Hobkins...

identifying those hides
as coming from his cattle.

I can read.Good.

Here.

What about my money?

Give this to Adams
at the bank.
It should do.

Well, are you just
gonna sit there?

It's a nice place to sit.

Look at you.
You're scraped raw,
too stiff to move.

You've got
a b*llet hole
in your shoulder.

And both of you know
Jake Landers is gonna
come riding into town...

with four or five men
after your scalp.

Well, if he doesn't,
I have to ride out
and get him.

Three schoolboys
and one small dog
could stand you off,

the condition you're in.Maybe.

It wouldn't be a fair fight
if you were in good shape
as it is.

It's none
of my business,

but couldn't you at least
try to make some preparations,
get some hands on your side?

You forget, friend. This
is a town full of people
who hate the Fromes.

- The chips are down now.
- This is where we earn
our money.

Your train leaves
in about an hour.

You could at least try
to get some help.

He worries a lot,
doesn't he?

For a Wyoming man.

It's our business.

It'll get you k*lled.

You won't even
hear about it.

You'll be on the train.

[ Door Closes ]

He's right.

We can count on
at least five of them.

I reckon.

You had to go
and get yourself shot.

It was a dull night.

You, you're stiff
as a board.

Not that stiff.

You reckon they'll come?

Oh, sure, they'll come.

It's a lousy town.

A time like this,
they all are.

Hello.

Howdy.

You pouring?Anything you like.

Whiskey.

Sure is quiet.We're expecting
some bad weather.

A lead-storm,
hadn't you heard?

It seems like everybody
just dropped out of sight.

Who wants to get shot?

The whole town
feels that way?

Why not?

Well, the Fromes could use
some help, you know.

Well, they won't get it
from Monolith.

What kind
of a town is this?

[ Chuckles ]
Practical, mister.

If the Landers win,
the Fromes are off
our backs.

If the Fromes win,

well, at least
it won't be any worse.

Myself, I'm rooting
for the Landers.

The Fromes, they don't
hardly drink at all.

What are you worried about?
It's none of your business.

That's right.

By now this whole town knows
that the Fromes are right
about the Landers.

How can they just stand by?

Don't cry to us
about the Fromes, mister.

It's their problem.

Right or wrong,
nobody thinks much of them.

Now, if it was
the Landers you
was worried about--

After all, you were
pretty friendly with Billy.

So were you.

I'm like you.
Business is business.

[ Blowing ]

[ Blowing ]

They'll be here soon.

Jimmy Brady!

You got my boy
in there, Jimmy.
Trot him out.

He's in to stay.

Is that
a way to treat
an old friend?

You're no friend of mine.
You're under arrest--

You've been rustling
cattle in my county.
I won't stand for that.

Now, turn in your g*ns.

He wants us
to turn in our g*ns.

Bobby, give him
your g*n.

All right,
get him inside.

Tom, take his keys
and get Billy out of there.

[ Footsteps Approaching ]

You all right, boy?Yeah. Sure, Pa.

They're already here.

They didn't waste
any time.

They got Billy out.

We can't have that.

You sure you're all right?I'm all right.

How about you?I'll make out.

We'd better go.

There they are,
Pa.Yeah, I see 'em.

Billy,
you stay with me.

Tom, get over
in front of the horses.
Curly, across the street.

Bobby, you stick
close to Tom.

[ Train Whistle Blowing ]

[ Whistle Continues ]

[ Bell Dinging ]

Your train's in, mister.

There's that Shiloh fella.
Think he'll be with them?

It'll be his hard luck.

It'll make three.

I can count.

There's five
of them.

Go catch your train.

Like I told you,
it's our problem.

You expect me to just
get on that train
and ride out of here, huh?

Your business here
is finished, isn't it?

You better get out
of here, mister.I can't get.

Why not?

Because you two have been
so blamed sure you were
right all along,

I'm gonna show you
where you're wrong.

- Where's that?
- You say that nobody
will step out with you...

when the chips are down.

[ Train Whistle Blowing ]

Can you use that g*n?

I can use it.

You're a very
foolish man, mister.

I'm not alone.

What are we gonna do
with him, Ben?

May have to bury him.

Tom and Bobby
at the corner.

Laughlin will be around
the side of the building.

What do you
want, Frome?

Billy.

And all the rest of you.
You're under arrest.

That's what Jimmy Brady said.
We didn't believe him either.

Now, throw down your g*ns,
and there'll be no trouble.

What charges
you got against us?

[ Merle ]
Aggravated as*ault,

attempted m*rder,
rustling.

We ain't done
none of them.

What are you doing
with them?

Dying, most like.

I hope not.

We'll start with the boy.

Billy Landers,
step out here.

Come and take him.

[ Whistle Blowing ]

How's Ben?Just a hole in his leg.
He'll be all right.

I didn't get a chance
to say thanks.

Forget it.

I still say
you were foolish.

All right, I was foolish.It wasn't your fight.

I wouldn't have been in it
if it hadn't been.

It still doesn't
explain why.

Sometimes you just
can't stand by.

You don't wanna get involved,
but you have to.

This town might learn that...
if you give it a chance.

What'll happen
to the Landers?

It's not up to me.

Come back
and see us someday.

Not if I can help it.

Look, mister, Ben and I
don't expect to be liked.

If too many people
like a peace officer,
he's not doing his job right.

Just one thing
before I go.

- What would it take
to make you smile?
- I don't know.

[ Whistle Blowing ]