02x19 - The dr*fter

[bunniefuu]

[ theme song ]

[ mooing ]

[ mooing ]

Where'd you find those?

Over in the gulch.

What's that beat-up place
over there?

Used to be
the Peterson Ranch House.

What's it doin'
on Shiloh range?

That was built before
this was Shiloh range.

You here then?

Yeah, I was here.

Did you know the Petersons?

Why?

Just curious.

Heard tell things
were pretty rough
in those days.

What happened to them?

They died.

Let's get back to the ranch.
I don't wanna miss supper again.

Was it only seven years ago?

Sometimes it seems
like a lot more than that.

Other times,
it's as if it happened
only yesterday.

This part of the country
was new to me then.

It looked real peaceful
and quiet.

I could use
a little peace and quiet.

I had ridden a long way
tryin' to find some.

[ g*nshots ]

[ g*nsh*t ]

Is he dead?

No, not yet.

Okay, let's get him back.

Turn him out for a few days.

Throw some water on him.

What happened?

We caught him
on the lower South Line.

Had to sh**t his horse out
from under him.

What were you doin'
on my range?

I didn't know
it was your range.

I asked what you
were doin' there.

I was ridin' across it,

till your men
started shootin' at me.

Who are you?

What's the difference?

Do you always take potshots
at strangers?

I'll ask the questions.

You'll answer a couple, too!

Shut up, mister!

Or we'll finish the job.

Look, I don't know
what this is all about,

but where I come from,
you don't sh**t unarmed men

for ridin' across
your range land.

We don't either,
under ordinary circumstances,

but when three of my men
have been shot at from ambush
this past month...

Here, take a look at this.

You might notice
I wasn't wearin' it.

Trigger guard filed down.

[ c*ck g*n ]

Very professional.

I know how to use it,
if that's what you mean.

Did Peterson send for you?

I don't know what
you're talkin' about.

Oh, of course you don't.

You just happened to be
carrying a g*n like that,

and I suppose you just happened
to be riding across
Judge Garth's range when--

Wait a minute,
did he call you Judge?

That's right.

This is some law-abiding town,

if this is the way
the judges act out here.

Well, we've been
havin' trouble here.

Gunmen have been brought in.

Naturally,
when my men saw you,
they thought--

I know what they thought.
I've got a dead horse
to prove it.

Well, if you're tellin'
the truth--

What do ya mean, "if"?

Well, I still don't know
who you are,

what you're doin' here,
why you need a g*n like this.

But if we've
done you an injustice,
you have my apology.

Get him a horse.

Thanks a lot.

[ piano music
coming from saloon ]

♪♪

[ blows ]

Monongahela.

Howdy.

Howdy.

Stranger in town?

That's right.

Have one on me.

Why should you
wanna buy me a drink?

'Cause as soon as you
leave here,

I'm gonna get my head busted.

What are you talkin' about?

Him...

him...

and them.

What are they after you for?

They work for Judge Garth.

They're after me
because I made the mistake
of coming in here alone.

You wearin' a g*n?

The way I see it,
I got two choices--

try to fight it out with them
with my fists and get beat up,

or I can go for my g*n
and get k*lled.

Well, I'm sorry, friend,
I'd like to help you out but--

I'm not askin' ya
to get mixed up in it.

I just figure they
won't make their move
until I'm alone.

If I can keep you here
drinkin' with me long enough,

I might get drunk enough
not to feel it.

Maybe we can figure out
something better than that.

If you got in mind
goin' for the sheriff,

I don't think you'd get far.

Neither do I.

But nice talkin' to ya.

Well, howdy do.

Well, howdy do.

Now you're just
too handsome

to be sittin' there
all by yourself.

Well no, ma'am,
it's awful good of you
to say that.

Won't you sit down,
Miss, uh--

Billie.

Billie?
Mm-hmm.

Well, you're the one.
That's funny.

Well, what do you mean?

Honey, you see that
little lady standin'
down there by the piano?

Well, what's she
got against you, anyway?

[ chuckles ]

Since when
is that old cow a lady?

Well, that's the point.
That's what she just said
about you.

She said you were
long in the tooth

and over the hill
and around the bend,

and I can't figure it out.
Now I gotta meet ya.

Oh, she did, did she?
Mm-hmm.

Well, will you excuse me
a minute, honey?

Oh, sure.

I'll be right back.

All right.

Since when am I an old cow?!

[ slap ]

[ screams ]

Hey!

[ grunts ]

Who started this thing?

I guess somebody
must have made a remark
or something.

[ g*nsh*t ]

All right,
who started this brawl?

Ahh.

Well, in a way,
you might say I did, Sheriff.

Now you're sure this fella
started that fight last night
just to help you out?

Yes, sir.

I didn't realize it at first,

but, well,
after I thought about it--

And you say they arrested him?

I saw the sheriff
bringin' him down the street

as I was ridin' out of town.

Well, I'll look
into this good Samaritan.

Oh, if you have
any shopping to do,

I want Stager
and a couple of the boys
to go along with you.

Well, that's
not necessary, Dad.

Judge Garth's men
have never bothered me.

I'd feel better
if you did this my way.

But I'll feel foolish
going to a store
with a cavalry escort.

He's right, Maria.
We got trouble enough
without askin' for more.

I see I'm outnumbered,
as usual.

And we'll meet you
right back here.

It would've served you right
if you'd gotten a few lumps.

Comin' into town alone
at night--

you should've known better.

Mornin', Charlie.

Oh, good morning,
Mr. Peterson.

What can I do for you?

You can tell Judge Garth
to keep his gunmen

out of Medicine Bow,
for one thing.

Well now,
he said the same thing
about your men last week.

I suppose it was Dolan's fault
last night in that saloon.

Well, I didn't know Dolan
had anything to do with it
at all.

I thought some stranger
started a fight and--

Four of Garth's men
were gonna beat up Dolan.

That other man
started that fight to save him.

Well now,
he didn't tell me that.

I'm tellin' ya right now.
What's the charge against him?

Disturbing the peace,
damage to the saloon.

How much?

Well, George said $40
would cover the damage

and $10
for disturbing the peace.

Ah, you can fetch him out
right now.

Well, this is kind
of irregular, but, uh...

all right.

Hey.

Hey, you.

Come on.
Huh?

Get goin'.

Sheriff, I told ya,
I don't have any $50.

You don't need it.

Well, I'm happy to see you
take a reasonable attitude.

I'm not taking any attitude.
Mr. Peterson paid your fine.

Huh?

He tells me you saved
one of his men from a beating.

That's right.

Well, why didn't you
tell me that last night?

Well, Sheriff,
these bunks aren't
the softest in the world,

but they sure do beat
sleepin' out on the cold,
hard ground.

Say, uh, what'd you
do with my horse?

It's in the livery stable.
Oh.

Here he is.

I'm Miles Peterson.

Howdy.

I understand you
did quite a favor

for Dolan here
last night.

Well, it worked out pretty good
all the way around.

He got out of a little jam,
and I got a good night sleep
on the house.

[ chuckles ]
What are ya doin'
in Medicine Bow?

Just passin' through.
Thanks for bailin' me out.

Well, here you are.

You lookin' for a job?

I could use one, yeah.

You've got one.

Just a minute.

Why were those fellas
out to get Dolan last night?

Well, because he works for me.

And you're offerin' me a job?

Hundred dollars a month
and cartridges.

I thought you wanted cowhands.

[ chuckles ]
Well, I guess I had you
sized up wrong, didn't I?

Sorry. Thanks again
for bailin' me out.

Well now,
wait a minute,
wait a minute.

Straight job--
$40 a month.

He's a good man to work for.

Well, all right,
you got a deal.

Good.

Now you remember now,
I didn't start this trouble.

All I know is you'd think
Wyoming was big enough

for both Shiloh and your ranch.

You tell that to Garth.
He's the one doin'
the crowding.

Come on, Dolan.

Oh, Sheriff, thanks a lot.

Well, that was quick.

You can't do much shopping

with an army
following you around.

Oh, this is the fella
that helped out Dolan
last night.

My daughter.

I heard about it.

Yeah, I signed him on.
That's Hugh Stager,
my foreman.

Howdy.

Uh, my horse is right here
at the livery stable.
I'll get him.

I thought I was supposed
to do the hirin'.

You are--most of the time.

Fellas, hold it. You, too.

Bunkhouse is in the back.
Grab any bunk that's open.

As soon as he
gets his gear stowed,

you two start workin'
the north range for strays.

Just the two of us?

What's the matter?
The work too much for ya?

Well, I didn't say that.

I mean, it'll take a couple
of days for two men--

It'll take you longer than that
if you don't get a move on.

You either get goin'
or draw your pay,
I don't care which.

You better get movin',
or you're gonna be lookin'
for a job.

That Dolan's a troublemaker.

Sooner or later,
I gotta get rid of him.

Oh, he's all right, Hugh.

He's a little immature,
but he'll outgrow that.

You mean I can't fire him?

Well, of course you can,
if he does something
to deserve it.

Now why?
Now what brought all this on?

Well, I don't wanna sound
like I'm unappreciative,

but it's hard
to do the job right

when the men know
that they can go
right over my head.

Well, how did I
go over your head?

Well, that new man
you hired.

What do you know about him?

Only that he did Dolan
a favor last night.

That seemed like
recommendation enough
to give him a chance,

and if he doesn't work out,
we'll get rid of him.

[ door closes ]

You're in a good mood.

I can't seem
to convince your father
that we're in a fight.

We can't win a fight
with men like Dolan
or that new man.

What have you
got against him?

Well, he's a dr*fter.

They have no sense of loyalty.

You can't depend
upon a man like that.

These new men
you've been signing on--

you think you
can depend on them?

Well, they're not the kind
I'd pick as friends,

but they're nice
to have on my side.

I thought it was ourside.

Well, you know
that's what I meant.

Is it, Hugh?

What does that mean?

Well, let's be honest
with one another.

You're not in love with me.

You just pretend to be

because you know it'd
please Dad if we got married.

He'd feel that I'd
be taken care of,

in case anything
happened to him.

The ranch would go on.

Whatever put a crazy notion
like that in your head?

Is it crazy, Hugh?

Maybe you're the one
who's changed.

Well, if I have,
it's your fault.

You're so wrapped up
in this feud,

you don't know
I'm alive anymore.

The reason I'm wrapped up
in this feud

is because
it's a matter of life or death
to the Peterson ranch.

I haven't got enough time
to fight Garth and spend
with you.

I thought you'd
be understanding enough
to realize that.

I wish I could believe you.

Just be patient.

[ door closes ]

[ door closes ]

Who's that?

Donovan?

He's one of Stager's men.

Why? You know him?

I guess not.

[ mooing ]

Thanks.

We better push them
on down to the herd

before Stager
sends somebody out
to see what's happened to us.

Hey, why does he
got it in for you, anyway?

'Cause I'm not one
of his boys.

I was workin' here
before the old man hired him.

You know,
I don't know how he did it,

but he sure got the old man
thinkin' the sun rose and set
on him.

Inside of two years,
he's foreman of the ranch

and he's engaged
to the boss' daughter.

[ chuckles ]
You can't do
much better than that.

No, I guess not.

You know,
he wants me to quit,
like most of the others,

but I got just about
enough mule in me not to do it.

If he wants to get rid of me,
he's gonna have to look me
right in the eye and fire me.

Huh. How long has this feud
with Garth been goin' on?

I don't know--
four or five months.

I don't remember
how it started,

but it's sure buildin'
toward an expl*si*n.

Peterson's movin' his herd
towards the South Pass.

How close are they?

They ought to make it
on through

before I can round up
enough men to stop them.

Well, if we left now,
could we get there in time?

Yeah, but--You find whoever you can
around the ranch.

I'll be ready in five minutes.

[ mooing ]

Head them up! Push them!

Whoo! Whoo! Ha!

Get your men up in the rocks.

Don't sh**t
unless I give the word.

Ha!

Garth. Up ahead.

[ whistles ]

Take them back, Stager.
You're on Shiloh range.

We just wanna move them through
to the other side of the canyon.

Peterson didn't ask
to use my land.

I don't think Mr. Peterson's
about to ask you any favors.

Then you'll go
the long way around.

I don't think so, Judge.

Look about you
before you decide.

Some other time, Judge.

I don't know how you
can sit there and let him
get away with it.

Well, you knew that property
was his when you tried
to bring the cattle through.

You told me you'd
always used that canyon
to get to the open range,

long before I got here.

That was before
the trouble started.

Now you're backin' off.

Backing off?
I am not going to do anything
that puts me in the wrong.

I wouldn't have a leg
to stand on in this case.

In other words,
you're willin' to sit by

and let him get away
with anything he wants.

If he's wrong,
and I can prove it,

I'll jump on him
with both feet,

but until that happens,
I'm not gonna be provoked
into starting a fight.

The fight's already started.

The question is--
who's gonna win?

I still can't understand why
Garth started all this.

We used to be friends.

All I know is he's
tryin' to push you
right out of Wyoming.

Sooner or later,
you gotta push back
or fold up.

Maybe you're right,
but this is not the issue
to do it on.

I only hope you
don't wait too long.

I think I better be
the judge of that.

All right.

Good night.

I thought
I heard Hugh's voice.

You did--loud and clear.

Don't tell me you two
had another argument.

No, not exactly,
but he's a little more
aggressive than I realized.

I thought he was your idea
of the perfect son-in-law.

Is that why you accepted him?

No, of course not.
I was only teasing.

Where you going?

Oh, I think I'll go out
and take a walk.

I won't be long.

When they hand out
a day's work around here,

they don't fool around,
do they?

I'll see if I can get the cook
to warm something up for us.

Yeah, like a couple
of nice, thick steaks.

Boo.

Hello.

Good evening.

You're working late.

Yeah, we had a lot
of strays to round up.

I notice your horse
has a Shiloh brand.

A lot of people
have been askin' me
about that.

I trust you have
a satisfactory answer.

Mm-hmm.

A couple
of Judge Garth's men

shot my horse
out from under me
by mistake.

So they gave me
another one.

Why would they
do a thing like that?

Well, I was ridin'
on their range,

and I guess they figured
I was workin' for your father.

Oh.

Not a very friendly country,
is it?

Used to be.

When did all
the trouble begin?

I don't know exactly.

It was little things at first,
and then all of a sudden,

things seemed
to get out of hand.

I'm afraid to think
how it's going to end.

I got a pretty good idea.

Why did you sign on here?

Just a job.

Do you like it?

I don't know yet.

And if you don't like it,
you just go on to the next?

That's right.

It must be nice
to be able to do that.

Well, there are good things
about it.

What are you looking for?

I'll know that when I find it.

It's not that easy for a girl.

She has to stay where she is,

and then hope that
before she gets too old
or too bored or unhappy...

Hey, hurry up!
Cook says if we hurry,
we can--

Oh, I'm sorry,
I didn't--

Oh, that's all right.
I was just going
into the house.

Good luck,
I hope you find it.

Good luck to you, too.

Find what?
What was that all about?

Nothin'.
Let's go eat.

It's been a hard year
for everyone.

Money is in short supply.

We've been friends
a long time, Matt.
What's on your mind?

I had to discount your note.

I told you, money was scarce.

In the interest
of the depositors,

I had to convert
every asset I could.

Who'd you sell me to, Matt?

Miles Peterson.

I see.

It's not that bad.

Miles wants to meet you
and go over your differences.

Henry, I had no other choice.

[ door closes ]

Oh, it's you.

Why don't you
look where you're goin'?

Just a minute.
How about payin'
for that flour?

You're tryin'
to pick a quarrel.

You're lookin' for an excuse
to have a gunfight.

Well, pretty hard to do,
wouldn't it?

Seein' as how
I'm not wearin' a g*n.

No, you're not wearin' a g*n.

We know you prefer
to keep yours hidden.

Go back and tell Peterson
I won't be provoked
into a gunfight

with one of his hired K*llers.

That's as good a place
as any to do it.

You think
that'll light the fuse?

Well, it better.

What are you
pushing so hard for?

You know, the old man
can't live forever.

Isn't this ranch
big enough for you?

No.

I knew you when you
never dreamed you'd
have a set-up like this.

It'll be even better
when we run Garth
out of the territory.

I'll say this for you--
when you think, you think big.

I'm not gonna run
just another ranch.

I'm gonna be top man
on the biggest spread

west of the Mississippi
before I get through.

If you don't
stub your toe first,

I think maybe you will.

Well, not till you
get down there and do your job.

Don't let anybody see you.

Yes, sir.
Anything you say, boss.

[ wagon approaching ]

Good morning.

Good morning.

You ought to have
some help with that.

Well, the thought
crossed my mind,

but I guess
it didn't cross Mr. Stager's.

They're all out
in the north range.

[ grunts ]

Got any idea
where this flour
is supposed to go?

Well, we could use
one sack in the house,

if you wouldn't mind
carrying it in.

That's what I'm here for.

I guess I sounded
pretty sorry for myself
last night.

Not at all.

As a matter of fact,
I was.

Why would you feel sorry
for yourself?

You've got a beautiful ranch,
you're young,

engaged to be married.

Just put it in the kitchen.
Right back there.

Would you like some coffee?

Well,
I don't think the foreman
would appreciate that.

It's still my house.
Would you like some?

Thank you, ma'am.

It'd be a pleasure to have
a cup of coffee with you.

Good.
Make yourself comfortable.
I'll bring it right in.

I shouldn't have left
that book there.

Looks very interesting.

Well, at least it's different
from the way we live here.

Sugar or cream?

Just black, thanks.

The working girls
are probably reading
about the ranchers' daughters.

That might sound
pretty good to them.

Is that meant
to convey a message?

It's good coffee.

Thank you,
but you didn't answer
my question.

I don't think
it's any of my business.

You're a very careful man,
aren't you?

It pays to be.

Sometimes it can
even keep you alive.

Do you think I'm pretty?

Well, of course I do.

Would you like to kiss me?

I always like
to kiss pretty girls.

Well, what's stopping you?
We're alone in the house.

I guess I also like it
to be my idea.

I'm not very good
at being coquettish, am I?

It's not much of a thing
to be good at.

I'm sorry.

I guess I just wanted
to seem desirable.

You're engaged to be married.
That ought to prove something.

Yes, and I also have a father
who owns a very large ranch.

There's a connection.

I'm afraid the conclusion
isn't very flattering.

Are you sure
it's the right one?

I've tried very hard
not to think so,

but there's no use
fooling myself any longer.

What do you plan
to do about it?

I don't know.

I may still marry him...

because I'm even more afraid
of not getting married at all.

It's the awful part about it.

Is that offer still open?

You don't have to be kind.

I know it.

[ horse approaching ]

You'd better go.

I haven't finished my coffee.

Yes, but you were right.
You would get into trouble.

I don't want you to.

Thanks very much.

[ door opens ]

Maria?

What was he doin' here?

He just carried in
a sack of flour for me.

It's nice to know
you're jealous.

I just wanna be sure
the bunkhouse hands
know their place.

Yes, of course.

Donovan, what the devil
are you doin'?

That's our fence
you're cuttin'.

You gone crazy or something?

Now look, Jerry--

Have you switched sides?

Maybe you're workin'
for Garth now.

Is that it?

No, this is Stager's idea.

You mean Stager's
tryin' to turn this

into a shootin' w*r
by framin' Garth?

Yeah, I tried to argue
him out of it,
but you know how he is.

I didn't wanna get fired.

He's the one
that's gonna get fired

as soon as I tell Peterson.

Look, I'll go find him
right now. Come here.

That's a good idea.

[ g*nsh*t ]

Everything all right?

I thought you
were supposed to keep

all the hands away from there
till I finished.

That's right.
Why? Did someone--

Jerry busted in on me
right in the middle of it.

What happened?

You got a bonus.

When they find the cut wire,
they'll find him, too.

[ bawling ]

Hi.

Hi.

[ bawling ]

I heard him bawling.
I couldn't imagine
what happened.

Got himself all tangled up.

Well, I know how he feels.

What do you mean?

Every time I see you,
I seem to make a worse fool
of myself.

That's not true.

Well, first I sound
too sorry for myself,

and then yesterday, I acted
like a cheap saloon girl.

[ chuckles ]
I wouldn't exactly
call it that.

Everything I try to do
seems to turn out wrong.

Well, why don't you
just try bein' yourself?

Maybe I'm not sure
what that is.

I've been so busy
trying to be what other people
wanted me to be,

I guess I lost track of myself.

All the time I was growing up,

I knew my father wanted a son
instead of a daughter.

So I did the best I could
to make up for it.

I can sh**t like a man,
can ride like a man,

even bulldogged a calf once.

[ chuckles ]

That didn't turn out so well.

It was about that time
that Dad decided he was stuck
with a daughter,

whether he liked it or not.

So we started hunting
a husband for me--

one that could carry on
with the ranch.

That's when Hugh came along.

Dad thought he was great.

So did I, at first.

It wasn't until we got engaged
that I began to have doubts

whether he wanted me
or the ranch.

That does something
to your pride.

It makes you feel--

Maria.

Don't you
sell yourself short.

You got a lot
to offer any man.

You really mean that?

[ horse approaching ]

Oh, I...

always come along
at the wrong time.

Stager wants us to ride fence
on the South Line.

Maybe I can answer
your question later.

Uh-huh.

[ mooing ]

[ whistles ] h*!

Hey, look.

Something's down.

Yeah, let's take a look.

Peterson brand.
Jerry's horse.

Dolan.

Shot in the back.

[ sighs ]
This will do it.

This will sure start
the shootin'.

Well, let's get him back.
Go get his horse.

You sure it was our fence--
on our range?

Yes, sir.
No mistake about that.

Can I round up the men?

Now wait a minute.

What for?

Because I said so.

You mean you're gonna let
Garth get away with this?

Not if he's responsible.

Well, who else could it be?

The wire cut,
your own man shot in the back--

who else could have done it?

Well, I will admit,
it looks bad, but--

Sounds to me like you're
tryin' to walk around a fight.

Well, what I meant was--

I know what you meant.

Now I'll tell ya
what's gonna happen.

We're goin' over to Shiloh,
just you and me, to see Garth.

If one of his men did this
without his knowledge,

he's gonna have the chance
to turn him over to the sheriff.

He's gonna get that chance

before anybody around here
starts a full-scale w*r.

Now if you don't have
the stomach for it,

I'll go alone.

I wish you'd change
your mind about this.

I've changed my mind
about a lot of things,

and I've been wrong
about a lot of things, too.

What does that mean?

You finish up your month
and draw your time.

I had a feelin'
that was comin'.

Sure you want it this way?

I'm sorry, boy.
I had a lot of hopes
and plans for you,

but you just don't
measure up to them.

If that's the way you feel.

That's the way I feel.

Whoa.

What are you stopping for?

Off horse is bobbing.
Might have picked up a stone.

Looks all right to me.

Doesn't hurt to take a look.

[ horse approaching ]

Nice shot.

It's all over, Maria.

It won't be over
until I see Garth in a grave
as deep as that one.

I'll take ya home, Maria.

Looks like you
got competition.

Hey, the boss
wants to see ya.

Right now!

[ knock at door ]

Come in.

You wanted to see me?

Must have been important.

[ sighs ]

There's your time.
Take it.

Just a minute.
What are you doing?

We don't need
this man, Maria.

I'll do any firing
that has to be done.

You will stay on, won't you?
I don't want you to go.

You heard the boss, Stager.

If that's the way
you want it.

That's the way I want it.

Excuse us, please.

Yes, ma'am.

Let's get a few things straight.

My father was getting old,
and he gave you pretty much
of a free hand.

But I own the ranch now,

and I'm not old enough
or tired enough

to surrender authority.
Clear?

Well, you know how
Miles felt about us.

It's not how he felt,
it's how I feel that counts.

If I thought
that saddle tr*mp
was comin' between us, I'd--

You'd do what?

Nothin'. Forget it.

I found this
in the ranch accounts.

It's a note for $30,000.

Garth's note.
Your father bought it up.

Pretty good reason
why Garth had him k*lled.

He was afraid Miles
would call in the loan.

It's due in 30 days.

This is what I need.

I'm going to destroy
Henry Garth.

You've got one more job to do.

Him?

I've come too close
to let him turn her
against me.

He'll be ridin' fence today
on the South Line.

Hip, hip, hip, hip!
Get in there!

[ mooing ]

Hip, hip, hip, hip!

[ continues calls ]

[ horse whinnies ]

I found you on the South Line.

You're in a line shack now
belonging to Shiloh ranch.

I dug this out of you.

Did I holler?

Hmm?

When you dug the slug out of me,
did I holler?

No, that's the first time
I had hope for ya.

Figured any man
who could holler like that
wasn't about to die.

Any idea who did it?

No, not unless--

Unless what?

Nothing. I don't know.

Well, you try to get some sleep.

In a day or so,
we'll take you over to Shiloh.

We're better fixed
to take care of you over there.

[ knock at door ]

Come in.

Here's that information
you wanted.

I had it in the bunkhouse.

Thanks.

More paperwork than you realized
to running a ranch, isn't there?

Dad wasn't exactly
the best bookkeeper
in the world.

Anything I can do to help?

No, I don't think so.
Thanks.

Well...

Hugh...

Yes?

That new man...

did he give any reason?

I told ya--
he just drew his pay and quit.

Those drifters are all alike--

just stay till they
get a full stomach

and a couple dollars
in their pocket.

I know it's a little soon
to bring it up,

but, uh, the ranch
needs a man to run it.

The sooner we're married,

the quicker I can take
some of the responsibilities
off your shoulders.

Hugh, I, uh--

I said it was too soon.

Think about it.

[ door closes ]

How do you feel?

Much better, thank you.

I've been meanin' to ask ya--

what size slug
did you dig out of me?

Forty caliber.

Same size that k*lled
Miles Peterson.

Well,
I wouldn't know about that.

Why'd you bring me in,
Mr. Garth?

You were hurt.

I wouldn't leave an animal
in that condition,
much less a man.

Incidentally, you talked a lot
while you were out of your head.

Nothin' I'm gonna repeat--
not even to you.

I forgot my tally book.
You go on ahead. I'll join ya.

You won't find anything
that shoots .40 caliber
in there...

or in the bunkhouse, either.

A man doesn't generally
try to k*ll another man

and then nurse him
back to life.

That's true enough.

Peterson wasn't nursed
back to life.

You think
I was responsible for that?

The thought
had crossed my mind, yes.

Well, you're wrong.

I believe now that I was.

Thanks.

I had to check...

'cause I had to go back
and tell them.

Peterson's daughter thinks
you had her father k*lled.

So does her foreman.

They think you wanna take over
the whole range.

Maria ought to know better
than that.

As for the foreman,
it doesn't matter to me
what he thinks--

he or those gunslingers
they've got out there.

You've got some
pretty rough boys
on your payroll, too.

I have no choice.

[ door opens and closes ]

Try this for size.

Thanks very much.

Ahh.

You know, I can't decide
whether night or morning
is the best time of day.

Lots to be said
for both of them, I guess.

Say, before you
took up ranching,

did you do
any other kind of work,
besides bein' a judge?

Lawyer.

Lawyer, huh?
I'll remember that--
if I ever need one.

[ chuckles ]
Better not.

That was a long time ago.

Besides, someone
who doesn't carry a g*n

isn't gonna get
into that kind of trouble.

Never can tell.

I'll tell ya something--

it's awful hard for a man
to change his course.

Keep movin' on...

the past always comes along
to catch up with you.

Sooner or later,
just when he thinks
he's all set...

it' time to be movin' on again.

Feel like stretchin' your legs?

When I came out here,

there was nothin'
but open prairie
and grassland.

Surprising how quickly
things got built.

Come here.
I wanna show you something.

Well...

Now that's what I call
a chunk of beef.

That's a prize Hereford.

Cost me, oh...

I hate to tell ya
what it cost me,

but he's worth every penny.

This bull is the future
of Shiloh ranch.

You gonna crossbreed him?

Used to be nothin'
but scrub cattle out here.

Well,
they're not scrubs anymore.

I'm developin'
a good beef breed.

One of these days,
I'm gonna expand the breed,

pass the blood
to the other ranchers,

and between us,

make enough beef
to feed the whole country.

This boy's the start of it all.

You know, uh...

all my life,
I've heard people

talk about buildin'
for the future.

It's been a long time
since I saw anybody
really doin' it.

Kinda hard to tie that in
with this w*r you're havin'
with Peterson.

Well, this w*r,
as you call it...

it's not of my making.

It's, uh, it's hard
to find the words

to thank a man
for savin' your life.

Don't try.
Only sorry you can't stay on.

Well, I may be back.

There will be a place for you.

Thanks, Judge.

Come in.

I thought you'd like to know--

Garth's moving his main herd
down to the railroad.

He made a deal to sell
for $30,000--cash on delivery.

Where'd you hear this?

I talked to the buyer
in town.

Thank you.

[ door closes ]

Thirty thousand dollars...

that's enough
to pay off the note.

He said cash on delivery.

He's not at the railhead yet.

You think you can stop
a cattle drive?

You still wanna marry me, Hugh?

You know I do.

Then help me stop Garth.

[ chuckles ] I thought you'd
plum dusted out of the country.

What gave you that idea?

Stager said you and him
had had an argument
and you quit.

I thought it was kinda funny--

you goin' off
without your bedroll.

Look like you're doin'
some dustin' out yourself.

Well, a man can take
just so much,

and then things
get too thick,

and when there' talk
about stampedin' a herd
of good cattle

over a cliff
just for spite--

What are you talkin' about?

Maria Peterson--

I tell ya, that girl's
gone completely out of her mind.

What's this about stampedin'
a herd of cattle?

She's gonna raid Garth's drive
and stampede his herd.

She said she's
gonna square things

once and for all with Garth
for killin' the old man.

Ever see one like this before?

Yeah, that came
from a Sharps Carbine.

Know anybody around
that's got a g*n like that?

Uh-uh, not as I can remember.
Why?

Somebody tried to k*ll me
with the slug that came
from this cartridge.

I got a hunch whoever did it
k*lled Peterson, too.

But I though Garth--

Garth didn't do it.
I'm sure of it.

Well, I'm glad I didn't go along
on that raid.

Better warn him.

I'm goin' on down
to the Peterson ranch.

Try and find out
who's got that g*n.

[ cattle mooing ]

We got a caller.

Peterson hand.

Howdy.

Well, what do you want?

The Peterson outfit's
gonna raid your drive.

They plan to hit ya tonight.

You're a Peterson man,
why tell me?

Look, mister, I don't care
if you believe me or not.

I just brought you the word.

Hold the herd, Sunday.

I'm goin' to the Peterson place.

All right, circle them
and hold them in tight!

Have them saddle up my bay.

You're not goin'
on this business.

You try and keep me away.

All right,
if that's the way ya want it.

Donovan's out scouting.

We'll be goin'
as soon as he comes back.

I'll be ready.

Saddle up Ms. Peterson's bay.
She's goin' with us.

Hello, Maria.

Stager told me you'd quit.

Stager's a liar.

Where have you been?

At Shiloh.

Shiloh?

I had a b*llet in my back--

this b*llet.

I got a feeling
it matches the one
that k*lled your father.

Well, then you're just in time.

We're going to--

I know what you're gonna do,
only you're wrong.

Garth's men didn't sh**t me
or your father.

What makes you so sure?

This b*llet comes
from a Sharps Carbine.

There wasn't one at Shiloh.
I looked.

They could have hidden it.

There's another reason, Maria.
Garth saved my life.

He wasn't fighting with you.

His men
could have made a mistake.

I spent three weeks with him.

He didn't do it, Maria.
I'm sure of that.

I couldn't be that wrong
about anybody.

Are you trying to tell me
that somebody from this ranch
k*lled my father?

That's what I'm gettin' at.

Who?

Who stood to gain
from your father's death?

Hugh?

You named him, I didn't.

[ door opens ]

What are you doin' here?

Were you expectin'
to see a ghost?

I don't know what
you're talkin' about.

He has an idea
somebody from this ranch
k*lled my father.

He's crazy.

He's just tryin'
to make trouble.

Then you won't mind
if I search the bunkhouse

for a Sharps Carbine,
will ya?

You gonna let
this saddle tr*mp
walk in and take over?

Let's have a look
at the r*fles, Hugh.

This is ridiculous.

If that's what you want...

Start with Donovan.

I wanna see
what's in that scabbard.

Sure, why not?

That g*n came from--Better wait here.

Look out!

[ groans ]

I thought you'd gone away...
for good.

I came back as soon as I could.

Don't leave me.

Please, don't leave me.

I'll be here.

[ groans ]

Hey. Come on.
What's keepin' ya?

Nothin'.

[ horse snorts ]

[ theme song ]