Looky there, boss man.
Old Mr. Trouble himself!
We hear you talkin, mister!
Why don't you come down,
we'll play!
I think that's what
he has in mind.
What's the matter
with the old fool?
We left him plenty of mares
back up in the hills.
I think maybe
he admires our tastes.
He's comin'
right down to me.
I'd hate to disappoint
His Highness.
Hey, giddyap!
Whoa.
Come on!
Get back. Good.
Easy, boy.
Whoa.
Get around, now.
Whoa!
Whoa, now.
That ought to hold him
till we get him back
to the corral.
Let's hope.
Whoa, now.
So long, partner.
That's a good-lookin'
bunch.
Yeah.
Fella back there
agrees with you.
I'm gonna cut him loose.
I'll go with you.
See if we can pick up
any strays.
Take some of the boys
and do the same.
Scout around the hills
up toward the north.
When, now?
Why not?
Well, we already
put in a long day,
and, uh, there's only
an hour or so more
of daylight.
And, uh...
And the army's
comin' to Shiloh
in exactly ten days
to take delivery
on these horses.
You want to
tell the Judge
that we couldn't
live up to the contract
because the workin' hours
were a little
too stiff for you?
Well, no.
That's not it.
It's just that, uh--
I don't know
what the rush is.
We're gonna make it
in plenty of time anyway.
If the weather
stays good
and nobody gets hurt
and no more stallions
come around to spook
the herd,
and, uh--
All right.
All right,
you made your point.
Let's get back.
Didn't you
forget something?
What do you mean?
That speech you made
about all the things
that might hold us up
on the drive.
It seems to me
you left out the big one.
The Kroegers?
Yeah. I've heard
so much about 'em,
I'm lookin' forward
to meetin' them.
I'm not.
Think we scared 'em off?
No.
But it's a nice thought.
Hold on to it.
Let's go.
**
Hey! Leave that
horse alone!
All right, mister.
What's the idea of
cuttin' our--
Go ahead!
Why don't you hit me?
Who are you?
What do you mean,
cuttin' our horse loose?
Your horse?!
You think stealin' him
makes him yours?!
Just a minute, now.
Take it easy.
We weren't stealin'
anything.
What's the trouble?
You tell me.
First she cuts
our horses loose,
and then calls me
a horse thief.
Well, that's what
you are--both of you!
Your name wouldn't be
Kroeger, would it?
I don't know you.
Your pa send you down here
to do this?
I don't have
to talk to you!
You'll find out
who owns those horses.
Friendly little thing,
isn't she?
Yeah. I was lookin'
for her pa and the boys
to make the first move.
You know,
I almost hit her.
Good thing
I stopped just in time.
Yeah. You might've
made her mad.
**
You're late.
Supper should be
on the table.
I ran into
some horse thieves,
stealin' our horses!
Did you, now?
They were bringin' them
down from the high pasture.
They must've had
over 100 mares.
I told you
I heard something
the other night.
They acted like they
owned the whole range.
How many of them
was there?
Well, I--
I don't know. I--
Well, can't you count?
Well, I only saw two,
but there must've
been more.
I can handle two of 'em.
You can't handle anything
'less I tell you.
I told them
they'd find out
who owned
those horses.
You talked to 'em?
Well, I--Yeah.
You see, I was--
Next time you talk
to strange men,
I'm gonna take
a strap to you.
You understand?
Yes, Pa.
Get your brothers.
You sure do know
how to rile him.
I can't help it
if I'm not a boy.
I wouldn't
want you to be.
Who'd do the cookin'?
You have supper
on the table
when we get back.
What are you
standin' there for?!
**
Look at all them
horses, Pa.
You gonna let 'em
get away with that?
You boys ever know
the day I would?
But it's mighty nice
of them fellas
to collect 'em for us.
**
Daniel, Jess.
Yeah, Pa.
You get up there
and cover us.
Here they come.
Right behind you.
Better take
your Winchester
and go up
behind that rock,
just in case.
Nice bunch.
Yeah, they were
the best we could find,
Mr. Kroeger.
You know me, huh?
I had an idea
who you were, yeah.
You're the boss here?
I work for Judge Garth.
He send you down here
to steal my horses?
Your horses?
That's what I said.
Well, now, the Judge
is very particular
about any of his hands
doin' any stealing,
Mr. Kroeger.
You show us your brand
on any of these horses,
we'll turn 'em loose
right now.
The only excuse
for a brand
is when your horse
is liable to get mixed up
with somebody else's.
Can't happen here.
They all belong to me.
I'm sorry you went
to all that trouble
to corral them for us,
but, uh...
you tell Judge Garth
that the Kroegers
will find a way to
return the favor.
We don't like to be
beholden to nobody.
You don't owe him
a thing.
These are his horses,
and I'm takin' them
down to Shiloh Ranch.
You're new around here.
I can see that.
What's that got
to do with it?
What you probably
don't know is...
I staked out a claim here
15 years ago...
when me and my family
first came up these
mountains to live.
You mean you claim
that everything up in
this mountain range
belongs to you?
Now you're gettin' it.
I don't like to
argue with you,
but I'm afraid
that just isn't legal.
You can say you claimed
a mine or a water right
or something like that,
but you have
no legal right--
Don't tell me
my rights, mister.
I got the right
because I was here first.
The day after
I buried my wife...
I quit dirt farmin'
and come up here,
and I've been here
ever since.
Now, if that don't
give me my rights,
I don't know what does.
Afraid it's not
as simple as that,
Mr. Kroeger.
Two, three times a year,
people get to thinkin'
that way.
Always turns out
they're wrong.
How do they
find that out?
Different ways.
It's a long drive.
It's a lot harder
than it looks.
We'll make it.
They're coverin' us
from the ridge.
I didn't want
to take any chances.
I didn't know
what kind of people
I might be talkin' to.
Can't say
as I blame you.
Matter of fact,
I had the same idea.
If you'll just look
over behind that rock.
I suppose he's got orders
to sh**t me dead
if I make
one bad move, huh?
That's about it.
I guess we'd both better
be careful from now on.
I think you're right.
Like a cup of coffee
before you go?
Me and the boys
bring horses
out of these mountains
every fall.
If Judge Garth wants
to buy some horses,
we got 'em for sale.
I'll tell him.
Maybe he'll be
interested next year.
Might be a lot cheaper
this year if he'd buy these.
**
Now you've seen
the Kroegers.
I told everybody here
that we could expect
a run-in with them
sooner or later.
No one's
ever been able
to bring a herd of
wild horses out of
these mountains
except the Kroegers.
I expect we'll find out
how come before long.
Well, one thing--we probably
got 'em outnumbered.
I hope the old man
can count.
Jess, Daniel!
Pa, we can clean
them fellas out easy.
Nothin' to it.
How old are you, Jess
You ought to know, Pa.
Yeah, I know.
When you're a man,
I'll ask for your opinion.
I'm a man, Pa.
I think he's right.
Why don't we?
You think you're a man,
but don't think
for your father.
I say what we do here.
Now, your sister's
waitin' supper.
We're gonna eat...
and then I'm gonna
tell you how we're gonna
handle these people.
Get your horses.
If there was gonna be
any sh**ting,
it would've started
by now, right?
We still make good targets
just standin' here.
We're gonna be targets
as long as we're
in these mountains.
The Kroegers can
sight down the barrels
of their r*fles at us
any time they feel like it.
We can't be lookin'
over our shoulders,
wonderin' about that,
now, can we?
I guess
they can't hurt us
as long as all they do
is sight.
What if they
start shootin'?
We sh**t back.
**
Now...
you all had a lot to say
out on the range.
Let's hear what you got
on your minds.
Well, if you want
to know what I think--
I think we ought to
let them have the mares.
What difference
does it make, Pa?
There's still
plenty left for us.
You're soft, Eric.
You think like a woman.
We let them get away
with this,
next year there'll be
more like them.
And more
the year after that.
Pretty soon, there won't
be any room for us
on the whole mountain.
That fella--he said
one thing that made sense--
about branding.
That'd be a big job, but...
we could wait till
the snow drives the herd
down here to us,
and then we can cut out
the best mares and yearlings
and put
our own brand on 'em.
That way we'd know
where we stood.
If you want to spend
your life brandin' horses,
you go get a job on ranch.
Let somebody boss you
around all day.
Well, I say them horses
belong to us.
And we'll fight
anybody who tries
to take 'em away.
Jess, you got a good solution
for any problem.
Just start shootin'.
Never mind the odds.
Bang away.
We could've evened it up
this afternoon
when everybody
was around that fire.
These men work
for Judge Garth.
He'd have these mountains
crawlin' with lawmen
if you pulled
a fool stunt like that.
You tell us, then, Pa.
What do we do?
There's easier ways
to even the odds.
Chasin' wild horses--
it's a hard way
to make a livin'.
A lot can happen to a man
before he gets
a big herd like this.
Out of these mountains.
Coffee.
Yes, Pa.
**
The big problem
is water.
They trampled
that waterhole into
a bog overnight.
Yeah, I know.
We're ready to move out.
We ought to hit
the first waterhole
in a couple of hours.
Well, I see you're
keepin' an eye out
for our neighbors.
You lookin' for 'em
to show up?
I hope they disappoint me.
Maybe they're
late sleepers.
Let's move 'em out.
**
Wow! Looks like
they smell water
up ahead!
Yeah!
It's about time, too!
Whew!
Want some?
We're about out.
It's gone.
All right, let's go.
You can't say I didn't
tell 'em it was
gonna be hard work.
It's gonna get
a lot harder.
Mighty convenient
landslide.
Yep.
Think we can herd
the horses dry
the rest of the day?
Maybe we won't
have to.
Spring's still runnin'!
Let's see if we can
open it up a bit.
Build a dam over there,
make a basin.
Whatever happened to
the carefree, lazy life
of a cowhand
I keep readin' about?
Ask the man
who wrote the book.
**
Where you goin'?
I want to ride up
to the top and look around.
If anybody's throwin'
rocks down on me,
I want to know it.
I've been up there.
You won't find anything.
I wonder
how it's going to be
at the next waterhole
down the line.
Maybe you'd better
find out.
You and Jock ride ahead,
make sure everything's
all right.
And what if we run
into the Kroegers?
I'm not sending
you two men out
to start a fight
with the Kroegers.
I just want you to keep watch
on a waterhole
for a little while until
we get there, that's all.
Get movin'.
I think the Kroegers
are responsible for this.
I know they were.
There were footprints
up at the top.
What are we
gonna do about it?
Keep the herd movin'.
**
Pa said none of that.
I wasn't gonna sh**t.
I just wanted to see
how easy it'd be.
Do you think this
thing's gonna work?
It's Pa's idea.
Well, Pa's gettin' old.
You want to
tell him that?
Someday maybe I will.
They're comin', Pa.
All right,
let's tie her loose.
That'll give 'em
something to chew on.
What do you think?
I think
it's mighty strange.
There wasn't
any loose boulders
on the way in.
Howdy, boys.
What do you want?
You look like a couple
of sensible men.
Thought that we might
have a little talk.
I don't run
this outfit, mister.
I'm just
a hired hand.
Me, too.
Sure, I know that.
But you got somethin' to say
about how hard you work
to earn your money.
A man expects to take
a few chances on a job,
but, uh, no reason
to get all busted up.
For just a few bucks.
Think about it, cowboy.
The fact is, you can't make
a wild horse wrangler
out of a cowhand
in just one trip.
Me and my boys, we've been
at this fifteen years.
We know the country,
and we know the critters,
and we don't recommend it
to nobody.
You're tellin' us
to get out of here
on the horses
we came in on,
or get hurt?
Is that it?
I'd say that is
a pretty fair statement.
And I'd say it as a friend.
This is the last time
you're gonna hear it.
We'll be watchin'.
**
I thought I told you to
wait at the waterholes.
We came back
to draw our pay.
You mean you're quittin'?
You can
call it that.
Well, what would you
call it?
We didn't sign on
to fight a w*r.
You signed on
for the job.
What kind of hands
are you?
So, the Kroegers
got to you, huh?
Look, mister--
How much
are they payin' you?
They ain't payin' us
nothin'.
We got a right
to quit.
Do we get our pay?
Give this to Judge Garth
at Shiloh Ranch.
He'll take care of it.
I'm paying you
to this date.
You ride back
on your own time.
When you get back
to Shiloh,
just keep on goin'.
Because I don't want
to run into you
when I get back.
I don't think
you're gonna get back.
That's what you get
for signing on drifters.
If you'll remember,
there wasn't any rush
to sign on for this job.
I had to take
what I could get.
I wonder how long
the rest of them
are gonna last.
Let's go.
**
This is the kind of
country I like--
no chance
for a landslide.
Ha ha ha!
Level with me.
How far do you think he'll go
to try and stop us?
I don't know. I think
we're the first bunch
that didn't spook
when the old man barked.
How can a man just up
and say that he owns
a whole mountain range?
You can't get away
with that stuff anymore.
Maybe 20 years ago.
You know and I know it,
but I don't think
he's got the word.
Looks like we'll make
the corral before dark
after all.
Hyah!
Don't bet on it.
**
That just about
does it.
I'll tell Steve
to gather up the hands.
The Kroegers can't be
very far away.
Wait a minute.
What do you think
you're gonna do?
You're not gonna sit
still for this, are you?
I came here
to get horses.
Chasin' off
after the Kroegers
isn't gonna bring
that herd to Shiloh.
What's gotten into you?
First they muddy up
a waterhole, then they
scare two men off,
now they burn a corral
that took us a half a day
buildin'.
What does it take
to get you mad?
Another stupid question
like that.
Well, I don't get it.
I'll spell it out for you.
In the first place,
we can't prove
they started that landslide,
or even that they did this.
And in the second place,
there's nothin' the Kroegers
would like better
than to have us
leave the herd
and go chasin' off
all over the mountains
after 'em.
I never thought
I'd see you get pushed
and not push back.
Sometimes
you have to take
what Judge Garth calls
"the long view".
Well, he didn't say
you had to like it,
did he?
No.
What are we
gonna do now,
build another corral?
No, we haven't got time.
You keep the herd movin'.
I'll scout ahead
and see if there's
someplace we can hold 'em
for the night.
I'll pass the word.
**
Fred and me
want to talk to you.
What's the matter?
Somethin' wrong?
Yeah, this job.
Well, nobody said it was
gonna be a barn dance.
We didn't come out here
to argue with you.
We just come to tell you
we're pullin' out.
Pull In the middle
of the night?
Now.
At least you could
wait till morning
and talk it over
with the Virginian.
There's nothin'
to talk about.
I've had enough.
Come on.
Look, mister--
you want
the horses that bad,
you stick around.
We're gettin' out
while we still can.
I can't give you
a pay voucher.
Tell the boss
to keep it.
**
Boy, that beats all--
sneakin' out in
the middle of the night.
What difference
does it make if they
left at night
or during the day?
They're just as gone.
At least they could've
been man enough to tell him
to his face
they were quittin'.
If they were men,
they wouldn't have quit.
I didn't see any point
wakin' you up just to
say goodbye to 'em.
Besides, they really
didn't want to see you.
They were even willing
to give up their pay
to keep from havin'
to face you.
You did the right thing,
Steve.
Besides, I figure
I'd save the Judge
some money.
If I'd have woke you,
you'd have to give 'em
pay vouchers, right?
That's right. I'll be sure
and tell the Judge
what a good businessman
you are.
Get a move on.
You think
we can handle it,
just the four of us?
If we stand here jawin'
all day, we can't.
Cozy, isn't it--
just the four of us?
Could be worse.
It's all downhill
from here.
You really had to reach
to find that silver lining.
What do you suppose
our friend will try next?
He'll think of somethin'.
All right, Steve,
move the logs!
**
Bring 'em out!
You see those
storm clouds comin' up?
Yeah.
What do you think?
Same as you do.
We'd better get
the herd out of here
before the storm breaks.
Yo.
What's it look like
up ahead?
The corral's all right.
We'll get the herd there
before dark if the rain
doesn't start up again.
Oh, that's all we need--
a flash flood.
At least there's one thing
we can't blame on
the Kroegers.
No, but we'd be
a lot farther along now
if it wasn't for them.
I can blame that on 'em.
Hey.
No need for that.
I come to talk.
I'm not even carryin'
my g*n.
It's all right.
What's on your mind?
You've been runnin' into
a lot of tough luck.
Landslides,
fellas quittin' on you,
leavin' you shorthanded.
Don't forget that
burned-out corral.
Things like that.
I figured it'd only be
a matter of time
before you'd run out
your string.
But what I didn't figure on
was the weather.
What about it?
Winter's comin' on early.
The way it looks now,
it's liable to turn mean
any day.
And when that happens,
the four of you aren't
gonna make it out of here
before you get holed in
for the winter.
On the other hand,
me and my boys
would have the same kind of
problem with the herd
if you was to quit
right now.
So?
My deal is...
we work together.
We get the herd
out fast.
And then we split her.
Right down the middle--
half to you, half to me.
The way I see it,
half of somethin' is better
than all of nothin'.
You got a deal.
Good.
You think now
there won't be
any more rock slides
or anything else
to slow us up?
Well, I've always
been lucky.
We're gonna work together
from now on.
Share and share alike.
She comin' along?
She can do a man's work.
The herd
will be along in a few minutes.
We rode on ahead
to check out the next corral.
I didn't want any more
surprises like last night.
Well, I don't expect
there'll be any,
now that we're partners.
Like I said--
You've always been lucky.
Let's hurry 'em up.
**
Set it on the pile.
Go and help your brothers
rub down the horses.
Yeah, Pa.
Here.
Water bags.
Stream's down there.
My girl can cook
for all...
if you're willin'
to turn your rations
over to her.
She knows better than
to spoil good food.
She'd sure have to go some
to spoil it any worse
than we do.
Help yourself.
I didn't mean
to scare you.
I was cuttin' myself
a mattress.
Oh.
Let me give you
a hand with that.
I just wanted
to help you.
I don't need any help!
Whew! You always carry such
a chip on your shoulder?
I understand
the first time
when you thought we were
stealin' your horses.
But this is different.
We're supposed to be
helpin' each other.
Get out of my way!
All right, all right.
But I'll carry
the bucket.
It's not that
you couldn't.
Just the way
I was brought up,
when a gal's totin'
more than 50 pounds,
a gentleman's supposed
to give her a hand.
After you, miss.
Ah-ah!
Well, I wasn't
expecting any thanks,
but don't you
ever smile?
Just a little
**
If that hadn't have done it,
I'd have to give up.
You mean
you did it on purpose?
Well, it was worth it...
just to prove you couldn't
always go around
with a sour look
on your face.
You know, smiling's like
stayin' on your feet.
There's nothin' to it
once you get the hang of it.
It's easy.
Whoa.
Uh, Mr. Kroeger?
Uh, where--where would
you like this water?
I'll take it.
Hey.
I sent you for water.
Next time...
you bring it back.
Now, you hold on
a minute--
Trampas.
Come on, come on.
It's his family.
Let him run it
any way he wants.
He didn't have
to do that.
What's he tryin' to prove--
what a big man he is?
I felt like hittin' him
right in the jaw.
Come on, cool off.
I used to think
I had it rough at home.
But compared to Kroeger...
my old man downright
babied me.
I don't want anybody
to pull anything
till I give the word.
You understand?
Pa, you haven't told us
what you want us
to do yet.
I'll tell you when it's
time for you to know.
Till then, you just
ride herd on them horses
and you stay
out of trouble.
And, girl, that goes
for you, too.
That little girl
can sure cook.
I know you're
not dumb enough
to trust that miserable
old buzzard.
What I can't figure out
is why you bought
his proposition.
It's simple.
He was right about
the weather.
And I'd just as soon
he be where I could
see him, too.
What do you think's gonna
happen when we get out of
the mountains
and he doesn't need us
anymore?
I figure he'll probably make
a play for the whole herd.
Might even make it sooner
if the temptation gets
to be too much for him.
How are you gonna keep him
from being, uh, tempted?
Take turns standin' guard
at night.
Next thing is,
I let him know that
if he starts anything,
his family will be
considerably smaller
before it's done.
Think that'll stop him?
Could slow him up a little.
When he makes his play,
you fellas take care
of his sons.
I got first call
on the old man.
Still sore about
those water bags, aren't you?
I'm not sore.
I just don't like him.
**
Stay away from her,
Trampas.
I'm not gonna do her
any harm.
I just feel
sorry for her.
Feel sorry for her
from your side
of the fire.
Was that an order?
Yep.
**
**
Noticed you boys
lost some sleep
last night.
Just one of us at a time.
Don't trust me, huh?
Just force of habit,
I guess.
Mr. Kroeger...
how come you knew
one of us was awake
all night?
**
Whoa.
Nice goin'.
Thanks.
If you ever need a job,
I could use
a hand like you
down at Shiloh Ranch.
What's the matter?
Don't you think
I'll make it home?
Why shouldn't you?
You tell me.
You know your old man
better than I do.
I don't know what
you're talkin' about.
Don't you?
What are you two
jawin' about?
Nothin'.
Took a long time
to say nothin'.
We were just talkin'
about the herd.
**
Man...
sure must have to love
wild horse wranglin'.
Can't be
enough money in it.
What are you
doin' it for?
'Cause Judge Garth
told me to.
Now, from what I hear,
he can afford to buy
anything he needs.
He's, uh, more than
willin' and able
to pay for anything
he thinks anybody has
a right to sell him.
And you don't feel
we have that right?
No, frankly. I don't.
Just because you ran off
everybody else
that ever came up here
lookin' for wild horses.
You want to know
what I do think?
I think your father's
leadin' you and your
brothers
into big trouble.
Can't fight
the whole world, Miles.
Unless you want to live
like an animal.
That, uh, sure ain't
my idea of livin'.
**
Some good mares
in that herd.
Put 'em in with
the right sire,
and they'll make
great cow ponies.
Yeah.
I'll be real happy
with my half.
Hope your pa is, too.
Daniel.
I've been around some,
and I've seen a lot of men.
I've even been fool enough
to let myself be
double-crossed once or twice.
To be honest about it,
I don't look for your pa
to divide up this herd
when we get out of here.
He never said nothin'
like that to me.
Don't suppose he would.
What I see in your pa,
he wouldn't waste
his breath
talkin' a thing like that
over with you boys.
I don't know
what you're drivin' at.
I'll make it simple,
Daniel.
If he tries anything,
I promise you
there'll be some Kroegers
that won't be around
to find out who winds up
with the whole herd.
Why don't you tell
my pa that?
He knows it
without being told.
He's been around
some, too.
I just figure you boys
are entitled to know
what you're gettin'
yourselves into.
See you later.
**
Hey, mister!
You been talkin'
to my boys.
That's right.
Figure it's about time
somebody talked to 'em
besides their pa.
I know what you're
tryin' to do.
You're tryin' to
turn 'em against me.
It won't work, mister.
We Kroegers
stick together,
and that's the way
I like it.
Anybody ever ask them
how they like it?
Movin' a herd
of wild horses
before it snows
ain't a big enough job
for you, is it?
You gotta make family
trouble for me.
We Kroegers
are doin' just fine
without your advice.
Maybe. But this is
the first time
you ever threw your sons
into the kind of trouble
where they could be k*lled.
I want to make sure
they have a choice
before they get in so deep
they can't back out.
You tell me
what kind of trouble
I threw my kids into.
I want to know.
No, you don't.
You don't want to know
anything from me
or anybody else.
You keep crowdin' me,
mister,
you and me are gonna
have a showdown.
One against one?
Those ain't Kroeger odds.
**
What you said
back there--
about a job.
You really mean it?
Sure. I can always use
a good hand at Shiloh.
Why, you want to
take me up on it?
No, I couldn't leave Pa.
No, I was just wonderin'
why you would do that
when we're--
well, when we're--
Enemies?
Now, I didn't say that.
It's a big world, Eric.
Shame for a man
to live and die
without seeing any more
of it than just this.
I don't care what
that ramrod told you.
Nothing's changed.
You understand me?
Nothin'.
He's lookin' for us
to make the move.
I don't see how we're
gonna surprise him, Pa.
You just let me
do the worryin'.
You keep one eye on me
and one eye on them.
What if he doesn't wait
for you to name the time?
What if he moves first?
He won't.
Eric, I told you
before--
you stay away from them.
Remember this,
all of you.
The only people in this world
you can trust
are your own
flesh and blood.
I know.
Come on, let's eat.
You're gonna back Pa up,
ain't you?
We've been backin' Pa up
a lot longer than you
have, little brother.
**
During our brief honeymoon
with the Kroegers,
it's a crying shame
we didn't let that girl
teach you something
about cooking.
Well, you were doin'
all that totin' for her,
Trampas.
How come you didn't
learn anything?
Old man Kroeger's
gettin' edgy.
Keep both eyes open
from now on.
I was watching you
today.
You were mighty sociable
with those boys.
You thinkin'
of changing sides?
Just tryin' to even
the odds a little.
Any luck?
I won't know
till the time comes.
**
Trampas.
Time for you
to stand watch.
The Kroegers
accounted for?
Yeah,
all but the girl.
She got up real quiet
about a half an hour ago.
I saw her leave camp,
but she didn't come back.
All the men asleep?
Haven't taken my eyes
off them.
**
Go on! Get back, get back!
Easy, now.
Whoa, now. Whoa.
Looks like you had help,
old girl.
Whoa, now.
Whoa, there.
Uh! Where do you
think you're goin'?
Is that the most thing
you ever do--
cut wild horses loose?
Let me go!
Not until you tell me
what this is all about.
If you don't,
I'll take you to your Pa
and you're gonna have
to tell him.
Well?
I wanted them
to get away.
Why?
So there wouldn't be
any more trouble.
Let me get this straight.
You think if you scatter
the horses,
that's gonna ease
things off between
your folks and us?
You afraid your menfolk
can't take care of
themselves?
I don't want to see
anybody get hurt.
Well, our side's not
gonna start any trouble,
I can promise you that.
I don't care
who starts it.
If anything
happened to you...
I'd die.
You'd what?
Last night...
you tried to be nice
and help me out.
Pa didn't like it.
All day long,
I kept thinkin' about it.
If anything happens,
it'd be my fault.
Now, I'm--
I'm used to
takin' chances.
You don't have to worry
too much about me.
I have to.
I love you.
You what?
I know I do.
You don't have to
think much of the idea.
I know what I'm like.
I'm ugly...
and I don't know how
to talk to people--
Mildred. Now,
you listen to me.
You're--
You're not ugly.
Get yourself
some female clothes,
fix yourself up,
maybe push a pretty
in your hair.
A man would feel proud
to walk down the street
with you.
You don't really
mean that.
There.
Now you believe me?
I--
You better get back to camp
before somebody starts
missin' you.
I don't care if they do.
They can k*ll me
if they want to.
Now, look,
stop talkin' foolish.
You got a lot
to live for.
No, I don't.
You want to know why?
Because I love you.
And you don't love me.
You were just...
bein' kind.
Look, Mildred,
you listen to me.
I want you to
understand something,
'cause we may never get
another chance to talk.
You think you're
in love with me
because
I was nice to you,
probably because
I was the first fella
who ever kissed you.
Well, I was, wasn't I?
Wasn't I?
You--You rate a lot more
than being grateful
just 'cause somebody
gives you a few kid words.
You rate...flowers,
fellas courtin' you,
dances, parties.
All the other things
that go on
outside this miserable world
your pa makes you live in.
Might be all right for him.
Might even be all right
for your brothers.
It's all they want
out of life.
But it's not
all right for you.
It's not good enough
for you.
If things were
like you said...
and if I lived
in town...
would you...
court me?
Well, I'd...sure try.
But you wouldn't
give me any more
than a passin' look
in town.
Come on.
Oh, I would!
I would, I would!
You'd be the only one
I'd look at.
Would you...
kiss me once more
before I go back?
Save it for me.
For when I can court.
When's that gonna be?
When you can look me
right in the eye
and know I'm nothin'
but a shiftless cowhand.
When that time comes,
if you still feel
the same way,
you won't have
to ask me again.
I don't understand.
You will someday.
Now, uh...
oh, go on back, huh?
Go on.
**
**
I'm goin' to look
for some strays I seen
up in the hills,
got loose from the herd
before we penned 'em up
last night.
Give me a hand?
Sure.
**
They were up that way.
You got a nail
in your boot?
Yeah.
Where's Trampas?
I don't know.
He took off with Jess
someplace.
**
Are you crazy?
Hey! What are you--
That's enough, Trampas!
That's enough!
Wait!
He has it comin'.
He tried to k*ll me.
Roped me right off
my horse.
What'd you do that for?
We'll let your pa
take care of you.
You do that.
Just do it.
Get on your horse.
**
You like to run
your own family?
Here's one for you.
What happened?
Let him tell you.
Son?
Lucky I didn't k*ll him
after what he done.
What'd he do?
I asked you
a question!
Ask her. She knows.
What do you know
about this?
Nothin'. I don't even know
what he's talkin'--
Ask her where she was
last night when everybody
was asleep.
Ask him, too.
I seen him.
Sneakin' into camp
so nobody'd hear him.
Speak up, girl.
It wasn't like that.
It's wrote
all over your face!
Don't anybody move!
I'll put a b*llet
through your boss!
You're makin'
a mistake, Kroeger.
You like to talk.
You tell your men
I mean it.
I'd just as soon
blow your head off.
Boys, you take care
of Trampas.
You know what to do
to a man who shamed
your sister.
Nobody shamed anyone.
Nothin' happened
that was wrong, Pa.
I swear it.
Shut up.
Pa, let her talk.
I want to hear what
she has to say before--
I give the orders here.
I've heard enough.
Go on, get their g*ns.
Nothin' happened last night
to be ashamed of!
Unless you call being nice
to somebody wrong.
But you just wouldn't know
about that, not any of you!
The only thing you know
is hate!
I said get their g*ns.
Nobody's takin'
our g*ns,
and your boys don't lay
a hand on Trampas.
Understand?
You try to stop us
and you die.
Quick.
Maybe so.
But you pull that trigger,
and you're gonna
be dead, too.
Maybe a couple of
your boys along with you.
You want to make
that kind of a trade,
you go right ahead.
Miles?
You're the oldest.
What's it gonna be?
Could be your life, too.
We're not afraid
of a fight, mister.
Pa's the boss.
That...goes for me, too.
Go on, call the roll.
Jess Speak up!
Whatever you say, Pa.
We're with you, Pa.
That's the second time
you tried to turn 'em
against me.
I told you before--
we Kroegers stand together.
Some of you are gonna be
buried together, too.
No need to...
now that I've made
my point.
Don't need a g*n for
what I'm gonna say now.
I understand you've been
tellin' the boys
that my word's no good...
that I figured to cheat you
out of your share of the herd.
Care to deny it?
Why should both of us
be liars?
If this weather holds,
we'll be out of
the mountains in two days.
Take your cut
of the herd now.
I don't want to have
to look at you no more.
What about him, Pa?
You gonna let him
get away
after what he done?
We'll look him up
after the drive.
You be sure
to do that.
Better get to
splittin' the herd.
We've wasted
enough time.
Just a minute.
We don't want to be
eatin' your dust, mister.
About five miles from here,
the trail forks.
Yeah, I know.
Either way will lead you
out of the mountains.
Take your pick.
We'll take
the south trail.
Pa, I don't get it.
You said if we let them
get away
with stealin' our horses,
everybody and his brother
would be up here
doin' the same thing.
So I did.
Well?
Remember the rest of
what I said before you
questioned what I did?
Remember I told you
that Judge Garth
was a big name in this
part of the country?
We can't just go
runnin' his men off
like they was drifters.
You got somethin' else
in mind?
I always got
somethin' in mind.
**
Go as far as you can
before dark.
I'll catch up with you.
Where you goin'?
I got some unfinished
business on the south trail.
Need any help?
Won't be no gunplay.
Nothing you could even
point a finger at.
Keep the herd movin'!
**
You think we've seen
the last of the Kroegers?
I think we've seen
the last of them
when we get this herd
to Shiloh Ranch.
**
Hey, boss!
There's a fire.
We'd better
turn 'em back.
We can't.
We can't outrun it
with the wind this way.
We'll have to
run 'em through before
it gets too big.
Hey, get a move on!
Fire!
Hyah!
Hyah!
Come on!
We're gonna make it!
**
Pa...
wasn't always the way
you fellas saw him.
Sometimes we got along
real good.
Sure gonna seem funny
without him yellin' at me.
Do this, do that.
Guess he was just scared
to let--let go.
Miles, I know this is
kind of a bad time
to bring this up, but...
I believe the Judge
would give you
a pretty good price
for your half of the herd
if you want to come along
with us.
Might as well, I guess.
We won't be comin' back
this way anymore.
I will.
You know, I kind of
like it out here.
Suit yourself, Jess.
From now on, everybody
takes care of his own life.
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01x08 - Impasse
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The series was loosely based on The Virginian: Horseman of the Plains, a 1902 Western novel by Owen Wister that Hollywood had previously adapted for movies.
The series was loosely based on The Virginian: Horseman of the Plains, a 1902 Western novel by Owen Wister that Hollywood had previously adapted for movies.