03x05 - Hillary

[bunniefuu]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[Orville] 'I'll tell you, boys, I ain't never spent no scarier time'

'in all my born days.'

So there we was.

Just me and Ol' Kit Carson

hunkered down behind a pile of rocks

and them Apaches are swarmin' everywhere around us.

'And that ain't all.'

'We was runnin' low on ammunition.'

And water too.

We was cleaned down to our last swallowin' our last canteen.

'I seen my whole life a-flashin' before me'

''cause I know that we didn't have us'

'more than a minute or two to live.'

'Wasn't only pinned down by them redskins'

'but they, they had went'

'and run off our horses and pack mules too.'

Oh, you're makin' all that up, ain't you, Sheriff Gant?

Now, what makes you say a thing like that, Alfy?

Because you said that them Apache were Mimbres.

Mimbres would've never been that far north.

Did I say Mimbres?

Tsk! If that ain't the limit.

It must've been a slip of the tongue.

What I meant to say was Chiricahuas.

Let the sheriff finish tellin' what happened.

Thank you, William. Alright, now.

With that sun beatin' down the way it was

and them arrows are flyin' by thicker than toothpicks

we know we couldn't hold out for long.

[horses trotting]

Come on, Sheriff Gant, what happened then?

Wha-what do you think happened?

There we was, outnumbered, ten to one.

Out of water, half starved.

And I hate to admit this, but them Apaches got us right there.

Took both of our scalps

and went back to their teepees to celebrate.

'Now that hurt my pride real bad.'

Fact is, I was ashamed to show my face in town

till my hair growed back.

[all booing]

Yeah?

Now, I want you fellers to get goin'.

I don't want your mamas to blamin' me

for makin' you late for school.

- We got plenty of time. - Do like I tell you, Alfy.

Right now, go on.

Isn't Art a little slow openin' up this mornin', Mrs. Bogsley?

Oh, he spoke through the window just a few minutes ago.

Said it would be just a moment.

Yeah, a man'd get old waitin'

on one of Art's moments.

[laughs]

Art? Art?

[Art] 'Alright, hold your horses. I hear ya.'

Oh.

What's the matter, sheriff?

Couple of men, bet on some easy money.

- What? - No time to stand. Let me in.

Orville, tell me what you mean?

And of course, many a times the general store

simply does not carry a full display..

Mornin', Mrs. Bogsley.

Well, Art, I thought you up and died.

Mornin'.

Oh, Mrs. Bogsley, I just want to talk to you

for a moment about that claim your brother put in for.

Orville, what are you doin' here?

Oh, uh, just helpin' Mr. Kingsley out

while Bob's on vacation.

Uh, can I help you, sir?

- Need some change. - Just helpin' out?

Willie, I'll explain it to you later.

There's one, two, three--

Oh, who's takin' over for you down at the jail, Orville?

Your deputy?

[dramatic music]

Four and five. There you are, sir.

[dramatic music]

You better think about it, mister.

'You goin' for that g*n's'

only gonna make one man happy.

That's the man the town's gonna have to pay to bury you.

[g*nsh*t]

Well..

[horse galloping]

[Orville] Looks like your partner flew the coop on you.

- He's what? - Yeah!

You stand easy now.

Alright, now..

...let's move on out and see if we can put a name to that he.

Sheriff, you suppose maybe there's some way

we could make us a little deal?

Oh, sure, we can make us a deal.

You shut up and I'll rest my ears.

How's that? Alright, just move on in there.

Go ahead.

Go in there. That ought to be wee big enough for you.

You ain't interested in talkin' to me at all?

- Huh? - Talk about what?

About that yellow-livered kid that ran out on me.

Oh, him.

No, I don't wanna talk about him.

Supposin' you start off with his name.

- Said to call him Bodine. - What's his first name?

Well, I don't know his whole name

or even where he let out to.

But I can tell you somethin'

just might interest you a little.

Yeah, what's that?

He k*lled a territorial judge, that's what.

Last year, down in New Mexico.

[laughing]

It'd sure be a big feather in a lawman's cap

that caught a judge k*ller, now, wouldn't it?

Where was that in New Mexico?

Down at Las Mesas.

The one that got a b*llet in the back.

And that's all I'm tellin' ya..

...till I know we got us a little deal goin' here.

Circuit judge ain't due in here for a week.

I can't talk for him now.

I could put in a word at your trial.

[laughing]

No, no.

No, I ain't bargainin' away nothin' till I know for certain

that the judge himself is gonna shave a little bit of my time.

[dramatic music]

[laughing]

Luke!

'Luke!'

I got a telegram from Jimson's Break

from Sheriff Orville Gant.

I was in the office when it came in. Here.

What is it, Luke?

"Have information.

"k*ller Judge Rensen's Stop.

"Come Jimson's Break as soon as possible.

'Signed, Orville Gant."'

Judge Rensen?

I better saddle up.

People don't still think that Luke had anything

to do with that k*lling?

It doesn't matter what they think, Aunt Molly.

Luke figures you can't get a fair trial in Las Mesas.

Not till somebody down there comes up with a clue

as to who did sh**t Judge Rensen.

Oh, my!

What is it, Laura?

Oh, it's Hillary.

Luke hasn't written to her in ages.

He's gonna have a lot of explaining to do

when he gets to Jimson's Break.

More pie, father?

No, thank you, pumpkin.

- Clay? - No, thank you, dear.

It's time I was gettin' home to bed.

Once we're married you'll find that the day begins

at the crack of dawn on a workin' ranch.

[chuckles] Oh, is that so, Clay?

I expect once you're married you're gonna find out

Hillary's day starts long after

she's catchin' that second wink.

Somewhere betwixt 9:00 and 10:00.

Well, of course, now..

Father's only jokin', Clay.

Why, I love the sunrise.

Really, I do.

I've always found it, well..

...inspirational.

'Now, have some more coffee, father.'

And quit teasin' Clay now, won't you?

Ah!

[chuckles] I've learned to overlook your father's

sense of humor, Hillary.

I'm afraid he and I just don't see eye-to-eye

on a lot of things.

At least you're right about that, Clay.

For instance, Sunday Services.

'In fact, Reverend Holmes'

is hopin' that once Hillary and I are married

I'll be able to influence you to attend, Orville.

Oh, he is, is he?

Let me tell you something, that parson's thick in the head

if he don't know by now that his Sunday Services

get in the way of my fishin'.

Father.

First things first, I say.

Well, we'll see about that, Orville.

We'll just see.

Now, before I go, I've got a little surprise for everyone.

Oh, a surprise. Clay, what kind of surprise?

Well, it has occurred to me that you're not

gettin' any younger, Orville.

'It's time you were lookin' ahead to retirement.'

Just hold on there, Clay!

What the devil you talkin' about?

Just this.

After the wedding, and the honeymoon, of course

'I'm gonna build a little house'

right there on the ranch for you.

[Orville] Retirement, my foot!

As long as you're fixin' up my future for me

why don't you go on down yonder to graveyard

and pick me out a plot too!

[door shuts]

I'm, uh, sorry, Hillary.

I didn't intend to--

[Hillary] 'Oh, it's alright, Clay.'

You meant well.

I'll just have to have a little talk with my father.

That's all.

Supper was excellent, dear.

Oh, thank you, Clay.

And...it's always interesting to talk to your father.

Oh, by the way, Hillary, I told Mrs. Holmes

you'll be joining the Guiding Light Society.

Uh, the Guiding Light?

Oh, uh, Clay, thank you

but I don't believe I belong, why..

Those ladies, well, they are quite a bit older and--

Hillary, those are the wives

of the most substantial men of the town.

And as my wife, you'll be expected to be a member.

I may have mentioned, Constance was chairman of the society

the year before she died.

Yes, I do believe you did mention that once or twice.

Oh, Clay, I do hope I won't be expected to follow

in her footsteps precisely.

[chuckles] Of course not, my dear.

Constance was a truly remarkable wife.

Yes, I'm sure she was.

I'm sorry, I..

I only meant that she had a capacity for handling

both social and civic affairs with ease.

Of course, I understand.

I'm afraid even I couldn't fill

Constance's footsteps in that respect.

But the society is an important part of my career, Hillary.

They're meeting tomorrow at 2:00 in the rectory.

Mrs. Holmes is very anxious to have you attend.

Clay.

Goodbye.

Bye.

[instrumental music]

Orville?

Orville!

- Afternoon. - Afternoon.

Lookin' for Sheriff Gant.

Oh, he's, uh, stepped out for some supper.

Much obliged.

[instrumental music]

Pa, now supper was the last straw..

Hello, Hillary.

Luke.

What're you doin' here?

Orville sent for me. Didn't he tell you?

He sent for you?

I should've known.

And I know why he did.

He figures we'll just pick right up where we left off.

Oh, that man will do anythin'

to keep me from marryin' Clay Hollingsworth.

Marryin'?

You're gettin' married?

Now, don't give me that look, Macahan.

Just tell me one thing.

Just tell me how much he had to pay you

to get you to come back here?

'Cause I figure money is about all that would've done it.

He didn't have to pay me anything.

Fact is the telegram he sent me

didn't even mention you or gettin' married.

- It didn't? - No, it didn't.

And who'd you say you were marryin'?

[sighing] I figure that's none of your business.

I figure I have a right to know.

A right?

I'd like to know just what right after a whole year?

That's not fair, Hillary.

I wrote you.

Oh. I've forgotten you certainly did.

You certainly did, two whole letters.

Why, Luke, I hope you didn't get writer's cramp

with all that penmanship.

Now you just hold on.

A lot of things have happened since then.

'I-I think you ought to at least give me a chance to explain.'

[Orville whistling]

Uh-oh.

So you sent for him, did you?

Now, pumpkin, there's a reason.

Maybe there is, pa.

But there couldn't be a reason good enough

for you not tellin' me he was a-comin'.

Pardon my askin', Orville.

But why didn't you tell Hillary you sent for me?

She, uh, told you about the wedding, did she?

More or less.

Well, the way I figured there was no guarantee

that I could get word to you.

Or even if I did, whether you could come.

'So, I just thought if you couldn't come'

'it'd be better all the way around for Hillary'

'if she didn't know.'

Bein' engaged and all.

You don't sound too tickled about this wedding.

No. I ain't.

But then I ain't too tickled about havin'

to bring you back here neither.

Dang it, Luke.

Couldn't you just have wrote her now and again

or come back once?

You think I didn't want to, Orville?

You think I didn't care?

Here look at these.

Here's every letter that your daughter ever wrote to me.

I've read 'em over and over so many times

you can hardly read the words anymore.

'I just, I just didn't think it fair, Orville, for me'

to sit there writin' her, tellin' her

how much I loved her, how much I missed her.

And all the while knowin' that I can't offer her a thing

until I get out from under these charges hangin' over me.

Now you yourself sent me packin' 'cause you didn't want her

gettin' hitched to a man who was starting

to be called a gunslinger.

I know, boy.

But that still don't change the size of the mess we're in.

Now it ain't that this Hollingsworth

ain't a decent man.

But he's got about as much humor

as a...dead gopher.

Then why is she marryin' him?

Truth is I think she's doin' it to spite you.

The longer she went without gettin' a letter from you

the madder she got.

When she finally got mad enough she went out

and latched on to this Hollingsworth so fast

it made everybody's head swim.

I can't say I blame her, Orville.

God knows I love her.

'But until I find the man who shot Judge Rensen'

people are still gonna be believin' that I did it.

Well, Luke, maybe the answer to everybody's problem

is right in here.

'His name is Travers.'

[instrumental music]

Seems like you two fellas need Ol' Waddie Travers.

Just as much as he needs you.

[laughing]

[dramatic music]

[laughing]

Oh, your town hotel

sure turns out some first class grub, sheriff.

Now, Waddie, if you don't start to talkin'

in just about two shakes, I'm addin' on a charge

of blackmail for wanglin' me out of a fancy meal.

'Now, as much as I don't like watchin' a man talk'

while he's eatin', you better get started right now.

Where'd you meet up with this feller who calls himself Bodine?

Uh, at a saloon up in Centerville.

'Told me he's up from a place called Herndon.'

'Kid bought me a drink when he found out'

I just got out of Dakota jail.

Now, that's just a little misunderstanding

I got into up there.

'You see, I didn't quite have this'

proper bill of sale from a stranger

that sold me his little blue room.

[Orville] 'Alright, now he bought you a drink'

told you his name was Bodine, and then what?

[Waddie] 'Well, the kid liked to talk, you know.'

Got loud with a couple of beers in him.

He told me that he got real mad at this judge down at Las Mesas.

So, he snucked back into town one night

just laid him away.

- Go on. - Well, that's it.

That's it? Waddie, you ain't told us nothin' here yet.

Nothin'? I just told you how he k*lled a judge.

'The kid's name's Bodine.'

'He comes from somewhere around Herndon.'

'Now what more do you want?'

This Bo fella said

he laid the judge away.

He say he shot him?

Yeah. Sure, he shot him.

Well, didn't he say anythin' else, like why he did it?

No, except that he almost got caught leavin' the house.

Almost got caught?

Yeah. Seems like nobody heard the shot.

'But as he's leavin' the house, a dog started barkin'.'

'A man came out to hush it up.'

[dog barking]

[Luke] Yeah, there was a dog barking that night at me too.

After I left the house when I found the judge's body.

Sounds like his partner's the one

who k*lled Judge Rensen, alright.

Yeah, Waddie here hisself knowing so much about it.

I'm just tellin' you what I know, sheriff.

And hopin' you catch that kid and stick it to him

for runnin' out on me.

Sheriff..

What's it been worth to you? Me talkin' and all.

[Orville] 'I told you, the judge said'

'that he'd go light on you if you'd cooperate.'

Well, I'll tell you what it's gonna be worth

if we find out you're good at spinnin' fancy yarns.

'Another hotel bought meal on the taxpayers'

right after I convince the judge

he oughta make bank robbin' a hangin' offense.

[dramatic music]

[knock on door]

Hillary?

Pumpkin, I think we oughta have a talk.

Not tonight, pa. Please?

'Just thought you'd like to know'

'Luke's got a line on the man'

'that k*lled Judge Rensen.'

'Reckon he'll be goin' after him.'

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

If you'd please. Ah, thank you. Ahem.

Now, before we settle down to business

I feel we should make welcome our newest member.

The future Mrs. Clay Hollingsworth.

Hillary Gant.

Daughter of our courageous sheriff.

[applauding]

Is there anything you'd like to say to the ladies, Hillary?

[exhales]

[chuckles]

Uh, not at the moment, thank you.

I'll just sit back and listen if I may.

Oh, well then, let me just assure everyone

that I feel certain

that Hillary will do her very best

to live up to the high standards of community service.

Always, exemplified in this organization.

[clearing throat]

Oh, but Hillary, as long as you are joining our circle

perhaps you'd have a word with your father

and see if you can bring him closer to the church.

Oh, Mrs. Holmes, I'm afraid my father is about as close

to the church as he's likely to ever get.

[Mrs. Holmes laughing]

'Well, I certainly know your meaning, my dear.'

Orville is such a colorful character.

Uh, but many of us do feel that he doesn't always set a..

...proper example.

Example?

[scoffs] Oh, Mrs. Holmes, the town doesn't pay him

to set an example, it pays him to keep the peace.

- 'And he does that very well.' - Yes, yes.

Well, possibly I chose the wrong word there

and I am sorry.

I would just ask you

'to remind your father'

a widower and certainly in the prime of his life

that in the church we also have ladies who have been widowed.

And also in their prime, we might add.

[Mrs. Holmes clears throat] 'No, Mrs. Appleton.'

'No, I just want to point out to Hillary'

the many social advantages that our church offers.

But-but I really feel we must get on

with the business at hand.

'Uh, the first item on the agenda today'

'is the replacement.'

'The fund drive for a replacement'

'of the church organ.'

'Not that the organ has completely'

'outlived it's usefulness.'

But, uh, we all know it's on its last legs.

Ah, you'll excuse the expression.

And I would like to roll the meeting open now

'to suggestions, so that we can have'

the best fundraising

uh, spree ever.

'Mary Ellen Wilcox has agreed'

'to head the fund drive.'

'And she has already come up with the idea of a raffle.'

'The prize perhaps being a livestock..'

- At 2 o' clock, now, my dear. - I shan't fail you.

[instrumental music]

[exhales sharply]

[clears throat]

I trust your nap was refreshing, Hillary.

Oh!

Oh, I am truly sorry, Mrs. Holmes.

But I just didn't sleep a wink all last night.

Hmm, that does happen.

Yes, you see, this boy I knew came into town

and all last night I..

Yes?

Well, you see, it's difficult to explain.

I'm sure it is.

Well...Luke Macahan!

Now before you start throwin' things

I just stopped by to apologize about yesterday.

Apologize?

As far as I remember, you were never too good

at apologies. Or goodbyes, either.

Now, will you just listen to me, Hillary?

This may be the last time we'll be seein' each other

and I didn't wanna leave with a fight between us.

[instrumental music]

Oh, Luke.

Maybe I'm the one that owes you an apology.

Pa told me why he sent for you and..

...and I hope everything works out, I really do.

I hope so too.

And about your weddin'..

...I wish you all the happiness.

Thank you.

- Well, I-- - 'Listen..'

Why don't you come in the kitchen and tell me

what you've been doing these past months.

- While I start supper. - Uh, no.

I-I think I'd better be goin' on.

Oh, now, now, don't be silly, Luke.

We're both grown-up people.

The past is the past.

Well, there's no reason in the world why two friends

can't get together and have a little talk.

Come on.

[instrumental music]

Well, now, Luke..

Tell me, what are your plans?

Thanks to Orville, I got a lead on the man I'm after.

And I'll be pullin' out today.

Today? This soon?

Well, I guess you can't afford to let any grass grow

under your feet now, can you?

Which way will you be headed?

Back to Wyoming Territory.

And if Orville's right, the only place

he could've crossed over is Herndon Pass.

Look, tell me something about your, uh, lucky fella.

Clay?

Oh, well, I don't know.

- He's a widower. - A widower?

Oh, then he's on the older side.

Not that much older.

Oh.

He happens to be very well off.

He owns five sections of grazing land

'and leases three more.'

He's very well thought of in town and..

...people have been sayin' that in five years or so

he'll be governor of this territory.

Alright, so he's a big man.

You don't have to build him up to me.

Build him up?

What a nerve!

Yes, Clay Hollingsworth is a big man.

In fact he could make two of you with change left over.

Oh, well, if that's the way it is

how come your pa looks about half-sick

every time his name comes up, huh?

[sighs]

I'm sorry. I didn't have any call to say that.

And I meant it when I said I, I wished you happiness.

[instrumental music]

I'm sorry too, Luke.

You know, the funny thing is

we never really could last ten minutes

without fightin' over somethin'.

[sighs]

Here let me help you.

[instrumental music]

I'll tell you what.

Let's just change the whole subject, huh?

I've heard all I wanna hear about your fiance.

Alright.

Why don't you tell me about your family

and all about the new home.

The ranch?

I think you'd like it.

There's big mountains all around.

'Plenty of good water and grass.'

'Best horse country you can find.'

Well, we're startin' off kind of small now.

Only runnin' 40 or so head.

Well, we figure if we can get about

two or three good years ahead..

Oh, Luke, would you please shut up and kiss me?

[music continues]

Oh, Luke, what am I gonna do?

I don't know.

If you had only asked me to wait.

You know how much I want to.

But I got no right to do it.

I don't know how long this wanted poster

is gonna be hangin' over me, until I get rid of it, and..

[clears throat]

I didn't aim to butt in.

I was just goin', Orville.

[music continues]

Thanks for everything, Orville.

Luke.

[music continues]

'Hillary.'

You know, I never exactly kicked up my heels

over the prospects of havin' Clay Hollingsworth

for a son-in-law.

Oh, he's an honorable enough man, I reckon.

He sure is a pompous a*s sometimes.

I know, pa.

Now, I, uh, I sent for Luke to come back here.

I knowed what might happen, so it's, uh, part my fault.

Oh, no.

No, pa.

It wasn't your fault.

W-what I'm gettin' around to is

if you ain't decided for sure about marryin' Clay

I think you oughta just up and tell him so right now.

What kind of woman would I be, pa?

To promise myself to Clay

and when an old beau shows up for me to take back my promise.

I mean, what with Luke headed right off again.

You know, only a fool

gets in the way of a young girl's heart.

And I'm fool enough in other ways

without addin' to it.

So, I ain't gonna offer you no advice at all.

Not even a little dab of it.

Pa..

I love you.

[music continues]

I can't.

I just can't.

[music continues]

Clay, I was just on my way up to your ranch

to have a talk with you.

I'm so glad I ran into you because there's somethin'

I think we really ought to discuss.

I was just on my way into town.

- To have a talk with you. - Oh?

I heard about the Guiding Light meeting.

Mrs. Holmes is quite upset that you slept

through the entire meeting.

Oh, Clay, I truly am sorry.

Hillary, I tried to make you understand

how important the society is.

You offended the wives of most of my friends

and business associates.

That can't happen again.

- Oh, it can't? - 'You know my plans.'

Both business and political.

Unpredictability is part of your charm

but as my wife, I must ask you to remember

the impression that you make upon people.

Oh, I see.

You mean like play actin'.

Sayin' things that I don't really mean.

It's called putting one's best foot forward.

'And I must ask you to promise me right now'

that from this moment on, you'll always conduct yourself

with a decorum that..

...well, that Mrs. Holmes might use on any occasion.

Promise?

Why, Clay, I hope you're not

threatenin' to break off our engagement

if I'm not able to make such a promise.

Well, that would be a drastic ultimatum, wouldn't it?

No.

I understand the fairness of your decision.

Just as it wouldn't be fair if I were to make you a promise

that I couldn't keep.

Hillary, I was only tryin' to make you aware

of the importance of appropriate behavior.

There may be a governorship in the offering.

And the governor's wife must be a model of rectitude.

I understand.

It's a difficult moment.

Well, Clay..

I hope we can still continue to be friends.

Friends?

'I do hope so, Hillary.'

Fine then, Clay.

Thank you.

'Forgive me if I hurry back home'

but it's a difficult time.

You know, a girl must..

...be alone at a time like this.

[sighs]

[instrumental music]

Yahoo!

[theme music]

[instrumental music]

Afternoon.

How far do I gotta go to get to Herndon?

Oh, about a day and a half, once you cross the river.

How much is that gonna cost me?

- 50 cents. - 50 cents?

Uh.. Seems kind of high.

Well, swim your animal across for free.

I might do that.

But I'll bet you, young fella

that you'll get yourself flanked deep out in that snow melt.

Why, 50 cents ain't gonna sound so outrageous.

- 'Snowmelt?' - Well, you know..

That water's so cold, the fish get chills.

'But then, sometimes'

'why, t-there's this terrible undertow out there.'

Why, it's been known to suck a man down like a pill.

[chuckling] Alright.

Alright, you convinced me.

Well, that's good thinkin', young fella.

You won't regret it.

Luke! Luke! Wait a minute!

Wait for me! Luke!

Hillary?

That a friend of yours?

Yeah, somethin' like that.

Well, she get your back to the wall there, son.

You're gonna have to face the music.

Hillary, what are you doin' here?

I thought I'd never catch up with you.

Catch up with me? But, but why?

Well, you could at least act like

you're a little pleased to see me.

Well, I am glad. I-I am.

But I-I thought, you know, the weddin' an' all.

Oh, Luke, there isn't gonna be any more weddin'.

- It's all off. - It's off?

You mean, you're not gonna get married?

- Oh, that's wonderful! - Oh! Oh-h*-h*.

Whoo-hoo-hoo.

Now I can go with you, Luke.

Oh! Uh..

I suppose it's gonna cost me another 50 cents.

Oh, well, now it ought to, young feller. It truly should.

'I mean, them's my prices.'

'Bu-but I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.'

Uh, seen as you two, uh

sort of package, so to speak

I'll let the little lady ride along for, uh

just two bits extra.

[chuckles]

That's mighty generous of you.

'Now you listen to me, Hillary, nothin' has changed.'

You understand that?

I still gotta find this Bodine fella

if I'm gonna clear up..

If I'm gonna clear up what happened in Las Mesas.

'And what about your pa? What's he gonna think about all this?'

Oh, Luke.

What're you tryin' to say to me?

[Luke] 'I'm sayin' if I had any sense at all'

'I wouldn't let you go with me.'

Luke Macahan, either I'm goin' with you right now

or I'm ridin' back home and I never wanna see you again!

[instrumental music]

Well, let me tell you somethin', Luke Macahan.

Last time I let you ride off I..

...didn't see you again for 18 months.

I don't intend to make that mistake again.

Now, what about Orville?

He's gonna be worried sick. You know that, don't you?

Well, I wrote him a note explainin' everything.

Oh! That's gonna make him feel just fine

to know that you ran off to help me run down a k*ller.

[sighs]

Well, he's gonna have to get used to it.

And the reason you left him a note

was you knew what he'd say

if you asked his permission.

And on top of that..

...what about the fact that we are not married?

'You know what he's gonna think about that.'

The reasons we're not married, Luke, are mostly yours.

Why, if you were to ask my opinion, I..

[sighs]

Well, the answer to your question I..

...I suppose he'll just think we're livin' in sin.

[rope creaking]

Well, let him think what he likes.

It won't really be.

Oh?

Well, do you have any more objections?

[sighs] Nope.

I know when I'm whipped.

[chuckles] Besides, I might be able to help you.

[Luke] 'Oh, sure.'

Well, I might.

And just how do you figure that?

[Hillary] 'I don't rightly know offhand'

but I haven't been a sheriff's daughter

for all these years for nothin'.

Hillary Gant, either you promise to leave the manhuntin' to me

or I will send you back.

End of the line.

[panting]

[pants]

[groans] Easy now

till I let the ramp down. Ugh..

[sighs]

[groaning]

Hold 'em tight now, sometimes they get a little skittish.

The ramp moves while we're on it.

There you go.

Well, thanks a lot, mister.

But I wanna tell you somethin'.

I still think 75 cents is an awful lot of money.

Well, you know you're right, son.

It's highway robbery.

'I ought to be ashamed of myself.'

I tell you what, you keep your money.

- What? - No, you keep your money.

I tell you, I've had m-more entertainment from you two

than I've had in last six months.

[laughing]

Alright now. You have good luck with that little lady.

''Cause I tell you, sounds to me like you're gonna need it.'

She's a handful.

[laughing]

'That's like I said, Herndon's Meadow.'

A day and a half down the trail.

'Good luck to you, to you both!'

[laughing]

[instrumental music]

And I knew until I cleared up that mess down south

I couldn't come for you.

And there was so much to do at home.

And gettin' the new place started.

You could've written more.

Yeah, I should've I guess.

It seems every time I sat down to

just...more excuses came up.

I would've been happy for excuses, Luke.

Anything that had your name signed to it.

And when I didn't hear from ya..

[sighs] I can't explain it.

You can't possibly understand

how it is for a girl to be lookin' forward

to bein' an old maid.

[chuckles] An old maid?

[chuckles]

I've never admitted it.

Not even to pa.

But I was scared to death.

[music continues]

Are you scared now?

No.

[Hillary sighs]

[music continues]

No, Luke.

I meant it when I said we weren't gonna be livin' in sin.

I know you did.

And I respect you for it.

[sighs]

We're not gonna live there.

Maybe we can just visit now and then.

[sighs]

Oh, Luke.

[both chuckle]

[Luke chuckles]

How do you know for sure Bodine passed through here

if he came this way at all?

I don't. Figure the best I can hope for is another lead.

If he did come through here and talked the way he did

to Waddie Travers, folks won't be forgettin' him for a while.

Well, let's get ourselves a room.

Then I'll go see what I can find out.

A room?

[sighs]

Why, Luke, I hope you're not suggestin'

we pretend we're married.

You got any better ideas?

As a matter of fact, I do.

My name's Clara Asmin, ma'am.

This is my brother Samuel.

We will require separate rooms, of course.

Do you have anything available?

Uh, how many nights will you be stayin'?

- Sam? - Eh, just tonight...Clara.

I'll get our gear.

My heavens! He does seem to be in a snit.

[sighs] It comes and goes.

Hmm, I see.

And this is room number six.

This'll be your room, my dear.

Connects with number five, your brother's room

right through here.

Uh, that lock is broken.

Ah, of course that doesn't matter to you.

Ah. Have a pleasant stay, folks.

Alright, thank you, ma'am.

[Luke sighs]

Luke Macahan.

If I didn't know better I'd say you planned this.

Who me?

[sighs]

[snoring]

[clears throat]

[sighs] I, uh, hope I didn't disturb your sleep there, sheriff.

Well, you did.

But I shouldn't have dozed off in the first place.

This damn paperwork puts me to sleep every time.

What can I do for you, young man?

Uh, I'm lookin' for a feller that might've passed

through here about a week or so ago.

Name of Bodine.

'Fair complexion.'

Real hard-nosed.

Fancies himself a hand with a g*n.

Are you sure about the name?

Yeah.

[Daniels] 'I can think of somebody'

maybe fittin' that description.

Fancyin' himself a g*n-hand.

Heh, he calls himself Bowdin.

Bowdin.

Could be pronounced that way I guess.

Tell me somethin'.

What do you want with him?

Uh, it's personal.

You ain't lookin' to do him no violence?

No, sir.

No, sir, I just wanna talk to him.

Well, maybe this Bowdin's your man.

He kinda fits the description.

He swaggers around with a strapped-down g*n.

Him and his partner's holed up in a little shack

just north of town.

Obliged to you, sheriff.

Piece of advice.

Hmm.

Don't go surprise him up there.

Bowdin don't look like the kinda man

who'd enjoy a surprise.

[dramatic music]

[Luke sighs] 'Now then, that must be it.'

Well, come on. Let's go.

You're not goin' anywhere.

Now wait right here until I get back.

But, Luke..

The sheriff said this Bowdin could be dangerous.

Now, you do as I say or I'm gonna take you

right back to town.

[exhales] Oh, alright.

[sighs] And stay outta sight.

Come on.

[intense music]

Hello! Anybody home?

What do you want?

[Luke] 'Heard a fella named Bowdin lives here.'

'Like to talk to him.'

What about?

[Luke] 'You Bowdin?'

Some trouble in Las Mesas a while back.

Down in New Mexico territory. Judge got himself shot.

I heard you might know somethin' about that.

Could be I do, could be I don't.

You the law maybe?

[chuckles] Nope.

The fact is I'm sorta on the run myself.

Why should I believe that?

Well..

...maybe 'cause I said so.

Let's say you ain't lyin'

what is this judge to you?

Oh, nothin' much.

Except I did a stretch in Las Mesas jail

thanks to that judge.

I just wanna say I'm obliged

to the man who shot him, that's all.

If I was you, I'd ride on.

I never been to Las Mesas

and I don't know anythin' about your judge.

It's an interestin' story, though.

It gets more interesting.

Does it?

[Luke] 'Yeah.'

'You see, what I heard was that, uh'

you were braggin' in a saloon

how you were the one who did the killin'.

Any truth in that?

You're really askin' for it, ain't you, friend?

[g*nsh*t]

[scoffs] You're edgy, ain't ya?

I just want answers, friend.

- Andy? - I'm on him, Frank.

'Well, don't fire. I don't want that colt of his goin' off'

considerin' where it's aimed.

It's like a stand-off, mister.

If you'll just back on out we'll forget all about it.

[dramatic music]

[uncocks g*n]

You don't even know for sure

if this is the man you're after, Luke.

And to go back there tonight.

I'm sure enough to know I wanna talk to him again.

But, Luke, there are two of them.

I saw what they're like and they're gonna try to k*ll ya.

[sighs] You know

that's exactly why I waited 'til dark.

Now, don't worry, I'm gonna be alright.

Oh! Don't worry. Don't worry.

You say you're gonna get yourself k*lled

and you're telling me not to worry?

You know it's downright assuring to know

how much confidence you have in me.

[Hillary sighs]

Luke.

[exhales]

Listen to me.

'What if we were to tell the sheriff'

'the truth about everything?'

They'd have to arrest Bowdin.

If we go to the sheriff and tell him the truth

the first person he is gonna arrest is me.

Now, I told you when we started, leave the manhuntin' to me.

Luke, I'm not gonna let you go back there.

Well, you don't have anythin' to say about it.

Now will you get that through your head?

I don't have anythin' to say about it, huh?

[Luke] 'No.'

[sighs]

[exhales]

[screaming] Help! r*pe!

He's tryin' to r*pe me! Help!

Help! I'm bein' attaaaa..

What're you doin'?

I told you!

You're not goin' back there, Luke.

[screaming] He tore my clothes off! Help me!

- He.. - Shh.

- Ow! - 'Mm..'

Ahh.

You take your hands off that girl, you m-monster.

Hillary, tell her it's all a joke.

I mean it, Hillary. Tell her it's a joke.

[panting] I think I'm gonna faint.

Oh.

[instrumental music]

Oh..

[Hillary] 'And then we came here and registered at the hotel.'

But Ms. Corwin said you registered

as brother and sister.

He forced me to, sheriff.

Would you wanna explain that to me, child?

You see, he's not my brother.

He just said that to explain why we were travelin' together.

And why was that?

Well, sheriff

I thought it'd be plainly obvious.

He abducted me.

Oh, sheriff, she is lyin' to ya.

She's lied about everythin' just to get me thrown in jail.

Oh, Hillary, if I ever get my ha..

[gasps] Uh, sheriff! You see he's crazy?

'He can't get out of there, can he?'

[Daniels] No.

Now, you just go get some rest.

I'll shut this one up.

Oh, thank you, sheriff.

I can't thank you enough for everythin'.

Now listen to me, sheriff.

There is not a word of truth in what she is sayin'.

Now..

...you listen to me.

One more word outta you, and I'm gonna tell the boys in town

what you tried to do to that little girl.

They keep a special knife honed down real sharp.

'Just to take care of a belly-crawlin' snake like you.'

[indistinct chatter]

- I'll take 20. - Get that out and get in now.

[male #1] Alright. Alright. Get in..

[clamoring]

[male #2] You get him this time.

[all cheering]

[clamoring]

Come on, I'm getting outta here.

[clamoring]

Whose next? I'm takin'..

- Ugh! - 'Alright.'

[indistinct chatter]

Come on, yeah!

[male #3] Go ahead, go ahead.

[clamoring]

[all cheering]

Alright.

[clamoring]

You wanna take me on, little lady?

[crowd laughing]

No. Thank you.

But I believe I've a proposition that might interest you.

- Ooh! - Whoo!

The lady here wants to make me a proposition.

[crowd laughing]

- Ha-ha-ha. - 'Whoa!'

- 'Whoa!' - 'Whoa!'

[laughing continues]

[instrumental music]

Luke! Luke!

'Luke!'

Hillary?

Up by the window.

Hillary. Uh..

[music continues]

- Who's that? - That's Herman.

- Herman? - I've hired him.

Hired him for what?

Howdy, partner.

Howdy.

Look, Hillary, I-I don't know what you got in mind

but this has gone far enough.

Now you gotta start tellin' people the truth.

I'm goin' to, Luke.

Just as soon as I find out if this Bowdin

is the one that shot Judge Rensen.

Now, what are you talkin' about?

[sighs] I'm gonna go out and visit this Bowdin.

And if he is the one, I'm going straight to the sheriff

and tell him the truth about everythin'.

Then he'd be forced to arrest Bowdin and set you free.

Now you just listen to me, Hilary Gant.

You cannot go out there. That Bowdin is dangerous.

I am quite aware of that, Luke.

Why do you think I've hired Herman here?

He's gonna be my bodyguard.

Bodyguard?

That's me.

I just came by to let you know so you wouldn't be worried and..

...it'll be over by mornin'. You'll be out.

Now, just try and be patient.

Hillary.

- Hillary, now-- - Shh.

- Hillary, come here. - Shh.

Hillary, you just wait 'til I get my hands on you.

[intense music]

What you got there, Herman?

Lady here wants to talk to you, Frank.

Frank? Now, Herman, I can count on you, can't I?

[Herman] 'Yes, ma'am. I'm workin' for you.'

'No question about that.'

What's your name?

Lucy. Lucy Ames.

Uh-huh! What do you wanna talk to me about, Lucy?

There was a man out here to see you earlier.

About a shootin' down at Las Mesas?

Yeah. Some kinda lawman I figure.

Me and Andy run him off.

Uh, why don't you step inside

where we can talk a little bit more private?

Ol' Herman there won't mind, will you, Herman?

Sorry, Frank, I can't let you do that.

Lady here hired me on to bodyguard her.

Oh, she did, did she?

How much did she pay you?

Five dollar gold piece.

Uh, what say I just...

..double that?

'And all you gotta do is ride back into town'

and buy yourself a drink.

That'll be Jim Dandy, Frank.

Now, hold on a minute, Herman.

What about me? I hired you first.

Sorry, ma'am. I got me a better job.

'Oh, here's your $5 back.'

Herman.

Now, shall we step inside?

You realize this could be considered abduction?

Abduction? Do you hear that, Andy?

Inviting a lady in for a chat and a little drink

I don't see how. Sit down.

Sit down, Lucy.

You see, I kind of do know about what went on

down there at Las Mesas.

Not that I had any part in it.

My name just happens to sound like Bodine.

I ain't him.

Then you might know who this k*ller is.

- 'Maybe.' - Where we can find this Bodine?

It seems to me like you wanna know pretty bad.

I figure if you wanna know bad enough

then maybe you and me can work a little trade.

[dramatic music]

Drink up, Lucy. Let's talk about it.

[indistinct chattering]

You got a visitor.

Hillary?

Orville? What are you doin' here?

Well, when I heard my daughter set out to hunt you down

'you out tryin' to hunt down an outlaw'

'I thought it might be smart to come after.'

Try to rattle some sense in her head.

Well, thank God you've come.

Don't start thankin' me yet, boy.

Sheriff here tells me he's arrested you

for attempted as*ault on a girl

fits the description of my daughter.

Believe me, Orville, I can explain everything.

I sure do hope so, son.

'Cause if you can't it's gonna put

a terrible strain on our friendship.

Gant, I still ain't sure I like this.

Don't worry, sheriff. I'll keep an eye peeled on him.

I still can't believe that little girl

wasn't tellin' the truth.

I promise you, if I find out she was

he's gonna wish you had him locked up back here again.

- Orville-- - No more talk, Luke.

I wanna see my daughter.

Now I have asked you both to let me go.

You're holdin' me against my will now.

- That is a felony. - A felony.

[chuckles]

Looks like we're in a lot of trouble, Andy.

I'm tired of listenin' to her, Frank.

Why don't we just get on with it?

You see, Lucy, Andy there'll take his fun wherever he can.

As for myself, I like my women friendly and cooperative.

Which is why I tried to work that little deal with you.

But I do like my women.

And I'm just about outta patience.

You listen to me.

The both of you.

Either of you lays a hand on me

you're gonna force me to go straight to the sheriff.

Well, you do that, Lucy.

I just think you oughta understand

the sheriff can't find his backside with both hands.

'Besides, Andy and me been thinkin' about movin' on.'

'We've been gettin' too many nosy visitors up here lately.'

Well..

...I guess you've left me no choice but to..

And get up! Move over there! Move it!

Now believe me, I know how to use this thing.

[c*ck g*n]

I believe you do.

But ain't gonna do you no good.

I'll sh**t.

I will.

[sighs] No, you won't.

'Cause it ain't loaded.

I was just about to clean it when you rode up.

Huh!

[laughing]

For an old man, you're pretty good with that thing.

Ain't no substitute for experience.

Pa! Luke!

Are you alright, huh?

Yes. I'm fine.

[Orville] Hillary.

I judge by the way you're hangin' on him

he didn't try to attack you at all.

No, pa.

[Orville] 'Well, then you got yourself'

a heap of explainin' to do.

And when I'm satisfied you can go into town

and repeat yourself to the sheriff.

I will, pa.

But, Luke, they know about the k*lling of Judge Rensen.

It's a man named Bodine.

Bodine?

[Hillary] 'And they know where he is.'

[instrumental music]

Why don't you go to blazes, old man.

[Orville] 'You know I can't understand you, boy.'

If you didn't have nothin' to do with that killin'

then what's it gonna hurt you to tell us about Bodine?

I got no call to help the law.

Your real name Wesley Bowdin?

Yeah, so?

It's got a right familiar sound.

I don't think we're gonna get anything

out of this mule head, Orville.

- No, he's gonna talk alright. - What makes you say that?

You see what I got back in my office is a Colorado warrant

that chargin' one Wesley Bowdin

with horse thievin' and other bad habits.

Old man, you're Colorado sheriff.

This is Wyoming. You're outta your jurisdiction.

You're right there, Wes.

But if I was to hogtie you across your saddle

and ride a day or two south

I'd be right back in my jurisdiction.

'And that there is a mighty uncomfortable way to travel.'

Are you gonna start talkin'

or are we gonna start headin' back for Jimson's Break?

I don't like the idea of one man blabbing on another.

But I don't see this kid's worth worryin' about.

Calls hisself Chris Bodine when he leaves home.

- But that ain't his real name. - Not when he's at home.

He lives out west of town on a farm with his family.

What is his real name?

Chris Jennings.

[instrumental music]

You two go on over by the hotel and wait for me.

I'll talk to Sheriff Daniels and join you in a minute.

- I'll go with you. - Oh, no.

He'll have to throw you back in jail again.

The fact is throw the two of you in jail

for wastin' his time.

I catch you yellin' out any more windows

I'm gonna give you somethin' to yell about.

Oh, Luke, it was just I was so scared for you.

[instrumental music]

You know somethin'? I've been thinkin'.

We're not far from our place. Maybe 60, 70 miles.

If things work out here maybe we should go there.

Luke, I know how much you must miss your family and all, but--

But what?

Well, I thought we could start thinkin' seriously

about gettin' married.

'Once your name got cleared with the law and all.'

Oh, you did?

Well, yes, I did.

Well, I've been thinkin' about that too.

What I figure is

and Molly'd like nothin' better

than to throw the biggest weddin'

in the history of the territory.

Oh, Luke, oh!

[both chuckling]

[instrumental music]

With the weddin' bein' at the Macahan Ranch

you think your sisters would be my bridesmaids?

Of course they would.

I'm so excited, I can hardly believe it.

I hear you're lookin' for me, Macahan.

[music continues]

My name's Chris Bodine.

[rattling]

Come to give myself up, sheriff.

That's Jennings.

I had to climb the fence, 'cause the gate was locked.

'I move into the house.'

'See him sittin' at the desk.'

He started to turn around.

That's when I pulled the trigger.

b*llet caught him in the back.

He was shot in the back alright.

It was kinda an accident.

He was turning around when I pulled the trigger.

I don't sh**t people in the back.

Against my principle.

Then what?

Then I got outta there.

'Anythin' else you wanna know?'

Yeah.

You told a man named Waddie Travers

that you were almost caught.

Oh, you mean the dog?

'Yeah. He set up yappin'.'

'Runnin' up and down the street just yappin' away.'

One thing I'm curious about, son.

Why'd you do it?

Sheriff asked you a question, Chris.

I have my reasons. But I ain't sayin'.

What can it matter if you tell us the reason?

Look, I ain't sayin'. Not to you. Not to anybody.

I'll arrange for an extradition hearin'.

What's ailin' you, Luke?

I'd thought you'd have been feelin' mighty good about now.

It's Chris' story.

Luke...what's wrong with it?

I don't know.

There is nothin' I can put my finger on.

Why won't he tell us why he did it?

I ain't got no answer for you, Luke.

All I know is human beings come in all different stripes.

Question is, Luke

do you have a good reason not to believe him?

No. I don't have a good reason.

Well, then, I think you two ought to start lookin' ahead

to your weddin' day.

[instrumental music]

[horse galloping]

There it is. Macahan Ranch.

- Oh, Luke, it's beautiful. - Yes, siree.

That's a right nice spread your family's got there, Luke.

Oh, Luke, suddenly I'm terribly nervous

about seein' your family again.

Oh, you got nothin' to worry about, honey.

They love you.

So do I.

Come on, you two. I smell some home-cookin' down there.

- Think of this-- - Oh, Jessie.

[instrumental music]

Aunt Molly, it's Luke!

[Jessie] He has Hillary and Sheriff Gant with him.

- Oh, Luke. - Hillary.

What a surprise.

- How good to see you. - Nice to see you, girls.

- Hello. - Yes, how are you?

Oh, Luke, Hillary. Welcome home.

[Molly] Welcome home, Luke.

[all chuckling]

What about Las Mesas?

It's all over.

They found Judge Rensen's k*ller

and he's locked up in Herndon.

Oh, that's wonderful news, Luke. Oh, what a happy day.

Oh, happier than you think, Aunt Molly.

Hillary and I are gonna be married.

- Married! - Oh my!

We're gonna have the weddin' right here at the ranch.

Ah. No kiddin'. Congratulations.

We couldn't be happier, Luke.

'Big brother finally settling down.'

[Jessie] 'It's gonna be such an exciting day.'

Trim the veil all the way down with this very fine Irish lace.

- Oh, you're lookin' lovely. - I think you'll like it, dear.

This pattern has been in my family for years and years.

Laura, where are those tiny little pearl buttons we had?

Yes, yes. They're in your trunk, aren't they?

I think if we put them all the way up the skirt

and right along this very tight waistband

across the bodice and right around the hooks at the back--

Uh, don't make those hooks too complicated now.

I was never any good with hooks.

Will you get out of here, Luke?

You're not supposed to see it.

Alright. I know when I'm not wanted.

[Molly] 'Luke!'

'I can hardly believe you and Luke'

'are finally going to get married.'

[Hillary] 'I know.'

'He had some real doubts back in Herndon.'

'But he's alright now.'

- 'Oh, you'll be like an angel.' - 'Oh, you look beautiful.

[horses snorting]

Oh, they're pure wonderment, Luke.

Mighty good horse..

Ah, it was a fight and a half tryin' to catch and break 'em.

'I wish it was easy as gettin' your daughter under a saddle.'

[both chuckling]

Of course I, never knew a gal who didn't fall prey

to my good looks and winning charm sooner than not.

Now just who fell prey to who, Luke?

The day you think you got me broke to a saddle

is the day you get throwed.

Is that so?

[Luke] It's Uncle Zeb.

Hey.

[Luke] 'Hey, Uncle Zeb. We'd been hopin' you'd show up.'

'Got some friends of yours here.'

Well, Orville, Hillary.

Looks like time's got a few more cracks in your wall, Orville.

It don't look like you got no younger neither, Zeb.

What brings you out this way?

Did you run out of fishing holes over at Jimson's Break?

No. Certain young buck here

thinks he's gonna steal my daughter.

[Luke] 'You're lookin' at the future Mrs. Macahan, Uncle Zeb.'

Well, I'll be.

Say now, when's that gonna take place?

One week from tomorrow.

[Zeb] 'You know somethin'? This calls for some celebratin'.'

You know, I got me a jug out back somewhere.

Let's go and see if we can find it.

Does that jug got the Macahan touch to it, Zeb?

[chuckles]

Tingle your toes, a mite, if that's what you mean.

That's just what I mean.

[chuckling]

I am gonna go on in and help with supper.

[instrumental music]

Dinner's almost ready, Jessie.

Does anybody know where the men are?

Well, I don't know where Luke and Josh are

but Orville and Uncle Zeb are out behind the barn.

Again?

What on earth do they do out there?

Well, they drink corn liquor and they tell lies.

For three days running.

Nobody can tell lies for that long.

Oh, they can, and boy, do they tell some whoppers.

Oh.

Just how do you happen to know that, young lady?

Well, every time I go out and milk the cow

I overhear them talking.

Mm-hmm.

So, that's why milking's been taking so long, eh?

And I bet half those stories aren't even fit

for a young lady's ears.

Maybe not, but they sure are fun.

[chuckling]

Get on with you.

[Orville] 'I got me a trout once was so big he drugged me'

'clean through two beaver dams and wores Billy Cutler's'

'privy into the vestibule of the Ladies Temperance Society.'

'But nowadays fishin' around Jimson's Break'

ain't worth a hoot.

Hard to find a braggable trout

as a sleepin' setter on doomsday.

Well, you know..

...I've been thinkin', I used to know an old trapper..

...fella by the name of Bowers.

And you know, he was tellin' me that he used to

have a surefire way

of reelin' in a whopper every time.

I don't believe it, but go ahead, I'm listenin'.

Well, now what he said was..

...that..

...he takes a minnow.

And he lets 'em swim around

in a, in a jug of corn liquor

for a minute or two, then he puts 'em on the hook.

Oh, yeah.

That, uh, the minnow got yourself

kinda pickled on that hooch.

And then the trout..

...saw him as a tastier dish, huh?

No, no, that ain't it.

See, what it is..

...every time he reels in that line..

that there minnow has a five pound trout by the throat.

A five pound..

[Orville laughing]

Zeb, you-you got me again.

[Zeb] Hey, Orville

you know, now..

...Luke there, he, uh

he's got me a little worried now.

Somehow or other he just don't seem like a carefree

happy young fella ought to, that just about to get married.

Yeah, I've been noticing that myself lately.

Something's weighin' on him awful heavy.

Gonna be me or you, Zeb?

Orville, I'll tell you something.

Appreciate everything you've been doing for that boy.

'Sendin' him that telegram'

'helpin' him out with the law and all.'

I'd be mighty beholden to you if you'd talk to him.

Much obliged, Zeb.

You know, I...I got me a future son-in-law

I wanna see hogtied there.

'I'll do some jawin' with him right now.'

[sighs] Luke, what's eating on you?

Might as well spit it out.

I've tried not to think about it, Orville

but it doesn't work.

I don't believe Chris did it.

- Why not? - His story.

There's somethin' with it that just doesn't make sense.

I still can't put my finger on it but..

...I know something's wrong.

Well, what you're sayin' is, uh, all you got is a hunch.

Nah, it's more than that, Orville.

Dang it. Boy, I wished, you could lay it to rest.

Oh, so do I.

Well, I reckon we better get on back

and have us another talk with Chris.

I sure don't envy the job of tellin' Hillary.

Oh, Luke, it's so good to be back here again

seeing Jessie and Laura.

Well, they feel like my own sisters.

Luke, tell me, what's this all about?

Hillary, we're gonna have to put off the wedding.

[instrumental music]

Put off?

I'm sorry. But maybe only until I get back from Herndon.

Herndon? Luke, why are you goin' back there?

There's somethin' wrong with Bodine's story.

I've gotta go back and hear it again.

- Ask him questions. - Luke, this is insane.

What if you do prove he's lying, then what?

I don't know.

Hillary, this thing has got a hold of me

and it's not gonna let go until I know the truth.

But he's confessed.

Means you're free.

I know.

Free to finally be together.

I know.

[instrumental music]

But it wouldn't be right.

Luke, if you have to go back there..

...please..

...let me go with you.

[g*nshots]

[g*n firing]

What's goin' on here?

Where's Sheriff Daniels at?

He's at the dock. Chris Jennings escaped.

Took a r*fle butt to Daniels' head in the process.

He escaped?

Yeah, they got 'em holed up over there in the livery.

'They may have to set fire to the livery'

'to smoke him out.'

Yeah, folks out here would like that, wouldn't they?

Be better than a pigeon sh**t.

Well, ain't nobody gonna set fire to nothin'.

- I'll handle this. - Wait a minute. Who are you?

I'm the closest thing you've got to the law right here.

- I'm goin' with you, Orville. - No, you're not, Luke.

[Orville] 'You stay here and look after Hillary.'

There's gonna be shootin' in there.

Not if I can help they won't.

I wanna try to talk some common sense to him.

[g*nshots]

Alright! Alright!

Enough sh**ting's been done here. Let's calm down some.

Chris?

This here is Sheriff Gant.

[Chris] 'I hear you, sheriff.'

Now, I want you to come out there

with your hands over your head.

There ain't gonna be no sh**ting.

You got my word on it.

Do you hear me, Chris?

[Chris] 'Sorry, sheriff.'

'You want me, you're gonna have to come in after me.'

Now that there's graveyard talk. That's what you want?

[Chris] 'Sheriff, I don't give a damn.'

'But I promise you right now, before I die'

'I'll see to it I'm not the only one laid up for buryin'.'

Orville.

Luke, I told you to stay out of this.

He's not comin' out. I don't wanna see him k*lled.

Words ain't never k*lled nobody.

I ain't run out of them yet.

[dramatic music]

[g*nsh*t]

Hold your fire.

[Chris] 'I'll k*ll you quick as that, sheriff.'

[music continues]

I'm comin' in, Chris.

[Chris] 'Better not come in here, sheriff.'

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

You shouldn't have come in here, sheriff.

'You do as I say and you drop that g*n.'

Or I'm gonna blow her brains out.

[Orville ] 'Don't be a fool, Chris.'

[Chris] 'Drop it!'

'I said drop it, sheriff.'

You alright, honey?

I was delivering a note for my pa

'and the...delivery man wasn't here..'

...and he stepped out of the shadow.

Chris, hurtin' that girl

ain't gonna add no points to your manhood.

'What might though is turn her loose'

'and hand over that r*fle and facin' up to things.'

I know what I'm doin'.

I know what them men in the street would be doin'

especially if they find out you're holding a girl in here.

I already told ya I don't care.

[Orville] 'Turn her loose, Chris.'

Ain't no reason we can't talk this out.

What you got ears in your boots, sheriff?

I said, I ain't talkin'. I'm through.

Now, what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna walk outta here.

You make one wrong move and come next Sunday

she goes to church in a box.

Now move.

[dramatic music]

Alright. Everybody, just be easy now.

I don't want no g*ns goin' off. You hear me?

You, move. Move!

[dramatic music]

One shot fired and this girl don't get a minute older.

You, Macahan, step out here.

'That's right, Luke. Get on out here.'

Get back, sheriff. Get back. Move.

This is between me and Luke Macahan.

He's right, Orville.

Just between him and me.

Alright, boy.

I know...you didn't k*ll Judge Rensen, Chris.

I don't know what made you say you did

but whatever the reasons are

they're not worth gettin' k*lled over.

What do you mean, I didn't k*ll him?

The barkin' dog runnin' in the street.

[Luke] I finally remembered about that dog.

He was tied up that night. He wasn't runnin' around loose.

So I figured he was in the street.

[Luke] No, you didn't.

Anybody hearin' a dog barks gonna turn around to see

if he's comin' at him.

What you heard was a lot of details about the night

the judge was k*lled.

But you didn't do it.

I did it. I did it. I k*lled him.

No, you didn't.

That's a lie. That's a lie.

You couldn't k*ll anybody.

'You see?'

'That's what I started thinkin' about'

when Orville went in the livery.

What his chances were of comin' out alive?

'Suddenly it hit me, Chris.'

His chances were very good.

Yeah?

Yeah, well, maybe your chances aren't so good.

I read about you in the papers.

You're a gunfighter, aren't you?

'Well, I'm gonna take you, Luke Macahan.'

Me, Chris Bodine.

Maybe.

But I don't think so.

A moment ago, you had a clear shot at Orville.

But you aimed to scare him, didn't you?

You didn't hurt the girl in the livery either.

You shut up. You shut up and stop it.

You know what I think, Chris?

I think you wanna die.

[instrumental music]

You go out in a blaze of g*nf*re.

The biggest, baddest k*ller to ever come out

of the territory of Wyoming.

'Folks will remember your name for it.'

'That's why you confessed to Judge Rensen's m*rder'

'isn't it, Chris?'

This is better, isn't it?

Callin' me out in a street

and facin' up to me is one better

to go down facin' up to some gunfighter.

I don't understand it.

I'll tell you somethin'.

I feel sorry for you.

I really do.

[g*nsh*t]

Next one's gonna be right in your belly?

No, it isn't.

'Cause I'm not gonna draw against ya.

'You don't wanna be remembered for gunning down a man'

'that didn't have a g*n in his hand.'

- 'Do you, Chris?' - Draw.

[dramatic music]

[Chris] 'I don't want nobody feelin' sorry for me.'

'Draw.'

'Draw.'

[music continues]

[music continues]

You ruined it.

You spoiled the whole thing.

I just wanted to be somebody.

I wanted you to k*ll me.

You were supposed to sh**t me. You were supposed to k*ll me.

Why didn't you k*ll me?

[dramatic music]

'I would have been famous.'

'Everybody would've remembered my name.'

'The newspapers they would've known me.'

'Everything's spoiled.'

[Chris sobbing]

[instrumental music]

I keep waitin' for you to say

"There's nothin' we can do here.

"Let's forget it and go back

and get married."

I can't forget it.

The judge was a friend of mine, and his k*ller's still loose.

Even more, outside the law in some places.

Isn't it enough that I'm willing to take the chance, Luke?

I wish I could say it was.

I love you, Hillary.

I love you more than I could love anybody

if I live to be 1000.

But I once..

Well, I was close to a girl that was k*lled by a b*llet

that was meant for me.

She died because I made a terrible mistake.

A mistake I'll never let happen again.

Until I can walk anywhere as a free man..

...I can't marry you.

We'd never have a moment's peace.

Would you mind terribly if I waited?

Could be years.

It could be tomorrow.

[instrumental music]

[sighs] Oh, Luke.

However long it takes, I'll wait.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]