04x08 - The Long Ride

[bunniefuu]

Uh, Mrs. Barkley?

Yes.

I'm Wilmer,
Wilmer Hemut.

I'm the one that
sent the telegram.

Well, I'm grateful
to you for your kindness.

Well, a man ain't
got a right to call
himself a neighbor

if he ain't helpful.

The house is
right up the street.

We still can't
believe it happened.

The Millers were
the best you could find.

The girl, Elaine,
she was so pretty,

so happy to have
your daughter visiting.

Well, that's...

that's where
we buried 'em.

You know, it's hard
as blazes to walk by

without wanting to go
after those pigs that
m*rder*d 'em and then...

I guess I'm getting
too old for that.

If there's a just God,
someday, somebody
will catch 'em,

and they'll get their due.

Why did they
k*ll the Millers?

Was there any reason?

Well, Sam--
Mr. Miller, that is--

Sam was still alive
when we got there.

'Course, he wasn't
able to say much,

except they were drunk,
broke in the house
figuring to find money,

and when they didn't,
they...

they just went mad.

Tortured 'em first.

Elaine...

well, they used
a knife on Elaine
before they shot 'em.

Where was my daughter?

Found her
in the attic bedroom.

Thank God they didn't
know she was there.

I'd like to see her
now, please.

Oh, yeah, sure.
Of course.

[door opens]

Audra!

Audra, I'm so glad--

Audra!

Didn't you tell her?

Tell me what?

Well, I... I tried.

The shock.

She must have seen
what happened.

She can't hear
or talk, and...

it's like she never
saw any of us before.

Audra.

Oh, my God!

♪♪ [theme]

MAN 1:
Stupid is what I call it,
and stupid is what it is.

MAN 2:
You have made your point
several times, Mr. Lassiter.

LASSITER:
Well, it ain't helping it
to sink in any better

by the repeating of it,
is it?

We're all on the same
short water ration,
same as me,

all on account of
the same stupidity

of this here stage line.

You're all acting like
I'm first cousin to
a loco weed

because I'm the only one
that's got sense enough
to holler about it.

Seeing as we're practically
nose to nose,

maybe you ought
to stop hollering,

just out of respect
to the ladies.

My hollering ain't gonna
bother that girl none,

-not with what ails her.
-Why don't you shut up.

Don't think that I don't
have feelings for her
sickness, ma'am,

or respect for you.

It's just that when
something riles me,
I've got to let it out.

Well, I think you've done
just that, Mr. Lassiter.

But no amount of
complaining will fix
a leaky water barrel,

or replace the water
we lost, will it?

No, complaining
won't do that, no,

but if we all stuck
together,

we might be able to get
back half of our fare.

Why, Mr. Lassiter,
I'm disappointed in you.

A man who owns
his own gold mine,

nuggets sticking out
of his pockets!

I suppose it's the business
of a professional gambler

to know what's in
everybody's pockets,
Mr. Matson,

but you ain't gonna be
any more hopeful

of getting me into
a stud poker game
in Stockton

as you was
back in that depot
waiting for this stage.

Well, if everybody
was as astute as you
are, Mr. Lassiter,

I would have to find
myself a new occupation,

which no doubt would be
good for my soul,

but would certainly
deprive my spirit.

Heh!

I suggest we all
just keep quiet

and allow Mrs. Barkley
and her daughter to get
a little rest.

Thank you very much,
Mr. Matson,

but please don't let
our presence interfere
with your pleasure.

My daughter and I have...

overcome bigger problems.

Whoa!

Whoa!

Stopping
for water rations?

We're stopping
for a lame horse.

You can all get out
and stretch your legs.

Uh, Mrs. Barkley,
I make it my business
to mind my own,

but I just can't
help thinking

a girl as beautiful
as your daughter

certainly should be
blessed with a voice
to match.

She has a beautiful voice.

I've been on some
hard-luck trips
in my life,

but this beats it!

Fool horse picked up
a pebble under his shoe!

You ain't gonna stop
to rest him, are you?

I've got to be
in Stockton tomorrow.

I ain't resting him,
I'm leaving him.

He can't hardly touch
ground with that hoof.

But we're three hours
late already!

And you're gonna be later!

All right, everybody,
half a cup of water each--

no more-- and let's
make it fast!

Haven't had
enough trouble,

now we've got
to lose a horse.

Hey, hey, hey,
you heard the man.
Half a cup!

This is for the women.

Can't hold them
to half rations.

Mrs. Barkley.

When she finishes this,
I'll bring you some more.

Seems to me
you brought us
our full quota.

I'll share
it with her.

Nobody minds if the women
have a bit more.

We do, but thank you
just the same.

Audra, I have
some water for you.

Now, Audra,
I know you're thirsty,

and we're not going
to get any more water
for a long time,

so, please turn around
and you can have some.

Audra.

Let's head 'em up.

Go on, you, get out!

We're short of water,
driver.

We're short of water
and we're shy a horse.

Can't expect this
stage line

to be worried
about that.

Well, now, Mr. Lassiter,

the company figured
there'd be days like this

when there'd be lame horses

and leaky water kegs

and bothering
and complaining passengers,

so they set up
relay stations.

There's one maybe ten,
fifteen miles down the trail.

Why didn't you say so?

Why didn't you ask?

Let me help you ladies.

Hup, hup!

But the most fascinating
game of chance, Roy,

is a game called
chemin de fer.

You won't find that
game played in any of
the army barracks

or in the saloons.

Europe is where they
play that game--

Europe, where they've
never even heard of


That's where I'm going
to take my woman

when we get married.

Got a nice sound to it,
don't it?

Honeymoon in Europe.

You're contemplating
marriage, Mr. Lassiter?
I didn't know that.

Oh, yes. That's why
I'm going to Stockton.

That's where
she's waiting for me.

Hmm.

A man spends


and in one second,
just long enough
to say "I do,"

he loses half his fortune.

Perhaps that one second
will enrich his life

far more than a gold mine.

Well, now,
that depends upon
the woman, Mrs. Barkley.

That depends
upon the woman.

Takes a woman
to recognize quality.

Now, wouldn't you say
she had quality, ma'am?

Ah, yes, she's lovely.

Congratulations.

Hey, we got company.

Hey!

Hey, let that fella
catch up with us.

Let him ride inside,
hitch up another horse!

Whoa! Whoa!

Well, come on!
We're waiting!

I don't think he plans
on joining us.

Well, all right.

If he's gonna be
so doggone private.

If you have a weapon
in your bag, Mr. Lassiter,

I'd suggest you get it out.

I'm a prospector,
not a gambler.

I've never had
any need of weapons.

You've been lucky so far.

I sincerely hope
your luck holds out.

Move!

What's he waiting for?

Why don't he make a play
if he's gonna rob us?

Maybe he's not interested
in the same things
you are, Mr. Lassiter.

What's that mean?

He may have things
on his mind other
than gold.

There are many reasons
a man might use a g*n.

Nobody's riding shotgun
on this stage,

so he's got to know
we're not carrying
a strongbox.

I've got 3,000
in gold nuggets on me.

If he comes at me,
I'll give $500 to the one
who cuts him down.

$500.

If he is interested
in money,

I think he's after
higher stakes.

Mrs. Barkley
is a rich woman.

She'd bring a big ransom.

He'd have to climb
over me,

and I don't need
any pay, either.

Seems to me I spend
the best part of this
journey thanking you.

That soldier suit sure
gives you a lot of guts,
don't it, sonny?

Maybe everybody's right.
Maybe he don't want money.

Maybe he just wants revenge.

Maybe he's a 'breed
out there under those
white man's clothes,

looking for revenge
for the m*ssacre of
his tribe

that you soldier boys
pulled off.

I never
massacred nobody.

I never had this uniform on
'til three days ago.

I just signed up, and I got
a two-week furlough

before I have to report.

Mr. Lassiter,
you haven't said
one right word

since you got
on this stage.

Well, maybe this is
the right one.

Maybe he's after you.

Maybe you second-carded
him in a poker game

and won his ranch.

Or, hearing your
low opinion of women,

maybe you ruined his sister,
took his wife.

Maybe you'd like to get
your head blown off.

Put up the g*n, Matson,
you're scaring the girl.

I-- I didn't
mean nothin'.

I didn't mean nothin'.

-Put up that g*n, I said.
-Stay out of this, Roy.

Wouldn't you say,
gentlemen,

that the rider out there
is getting just what he wants?

We're at
each other's throats.

Hey, he's gone!

[chuckles]
Well...

We scared him off.

Now, we'll have
fresh horses and water, and--

Ohh!

Now, I never was one
to hold grudges,

and I ain't too stubborn
to make apologies.

Now, we got 10 or 12 hours
before Stockton.

I say let's just forget
all these little disagreements.

That's better,
Mr. Lassiter.

Relay station!

Whoa! Whoa!

Water's over there.

It's awful quiet.

Suits me fine.

Hey!

Anybody!

Speak up if you're here!

Nobody around.

Horses are gone, too.

Been salted.

Look!

We'd better get inside.

He's just sitting out there
on that ridge like a vulture!

Well, we'll just
sit right here
and outwait him.

I'll see if I can find
something to eat.

Lassiter...

how 'bout a nice, uh...

friendly game of cards?

[scoffs]

I found this.

If somebody has a match,
I'll put a fire under it.

Here you are, ma'am.

Audra.

Hm.

You can bet your
bottom dollar that
leak in the water keg

was no accident.

What about that pebble
that lamed our lead horse?

You're all talking
kind of crazy,

like that fella's some kind
of magician or something,

like he can be
all places at one time,

like he knows
every move we make.

[g*nsh*t]

You, in the cabin!

You won't get hurt
if you do what you're told!

I want the girl!

Leave the girl,
the rest of you
can ride out!

Else you'll all die!

Hungry?

These'll be ready
in a few minutes.

You recognize it?

You've been
shopping at Scheff's
ever since it opened,

just before you left
for High Ridge.

Remember, you
bought Nick a pair
of silver spurs there

because he stayed up
two nights helping
you foal Betsy.

Nick is your brother,

and you'll be
seeing him soon,

and you'll be seeing
your other two brothers,

Jarrod and Heath...

Oh, Audra.

Audra, Audra,

I know what you've
been through.

It was a nightmare,
but it's over now.
It's all over.

You can't shut
your mind off forever.

Audra, you are going
to listen to me.

I am going to
make you remember!
Now, listen to me!

Now, we'll start
at the beginning.

You were in
the attic bedroom.

Two drunken cowboys
broke into the house,

and when they couldn't
find what they wanted,

they tortured the Millers.

They used
a knife on Elaine.

Nothing could stop them.
And then they k*lled them!

Now, face it! Face it!

They k*lled them
in cold blood!

They would have
k*lled you too,

but they couldn't find you.

But you're safe now.
You're here with me
and you're safe,

and I won't let anybody
hurt you.

I'm going
to take you home,

home ot the family
that loves you. Aud--

Oh, God!

Ohh!

Oh, God!

You stink to high heaven,
Lassiter.

Why should we
give up our lives

for some girl
we never laid eyes on
three days ago.

Well, that 's what
we're all thinkin',
ain't it?

Oh, shut up, will ya?

No, let the man talk.

Man's got a right to talk.

Anyways, look at her.

She can't understand
a word we're saying.

[loudly]
Do you, honey?

Come on.

[chuckles]

Okay,
now, you try, huh?

[chuckles]

All right,
you practice.

Keep these.

That's a pretty good trick,
Matson.

Now how 'bout makin'
that rider disappear?

She don't know sunup
from a high wind.

I say we ought to do
what that fellow
out there says--

leave her here,
and we ride on.

Well...

how do we know?

Maybe he don't
mean her any harm.

Who'd want to hurt
a girl who--

who ain't, well--
well, ain't all there?

Why would anybody
want to send a girl

"who ain't all there"
to whatever's outside

that's turning some men's
backbone into sawdust?

If you weren't her ma,

you'd feel the same
as the rest of us.

As you!

"Us," not counting
the soldier boy.

Now, he can believe
all the mush he's fed

about protecting the flag
and the female race,

but for me, I say
you've got no right

asking the rest of us
to stick our necks out.

What do you say,
Mr. Matson?

Ma'am, I'm waiting
for my ration of water

so I can wash down
these beans--

not that they're not
cooked to a turn, ma'am.

Is that all you can
think of?

No, Roy,
Mr. Matson's right.

He's a practical man.

It is time for our
water ration.

Well, the water barrel's
still on the stage.

There should be enough
in that to go around.

You were about to express
an opinion, Mr. Matson.

I'm wondering why...

why this man took
so much trouble

to get this girl.

It's plain as
the nose on your
face, ain't it?

Man doesn't have
to attempt m*rder
to get a girl, Roy.

Now, why we jawin'
about that?

Who cares
why he wants her?

Miss Barkley,
earlier today you said

that your daughter
had a beautiful voice.

Would it be too painful
to tells us how she lost it?

She saw three people
tortured and m*rder*d
before her eyes,

one of them a young girl,
her best friend,

and the shock was
too much for her.

And why was she spared?

She was in
the attic bedroom.

And the k*ller
didn't see her.

And that's why he's
coming here now,
to k*ll her,

so that she won't
identify him.

Skunk like that
ain't fit to breathe
the same air she does.

I'd get a real joy
killin' a man like that.

Well, you have
your chance, Roy.

He's waiting right out
there on that ridge.

I'm bettin',
Mrs. Barkley,

that he's the one
that's hounding us.

You bettin' against it?

Does it matter?

No, it don't.

I been rootin' in
the rocks and the mud
for 20 years.

At last I get me a chance
to come up for air,

I ain't gonna let
nothin' stop me.

He's only one man.

Pretty good man.

He's got our food,
our water.

You're four-to-one.

You've got a blood feud
with a k*ller.

That's your business.

My business
is to get to Stockton.

We'll get to Stockton,
Lassiter.

Maybe. Maybe
too late for me.

Maybe she won't be
waiting for me.

Maybe she'll think
I'm not coming.

She knows you love her.
She'll wait.

She don't know nothin'
about me, 'cept what
I wrote in my letters.

-Mail order bride?
-Something wrong with that?

Nothing! Nothing!

And she will wait for you!

If we don't make a deal
with that bushwhacker,

I'll show up in a box.

Oh, no, no, Mr. Lassiter.
He's a coward.

He'll never come
within g*n range.

He's just trying
to scare you off

so he can k*ll
a defenseless girl,

and please,
please don't let him.

This is an easy place
to defend.

I'll take the first shift
standing guard,

and maybe tomorrow morning
the horses will be rested,

and we can make Stockton
by tomorrow night.

Hold on, soldier boy.

You might be needin' this.

Four to one, Lassiter.

Looks like you lose.

Ma'am, this time,
you keep your water ration.

Careful, Mr. Matson.

You'll be accused
of being gallant.

Not guilty.

I only have one interest
in your well-being, ma'am--

we just can't afford
to lose a good cook.

Sure, I know
you're worried,

but there's no sense
acting like the world
is coming to an end

just 'cause the stage
is a little late!

A little late!
It's ten minutes
past five!

Maybe we'd better
ride out a ways, Nick.

Can't you wait just
a little while longer?

Maybe they threw a wheel
or busted an axle.

It would only take
a few minutes to fix
a broken wheel,

an hour at most
for a broken axle.

Come on, Nick,
we've waited too
long already.

Whoa, wait a minute.

Sure, I know what
must have happened.

The bridge over
Pride's Gulch went out.

If it ain't been fixed,
that means the stage

has got to go by
way of Greenfield.

-That'd bring it here
in the morning.
-Morning?

We don't charge any
for the extra ride.

They would
have telegraphed,
wouldn't they?

They can't do that.
The wire ain't been

strung through
Greenfield yet.

We may as well go
back to the ranch.

I'm sorry, boys.
I'll tell 'em you were here.

Yeah.

Go on, I'll take over.

He ain't made a move.

How do you know?
That campfire could
be just for show.

He could be crawling down
that hill at us right now.

You think so?

I don't know the man.
I don't know what's
on his mind.

If you want me to
stay out here with you,
I will.

No. One of us
is enough... I guess.

You sure?

I said so, didn't I?

At least there's
one good thing--

she doesn't know
what's happening.

I apologize for that,
Mrs. Barkley.

That's all right, Roy.

[water trickling]

Playing solitaire.

Would you like to play,
pretty lady?

Here.

Take it.

Red jack goes on
the black queen.

[horse whinnies]

Come back here!

He stole my shotgun!

And a horse!

All on account of her!

She ain't
worth nothin'!

She ought to be
put away!

Stop it, stop it,
both of you!

Did you hear
what he said?

It doesn't matter now.

He took the water.

Whoever he is up there,

he sure knows how to drive
the pikers out of the game.

These horses
don't get water soon,
they ain't gonna last.

Neither are we, Barney.

Well, the Watson ranch

has a line cabin
up in the hills,

maybe 20 miles
off the trail.

They got food
stashed away there.

Maybe they got
water, too.

Water.
But you're not sure.

No, I ain't sure
they got water,

and I ain't sure
two horses in their condition

can pull a full stage
for 20 miles.

Mister, I ain't
sure of nothing.

'Morning, ma'am.

I don't suppose
he's gone yet.

I doubt it.

Barney says
there may be some water

at a cabin
up in the hills.

Meanwhile, um...
why don't you put this
in your mouth?

It'll relieve the thirst.

Heritage my father left me.

Didn't your mother tell you
to wash it off first?

Oh, my mother.

My mother wasn't around
long enough to tell me
anything.

When my father lost his job
at the woolen mills at Hartford,

why, my mother
couldn't stand the strain,

so she ran off with
a more affluent drummer.

I was 10 years old
at the time.

And so, at 10 years old,
your opinion of women
was born, hm?

And at 20 years old,
when I got married
for the first time,

and at 30 years old,
when I got married
for the second time.

And did they run off
with affluent drummers, too?

Well, frankly, ma'am,
I just wiped it out of
my mind,

why my marriages
were such a disaster.

Don't get me wrong.
I don't blame any of them
for their lack of character.

It's a woman's nature.

Well, maybe it was
your lack of good judgment.

Maybe.

-Roy. Where's Audra?
-I don't know.

-I thought she was with you.
-No.

Check the shack in the back.
I'll check the stables.

Audra.

Audra!

Audra!

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nsh*t]

Please, listen to me!

She can't hear!
She can't talk!

She doesn't remember
anything that's happened!

[g*nsh*t]

Listen to me!

She can't testify
against you!

She can't identify you!

Oh, please!
Please, let her alone!

Let her alone, please!

[g*nsh*t]

I've had enough of
that guy's company.

We ain't gonna be
sittin' ducks for him
no longer!

-You two all right?
-We're all right.

He's gone!

Maybe you got
through to him.

-I hope so.
-Or Roy scared him off.

In any case, we'd better
get back to the stage.

Come on.

You all right,
Mrs. Barkley?

Yes, I'm all right,
thank you.

Audra's all right
too, Roy.

Sure, sure.
We're all all right.

Now let's get moving!

He sure don't
discourage easy.

[calling to horses]

Come on,
you flop-eared fleabags!

Just a little more!

He got us beat.

But how did he
get here before us?

Doesn't matter how.
He just did.

There ain't a drop of water
between here and Stockton.

We can survive longer
than that without water.

Look.

Lady, I'm checking out.

Oh, no.

Will $5,000
get you to stay?

Lady, where does
a dead man spend $5,000?

Don't unhitch that horse.

That horse
is company property.

I just bought it,
and Mr. Matson
has a g*n

to see that
the deal sticks!

Well, if Mr. Matson
has the brains of a goose egg,

he'll check out with me.

Each of you gets $5,000

the minute my daughter
and I set foot in Stockton.

I don't need pay
for the privilege

of escorting you
and your daughter

to Stockton,
Mrs. Barkley.

The purpose of the young

is to make the old
seem greedy and corrupt.

I accept your offer,
Mrs. Barkley.

We can't force you to stay.

Now, that's
a prime choice, ma'am--

go on foot without water
and die alone,

or stay here and die
with some company!

Ain't nobody
gonna hurt you.

I'll see to that.

All right, Barney,
let's get out of here!

[Barney calls out
to horses]

Whoa! Whoa!

Whoa!

-It's a trick.
-Could be.

Sure. Any of us go
for that water bag,

he's got a clear shot.

We've got to have water.
Anybody volunteer?

He might not sh**t
at a woman.

He might not.

He's not gonna let
that water bag get
back to this stage,

and being a woman
ain't gonna stand
in his way.

One man less would
suit him just fine.

Well, you can quit
your arguing.

We've got our volunteer.

Well, he sure is
whittling down the odds.

I can drive the stage.

Start driving.

[calling out to horses]

I figure
we got no choice.

You're right.

Horses have to pull
this stage a couple
of miles more, they'll drop.

When I ride out of here,
you get up in those rocks.

One man with a g*n up there
could hold off an army.

If he's gonna chase me,
he's gotta come right
by here,

so you'll have an easy shot.

You're the prettiest thing
I've ever seen

in my whole life.

I'll be back with help.

Come!

He's not following him.

I guess he figures
there's just one less man.

Let's get up in those rocks.

[g*nsh*t]

So there was
a second one after all.

Y-You mean that you knew
there were two of them?

At High Ridge,
they told me
there were two,

but since
we only saw one,

I thought only one
followed us.

And you held back,
Mrs. Barkley?

Yes, I held back!

I'd lie!
I would do anything
to save my daughter!

MAN:
One horse left, mister!

You can ride out peaceful,
you ride out now!

Oh, no! No, you can't!

You're not
that kind of a man!

Lassiter and Barney
can ride off

to save their own skins,
but not you!

It would stay with you
the rest of your life!

I never go against
a stacked deck, ma'am.

-If there was a chance,
I'd stay.
-But you're not an animal!

You can't ride away
and leave us!

We're all animals,
Mrs. Barkley!

We're all kin to
the beasts of the field.

The only difference is,
man knows he's gonna die,

and sometimes he gets
a chance to die a little
later than sooner,

and I intend to die later!

Then leave me your g*n!

I can't do that, ma'am.

Those men may change
their mind about
letting me go peaceful.

I wish there were
something I could do.

You can! Leave me your g*n!
I've got to have a g*n!

Bye, ma'am.

Audra.
Audra, come with me.

Audra, come with me!

Those men! Those men,
they want to k*ll you!

Don't you understand?
They want to k*ll you!

Now, come with me!

[g*nshots]

Aaahhh!

Audra, take my hand.

Come on.

Look!

[Audra screams]

[g*nshots]

[Audra screams]

Elaine!

Oh, no!

Stop it!
Stop it, Audra!
Stop it!

-Oh, no! [sobbing]
-Stop it!

No!

No!

Oh, Mother!

Oh, Audra!

Ohh!

Oh, Audra,
it's all over.

It's all over, darling.

-It's all over.
-Oh, Mother.

I know, I know.

[sobbing]

AUDRA: Home.

Oh, Audra, I'd like
to stop by the bank first.

That young boy
I told you about,
Roy Sanders,

I owe him $5,000.

I'd-- I'd like to
send it to his family.

Audra, this is
Mr. Henry Matson.

My daughter, Mr. Matson.

How do you do,
Mr. Matson?

The pleasure
is all mine, ma'am.

You do have
a beautiful voice.

You caught the stage
at Ravenwood, ma'am?

We did. Goodbye.

Uh, Miss Barkley.

I am, um...

I'm glad you made it,

and, as you
predicted, I--

I'm finding it difficult
to live with myself,

if that gives you
any satisfaction.

It gives me no
satisfaction, Mr. Matson.

♪♪ [theme]