03x02 - The Rustler

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[male narrator] Compared to the vast floods of Texas Longhorns

which would have poured into the northern plains

in the late '70s and early '80s..

...only a trickle had been driven north by 1869.

And the great cattle empires

were still more than a decade away.

But horse ranching was already firmly established

because the stallions and the mares

with which many ranchers began their herds

were running wild in the high plains

available to any settler who had the courage

and stamina to capture them.

And among the most beautiful of these

magnificent wild horses..

...were the Appaloosa.

[intense music]

[neighing]

Yahoo! Hyah!

Yee-haw! Haw-haw!

- Yahoo! - Hyah!

- Hoo! Hoo! - Hyah!

[Josh] I'll head him off!

[music continues]

Yee-haw!

[horse neighing]

Josh!

[rustling]

[music continues]

[Josh groans]

Hyah!

[indistinct yelling]

[neighing]

[exhales]

[panting]

Josh, you hurt?

[chuckles] Oh, I reckon

I'll be smartin' in a few places for a while, Uncle Zeb.

But ain't he a beauty?

'Hoo-wee!'

[chuckles] Sure is. You know, it's a good thing he don't own a ranch.

He roped you fair and square.

[laughing]

[sighs]

[Luke] Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Whoa there.

Easy, boy.

[Luke] He's sure a beauty.

Whoa, whoa.

- Whoa, now. Ooh! - Ooh. Ooh.

Ooh!

Next time, why don't you wrap it around your neck?

[chuckles] Can't say I didn't get first rope on him though.

[horses neighing in distance]

Oh, Uncle Zeb, look.

'His mares.'

[neighing]

[horses neighing]

Haven't seen such a pretty sight in all my life.

[neighing]

[neighing]

Whoa. Whoa there. Easy, boy.

[horse neighing]

[horse snorting]

[Josh] What do we name him, Uncle Zeb?

Well, I figure we leave that up to Aunt Molly.

You know, she's got a way of comin' up

with just the right handle for these horses.

Hi-ya!

[neighing]

[instrumental music]

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa, easy. Easy.

Woo, easy. Easy!

Well, it may not be very original

but there's really only one name that suits him..

His Majesty.

Well, I can say one thing for you, Aunt Molly

he's a king if I ever saw one.

Well, maybe we can just name him King.

Oh, Uncle Zeb, "His Majesty."

It has such a proud ring to it.

Well, he's a proud one, alright.

'Took us five days to catch up with him.'

The only reason we did catch up with him

was 'cause he was worried about his mares.

Well, I think it's just terrible

that you took him away from his wives.

[laughter]

[Josh] Give us another few weeks, and we'll have

most of those wives of his right in there with him.

[Luke] 'Couple of weeks?'

'It shouldn't take us that long.'

[horse neighing]

Well, now that the christening's over

we'd better not dawdle about here too much longer.

Jessie and I have to get to town.

And the rest of you do have chores to do.

You know somethin', Aunt Molly, first chance I get

I'm gonna buy you a whip.

Well, to tell you the truth, you know, I could use it.

The roof of the barn still isn't fixed after that last storm.

Ha-ha! That'll teach you, Luke.

- Yeah. - Giddy-up, there.

We'll drop you at the house now, Laura.

[Zeb] You know, one of these days, boy

you'll learn to keep your mouth shut.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[clapping]

[music continues]

Mr. Craig?

'Mr. Craig?'

[dramatic music]

Mr. Craig, are you in there?

[gasps]

He be havin' hisself a bit of dinner up the street.

You be needin' a man's hand with somethin'?

No. Uh, just the buckboard.

I thought it would be hitched. But..

Well, now, I just figured on giving you a hand.

W-w-what you got yourself all trembly-like for?

W-well, I don't need any help.

I'll just wait for Mr. Craig. Huh!

Well, m-maybe I-I'll help you hitch up a buckboard

in swap for a little kiss.

- No. - Huh?

- No, please. - Oh, come on.

- Please let go of me. - Just one.

[Bob] 'And do it right now, mister!'

Get your hands off her.

[Jessie gasps]

Now, I know you're drunk, mister.

So, I don't wanna hurt ya.

[chuckles] I'm showin' you

what your liver looks like, boy..

...before I stomp on your face.

[grunting]

[groans]

[grunting]

[gurgling]

What's goin' on here?

He was scarin' me, Mr. Craig.

Mister, get yourself off and sober some place

before our town cemetery gets added to.

'Now, get movin'. And now!'

[groans]

[sighs]

[coughing]

[Ferris] 'There'd be another time, boy.'

[coughs]

Knowed you was in hurry to get that horse of yours shod, son

but I had a little business to take care of.

Just give me a little more time.

That's alright.

[sighs] He didn't hurt you none, did he?

- No, he just scared me. - Oh.

I came here to delivery figurin' my Aunt Molly

would be here waitin' for me.

Uh, no, Jessie, your Aunt Molly left me worried

that the ladies meetin' would be a little while longer.

Now, that's the reason I didn't hitch up the buckboard.

I'll get right to shoeing your animal, son.

Thank you.

[sighs]

Well, I sure would like to thank you, Mister..

Uh, Cooper. Bob Cooper.

Mr. Cooper, I'm Jessie Macahan.

Well, I-I don't think I'm old enough to be called mister.

Tell you what, I'll use Jessie if you use Bob.

Bob.

Now, I'd say you have pretty good taste.

Buyin' the one that I sorta approved of.

You really like it?

Yeah, yeah. It suits you.

Looks real pretty on you.

[mellow music]

Uh, l-listen, if, uh

if you're waitin' to be picked up

I saw over the sweet shop down the street

was havin' a special on ice cream today.

You want some?

That's very kind of you to invite me.

[chuckles]

[neighing]

I'll bet you that stallion they just brought in

is worth more than all them horses put together.

Yeah.

Except an Appaloosa can be spotted a mile off.

Why don't we go look somewheres else?

Don't you ever stop worryin'?

You're near as bad as Cooper.

Maybe we oughta take 'em tonight and get it over with?

Use your head, Everett.

Now, the trader can't handle 'em until Friday.

And we can't stay camped out with stolen horses

for two days. They'd catch us for sure.

Talkin' about Cooper, he sure is takin' his time

gettin' his horse shoed.

[sighs]

Yeah.

Maybe, we better ride into town and see what's holdin' him up.

I don't like the idea of us showin' our faces in town.

You really are somethin', you know that?

They're not gonna know us with Adam around here.

Now, come on.

[dramatic music]

So, I've been on my own ever since.

You mean, since you were six years old..

...you had no one taking care of you at all?

That's about it.

Once a farmer got some orphanage people after me.

And I was on a work farm for about a month.

And I ran away the first chance I got.

That must've been a terrible life.

No, no. It's not all bad.

You learn how to get along real quick

when you're on your own, Jessie.

Well, what kinda work are you doing now?

The last job I had was wrangling.

I, uh, well, me and some friends are up this way job-huntin'.

In fact, I'm supposed to meet up with them

as soon as my horse gets shod.

So, maybe we should be gettin' back now.

Alright. Oh, and thank you for the ice cream.

You're welcome.

You know, it sure was strange

us runnin' into each other the way we did.

It's kinda like fate or something, I mean.

[Bob] Uh..

I don't quite know how to say this.

You probably got lots of beaus.

- No. - No?

Oh, well, uh..

The way I want to put this is, uh..

I wouldn't mind, I mean, uh..

Maybe, maybe you wouldn't mind seeing me again?

- I wouldn't mind. - Great.

Well, uh, I'll probably be back in town by Sunday.

Oh, Sunday, we're having a church picnic.

- Why don't you come? - Church picnic?

Oh, church picnic sounds great.

Will you be wearing that pretty blue bonnet to the picnic?

Do you want me to wear it?

I'll have to have some way to pick you out

from all the rest of pretty girls.

[chuckles]

Oh, my.

- What's the matter? - It's my Aunt Molly.

'She must've been waiting forever.'

Look, would you wait here a minute?

- Yeah, sure, but-- - I'll be right back.

Oh, Aunt Molly, I'm so sorry.

I was here earlier, but Mr. Craig said

that the ladies meeting was running late.

[chuckles] It's alright, Jessie.

I think I understand.

He seems like a very nice young man.

Oh, he is, Aunt Molly.

He's just the nicest boy

I ever met in my whole life.

He's new here, and he's looking for a job.

And he helped me pick out this bonnet

'and he bought me an ice cream, and--'

And you were just wondering if we could possibly

invite him home for supper tonight?

Oh, could we, Aunt Molly?

- Ha-ha-ha - 'Please?'

I think so, dear.

Oh, thank you, Aunt Molly.

- Jessie? - Yes, ma'am.

It might be nice if I knew the young man's name.

It's Cooper. Bob Cooper.

[chuckles]

You're gonna have supper with us tonight.

- S-supper? But I-- - 'It's all arranged.'

[Jessie] 'My Aunt Molly already said yes.'

And you could come with us now, and you can meet my Uncle Zeb.

He's the mountain man I was tellin' you about.

'And we'll have roast chicken--'

Jessie, there's nothin'

I like more in the whole world

but these two friends of mine

they're kind of expectin' me tonight.

Oh, we'll be eating early tonight.

You'll be back in no time. Please?

[sighs]

Well, I guess if you have a roast chicken

I can have them wait a bit.

Good.

Aunt Molly, this is Bob Cooper. Bob, this is my Aunt Molly.

- He's coming. - Well, that's lovely.

It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Cooper.

Oh, I sure wanna thank you for invitin' me, ma'am.

I hope I'm not too much trouble.

Oh, none at all.

Why don't you get in and we'll go?

Oh, I'd like to very much, ma'am

but I have my horse here in livery stable.

- He should be shod by now. - Oh.

Well, in that case, you could catch up with us.

Come along, Jessie.

[instrumental music]

Here you go.

And thank you again, ma'am.

Both of you.

Isn't he nice?

He's just the nicest person I ever met in my whole life.

[chuckles] Why, yes, dear. You did say as much.

But if we don't get going soon, there isn't going to

be any supper, Jessie.

Oh, Aunt Molly, did you ever meet somebody and..

...and you knew he was special?

[dramatic music]

How come you're still in town?

Well, I said I'd see you at camp.

When? Next Thursday?

- You've been in town all day. - Yeah, I know.

The liveryman got behind.

Look, I'll meet you back at camp.

Hey, where are you goin', Bob?

Uh, I met somebody. Got invited to supper.

Are you crazy?

What's eatin' you, Orly? I'm havin' supper, that's all.

It can't do no harm.

The hell it can't.

Now, we found exactly what we were lookin' for.

- It's a perfect setup. - Real nice herd of horses.

Near the canyons. There's gonna be easy takings tomorrow.

- But we gotta make plans. - Great.

We'll make plans later. Look, I gotta go.

I'll meet you back at camp later, around dark.

[clicking tongue] Go.

[dramatic music]

Boy, he's acting real strange.

Strange ain't the word for it.

I tell you somethin', Everett.

If he fouls us up on this job..

...I'll k*ll him.

[birds chirping]

[cutlery clinking]

Well, Josh and I got some chores to do

before turnin' in.

So, it was a pleasure meetin' up with you, Bob.

- Oh, you too, Luke. - Take care.

Hope to see you again real soon when we have more time to talk.

Oh, me, too.

Hm.

That sure was good food, Ms. Laura.

- You're a wonderful cook. - Oh, well, thank you.

And the biscuits were the best I ever tasted.

Oh, they were not. They didn't rise at all.

Maybe that's the secret.

[laughing]

Oh, say, uh..

...how did you like pickles?

- What? - Uh, the pickles.

Oh, the pickles. Oh, th-they were great, too.

Yeah. Yeah, they were pretty good.

Molly, here, she's a fair country pickle-maker.

Of course, I guess, the best pickles in the West, uh

uh, was made by me and Jim Bridger.

You and Jim Bridger made pickles?

[Zeb] 'Why, sures. Down by the Great Basin over Salt Lake.'

It was late one fall, and me and Bridger

was, uh, camped down a herd of buffalo there.

You know, it started to snow.

Now, it snowed for 70 days

and 70 nights straight.

And them buffalo

they was froze solid right where they was a-standin'.

What does this have to do with pickles?

Well, now, just take it easy.

This-this takes a little tellin'.

It sure does.

Well, what happened?

Well..

The spring time come along

'and it started to thaw out'

and there was 'em buffalo all standin' there

had been there all winter.

Uh, well, me and old Jim Bridger

took our knives over there, and we just skinned them clean.

'And we just, we rolled 'em'

down into the Great Salt Lake.

And you know somethin'?

The whole Shoshone Nation..

...they lived on pickled buffalo meat for ten year.

- I'll clear the table. - I'll help.

[chuckling]

[laughing]

Zebulon, you're impossible.

[Molly laughing]

If I'm buyin', I'm dyin'.

[laughter]

Where did you find him?

He's gorgeous.

- In town. - Oh.

You go on, I'll do this.

Take him for a walk before Uncle Zeb

starts another story.

[laughs] Are you sure?

Yes, I'm sure. Go.

- More coffee? - Oh, no, thanks.

Yeah, I'd like.

Aunt Molly, is it alright

if I take Bob out and show him our new calf?

Oh, I think that'd be very nice, dear.

Well, that is if Bob is interested.

Oh, yes, ma'am. I love animals.

- Well, come on. - Yeah.

Thanks again for the supper. It was real fine.

It was a pleasure.

- Are you coming? - Oh, yes. I'm comin'.

[chuckles]

[chuckling]

Well, it's been quite a day.

Yes, and for some of us, it isn't over yet.

[laughing]

[Molly] Laura..

[Laura laughing]

[mellow music]

Isn't she pretty?

She's only six days old.

Oh, she sure is.

She's just like you.

[chuckles]

Laura is the pretty one.

No.

I think there's all kinds of pretty, Jessie.

[music continues]

Hey, uh, I sure would like to thank you again

for inviting me here.

[sighs] You know, this, this may sound

kinda funny to you, but, uh

I-I never met a family like yours before.

You all seem to, uh..

...I don't know, you all seem to like each other so much.

[sighs]

You know, I hope we'll be friends for a long time, Jessie.

I hope we'll be friends forever.

[music continues]

Well, I'll be doggone.

[chuckles]

I do believe our baby sister is growin' up.

[chuckles]

[laughing]

Shh.

[music continues]

"Back by dark," he said.

Well, it's past 10 o'clock, and there ain't no sign of him.

He's run out on us. I knew it.

Oh, I-I don't figure him doin' that without tellin' us, Orly.

Now, them horses are probably only half broke.

Hell, there ain't no chance the two of us

can do it on our own.

Well, you know, I'm gettin' a real bad feelin'

about this whole thing.

Maybe we ought to just think about doin'..

[Bob] 'Easy, boys, don't get itchy. I'm comin' in.'

Whoa!

[Bob sighs]

[Bob sighs]

Sorry, I'm late.

[Bob groans]

- The hell have you been? - Ahh.

Havin' supper, like I told ya.

Well, there ain't no supper I ever ate that took that long.

Now, you said you'd be back before dark.

What's the matter with you, Orly? I'm here, aren't I?

'Gee, I said I was sorry.'

Well, if you're so sorry..

...why don't you just explain to us

what took you so long?

Well..

[sighs]

I met a girl. Real nice girl.

I guess we just started talkin' and havin' a good time.

Oh, for the love of Pete!

Hah! He's in love.

- Cut it out, Orly. - Ha-ha.

Cut it out.

- I learned a lot tonight. - Like what?

Well..

Well, like this here ain't no way to live.

You should've seen those people around the dinner table.

Well..

It was somethin' special.

No.

I don't believe you.

In one evening with some dumb farm girl

and all of a sudden, all our plans go right out the window.

- Now, cut it out! - Who's gonna stop me? You?

Come on, you guys, this don't help nobody

you two arguin' like that.

[scoffs]

Yeah, I guess you're right.

[breathing heavily]

[sighs] Got some things to work out.

'Everett told you we found a herd?'

Well, they're up in a meadow.

Couple of miles away from the ranch house.

And they're just waitin' to be took.

Now what's eatin' you?

Look, I've been thinking about that

on the way up here.

- I want out. - Want what?

Look, I wasn't happy about it the last time. You know that.

But at least we had a reason.

This time, we're nothin' but plain thieves.

Listen, I'm tellin' you somethin', Cooper.

Right now, you ain't leavin' us.

Yeah? And I'm tellin' you I am.

Look, you gave us your word.

And we gave our word to that trader.

Now, he knows who we are, Cooper.

He knows our faces, and he knows our names.

And he's clearin' out his horses to make room for the others

that we promised him on Friday.

Well, that's right, Bob. I never thought about that.

'If we don't have those horses for him'

that trader could make trouble for us

real bad trouble.

Well, maybe I'm willin' to take that chance.

Well, maybe you are.

'But we ain't.'

Now, we're in this together!

And we can't do it on our own.

So, you owe us, Cooper.

[Everett] 'That's right, Bob. You do owe us.'

You just gotta stick with us on this one.

[dramatic music]

Alright. Alright, I'll do it.

But this is the last time. You got that? The last time.

Fine.

The last time.

Then we go our own ways.

Hey, Uncle Zeb.

This feller in town

he was tellin' me that Appaloosas are real dumb.

Yeah, I've heard that afore, too

but I don't figure there's much to it.

I'll tell you somethin'.

Cheyenne and the Apache, they both ride Appaloosas.

I figure them to be some of the best horsemen on Earth.

You know, specially the Cheyenne

when they're huntin' buffalo.

You know, they'll ride right straight

into the middle of a herd.

They got no saddle, no stirrups.

When they're actually doing the shootin'

they're holding on to the bow and arrow.

They can't even touch the reins.

And I wouldn't want to do that on no dumb horse.

You wouldn't catch me doing that on any horse. Ha-ha.

The horses! Look! They're gone!

[dramatic music]

The stallion maybe kicked down the fence.

No, sir.

The gate's open.

They've been took. Hey!

- Hyah! - Hyah!

[music continues]

I can't believe it.

Well, Josh, you can believe it, alright.

They was here less than an hour ago.

There was three of them.

You goin' after 'em?

You bet, I am.

I'm gonna nail their thievin' hides

'to the nearest tree.'

You're not gonna k*ll 'em, are you?

Josh, it took more than two months

to round up them critters, another month to break 'em.

I tell you somethin'.

'If you think I ain't gonna take care of them'

'thievin' coyotes, you watch me.'

- Hyah. Hyah! - Hyah!

[music continues]

[Orly] Get off there!

Whoa!

Come on!

Whoa! Whoa-Whoa!

[whistling]

Yeah, get off there. Yeah.

[horse snorts]

[horse neighs]

[Orly laughs]

Yeah, I told you it was gonna be easy, didn't I?

Took too long. Way too long.

And they're givin' us too much trouble.

Well, we'll just pick it up, son.

Hey! There's riders comin'!

Three of 'em!

Here, hold 'em.

[galloping]

They're after us. Come on! Come on!

[Orly] They got blood in their eye! Let's get out of here! Hyah!

[intense music]

Get on.. Get on out of here. Come on!

'Hyah!'

[music continues]

[g*nsh*t]

[neighs]

[grunts]

[Zeb] Get that one, Josh.

[Bob] Damn, it's a dead end!

Take cover.

Hyah! Hyah!

[music continues]

Hyah! Hah!

[Zeb] Whoa! They're up there behind those rock.

[c*ck g*n]

[g*nsh*t]

[c*ck g*n]

[g*nsh*t]

[c*ck g*n]

[g*nsh*t]

[Zeb] Mister, there's nowhere to run now. Come on down!

Oh, no. Oh, my God.

[panting]

They're Macahans.

[panting]

We stole Macahan horses.

What are you talkin' about?

The girl.

The people I had dinner with last night.

[c*ck g*n]

[g*nsh*t]

Hey, you Macahans!

Let's talk!

Have your breath for your prayers.

You just stole your last horse.

[c*ck g*n]

[g*nsh*t]

You don't understand, mister.

I got a friend of yours up here.

[c*ck g*n]

[g*nsh*t]

I got no horse-thief friends!

[c*ck g*n]

[g*nshots]

[Josh] Uncle Zeb!

[Zeb] 'Josh, you're in the line of fire. Get back!'

- Uncle Zeb, you gotta hold up. - Josh, get back outta here.

You don't understand, they're just kids.

Kids?

[Josh] 'That one back there'

isn't any older than me.

He's dead.

He broke his neck takin' the fall.

Broke his neck?

What's the matter with these kids?

Stealin' horses, shootin' at people.

The hell's the world coming to?

Alright, you two, get up outta there!

[Zeb] Get up!

The other one!

S-stand up, Cooper.

[panting]

I can't face him.

You better get your friend on his feet, mister. Now!

Get up!

[dramatic music]

It's Cooper.

The guy Jessie brought to dinner last night.

Oh, my God.

Jessie.

Get on down here!

[music continues]

[music continues]

Young fella, I seen some bold people in my time.

Murderers, back shooters, cowards, thieves..

I never seen nobody as low as you.

Well, I guess you two ain't friends no more, huh?

[grunting]

If you were three days older, mister, you'd be dead.

[music continues]

- Unh! - Get 'em out of here.

- Why, you.. Move! - Now, git.

[dramatic music]

And he's also taking me to the church picnic, Sunday.

And he made me promise to wear that bonnet that I bought--

Jessie, I know that he's the most wonderful boy in the world

but there are other topics of conversation.

[sighs]

[horse neighing]

Oh, I do hope that's Zeb and the boys.

[horse snorts]

[Molly sighs] Well, thank heavens.

We were getting worried. It's so late, Luke.

We thought something must have happened.

[Luke] Uh, something did, Aunt Molly.

- Caught us some horse thieves. - Horse thieves?

[Zeb] Alright, you, get down off of there.

[Luke] 'One got k*lled when his horse threw him.'

[dramatic music]

I said, get down!

[grunting]

[breathing heavily]

Wish it could be different, kitten.

Bob.

I'm sorry.

[sighs]

I didn't realize we'd be stealin' your horses.

[music continues]

I'm sorry.

[dramatic music]

Let's go.

They stole our horses?

Yeah, they not only stole our horses

took a shot at us, too.

I'm tellin' ya, it's lucky they're kids.

Uncle Zeb would have k*lled 'em.

Oh, Luke.

I know.

[dramatic music]

[Jessie sobbing]

How long do you think she's liable to keep doin' that?

I just know that yesterday was the grandest day of her life

and tonight is the most miserable.

[sighs]

[Jessie sobbing]

Well, it don't matter, that boy is still a horse thief.

I'll tell you somethin' else, too.

I know what you all are thinkin'.

But as far as I'm concerned, there ain't no Macahan woman

that's gonna have nothing to do with no horse thieves

and that's my final word.

[Zeb] Ah.

[crickets chirping]

[Jessie] 'Aunt Molly.'

Jessie.

I've got to talk to Bob.

Well, now, Jessie, I'm not sure--

Aunt Molly, I've got to.

[crickets chirping]

Alright, my child. But don't be too loud, please.

Aunt Molly.

You think it was wise to..

Could you have refused her?

[sighs]

Well, well.

Hey, Cooper. Looks like you got company.

[mellow music]

[sighs]

I'll be outside, Jessie.

You didn't touch your food.

I can't eat.

[sighs]

- I wished I was dead. - You mustn't say that.

I mean it.

There ain't no way back from what we done.

'It doesn't matter that we didn't know'

those horses belonged to the Macahans.

Because they belonged to somebody.

Somebody who worked hard to get 'em.

Why steal horses at all?

Maybe the first time was too easy.

You stole horses before?

No, I didn't see it as stealin'.

'You see, the three of us, we had this wranglin' job'

on a spread down in Colorado.

We took half wages

with the, uh, understandin' that we'd be kept on

during the slack.

Well, they cheated us.

Who cheated you?

[Bob] The rancher.

He fired all of us

as soon as the round-up was over.

So, we, uh..

We rustled some of his horses

to make up for some of the money he owed us.

You never once thought about it being wrong?

Yeah, I thought about it.

I thought about it a lot.

But you know somethin'?

[chuckles] When I saw you yesterday..

[sighs]

...I swear..

...I swear I didn't wanna go through with it.

Then why?

Why did you?

[scoffs]

Because I was a plain fool, that's why.

[music continues]

Tell you one thing..

It's gonna be hard livin' it down.

[chuckles] Goin' to jail for horse thievin'.

Well, don't you worry about livin' down anythin', Cooper.

'Cause you and me ain't gonna have any worries real soon.

What's that supposed to mean?

Meaning we're gonna be hangin' by our necks

before the week's out.

Hangin'?

[Orly] 'Yeah. This is horse country.'

Where you dangle by a rope for stealin' anything

that looks like a horse.

[dramatic music]

[mellow music]

- Want a cup of coffee? - Sounds good.

[Jessie sobbing in distance]

[Jessie sobbing]

I couldn't feel closer to her as if she was my own.

It must be worse for you.

[sobbing continues]

Why don't you sit down, and we'll talk about it?

I don't, I don't know, Molly.

I don't think there's much to talk about.

Our little gal, she's just, she's stuck on that fella.

Uh, Zeb, don't you remember your first love?

Would you've turned your back on her if they'd caught her

stealing from the collection plate?

Hey, Mol, there's a big difference between

stealin' a few coins out of a collection plate

and horse thievin'.

Aye, that's true.

But they're little more than children.

Children?

Now, Luke's got a b*llet hole in his sleeve

and if it was six inches further to the right

we'd be buryin' him tomorrow.

Yes.

But Luke did tell me that the one who's dead

is the one who did the sh**ting.

Seems a high price to pay for being young and afraid.

Doesn't it?

Well, uh..

I don't know what we can do, Molly.

We can't let 'em go, can we?

[Molly] 'No. They have to face the consequences of what they did.'

But the boy that Jessie's taken with is the only one

of the three who wasn't carrying a g*n.

And he is deep ashamed, Zebulon.

Damnit, Molly, I just don't know what I can do.

Well, you might try havin' a word with Jessie.

I don't even know what I'd say to her.

I don't know either, Zebulon

but I know that you've frightened her.

Now, she heard what you said.

'She worships the ground you walk on.'

And right now, she believes that you're her enemy.

[Jessie sobbing]

[mellow music]

[Jessie sobbing]

Jessie.

Your Aunt Molly, she figured maybe we ought to talk.

You said you wouldn't have me

taken up with him no matter what.

Well, now..

Honey, that's, uh, that's true in a way.

You see, we don't wanna have you just

just taken up with some horse thief that comes along.

Did you ever steal anything?

Never stole no horses.

Did you ever steal anything?

Well, yes, when I was a boy, I stole me a handful

of jawbreakers one time.

And let me tell you, your grandpa

he whooped me so bad

I could hardly sit down for a week.

Bob never had anybody who c-cared enough about him

to whip him for doing wrong.

Now, honey, maybe I've been

lookin' at this the wrong way

but all I could think of this mornin' when we pulled

that young fella out from behind them rocks was..

...was seein' your face

and what it was gonna look like when you seen who it was.

Now, I know it may seem hard to believe right now

but you're gonna meet a lotta other young fellas in your life.

And they're, they're not gonna be in the same trouble

as this one either.

They'll hang him.

That's what the other one said.

Stealing horses in this country is a hanging offence.

Is that true?

Yeah, honey.

Do you really think he'd do it again?

I don't know.

All I know is, we got a body down in the barn

and we gotta take it into town tomorrow at the sheriff.

And when we do, then this is out of our hands.

Bob's sorry for what he did.

He'll never do it again.

And he didn't sh**t at anybody either.

He didn't know those horses were ours.

He feels so bad that he wants to die.

If they hang him, Uncle Zeb

I'll never speak to you again as long as I live.

[sobbing]

Here he comes now.

- Morning, sheriff. - Morning, ladies.

You weren't waiting for me, I hope.

Matter of fact, we were, sheriff.

Well, I'm sorry. I was having a bite of breakfast.

What can I do for you?

Sheriff, is Bob allowed to have visitors?

- Bob? - Mr. Cooper. Your prisoner.

Um, he's a friend of mine.

The young man did Jessie a good turn yesterday.

She'd like to have a word with him.

Oh, yes. Of course, Jessie.

I'll wait for you here, dear.

Yes, ma'am.

Sure young man to be involved in a horse thievin', Jessie.

He's not a horse thief.

I mean, it all came about accidentally.

You mean, he was accidentally stealing Macahan horses?

Well, it's kind of a complicated story.

Hmm.

Wait here.

Cooper, visitor to see you.

Jessie.

I was hoping you'd come.

I came in with my family.

My Uncle Zeb and my brothers are going to have to testify.

I was, I was wondering if maybe I could do something to help.

I could talk to the town lawyer.

He's a real nice man.

Aw, Jessie, that's awful kind

but I don't think I need a lawyer.

I mean, we were guilty.

And the best thing to do is admit to it. Like we did.

[mellow music]

I even told 'em we took horses up north.

Oh, that's the best way, being honest about it.

You admit to doing wrong

and people will just see it as a bad mistake.

Hey, you didn't wear your blue bonnet.

I'm savin' it.

For the picnic Sunday. Remember?

'You need something to pick me out--'

From all the rest of the pretty girls. I remember.

Except, I ain't all that pretty.

Now, that just beats me

why all pretty girls always say they ain't pretty.

Guess it's a way to fish around for compliments, I reckon.

Do you really think I'm pretty?

Oh..

You know the first time I saw you tryin' on bonnets, remember?

I remember.

I wanted to tell you

I never saw a girl who looked so, so sweet

so...just plain nice.

I don't want anything bad to happen to you.

Not ever.

I love you.

[music continues]

[Hank] 'Well, there ain't no need of wasting'

'the taxpayers' money on a long trial.'

We'll try 'em today, hang 'em tomorrow and bury 'em Saturday.

Damnit, Hank, you don't make things no easier.

Makin' what no easier for you?

Hell, there's complications.

Apart from the fact that these young fellas

haven't had any experience at stealin' horses

and Jessie's gone and got herself sweet on one of 'em.

- This fellow, Bob Cooper. - 'What?'

I know, it sounds crazy.

But he saved her from gettin' mauled

by some hide-cutter down at the stables the other day

and she's just taken up with him.

And she's real upset about all this that's happenin'.

Now, Hank, you gotta listen to me.

I know it may be hard to understand

but you see...Jessie

I got a real special feelin' for her.

Hank, a deep feelin'.

I think it comes from, from the fact

of her mother's dyin' like she done

'and Jessie being the youngest and bein' hurt most by it.'

Anyway, I, I know that little gal.

I know what she's feelin'

and she ain't takin' none of this light.

Zeb, you got yourself a real problem.

I'm a jurist.

I know sometimes it..

...it don't look that way.

But I take this job mighty serious.

And when that boy comes before my court

there ain't nothin' in the world that I can do

based on the evidence, but hang him.

Alright, Hank..

...then you don't leave me no choice.

Macahans are droppin' all charges.

That don't matter, Zeb.

What do you mean, "Don't matter?"

'Cause there's an additional charge against them boys

connected with them stealin' the horses

from that rancher that they worked for.

I know about that.

I'll pay that rancher double

what them horses are worth.

That ain't gonna work.

I got a telegram off to that rancher

to get the details of the theft.

Got this answer back from him this morning.

'He's on his way to Teton now.'

He wants us to hold the trial up till he gets here.

He's got an additional charge to file against them boys.

Seems that they k*lled a ranch hand that came up on them

while they were stealin' them horses.

Horse stealin' ain't the only charge, Zeb.

It's m*rder.

[dramatic music]

I don't care.

I don't want Jessie lookin' on at any hangin'.

Well, neither do I, dear

but, you know, Luke, Jessie must be considered

as a young woman now and no longer

just the little kitten of our family.

She's as deeply smitten with that young man

as anyone I've ever seen.

Look, I've got a problem here, and I'm gonna have to

have some help with it.

See, I gotta ride out of here tonight.

I gotta head for Fort Benson.

Now, I can't leave

with that little gal sittin' up there thinkin'

some of the things that she's been sayin'.

Like that she ain't never gonna speak to me again.

'Why..'

'Now, you, you gotta help me with that.'

She's got to understand..

...that I was doin' all of that just to protect her.

You don't think she knows that already, Uncle Zeb?

I don't know, honey.

This here family's growin' up so fast around me

I don't know if I can keep up with you.

Zeb, why don't you just tell Jessie exactly how you feel?

[mellow music]

I'm not coming home, Uncle Zeb.

I don't care what you say.

Well, honey, I, I didn't mean that you had to come home.

I just thought maybe it might be easier for you.

All they can talk about along that street is..

...is a young boy having to be hung.

Nobody askin' if a mistake was made.

Only that there has to be a hangin'.

Well, now, honey, there won't be anybody down along this street

decidin' if there's gonna be a hangin'.

That'll be up to Judge Hank Carter.

'He'll be lookin' at both sides of the question.'

There'll be only one side.

That is that Bob Cooper got taken advantage of.

And he made a mistake by tryin' to get even with that rancher.

Now people...say that he has to hang for a mistake.

Honey, I, uh, I gotta leave town now.

I gotta head up to Fort Benson.

But...before I go

I want you to know something.

You know, last night, you, you said how that

if they hung that boy

that you was never gonna speak to me again.

'And I.. Well, uh..'

I just wanted you to know that

as far as I'm concerned, honey, there couldn't be nothin'

worse than that ever happen to me that, that my Jessie

wouldn't talk to me.

Oh, Uncle Zeb.

[sobbing]

Uncle Zeb.

[dramatic music]

We found Jake Halon in this rocky ravine

where they drove the horses.

Jake's head had been bashed in.

Doc managed to keep him alive for almost, uh, two weeks.

But he died, 10 o'clock on Sunday mornin'.

They found Jake in the rocks. We could've been long gone.

Maybe his horse threw him.

Why are you even listenin' to him for?

He cheated us. That's why we took his horses.

He's tryin' to make us look bad.

Why, you miserable saddle tr*mp--

[Hank] 'That's enough. Enough of the both of you.'

You'll have sufficient time to refute the charges to come.

'Please continue, sir.'

Jake never woke up, but once.

'That was a couple of days before he died.'

That witness I called in

heard Jake say these words.

With his dyin' breath.

I wrote 'em down.

'And the doctor and the witness, both signed it.'

'Signifying as it has been the truth.'

"I made the mistake of following them into the rocks

"by myself that night.

"Don't know which one it was.

'"Orly, Cooper.'

'"Or Everett, dropped back to come up behind me."'

Yeah, well, i-it must have been Everett

because I was with Bob the whole time

ridin' through those rocks.

No. No, I was with Everett.

He was ridin' drag.

You're excused, Mr. Barrett.

They're all thieves.

I don't see if that matters..

[Hank] Mr. Orly.

Mr. Orly, would you take the witness chair, please?

I regret that it wasn't you that got your head bashed in!

Look, you can't hang us twice

so why don't you just get on with it?

Why, Orly?

Why'd you have to do it?

'Cause he was comin' up on our backside.

Now, you'd have done the same.

Lot of time being wasted.

With m*rder and horse thieves.

Honest way to stop m*rder and horse thieves and rustlers

in this territory is give 'em a fast rope.

Yeah, that's right.

You reserve those opinions for yourself, sir.

[indistinct chatter]

Go back to your seat, son.

Now, since both the accused have pleaded guilty

and waived the jury trial

it just remains for this court to sentence 'em.

'Before I do that'

do either one of you gentlemen have anything further to say?

I already said it.

Mr. Cooper?

Yeah. Yeah, I know I was wrong for stealin' them horses.

But I swear, I didn't mean to harm nobody.

That's it, I guess.

Responsibility of this court is quite clear.

There can be no vain degrees of guilt in taking a person's life

during the commission of the crime.

'If more than one person conspire to commit a crime'

then all individuals are collectively responsible

for any harm or injury--

No! It's not fair.

Ms. Macahan, please.

Nobody asked if a mistake was made! Nobody!

You don't ask how it all comes about.

All everybody here cares about is seeing somebody hang.

- Jessie. - 'It's not fair!'

Not fair to blame two people for what one did.

Jessie!

[grunting]

[g*nsh*t]

[dramatic music]

I don't even know why you bothered givin' him a trial.

[sighs]

He's dead, Your Honor.

[music continues]

Make a nice tall one, old man

so the kid swings high, eh?

That'll be twice as high if the likes of you was on it.

Bet you would.

Looks like that rustlin' friend of yours is gonna be

the main attraction at the hangin' event.

Uh, I wish I could be there for the occasion.

[laughing]

Jessie.

Can I have a word with you before you see the boy?

Well, about what?

Here. Have a seat for a minute.

There are two things, Jessie.

One, I want you to know you can come here

anytime you like to visit.

Thank you.

But two..

Jessie, don't you think you're..

...tormentin' yourself about that boy?

[knocking on door]

It's open.

I've come to fetch the train dishes, sheriff.

Ah.

Think on it, Jess.

Tormentin' yourself.

[dramatic music]

Jess.

[sighs]

Speak as long as you want.

Hey, guess what.

I had a dream about you last night.

You did?

Yeah, we were at that church picnic

that you invited me to.

And then, it was a funny ending.

You just walked away from me.

Into the woods and disappeared.

'So then I ran after you.'

[sighs] I couldn't find you.

I woke up.

I had a real lonely feelin' inside.

Because I couldn't find you.

Oh, come on, Jessie. Don't cry.

'You must never cry.'

'You got too nice of a smile to ever cry.'

I'm gettin' you outta here.

What?

It's an extra key.

The sheriff will never miss it.

Oh, Jessie.

Are you crazy?

I can't let you do that.

Do you figure you did anything to get hung for?

No, but--

Then what I'm gonna do is right.

And what they wanna do has to be wrong.

[sighs]

Now, when it gets dark

and the sheriff goes to get his supper..

...you be ready.

[mellow music]

Laura and your brothers have gone back to the ranch.

They did want to stay in town, but I told it would be better

if we were alone.

It's time we had a talk, Jessie.

I'm afraid there's very little that can be done.

It's just so wrong what they wanna do.

So wrong.

Are you going out for a walk, dear?

I could join you.

I'd rather be alone, Aunt Molly.

Yes, I know, Jessie, but on the street at night..

It's not late.

There are other ladies on the street.

- Yes, I know, child, but-- - Aunt Molly.

I'm not a child.

And I will not be treated as though I was a child.

[instrumental music]

Sheriff Andrews!

Evening, sheriff. I'm looking for Jessie.

She's visiting with Bob Cooper, isn't she?

No, Mrs. Culhane, I don't permit night visitors.

But Jessie was here earlier.

[dramatic music]

Somebody broke that boy out.

Get me a posse together.

[music continues]

[music continues]

Whoa!

Well, there it is, it's called the Cree Trace.

'Goes all the way up into Montana territory.'

And from there on into Canada.

You sure do know your way around these parts.

Oh, I've been up this way before with my Uncle Zeb.

He took me on one of his trips up to Yellowstone.

[clicks tongue]

[dramatic music]

You know something, Josh?

I am beginning to think that our little sister

spent a good part of last night layin' tracks south of town.

If you and me broke somebody outta jail

first thing we'd be thinking about is

throwing that posse off our trail.

Yes, I'm willin' to bet you Jessie headed north

before first light.

The sheriff and his posse are back there tracking the wash.

You think we oughta tell 'em we all could be tail-chasin'?

The way I see it, I'm not all that interested

in Bob Cooper bein' caught

as I am seein' Jessie is alright.

So, the first thing we should do is swing by

Fort Benson and pick up Uncle Zeb

'before headin' up into that high country.'

Come on.

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

You know, with all the trouble I've been causin' you..

...I thought maybe you'd start to feel differently.

I don't feel differently.

It's just that..

Well, you never said that..

That I love you?

Do you?

Yes.

[chuckles]

- I've never been with a boy. - What? Oh, no, no, listen.

I was just tryin' to keep you warm.

Jessie...there ain't anything to worry about.

Nothing's gonna happen tonight.

That neither you or I should be ashamed of.

[instrumental music]

You know, there's been one thing on my mind, Jessie.

Kinda lookin' back..

...I don't think I'm much of a fella a gal can lean on.

I mean, I don't ever recollect nothin'

but bein' on the losing side most of my life.

That all will change when we get to Canada.

I guess what I'm tryin' to say is

I don't wanna keep on losin'

and draggin' you down along with me.

I don't want you talkin' like that.

In Canada, you'll be free.

Free, and you can make a brand new start.

Maybe even a homestead?

Could you see yourself startin' a homestead with me?

I can if you can.

See yourself...marrying me, I mean?

[music continues]

I'm embarrassed to say it

but my heart's just poundin' away.

Mine, too!

[laughing]

[music continues]

Oh.

Such a shameful way for a girl to act.

It sure is.

I knew the minute I saw you

that all you was was a shameless hussy.

Oh, I do love you.

[music continues]

[horses galloping]

- Howdy? Miss. - Howdy?

Can you kinda stable our horse for a couple of hours?

It's my business, boy.

Is there any place in town

where we can get something to eat?

Boardin' house. Off by the church.

Got meals anytime of the day for people passin' through.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

I sure wish we had time for a proper rest

before movin' into those mountains.

Yeah, except, I'm not gonna feel too safe

until we get up into that high country.

Yeah, but with all the back tracking we've been doing

I'd figured no one will be less than a day behind us.

- Yeah. - Oh.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

So, you'd rather not say where you're from.

- Well, we'd rather not say. - Kind of a tall order.

You're asking me to marry two young people

who may be you should spend a little time

in thinkin' it over.

Mr. Boyle, we're travelin' all the way

up to Canada together.

And if you can't marry us in church

we're just gonna have to say to each other

that we're man and wife

and be livin' together.

Son, I'd rather see you wed in the eyes of God.

So would we.

Evening services are at 5 o'clock.

And if you don't mind town folks as witnesses

I guess, maybe we can do it then.

Thank you.

[instrumental music]

Look, look, right here.

H-here's where they left the creek.

They're headed for Montana territory.

Looks like they're tryin' to make their way to Canada.

You know, we're losin' time here

tryin' to follow up your sign.

Now, they're gonna be needin' supplies.

So, they're gonna head for those hill settlements

'cause there ain't no telegraph up there.

I'll just bet you that our little Jessie

is smart enough to remember that Cree Trace.

Let's cut right across to the timber.

[instrumental music]

[bell tolling]

Now, now, Jessie, don't hurry so.

We've got plenty of time.

Services don't begin for a while yet.

Well, I just don't wanna be late.

Oh, Mrs. Kearney, I'd like to thank you so much

for my veil and flowers.

Now I feel like a real bride.

And you look like a bride, child.

And right after the wedding

I want you and Robert back here for the wedding supper.

Thank you.

[dramatic music]

How're the woods treatin' you, Ferris?

Hm, well, it's gettin' scarce.

Supply money all at work.

That little gal over there walking with the old lady

'now she is the spittin' image of a little gal'

I seen down Teton a couple days back.

She come in here an hour or two ago

with a young feller.

Ain't from around here, so, uh..

...maybe she be the gal.

Mm-hmm.

[instrumental music]

Kinda like it to look like a wedding ring.

Well, uh, this one's got a good look to it.

For only a dollar.

Yeah, it is kinda pretty, ain't it?

'Yeah, that'll be the one.'

Marryin' yourself a gal today?

Yeah. As soon as church starts.

How be you, Ferris?

Not bad, Tucker. Not bad.

Tucker, won't ya...take this

go over to the saloon and get yourself a beer?

Leave me and my friend here kinda private-like.

Yeah.

How'd you manage it?

Judge, uh, let me go free.

You ain't even a passable liar.

Yeah, well..

I'll have my bowie growin' out your back

before you get to that door.

[sighs]

So, you and your little lady

pulled off a jailbreak, did you?

Now, that is something.

That is really somethin'.

Now, look, mister.

Mister, I got a little money in my pocket.

Now, why don't you just take it and go trappin'?

Couple of things I've to figure first.

Bounty money on your head bein' one of 'em.

The posters happen to say dead or alive.

Now, that would figure

you'd be in under a hangin' sentence.

[exhales]

Real interestin' situation, wouldn't you say, boy?

Uh, that, that little lady, waitin' for you at the church.

Now, she's outside the law, too.

Real interestin' situation.

I'm pleased to announce that two young people

will be taking their marriage vows

'at the conclusion of today's services.'

May the Lord be praised.

[all] Praise be the Lord!

Now, let's open our handbooks

and turn to page 14 and lift our voices.

Rejoice in a tribute to He who provides

all in His grace.

[organ music]

♪ Amazing grace ♪

♪ How sweet the sound.. ♪

Look, mister, I have some money here, please.

Look, I know we had differences

but...all I wanna do is

is get married and head up to Canada.

[thuds]

The only place you're headin', boy, is south.

And that's with your carcass slung across my saddle.

So you figured to take yourself a little wife, did you?

Huh?

Well, I'll be taking care

of the wedding night obligations

for you.

In fact, if she's real obliged

I just might not turn her over to the law.

'I want you to think, boy'

'about hittin' me with that piece of wood.'

Spillin' me off in it!

[g*nsh*t]

[organ music]

♪ How precious did ♪

♪ That grace appear.. ♪

[panting]

♪ Through many dangers ♪

♪ Toils and snares ♪

♪ I have ♪

♪ Already come ♪

♪ 'Tis grace has brought ♪

♪ Me safe thus far ♪

♪ And grace ♪

♪ Will lead me home ♪

♪ Amazing grace ♪

♪ How sweet the sound ♪

♪ That saved ♪

♪ A wretch like me ♪

♪ I once was lost ♪

♪ But now am found ♪

♪ Was blind ♪

♪ But now I see ♪

[coughing]

♪ The Lord has promised ♪

♪ Good to me ♪

♪ His word ♪

♪ My hope secures ♪

♪ He will my shield ♪

♪ And portion be ♪

♪ As long ♪

♪ As life endures ♪♪

Jessie, Bob. Will you join me here in the altar rail?

Where were you?

Buyin' the ring.

We're filled with grace in the presence of our Lord.

Indeed.

'And His presence is here'

'in this blessed sanctuary.'

- Bob? - Yes, His presence is here.

Joining a woman named Jessie

'and a man named Bob'

'in a holy union'

making two of the Lord's creatures into one.

May He be praised.

Shall we bow our heads in prayer?

Bob..

[breathing heavily]

Hold me, Jessie.

[horse neighs]

Place looks deserted.

Looks to me like they're all down in the church.

Oh, my God.

What's the matter, mister?

There's been a k*lling. A killin' in my store!

'Was a young kid that done it.'

What kid?

That kid, he-he come in here today

buy himself a ring to get hisself married.

He ain't never gonna make it to the ceremony.

Ferris fixed him good.

[Mr. Boyle] 'Lord, you know these two young people'

'better than they know themselves.'

- You're hurt? - 'And I would that you might..'

[breathing heavily] Hold me.

What's happened? What's the matter?

I'm cold, Jessie. So cold.

[Mr. Boyle] 'Touch them, O Lord'

'with the need..'

Bob!

[indistinct chatter]

He needs a doctor.

He's hurt. He's hurt bad.

Josh..

Time to leave him be, boy.

Sorry, Jessie.

I'm so sorry.

Think of me sometimes.

[breathing heavily]

No! Don't leave me, please.

No, please, don't leave me. Please.

Oh, don't leave me.

Please, don't leave.

[mellow music]

[Jessie] 'Oh, please, don't leave me.'

[Jessie sobbing]

No, please, don't leave me.

[Jessie] 'Bob.'

[Jessie sniffles]

[Jessie] 'Don't leave me.'

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[horse neighing]

[chickens clucking]

See, your Uncle Zeb and the boys just brought in some new horses.

Shall we go and have a look?

[Jessie] 'Aunt Molly..'

...I think I owe you an apology for the way I've been acting.

Oh, nonsense, Jessie.

Don't you think that I know that when you're in love

nothing else in the whole world exits?

I'll never forget him.

[music continues]

No, probably not.

There are some things in life, Jessie, which we don't forget.

The joy of falling in love for the first time..

...and the pain when we lose someone who's close to us.

Memories should be held, dear

but only if we're prepared to go on, Jessie

and live for the present and for the future.

Oh, look at the foal, Jessie.

[horse neighs]

[music continues]

It's a brand new one.

[horse neighs]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]