03x16 - Shadows in the Dust

[bunniefuu]

Sheriff.That's what
they still call me.

I don't know
for how long.

My name's Sherman.

I've been trailing some
rustlers three, four days now.

One of them took a shot
at me about an hour ago.

At least, I think
it was one of them.

Well, he missed you.

One of my deputies
didn't fare so well.

If you can
give me some men,

I can take 'em to the spot
I was bushwhacked.

I'm sorry, Sherman.
I don't have a man to spare.

Now, do yourself
a favor.

Don't ride alone.

Look what almost
happened to you.

Tell you what,

I might be able to spare
some men in two or three days.

That might be
too long.

Oh, you mind mailing
that for me?

I will.

Thanks, Sheriff.

Hmm.

I ever get caught
messing a card like that,

somebody's
liable to be shot.

You know she don't
like gambling.

Why don't you
hide those cards?

Since when are you giving
orders around here?

Bring in just the small box
of groceries, Gimp.

Leave the heavy work
for the somebody

with a strong back
but no brains.

When I agreed
to let you join us

as cattle broker,
it was only to sell

what Gimp and me stole from
the association's big outfits.

Howdy.

Big old frown on that
pretty face of yours.

Someday that frown's
going to stick.

Never mind my face.

Something gone
wrong, Jean?

He did. He's been
rustling on his own

from the little outfits--
people who can't afford it.

You wouldn't
do that, Ralph.

Jean and me, we got
a right to get back
at the association, but--

Gimp, put the vittles
in the kitchen.

I bought us
a five pound roasted beef.

Why did you?

Well, maybe I've been
losing at cards,

or maybe I figure
a head of beef

is just as stole
from one place as another.

How'd you
find out, anyway?

It's all over town.

And another thing--I heard that
a special range detective's

been sent by the association
to snoop around on us.

He won't give us
any trouble.

I left him
in the bottom of a gully

with a b*llet
in his belly.

Then how come
he was in town

talking to the sheriff
at ten this morning?

Missed him,
I guess.

He must have
been playing dead.

Who is
this detective?

Name's Slim Sherman.
His outfit's the one

Ralph hit over
toward Laramie.

Sherman Ranch.

S.R.

Yeah,
I remember now.

Well, he doesn't
mean anything more

than a sheriff running
around these hills.

[ mooing ]

Who was the cattle broker
that sold you these steers?

I don't rightly
know him.

Young fellow,
respectable-like.

Name of his company's
right there on top
of that bill of sale.

Yeah, I see it.

I know you paid good money
for these cattle,

but there's no such
cattle brokerage company.

Mister, these steers come from
the Squaline Ranch, he said.

These steers were stolen
from the Sherman Ranch, mine.

Stolen?

There's
no Squaline outfit.

Wait a minute, mister.
You ain't gonna arrest me.

I got the bill
of sale to prove.

I'm for the men back
of this, not you.

[ mooing ]

You know a man
hereabouts called Gimp?

Only know of him.

He lives
with his daughter...

Jean's her name,
and a son.

Where?

About 60 miles north
of here, near Cape Creek.

You better
hang on to this.

It's not legal,
but it might save your neck.

What you writing?

Something to tack on
the door while we are gone.

Why?

Because, Gimp,
if we were gone

when he came to snoop,
he'd wonder why.

This way
he'll pay us no mind.

What are you
saying on it?

Gone to visit.
Help yourself.

Cut new wood

and kindling for whatever
you use in cook stove.

Oblige.

That sound like
anybody running away?

No, I guess
it don't at that.

But I sure wish
we could be done.

If this old knee keeps
getting any worse,

pretty soon I won't be able
to no help to you at all.

If I said tonight's job
would be the last, Gimp,

would you like that?

I would, except I'm mostly
scared of any last job.

Why?

It's the one that usually
goes sour, honey.

Tap this on the door,
would you?

I'll get ready.

How many
do we cut out?

Half.

No more than Ralph
can sell off in a hurry.

You ready?

Yeah, he said he'd have
the buyer waiting...

soon as we bring
the shipment along.

[ g*nsh*t ]

Gimp, run.

You think
we lost him?

Listen.

Think any sensible man
who'd see a note on the door,

he'd go in and spend
a restful night.

Now, what went wrong?

I don't know.

[ g*nsh*t ]

That stubborn ...

Gimp,
go fetch Ralph.

Leave you here?

Our only chance is for me
to hide back in Rock Canyon.

At daybreak, you and Ralph
can come up behind him.

We'll catch him
in a crossfire.

Now, do as I say.

Okay...
Come on.

Well...

if you think you're
getting away with this

just because you're woman,
you're in for a big surprise.

Get on your feet!

We're going
for a ride.

You want me
to carry you?

You'll never
take me in.

It's been tried
by better men than you.

Your horse
is that way.

Don't make me
tell you twice.

Hot enough
for you, mister?

What's the matter,
you've forgotten how to talk?

We'll camp here
for the night.

I'll water
the horses.

Camp?

You're first, gonna
need your blanket.

First for what?

Your clothes are dirty
than you are, wash them, too.

When you get back,
I'll have a fire built.

Dry your clothes
and cook some supper.

Put this on
the bank for me,

and you let that slip in,
and you're gonna take a swim.

And just so you won't
be tempted to stray,

take off your boots.

What?Leave 'em here.

This is awful hard ground
to be following a trail,

even if you could find one.

Maybe I ought to ride back
and get us a couple dogs.

No, lose half
a day that way.

You don't figure
maybe old man Peterson

dreamt all that g*nf*re
last night, do you?

Not likely, he said he heard
at least ten, fifteen shots.

Yeah, kind of looks
like boot heel marks

leading up
the hillside there.

Look at those shells.

You know something?

Wouldn't surprise me none
if our amateur lawman,

that Sherman from Laramie,
got mixed up in this gunfight.

How do you
figure that?

Well, anybody who knows
this crazy country

wouldn't be fool enough
to ride through it at night.

He don't know
the area.

Besides, the last time
I saw him, he was so mad,

he might have bulled
his way into almost any place.

He might just have picked
up few loads of lead here.

Uh, maybe not.

I don't see no vultures
around yet.

No, but if he'd have gotten
close enough to those rustlers

to get off a few shots,
he might still be trailing.

And that means he
ain't got long to live

if we don't get
there to help him.

Well, if he'd have come north,
we'd have run into him by now.

So we ride south.

You all right?

All right.

Mister.

You don't have
to be scared.

From what I've seen so far,
you're not my type.

That never stopped
any man I've known yet.

All right, stay out there
and freeze to death.

That way I won't have
to prove you wrong.

You can hang your clothes
over there to dry.

Coffee's almost ready,

and I got black-eyed
beans in the pan.

Potatoes
are on the coals.

Later on,
I'll skittle us some bacon.

Could help with
the skittling, if you want.

Thanks.

Oh, I scooped you
a sleeping trench.

Brought your saddle bags
over, in case

you got a brush
in there for your hair.

You sure ought to do
something about that.

Looks like
a worn-out floor mop.

SLIM:
I'll sleep over there.

Oh, if I leave you
with your boots on

while I freshen up,
you won't get any notions

to go those horses,
would you?

Neither one of them
can outrun a b*llet.

What's your name?

Jean.

Let me give you another
little piece of advice, Jean.

Don't try putting
green leaves in that fire.

I wouldn't appreciate
another trick right now.

The trail
we've been riding

isn't the way to
the sheriff at Edgerton.

Where do you think
you're taking me?

United States Marshal.

It's a territorial capital.

That's 100 miles.

Seventy-five, now,
the way I make it.

Another three days...

with you?

You've been
in worse company.

Edgerton's a lot closer
than where you're
trying to take me.

Guess my friends
are worrying you a bit.

Nope.

Well, what then?

You're sticking your neck
out a country mile,

so you must
have had a reason.

You got those cattlemen
back in Edgerton

in a real good
hanging mood.

No matter
what you've done,

I'm not turning you over
to that kind of justice.

They're about dry.

How did you
catch on to us?

Oh, a little luck.
Hard work, mostly.

Anger.

You know, if you'd have
left my place alone,

I wouldn't be here
right now.

It wasn't me. I mean,
not me, personally.

Oh, I didn't figure
it was you.

A woman doing what
you've been doing.

No, I figured
you'd have more sense

than pull a two-bit
raid at my ranch.

Still want to know how
you ran us down like you did.

You, your father,
and brother

are the only folks around
that weren't raising cattle,

and you're right
in the middle

of some of the biggest
ranches in the territory.

And that started me
wondering.

We live off
of Gimp's pension.

Gimp's my pa.

You're living
pretty good.

Your brother
was seen gambling.

Oh, not in Edgerton.
He's too smart for that.

And your father,
if he is your father,

made quite a few trips
to the territorial bank.

Did you come around
to our cabin?

Yeah,
I read that note.

That was a mistake.

How?

No woman's gonna
buy fresh beef

and then go off visiting
for a few days

and let it spoil.

Somebody messed up
on that one, didn't I?

You're kind of pretty
when you smile, Jean.

Can't figure why someone like
you would turn to rustling.

Someone like me?

You don't know
anything about me.

Well, I'm willing
to listen, if you'll talk.

Why should I?

Might help, you might
say something

I could pass
on to the judge.

Could make it
easier for you.

I talked
to a judge before.

I didn't
get listened to.

When was before?

I was near 16.

My father
was a nester.

He had a right
to fence our place,

but the cattlemen
didn't allow fences,

said it was
their grazing range.

My pa refused
to knuckle under.

So, one night...

they burned us
all down.

They burned Gimp, too.

They k*lled my pa.

They put a b*llet
in Gimp's kneecap.

That same night, two
of them came after me.

They said about
how pretty I was,

me being only
a nester's daughter.

Don't touch me.

All right, Jean,

but you go around
judging the whole world

by the worst
that's in it,

and you're gonna wind up
with a hatful of wrong answers.

Think you got that all
figured out, don't you?

Oh, no.

Look at that one.

That was pretty good
sh**ting in the dark.

It was a chance hit,

and, besides, you were
sh**ting at me.

Yeah, I was.

I'm glad I missed.

It's not
so festered yet,

but will be if the b*llet
doesn't come out soon.

Have you got
a knife?

Guess you can tell
I'm not much of a lawman.

Don't have much sense
giving a knife to a rustler.

How come
you trust me?

I don't,

but if you put that knife
some place it doesn't belong,

this is just liable
to go off.

Sit down.

He's got her.
I know he has.

Eh...

Maybe he's just
chasing her.

She'd run toward us,
not away from us, Ralph.

Yeah, probably
you're right.

If he'd k*lled her,

he'd take the body
to the nearest lawman,

the sheriff
at Edgerton.

Yeah, she's alive.

He's taking her
to the marshal at the capital.

We can catch him.

I know we shouldn't have
left her alone.

Maybe just as well.

He could have shot you
and still have her.

That way, I never
would have found out

until after he
delivered her...

which, now,
I don't think he will.

I'm sorry
I couldn't get the b*llet out.

It's gonna take a doctor
to do it.

It's all right. You tried.
I appreciate it.

It feels better
for some reason.

And you didn't try
to cut my throat once.

I thought about it.

Oh, I doubt that.
You're not the k*ller type.

I'd venture to say that I'm
the first man you ever shot.

I'm not proud of it, though--
sh**ting you, I mean.

And I've got
no wish to have

your death
on my conscience, either.

Well, don't worry about that.

I'm not planning
on dying yet.

What you plan
and what'll probably happen

are two different things.

You'll never make it
to the capital with that wound.

I'll make it--
and with you.

It's your life.

Kind of wish I'd have
caught one of the others.

I'm sorry
I have to take you in.

If you can.

I can.

Oh, it might work out
better for you this way.

What are you, about 23?

I kind of lost track of time
past few years.

But you're old enough
to inherit the title
to that land

your father homesteaded.

When you talk
to the judges,

tell them everything
that happened.

That homestead
belongs to you.

There's got to be
a record of it someplace.

There's nothing left.

They even tore down
the chimney.

The land's still there.

I tried to tell a judge
about what happened once.

He didn't believe me.

You got any guarantee

that the one in the capital
will be any different?

Well, if he isn't,
you can appeal it.

Take it to the Supreme Court
in Washington.

Every citizen
has that right.

Not a nester's daughter.

A homesteader's daughter has
the same right as anybody!

I don't believe you.

[ animals howling ]

Them coyotes are sure
getting brave.

A coyote never
sounded like that.

Timber wolf,
downwind of us, most likely.

Telling the rest
what we had for supper.

Just so they don't
get any ideas about us.

I don't mind
them tonight,

means your friends
aren't near us yet.

If they were, that lobo
pack wouldn't be within miles.

I better get some rest.

You too.

Oh, with them so near,
I want to keep the fire going.

I don't want your friends
spotting this fire

or smelling it
during the night.

Don't worry
about those wolves.

They're not likely to come
down here unless you...

unless you're dying
or dead.

What are you doing
over here?

Just making sure
you don't wander off.

Good-night.

Cold.

This fire was smothered
sometime during the night.

Well, he dug
two sleeping trenches,

one for her there
and one for him yonder.

How do you know
which was which?

Well, if it was me, I'd keep
both horses on my side

and that's what he did.

Eh?

What about those stakes?

They go
for a little swim,

and then they hang up
their clothes, friendly-like?

That's one
you'll have to ask her...

if we catch them.

We'll catch them, and I sure
will ask her--personal.

Get the blankets!

We got to quit for now,
Ralph.

Yeah, it's a cinch they won't
be going anywhere, either.

Didn't take you long
to find this cave.

You knew right where it was,
didn't you?

What am I gonna have to do
to prove to you

I don't mean you
any harm?

I got some
beef jerky in here.

I'll split it with you.

Want me to take
a look at your arm?

No.
It's too cold.

You couldn't do much
in here anyway.

Thanks for the offer.

You'll never be able to make it.
You've got to go back.

Well, fine.

Are you gonna carry me
or am I gonna have to walk?

The shape you're in, won't make
much difference either way.

At least
you're worried about me.

That's a good sign.

Now try to get some sleep.

[ horse neighing ]

What?

How come you
gave me your blanket?

Your teeth were chattering--
chattering so much...

I thought
you're gonna lose them.

Weren't you cold?

No.

I had a fever
to keep me warm.

You don't look
too good this morning.

I've felt worse.

Can't remember when,
though.

Let's get moving, Jean.

I'll roll up the blankets.

Thanks.

Now, don't move.

[ horse neighing ]

You're not gonna
make it, mister.

Got 'emselves a rattler,
looks like.

Yeah...

I don't figure those tracks.

Why separate?

Do you think they did?

There's one set of tracks
off that way, fast,

and another set this way.

Maybe the rattler
bolted his horse,

gave her chance
to make off.

He wouldn't run off
and leave her, would he?

I just told you,
she made off!

And he don't go after her?

Well, maybe
the rattler hit him.

Rattler like that hit you,
you don't go far.

You don't even try.

Why, I'd say, now, uh,
them tracks there,

they look like
a horse boltin'--
nobody riding him.

And this horse, here,
he's walking slow

like he's being
rode double.

I'm sorry
if I had to hurt you.

They'll be back,
and they'll find you.

Jean, don't--
don't start it again.

Don't do that to yourself.

SLIM: You're kind of pretty
when you smile, Jean.

Can't figure out
why someone like you

would turn to rustling.

JEAN: Someone like me?

You don't know
anything about me.

SLIM: What am I gonna
have to do to you

to prove that I don't
mean you any harm?

[ wolf howling ]

Don't worry about
those wolves.

They're not likely
to come down here

unless you're dying or dead.

Slim.

[ horse grunting ]

Jean, honey,
you all right?

Turn the horse loose,
Ralph. I'm going.

Going?
Where?

Don't stop me, please.

I'm going back.
I got to go back!

Easy now, Jean.

What's the trouble?

Slim, the wolf-pack
will get him.

Well, that's his problem.

Ours is to get out of this
territory as fast as we can go.

Ralph, let go!

But there's a sheriff and
a deputy out there somewhere.

That's why we had
to backtrack.

How bad is he hurt?

Who cares?

Gimp, help me.

Turn her loose, Ralph.

Are you still trying
to give orders?

I am this one.

Now, drop that g*n.

Turn her loose.

You shouldn't have
done that, Gimp.

She's liable to ride smack
into that sheriff.

Maybe she should.
Maybe it's right.

Maybe this is when
she's growing up.

If she helps save that fellow,
he might go easy on her.

Yeah.

He couldn't stand being
cooped up for even a day.

No more than I could!

We're just alike, her and me,
and I don't want to lose her.

She was never yours
to lose, Ralph.

No man can make a woman like
him if she don't want to.

Yeah.

Well, I guess you
got a point there.

[ wolves howling ]

Slim.

Please...

Wake up!

[ horse neighing ]

[ c*ck g*n ]

Drop it, Ralph.

Worrying about him

is only gonna get you
into a worse mess.

I said, drop it.

Yeah, I guess
old Gimp was right.

You got a right to grow up,
same as anybody else.

Sheriff.

Help him, please.

What's it all about, Jean?

Pretty long story, Sheriff.

Main thing is Slim's taking me
to the marshal in Cheyenne.

He's taking you?

Is he gonna be all right?

Well, Doc's got a rule,
anybody's brought to him alive,

he just ain't allowed
to let him die.

Guess you better
arrest me, Sheriff.

I'm the one who's been
rustling from the big outfits.

What?

Me and Gimp, and Ralph.

You ask Slim,
he caught us at it.

I may be getting just
a little bit old.

I don't hear
so well some days.

I figure maybe my hearing
ought to be all right

about the time the doc
gets Sherman fixed up.

I think I'll wait and listen
to what he has to say then.

Well, that should
be all I need.

You're sure going to a lot
of trouble making a cabin

for an old rustler,
aren't you, Slim?

Well, Mike,
this rustler isn't old.

Besides,
she's not a rustler anymore.

How do you know?

Oh, well, she got
her land back.

That makes
her a homesteader.

Besides that, she's been in jail
for six months thinking it over.

So, the sheriff in Edgerton
and I decided

to have a real
nice place waiting

for her when she got out.

Sheriff's gonna help too?

Sure.So am I.

Those curtains I'm making,
they'll be done in a week.

Now I've packed your lunch.

Don't forget
to stop and eat it.

Thanks, Daisy.

Listen,
I'll be back in a week.

Mike, you take good care
of Daisy and Jess, hear?

All right.So long.

Come on!