01x27 - The Protectors

[bunniefuu]

Nestor's hut,
up ahead.

Looks like our man
went that way.

Something's wrong
here, slim.

He's being too careless.

A man steals your
prize milker

and doesn't even bother
to try and cover up his tracks.

Unless he wants
to be followed.

That's just what I
was thinking

This'd be a good place
to dry gulch a man

who was following
his trail.

You know,
if we were smart

we'd back out of here
and let the sheriff

worry about that cow.

Yeah, but nobody ever
accused us of being smart.

Besides, by the time
the law got here,

your Guernsey might be
beef stew.

You got a point.

Let's move off to the side,
throught those trees.

If anyone's got any ideas,

they won't have
much of a target.

Good.

[ g*n shots ]

r*fle on the hill.

Yeah, more g*ns
around the house.

Could be more inside.

Lucky we didn't walk in
flat-footed,

they'd have gunned us
for sure.

I don't think I'm gonna like
our new neighbors.

Wait 'til you
get to know 'em better.

[ g*n shot ]

You'll love 'em.

Nice shootin'.
Why'd you miss him?

Well, I wasn't trying to.

Put a new sear in this thing
last night

and it pulls like
a Chinese cannon.

Ben!

Hey, do you know
who that is?

Yeah, it's Craig.

The minute there's trouble
with his homesteaders,

you can count on him
and his bushwackers

to be right
in the middle of it.

You wanna know
who stole your cow?

I got a feelin' you won't
have to go asking beyond Craig.

You know, I'm afraid
you're right.

Leaving that easy trail
for us to follow,

baiting us in here.

[ grunts ]
Take Craig to figure that out.

Yeah, but it was your cow
he's using for bait.

He knew you'd come trailing
after her.

What's he got
against you?

I own a cattle ranch.

For him,
that's reason enough.

Somebody's coming out.

Now, hold it, Jess.
He's unarmed.

Get back inside, Alan!

No, my wife and kids
are in there!

Pick your fight
someplace else!

Sherman! I got some property
of yours out back!

Hold your fire
and I'll return her to ya!

Shootin' was Craig's idea!

Talk to him!

It's my homestead, Craig.

I got something to say
about this.

Tell your men to back off.

You wanna lick
a cattleman's boots?

Before I want it said I had him
m*rder*d in my front yard,

and over a cow!

Well, you're a fool.

But all right.

Put up your g*ns!

Richards!

Richards,
come on down!

We're gonna bring
your cow back, Sherman.

No need getting in a sweat
about it.

We didn't start
the sh**ting, Craig.

And we didn't steal anything,

just for an excuse
to make trouble.

Nobody stole nothin'.

We just borrowed that milker
for a couple of days.

Well, the next time
you want to borrow something,

get permission.

Alan's youngest
needed milk.

His cow's been dry,
that's why we took yours.

Alan's a proud man,
he was in trouble.

So, I saw to it
he got what he needed.

That's all.
[ cow mooing ]

Why didn't you tell me
you needed milk?

I don't beg,
Mr. Sherman.

You wouldn't have had to.

You're a neighbor,
just come over and ask.

Well, that's a mighty
noble speech

for a cattleman to make
to a homesteader.

Craig, if I get any more trouble
out of you,

there won't be anything noble
in the way we settle it.

That's about what I'd expect
from you.

When Alan's kid needed milk,

I sent one of my men
over to another good nieghbor:

Mr. Luke Rawlins.

I told him to take off his hat,
to act real nice,

Well, Rawlin's bunch run him off
before he could get a word

out of his mouth.

I didn't ask
for anybody's help, Craig.

Alan, the homesteaders
have got to stick together.

It's the only chance we have
against the big ranchers.

They can't starve you out,
they'll run you out.

Slim, do we have to stand
around here

and get raked
by this kind of talk?

Wait a minute, Jess.

I'd like to hear
what Alan thinks about this.

Do you agree with Craig?

Do you need him and the men
that run with him

to protect you from me
and the other ranchers?

I don't know, I...

I think they do the best
they can for the rest of us.

Well, that's just fine.

Nice to see we're appreciated.

Get on your horses!
No point sticking around here.

Alan seems to be among friends.

Craig.

Who made him the boss
homesteader around here?

Come on, Alan. You don't
have to be afraid of us.

I ain't afraid of ya.

No, you're just scared
clean through

that Craig'll figure you talked
to us after he left.

No, Jess.
He's right.

My question was way out of line.

Forget I asked.

Some of us tried homesteading
before or had kin who did,

and been run off the land
by big ranchers.

This time we made up our minds
it wasn't gonna happen.

So you brought in Gil Craig.

Gave him and his men
the pick of the free land.

We work it,
they protect us.

That's the bargainwe made.

Only now it doesn't look
like such a good bargain.

Craig's holding up his end.

Sorry about the cow,
it won't happen again.

Alan.

Ma'am.

Why don't you keep
the Guernsey for a while.

Mr. Sherman,
I am not a charity case.

Get that through your head,will ya?


Nobody said you were.

The fact is, you could
take care of her for me.

I'd appreciate your help.

There's a lot of other things
happening at the ranch.

Right, Jess?

Uh... yeah.
It'd make it a lot easier on us.

Right now, she's just a
nuisance.

Uh, her calfs
don't even need her.

I got a churn.

Could you use some fresh butter?

Cheese?

We sure could.

Now that's something else
we don't have to worry about.

It's a deal then.

Thanks.

You came west to be
your own man, didn't you?

Yes. Yes, I did.

We're cutting timber next week.

As a neighbor, I'd like you
to come over and help.

In return, we can help you
add on to your house,

seein' that your family's
getting larger.

I'll be there, Mr. Sherman.
Count on me.

Eh, people used to call my dad
Mr. Sherman,

I answer better to "Slim."

Bye.

Isn't it wonderful,
him letting us keep the cow?

Yes. He's a fine man, Heddie.

Hold it, right there.

Didn't recognize you, Slim.
What are you doing out this way?

Gettin' shot at, mostly.

Do you know this hair trigger?

He's Luke Rawlins.

Sorry about that.
But like I said,

we couldn't make out
who you were.

These days, it doesn't pay
to take chances.

What were you doing
up on the ridge?

Chasing after some strays.

Heard some g*nf*re
a couple of minutes ago

and figured somebody
might need some help.

Yeah, well it sure
took you long enough.

We could have been dead
and buried

by the time you got there.

Then there was
some trouble.

Just a little misunderstanding
with Alan.

It's straightened out now,
though.

There's only one way
to straighten out nesters:

that's the business end
of a .45.

You just might be in
too much of a hurry to use it.

I don't intend waiting 'til
Craig and his bunch

put a g*n to my head,
if that's what you mean.

That's what the meeting's abouttonight.


You're coming, aren't you?

Yeah, we'll be there.
See you then.

We had the same sort of set up
down in southwest Texas

after we chased Santa Ana
back to Mexico.

As established ranch owners

there's only one thing
we can do!

Fight!
[ general agreement ]

I don't agree with you,
Rawlins.

They've got a legal right
out there.

The government says so

and the government will stand
behind them

in case of trouble.

I'm tired of hearing
about their rights.

The Public Lands Law was written
for people who know something

about ranching.

Most of these sod-busters
haven't the first idea about it.

They only came here because
somebody told them

the land was free.

If you're talking about
Gil Craig,

I don't have any better opinion
of him than you do,

but there are good men
out there.

Men who'll make good ranchers

if they're given half a chance.

What about the rest of 'em?

We supposed to just hold still
while they rob us blind?

Now, that's a matter
of law enforcement.

We're still paying
the sheriff, aren't we?

What good is he
in this situation?

He can't arrest these nesters
not with them all

covering up for each other.

He's right, Slim.

There's been a lot of that
goin' on.

A lot of it? Huh.

They all lie by the clock

when they're talking
to a law man.

You think we'd do so much better
if we were in their spot?

Gil Craig and his men
are the only real power
they know.

The sheriff's only one man
with a couple of deputies.

And it's a long way to Laramie
when you're in a sod hut

on that free range.

[ grunts ]

Now, you just stay clear
of cattlemen.

Stop having anything
to do with them,

you understand?

I won't make any more trouble
for you, I swear it.

That's better.

You just leave them to me
and everything will be fine.

Now here,
clean up with this.

And if anybody asks you
anything,

you be careful of what you say.

I don't know about
the rest of you,

but I'm not waiting
for these nesters

to push me off my ranch.

I'm gonna do something
about it!

What do you got in mind?

I wrote to Sam Willard,
my old partner down in Texas.

He's bringing some men with him.

Meeting me in Denver,
three days from now.

Any special kind of men?

The kind of men
with the experience

to handle what we're up against.

What you mean is,

you're importing
some hired g*ns.

I mean exactly what I said.

Now, how about it, men?

You with me?

Call of your dogs, Luke.

We're a long ways from ready
to start a range w*r.

And that's exactly
what you're talking about.

All right,

if you men are too blind to see
one day ahead of yourselves,

there's nothing more I can do.

Gil.

You look at me that way in town
and we're in trouble.

Me, look at Mrs. Luke Rawlins
like that in public?

What kind of a man
do you take me for?

The kind who should wear gloves.

That way, when you get
into a fight,

it won't show up
on your knuckles.

You know, if there's
a conclusion around,

you just naturally
have to jump at it, don't you?

You could persuade me I'm wrong.

I like that...

What?

Persuading you.

So do I.

But Luke might not see it
the same way we do.

He was still in town
when I rode through.

And if that meeting lasts
as long as the others,

your husband won't be home
til long past midnight.

Still, there's no reason
to take chances.

She's right, Craig.

Maybe you ought to
listen to her.

Oh, Luke. I know how it must
look to you, but--

Shut up.

Don't you think I know
what's been going on

between you two?

All right, so you know.

Celie hasn't been in love
with you for a long time.

Who she's in love with or isn't
doesn't concern me much,

right now.

What's more important,
I've been wanting you

out of the way
for other reasons.

Get over against
that wall.

Move!

You planned this.

Let me think I was safe,
just so you could k*ll him.

That's right,

and there isn't a jury
in the world

that would call it anything
but justifiable homicide.

You stay put
and be quiet.

Gil!

What are you two
doing here?

Now, I know you're still
heated up

about what happened
in meeting tonight,

but I want to talk to you
about it, if you don't mind.

I done all the talking
I'm going to.

Rawlins,
wait a minute.

Did you ever stop to think
that if you go on your own

and bring in these hired g*ns,

we're all gonna have to
answer for it?

You should have
thought of that before

[ moaning ]

Leave it be.

You're lucky.

The b*llet just creased
your temple.

I'm glad you think so.

It feels like my head's
coming off.

It will be if you're still here
when Luke gets back.

Where is he?
Out front.

Your only chance
is to leave now, while you can.

Look, the only reason
Slim is here,

is because some of the men
at the meeting

were talking about ways
of stopping you.

Since you want to go it alone,

I hope you get
just what you're asking for.

If you change your mind
you know where you can find me.

Celie!

[ pounding on door ]

Open this door.

Open up!
Do you hear me?

You let him get away.

I didn't let him,
I helped him!

I'll settle with you, later.

Whoever did it
is wounded and on foot.

And headed for the Alan place.

Let's go.

Mornin'
Howdy!

Didn't expect
to see you two, so soon.

What brings you
out this way, Slim?

Lookin' for
a wounded man.

He was heading this way
when we lost his trail.

What did he do? k*lled a man.

You seen him?

I sure did.

About an hour ago,
just before dawn.

Shoved a g*n at me
and said he'd take my horse.

Made me saddle up for him.

Then you got
a good look at him.

It was still pretty dark.

'Bout all I could see real plain

was that g*n
he was holding on me.

You ever see him before?

Nope.
He's a complete stranger to me.

His tracks led straight
to the shortcut.

Like he'd been here, before.

Ordinarily, a stranger
wouldn't know about that.

Look, I'm telling you
what I saw,
and that's the truth.

You fella's can add it up
any way you like.

For your sake, Alan,
I hope it is the truth.

If you help a m*rder*r get away,
you're just as guilty as he is.

Before you start reading me out,Sherman,

you better catch yourself
that k*ller.

You can pick up his trail
out at the corral.

Yeah, a horse took out of here,
all right.

Just like Alan said.

Tracks can't be more
than an hour or two old.

Yeah, I suppose he could
be telling the truth

about not knowing.

Well, that fits in
with what Mrs. Rawlin's said,

about the man who broke into
her house last night.

Chances are, if he'd have been
somebody local,

she'd have recognized him
by his voice or his build

or something.

Maybe, but she was still
pretty frightened

when she came up to the ranch.

Let's follow this trail
and see where it leads us.

They're gone.
You can put that away.

You handled 'em
just right.

I like a man who doesn't forget

which tree's
got the honey in it.

[ woman sobbing ]

I'd like to forget
it's my oldest boy

riding that horse
Sherman and Harper are tracking.

Going after helpfor you.

Don't worry about your boy.
You worry about number one,

if your boy
doesn't get back here

with the help
I sent him for.

What if Sherman and Harper
catch him?

They won't.

Not if he takes orders
as good as his old man.

I told him to cover his tracks.

He'll lose them
at Boulder Creek.

It's no use, Slim.
He's got us chasing shadows.

We'll never follow him
through this rock pile.

Well, we might circle around
try to pick up his trail

when he comes out.

Nah, he can go up stream
and down for miles

before he has to move out
where he can leave a track.

He's k*lled a man.

He knows he has to
cover up his trail.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

Well, it's time we got
back to Laramie

with Luke's body.

Sheriff ought to be back there
by now, anyway.

Same old story,

whoever did it seems to have
faded away

like the winnings
at a poker table.

Didn't get anything
out of Alan, huh?

No more than you did.

My guess is someone's got him
too scared to talk.

You offer him protection?

There are close to 50 nesters
living out his way,

I've got two deputies.

I'm not offering protection
where I can't supply it.

Then you didn't get any help
in Cheyenne?

Nester problem's the same
everywhere.

Only ours are a lot worse
than most.

Folks from Cheyenne are kind of
looking to us

to see how we'll handle it.

It's about time
we had another meeting.

Luke Rawlins lost an argument
at our last one,

now he's dead.

For all we know,
we could be to blame for it

for not backing him up
when we had the chance.

All right.

But give me
a couple of hours.

There's something
I want to try.

We'll wait.

'Til Billy gets back from
taking that poor woman home

to an empty house.
And that's all.

Well, well.
How's the little widow?

Gil!

We're going to have
a wonderful life together,

you'll see.

You're sure of that?

Mmm, yes.

Soon as I can,
I'm gonna sell this place.

Yeah, it oughta bring
a nice piece of cash.

Are you sure
you're all right?

Oh, it'll be all right
in a few days.

Doesn't even show.

Sure nobody's around here?

Nobody but us.

You'll be the most handsome man
in San Francisco.

San Francisco?

I thought we could meet
and be married there.

You've got it all worked out,
haven't you, Celie?

I haven't been thinking
of anything else.

And Luke made it so easy
for both of us.

Well you better not
add it up, yet.

You're not the one
getting shot at.

Gil, I don't like
being teased.

You know, Celie,
you're wonderful.

You're like a little kid
in a candy store;

you think all you have to do
is just point at what you want.

Well, the answer's no,
you're being teased.

What are you talking about?
What's wrong?

Everything's just fine,

isn't that what you've
been telling me?

Oh, Gil.

You don't object
to my making plans

for our future together,
don't you?

Not at all.

Except, we don't have
any future together.

At least not the one
you've got planned.

Gil, what you're saying,
it just doesn't make any sense!

In the first place,
I'm not going to marry you.

I'm already married.

I don't believe you.

No?

Well, if you should ever
happen to be in Maryland

you might look up
Mrs. Gilman Craig in Baltimore.

She might be a little lonely
since her husband deserted her.

Incidentally, my wife's
almost as attractive as you are

and about as well-fixed
for money.

But I didn't like being tied
to her apron strings, either.

Gil, wh-why are you saying
these terrible things to me?

'Cause after watching you
for the past 24-hours,

I know what you're capable of.

Anyway, now that your husband's
dead, I won't have any trouble

getting the cattlemen in line.

You can't get away with this.

I'll see you hang.

And be laughing
when it happens.

You've already told
your story to the sheriff.

Now, if you change it,

you'll be an accessory
to the m*rder.

I might even swear
we planned it together.

I'll figure out a way.

You can depend on that, Gil.

You know, you're taking
an awful chance

when you worry me like this.

I might decide
to k*ll you, too.

You think you can frighten me?

Sure, that's
the easiest thing in the world.

You keep away from me, Gil.

You see? I didn't even have
to raise a finger.

Now, you sell out
and move away, Celie.

And don't waste your time
brooding about how wrong

you were about me.

I came out here
to own this territory,

not to be owned
by a woman.

Luke Rawlins was right.

Too bad he had to die
to prove it.

I say put the welcome mat out
for the man Luke's ex-partner

is bringing here.

Then, we hit the nesters
without warning.

They've been asking for a w*r,
we'll give them all the fight

they can handle.[ general agreement ]

Greer.

If Slim were here,
I think he'd be the first

to tell you
that what you're talking about

is bound to bring in
the U.S. Army.

I'm not worried about
the federal troopers
stoppin' us.

We do it right,
it'll all be over

before anybody in the Army
even hears about it.

You figure on k*lling
all those people

not even separating
the sheep from the goats

just wiping 'em out?

That's up to them.

They'll have more to say
about what happens to them

than Rawlins did.

That's not very fair
to the Nesters

who didn't have anything to do
with Rawlin's death, is it?

That's a nester with you,
I've seen him before!

That's right.
This is Roy Allen.

He's homesteading
up in North Pass.

You brought a side-buster
to this meeting?

I knew you'd be talking about
k*lling men like Alan.

Thought maybe you ought
to meet one first.

Get him outta here!

Now wait a minute!

He's risking his life
coming here.

If he can do that,
the least we can do

is sit still and listen
to what he's got to say.

There's only one thing
I want to hear him say.

He can tell us
who k*lled Luke Rawlins.

Can you, Nester?

Are you ready to talk?

I didn't bring him here
to be a target for you, Greer.

Or anybody else!

It's all right, Slim.

I know how they feel.
They've lost a friend.

I stand to lose a great deal
by the same b*llet

that k*lled Luke Rawlins.

But the fact is,
I can't prove who shot him.

Huh. Like all the restof 'em.


With one difference.

I had to lie when Jess and Slim
came to my place

lookin' for Rawlins' k*ller.

Gil Craig was inside the house
holding a g*n on me.

Are you saying Craig
k*lled Rawlins?

I'm almost sure of it,
and he practically admitted it.

But I actually didn't see
the sh**ting.

Why didn't you tell that
to the sheriff afterwards?

Craig wasn't at your place,
then, was he?

No, but he might as well
have been.

My oldest boy was sent
to fetch some of Craig's men.

If I'd have said anything,
I'd hate to think

what would've happened.

Alan,

if you were so scared, before,
what are you doing here, now?

I'd like a chance to tell you
I'm willing to risk my life

to prove a point.

If your men cooperate with us,
we'll cooperate with you.

But the truth's more tarnished
than that.

Like what?

Slim made me see I'm probably
next on Craig's list.

Before that happens,
I wanted a chance to tell

what I knew.

This is no place for you,
Mrs. Rawlins.

You should be home,
trying to rest.

While Luke's m*rder*r
is running around

free to k*ll again?

I'm afraid that's going to be
hard for me to do.

We've just been talking
about that.

I know how you must feel, but...

we have a witness now.

Something to build a case
against the k*ller.

Is that your idea
of a witness?

A range-grabbing
sodbuster

who'd sell his soul
in hell

to whoever came along
with the highest bid?

You call yourselves
cattlemen?

Why there isn't one of you
worthy of the name.

Maybe it's time
the nesters do take over.

They seem to be the only ones
who know how to fight,

around here.[ agreement ]

I'm sick of listening
to Sherman's talk.

I say we take the time
and give them a taste

of their own medicine.

I just received this telegram.

Sam Willard and the men
he brought

are waiting in Denver.

I'm gonna bring them here
with or without your help.

We're with you, Celie.
You can count on us.

All right, all right.
If that's what everybody wants.

But there's still
a right way to do it.

I don't know anything
good or bad

about Sam Willard
or the men with him,

but if we bring 'em in here,

it's to back up the sheriff.

To give him the force
to deal with Craig.

Protect the homesteaders
who want the law

in this territory
as much as we do.

Fair enough.

We'll bring them to Laramie
and have them deputized.

They'll take their orders
from the law, nobody else.

All right.

Well, who's gonna go
to Denver to meet 'em?

I already told you.
I am.

Oh, that won't be necessary.
One of us can go.

Sam Willard knows me.
He doesn't know any of you.

Well, your husband wouldn't
have wanted you

to travel alone.

I'll be glad to go.

I guess I'm the only one here
who doesn't have a ranch to run.

Thank you, Jess.

I'm taking the 10:30, tonight.

I'll be on it, ma'am.

Ben, will you see me
to my hotel?

Um, after we settle
one thing. What about him?

We turn him loose
and aren't we asking for
trouble?

Let me answer that, Slim.

Craig and those lined up with
him are a bigger threat to me

than they are to you.

Wipe me and my family out
and nobody would ever
question it.

That's why I took a chance
and came here.

Well, just your saying so
don't make it so.

I'll take the responsibility
for Alan being here.

And anything he does
about what he's heard.

Your taking responsibility
won't help

if he goes running to Craig.

I'd almost insist
he tell Craig and the others.

Let them know
what's going to happen.

Let them worry.

They can't stop us.

Well, Slim, you tried.

Whatever happens now,
it won't be your fault.

That's not gonna be
good enough.

They're getting set
to tear this place apart.

Are there other homesteaders
who feel like you do

about Craig?

Some.

About the rest, I can make it
my business to find out.

What'd you have in mind?

Separating them
from Craig's outfit.

Anybody who sticks by him
is liable to get

just what he does.

I'll see what I can do.

You're gonna be taking
a big chance.

Anybody you approach
could sell you out to Craig.

I know, but he'll probably
be looking for me anyway.

At least this way
I can try to do some good.

You Jess Harper?
Yes, sir.

Lady in the compartment
wants to see you.

Thank you.

Come in.

Don't stand there, Jess.
Come in.

Shut the door.

I can't sleep, Jess.

Never could on trains.

You should do more riding
in the saddle.

After that, sleeping anywhere's
comes downright easy.

I can imagine.

Mind keeping me company
a while?

If you like,
Mrs. Rawlins.

Sit down.

Sit here. And stop calling me
Mrs. Rawlins.

Umm, these men we're taking
back to Laramie with us,

they're gonna have to learn
how to follow orders.

One mistake and we're liable
to have a tiger by the tail.

They'll follow orders.

Sam Willard knows
how to control them.

And Sam will do
whatever I want him to.

That's not exactly
what I meant.

They'll have to learn to take
their orders from the law.

Mmm. Stop worrying, Jess.

You're not the type
for it.

[ train whistle ]

What's wrong?

I'd hate to mention this,

but you're supposed to be
in mourning for Luke,
aren't you?

I'm wearing something black,
isn't that enough?

You're quite a woman.

Where are you going?

Back to the coach.

See you in Denver.

It's nice being with you, Sam.

Sure. We can talk straight
to each other.

We know where we stand.

What's your stake in this?

I know you're not here 'cause
Luke meant that much to ya'.

A man named Gil Craig.

I want to see him die.

That's your pleasure.

But just so we understand
each other,

after we take care of Craig,

I call the shots.

I don't care what happens
after that.

Good.

I'll tell you, what I never
would have told Luke.

My boys didn't come
all the way up here

for a tin badge
and deputy's pay.

I never figured
they did.

You're not exactly the kind
to lead a crusade.

What did you figure?

After you're through,

you'll be running
what's left of Laramie.

Celie, we belong together.

We surely do.

Maybe you're right, Sam.

Sure, I am.

Now, look.

What's the deal between you
and this Jess Harper?

Came up in the train with you?

No deal.

But he could be
a problem.

For one thing, he thinks we're
going straight back to Laramie

to sign in with the sheriff.

My, my.

I expect I'm gonna have to do
something about that.

Yes, Sam.
I expect you will.

Now, the train stops
to take on water and wood

right here at the top
of the pass.

That figures 10 miles
from Laramie,

four miles from your place.

Right. The tracks
cross my land, there.

We can walk to your place
in a couple of hours,

get horses
and be ready to go.

Just show me
where we head first.

I think our best chance
is to swing west of Laramie

and come in on the nesters
from the rim country.

That's the long way around.

What's wrong with riding
straight north?

Well, if Craig's looking
for trouble,

it's from that direction
up the road from Laramie.

Beside, going that way,

we'd have to cross
Slim Sherman's ranch,

Who's he?

Harper works for him.

Trouble always comes in pairs,
seems like.

The worst kind.

Sherman's willing to risk
almost anything

just to give the nesters
a fair chance.

Ah, we'll take care of him
when we come to it.

There's one thing
that worries me a little
about our timing, though.

What's that?

Two hours from the train
to your ranch,

then it looks like
maybe six hours

to make this sweep
around Laramie,

that's eight hours,
all told.

Or seven, with luck.

But what's your point?

This train's
gonna pull into Laramie

about an hour
after we leave it.

Something's bound to be said
if we're not on it.

All they can say
is that you and I

and some men left the train
at the fueling stop.

I'm not sure that's good.
They'll start looking for us.

And say they do.

They still have to find us,
don't they?

[ train whistle ]

Who is it?

Jess Harper.

Something on your mind?

Yeah.
I couldn't sleep.

What do you want?

Those men you're taking
back to Laramie.

It's quite a crew
you got out there.

Some of 'em have a price
on their head.

Cole Junger.
John Wesley Hardin.

[ scoffs ]

Well, Celie tells me
you're from Texas.

You should feel
right at home.

Not with them, I'm not.

What'd you expect
in this job?

Gospel singers?

You really think our sheriff
in Laramie

is gonna deputize them?

Why not let the sheriff
worry about that

when we get to Laramie?

You mean, if we get to Laramie.

From what I hear,
we're getting off

at the fuel stop.
Why?

Now where'd you ever hear
a fool thing like that?

There's some loose talk going on
back in the coach.

What about it, Celie?

Don't you believe it, Jess.

We're going through
as planned.

And that's the truth.

Sure.

He doesn't believe us.

Better go after him.

No hurry.

Unless I'm wrong,
he won't even make it

back to the coach.

[ grunting ]

Slim, we can't wait
any longer.

I know.

But all those people
I talked to,

we can't just keep 'em
waiting at my place.

No, we can't.

Did you hear any more
about the sheriff

and the new deputies
that are coming in?

Just that he's gonna keep
the whole bunch

at the train
til he hears from us.

He's got to.

If he doesn't,
I've sold my people out.

If we wait much longer...

You ride to town
and tell the lawmen.

I'll get out to your place
and warn the people there.

Right, Slim.

Jess, you take it easy
'til the doc can look you over.

Now, wait a minute.

I didn't get my head beat in
and ride all the way

back here just to go to bed.

I'm going with ya.

So, you can make it?

You just get me on a horse,
I'll be all right.

You know, I don't like it,Celie.

This is the third homestead
we've hit,

without meeting a soul.

Good, just the way
I want.

What's good about that?

It means somebody leaked
the fact to Craig

that we were coming in
from Denver.

So he pulled his people out.

Yeah, but I don't see
how that helps us.

I know the way
Craig works.

Right now, he'll be setting up
an ambush on the Laramie road.

I imagine he'll be
kind of surprised

when we show up behind him

and ride right in
on his back.

Celie, you're my kind of woman.

Let's go!

[ distant g*n shots ]

Heavy fire.

Must've hit Alan's place.

[ loud g*nf*re ]

Send Alan out here
and I'll make terms

with the rest of you.

He ain't here, Craig.

Come on out,
all of you!

I know you've got
women and children in there!

We're staying!

You want us?
You'll have to come and get us.

Craig and his outfit,
all right.

Look!

Gil!

Gil!

No! No!

Oh, I didn't mean it
this way.

I wanted to hurt you,
but not this way.

Willard!

Jess?
How do you spell "sodbuster?"

S-O-D-B-U-S--

No, Jess.
It's two words.

You know, with that
thingamajig in the middle.

You mean a "hypher"?

No, that's a cow.

No, a heifer's a cow.

Well, that's what I
just said.

Well, isn't a "hypher"
something different?

Yes, it is.
And the word's "hyphen."

Pick another word, Andy.

Well, you told me
I couldn't use "nester."

Now the trouble's all settled,
said it wasn't right.

So?

So, I've got to call 'em
something,

how else will Jonesy know
what I'm talking about?

There are a lot of things
you can call 'em.

Like, um...

use "sodbuster."

Sure.

How do you spell it?

Hah. I forget.

Writing letters is too hard.

Guess I'll wait
til Jonesy gets back
and tell him about it.