04x29 - The Marshals

[bunniefuu]

Well, come on, come on,
did you find out anything
over at the telegraph office?

Yeah.

Sheriff at Edgerton said
the territorial marshal left

with Vern Buckner
this afternoon.

They're going
the long way around

so they don't have
to go through Ironwood.

Who's the marshal?

Branch McGary.Good man.

Yeah, he's good,
but not good enough

to handle
the whole Buckner g*ng alone.

No, he's got
a couple of good deputies,
and anyway, we can't be sure

that the Buckner g*ng's
laying for him.

Yeah, well, we know
De Walt was gonna meet him.

Otherwise, why would
he have started sh**ting
when you went to arrest him?

Maybe he was scared,
maybe a lot of things.

Stillwater Crossing marked
on that map you took from him.

That's right outside
of the bridge in Ironwood.

And that's the only place
Branch can cross that river.

Sure adds up,
all right.

I'll show you
how to find out.

De Walt.

De Walt!

Why were you gonna meet Buckner
at Stillwater Crossing?

You'd like to know,
wouldn't you?

We know you were gonna join up
with Buckner and his g*ng.

Clint wants to spring
his brother, doesn't he?

And he plans on bushwhacking
the marshal too, doesn't he?

Well, aren't you?
Come on, talk!

Doc.

Well, he's not gonna be doing
any talking for anybody.

If I'm wrong, it just means
a wasted night's ride.

But if I'm right?

You win, Jess.

Come on, doc,
let's finish this up.

What's your hurry?
You're not going anywhere.

No, not in the shape
you're in.

Besides, I got
a lot of hard riding to do

if I'm gonna beat Branch
to that crossing.

One extra g*n isn't gonna
help McGary much.

Get some men
to go with you.

I haven't got the time,
Mort.

Do me a favor.

Tell Slim to look for me
when he sees me.

[ dog whimpering ]

Well, what are you
staring at me for?

I'm not gonna give you one bit
more food no matter what you do.

Now, now, now,
no good clawing me.

No, no, won't change
my mind one bit.

Well,
that's a pretty good trick.

I had a terrier back in London
who used to do the same thing,

except when I told him to.

But where did you learn
to roll over like that?

I taught him.

Look, I don't know
where this dog comes from

or who he belongs to
or where he's going to,

but I don't think he'd like
to have anything to do with you.

Well, if you were smart,
you wouldn't either.

That's why you better open this
door before those two get back.

Or you're gonna die
right along with the marshals.

Oh, you don't scare me.

I've heard
the likes of you before.

What would you know about it,
a foreigner?

A foreigner?

If it wasn't for
some of my ancestors

coming over on the Mayflower,
you wouldn't even be here.

Well, you certainly look like
a foreigner around these parts.

Well, I've been out here
for 2 years.

Maybe that doesn't
make me a native,

but I daresay I've seen as much
of the west as you have.

In fact, before I lost
all my store goods in a flood,

I used to travel all over here
as a salesman.

Well, now skip all that.

Now you got no stake in this,
as far as I'm concerned.

You know, you have
the most remarkable habit

of being wrong
about everything.

You may not know this,

but Branch and Reb
took me in after the flood.

I hadn't got a thing,
I'd lost everything,

not a penny in my pocket,

except those two mules
that pulled my store wagon.

The marshal gave me a job
when nobody else would.

I can assure you
that I owe both of them

a great deal
more that I can ever pay.

Well, suit yourself.

But it's just as easy
to dig a grave

for three
as it is for two.

Yeah.

[ leaves rustling ]

Oh, guess I should have
whistled or something.

Anything wrong?

No, but I can't help
feeling edgy

with Vern Buckner locked up
in that wagon down there.

I don't see why.

We've done enough looking around
to make sure nobody is here.

Yeah,
nobody we can see.

Branch, you're beginning
to sound just like Patches,

always worried about trouble
that hasn't got here yet.

Figure we'll make Laramie
by tomorrow night?

Yeah, if we're lucky.

Good, maybe we can rest up
for a few days, huh?

Depends on orders
from Cheyenne.

They may want us to bring
Buckner all the way in.

Hanging's about the same,
one place or another.

He's got to be tried first.

Waste of time.

I can't stop you
from thinking that way, Reb,

but as long as
you're wearing that star,

I'd just as soon
you kept it to yourself.

The law is your bible,
isn't it, Branch?

No,
it's pretty close behind.

The bible shows a man
right from wrong in his heart,

law spells it out
in his head.

Lesson for today.

Glad to hear
you're studying.

You better get back
to that wagon.

Be rolling before sunup.

All the men spotted?

Yeah, they're up along the slope
on this side of the river.

Good, that wagon
will be here soon.

They're leaving a dust trail
nobody could miss.

Yeah. They'll never know
what hit 'em.

Pass the word to wait until
that wagon's in mid-stream

and open up on the driver
and team first.

Right.

[ horse approaching ]

Clint, a rider coming in on
the south trail to the crossing.

It's probably De Walt.

He was due in last night.

No, it didn't look like him.

No, that isn't De Walt.

Well, whoever it is,
he means trouble.

Take a couple of the men
and stop him.

You can pick him off
at the ravine.

And no sh**ting.

Those marshals
might hear it.

Use your rope, and the knife
will take care of the rest.

Right.

[ wagon approaching ]

Well, now, that looks
a lot more natural.

Of course, that badge
kind of spoils the effect.

How's it feel
being a law man now?

Any different
on that side of the g*n?

Any better doing the chasin'
instead of the runnin'?

For the last time, shut up!

Everything all right?

Everything except
that big mouth of his.
Can't we shut him up?

No, siree.
I'm your prisoner.

You got to treat me right.

That's the law.

No law says we have to listen.
Let's get out of this dust.

How much further
to the crossing?

Just round the bend.

You said that
half an hour ago.

What bend?

Has Vern been sticking
burrs under your saddle?

Why do we have to take
that kind of stuff from him?

Well, I've always found
his kind talk the biggest

when
they're most scared.

The fellas it bothers
the most are those who,

well, aren't exactly
too sure of themself.

Don't you trust me yet?

I trust you.

Do you trust yourself?

All right, Patches.
Roll it across.

[ g*nshots ]

Cover me.

Keep him pinned down
on the other side.

Where are you going?

That cowpuncher
sprung a trap for us.

We can't leave him
there alone.

Well,
what can I do, Reb?

Here, take this.

All right.

I'm over here, Clint!

Come on and get me!

I told you no sh**ting.

Couldn't help it,
he got away from us.

All right, forget about him.

Go for the men
around the wagon.

Go for them
by the--

He made it.Yeah.

Getting over there is one thing,
but getting back is another.

Keep pourin' it on.

Same old McGary.

Never waits for an invite.

I should have known
it was you, Jess.

Nobody else ever got
in a mess like this.

Oh, I don't know.

You didn't seem
to have much trouble.

Clint, it's no use.
Let's get out of here.

Not without my brother.

We can't do anything
about him now.

We lost too many men
already.

They're taking off, Jess.

Legging up the hill.

Jess?

Jess?

Jess!

Reb, get over here!

What's the matter?
Can't you get it out?

I daren't risk trying anymore.
It's too near the heart.

Well, doesn't that book of yours
tell you how to do it?

Yes, it also tells me
what will happen

if I'm even
an eyelash off.

Probing for a b*llet in an arm
or a leg is one thing but this,

a doctor will have to do it,
and soon too.

We won't be in Laramie
before tomorrow afternoon,

at the earliest.

Bouncing around in that wagon
all day, he won't last.

Even farther going back.

Yeah, the only other doctor
I know of is in Ironwood.

Well, now,
look who's a nursemaid.

Does that go
with the badge too?

Buckner,
I'm warning you right now.

You don't keep
your mouth shut,

I'll nail it closed
with your own teeth.

Look who's trying
to be tough.

You can't touch me.

Try me.

Easy, easy, Jess.

Don't move
no more than you have to.

Where's McGary?

He's riding outside.

I'm Reb Carlton,
the deputy.

I'm glad to see you
in one piece.

What about Buckner?

Still got a date with a rope.

It's a tumbleweed wagon, eh?

Uh-huh.

It's funny.

Slim always said I'd wind up
riding in one of these.

We're taking you
to the doctor.

How bad is it?

Well, nothing that
can't be patched up.

Why don't you
stop kidding him?

Shut up.

They don't even think you can
last till they get to Ironwood.

Ironwood?

You can't go there.
It's Buckner territory.

Just lie still.

My brother will be there,
waiting.

Buckner, I warned you.

McGary!
McGary!

What's going on in there?

I don't quite know.

Hold up.

Any trouble in here, Reb?

No, not now.

Good.

How about you, Buckner,
any complaints?

That's good. I wouldn't want
it spread around

that we don't treat
our prisoners right.

We'll be in Ironwood
in a half hour, Reb.

All right, Patches,
take it away.

[ dog barking ]

Hey, come back here.

Think of all we've meant
to each other.

Oh.

How is he?

Hanging by his teeth,
that's about it.

As soon as we get him inside,
you go for the doc.

You there.

You in charge
of this rig here?

That's right.
Are you the sheriff?

No, justice of the peace.

We don't have
no sheriff here.

Jethroe is the name.

McGary,
Territorial Marshal.

My deputy and my driver.

Howdy.

You've got Vern Buckner
in there, haven't you?

Word travels fast.

Well, now I don't want
any trouble.

Ironwood's
a peaceable town.

Fine. We're
peaceable men.

But you're gonna
get things all riled up.

Vern's got friends here,
and his brother.

That's our problem,
Mr. Jethroe.

No, it's mine.

You stay here and all
tarnation's gonna bust loose.

Branch,
we're wasting time.

I appreciate your concern,
Mr. Jethroe,

but I've got another man
in that wagon.

He's hurt badly.
He needs a doctor right away.

Well, I...

I'm sorry,
that don't change things.

He's hurt too bad
to move any further.

Now I'm gonna
have to use your jail.

And I need another cell
for Buckner.

No.
Nothing doing.

I won't allow you
to bring him in my jail.

I won't allow it.

In case you've forgotten,
if you ever knew,

the United States marshal
has authority

over every peace officer
in the territory.

I don't care what you've got,
you're not bringing him in.

What are we arguing
with him for?

You stay back.
You're not coming in.

I know my rights.

Well, you just
go ahead and exercise
those rights, Mr. Jethroe.

But you can do it
without blowing your leg off.

Now where's the key
to that cell?

Ah, on the desk inside.

All right,
now get out of here.

You'll get your jail back
when I'm finished with it.

That's the local law?

That's why
it's this kind of a town.

Come on,
let's get Jess inside.

Hey, Clint.

See?

Yeah, yeah, I got eyes.
Is Vern all right?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Fixing to moving him
into a cell now.

They are, huh?

Looks like we did
some damage.

He's hurt pretty bad.

Must be why they've come here,
huh, to get a doctor for him?

I'll round up the men.

That jail's an egg crate,
we can bust it wide open.

Wait a minute.

We don't have to.

The way I see it,
they're gonna open the door

and let Vern walk out
all by himself.

Come on.

Look at this.
Probably hasn't been
washed in years,

but we're gonna
need bandages.

Wonder what's keeping Reb.

I could have gone through
this town a dozen times by now.

Well, doctor's probably
out on a call.

I hope that's the reason.I'll go and wash this
and unhitch the team.

McGary!

Take it easy, Jess,
lie still.

The way I feel,

I couldn't move
if you lit a fire under me.

You'll be all right soon,
Reb's bringing the doctor.

Yeah, sure.

You're a fool, McGary.

You never should
have come here.

Who was the fool
who rode into that ambush?

That's got nothing
to do with it.

Jess, you couldn't have
made it to Laramie.

Maybe.

But you had a job to do,
bring that prisoner in.

I've had a lot of jobs
since I last saw you, Jess.

There have been
a lot of prisoners.

Somehow...

it just doesn't seem to be
workin' anymore.

Bringing a man in,
seeing him punished.

What does it prove?
They never learn.

That tumbleweed wagon's
always got somebody in it.

You're getting old, Mac.

I'm getting tired, Jess.

I'm getting tired of trying
to keep a house clean

that everybody
is trying to make dirty.

You still shou--

You still should have
kept going.

It's worth a lot more to me
to save a man's life

than take one to an execution.

[ footsteps approaching ]

That must be the doctor.

You're the doctor?

No. You McGary
the marshal?Yes.

My name is Rafferty,
this is Mr. Davis.

We're here to talk to you
about your--

We'll talk outside.

Right here
is good enough for us.

Not for me,
now outside.

[ chattering ]

All right, what is it?

We're a citizens committee,
McGary.

We're here to protest
the unwarranted,

high-handed, arrogant way--

Cut it short, Mr. Rafferty.

You don't like the way I treated
your justice of the peace.

It's inexcusable.

You may be a United States
marshal, but this is our town.

Mr. Jethroe
represents the law here.

There's no law here
to represent.

Now hold on.

Except the law enforced
by Buckner g*ng,

and any other range rat
who comes in packing a .45.

It's not just Jethroe's fault,
you're all to blame

for lying in the gutter and
letting him walk all over you.

We don't have to
listen to this.

And I don't have to
stand here arguing.

Now wait a minute,
marshal.

Maybe we're wrong,
I don't know, but
too late to change now.

The Buckners are here
and there's nothing
we can do about that.

There's plenty
that can be done about it.

I'd k*ll a snake
by cutting off its head.

Get rid of Clint,
you get rid of the whole g*ng.

Marshal,
you said you would--It's my job.

Sure, sure, it's your job
to get rid of them,

but they'll make us
pay for it.

Marshal, you've got to leave,
please.

Innocent people will be hurt.

And I've got an innocent man
in there

who will die if I don't stay.

If we find the doctor for you,
if we bring him in...

You bring him.

Deals come later.

Let's get back
to the meeting hall.

REB: Branch!

Where's the doctor?

He's gone.

You mean he's on a call?

No, vamoosed.

I've been up and down
and in and out

of every place in town.
No sign of him.

Somebody must know
where he went.

Uh-huh.
Somebody does.

Doctor's housekeeper said
the last time

she saw him was this morning,
right after we hit town.

He left his office
with Clint Buckner.

Buckner?

His fever's going up.

And I thought I was helping him
by bringing him here.

We'd be burying him now
if we kept on for Laramie.

Will you let me do
what I asked?

Let me try
to find Clint Buckner,
I'll make him tell me.

Oh, you're good, Reb,
but not good enough

to outgun the whole outfit.

BUCKNER: McGary!

Come on out,
I want to talk to you.

That Buckner?

Yeah, I'll handle this.

Keep an eye on the street.

Hey, McGary,
can you hear me?

Funny thing.

All these years we've been
rubbing each other's fur
the wrong way.

This is the first time
it's been just the two of us,

face to face.

Just the two of us?

Oh, come on,
you can trust me.

Sure, Clint,
and you can trust me.

Hey, wait a minute,
I'm not looking for trouble.

I got a swap for you.

Who says
I'm in the market?

That fella in there
with a b*llet in him, he says.

Well?

Come on, McGary, you don't need
any spelling lessons.

I want Vern
and you want a doctor.

A straight swap.

How do I know
you've got the doctor?

You know.

Bring him around,
I want to see him.

Sure, just as soon as
Vern walks out that door.

Well, how about it?

I'll have to think it over.

By 5:00.

That give you enough time?



Now, McGary,

I wouldn't do too much thinking
if I was you.

Your friend won't get
any healthier.

McGary!

McGary!

What are you doing?

Let him go!

No, Branch, no!

Branch,
you don't understand.

Outside.

Patches, lock the door.

You can't treat me
like this, McGary.

I'm your prisoner, you know.
I got my rights!

You certainly have.
If I were you,

I should complain
to the sheriff.

How many times
do I have to tell you?

When's it gonna sink in?

You can't manhandle
the prisoners.

Ah, look, Branch,

maybe you got it all over me
when it comes to the law

and the right way
of doing things.

But maybe I can teach you
a couple lessons

in taming that brand
of polecat.

The first one is,

you don't gentle them,
you don't make deals with them.

No, you just push 'em
around.

You go gunning for 'em,
that settles everything, huh?

Don't you see?

You're letting Clint
take the play away from you.

It should be
the other way around.

You should be making him
swallow the deal

because you've got Vern.

What are you talking
about?

How long do you think
Clint would hold out

if he saw his brother standing
on the edge of the roof with a,

with a rope around his neck?

Uh, he'd know
we were bluffing.

But would he call us?

And if he didn't,
could you be the hangman?

Ah, it wouldn't come to that.

How do you know that?

That shows you're not thinking
straight, Reb.

When you start
something like this,

you've got to go all the way.

So we take that chance.
So Vern hangs.

What's the difference?
He's gonna hang anyway.

He's a m*rder*r 10 times over.

And make murderers
out of us too, huh?

Reb, you can't take the law
into your own hands.

Well, what are we
supposed to do?

Just wait and watch him die?

No.

Rafferty and those other two
are looking for the doctor.

That's why I'm stalling,
to gain a little time.

What if they don't find him?

Your only other choice
is open up that door

and let Vern
walk out of here.

And that's just
what you'll do, isn't it?

No.

No, I won't buy Vern
with Jess' life.

Neither would you, Reb.

But I wouldn't quit
without a fight.

Not your way, Reb,
that's not fighting,

that's getting right down there
in the dirt with him.

Your way is better, huh?

Letting a man
like Clint Buckner laugh at you,

make deals with you,
walk all over you,
that way is any cleaner?

Reb, you got to
try to understand.I can't.

I can't understand a law
that expects a man

to fight with his hands tied.

Maybe it's good enough
for you but not for me.

When you gave me this,

you said it stood
for a lot of big things:

justice, peace,
order, equality.

That's funny.

Now it just looks like
a piece of tin.

Wait a minute, Reb.

I'm sorry, Branch.

Then I guess
we've both made a mistake.

Reb.

Reb, listen to me.

Nah, I've heard
enough already.

I wouldn't worry too much
about it, Branch.

He'll cool off.

Yeah, if he ever stops
running.

Leaving so soon?

Well, you hardly got here.

Some people in town
you already got to know.

You don't have to bother
on my account.

No bother.

Clint wants to
make your acquaintance.

Let's go.

Nothing personal.

Just wanted
to slow you down,

in case you had any ideas
about coming for me.

Simpler this way.

Simpler?Sure.


I could have taken your g*n
but sh**ting an unarmed man,

that's called m*rder.

Let's go.

Where'd you find him?

In the barn, saddling up.

He was gonna leave town.

He wouldn't say
where he was going.

What's the matter?
You hurt your arm?

Someday you're gonna
break a man's arm
with that trick, Ragan.

Where's your badge?

I left it with the job.

I noticed you and McGary

weren't too friendly
a little while ago.

What was that all about?We had a disagreement.

And look, all I want to do is
get out of this rat-hole town.

So if you don't have
any more questions,

I'll just saddle up
and be on my--

Not so fast.

Not till I get
a straight answer.

What's your name?

Reb Carlton.

Carlton?
From up north?

Yeah, mostly.

Yeah, sure.

When me and Vern were up
around Sundance,

we saw how you handled
a couple of tinhorns.

Heard you were building
a reputation for yourself.

Vern was thinking of
having you tie in with us.

Yeah, he told me.

Next thing we heard,
you were hooked up with McGary.

Why?

Had my reasons.

Why are you quitting him now?

Different reasons.

Like what?

Mainly because he wouldn't
let me take care of you

in my own way.

Pretty c*ck, aren't you?

You asked, I told you.

Where you heading from here?

Any place I can find a job.

Thirty a month?

I've had my fill of that.

We get Vern out, there might be
a spot open with us.

No, I work alone.

I don't like
splitting with anybody.

A split with us is bigger than
anything you can make alone.

I'll think it over.
I'll let you know.

Wait a minute.

Think about it now.
Come on,
I'll buy you a drink.

Nothing personal.

I just wanted to make sure
you didn't slow me down any.

Maybe next time
you'll be a little more careful

how you use that trick,
huh, Ragan?

Come on, Reb, we got 25 minutes
to get acquainted.

McGary.

McGary.

Mac, Mac.

Right here, Jess.

Don't let Vern go.

Don't think
about it, Jess.

That's for me
to decide.

No, Mac.

I got a say-so in this, too.

Please,

please don't make this all
for nothing.

I haven't got a chance now.

Don't, don't waste me, Mac.

Jess, I...
I can't.

I won't trade you for--

Too far gone to hear you.

I'm sorry, marshal.

We've had everybody in town
looking for him.

Well, you did your best.

I know what you think of us,
and well, we deserve it.

But I want to tell you,
if you decide to let Vern go,

we'll do our best to help you
track him down again.

Thanks.

We'll talk about that later.

Right now I think
you better get out of here.

If Clint sees you...

Let him.

Good luck, marshal.

VERN: No sense stalling now,
marshal.

Come on!
Open up!

Roll out the red carpet.

Won't be long now.

Wonder how McGary
is taking it.

Yeah, wonder
what old Jethroe and Rafferty

are doing over there.

After we get Vern out,

maybe we'd better
have a talk with Rafferty,

get ourselves
a new justice of the peace.

Have a drink.

No, I'm not one
for much of this.

You're going to
tie in with us,

you're gonna have to learn
to hold your whiskey.

You are coming in,
ain't you?

Well, I could do worse,
I guess.

Worse?

You couldn't hardly
do no better.

You've been with McGary,
you ever see anybody else
put one over on him?

Put one ov--

You mean
you don't have the doc?

Sure, sure, I got the doc.

Well, you better get him
here awful quick

if you're gonna go through
with your deal.

I can hammer that deal


I don't welsh on
no deal, not me.

Of course,
after Vern's free and clear,

now that's something
else again.

Look, I don't take kindly to
having my brother locked up

in a jail wagon
and he don't either.

I wouldn't be surprised
if he's got something
real choice

cooked up for McGary.

Especially since it's just
he and driver left.

Clint, see what time it is.

Yeah, yeah, keep your shirt on,
I'll tell you when.

Everybody wants to be boss.

What's the matter with you?

All of a sudden,
I don't feel so good.

Come on,
you ain't had that much.

Yeah, I know, but I...

I got...Where are you going?

Outside.
I got to get some air.

Air?

Slater, take him out back.

No, it's, it's all right.
I...

Just want to make sure,
Reb.

I may get drunk sometimes,
but never careless.

Now hurry up,
you'll miss the whole show.

Hey, Reb,
what were you raised on?

Sugar water?

Oh, I got to sit down.

Got to sit down.

Now come on, Reb.

You ain't that sick.

Hey, Reb.

Hey, Reb!

CLINT: Ragan.

Ragan!

Yeah, what do you want?

Time's up.

I'm going out there.
Keep your eyes on me.

When I signal you,
you bring down the doc,

but not before.

Right.

All right, Ragan.

Hold it.

Don't you even breathe.

Just the way you are,
nice and natural,

and get away
from that window.

Just like I thought,
a double-cross.

I played it straight
with Clint

until I found out
just how straight he plays,

like a corkscrew.

Get over against that wall.

McGary, it's 5:00,
how about it?

Don't turn around,
there's nothing for you to see.

You said
you'd bring the doctor.

When I see Vern
walk through that door

and not a second before.

All right, Patches,
bring him out.

REB: No!

Don't do it, Branch!

I've got the doctor up here--

Why, you dirty--

Drop those g*ns.

You're under arrest.

Take it easy, Jess.

What's going on?Nothing for you
to worry about.

It's just Branch and Reb
teaching some cowboys

a few manners.

Hang on, please, please, Jess.

Come on, doc, hurry up.

Get over to the jail,
quick.

Thought you didn't like
fighting with your hands tied.

Well, it's better than
not fighting at all, I guess.

But on the side
of the law, huh?

I can stand it if you can.

I was hoping
you'd see it that way, Reb.

Slim!
Aunt Daisy!

Slim, come quick!

Look!

What kind of
a contraption is that?

It's a traveling jail.

They call it
a tumbleweed wagon.Tumbleweed?

Yeah, 'cause it's always
on the move

picking up law breakers.

Why is it coming here?

I don't know.

This the Sherman ranch?That's right.

Branch McGary,
territorial marshal.

I've brought a...

You're not bringing
a criminal here.

Yes, ma'am.

He's awful dangerous,

but I'm afraid I'm going to
have to leave him here.

Now wait a minute.

Jess.

Oh, no.

Slim, Daisy, Mike.

JESS: Well, what's the matter?
Aren't you glad to see me?