03x11 - The Slavers

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[male narrator] In the late '60s and early '70s when the vast herds

of Texas longhorns began to pour into the northern plains

the raucuous, bawdy trail towns were born.

And with them the wildest and most colorful era

in the history of the west began.

It was a brief period.

Just over ten years in all.

But while it lasted the legend of the wild

and woolly west was written.

g*n-toting cowboys with their pockets lined

with months of trail pay, turned towns like

Dodge City and Abilene into hell on wheels.

Every kind of entertainment was available to a man

with money in his jeans.

But to the cowboy, fresh off months on the trail

without sight of a woman, the saloons and brothels

were a magnet.

And in many railhead towns, one out of every 20

permanent residents was a prost*tute.

The demand for these ladies of the night was so great

that a highly profitable white sl*ve trade grew up

along the Mexican border, where hapless peasant girls

were procured by means which often left a trail of tragedy..

...behind.

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[indistinct whispering]

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[indistinct whispering]

Armando.

Que paso?

Who died, Armando?

[male #1] 'Armando, what is this?'

He won't talk to me, Brother Carlos.

He won't say a thing.

Armando, tell us what has happened?

Who is in the coffin?

Armando!

Teresa.

My daughter Teresa.

[wheels creaking]

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Oh, Armando. Please in God's name.

No. She's our child.

It's wicked what you wanna do.

Don't talk to me about wickedness!

Armando, it's wrong.

It's a terrible sin.

Teresa is the sinner, and the wages of sin is death.

And the dead must be buried in the ground.

Now let me be!

If you go on with this abomination

I won't be here when you come back.

I won't set foot in your house again.

What else can I do?

What else can I do?

Perez! Armando Perez!

Armando.

Perez!

Armando Perez!

- Un momento. - What do you want?

I have a letter for your daughter, see.

It now makes three letters, no?

But you don't come to the post office anymore.

So I decide to bring them to you.

Es de los United States.

You see, like the ones last year.

The person does not exist.

But it's for your daughter Teresa Perez.

There's no such person.

Teresa Perez does not exist.

Armando, perhaps if I spoke with your wife..

There is no Teresa Perez, you hear?

Now, go away! Leave me alone.

But-but the letters...wh-what will I do with the letters?

What do I care?

Send them back where they came from.

Teresa Perez does not exist!

[speaking in Spanish]

[sobbing]

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Hello, Josh.

Oh, Uncle Zeb.

Some letters of yours have come back.

Somethin' written on 'em in Spanish.

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Oh, when's the stew gonna be ready to eat, Aunt Molly?

Oh, well now a person doesn't eat until he's done his chores.

If that's not too subtle a hint, hay to be stored, eh?

Well, I can't do very much on an empty stomach.

You've eaten half a meal already.

As soon as I get the other half I'll be rarin' to go.

Oh!

Well, I sure could use some help around here.

Oh, good, the flour. Now we can get on with our baking.

Josh, Luke can't help you right now

he hasn't eaten yet.

[Molly] 'Luke.'

What's Jessie talkin' about?

What women usually talk about.

Nothin' in particular.

Alley-oop.

Try not to get it all over the kitchen this time.

That's easier said than done, little sister.

Come on.

There we go.

Now watch it, you're gettin' it all over the place.

Oh, don't worry, Laura, I'll help you clean it up later.

You'll help me? You clean it up, you made the mess.

Hey! Neither of us are cleanin' anything up.

It's man's work to make the mess and women's work

to clean up after.

[gasps]

I'm sorry, that's the way world is, Laura.

Aunt Molly, did you hear what he said?

- What was that? - Goodness.

Laura, you stop it.

How do you like that?

[all screaming]

Stop that.

Stop that!

[door slams]

Say, you girls maybe put some supplies

in these saddle bags for me.

Supplies for the trail, I'm gonna be leavin'.

Leavin' now?

- For where? - I got to go to Mexico, Molly.

Place called Santa Rosa, it's down the Gulf coast.

That's a part of Mexico I've never seen.

Boy, if that wasn't a hint to Uncle Zeb that you wanna go too.

I didn't say that...exactly.

Not exactly.

Well, sounds like there's some urgency.

Is there a special reason for this trip, Zeb?

Well, these letters from Tap Henry's daughter

they came back unopened.

Whose daughter?

[Zeb] 'Tap Henry.'

He's the fella that..

Well, he lost his life savin' my hide back then

when we were drivin' that herd up from Texas.

Oh, yes, of course.

Well, he was a good friend, and I promised him

while he was dyin' that I'd look out after his daughter Teresa.

The girl's in Santa Rosa now?

Yeah, she's stayin' there with a Perez family.

They adopted her a few years before Tap died.

Have you ever seen her?

[Zeb] 'Well, no, but I've been writin' her these letters.'

And I send her a little money.

But now these have been returned unopened

and it says, "Esta persona no existe"

that means person does not exist.

Listen, that's a strange phrase.

Well, yeah, it is, I think it's their way of sayin'

that maybe a person has died.

[Zeb] 'But either way I gotta find out.'

Well, Uncle Zeb, I think there's someone

around here who's just perishin' to go with ya.

Doggone it, Jessie, I can talk for myself.

[Jessie] 'Except by the time you get up enough nerve'

he'll be halfway to the border.

Is that true, Josh, you wanna come along?

Come on, Josh, now's your chance.

Well, yeah. If you wouldn't mind me taggin' along.

Glad to have ya.

But maybe we'd better ask Molly here

if she can spare you from your chores.

Well now, Zeb, he's a Macahan, and it seems to me that

the Macahan's are famous for just upping and taking off

at the drop of a hat.

Ah, thanks, Aunt Molly.

We better pack for him. He's too excited to think for himself.

- I'll help you saddle up. - Alright.

Molly, that was nice of you to let the boy go.

Well, I'm still tryin' to get used to the way

this family does things.

Maybe I will get used to it..

...when I'm a 100.

[dramatic music]

Stable the horses, please.

Nice lookin' little town they got here.

Hope there's a good place to eat.

Yeah, I think that canteen over there looks pretty good.

Maybe we can get some information about Teresa Perez

while we're at it.

[upbeat music]

You're both welcome, senores, most welcome.

It is very seldom that we get Americanos in Santa Rosa.

Perhaps you would like some wine

while my wife prepares the food, huh?

[Zeb] 'Sounds good.'

[Josh] 'Yeah.'

Been a long thirsty ride.

And perhaps you will be staying with us all night.

I have a room upstairs that is excelente.

'With a bed.'

With real bed springs in it.

Alright, we might need it for more than one night too.

As long as you wish, senores, as long as you wish.

Mmm.

It's Mexican wine, it kinda cuts the dust.

You know most of the people around this town Santa Rosa?

Oh, yes.

Santa Rosa is a very small town.

Everyone knows everyone.

I'm looking for a man, uh, by the name of Perez.

Perez?

Yeah, Armando Perez, you know where he lives?

[male #1] 'It's hard to say where he will be by now.'

His wife, she died you know.

No, I didn't know that.

[male #1] 'Oh, yes, three weeks ago.'

And before then, there was a fire in his house.

Though we put it out before there was much damage, Perez..

..he never came back.

It is all deserted now.

Where would he be?

It is hard to say, senor.

What about the girl Teresa, the one he adopted?

You're gonna have to excuse me, I have something very important

to attend to in the kitchen.

What's the matter with him?

We wear out our welcome already?

I don't think our host is gonna volunteer

much more information, Josh.

Not if he can help it.

Gonna get some sleep, Uncle Zeb?

Not for a while yet.

Might be going out later, Josh.

This time of night?

I think the whole town's gone to bed already.

Get your rest, boy.

Yes, sir.

Goodnight.

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Armando.

[male #1] 'Armando.'

Armando Perez.

Armando. Armando Perez.

I'm here.

Sorry to wake you up, Armando.

You didn't wake me.

Why have you come?

There are two Americanos at my cantina

askin' a lot of questions about you and about Teresa.

'I thought you would want to know, Armando.'

What's the man's name?

Name's Macahan.

Hello, Mr. Perez.

Sorry to bother you this time of the night

but long as you got a visitor, maybe you won't mind.

I-I was just leaving, senor.

Mr. Perez, I..

...I want you to know I heard about your wife dyin'..

...I'm sorry.

But I came to find out about Teresa.

Last few letters I sent came back unopened.

You made a long journey for nothin'.

Teresa is..

...not here.

Where is she?

Dead.

Teresa is dead and buried.

What happened to her?

Look, Mr. Perez, you know I, I was a good friend

of her pa and I made him a promise I'd look out for her.

For the money you sent, we were grateful.

But it does her no good now.

Maybe it's too late to help Teresa but it ain't too late

for me to find out what happened to her, is it?

Mr. Perez..

...you haven't told me anything yet.

Where you goin'?

To pray, senor.

By your leave.

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Oh, Uncle Zeb.

Did you, uh, find out anything about Teresa?

Yeah, I talked to Perez.

He said Teresa's dead.

Dead.

I'm sorry.

'I guess that means we'll be heading back in the morning?'

Yeah...I don't know, there's somethin' wrong here.

Real wrong.

I don't understand.

'Not like Perez to tell me about her being dead'

he wouldn't tell me how she died. Wouldn't say a thing.

Not only that, we're bein' watched.

And we're not gonna leave here just yet.

Not till I get some more answers.

[intense music]

May I be of assistance, senor?

- Good morning, father. - My name is Carlos.

I'm a novitiate, not yet a priest.

You may call me brother if you wish.

Well, thank you. My name's Zeb Macahan, and I..

...I'm tryin' to get some information

on a girl by the name of Teresa Perez.

Uh, Teresa Perez is not buried here, senor.

The grave of her mother Esperanza Perez

you will find it over there. Near the outer wall.

Yeah, well, uh, I'm not really lookin' for her mother.

But if Teresa's dead, how come she isn't buried

with her mother here?

Uh, have you talked to the girl's father?

Well, I tried to, but he wouldn't tell me

anything past that she was dead.

Nothing at all.

So, what more do you need to know?

For one thing, I'd like to know why it is

that everybody gets so cagey when I mention Teresa's name.

And I'm meaning no disrespect, but that includes you, brother.

I'm sorry, I've told you everything I can.

What about the mission priest?

The priest is away this morning.

He'll return later this afternoon.

Good day to you, senor.

This must be it, Uncle Zeb, it's the only house around.

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That's funny, isn't it?

How's that, Uncle Zeb?

Pretty well burned out and all but it's not so bad

'that he couldn't have fixed it up'

'and come back here to live. I wonder why he didn't.'

[Josh] 'I don't know.'

Workin' at the mission stable, he'd rather live there.

Hmm, maybe.

Look at this.

[Zeb] 'That's Teresa.'

'Now that was taken maybe five, six years ago.'

She'd be about 18 or 19 now.

But how can you be sure if you've never met her?

There was a picture Tap Henry had

she looked just about like this.

You stay here.

[intense music]

Alright, now just hold on a minute, lady.

- Who are you? - I am sister to Armando Perez.

Now what was you followin' me last night for?

- What's goin' on around here? - I can tell you nothing.

Well, somebody better start explainin'--

Listen to me, senor. Go back to where you came from.

If you stay in Santa Rosa, bad things will happen.

Very bad things.

You think she meant what she said?

I don't think she came out here just to watch us

go through a burned-out house.

Headin' down that gully.

There's no houses out there.

Maybe it's time for us to do a little followin'.

Josh, I gotta go back to mission, and talk to the priest.

I'd sure like to know what she intend to doin'.

You want me to follow her?

See if you can find out where she's goin'.

I'll meet you later back at the mission.

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Yes, yes.

But you must understand, Senor Macahan

that Armando Perez has suffered great pain.

His wife was ill for over a year.

And then, then God took her just a few days

after the fire at his home.

So, I must insist you leave the man in peace.

Father, would it make any difference to Perez

if I was told what happened to Teresa?

I regret, I am unable to answer your questions.

'But the fact is that you already know more'

than you have any right to know about this..

...unhappy affair.

Well, you don't understand, father.

I'm tryin' to fulfill a promise to a dying man.

'Now, I told him that I'd look after his daughter.'

The very least I can do would be to find out how she died.

'Where she died, where she's buried.'

And I tell you again..

...leave it alone.

There has been too much grief here already.

Alright, then you refuse to tell me anything

more about what you know.

I thought you understood.

What I know, I cannot tell you or anyone.

It is knowledge gained in a confessional.

'Senor.'

You..

You are a man of strong will.

But I beg you to consider

'Armando Perez is a very disturbed man.'

'Your continued presence in Santa Rosa'

could bring more tragedy into this place.

[Josh] 'Uncle Zeb!'

- I found it. - 'Found what?'

Teresa's grave.

[Josh] It's gotta be around here somewhere.

There it is, Uncle Zeb, right over this way.

Uncle Zeb, I don't think we should do this.

Josh, we're not leavin' this town till we find out

why everybody around here is so scared.

Start diggin'.

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Josh.

We haven't done any desecratin' here.

It's empty.

No! No!

[shouting in Spanish]

No! No!

[speaking in Spanish]

You must not tell, you must not tell.

Tell what? That you buried an empty coffin?

Perez, I don't understand any of this. Now where's Teresa?

Muerta! Muerta! Muerta! Muerta!

Please, senor, for the love of God let him go.

I will tell you what you want to know.

You know what's goin' on around here?

Teresa is elsewhere, senor.

Yeah, well, that's pretty clear.

What I wanna know is, is she alive and if so where?

I do not know if she lives, but I think it is possible.

Well, then why all this business of pretendin' she's dead?

Because Armando was so ashamed.

He went after Teresa.

I do not know what he found out

but when he returned he wanted all of us

to believe that..

...Teresa was dead.

Do you think Perez knows where she is now?

Yes. But he will never tell you.

He would die before he told anyone.

- But you know where Teresa is? - 'I am not sure.'

But if she lives..

...she might be found at a place the Americanos call River Town.

'It's west of Matamoros on the American side of the border.'

Now please, senor, I've told you everything I know.

Go away from here, I beg you.

'Go away from here.'

At least we know Teresa may still be alive.

Yeah but if she wound up in River Town..

...I can understand Perez tryin' to make out like she was dead.

But why, Uncle Zeb? What's wrong with River Town?

Let's get the horses.

It hasn't changed much over the years.

[instrumental music]

- 'No, no, wait. I said--' - 'Hey, get back up here.'

[male #2] 'Listen to me. Get back up here.'

[speaking in Spanish]

I wouldn't try that if I was you, mister.

[intense music]

I see what you mean about River Town, Uncle Zeb.

[instrumental music]

Say, Josh.

Why don't you go on into the hotel there..

...see if you can get us a couple of rooms.

I'm going on down here and have a talk with the sheriff.

Right, Uncle Zeb.

Sheriff?

My name is Zeb Macahan, and I am looking for a girl.

I was hoping you could help me.

With all the cribs in this town

you come to law looking for a woman?

I'm looking for a particular girl named Teresa Perez.

Never heard of her.

This here is a picture of her, took about six years ago.

Never seen her.

Might help if you looked at the picture, mister.

Huh?

Answer's the same.

What's your name?

You've got eyes. You can see. You can read it.

Sheriff.

I'm getting a mite tired of your mouth, mister.

Now I asked you what your name was.

Boland.

Now if you've got any business in this town, mister

you're gonna have to deal through me, the sheriff.

Tell you what your business is, mister

and it ain't got much to do with enforcing the law.

By morning I want a list of every girl named Teresa

that's been in this town in the last six months.

You want a list?

Who the hell do you think you are?

I'm a man who is gonna tear this town apart, mister

startin' with you, if I don't get some answers.

[dramatic music]

I'll be back in the morning.

[music continues]

Hi. Trako?

Inside.

Trako.

Trako.

Ooh, we got troubles.

What kind of troubles?

I almost had my throat slit a while ago.

What are you talking about?

'This big man comes into the office wearing buckskin'

says his name is Macahan.

Zeb Macahan?

You know him?

No, I've heard of him. What does he want?

He says he's looking for a gal named Teresa Perez.

Why?

'I didn't ask.'

You didn't ask?

Listen, he had knife as big as a meat cleaver.

And he's coming back tomorrow morning. He wants a list of all

the Teresa's come through this town in the last six months.

Well, we better give him a list, hadn't we?

What?

'I said, we better give him what he wants.'

Nobody in authority knows what's going on in this town?

I am afraid there's about a half a dozen towns along this river

that people just don't pay any attention to anymore.

That goes for both sides of the border too.

Ah, good morning, gentlemen.

It is that I believe.

My name is Zeb Macahan. I'm looking for the sheriff.

Things have been happenin' so fast around here this morning

that I didn't have time to pin this on. There we are.

I was talking to a fella in here last night

name of Boland, he was wearin' that.

Ah, yes, Andrew.

He and I sort of split the duties at the office.

Now, uh...he has business to look into somewheres else.

'For the next few weeks.'

However..

...I do have the information he said you requested.

Yeah.

Well, we only have two Teresas on record and

neither one fits the description that you gave to Sheriff Boland.

'There's a Teresa Guerrero.'

She's a resident for two years. She's 22 years old.

And, uh, Teresa Saracosa, she's lived here five years or more.

Woman of about 40.

How long have you been living in this town, mister, uh..

Millet. Millet.

Uh, you mean, resident?

Oh, going on 12 years.

This is the picture I'm talking about the girl.

[Zeb] 'That's taken about six years ago.'

Uh-huh.

Well, of course a youngster could change substantially

in that length of time.

'No, I can't say the face is at all familiar to me.'

But, uh...perhaps I could be of help if you told me

more about the girl, you know, where she's originally from.

Why you believe she's in this town.

Reason why you're looking for her.

Things like that.

I wish I could have been of more assistance to you.

Will you be staying in town very long?

Just want to find out where I can contact you

in case I do find out something about your Teresa.

Yeah, I can see you're gonna be a big help.

Bet he practices that smile in front of a mirror every morning.

Yeah. He's a lot smarter than Boland.

Somebody put him in there to find out

why we're lookin' for Teresa.

Given up on finding her here, Uncle Zeb?

No. No, I've got a hunch that Perez's sister was right.

Teresa is in this town.

Somebody around here's gotta know where she's at.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

I must do something about this Macahan.

He's gonna make trouble for us if we don't get rid of him.

Now he's uh..

...he's looking for this Teresa.

Perhaps if he finds her he'll go on his way.

- Me? - Uh-huh.

[chuckles] But he will never believe me.

Oh, he'll believe you.

I was in Santa Rosa a while back.

I know quite a lot about this Teresa Perez.

And her relationship to this man.

Relationship?

His name is Zebulon Macahan.

He was a friend of Teresa's father.

But he has never seen the girl.

I would feel very uncomfortable lying to this man.

Uncomfortable?

Playing the part of a harlot?

My dear Dolores.

You'll have no trouble at all in that role.

I'll tell you exactly what to say and how to act

to make him believe you're Teresa Perez.

[instrumental music]

You know, between half the people in this town

not wanting to talk to you, the other half may be lyin'

I don't think we're getting any place.

I can't argue with you there.

I'll see you later.

Hanna.

She actually looks like an old girlfriend of mine.

Why don't you go back to the hotel, I'll see you there later.

[instrumental music]

- Hanna. - Uh. Oh.

See, I know it's been a few years but, uh..

...never figured a former lady friend to run out on me.

Well, it's a lady who'd rather keep old memories alive

the way they were.

That's the reason I tried to avoid you, Zeb.

How are you?

Oh, I can't complain.

Except for a few things that's been going on around this town.

Am I right in figuring that you know a little bit

about what goes on around these parts, Hanna?

Zeb, nobody knows more than a little bit

about what goes on around here and stays healthy.

Can we talk about it over a drink?

If I do the buying.

I own the saloon.

It sure is good to see you after all this time.

Come on, buy me a drink.

Here is to the prettiest gal ever ran a saloon

in Montana Territory.

It's been a long time, Zeb.

And that part about the prettiest still holds.

I just shed ten years with that.

You know, I'm here looking for a gal named Teresa Perez.

'Now every time I ask somebody around this town about her'

they seem to get disturbed but I can't figure out why.

Well, it takes very little to disturb certain people

in River Town, Zeb.

And it is becoming more so lately.

Why? I, uh..

I don't have any answers there.

Well, I don't particularly care

what happens around this town along this river.

All I wanna do is find the gal.

Now, this here is a picture of her.

Pretty girl.

Yeah, it was taken sometime ago.

Now she must have changed so much that you wouldn't..

That man.

[Hanna] 'I've seen that man before.'

He's older than he looks in that picture

but I could swear it was him.

Where?

Right outside the saloon

he was sitting in an ox cart.

And he was watching the Angela Maria sail.

'That's the ship that was moored at the end of the street.'

The reason I noticed him, he was crying and I, uh..

I went over to see what was wrong.

Did he say anything?

'No, just kept muttering to himself.'

One word, over and over.

Well, what was the word?

Muerta.

'Muerta.'

- Dead? - Dead.

Zeb, if the girl is dead

why do you keep asking so many questions?

'Cause I don't think she's dead.

The Angela Maria.

You mean to say he was just outside there

watching that boat leave?

The ship down the street puts in every couple of months

pretty regular.

Hanna, I'll be back in couple hours

maybe we'll chew over old time some more.

Look, Zeb. Stop making people nervous.

Please!

Senor. This girl that you look for.

I have information.

For a price.

What kind of information?

You know, it's worth ten dollars in gold, no?

Well, you tell me what it is first.

I can lead you to this girl for whom you search.

Alright. What girl? What's her name?

Teresa!

Teresa Perez.

- Alright. - Vamonos.

[dramatic music]

Take him out the back way.

[music continues]

She lives over there.

But I can go no further.

I am a man you can trust, senor.

Gracias. Gracias.

And you will tell no one I brought you here, huh.

[music continues]

[Zeb] 'Teresa Perez?'

Teresa Perez?

Teresa, my name is Zeb Macahan.

You are Teresa Perez, aren't you?

I have taken the name Dolores.

Please, why do you look for me?

Look, I don't mean to butt into somebody else's business--

Then why do you?

Perez has buried me. He tells all that I am dead.

'So why are you here?'

To resurrect the dead?

I have the right to live my own life, Mr. Macahan.

Yeah. I reckon you do.

You disapprove?

'No. I just don't understand.'

Why? Girl like you.

Well, one must earn a living. No?

You don't wanna go back to Santa Rosa?

Back to Santa Rosa.

The dusty roads.

The barefooted peasants

and daily prayers at the Mission school.

Mr. Macahan..

...for the money you have been sending to me I thank you.

Alright, Teresa.

Look, uh..

...is there anything I can do to help you, anything at all?

No, I need nothing now. Thank you.

You're not in any kind of trouble?

No way I can help?

I will always remember you.

I will remember your kindness.

Now, Teresa, there's something else I want you to remember too.

In case you get in any trouble

I promised your pa I'd look out for you.

'So..'

...you remember.

[dramatic music]

Ah. Wait!

Wait! That arm...is broken.

I'll break your neck too, mister.

Now who put you up to this?

There was nobody to put us up.

We're just after your money, that's all.

You was being paid to get my hide, mister. Who was it?

You wasn't meant to be k*lled.

We're trying to keep you away from the hotel for a while

so you wouldn't get back too soon.

What do you mean hotel?

It's nothing to do with my nephew.

Is any harm come to that boy?

[grunting] Please. I told you..

I'm unarmed.

[dramatic music]

I-I don't want any trouble, Macahan.

I'm just a messenger.

You get your nephew back..

...safe and sound..

...ten days from now in Corpus Christi.

Providin' you get out of this town tonight.

Where's the boy at?

You best tell me the straight of it.

I don't know. You think they'll tell me so I can tell you?

Like I told you I'm just a messenger.

I guess you're doing your job alright.

Here's a message you can take back to your boss.

Tell him he can think on

in case he's planning to do anything to Josh.

[dramatic music]

You're leaving without saying goodbye, Zeb?

No, Hanna. I was gonna ride by and see you on my way out.

They've taken Josh, my nephew.

I know.

Zeb, if you get out of town

and you stop asking questions, you may get Josh back.

Hanna, you sound like you know who has him.

The Angela Maria sailed a few minutes ago.

Her destination Puerto A Medio.

You think he's on that boat?

Well, it's a fair guess, Zeb.

They..

It's been know to carry very strange cargo.

If you think you're riding to meet the Angela Maria

I'd advise you to be very careful.

They came close to having you k*lled tonight, Zeb.

Well, that's what I mean. Why do they wanna k*ll me?

They don't want you k*lled. You're a well-known man.

Your death here could bring the attention they don't want.

That's the only reason you're still alive.

They don't want you asking questions.

And throwing their people through windows.

But if you push they're capable of anything.

Goodbye, Zeb. I hope you get Josh back.

I hope you find your Teresa.

I've already found her.

She calls herself Dolores.

Dolores?

Yes. She works in the street just back of you.

Dolores?

There's no Dolores on the back street.

I mean, I know all the girls there.

Nobody named Dolores. And nobody as young as Teresa would be.

Give it up, Zeb. Forget the girl.

You're not bucking river rats. These are big men.

And they're playing for very big stakes.

If they had my nephew I'd be very careful.

A body floating in the river here is quickly forgotten.

Take care.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

[woman sobbing]

[music continues]

[Josh] I wanna know what's going on around here.

Why am I on this ship?

You know something, you ask too many questions.

Now if you cause any trouble

You know what you're gonna be?

Shark bait.

I heard a woman crying.

You didn't hear nothin', boy.

Now you remember that. You didn't hear nothin'.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[woman sobbing]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[intense music]

[music continues]

And who are you, mister?

And what have you got to do with my nephew being taken?

You leave me no alternative, amigo.

You are under arrest.

I'm what?

Look back.

[g*n c*ck]

[Fierro] 'You are too dangerous to be allowed to run loose.'

Lock him up!

[dramatic music]

I want to talk to somebody in authority around here.

The highest authority to be found in town would be myself.

I'm Colonel Louis Fierro, of the Mexican Police.

What am I doing locked up in this jail?

Unofficially?

The charge could be assaulting a police officer. Myself.

[Fierro] 'That could mean a very long time in one of our prisons.'

Now, officially let's say you are, uh..

...you're being restrained.

Much like the fox in the henhouse.

In a manner of speaking, we have many, many chickens.

We don't wanna frighten them, do we?

I'm afraid you'll have to make that a little clearer.

Perhaps in more pleasant surrounding than this, huh?

'You are a very well know man, Senor Macahan.'

'It might be wiser if we can reach an accommodation.'

Open the door.

Like, uh...having dinner with me tonight.

I don't mind tellin' you, I trust you.

But as far as I could throw you.

'That's understandable.'

Nevertheless, I am known as a reasonably gracious host.

'Now, Senor Macahan, even though you are to go about freely'

it is understood that officially you are under custody.

Colonel, I am not going anywhere until I get my nephew.

And of course Teresa Perez.

[dramatic music]

[clanking]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[footsteps approaching]

[woman sobbing]

[male #1] 'We're going to be in port soon.'

A squeak out of any of you, you get tied up in the bilge.

[intense music]

[male #2] 'I don't give a damn about your problems.'

'We want this ship on our way in two hours.'

I will not be told what to do aboard my own ship.

Your ship?

We have enough complications around here

'without this one acting like a prima donna.'

Olini..

...sailing this vessel is in your hands

but you'll be told where you gonna sail it, and when.

You understand?

[dramatic music]

[Fierro] 'Two years of intensive investigation'

I won't permit you to scatter our chickens to the four winds.

You mean to tell me I scared those people

in River Town so bad

that they're closin' up their businesses?

Not you alone. They've known along the river and both sides

of the border, their activities were being investigated.

'They simply don't know how much we have learned.'

How close we've come to threaten their very existence.

Here, let me show you.

You see, what you disturbed in River Town

is a small part of a large criminal organization.

Now, it reaches South and Central America

'through Mexico'

'into Southwestern United States'

and beyond. Well beyond.

As far as the Orient, we have good reason to believe.

Yeah, well, what I don't understand is

how come that my asking a few questions about Teresa Perez

caused everybody to get so disturbed.

Because you were asking the whereabouts of a woman

who had been placed in the prado.

- The "Prado?" - 'Yes, we call it that.'

The parade of human flesh through many channels.

The same channels used to traffic in contraband

of every description.

Now tonight I'm going to show you

what I believe happened to Teresa Perez.

Supper is ready, Colonel Fierro.

[Fierro] 'Alright, woman, don't just stand there.'

'Bring in the food.'

- 'She works for me.' - Yes, colonel.

[Fierro] 'I asked her to deceive you, to pretend she was Teresa.'

Look, I tried to explain to you.

You were upsetting my applecart.

'Throwing people out of windows'

'charging into everything like an enraged bull'

'making the object of my investigation very nervous.'

I thought, if you were to find the girl you were looking for

you'd go home, and leave us to go on

'with our professional investigation.'

So, Dolores became Teresa.

A small deception for the greater good of my country. Huh?

And the plan would've worked

if the man we seek had not abducted your nephew.

I wanna get my nephew back

and then find out what happened to Teresa.

I bet you could tell me where she is right now.

Well, I deceived you once before so..

...you're not gonna believe me.

But really, I don't know where she can be found

'or even if she is alive.'

As to your nephew, I, uh, presume you might have guessed

where he might be, that's why you're here in Puerto A Medio.

Well, now I figure he's aboard the Angela Maria.

Yes. She'll be docking here tonight when the tide permits.

Presently, his rendezvous in some 20 miles into the gulf

for what purpose, I, I don't know.

You'll raid it when it gets on to shore, won't you?

[Fierro] 'No, no, no.'

No, we have much to learn before we take such an action.

But the most important thing to do

is to watch who boards that ship.

I'll be one of the ones boardin' her, I'll guarantee you that.

Well, thank you for the warning, uh?

Now if you'll excuse me, I..

I have some final arrangements to make for tonight.

You do not like Colonel Fierro.

No, can't say that I do.

He's the kind of man that uses people

like he used you and me the other day

in his little scheme there?

There's no doubt if he's used my nephew now.

But there is a reason for using people, a greater need.

I've seen policemen who can get their job done

without sneakin' down back alleys to do it.

Colonel Fierro has dedicated his life

to that of a policeman.

He is a brave and an unselfish man

'and in his own right, wealthy.'

Giving up an easier life for his people.

Well, I can see that you admire him.

Admire?

Yes.

I admire him.

Change your clothes, and be in the plaza early.

[Fierro sighs]

Now, uh, your clothes.

I think you'll be less conspicuous

if you dress as a field hand tonight.

Tell me something, what gives you the right

to order that girl around like that?

Well, she belongs to me, that's my right.

Belongs to you?

Yes, I bought her in a brothel in Port-au-Prince.

Paid a $1000 in gold for her.

You know, at that price I'm entitled to a few privileges

including speaking to her anyway I want to.

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

[all cheering]

What you see here, as I told you before

is what I think happened to Teresa Perez.

'The same thing is happening right now'

'in many Mexican villages.'

'A young caballero, a peasant girl's dream'

claiming to be a merchant's son

traveling up and down the coast

'romances her, tells her he loves her'

'then suggest they run away to be married.'

What do you mean, they've been meetin' like this before?

We arrange our first meeting several weeks ago

'when we discover his connection with the prado.'

'We had Dolores meet them, as if by accident.'

'He immediately took the bait.'

Why don't you take this, uh, so-called caballero

and throw him in jail, put the fear of God into him?

It's not that simple.

What is gonna happen to her?

Well...Dolores has already said yes to the caballero.

He's been pleading with her to go with him tonight.

You mean to this prado?

That is the reason I bought her.

Where will she be taken?

I don't know.

You mean, you'll let him take her and disappear somewhere

the way Teresa Perez did?

There are risks.

Unfortunately, they're necessary.

Yeah, for her.

You're not puttin' yourself on the line, I notice.

There would be no purpose in that, would there?

[music continues]

[crowd applauding]

[Fierro] 'Now she's on her own.'

Amigo..

...it's a terrible thing

this enslavement of innocent girls.

[all cheering]

[Dolores screaming]

Two thousand pesos.

[dramatic music]

[Fierro] 'It is the missing cog in our wheels, so to speak.'

The question of who controls the sl*very of these girls.

We know that they're being shipped

to all parts of the world.

Have you gotten men following her to see where she goes?

Oh, no, no, that, that would be impractical.

What? There's nobody who knows where she's headed?

Not at all, except that, uh

from here, Puerto A Medio, the girls are transported by ship.

She's out there, you don't know where she's headed

or what kind of trouble she might be in.

'Now, listen, amigo, you're forgetting something.'

Now she's been through the prado before, as I told you.

Yes, as a pawn, finally arriving in Port-au-Prince.

'Now she's going back as my eyes, my ears.'

Instead of a victim bemoaning her fate

she's gonna perform a function.

Performing a function.

You know, I'm just wonderin' if it isn't just plain inefficiency

that makes you operate this way.

Well, that, amigo, is a thought that I live constantly with.

Now listen, the Angela Maria will be docking very soon.

Now, if you promise..

...if you promise to obey my orders to the letter

you can be part of our observation group.

[Zeb] 'I don't know, what orders are you talkin' about?'

Well, I expect somebody very important to board that ship.

Besides, a huge sum of cash

he'll bring facts, figures, names, places..

...where and to whom their payments are made.

Alright, and what if he doesn't show up?

In that case, I will permit the boat to sail.

'Dolores will become my last chance to learn'

'who controls this operation.'

I'm afraid that's where you and me are gonna part, Fierro.

I'm gonna get my nephew off of that boat

before he gets himself k*lled.

I ain't gonna worry about none of your chickens

gettin' panicky, either.

Senor Macahan, if you attempt

to get on that ship by force, you would only find yourself

floating in the bay later. Believe me.

The headstrong man gambles only so often

on losing his head.

[dramatic music]

That one we should keep behind bars tonight, perhaps.

Yes, I, I thought of that.

Then again...they know he only looks for his nephew.

I mean, it wouldn't be too bad if our chickens are..

...forced to flutter a bit. Hm?

Now that, colonel, would be a gamble.

Well, Alfredo, perhaps this is the time

to roll the dice.

To give this ferocious American his head.

He wouldn't jeopardize our operation

if he loses that head.

[guitar music]

Take in the slack.

[creaking]

[dramatic music]

Look lively, men, look lively.

Come on.

[footsteps thumping]

[dramatic music]

I trust the night won't be too long.

[music continues]

Well, well, well.

'Our sometime sheriff of River Town.'

He's lucky, I thought he might have been eliminated.

[music continues]

[keys jingling]

You got my nephew on that boat?

- Your nephew? - Better think careful, mister.

These words are liable to be your last.

He's in the forward hold.

But I had nothing to do with it. That's the truth, I swear it.

[female moaning]

What's goin' on in there? What kind of place is this?

I don't know.

Uh, I just came by here to see a friend.

Get the door open.

Macahan, you're askin' for trouble.

Shut up and get the door open.

[woman crying]

[crying continues]

Get down there.

One move outta you, you're dead.

Dolores...here.

You have found out about your nephew, Senor Macahan?

He's on board the ship on a forward hold.

You will go aboard to rescue him?

I guess I'm gonna try to.

But you created such a disturbance on the ship.

It will spoil things for Colonel Fierro, no?

That's Fierro's problem, not mine.

I think, senor, it will also be your problem.

I will not hesitate to sh**t.

You mind tellin' me why?

Because you are not important, and I am not important

neither is your nephew.

'The only thing that is important'

'is that those on that ship feel that they're secure this night.'

So that Colonel Fierro's plan will succeed.

You're not thinkin' straight, Dolores.

What's important here are these girls

'and yourself and my nephew.'

And the prado goes on.

You don't know hundreds of girls who were taken

as I was each month.

Alright, if you think this fellow Fierro

is gonna do you some good, you stay with him

I'm goin' back to the ship.

To see what happened to Teresa Perez?

If I can.

You have found your Teresa, senor.

I am Teresa.

There was never any pretending, not on my part

when I told you I was Teresa.

But of course, you do not believe me.

No, I believe you.

I, uh, I can see a resemblance there.

You could be Tap Henry's daughter, alright.

'You sure got a temper.'

Does Fierro know that you're Teresa?

No, he does not know.

Even if he did, I don't think he'd care.

What about when he bought you?

You were usin' a different name?

As all of us were doing out of shame to be found where we were.

Well, at least, this takes care of that part of my search.

If you wanna stay with Fierro, go right ahead, that'd be fine.

I will sh**t.

I don't think you will.

I don't think you'd sh**t a friend of your pa's.

Fierro's up to his old tricks again, usin' people.

- This time, me. - What do you mean?

'He could've thrown me in jail tonight and not let me loose.

He knows I'm goin' aboard that ship

and make enough ruckus so that him and his men

can get down there without being noticed.

[dramatic music]

Please, senor.

Please.

You must be careful.

Teresa, everything's gonna turn out alright.

I want you to take this g*n.

I want you to keep it on him.

If he's any trouble at all, don't hesitate to use it.

[music continues]

[creaking]

[footsteps approaching]

[music continues]

Behind those crates, get him.

[music continues]

[music continues]

Over the side.

Come on. Get him in.

[indistinct]

[g*nsh*t]

- What was that? - Get rid of those ledgers.

- Alright, get the money. - Yeah.

[music continues]

[Zeb] 'Josh.'

- You alright? - Fine, Uncle Zeb.

Senor Macahan, I will handle this.

[speaking in Spanish]

I'm Colonel Fierro, what's going on here?

Throwing a stowaway off my ship, which I have the right to do.

Stowaway? Good.

Now tell me, captain, what cargo do you carry?

No cargo, just two passengers.

Who are the passengers?

They take passage, they keep to themselves.

First time I've ever seen passengers

tell a captain what to do.

Where did you see them?

'Below, there's a cabin in the stern.'

They got more money in it than I've ever seen in my life.

They're also hidin' women on board this ship.

'Dozens of 'em, down in the hold.'

[speaking in Spanish]

Alfredo, vamonos.

Fast, quick!

[clanking]

[speaking Spanish]

Don't move.

Well, well, well.

We misjudged where you would be boarding.

Rendezvous at sea, was it?

This ship flies the Columbian flag, senor.

Well, the Columbian prisons will be equally cheerless.

Senor Macahan.

[speaking Spanish]

It seems that our stumbling around has, uh

has paid up with some very important results.

They got women they're holding in a secret room over here

waiting to bring them on board?

I know.

You know Dolores is one of 'em?

I suspected. How is she?

Why don't you go ask her?

[Fierro] 'I must confess, I feel rather foolish.'

Oh, yeah, you mean a colonel, a Mexican police

in charge of criminal investigations

not knowin that Dolores was actually Teresa Perez.

No. More than that.

More than that.

I'm faced with the problem of telling Teresa

whom I have treated quite shamefully

that I'd not treated otherwise for fear that, uh..

That what?

Well, that she may come to know how much I..

How much her courage

and...patience have affected me.

- Affected you? - Yes.

Hey, I'm not sure I'm hearin' you right.

You mean to tell me that, uh, underneath all that hard

bitten, uh, dedication to duty

beats the heart of a casanova?

No, I tell you no such thing.

This thought is ridiculous.

Besides, someone as young, as beautiful as Teresa

'what would she want with me. I'm, uh..'

'I'm uninteresting to her.'

- Is that so? - Hm.

[Zeb] 'Well, now, what if I was to tell you that this Teresa'

'was actually in love with ya?'

'She's so much in love with ya'

'she nearly took my head off when she thought'

'I was gonna interfere with your operation.'

Love?

Nah, I don't believe you.

Why don't you ask the young lady yourself?

[instrumental music]

Senor Fierro..

...is it possible for a man who has been shot three times

in the line of duty..

...and who has risked his life so many times

to save girls like me..

...doesn't not have the courage to say "I love?"

[sighing]

You...you wish me to..

say those words to you?

I wish it, Louis.

I wish it very much.

Oh, alright.

I, I love..

...the, I love, I..

...I love, I love.

[instrumental music]

[bell tolling]

[indistinct chatter]

[speaking in Spanish]

She was hoping you'd be at the wedding, Perez.

I was too ashamed to attend.

'I buried her. I told everyone she was dead.'

You're not gonna let her go without your blessin', are ya?

[speaking Spanish]

[instrumental music]

- Papa. - Teresa.

[speaking in Spanish]

Congratulations, colonel, the both of ya.

Thank you, Zeb. I, uh, presume I can call you that.

'After all, you know, in the past few weeks'

we've been on, uh, familiar if not happy terms, eh?

'Are you staying for the fiesta?'

No, no, colonel. Me and Josh.

We've both been away too long, we're gettin' home sick.

Of course.

Save, uh, the prado.

I think within a short time it will be non-existent.

'At least, in this part of the world.'

Good, colonel. Glad to hear it.

- Best to both of ya. - Thank you very much.

- Josh. - Sir?

Bye now.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Senor Macahan.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[Josh] 'You know something, Uncle Zeb?'

'It isn't everyday a fella gets to see all this country.'

'And then get Shanghaied by white slavers in the bargain.'

'Interesting. Real interesting.'

[Zeb] Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the trip, Josh.

[Josh] Well, I didn't exactly say it was enjoyable, Uncle Zeb.

Just...interesting.

[Zeb] I understand.

[instrumental music]

[theme music]