02x07 - The Dark Trail

[bunniefuu]

ANNOUNCER:
In the wake of the Civil w*r,

violence swept across

the newly opened
western territories.

With men taking to the trail
in increasing numbers,

horse flesh took
on special value.

In a few years bronc raids
became commonplace.

Countless riders were
shot down from ambush,

usually by men
who answered to only one law--

the law of the g*n.

Ah, he's a fine-looking animal,
all right.

Got plenty of chest,
good conformation,

good sound legs.

Sure, but he's
hardly green broke.

We'll break him for you,
Mr. Creighton.No, it won't do.

We need horses,
a lot of horses,
and we need them now.

Stage line's just bought


and we need eight relays
for every single one
of those coaches.

That's a lot of horses.

We expect our relay station
ranches, like yours,

to help provide them--
at a good price, of course.

$100 a horse
is a good price.

Plus, mind you,

plus a $20 bonus on delivery
before July 1st.

Will you excuse us a minute,
Mr. Creighton?

Yeah, go ahead.

Bearing in mind of course

that things are
awful slow right now

in the ranching business.

The uncertainty back east,
bad weather and all.

But the army is paying well
for good mounts.

We'll match
their offer, plus.

Yes, sir.

That's a lot of money
just when we need it.

We don't have the horses
to talk about.

Sure would meet the note
on the ranch, though.

A $100 a horse--
that's real money.

$120 if we get
them here by July 1st.

We're just
munching straw, Jess.
We don't have the horses.

You remember that tinsmith
that came through last week?Yeah.

He told me that Sam Bronson's
retiring from ranching.

Bronson
over Fort Collins way?

That's right.
Sam told us a long time ago

that he'd sell us
all the horses

we need for $50 a head
when we got started.

Well, why should
he sell them at that price now

when he can take them
to Fort Collins

and make twice as much?

Because we wants
out in hurry.

If I remember,
Sam's a peculiar man.

Yeah,
but he isn't stupid.

No, but he's stubborn.

He hasn't got much use
for the army.

I'm gonna
send him a telegram,

tell him to save us
some horses.

And we're not going
to wait for an answer.

It's a long ride
just to be disappointed.

You get me some
good horses by July 1st

and you'll be celebrating
a real Independence Day July 4.

How right he is.

Well, gentlemen?

Mr. Creighton,

maybe we can do
each other some good.

In the meantime,
how about that buckskin?

Well, you get him
green broke by July 1st

and I'll take him.

Good.

Well, somebody's got
to stay here and mind the place,

break that horse.

All right, we'll toss
and see who goes.

Heads, I go.

What is it?

Tails.

I go.

All right, but keep in mind
there's gonna be a lot of people

who want to make
a quick dollar on a horse.

People that you're
not gonna want to meet.

Keep out of this!

You want to k*ll him?I aim to.

Sam!

Jess.

Do me a favor, huh?

Let up,
the kid's had enough.

Not after
what he's been up to.

Look, if it's that bad,
it will catch up with him.

It won't hurt to leave room
for somebody else.

Here's your time
and your notice.

Now get out of here
and don't show your face
around here again.

I got a right to say
goodbye to Celie.

Get out.

Get out!

Thanks.

And make sure
you take your own horse.

You know, nobody
likes you much, Mr. Bronson.

And I ought to hate you,
but I don't,

as you're Celie's father.

Besides it's me
I oughta hate

for not being man enough
to take her away from here.

You know, it's too bad
you didn't know my old man.

You'd have
been a pair, all right.

Why didn't you let him
pick his pay out of the dirt
or let it be?

You're going to be
sore at me now?

No.

Matter of fact, I'm glad
you came along when you did,

otherwise I would have
k*lled him.

Come on inside.

You get my telegram?

You get my reply?

I didn't wait.

Time's too short.

Besides I wouldn't take
no for an answer anyway.

Uh, $50 a horse
is small money,

what with the army
bidding $100.

I figured
you'd still be at w*r

with that colonel
at Fort Collins.

You were the last time
I came through.

Don't tell me
my business, Jess.

I am a reasonable man
and a just one.

And I'm not going
to take any nonsense

from boy ranchers
or flip cavalry colonels or--

Anyhow,
I'll deal with the army

when I feel like it.

I saved you
some good mounts.

Celie!

Celie!

Well, Sam, how about
eight good Bronson horses?

Eight?

Well, it's been
a rough year,

we got a payment
to meet on the ranch.

Well, I figured on
selling you ten,

but if eight is
all you can handle...

Ten? Well, give me ten.
I didn't say--

I'm not gonna feed extra horses

waiting for that
chicken-feathered colonel
to come around.

$50, I'm still making a profit.Sam!

Go back and open that door
again and close it right.

Sam...

And stop calling me Sam,
I'm your father!

How well I know that.

There's company present.

Hello.

You don't remember
Jess, do you?

I remember you, Celie.

You were about that high.

Six years ago, wasn't it,
Sam, you just got the ranch?

Where is Sandy?

Well, that depends on
who's asking.

I'm asking.

I haven't seen him
this morning

and now his horse is gone.

I sent him away.

You sent him away?
Without a word about it to me?

I warned you before.

I told you not to have
anything to do with that

no good saddle tr*mp.

I saw this coming

but you don't have
to think you fooled me.

Celie.

I'm sorry, but it's him
that brings on these scenes.

Go to your room.

I'm not a child, Sam.

Go to your room, Celie.

I better wait outside, Sam.

No such thing.

I'm not going
to tell you again.

And I'm not going
to be ordered around.

Don't make me lose
the last of my temper!

If it wasn't for Jess here
I don't know

what I would have done
to that Sandy Kayle!

Why don't you sit down
and we'll have some coffee,

then you can pick out
the ten horses you want.

I'll leave it to you.

Calls me Sam like
I'm one of the hands.

Done all I could for her
since her mother passed away.

What's wrong, Jess?

I don't know, Sam.

You're a hot
and sudden man.

Yeah, I guess.

And impatient.

You know the right
so clearly,

you expect
others to see it too.

It takes time to learn
what's right, Sam.

Celie is young
but she's a woman.

Well, that's a mighty
sharp observation.

I swear
I'd never thought of it

if you hadn't come
shambling along looking

for a bargain in horse flesh.

I'm grateful to you
for that piece of scripture.

Celie is young
but she's a woman.

The philosophy
of a half-baked Texas cowboy.

You see what I mean?

Yep.

Hot and sudden.

Intolerant, too, maybe,
huh?

Maybe.

And feeling a strain of
bringing up an only child alone.

Thanks.

No thanks, Sam.

I better be moving on.

I want to get to Laramie
by the first

if I want to get that bonus.

Well, I'll go out with you
and help you pick out the best.

They're good, sound horses.

Broke every one
of them myself.

I don't care much
for Sam Bronson,
but he knows horses.

Don't recollect I ever did
business with the gent before.

Look, I got nothing
against that rider down there.

Make it as easy
on him as you can.

Don't give it
another thought.

I mean it, Betts,
I don't want him hurt.

Sure,
it's a piece of cake.

All right, boys.

Howdy, friend.

Howdy.

Say, sure is good
to see people again.

That's a nice-looking string
of animals you got there.

They'll do.

'Course, they always
did raise prime animals

hereabouts as I remember.

Only problem is
I, uh, kind of forget.

You know, it's been 15 years
since I've been in Colorado?

Yeah, it's still
as desolate as ever.

Come to think of it,
you are the first person
I seen on the trail.

Mister, I'm lost.

Would I be anywhere near
Sam Bronson's spread now

by any stretch of luck?

Seems to me I recall
it was around here somewhere,

but like I said
it's been a long time.

Yeah,


What are they talking
so much about?

He's asking directions.

Betts is a very clever man.

He don't want any of those
horses hurt or k*lled.

Well, let's see,
the Bronson place.

You follow that
riverbed back about


then you turn due north.

You hit a big clump
of mesquite.

Follow me?
Sure.

Now, I kind of
stick to the riverbed

there for about 16 miles,
is that right?

Things have changed
in the past 15 years though.


this was Jefferson territory.

You called it Colorado.

But then you said you've been
out of touch with things.

Well, I'll be.

You know, it was
called Jefferson territory.

And Sam Bronson
didn't move here

further than
six years back.

Well, I'll be.

I wonder what I could
have been thinking of.

That's exactly
what I'm wondering, mister.

[ g*nshots ]

Come on!

[ g*nshots ]

Whoa!

He's hanging
from a horse Indian style.

Which one?

I want those horses alive--
and I want him dead.

Come on.

Hold it.

Drop that g*n. Slow.

Now turn around.

Kayle.

What are you doing here?

Why are you
following me?

I doubled back
to lose some trouble.

Saw that blood and I figured
I better take a look around.

I'm glad I left
such a neat trail.

Who shot you?

Same guy that tried
to get you.

I didn't want them
to hurt you.

That's the truth.

Of course, you didn't have
anything to do with it.

You just happened to be riding
by on your way to church.

What of it? I tried
to help you, didn't I?

I don't know.
Trying to peg you

is getting close to being
a full-time job.

One of them...
name was Clay.

He got a bead on you,
I shot him first.

All right. You don't have to
believe me, I don't care.

I believe you.
I saw him drop.

Betts didn't like that.

Betts?

Yeah, he shot me.

I got to take you in,
Sandy.

That's funny.

I knew you were going
to say that.

You had it written
all over you.

Okay, so now
you won't be disappointed.

Thanks a lot.

Look, not that it matters

but I'll talk up
for you all I can.

Oh, save your breath.

I'm not asking for charity
from you or anybody.

Oh, you're a real
tough customer.

Maybe I should just
leave you here to die.

Why don't you?

I thought about it.

Only trouble is it
wouldn't solve anything.

It might for Sam Bronson.

Don't flatter yourself.

If you weren't
firing up his daughter,

somebody else would be.

Boy, you got it all
figured out, don't you?

One thing's sure,
we can't stay here.

Not if Betts is trying
to pick up your trail.

Can you ride?

I don't know.

It's time we found out.

Ohh.

You better put me down.

I don't think
I can make it.

You just keep thinking
how much you hate the world.

You'll make it.

[ horse snorting ]

As long as you're
feeling better,

there's a few things
you may as well learn.

Like what?

Well, like that
notion of yours

about the deck always being
stacked against you.

Take a look
around, Sandy.

Do you honestly
think it's easy

for anybody to live
in this country?

You going to tell me how rough
it is on Sam Bronson,

sitting there in the middle
of that big spread

with a pile of money
he ain't even used yet.

Nothing's stopping you from
doing the same thing.

All you got to do is go out
in the middle of nowhere

and find yourself
a forsaken piece of land

that nobody but half a hundred
fightin' mad Comanches want.

Then you build it up
from scratch

with nothing but a sick wife
to help you.

Practically work
day and night for 20 years

through all kinds
of weather.

Then you've just about
got it made.

If you got any more advice,
set it in my push cart.

Look, Sandy,
I want to help you.

Maybe the words
are coming out wrong.

The fact is,
I want to help.

Why?

Because I was just
like you once

and somebody helped me
when I needed it.

Is this what
you call helping?

Making me out to be
some kind of tr*mp

stealing the big rancher's
daughter?

You know, Celie
is about the best thing

that ever
happened to me.

All I ever needed
was somebody

that was beside me
instead of against me,

and things
might have been different.

Ain't I got a right to expect
something decent out of life?

Doesn't everybody?

Didn't you?

You'll get
no argument there.

Of course not,
because I'm right.

But there's a right
and a wrong way

to get what's yours.

Yeah, well,
it doesn't matter now

because it's too late.

Not the way I see it.

You're turning me in,
aren't you?

I'm taking you
to a doctor.

You didn't steal
those horses, Sandy.

Maybe you were going to,
but you saved my life.

I know
that for a fact.

Jess, I know people
in Cold Creek.

There's a doctor there
and I could get work there.

Well, the town straight ahead
has got a doctor in it,

it would save me
a lot of time.

I got to get those horses
to Laramie before July 1st.

Yeah, but I can get a job there,
I got friends there.

All right,
Cold Creek it is.

Are you Sam Bronson?

That's right.

My name's Doug.

Marshal of the New
Mexico territory.

Oh, yeah.

We've been cleaning up

a bunch of rustlers
and horse thieves.

I haven't lost
any stock lately.

We picked up an outlaw
by the name of Clay.

He'd been shot
in a horse raid

on some wrangler
going north.

This fellow Clay tells us

those horses have been
bought from you.

Also, there was a young lad
riding in the g*ng with him

that used to
work for you.

Fellow name of--Sandy Kayle.

I'll bet anything
it was him, wasn't it?

That might be
one of his names.

I knew he was no good.

I told my daughter Celie,

but I didn't think he'd
throw in with horse thieves.

That's not all.

That young lad
is wanted for m*rder.

m*rder?

Sandy Kayle, you sure?

I didn't care for him,
but he's no more than a boy.

We all figure it will be
a mighty good day

when that boy
stops growing any older.

He's wanted
for more than one k*lling,

including the m*rder
a young woman

in Santa Fe last April.

He was sparking
my daughter.

Look, this wrangler
they jumped,

would his name
have been Jess?

Was that it?

That we don't know.

It must have been Jess.

We do know
that this Sandy Kayle,

or whatever his name
happens to be, is dangerous.

And what's worse,
he's mighty hard to figure.

He might come back here.

Thought you
ought to know.

Thanks.

Look, why don't you tie up
and water the mounts,

and come in, have some coffee
and something to eat?

I got to tell this to Celie.

[ dog barking ]

Celie!

Celie, where are you?

Celie, I want
to tell you something.

Celie!

[ door opens ]

Perry, have you seen
Celie today?

I was just gonna tell you,
Mr. Bronson.

She took off
early this morning
just after breakfast.

Did she say
where she was going?

No.
She just headed north.

I didn't think anything
about it at the time,

but since she hasn't
come back yet,

I just remembered.

She carried a saddlebag

and she rode
one of our best horses.

Mr. Bronson.

You say Sandy Kayle

got into trouble
north of here?

Yeah.
That's right.

Have you got the authority
to deputize me

to look for him?

Well, I don't believe

that'll be necessary,
Mr. Bronson.

Anyway I'm a little out

of my jurisdiction
up here in Colorado.

I better be getting back.

I'm gonna get some of my hands
together with r*fles.

You could ride with us or not,
as it suits you.

But I'm going
after Sandy Kayle.

That trail's cold by now.

His is.

My daughter rode out
of here this morning,

outfitted for the trail.

To me, that means
only one thing.

She's riding out to meet him
somewhere up north.

You just hold on to
that compress there.

It wasn't too bad now,
was it?

I hardly felt it.

Well, I wouldn't say it
was that good either,

however, now
that we've got the b*llet out,

you'll be feeling
a lot better about now.

About the fee, doc.

Oh, that'll keep,
won't it?

Well, the point is he got hurt
helping me out.

Well, one good
turn deserves another.

Let's just forget about it.
You don't owe me anything.

Just hold on to
that bandage there.

That's the way.

Look, he's got
some important business, doc.

Well, this will only
take a minute now.

I'm sorry, Jess.

I don't think you're gonna get
those horses to Laramie

in time for the bonus.

You man bonus on the horses
I got left?

That ought
to do it now.

That ought to keep you
for a while.

Well, I'll stop
at the sheriff's office

on the way out of town
and make out a report.

All right, thanks, Jess,
I'm much obliged.

I got money.

Yeah, I know how much.

Yeah, Bronson sort of
threw it out there

where you could
count it.

This is just a loan.

I might even
charge you interest.

It's too late.

No, it's never
too late, Sandy.

Well, so long.

Thanks a lot, doc.

I'm sorry
we don't have

anything remotely
like a hospital.

Well, he's got
friends in town.

They'll look after him.

Oh, I don't know,

I think you better
keep the cash.

I'll tell you what, you're
gonna be around for a while.

You can pay me later.

Do I look like
a charity case?

No.
I just thought--

Never mind
what you thought.

Just take the money.

And thanks.

Who is it?

It's me, Celie.

Celie.

I wondered
if you'd come.

It was all arranged,
wasn't it?

Didn't I promise
Cold Creek?

I found your name
in the register

when I came in.

Oh, Sandy.

[ groans ]

You're hurt.

Yeah, A guy got jumped
by some horse thieves

and I pitched in
and got burned a little.

You sure are beautiful.

No, I'm not.
I've been riding.

Seems forever.

Are you sure that--

What about your horse?

Did you burn out the brand
like I told you?

I had to do it myself.

You didn't tell anyone
you were coming here, did you?

I just left a note
for my father.

I wanted him to know
I was joining the man I loved.

I know that sounds
too romantic

but that's just
the way I feel.

You shouldn't have
told him.

I'm not gonna say
anything against your father,

but he hates me.

He's gonna do anything
he can to keep us apart.

But we're together now,
the rest doesn't matter.

It does matter.

As soon as he finds out about
this perfectly honest fight

I was in, he's gonna
start putting things together

and have a pretty good idea
where to follow you.

And he won't stop
at anything.

So that's it?

Blame him for everything.

What does that mean?

There are wanted
notices out on you.

What do you mean on me?

Well, Jack Fletcher.

Well, I'm Sandy Kayle.

The name is Jack Fletcher,
but the picture's you.

[ horse approaching ]

Jess! Will you help me
with Sandy?

What are you
two doing here?
What happened?

We had it arranged,
I'd meet him at Cold Creek.

But he had friends there.

He was gonna settle down.

Until her father got
the good word about me up ahead.

I made an awful mistake.

I left Sam a note telling him
I was going to Sandy.

I didn't realize he'd
figured out where to find us.

If he comes after me,
I'm not going back.

That'll have to be between
you and your father.

All right.

But we can't ride double
on this horse anymore.

You can take my horse,
Sandy.

I don't need the saddle.
You do.

Please hurry!

Ohh!

Sandy,
you're bleeding again!

I'm all right.

Jess,
Sandy's wound's open.

I'm all right.
We got to get moving.

It's been a long,
hard day, Sandy.

Ease off.

There's plenty
of daylight left.

We got to get
these horses to Laramie.

We'll get them there.

By July 1st or no bonus.

You've already lost enough
on account of me.

We'll rest a while.

[ distant coyote howling ]

What is it?

People coming.

What?

Generally,
most honest folk

don't go riding
in the middle of the night.

Could be
they want our horses.

I'll find out
with they want.

You and Celie
hide in the bushes.

Take these
blankets with you.

SAM: We're peaceable.

My name is Sam Bronson.

Sam?

It's Jess Harper!

Jess!

Yeah.

He's found us.

What brings you out here?

Heard you were
bushwhacked in Colorado.

Is that a fact, Jess?

Yeah, that's a fact.

I lost a couple of horses--

But what, Jess?

I lost a couple of horses.

I still got enough left
to make that profit I need.

We're looking
for Sandy Kayle.

That young fellow
you run off your ranch?

He was one of the men
that tried to dry gulch you.

Have you seen him
around these parts?

Oh, I wish
I could help you, Sam.

You came into Cold Creek
with him.

Took him to a doctor
for a g*nsh*t wound

and handed him money.

Yeah, that's right.

Where is he?

I left him in Cold Creek.

He had friends there.
He was gonna get a job.

He lit out before dawn.

My girl Celie
went with him.

Now look here, Jess,

I did you a good turn
with those horses.

Celie is my only child

and Sandy Kayle,
alias Jack Fletcher, alias

who-knows-what is
wanted for m*rder.

Maybe he fooled you,
but he didn't fool me for long.

Look, Sam,
he helped me in that fight.

That's the truth.

Is that why you're
trying to protect him?

He could've helped do me in,
divided a nice haul,

but he got himself shot
fighting on my side.

Now that don't sound
like a k*ller to me.

We'll leave
that to the jury.

I mean to.

What would you do,
Sam,

if I turn him over
to you right now?

Would he get a fair trial?

Then he is around here.

I didn't say that.

We'll look around a little.

Perry!

Sir?

Let's look around a bit.

Mr. Bronson?

Don't that look all the world
like Miss Celie's chestnut?

Let's take
a look at the brand.

There was a brand,
but somebody worked it over.

Was that one of the horses
you bought from me, Jess?

Sure looked like
one of ours.

Shut up, Perry.

Jess?

That horse came off
your ranch, Sam.

I didn't pay much attention
to the brand though.

I never do when
I'm trading with a friend.

Meaning I shouldn't be
questioning you now,
is that it?

You can ask me
anything you want.

Just don't sweat me
over the answers.

Not if we're gonna do
this peacefully.

I'm not sure
you're telling the truth.

If you aren't,
you're in trouble

because Sandy Kayle
is dangerous.

Come on.

I still think that horse
looked like one of ours.

Could be any one
of a hundred horses
in the dark.

Mount up.

Well, I guess you heard.

Yeah, that horse
almost gave us away.

Well, don't be
too sure it didn't.

They might camp out
there for the night

and then come in
here in the morning.

What makes you
think that?

Well, if she was my daughter,
I'd wanna make darn sure

where she was before
I started sh**ting in the dark.

Why is he so determined?

Why can't
he just let us be?

What did he mean, Sandy,
about you being a m*rder*r?

That's not true.
Sandy can explain it.

Sandy!

I had to do it, Celie.

After what we just heard
I can't take a chance.

He was gonna help us.

Yeah, maybe he's gonna
help himself to a bounty.

I don't know
what he's thinking.

Why would he give me
an empty g*n?

You see, we can't depend
on him anymore.

I'm not about
to have myself hung

for something
I didn't do

or have your old man
take me out under a tree.

That's just the way
he'd handle it.

We'll take the horses.

We'll sell them in Wyoming.

Start a new life there.

I'll send Jess the money
for them one day,

you know that.

What about his horse?

Five to one,
your father will be back.

You mark what I say,
Jess will be all right.

Look, honey.

I care about him.

He's one of the decentest men
I've ever met.

It's just that now
that we're together,

I don't want to take a chance
on anybody spoiling it.

All right?

Come on.

Sandy,
we've got to stop.

I can hardly go on.
How can you?

Look, we're doing good, Celie.
I know this country real good.

Now keep going.

All right, rest here
for a minute.

If there's no one following us,
what about Jess?

Look, he'll be all right.

The worst
that can happen is

he'll have to walk
back to Cold Creek.

If you didn't
hurt him too bad.

Look, I care.

He's the one man
that ever cared

what happened to me.

One man in a thousand.

Picked my pay up
out of the dirt

and put it in my hand.

Not like your father.

Throwing out a man's pay

and making him
grub for it in the dirt.

All right, let's go.

Easy. Steady.

Looks like it's our day.

Come on.

Sandy, look!

We really
got to move now.

You take three horses,
I'll take the other four.

Who are they?
Can you tell?

Never mind that.
Move out!

There's no mine
opening near here.

Come on!
Ha!

Huah!
Let's go!

Never mind.
Come on!

Come on!
Move out!

What about the girl?What about her?

If she's in the way,
it's her hard luck.

Come on!

Tie 'em up good.

[ g*nf*re continues ]

Ferris, Kayle's hurting,

that girl can't give us
much trouble.

See if you can get up
on that ledge.

[ g*n clicks]

[ g*nsh*t ]

Sandy!

Jess,
please help him!

Sandy.

There's nothing anybody
can do for him now.

Oh, you could've at least
tried to save him.

I tried...

from the first time
I saw him.

I still can't understand

why he lied about
practically everything.

That was his way, honey.

Best thing to do
is forget about it.

There's at least one part
I can't forget about.

I loved him and wanted him
to marry me.

He promised to you
that too, Celie?

I wouldn't have gone off
with him otherwise.

I know it sounds
crazy now,

but I honestly think
he meant it.

At least that part about
wanting to marry me.

May as well tell her
the rest of it, Jess.

He was already
married, Celie,

to a woman in New Mexico
that he'd run out on.

She was the one
who put the law

on his trail
on the first place.

That makes it just
perfect, doesn't it?

Oh, I feel like
such a fool.

There, there, honey.

It's all over
and done with.

And I'd better be
riding on.

Yeah, we got a long trip
ahead of us too.

Thanks for everything,
Jess.

Celie.

Bye.

I don't know,
all these horses

you brought in
look kind of beat.

Well, I reckon
you would be too

if you'd have come
as far as they did.

Oh, listen,
what Jess means is,

you can't travel a horse

on a lead line over 200 miles
of rough country

and expect him
to look his best.

Well, I guess
they'll fill out.

And even if they don't,

I suppose
we can always use them

as a standby team.

Well, then it's a deal.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know, I can't help
envying you two.

What do you mean?

Well, just being
able to pick up and go,

like you did going south
to pick up these bangtails.

You must have had quite a time
for yourself, didn't you?

Yeah, I guess I did.

What do you mean
you guess you did?

I remember more
than a few of those

trail town saloons
you must have been in.

Was in 'em myself
when I was about your age.

About broke my heart
when I had to go back to work.

Yes, sir.

You young fellows
sure got it easy.