Ox-Bow Incident, The (1942)

[bunniefuu]

* THE OX-BOW INCIDENT *

Looks deader than a Paiute's grave.

Well?

That guy's awful

slow gettin' there.

I feel sorry for him.

Always in reach and never

able to do anything about it.

I got a feeling she could do better.

You're boasting.

What'll you have? Whisky?

What've you got?

Whisky.

You ever see such a guy?

All winter I've been thinking...

And all he's got is whisky.

That's rotten, ain't it?

Rotten.

Two glasses and a bottle.

Well, what's on you boys' mind?

Does somethin' have to be

on my mind?

Well, there's mud in your eye.

Friendly cuss, ain't he?

He's just getting around


to asking if his girl is still in town.

His girl?

If you mean Rose Mapen, no.

She went to Frisco

the first stage out this spring.

That's a lie.

She said she'd wait.

It's a fact.

What a town.

It's my guess the married

women run her out.

Oh, no tar and feathers.


No rails.

They just righteously

made her feel uncomfortable.

Not that she ever did anything, but...

They just couldn't get over

being afraid she might.

Say, what is there

to do in this town anyway?

Unless you wanna get in line


and woo Drew's daughter.

We don't.

The only other unmarried woman

I know is 82, blind and a Paiute.

That leaves you five choices.

Eat, sleep, drink,

play poker or fight.

Or you can sh**t some pool.


I got a new table in the back room.

That's just great.

I see Risley's still around.

The Sheriff?

I thought he never got closer than Reno

except on special calls.

Hey, it wouldn't be that rustling folks

we're talking about last fall?

Could be.

Gettin' to be a kind of


touchy subject, huh?

They don't like to talk about it

except with fellows they sleep with.

Afraid they'll find out

it's somebody they know?

Maybe.

They lose some more this spring?

Some. How many?

About 600 head.


They got any leads?

They picked up a small-herd trail

and signs of shod horses

down the south draw.

Wouldn't everybody know

if there were strangers around?

Sure. And there hasn't been any.

Except you two.

That ain't funny.

Now who's touchy?

You're talking about my business.

Stick to my pleasures.

No offense, Carter. I just wanted

to let you know where you two stand.

Listen... Take it easy, Gil.

He's had five whiskies,

and he's sore about Rose Mapen.

Keep your mouth shut about Rose,

see. OK, Gil.

I was just jokin'.

You can take a joke, can't you?

Sure I can take a joke.

Some jokes.

Lost any over your way?

No more than the winter

and the coyotes are to account for.

You haven't got any ideas,

have you, Farnley?

Except not to have ideas.

Make that clear.

There are a lot of things

around here ain't clear.

You still talkin' about rustling?

And strangers.

Yippee!

Looks happy, don't he?

He just needed exercise.

Whenever he gets low in spirits

or confused in his mind,

he doesn't feel right

until he's had a fight.

It doesn't matter

whether he wins or not.

He feels fine again afterwards.

Ain't that guy got there yet?

Holy cow! Now I'm gonna have

to start all over again.

Somebody's sure in a hurry.

Did Darby use his fist?

No, a bottle.

That's all right then.

Hey, lay off Farnley, will ya?

Why should I?

Because you hit him pretty hard.

You made him look foolish.

Did I really get him?

I thought you busted his neck.

No foolin'.

Why, that no good...

Shot right through the head, I tell ya.

Where'd it happen? Down

in the southeast corner of the valley,

about eight miles from his ranch.

You see him?

No, sir, but Olsen did.

He found him laying

in a dry wash in the sun,

shot right through the head.

When?

About two o'clock,

but he must've been shot earlier,

'cause they picked his horse up

clear over near the ranch road.

Any cattle missing?

They couldn't tell.

There been so many

working that range down there.

Olsen send you for us?

No, he's in such a hurry,

he just yelled at me

to go get the Sheriff.

Hey, Jeff. Jeff...

Rustlers?

Looks that way.

Who was it they got?

Kinkaid.

Kinkaid? Farnley's buddy?

Yeah.

They've been working together

ever since they were kids.

All the way from

the Panhandle to Jackson's Hole.

Sure, I knew him.

Short, dark Irishman.

Didn't say very much.

Liked to sing a lot.

These fellows will go a long way

to get the guy that

k*lled Larry Kinkaid.

Lynchin'?

I judge.

Got plenty of sand,

but when he's mad, he's crazy!

Wait, Jeff! There's no rush.

Even if they have got,

a five-hour start.

It's a good 500 miles

to the first border.

Besides,

there may be a bunch of 'em.

It won't help Kinkaid now

to get yourself k*lled.

That kid, Greene, got no idea

which way they went.

Better wait till

we know what we're doing.

We're all with

you about Kinkaid.

Only, we ought to take our time

and form this posse right.

So if we go, we're sure,

to get what we go after.

OK. Make your posse.

Somebody better get the Sheriff

first thing. And Judge Tyler.

Oh, what do we want

with old Tyler and his trials.

Yeah, one good fast job without

no legal papers and that's all there is.

Remember, this ain't just rustling.

It's m*rder.

Wait a minute, men.

Don't let's go off half-c*ck

and do something we'll be sorry for.

We want to act in a reasoned

and legitimate manner,

not like a lawless mob.

Trouble with you, Davies,

you've been storekeepin' too long.

You don't see no profit in this.

If any of you fellas had offered

to buy the rope from him...

If we go, you're going

with us, fat gut.

Brother, I wouldn't miss it.

Only thing that'd bring me out

any faster would be your necktie party.

Who knows, maybe this is yours.

I'll remember that

and see you handle the rope.

In Texas where I come from,

we go and get a man and string him up.

That's right. I say stretch 'em.

It ain't just a rustler we're after.

It's a m*rder*r.

Larry Kinkaid, one of the finest,

most God-fearing men that ever lived

is lying out there right now

with a b*llet hole in his head.

If you let this go by, there won't be

nothing safe around here.

Our cattle, our homes.

Not even our womenfolks.

I'm with ya, Farnley.

I'm going to get me a g*n and some rope,

and I'll be right back.

And if nobody else will do it,

me and you will do it ourselves.

Count me in too!

Come on, boys. Get your g*ns!

Listen to me, men!

Don't lose your heads like this.

You mustn't do this thing.

You must not!

Shut up, Grandma.

Nobody expects you to go.

Don't take it so hard, Mr Davies.

You did all you could.

Will you do me a favour, Carter?

That depends.

I'm sending Joyce here

for the Sheriff and Judge Tyler.

I want you to go along

and help explain.

You know how Art and I stand here.

We came in at a bad time.

I've got to stay here

and see if I can't stop 'em

till they realise

what they're doing.

If I can make this thing regular,

that's all I ask.

Come on. Let's go.

Oh, wait a minute.

Do you know Mapes?

The one they call Butch?

Yes.

The Sheriff's made him deputy

for times he's out of town.

And we don't want Mapes.

Well, they said I was to be

the executioner, so I come all fixed.

Think I don't know

my business, huh?

You don't look very well,

Mr Davies.

Maybe you'd better stay home

and rest up for the funeral.

Maybe you could get the flowers.

Boys wouldn't begrudge

a few flowers, even for a rustler.

So long as he's a good dead one.

Get your hat and g*n.

I'm not going, Father.

I don't wish any argument.

Do as I say.

Perhaps this will do

what I've obviously failed to do...

make a man of you.

Scrape your boots, put your hat

on your hand and straighten your wig.

Well?

Why, is the judge at home,

ma'am? Yes.

Can we see him?

You got business?

No, we just dropped in for tea.

Very funny.

Mr Davies sent us, ma'am.

It's awfully important.

It's not regular office hours.

That the judge's better half?

His housekeeper.

His wife's dead.

Well,

you can see why there's times

when the judge don't seem to be

able to make up his own mind.

Come in! Come in!

He says come in!

Well, well, Carter, how are things

out in your neck of the woods?

All right, I guess, Judge.

You don't appear to have been pining

away, exactly, since last I saw you.

And what can I do

for you gentlemen?

We're here for Mr Davies.

Oh. How is my friend Davies?

Well, I trust.

Yes, but could we see you alone

for a minute, Judge?

Oh, a matter of a private nature, eh?

Yes, sir.

Mr Davies said particularly

just you and Sheriff Risley.

Risley ain't here.

He deputised me.

Where'd the Sheriff go?

Down to Kinkaid's ranch

early this morning.

When will he be back?

He didn't say. Couple of days maybe.

But anything you can tell him

you can tell me.

Sure, we know that, Butch,

but we're here for Mr Davies.

If the judge thinks it's your job,

he'll tell you.

Certainly, Mapes, certainly.

All right. But if it's a Sheriff's job,

call me, see.

Naturally.

Well, what can I do

for you gentlemen?

Ain't so much that Mr Davies

don't want 'em to go.

It's just he wants to

make sure a posse's sworn,

in to bring him in for

a fair trial.

That's why we wanted

you and the Sheriff to hurry.

Confound it, men.

The Sheriff's not here.

Today of all days.

You can talk to them.

They'll listen to you.

No. No, no, that's not my job.

I haven't any police authority.

Where are you going, Mapes?

There's a posse forming, Judge,

in case you hadn't heard.

That's Sheriff's work, ain't it?

That's no posse.

That's a lawless, lynching mob.

It'll be a posse when I get there.

I'm gonna deputise them all proper.

But you can't do that.

Risley's the only one

empowered to deputise.

Should we tell Davies

you're coming, Judge?

Yes. Yes, of course.

I suppose I'll have to.

But doggone it,

this is the Sheriff's job, not mine.

Coming along, Sparks?

No, sir, Mr Smith.

I don't guess so.

Oh, you better come along,

Sparks.

Ain't every day we have a hanging

in a town as dead as this one.

You won't have to do nothin'.

All the real work's signed up.

I just thought we ought

to have a reverend along

'cause there's gonna be

some prayin' done.

Maybe you're right, Mr Smith.

Maybe somebody ought to go along

that feels the way I do.

Davies'll loan you his Bible,

so all the reading will be

done right at the burial.

Thank you, sir, but I knows

my text without the book.

They're kidding you, Sparks.

I know, sir.

But maybe Mr Smith's

accidentally right.

Maybe I ought to go along.

There's an old horse

in my shed you can use.

Thank you, sir.

I'll go and fetch it.

Ya-haw! Here comes Ma!

Come on! We're ready to go.

Hiya, boys!

Come on, Jenny! These boys are

getting tired of waiting!

Well, boys, what are

we waitin' for now?

Judge Tyler.

Davies asked him to come over.

I understand how it is, men.

My old friend Larry Kinkaid,

one of the finest and noblest...

Cut the stumpin', Tyler.

All we want is your blessing.

Of course you can't flinch

from what you believe to be your duty.

But certainly,

you don't want to act hastily

in the same spirit of lawlessness

that begot this foul crime.

Ah, Judge,

before you get ready to act,

them rustlers will be

clear down over the Rio.

One more word, Smith,

and I'll have you up for

impeding the course of justice.

Judge, you can't impede

what don't move anyway.

And you, Jenny Grier,

a woman,

to lend yourself to this.

Now, listen. Listen, men.

I've just found out that Sheriff Risley's

already down at Kinkaid's.

That right, Judge? Yes.

He's been there all morning.

Yes. So you see,

probably everything's

being attended to right

now, legally.

All you'll get out of it

is a long, hard ride.

It'll be dark before long

and mighty cold.

My advice is to come inside,

have a drink and let's wait

till we hear from the Sheriff.

Drinks on the house.

But only one round.

I'm not filling any bucket bellies.

I'll make it two.

Any of you fellas wanna stay

in town, I can take six

if you don't

mind sleeping doubles.

It's not like you were giving up, boys.

It's just good sense.

Farnley, come back!

I'm not asking you!

I'm telling you!

You don't have to worry, Jeff.

This business is going

to be taken care of.

Yeah, and I know who's gonna

take care of it. Me.

I tell you now,

whoever shot Larry Kinkaid

ain't coming back

here for you to...

fuddle with your lawyers' tricks

for six months

and then be let off because Davies

or some other whining old woman

claim he ain't bad at heart.

Kinkaid didn't have six months

to decide if he wanted to die.

Disbanding, men?

Davies has just about

convinced us, Major Tetley.

Of what, Mr Davies?

Why, of... of...

I take it you were

acting on the assumption

the raiders left for the south draw.

Yes, of course.

They didn't.

They went east by Bridger's Pass.

That's through the mountains?

Over the old stage road

to Pike's Hole.

But that's 8,000 feet up.

Approximately.

They'd be crazy to go that way.

Not so crazy perhaps, Mr Davies,

knowing how crazy it would look to us.

How come you're so sure,

Tetley?

Pancho saw them.

He was coming back from Pike's.

Had trouble getting

by them in the pass.

S?. He not see me, I think.

So, he was headed down the hollow

and I drive my horse out of the way.

At first I think I say hello.

And then I think it's funny

how to drive the cattle then.

Cattle?

Sure. Why do you think

I had to get out of his road?

Go on.

When I see what mark those cattle had,

I be very, very quiet.

What kind of marks?

Oh, in the throat.

Three little ones what

chama calls.

That's Kinkaid's mark.

The dirty rats!

How many were there?

Forty head.

I mean rustlers.

Three.

Why were you so long

in bringing us this word, Major?

I knew my son would want to go along.

He was out on the range.

Major Tetley,

you mustn't let this be a lynching.

It's scarcely what I choose, Davies.

Promise me you'll bring them in

for a fair trial.

I promise that I'll abide

by the majority will.

Tetley, you know what's legal

in this case as well as I do.

All we ask is a posse

to act under

a properly constituted

officer of the law.

That's where I come in.

Risley made me a deputy.

In that case, Mr Mapes,

suppose you deputise the rest of us?

That's not legal.

No deputy has the right to deputise.

How 'bout it, boys?

Suits me, Butch. Go ahead and pray.

Mapes, you're violating the law.

Raise your right hands.

I hereby solemnly swear that

I am duly sworn in as a deputy

in the case of the m*rder of Larry Kinkaid

and am willing to abide by the decisions

of the majority, so help me God.

Say "I do." I do.

Tetley, you bring those men in alive,

or as I'm justice of this county,

you'll pay for it and every

jack man in your g*ng!

Tetley! You coming?

Get my horse.

I'm going with them.

Then get down to Kinkaid's.

Get the sheriff.

We'll stop here for a minute, gentlemen,

and breathe our horses.

Winder, take one man with you,

go up to the top of that ridge

and see what you can see.

Doin' this in the middle

of the night's crazy.

I thought you liked excitement.

I got nothin' particular against

hangin' a murdering rustler.

It's just, I don't like doing it

in the dark.

There's always some crazy fool

to lose his head

and start hangin' everybody in sight.

Us? Funnier things

have happened.

Well, we didn't have to come.

Look kind of funny

if we hadn't, wouldn't it?

Besides,

I like to pick my own bosses.

Whether we picked them or not,

we sure got 'em.

That's what I don't like.

That Smith and Bartlett

shootin' off their mouths.

Farnley...

and that renegade Tetley.

Struttin' around his uniform

pretending he's so much.

He never even saw the South

till after the w*r.

Then only long enough to marry

that kid's mother

and get run out by her folks.

Figured there was something fishy

about him dressing up like that.

Sure. Why do you suppose

he'd be living in this neck of the woods

if he didn't have something to hide.

Come on, let's get out of here

before we all freeze to death.

Or else give it up.

We'd be the laughing stock

of the country if we went home now

just on account of a little cold.

That's right.

But I'm telling you, this rope's gonna

have to be thawed out before it's fit to use.

Mind if I come in a little closer,

Mr Carter?

No, come on. I'm finding it

kind of lonesome myself.

Powerful cold tonight, ain't it?

I got a blanket if you want it.

No. Thank you just the same,

Mr Carter.

But it takes all my hands

to stay on this old horse.

Better have a couple of shots.

I never use it.

I sure wish we was

well out of this here business.

Ah, it's a way of spending time.

It's man taking on himself

the vengeance of the Lord.

You think the Lord cares much about

what's happening up here tonight?

He marks the sparrow's fall.

I seen my own brother

lynched, Mr Carter.

I was nothin' but a little fella.

But sometimes now,

I wakes up dreamin' about it.

Had he done what they...

picked him up for?

I don't know.

Nobody never did know for sure.

Well, a couple of shots more whisky

can't do my soul any harm.

Darby sure sells rotten liquor.

Warms you up though.

Feels like fire

creepin' in the short grass.

I guess I'll just let her

spread a little while.

Put out that light, you fool.

You wanna give us away?

Who to?

Chuck that butt or I'll plug you.

Start something. For every

hole you make, I'll make two.

Looks like you're gonna have

a lot of shootin' to do, Mr Farnley.

Listen, something's coming!

Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa.

Hyah! Hyah, hyah, hyah!

Fools! Stop! Stop it!

What's the matter, Art? Shot.

Where? Left shoulder.

You fool, you must be drunk.

Nobody but a drunken idiot would

drive down a grade in the dark like that.

I thought it was a stickup.

If those horses weren't

a sight smarter than you,

that coach would be at the bottom

of the canyon right now.

Rose Mapen!

Hello, everybody.

This is my husband,

Mr Swanson of San Francisco.

And, uh, my sister-in-law,

Miss Swanson.

Did you just get married, Rose?

Just today.

No wonder you were

in such a hurry.

My name is Tetley, sir.

I can understand why Miss Rose

is in such a hurry to show

the other ladies what can be

done in the way of matrimony.

Thank you, sir.

Say, what's everybody doing

up here this time of night?

Why, uh...

Art's shot.

What? Bring him over here,

to Mexico.

Gee, I'm sorry.

You couldn't tell.

You hadn't ought to come

barging out like that.

In the dark especially.

I couldn't tell who it was.

Everybody yelling like that.

Aw, shut up!

Here. I'm good at this sort of thing.

Look, do women have to watch this?

All right.

There's room

in the stagecoach for you, Art.

Yeah, I better get

you on back to Darby's

and get some hot food into you.

I'm all right.

Come on. Be a good boy.

Don't be stubborn.

Yeah, don't be a fool.

Mind your own business!

Bring his horse over, will ya?

She's his wife now

and kind of new.

Yeah, looks that way, don't it?

I take it you've had

the privilege of knowing

Miss Mapen before

she became my wife.

That's right.

And possibly you imagined

at the time

there was some

understanding between you?

Yeah, sure.

My wife is a very impulsive woman.

That's what I'm saying.

Needless to say,

I'm pleased to regard

any friend of my wife's

a friend of my own.

However, I don't need to remind you

that the pleasure of such an acquaintance

depends upon the recognition

by all parties of the fact

that Miss Mapen is now my wife.

She must be given a little time

to become accustomed

to her new responsibilities.

As yet, I must confess that I'm

jealous of her least attention.

You'll forgive me, I know.

A bridegroom is prone

to be overly susceptible for a time.

Later, when we've had time

to get accustomed to

our new relations,

I shall be delighted to welcome you

and others of my wife's friends

to our home in San Francisco.

If it is still her desire.

Until then...

Why, that superior little...

Looks like Rose's took

onto herself a lot of trouble.

Giddy-up! Giddy-up!

Where are we?

In Boi-Bow.

There they are, gentlemen.

I suggest we avoid

any sh**ting or rough work

until they've had a chance

to tell it their way.

Mr Mapes and I will do

the talking.

The one that got Kinkaid is mine.

Don't forget that.

He's yours when we're sure.

Ten men will go with Mrs Grier

and come up from behind.

Bartlett, take six men and work

through those woods in back of the cabin.

Gerald, you and Farnley

and the rest will go with me.

Would you like a g*n, Mr Davies?

No, thank you.

Sparks?

Thank you.

No, sir, Major Tetley.

As you choose.

Get up!

Drop it!

Now put up your hands.

No sabe.

It's all right, brother.

You will.

Take it easy, mister.

Stay where you are and put your hands up.

Gerald, collect their g*ns.

What do you want?

We'll tell you when we want you to talk.

This ain't no stickup, brother.

This is a posse

if that means anything to you.

But we haven't done anything.

Gerald!

Get 'em up!

Tie them up!

Get in...

All right, get in there.

Well, at least you might tell us

what we're being held for.

I'd rather you told us.

Well, we must be pretty important.

Or else awfully dangerous.

It ain't that you're so dangerous.

It's just that most of the men

ain't never seen a real triple hangin'.

A hangin'? What have we done?

Aren't you even gonna tell us

what we're accused of?

Rustlin. Ever hear of it?

Rustlin?

And m*rder.

m*rder?

Oh, Mr Martin, what did we do?

It's all right, Dad.

There's some mistake.

Remember me?

He's talkin' to ya, mister.

No sabe.

He don't speak English.

I got a different notion.

I'll make him talk.

That'll do, Farnley!

Listen, your wife had enough

of you playin' God Almighty.

Who picked you

for this job anyhow?

We got him. I say let's swing him

before we all freeze to death!

You cold? Here's a fire.

Warm yourself.

And I'll advise you

to control your tongue too.

We'll get along better.

Who's boss of this outfit?

I am.

And your name?

Donald Martin.

Where you from?

Pike's Hole.

That's a lie!

This gentleman's from Pike's Hole.

Would you like to change your story?

I just moved in three days ago.

I'm on Dave Baker's place

up on the north end.

Dave Baker moved out four years ago,

and the place is a wreck.

The barns are all fallin' down and the

sagebrush is stickin' up through the porch.

Well, I bought the place from him

for $4,000 in Los Angeles last month.

Then, mister, you was robbed.

That may be.

But surely it's,

not so far to Pike's Hole

that you can't go over

there and find out.

My wife's there right now...

and my two kids.

That's really too bad, just too bad.

Even in this godforsaken country,

I've got a right to a trial!

You're getting a trial

with 28 of the only kind of judges

murderers and rustlers get in what

you call "this godforsaken country".

So far,

the jury don't like your story.

Well, I'm not gonna say another word

without a proper hearing.

Suit yourself, son. But this is all

the hearing you're likely to get

short of the Last Judgement.

Have you any cattle up

here with you?

Hey, Mr Martin?

I'm not gonna ask you again.

Yes, I have.

How many?

Fifty head.

Where did you get 'em?

From Mr Kinkaid.

That's just what we figured, son.

I'm no rustler though.

I didn't steal 'em!

I bought 'em and paid

hard cash for them.

My own cattle were so bad,

I didn't want to risk bringin' 'em up.

So I sold them out at Salinas,

and I had to stock up again.

Well, you can wait can't ya,

till you can see Kinkaid?

Or ask about me over at Pike's Hole.

That's a good one.

He's wants us to wait

and ask Larry Kinkaid.

Gotta hand it to ya, Martin.

You're a cool one all right.

You know as well as we do,

Kinkaid can't tell us anything.

He's dead. Dead?

What do you think we're up

here for?

Well, how should I know?

He was all right yesterday afternoon.

Listen. Why don't you stop

this farce and take us in!

'Cause the law's slow and careless

around here sometimes.

We're here to see it's

speeded up.

Who sent you up here?

The Sheriff.

That ain't true!

Let's don't get started again.

It's gettin' late.

The Sheriff didn't even know

we were comin'.

I beg your pardon.

I should have said the deputy Sheriff.

Listen, men.

I'm not trying to obstruct justice,

but just as this young man says,

this is a farce.

And it'll be m*rder

if you carry it through.

All he's asking is

what every man's

entitled to a fair trial.

You say you're innocent, Martin,

and I, for one, believe you.

Then I guess you're

the only one, Arthur.

If there's any justice

in your proceedings, Tetley,

it will only be after a confession.

And they haven't confessed.

They say they're innocent,

and you haven't proved they're not!

Shut up!

Have you a bill of sale

for those cattle?

Well, no, I haven't.

But Mr Kinkaid said

it would be all right.

I couldn't find him at the house.

He was out on the range!

He didn't have a bill of sale with him.

He said he'd mail it to me.

Moore. How long you been

ridin' with Kinkaid?

Six years.

Ever know him sell cattle

without a bill of sale?

No... Can't say that I ever did.

Course, I can't remember

every head he sold in six years.

But it's customary for him

to give a bill of sale?

Yep.

Ever know him to sell

cattle after spring roundup,

this or any other year?

I can answer that.

I heard him say myself

just a couple of days ago

he wouldn't sell a head

to nobody this spring.

Well?

I know it looks bad giving a dead man

for a witness, but it's the truth.

You don't believe me.

Would you in my place?

I'd do a lot of finding out,

before hanging men

who might be innocent.

If it were only Rustlin, maybe, but...

but m*rder?

No.

What are you tryin' to do,

play cat and mouse with 'em?

I would prefer a confession, Martin.

If you've got any doubts, Tetley,

I say call off this party.

Take 'em back to Judge

like Davies wants.

This is only slightly any of your business,

my friend. Remember that.

Hangin's any man's business

that's around!

If your stomach for justice

is coolin', Carter,

I'd advise you to leave now

before we proceed any further.

Otherwise, your interruptions

are gonna become very tiresome.

I still don't like it!

Hangin' murderers is one thing,

but to keep guys you don't know

for sure did it standin' around sweatin'

while you sh**t your mouth off,

that's another.

Take it easy.

This ain't our picnic.

If you keep on buttin' in,

I got a hunch it might be.

You called this old man "Dad".

Is he your father?

No.

Speak up, man.

You're taking it like a woman.

Keep your chin up.

You can only die once, son.

No. He works for me.

Uh...

I didn't do it.

I ain't even got a g*n.

Then who did?

Uh, uh...

The Mexican did it.

He told me so.

Eh, no...

I saw him do it.

Juan couldn't have done anything.

I was with him all the time.

Uh, yes, he did, Mr Martin.

He was asleep,

and he didn't mean to tell me.

But I was awake, and...

I heard him talkin' about it.

The old man's feeble-minded.

He doesn't know what he's talking about.

He invents things.

If you've got to go through with this,

you can at least let him alone, can't ya?

Shut up!

Lay off, Mapes!

First, he won't talk.

Now he talks too much.

What's his name?

Alva Hardwick. And the other?

Juan Martinez.

No, it ain't.

Still don't remember me, eh?

I'm talkin' to you, mister.

No sabe.

The devil you don't.

Your name's Francisco Morez, and the

vigilantes would like to get a hold of you.

He was a gambler.

They want him for m*rder.

How about that?

I don't know.

Stick together nice, don't they?

Why do you keep asking me questions?

You don't believe anything I tell you.

There's truth in lies too,

if you can get enough of them.

What do you know about

the old man?

I don't know, he...

he was in the army.

Confederate or Union?

I don't know.

He's not clear about it himself.

Maybe both...

at different times.

A half-wit in the army?

Attention!

Oh, he's forgotten.

Not that.

I'll make a deal with you, Martin.

Tell us which of you shot Kinkaid,

and the other two can wait.

None of us k*lled anybody.

Then that's all, I guess.

Bring 'em along.

You don't mean you're gonna do it?

Pull!

You got to wait, I tell you!

You got to wait.

You got to give us some time!

You've got to give us some time!

You got to listen to us!

We haven't done anything.

Throw the other rope up.

Remember, the Mexican's mine.

My kids...

One of 'em is just a baby.

Just a little baby, and they haven't got

a thing to go on! Nothing!

I've got to write a letter!

If you're human,

you'll give me time to write a letter!

That ain't askin' much.

They're scared and trying to put it off.

Yeah. You want Tyler and the Sheriff

to get here and the job not done?

They won't come in time.

I believe you're right, Mr Davies.

Though I doubt if you want to be.

What time is it?

Five minutes after three.

All right.

We don't want to give anyone

cause for complaint.

With your permission, gentlemen,

we'll wait, till daylight.

Bring 'em back.

That'll give you time, Reverend,

to finish your business

at leisure.

Sure. And them time

to think it over.

I can't write like this.

Very well, untie them.

So with your hands!...

it is much more

to k*ll these here!

He's says he wants to eat.

He's much hungry from

so much of the talk.

Thank you.

Why, look! Fresh beef!

Oh, Ma.

Fix up a spread for everybody.

Can't call it stealin' because at the time

of death there won't be any owners.

What are you thinkin' about?

The Sheriff... he's an awful long time

getting anywhere.

Suppose he don't get here at all?

That's what I'm thinking.

There's a great camp meetin'.

In the Promised Land.

Walk together, children.

Don't you get weary.

Walk together, children.

Don't you get weary.

Walk together, children.

Don't you get weary.

There's a great camp.

Meetin in the Promised Land.

A line to meet your Saviour.

Don't you get weary.

A line to meet your Saviour...

I'm not disputing that fact, Mr Davies.

It may be a fine letter.

But if it's an honest letter,

it's none of my business to read it.

And if it isn't, I don't want to.

Is that my letter you're showin'?

Yes.

What right have you got to show my letter?

Don't raise your voice, rustler!

He's right, Smith.

I told him I'd keep it for him.

I asked you to make sure

that it was delivered.

I'm sorry. I was just trying

to prove that you were...

It's enough to be hanged

by bullying outlaws

without having your private thoughts

handed round to them for a joke.

I said I'm sorry.

I was merely trying...

I don't care what

you were doing!

I didn't write that letter

to be passed around!

It's none of these murderers' business!

I made no promise, son.

I thought there was one white man

among you. But I was wrong.

Give me my letter.

I'll see that she gets it.

Oh, I wouldn't have her touch it now.

In that case, give him back the letter.

Your wife ought to hear

from you, son.

None of us could be as kind

and understanding as this letter.

She'll want to keep it...

for your children.

I'm sorry.

Hey, the Mex!

Spread out! He might have a g*n!

Mapes. Winder.

Keep an eye on those two.

Where's he hit?

In the leg.

Here's his g*n.

Well, I guess we know now,

don't we?

Look.

Say, that's Larry Kinkaid's g*n.

Where did you get this?

Somebody will take this b*llet

out of my leg, I'll tell you.

Ha! So he speaks American!

And ten other languages,

my dear.

But I don't tell anything

I don't want to in any of them.

My leg, please.

I wish to stand upright

when you come to your pleasure.

Somebody lend me a knife.

I'll take it out myself.

Don't give him no knife.

He can throw a knife better

than most men can sh**t.

Better than any of you, no doubt.

But if you're afraid,

I promise to give the knife back...

handle first. I'll do it.

He's very polite,

but has no stomach for blood, eh?

That was very fine sh**ting,

my friend.

You should try again with that one.

Now, where'd you get that g*n?

Found it. Where?

Lying in the road.

You're a liar.

I thought we might find somebody

to send it back by.

You're a liar!

And you're a blind fool.

I asked you where you got it.

Do not know.

Well, that's the truth.

He did find it.

Undoubtedly.

Won't you even read it?

Is it because you've made up

your minds?

Or you believe everybody else has

and you're afraid to stand up

for what you feel is right?

You heard what Martin said

about showing his letter.

What does it matter to the man

or his wife who sees this letter

if it saves him from hanging?

It's a beautiful letter.

Read it, and you'll know he's not

the kind of man that could steal or k*ll.

Maybe.

But all that kind of argument

in the world,

can't stand up against

branded cattle,

no bill of sale

and a dead man's g*n.

Gentlemen,

I suggest we act as a unit,

so there will be no question

of mistaken reprisals.

Mr Davies...

Are you willing

to abide by majority decision?

How about the rest of you?

Sure. Majority rules with me.

Everybody with Mr Davies in putting

this off and turning it over to the courts,

step over there.

Excuse me.

Seven.

Not a majority,

I believe, Mr Davies.

Any other message

you'd like to leave, Martin?

I... I don't wanna die.

I'd like to make a confession.

I didn't do it.

And about time.

To a priest.

There's no priest here.

This man can hear me

and take it to a priest.

All right. Get along with it.

I don't want to die.

I don't want to die.

Bring him along.

I didn't do anything.

I didn't...

I did nothing!...

That must have been

an awfully busy life.

Farnley, you, Gabe Hart and Gerald

will whip the horses out.

No, not me.

Any volunteers?

I'll do it if no one else will.

I won't do it.

You'll do it.

I... I can't.

We'll see to it that you can.

The kid's seen enough already.

Why don't you let him alone?

This is not your affair, Carter.

Thank you just the same.

I'll have no female

boys bearin' my name.

You'll do your part...

and say nothing more.

What did he say?

I ain't no priest.

For God's sake, man.

At least say whether we'd better wait.

Well, I ain't no priest.

I don't know.

No, thanks.

I'll give you two minutes to pray.

Time's up.

Will you find someone

to look out for my wife and children?

Take some older woman along.

It's not going to be easy.

Your family will be all right.

My parents are dead,

but Miriam's live in Ohio.

Kinkaid's wife may

buy those cattle

back for enough

to cover their travel.

Tie 'em up!

I suppose it's no good

telling you again we're innocent.

No good.

It's not for myself I'm asking.

Other men with families

have had to die for this sort of thing.

It's too bad, but it's justice.

What do you care about justice?

You don't care

if you've got the right men!

All you know is somebody's

got to be punished!

There's nobody to look out for them

in a strange place.

Can't you understand that?

This is a fine company

for a man to die with.

Shut up! You shut up!

You shut up!

Get 'em off me! Pull that guy off!

Come on!. We will.

Come on. Tear 'em loose.

Don't let 'em do that.

Stop it! Stop it, you fools!

Aw, you stop it!

Keep him there!

All right. Put them up.

Miriam.

I don't want to die.

I don't want to die.

Anytime you're ready, Mr Mapes.

Finish him.

You got to go

through the lonesome valley.

You got to go there by yourself.

Nobody here can go for you.

You got to go

there by yourself.

Oh, you got to stand

before your maker.

You got to stand

there by yourself.

Nobody here can stand for you.

You got to stand

there by yourself.

Oh, you got to ask

the Lord forgiveness.

You got to ask

him for yourself.

Nobody here can

ask him for you.

You got to ask

him for yourself.

Oh, you got to go

to the lonesome valley.

You got to go

there by yourself.

Nobody here can go for you.

You got to go there by yourself.

Hey, there!

What's all that sh**ting about?

We got 'em, Sheriff!

Everything's been attended to.

What are you talking about?

Kinkaid's murderers

we got all three of 'em.

Yeah, and we hung 'em too,

Sheriff. Aagh!

Larry Kinkaid's not dead!

Not dead?

But we just...

I just left Larry Kinkaid

with the doctor at Pike's Hole.

Caught the fellas

who shot him too.

But, Sheriff!

They had Larry's cattle down there.

They even had his g*n.

Give me that badge!

Mr Davies,

I know you well enough to know

that you didn't have

anything to do with this.

I'm depending on you

to tell me who did.

All but seven.

God better have mercy on ya.

You won't get any from me.

All right. Let's go.

If you've got no objections, Mr Davies,

I'd like to read Martin's letter now.

It would be a good idea

if a lot of people read it.

If you ask me, that Tetley's

the one we ought to lynch.

You're a great one for hangin',

ain't ya, Smith?

You loved it. That's why you

kept them waiting so long.

I saw your face. It was the face

of a depraved, murderous beast.

There are only two things

that have ever meant anything to you...

power and cruelty.

You can't feel pity.

You can't even feel guilt.

You knew those

men were innocent,

yet you were crazy

to see them hanged...

to make me watch it.

I could've stopped

you with a g*n,

just as any animal could

be stopped from k*lling,

but I couldn't do it because

I'm a coward.

Aren't you glad you

made me go, Father?

Weren't you proud of me?

How does it feel to have begot

a weakling, Major Tetley?

Does it make you afraid that

there may be some weakness

in you too that other men might

discover and whisper about?

Open the door, Major.

I want to see your face!

I want to know how you

feel now!

They're getting up a pot

for Martin's wife.

Even Mapes chipped in.

I didn't know

he was showin' his face.

He ain't. He sent it by Sparks.

That reminds me,

I put in $25 bucks apiece for us.

How much they got?

About five hundred.

Not bad for a husband

who don't know any better

than to buy cattle in the spring

without a bill of sale.

Maybe you ought to read this letter too.

You know I can't read.

I'll read it to ya.

"My dear wife,

"Mr Davies will tell you

what's happening here tonight.

"He's a good man and has done

everything he can for me.

"I suppose there are

some other good men here too,

"only they don't seem

to realise what they're doing.

"They're the ones I feel sorry for,

"'cause it'll be over

for me in a little while,

"but they'll have to go on rememberin'

for the rest of their lives.

"Man just naturally can't take

the law into his own hands

"and hang people without hurting

everybody in the world,

"'cause then he's not just

breaking one law, but all laws.

"Law's a lot more than

words you put in a book

"or judges or lawyers or Sheriffs

you hire to carry it out.

"It's everything people ever

have found out about justice

"and what's right and wrong.

"It's the very conscience

of humanity.

"There can't be such a thing as civilisation

unless people have a conscience

"because if people

touch God anywhere,

"where is it except

through their conscience?

"And what is anybody's conscience

except a little piece

"of the conscience

of all men that ever lived?

"I guess that's all

I've got to say except,

kiss the babies for me

and God bless you.

"Your husband, Donald".

Where are we goin'?

He said he wanted his wife

to get this letter, didn't he?

Said there was nobody

to look after the kids, didn't he?

"TEH END"

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