02x29 - Horse Thief

[bunniefuu]

[knives thuds]

♪ Jim Bowie, Jim Bowie

♪ He was a bold adventurin' man ♪

♪ Jim Bowie, Jim Bowie

♪ Battled for right with a powerful hand ♪

♪ His blade was tempered and so was he ♪

♪ Indestructible steel was he

♪ Jim Bowie, Jim Bowie

♪ He was a fighter, a fearless and mighty ♪

♪ Adventurin' man

- [Jim] By the 1830s, Texas, northwest of San Antonio,

teemed with great herds of wild horses, mustangs,

descendants of Barb and Arabian stock

brought to North America by the Spanish conquistadores

Coronado and de Soto.

To the savage Comanche and Apache tribes,

the mustangs meant wealth.

They caught 'em and stole 'em from one another,

and what they had left over, they sold to the Mexicans

just so they could steal 'em right back.

I was never a mustanger myself,

but I did get involved one summer

with an old friend of mine who was.

It began when I returned to San Antonio

after an absence of several weeks

and happened on a roadside accident that involved

the daughter of Don Juan de Veramendi,

my Mexican sponsor and closest friend.

[singers vocalizing]

- Senor Jamie.

- Hello, Ursula, senora.

- Estrellita, senor, she is hurt.

- She stumbled, did she? - Si.

- You ride too fast.

If I say it once, I say it a thousand times.

- I'm afraid her left foreleg's broken.

- Oh [speaks in foreign language] horse.

There's hope for her, senor?

- Senorita, you've been around horses long enough

to know what a break means.

- That must not happen.

Surely the break will heal.

We will do everything.

We must try, Jamie.

- You better go home now.

- One cannot expect miracles for a horse, senorita.

- I will not leave the mare

with this one who has no heart.

- Please go.

- The senor must do what he must do, come, come.

- I will not go!

Let me go, no! [sobbing]

- [Ana] No, no, oh, no.

[speaks in foreign language]

Oh, no, Ursula.

- Go ahead, driver, go on. - No, please, you must--

- Estrellita! - No, no.

[singers vocalizing]

[g*nsh*t booms]

- Right then and there,

I resolved to get that unhappy young lady another mare.

[singers vocalizing]

Oh, Chief Xolic!

- How, Big Knife.

- Well, I didn't know the Lipans were back in town.

Er, you been in to see Don Juan?

- Si, show him new squaw.

- Oh. - Name Tazana.

- Well, I'm very happy to meet you, ma'am.

[Tazana giggles]

- Jamie!

- Oh, excuse me, Chief Xolic, congratulations.

- Uh.

- [Juan] I thought I heard your voice [laughs].

- Buenos dias, Excellency.

I'm happy to see ya.

- Now come, come, Jamie, what means this Excellency?

- [laughs] Why, didn't I hear

you been vice governor of Texas and Coahuila?

- Well, what of it, amigo?

Between us it changes nothing.

- [laughs] I'm glad to hear that, sir.

- I see you brought Ursula's saddle.

Already she's told me the tragic news.

- Yes, I hated to do it, but, er, well, how's she taking it?

- Unconsolable, Jamie, but then time

is the great mender of the broken heart.

[somber music] [singers vocalizing]

- Cabrillo!

[horse snorts]

Quick, the mare, get her out of town.

On your feet, amigo, no time to lose.

- Senor Ham, what is wrong, what happened?

- Just seen old Xolic and his squaw.

Them Apaches is back in town.

- Aye [grunts].

- Wait, hold on there, amigo.

On second thought, we sure can't risk this here horse

out on public streets.

I tell you what, stick her in that there box stall.

- Si, senor.

- You know what'd happen if the governor found out

we was trading in stolen horses, amigo.

- [Cabrillo] No, Senor Ham.

- He'd hang us up for buzzard meat, that's what he'd do.

Now you don't get scared

and start into drinking, you hear me?

- Si, senor amigo, I drink nothing but very little water.

- That's the stuff, boy.

And old Uncle Cephas is gonna take the very same pledge.

Not a drop of anything stronger than water

'til them Lipan Apaches is gone outta San Antone.

[crowd chattering]

[sighs]

- Uh, howdy, I mean, buenas noches.

I been told that this place is a favorite hangout

of mustangers, is that right?

- [Cephas] James P. Bowie!

- Cephas K. Ham!

Well, how are ya?

- Good, Bowie, how are you?

- What are you doing?

Last I heard, you were back in Opelousas.

- And last I heard, you was in New Orleans.

- What you doing here?

- Drinking, child, what else?

- Yeah? [laughs] - Come on over

and help me.

- No, I mean what are you doing in San Antonio?

- [laughs] It's a long story, Jamie.

Suppose we start back where we left off.

- Gracias. - When was that now?

Well, that ain't been since we was in school together.

- Yeah, as I recall, you were never any good at spelling.

- Well, now you got your share of lickings, too,

always pulling girls' pigtails [laughs].

- [laughs] Yeah, and stealing 'em from you.

- Oh, yeah.

- Hmm, well, tell me, Cephas, how long you been in Texas?

- Oh, going on two years now.

- Two years!

Well, how come we never met up before?

- I don't get around these Mexican towns much.

Been doing most of my business with American settlers.

- What kind of business you in?

- Mustangs.

- Mustangs?

You mean you have mustangs for sale?

- Sure, brung in a string just yesterday.

- Where are they?

- Over at Cabrillo's stables.

- Well, let's go!

- How 'bout this bay?

I call him the Senator.

If you're looking for a mount that'll really show you off,

sir, the Senator's the horse for you.

- Eh, this all you got?

- Uh, maybe you better tell me what you got in mind.

- Oh, a bay mare about 15 hands,

a white star on the forehead.

- A mare, huh?

Eh [laughs], something for a lady, huh?

- Oh, that's right.

Can you or can't you get me such a mare?

- Well, if I do, where can I find ya?

- Oh, the governor's palacio.

- [whistles] A governor's palacio, huh? [laughs]

Palacio, he says [laughs]. - Yeah [laughs].

- I shall do my humble utmost

to please Your Exalted Highness, Don Jamie Bowie,

esquire, senor, sir. [all laughing]

- Same old Cephas, huh?

- Same old Jim, eh? [laughs]

[horse snorting and whinnying]

- Well now, look at this!

Here's my mare.

- Special brood stock, Jim, not for sale.

- Why, she's a beauty, she's just what I'm looking for.

Name your price.

- I wouldn't sell that there filly for $100.

- I'll give you 200.

- What? - You heard me, $200.

- Oh [laughs], man, you got it bad for sure, ain't ya?

[Jim laughs]

Cabrillo, get a lead rope on that filly.

Senor Bowie is taking her away.

- 185, 195, $200.

Give me a bill of sale, will ya?

- Bill of sale, Jim, we're old friends.

We don't need-- - It's customary, isn't it?

Even in Mexico.

Come on, it won't take a second.

[clicking tongue]

Man, she's as sound as a drum.

Cephas, you're a real friend.

Come on. [clicking tongue]

- Senor Ham, I would not do this to my worst enemy,

and he is a friend?

- He once stole the best gal I ever did have.

And you know something, amigo?

I got a feeling that bay mare is gonna even things up some.

♪ Ah

[singers vocalizing]

- My daughter wishes to apologize

for her rudeness to you yesterday.

- I wish to apologize, senor.

- She also wishes to thank you

for performing an act of Christian mercy.

- I wish to thank you for,

that is not true, Papa!

It was an act of brutality!

- Ursula.

- With a little patience and pity,

Estrellita would still be living! [sobs]

- Senor Bowie is a guest in my house.

You are my daughter.

You will act like a de Veramendi.

Apologize again with sincerity.

- I will not.

- Look, Senor, even if you can't understand her,

I think I can.

She's a woman, she's been upset.

She's entitled to shed a couple of tears.

- By what right do you presume to tell me

how to bring up my own daughter?

- Well--

- Papa, please, Papa, how can you quarrel with one

who brings to our house such sympathy and understanding?

Could you find it in your heart to forgive us, Senor Jamie?

- What is this?

- Senorita, as far as I'm concerned,

the whole thing was forgotten as soon as it happened.

- You are so kind, Senor Jamie.

- Oh, he is not only kind, he is thoughtful.

He has brought you a gift.

- A gift?

- Oh, yes, I have, it's outside.

Like to take a look?

- But this is too much.

I do not deserve it.

- Maybe not, but would you like to take a look anyway?

[Ursula sobbing]

- Oh, now what is wrong?

- She looks just like poor Estrellita.

I cannot bear it.

- Accept her, my daughter.

Soon you will forget the other one.

- Forget Estrellita, never!

- Ursula, stop this foolishness.

- I'm sorry, senor, but some things cannot be replaced.

[horse snorts]

Cara Mia, poor little thing.

Did you see?

She came to me.

[singers vocalizing]

- Chief Xolic, buenas t*rd.

[speaks in foreign language]

What seems to be the trouble, Chief?

- She pony belong Tazana.

- No, no, you're mistaken.

This mare belongs to Senorita de Veramendi.

- Mark of Xolic on she pony.

In Indian country, steal pony, plenty fine honor.

In white man country, hang pony thief up with rope.

White man country.

- In white man's country, there's also such a thing

as due process of law and a fair trial.

- We go see white chief.

We get fair trial.

- There is no problem here.

Chief Xolic has established original ownership of the mare.

Therefore, she must be returned to him.

- No, Papa!

- Would you now consider a sale, Chief Xolic?

- Yes, I'll buy her from you, Chief.

[speaks in foreign language]

- She say no.

Big Knife friend to Comanche, no friend to Xolic.

- Where did you get this mare?

- Well, I didn't steal her.

- Need I remind you that Mexico

is in a constant state of w*r with the Comanche nations?

That were it not for the Lipan Apaches,

the friendship of these Apaches, San Antonio would be

the victim of constant raids and attacks?

Therefore, anyone who jeopardizes our friendship

with Chief Xolic and his people by trafficking

with the Comanches, as you have done, is an enemy of Mexico.

- I've had no traffic with the Comanches.

- You would protect a traitor to Mexico?

- I have, er, personal reasons, Excellency.

- [Juan] You are putting a severe strain

on our friendship, Jamie.

- Look, sir, with your permission,

I would like to handle this private matter privately.

- I am willing to respect your feelings

if a friend is involved, but I am honor bound

to uphold the law.

Was there a bill of sale?

- Yes, sir, there was.

I'm sorry, Excellency.

- Jamie, do not force me to have you searched.

- Papa, Senor Jamie did this thing for me.

You would treat him as a criminal?

- Do not confuse me, daughter.

Go to your room.

Ursula, to your room.

- Here's the bill of sale.

- Sum of 200, bay mare, signed Hannibal P. Sneed.

- Hmm, what?

- Who is this Senor Sneed?

- Well, dog my cats, someone I knew a long time ago.

- Where is he?

- Dead and buried these many years.

- Invasion was bad enough, Jamie.

Would you now deliberately lie?

- I do not lie, senor.

- I must remind you that your honor and your reputation

are at stake here, too.

- Yeah, I'm well aware of that.

- Would you prefer to think over this matter

in the calabozo?

- I would still prefer to handle it myself.

- Calabozo for Senor Bowie.

Well, what are you waiting for?

[singers vocalizing] [dramatic music]

- I didn't expect to find Cephas K. Ham

or his mustangs at Cabrillo's, but Cabrillo himself

proved to be a reasonable man,

and he told me where Cephas had gone.

[hooves clopping]

[horses snorting and neighing]

You horse thief, you Comanche renegade!

- Stand back a ways, Jim, and let me get to my feet.

I'd kinda like to take a few pokes at you

for old times' sake.

[grunts]

[horses neighing and snorting]

- Well, I oughta turn you in to the governor.

- Eh, you know you wouldn't do a thing like that

to an old pal, child, else there'd been

Mexican soldiers here stead of you.

- It wasn't out of sentiment, Cephas.

I just like to do my own fighting, that's all.

- Well now, if you just take your knee off my chest,

old hoss [laughs], I'll oblige you with more of the same.

[laughs] Looks like you pushed your winning streak

a little too far, eh, Jamie?

Now what was it you come calling to see me about, friend?

You want to come over here and tell me about it?

Or should I come over there? [laughs]

Does make it evener without the knife, don't it, Jamie, huh?

[fist cracks] [Jim grunts]

[men grunting]

[panting] I'll allow you're the better man this time, Jamie.

You'll find your $200 in the saddlebag.

- My $200, it'll take a lot more than that

to square me with the governor and the chief.

- Eh, a lot more like what?

- Like a true bill of sale signed by Cephas K. Ham.

- All right, Jamie, you'll get it. [sighs]

- And all those stolen mustangs of yours.

- All my mustangs?

- That's right.

Well, I'll leave you one so you can get out of the country

before they hang you.

- You drive a hard bargain, child.

- Come on, on your feet, get those horses back there.

- You have returned to surrender, Senor Bowie.

- No, Excellency, I've returned with a gift

for your daughter, and a true bill of sale

for the purchase of same.

Now you have my promise that there'll be no further trouble

with the Comanche traders.

- What mark is that?

- Oh, that, er, that's an X for Xolic.

- But his woman, she did not protest?

- Well, she did a little, yes, but, er,

well, no man can resist a swap of 12 horses for one,

even if his wife does object.

[both chuckling]

- Jamie, you brought her back to me, you brought her back!

- Ursula!

- Senorita, would you like to finish our ride?

- But I would love it, senor.

- But, but, but Ursula, you are not suitably attired!

[singers vocalizing]

Ursula, come back at once!

- Sister, come into the patio, much more pleasant--

- But, but-- - A pleasant drink, come.

♪ There's something so rare and strange in the air ♪

♪ The sweet, sweet enchantment of love ♪

♪ Jim Bowie, Jim Bowie

♪ He was a fighter, a fearless and mighty ♪

♪ Adventurin' man