02x24 - Another's Footsteps

[bunniefuu]

[ theme song ]

What's the matter, mister?
Got a misery in your back?

How many times have I told you
not to play games with g*ns,
Dan?

Every time I do it.

One of these times
I won't tell ya.

I might just put a lump
on that nose of yours instead.

Anything you do to this face
of mine's gotta help it,

but you're gettin' excited
over nothin'.

Ain't even loaded.

Just came in
on the morning stage.

Haven't even had a chance
to get shells for it yet.

Go on, try it.

It's a beauty, isn't it?

It just sort of feels like
part of your own hand.

Mm-hmm. Must have cost ya
a month's wages.

Tack on about six more months
and you come close.

Why, Dan?

Why? 'Cause I wanted it.

A g*n like this
is pretty fancy for a cowboy.

Maybe so, but I wanted it...

more than anything
I ever wanted before.

Well, it's your money.
I guess you can spend it
any way you want to.

Yeah. You gonna be free
for a while?

Well, part of the morning?
Why?

Well, I thought maybe
we could ride a little way
out of town

and you could give me
another lesson.

I don't think
there's anything more
I can teach ya, Dan.

Ah, come on.

Well, I showed you
how to use a g*n.

I tried to tell you
when and when not to use it.

There isn't anything else
for ya to learn.

But just ten minutes.
I mean, part of this g*n
belongs to you.

Don't you wanna be there
when I try her out?

All right, soon as I
finish up in the bank,

we'll go see if that g*n
can do anything
besides look pretty.

Put up your hands.

Over against the counter,
both of ya.

Now hold on a minute--

Do as he says!

Come on, come on.
Hurry it up!

Look, you tend to your job,
we'll handle ours.

Get their g*ns.

All right, turn around.

Easy.

You first.

With your left hand.

On the floor.

Now you.

Get rid of it.

I said get rid of it!

No, Dan!

You idiot, that shot
will bring the whole town!

I didn't want to.

He forced me.

[ locks door ]

Get a doctor!

It wasn't even loaded.

Just rest easy
till the doctor comes, Dan.

I'm fine, honest.

No pain, nothin'.

The b*llet
must have just nicked me.

Sure, Dan.
It's just a scratch.

My g*n?

It's fine, Dan.

Please. My g*n.

Well, they had
a 30-minute edge on us,

and I don't figure
we shortened it any.

Let's keep movin'.

These horses
are just about finished.

So are theirs.

This is it, I guess.

They had a change of animals
staked out here.

We'll never catch fresh horses

with horses that have been
ridden hard all day.

Only about an hour
of daylight left.

Can't track them
in the dark.

Whoa.

They say the last man
out of town was ridin' a sorrel.

So?

So the last man
out of the bank

was the man
who k*lled Dan Grant.

Ever see this brand before,
Mark?

Here it is, Mark.

I thought I'd seen it
in the Stockman's Registry.

The Rocking D.

What about the brands
on the other two horses?

They're not in the book,
but one's all we need.

That sorrel horse
came out of the Dunsen ranch.

Montana.

I'll put if out
on the telegraph.

Wait a minute.

Is that all
you're gonna do about it?

What more can I do?

I can't check it out myself.
It would take weeks.

What would Medicine Bow
do for a lawman?

I guess you're right,

but don't bother
with a telegraph.

Medicine Bow doesn't need me.

You're not serious.

Mark, I want the man
that k*lled Dan Grant.

You've got a job here

and an obligation
to Judge Garth--Shiloh.

A man can have more
than one kind of obligation.

I taught that boy to sh**t.

I was the only one
in that bank

who knew how he felt
about his new g*n.

I should have taken it away
from him myself.

I don't like it,
but I'm not gonna try
and stop ya.

Can I take the sorrel?

Yeah.

You know that horse
could have been sold
ten times over

since that brand
was put on him.

All I want is the man
who bought him last.

Well, well, well...

what's this, visiting day?

No, not exactly.
Just thought we'd drop in
and say hello.

Or is it good-bye?

Which one of ya
is the mind reader?

Well, actually,
it's Trampas.

He saw you stop
into the bunkhouse.

And he saw you
wrap up a bedroll,

pick up a change of clothes,

and enough ammunition
to start a small w*r.

Now wait a minute.

You mean to tell me
you packed a saddlebag
before you came in here?

I figured it'd
work out this way, Mark.

Rocking D.

Isn't that the mark
on the sorrel outside?

That's right.

Montana.

Heard it gets
pretty cold up there.

Mark.

Oh, whatever you do,

remember they got laws
in Montana... and lawmen.

I don't wanna see a poster
come in here one of these days
with your picture on it.

I'll remember.

You boys wanna ride
to the edge of town with me?

Well, we was plannin' on
goin' a lot further than that
with ya.

We even got
our bedrolls packed.

Hmm, I see.

I appreciate the offer.
No, thanks.

Judge Garth
said it's all right.

Well,
it isn't all right.

You're needed at Shiloh.

That's where I expect
to find both of ya
when I get back.

[ chuckles ]

You boys plannin' on makin' me
fight my way out of here?

Steve.

Good luck.
Thanks.

And, uh...
take care.

Yeah.

Rocking D.

[ howling ]

[ howling continues ]

[ cows mooing ]

[ cowhands yelping ]

Mornin'.
Mornin'.

Can you tell me
if this is Dunsen range?

Yep, you been on it
for the last ten miles.

Foreman around?

He sure is.
Fresh coffee on the fire,
if you want.

Just the foreman, thanks.

You're talkin' to him.

On second thought,
that coffee sounds pretty good.

Come on and help yourself.

You know all the men
who are signed on to ya?

Yeah, 'bout as well
as I know the calluses
on my hands.

What about the stock?

Oh, it's hard to say.

Something special--
I might remember.

Take a look at this
little sorrel horse over here.

It carries our mark.

Who rides it?

You're welcome to the coffee.Wait a minute!

And when you're
finished with it,
get off of Dunsen range.

I only ask--For me to point out one
of my boys for you to k*ll.

It's written all over ya,
so you ride out, mister,

and tell your sweet,
innocent little kid sister

or the tin-horn card cheat
that cut you in on half
his action--

First off, it was a man.
A dead man.

'Cause one of your boys,
or whoever it is that rides
that sorrel horse,

rode into Medicine Bow,
Wyoming last week

and robbed the bank
and k*lled him.

Stevens.

Over here.

Stevens is our wrangler.

Stevens, you recognize
that animal?

Yeah, that's a good
little cow pony.

Who rides it?

Shorty used to.

Came up lame
about a month ago.

Sold him to Smudge.

Smudge Hinen--a horse trainer
who comes around

a couple times a year
buyin' up stock we can't use.

Where would I find him?

He's got a little setup
in Medford.

Obliged to both of ya.

He lookin' for the man
who owns that sorrel?

Yeah, seems like it.

That's one man
I wouldn't wanna be.

Mornin'.
Mornin'.

I'm lookin'
for Smudge Hinen.

Lookin' athim, you mean.

Are you buyin',
sellin', or tradin'?

Right now, I'd like
to ask a few questions.

I said--
I heard ya, friend.

Questions don't put money
in my pocket.

The right answers could.

Well...
that's different, friend.

Ask away.

The little sorrel horse there--

you bought him off
the Dunsen spread
a few weeks back.

Uh...
could be.

Who bought him from you?

I said could be,
not a definite yes.

Could be I sold this one
and two more at the same time
about a month ago.

The men who bought them
got a real good deal.

Mm-hmm. These men--
what do they look like?

Well, now let me think.

A month's
a pretty long time ago.

Uh...
[ chuckles ]

Memory
seems to be a mite stuck.

Maybe this
will jar it loose.

Best thing I know
to get anything movin' again.

There were three of them.

Two of them
were real hard-cases--

the kind a man would walk
a wide circle around.

The other one was different--
soft kinda.

It was him that took
that sorrel here.

They mention any names?

The big fella--
he called his buddy--
what was it?

I remember--
Pooch.

He called him Pooch.
The name fit.

He looked like a mongrel dog,
that's for sure.

Uh... [ chuckles ]

They say anything else?

Well, they did let slip
a name of a town.

Now, now where was it?

[ chuckles ]

There goes
that memory again, friend.

Stickin'
just at the wrong time.

I got something else
to jar it loose.
You wanna try it?

Uh...
it comes back to me.

It better, and those names
better check out,
or I'll be back.

Now what's the town?

About two day's ride
north of here--

a place called Concho.

Take a beer.

[ cards shuffling ]

Thanks.

Ahh.

Tasted better
than canteen water.

Most anything would
after a long trail.

Long, hot, and dusty.

Concho ain't much
of an improvement.

Fact is,
hardly any change at all.

That's what Pooch
used to say about this town.

Pal of mine. You know him?

Don't think so.

What's the rest of his name?

Big game?

Not if you can afford to lose.

Be there, baby.

[ chuckles ]

And you are there...

just like your daddy ordered.

Mind if I watch?

No, as long as you don't watch
with your mouth.

You fill up
or runnin' a windy on me?

Well, there's only one way
to find out.

But if you cover me,
you lose.

Pooch still sit in on this game
every once in a while?

You know Pooch?

We've met.

Your bet.

Don't rush me...
I'm thinkin'.

There's a seat open,
if you feel lucky.

No, I don't trust too much
in luck.

Thanks just the same.

What do you think?

I think you're runnin'
a bluff on me, Pooch.

I call.

Where's he headin'?

Goin' over to the hotel.

You sure
this is the right room?

That's what the clerk said.

We drew a blank.

This time.

Town's small,
we'll catch up with him.

Here, I'll take that.

Looks like I got real lucky.How do you mean?

I spent the whole day
baitin' a trap,

spreadin' Pooch's name
all over town.

What I didn't know
was I hit the jackpot
with the very first try.

All right, on your feet!

All right, come on. Let's go.

Well?

I thought you were gonna go
get some breakfast.

Well, I wasn't very hungry,
Sheriff.

Well, don't keep me danglin'.
What'd you find out
from those two?

Nothin' we didn't
already know before.

They admitted
the bank robbery?

Well, there wasn't much point
in their tryin' to deny it

after I told them
what you turned up.

Smudge Hinen ties them in
with the horses,

and the horses tie them in
with the robbery.

And the robbery
to the k*lling of Dan Grant.

Uh, not quite.

See, they both swear
it was the other fella
that did the shootin'.

Well, it was.
They tell ya his name?

That's where the story
gets a little fuzzy.

How fuzzy?

Well, they both claim they
only knew this other fella

about a week before they
cut him in on the robbery.

You believe that?

Comin' from two fellas
that could save their necks

by turnin' in their partner,
sure I do.

All right, so they
only knew him for a week.

If you plan a bank robbery
with a man, you know his name
and where he lives.

Did they tell you that much?

Yeah, they told me.

Well, let's go get him!

It's not that easy.

See, they only told me
where they think he might be,

not where he actually is.

Besides that,
it's out of my jurisdiction.

Yeah?

Well, that's one problem
I don't have.

Now what's his name?

Look, mister,
you did the right thing
when you rode into Concho.

Comin' to see me first,
I mean.

You didn't know
who you were lookin' for then.

I just wonder if you'll
be as careful this time,

goin' after the man
who pulled the trigger.

What do you want?
Some kind of a guarantee?

Yeah, in a way.

All right...
I plan to bring him back

to Medicine Bow to stand trial,
if it's at all possible.

That's what I'm gonna do.

All right...
the man's name is Matthew Raine.

He told them he owns
a small scrub ranch

somewhere north
of Morgan Flats.

Matthew Raine.

[ thunderclap ]

[ continues thundering ]

[ blows kiss ] Come on.

[ blows kiss ]

[ r*fle c*ck ]

All right, son, you've got me.

What happens next?

I don't rightly know,
but you stand there.

Mom, come out here!
Quick, Ma!

Ma!

Tim, what is it?

I seen him from the barn.

What is it you want?

Well, right now,
I'd like to take my hands down.

All right.

But don't try anything.
I'm watchin' ya.

I'll remember.

That's a good man of the house
you got there.

He's not the man of the house.

My husband
left a few moments ago
to check our fence line.

I expect him back any time now.

The storm looks like it
might start up again.

Mind if I stay in your barn
till morning?

Yes, I do.
That's out of the question.

I'm sorry.

My husband--
he'd have to give you
that permission.

Well, then if it's all the same
to do, I'll be on my way.

All right,
but just you remember--

I'll be at the window...
watchin'.

Make sure you clean
and oil that r*fle good
so it won't rust up on ya.

Sure, any dumb bell
knows enough to do that.

Sure they do.

Good night.

[ thud ]Mom! Ma!

[ knock at door ]

[ knock at door ]

Come in.

Morning, ma'am.

How are you feeling?

Your fever broke
a couple of hours ago.

That ought to be a good sign.

It started up yesterday.

I tried to fight it down--

where's Tim?

He's sleeping.

He stayed awake
until I promised him
you'd be all right.

It took a lot of promising.

Like a little water?

Yes, please.

He wanted so badly to help me,

but there was nothing
he could do.

Thank you.

What you ought to do
is get some food in ya.

I am hungry.

That's the first time
in three days.

I'll build a fire up.

The storm got bad again
last night.

Your husband
must have holed up somewhere
till it cleared up.

Yes, I suppose so.

Well, he ought to be in
some time this morning then.

I'm sure he will be.

His name wouldn't be
Matthew Raine, would it?

No, it's Tom Anders.
Why do you ask?

It's not important.

Well, good morning.

Thought you
were gonna sleep all day.

I could have,
but I heard you choppin'.

Mom says I should help.

Glad to have ya.

Ever split kindlin' before?

Sure, my dad taught me.

All right, Mr. Raine,
start in anywhere.

Raine? My name's Anders.

I forgot.

I knew a Tom Anders once--

skinny fella,
straight yellow hair.

Couldn't be my dad.
He's big and strong.

His hair's black.

You know,
this was pretty good,

considerin' it was made
by a man and all.

Well, thanks.

It wasn't too fancy,
but I figured it would fill up
the empty spots.

Clear your dishes now.
We'll wash them later.

Us? Wash dishes?
Pa says that's women's work.

Well, usually it is.

What about r*fle cleanin'?

That's man's work.

You didn't seem
to get too far with this one.

I didn't have enough time.

You know how to clean a r*fle,
don't ya?

Take it down?
Put it back together?

Sure, my pa showed me.

Well, I'd get at this
pretty quick, if I were you.

Come in.

Finished?

Yes, thank you.

Would you like
another cup of tea?

Yes, I would please.

It would be a good idea
if you drank as much tea
as you can today.

I'll try.

I'll chop some more wood
before I go.

Thank you, but my husband
should be able to do all that
when he gets back.

Tim and I are most grateful
for what you've done.

I'd offer to pay you,

but I have a feeling
that you'd be insulted
if I did.

But I've been paid--

good food, warm fire,
pleasant company.

Payment enough for any man.

That was nice.

I hope when you're
back around here sometime

you'll stop
and pay us a visit.

Thanks, I'd like to.

Well, I'll be on my way.

You sure you'll
be all right here alone?

I thought I explained all that.
My husband will be--

Back at any moment.

Look, Mrs. Anders,
let's not try
and fool each other.

I've looked around.

You've got a leaky barn,
your fences are down,

cutting tools are rusting
in the front yard.

Your husband's
either a very bad rancher

or he hasn't been around here
for some time.

My husband's not a bad rancher.

He has other business,
and it takes him away.

Sometimes for a few days,
sometimes a week.

And sometimes longer, huh?

I--well, last night,
I didn't think it was wise
to tell you that.

I understand.

Well, good luck.

Well...

I appreciate
what you've done for us.

But, well, I've said that,
haven't I?

Yes, ma'am.

Well, your arriving here
when you did--it was a godsend.

Are you passing through here
on business?

Just drifting.

Lookin' for a job?

I could be.

Look, you said for us
not to fool one another.

Well, I don't know when
my husband's going to be back.

I don't know if I can manage
without him.

Please?

All right.

I don't know much about wages--

whatever you feel is right.

A dollar a day?

A dollar a day.

I'll fix up a place to sleep
in the barn then.

Oh, one more thing.

Who's Matthew Raine?

Just a man I used to know.

[ g*nshots ]

[ g*nsh*t ]

[ r*fle c*ck ]

[ r*fle c*ck ]

[ g*nsh*t ]

Missed.

It's all right.
They're not much
good eatin' anyway.

I know,
I just wanted to hit him.

I never hit anything.

Mister...

I wasn't exactly tellin' you
the truth before.

My pa never taught me
how to chop wood
or clean a r*fle.

Not that he didn't want to,
he just never had the time.

Cleanin' a r*fle's not so hard.
I'll show ya.

He never had the time
to teach me how to sh**t,
either.

Let's get those dishes done.

I'll bet ya
you could teach me.

I'll bet you're wrong.

All right, bear down, Tim.
Bear down.

Little more. Little more.

Little more!

[ grunts ]

Good, let it down slow.

Nice and easy.

All right, ease up.

Put a dab of tallow
on it now,

it ought to swing loose
and easy.

I tried to lift that gate
by myself once,

and I like
to split my britches,

but with this timber,
it sure was easy.

You had a little help
from a principle
called leverage.

I don't know
what you call it,

but I sure wish
I had it when I liked
to split my britches.

[ laughs ]

Pick up that wood now.

Hey, Mom,
we got that old gate fixed.

Oh, boy!

Broken down like that,
they're just a lot
of little pieces of metal.

But you clean them
and oil them up real good,

and I'll show you how to make
a r*fle out of them.

You're staring.

I'm sorry.

Should you be out of bed?

Yes, for a few minutes.

I was watching you two today.

I could hardly believe
that was my Tim.

He was workin' around here
like he was actually
enjoyin' himself.

Tim told me you used
to work alongside his father.

That's a slight exaggeration.

When he did work,
it was more like a chore--

something that he had to do.

That was the same way
with everything around here.

But you--
you make it interesting,
like it was a game.

That's the way I learned it.

From your father?

Mm-hmm.

He must have been quite a man.

Yes, he was.

I think your few minutes
are about up.

Cleaned up good?

Sure, my neck and everything.

We sure did put
a hard day's work in,
didn't we?

We earned our pay.

Shh.

What is it?

Quiet, don't make any noise.

Well, for gosh sakes,
what is it?

I don't see anything.

Be careful.

I'm careful.
What is it?

Gotta watch
those water beetles.

They'll do it every time.

Water beetles, my eye.

Don't scold,
I'm feeling much better,

and I think it's time you men
had some decent cooking.

That's a pretty dress.

Thank you.

Tim's cookin' up
some special revenge
for a squirt in the eye.

[ laughs ]

He's really fallen
under your spell, hasn't he?

I didn't know
I was casting a spell.

You seem to be.

You like Tim, don't you?
I mean, really like him?

Well, of course I do.

I mean, you're not
just being nice to him

for some reason
he and I don't understand.

When you came here,
you said you were just driftin'.

You don't seem like a dr*fter.

You asked me a question
about my husband.

You answered that question,
Mrs. Anders.

What other reason could I have?

All right, Tim,
put your staple in
and drive it home.

[ bird chirping ]

Hey!

Tim, it's only a bird!

I hit it!

Did ya see that?

With one shot!

Did ya see that shot?

It was a fine shot, Tim.

Wait till I tell Mom!

Oh, I'm sorry,

but with one shot!

I'm ready.

That's your k*ll, Tim.
You just gonna leave it there?

Well, what should I do with it?

That's up to you.

Can I bring it home to Ma?

If you want.

What do you plan to do with it
after you show it
to your mother, Tim?

I mean, you must have had
some plans when you shot it.

A boy like you
wouldn't just k*ll something
for no reason.

You're late.

Fences had to get mended.

Where is he?

In his room.

Sit down.

I'll put your supper
back on the stove.

Did he tell you what happened?

After he stopped crying.

You were right, though.

I thought so at the time.

I was right,
but I didn't have the right.

What I did was a father's job.

What's he like, Mrs. Anders?

My husband?

Mm-hmm.

It's funny.

I think I only remember
what he used to be like
when we were first married.

He was confident,
sure of himself
and what he could do.

He used to say that the world
was like a ripe tree

and all a man had to do
was to shake it, stand back,

and pick up
all the good things
that lay around him.

I guess it works out that way
for some.

Not for many.
Not for him.

When the good things
didn't fall right off,

he'd rush away
and look for another tree.

If he could stay here
and work his land,

this could be the tree
he's lookin' for.

I used to think so, too,
and it started out that way.

Another beautiful dream--

own our own land,
raise prime beef,
and grow wealthy.

What happened?

What always happens.

When he found out
how hard the work was...

the beautiful dream died.

What's he doin' now?

I don't know.

He just rode off one mornin'.

All he said was,
when he came back,

all our troubles would be over.

Maybe they will.

Where are you going?

The barn.

But you haven't had supper.

I'm not very hungry.

Well, then just stay
and talk a while.

It's been so long
since I've just talked.

I'm sorry, Karen.

What?

That's the first time
you've called me that--Karen.

Please?

I can't.

[ door closes ]

TIM: Mom!

Yes, Tim, I'll be there
in a minute.

Don't get up.

Should you be out tonight?
The air's got a bite to it.

I like the night air.

You know, I never realized
you wear a g*n.

With most men,
it seems to stand out.

On you,
it seems to belong.

What were you thinking of?

I don't know.

It's funny.
I'd think you would.

I was watching you
from the doorway.

You seemed so...
intense.

You had to know
what you were thinking about.

[ spins revolver ]

Trees.

Trees?

And shakin' them...
until the good things fall.

Wealth...

and how a man
could have found it here,

if he only stopped runnin'
long enough to look for it.

You mean you were thinking
about Tom.

Tom Anders.

Tim's father.

Your husband.

Well, it is getting chilly.

Good night.

Good night.

Anything you need
before we leave?

No, nothing.

I'm still not used to havin'
such a fuss made over me.

Makes me
not wanna get better.

Well,
you are getting better,

and we want it
to stay that way,

but if you'd like us
to stay close to the cabin,

we don't have to do this today.
It can wait.

No, it can't wait.

That's all Tim's talked about
all mornin' long

is goin' with you
to round up our strays.

That's like goin' on a picnic
for Tim.

Yeah.

Something wrong?

Karen, when the strays
are rounded up

and Tim and I get back here...

I'm leaving.

I--I don't understand.

Well, I'm leaving, Karen.

Quitting. Ridin' out.

But why?

The job's finished, that's all.

But that's not true.

There's lots more
that can be done
around the place.

Your hus--

you and Tim can handle
whatever else there is
that needs to be done.

Yes, I suppose we could.

And then Tom
will be coming back soon.

Yes, he should be back soon.

I wish you'd stay.
I know he'll wanna meet you.

It seems strange
to think about Tom

doin' the rest of the work
around here.

You've done more
in the short time

you've been here
to fix things up...

I'm tryin' to think
of a different way
to ask you to stay.

I know.

I'm sorry.

[ horse whinnies ]

Good morning.

[ chuckles ]
I didn't hear you come up.

Do you want water?

Help yourself.

Oh, I see you wanna sell
your pony.

Well, my husband is the only one
that can buy horses.

He's inside,
and I'll send him right out.

How long have they been here?

Just a few minutes.
Where's Tim?

Tending the stock.

He says they wanna trade.

I wouldn't put
too much stock in it.

No trade. We have nothing.

Ever see them before?

No.

They were so cruel-looking.

Not cruel, just desperate.

They find themselves
starving on the reservation.

So they break out
and find themselves
starving outside.

How awful.

Yeah, they form
into little bands.

Foraging.

Stealin' their clothes
from any clothesline
left unprotected,

food--anywhere they can.

Shouldn't we
have given them something?

No, that would make us
seem frightened.

They'd feel powerful.

Let's stop
talking about it now.

All right.
I made you some sandwiches.

What?

For tonight--your trip.
You were leavin', remember?

Oh, yeah. Well, uh, I got back
a lot later than I expected.

It'll be dark soon.
I can just as easily
leave in the morning.

All right.

[ whistle ]

[ whistle ]

[ whistle ]

[ thud ]

Who's there?

[ door handle jiggling ]

[ screams ]

[ continues screaming ]

[ g*nsh*t ]

The others are gone.

Maybe they'll be back.

Their kind want it to be easy.

They know now it won't be.

But what if--
Tim.

Tim, I want you
to go to bed now.

But Mom--
Come on. Never mind.

I'll take care of this.
I won't be far.

Now I know why you decided
to stay till morning.

I had a hunch
they might come back.

Why didn't you tell us?

What good
would that have done?

You all right?

Perfectly.

I just can't help thinking...

if you hadn't been here.

But I was here.

They're gone now,
and you should try
to forget it.

I will try.

I'll--I'll think
of something pretty.

I'll think of the full moon.

Or a new dress.

In the morning,
stop in and say good-bye
to Tim before you leave.

Yes, I will.

Karen, I--

That's the best thing...
for all of us.

[ door opens and closes ]

TIM: He's here! He's here!
My Pa--he's come home!

He came home early this morning,

But Ma wouldn't let me tell ya
till you were up.

That's fine, Tim.
I'm glad for ya.

He brought me all sorts
of swell things--

new clothes, a knife,
and lots of things!

And you ought to see
the dresses and stuff
he got for Ma.

That's good, Tim.
You ought to be real happy.

I did some braggin' on ya.
I hope you don't mind.

No, I don't mind.

TOM: Tim, you in the barn?

We're in here, Pa!

Pa, this is him.
This here's my Pa.

Hello. Tim and my wife
told me all you've done.
I'm obliged.

That's all right.
I happened to be ridin' along.

Glad I could be of some help.

Pa, you ought to see the way
he chased away the Indians

and the way he rounded up
our steers

and the way
he fixed the fence.

You've already told me, Tim.
About a dozen times.

You've made quite
an impression on my son.

He's a fine boy.

I know.

Uh, my wife
says breakfast is ready.

If you're as hungry as I--

Run along and eat, son.

And bring your father
with you.

I've made breakfast
for four.

With all the excitement,
you haven't had a chance
to tell us how your trip went.

Did it go all right?

It's a little early
to tell.

A few things
might need workin' out.

Then it didn't go well.

Well, there's always
some little hitch

in a business deal--
something unexpected.

The unexpected happens
sometimes.

Yeah. Yeah, you don't plan it--
don't even think about it--

then suddenly...
bang.

Like a r*fle shot...
in the belly.

Yeah...

and who knows what happens
to a man that gets gut shot.

Usually, he dies.

What's going on?
Have you two met before?

In a town called Medicine Bow.

Medicine Bow--
where's that?

In Wyoming.

Most the time,
it's a nice, peaceful
little town.

And what happened?

Pa, you wanna come see--

KAREN: Go outside, Tim.

But I want--I said outside, Tim!

TIM: I only wanted--
Tim!

Your father
thought I was foolin'

when I told him how good
you could chop wood.

Why don't you
go prove it to him?

Yes, sir.

Very nice.

I can see you haven't
spent all your time here
mendin' fence posts.

That's not important now.

I want some questions answered
from both of you.

Does this have something to do
with that Matthew Raine
you were looking for?

There probably
isn't any Matthew Raine.

That's a name you made up,
right?

It was as good as any.

What happened in Medicine Bow?

Leave us, Karen.

No.

I want you to--

I'm not a child, Tom.

Look, I said leave us, Karen!

Or does he
have to tell ya also?

What happened in Medicine Bow?

I k*lled a man.

Now what happens?

We saddle the horses.

I don't think so.

You want a gunfight
right here?

It's as good a place as any.

With your wife
in the next room

and your boy
right outside the door?

Would that bother you?

It would, wouldn't it?

I don't wanna k*ll you, Anders,

but you're comin' back
to Medicine Bow with me.

You can't make
a charge against me stick!

I can't,
but Pooch and Tolliver can.

They're in jail at Concho.

Don't try it!

Take it out real slow
and lay it on the table.

With your left hand,
remember?

I--I didn't mean to sh**t him.

A man carries a g*n,
he means to use it.

You used one,
and you k*lled with it.

They said it would be so easy.

I never did
a thing like that before--

not ever before.

You gotta believe that.

We're leavin' now.
I'll take the g*n, Anders.

And what happens to me--

a trial, a jail cell,
and then a rope?

That's what's ahead for me
if I go out that door with you.

You have no choice.

Yes, I have.
I have one choice--you.

You and Tim
got to be real tight
since you've been here.

Fact is, he puts you
just about one small step

below the All-Mighty,
and he's reached you--deep.

I can tell.

Tim's not involved in this
at all.

Oh, but he is--
him and his mother.

You used them to get to me.
Karen knows that now.

The boy will know it
soon enough.

Let's go, Anders.

They'll look at you
and know that everything

you ever said to them
was just a lie,

that you came here
for just one reason--

to k*ll his father,
and you made him help.

You say
you're gonna take me in.

All right,
but I'll be wrapped in a poncho

and strapped facedown
on the back of my horse.

You're gonna have to k*ll me
right here in my own home.

You made a mistake, mister.

You tried to use my wife
and my boy,

but then you
let them get to you.

So there it is.

Use your g*n or ride out.

I'll give ya 30 seconds
to decide.

If you're still here...
I'll use mine.

Tom, listen--

No, Karen.
He's not gonna take us all--

not you and me and the boy.

He's gonna have
to make a choice.

You're givin' me no choice.

Suit yourself.

No, Tom.

Yes, Karen,
but we're missin' one witness.

Tim. Tim, come in here a minute.

Please, no.

You called me, Pa?

Pa?

Yes, Tim.

How's the wood chopping
going?

Swell, I'll bet
I'll have enough
to last all year soon.

Good boy.
You keep at it.

Karen, I wanna talk to you.

About what?
Being a thief and a m*rder*r?

I did it for you and for Tim.

For us? No.

I love you, Karen.

I need ya--
need ya badly.

You can't reach me
like that anymore, Tom.

All right,
I don't wanna argue about it.

Pack what things
you and Tim need.

I want us gone from here
in an hour.

Up till a few moments ago,

I would have gone
any place you wanted

or done anything
you asked, but no more.

This is ourhouse--
Tim's and mine,

and we're not leavin'.

But there's $10,000
in a San Francisco bank.

It means a new start for us.

There's nothin' for us.

You sold all that.

You sold it for a man's life
and $10,000,

and now all you can do
is just keep runnin'.

That's all you got time to do.

What are you doin'?

What I have to do.

He isn't gonna let it end here.

It's gonna work on him,
and he'll come after me again.

One k*lling--
isn't that enough, Tom?

Go away.
Please, go far away.

You'd like that, wouldn't you?

You'd like that just fine.

All right,
I'll do like you say.

I'll go away,
and I'll start that new life
just like I planned.

But first, I make sure
he don't ride my back anymore.

Tom!

Karen: Tom, please!

Get away from him, Karen!

Move away from him, Karen.

I said move away--

Pa.

You sure this is what you want?

Yes, at least
until the ranch is sold.

I've had a good offer.

You think he'll come out
and say good-bye?

The hurt's too new.

One day when he's older,
I'll tell him the reason
for what happened.

I'd appreciate that...

but it'll be up to you.

Good-bye, Karen.

Good-bye.

When you tell him...

if you tell him...

remember that invitation
to visit Wyoming is always open.

I'll remember.

Adios.

[ theme song ]