American Empire (1942)

[bunniefuu]

That old engineer loses more steam

than he gets in the cylinder.

He can't even pack a bearing.

I had to do it myself.

What are you doing, still

juggling those figures?

I'm not juggling.

Have a look.

We'll made about $800 this time.

Is that all for

all the work we did?

I'm going daffy plying freight

up and down this river.

Dan, let's sell the Betsy

and get into something else.

Well, $800 may not be much,

but it's safe and sure.

Yeah, yeah.

At least we had some excitement

when we owned the old Hatty T.

Wasn't it your idea

to swap her for this?

Yeah, but the whole

setup has changed.

There was a w*r on.

A man could make some real

money, or don't you remember?

Oh, I remember all right.

I remember getting a

broadside amidships

from the Union gunboat,

picking splinters out

of my, um, hide for two weeks.

We got $100 for every splinter.

That's right, in

Confederate money.

That w*r's over, Pax.

We can't start another one

just because you're restless.

Me, I like the river, always

so peaceful and quiet.

Hey, Augustin, all


these nice, tender cows,

you must treat them tender.

Why those cows

are not across the river, huh?

Those ranchers, they catch us,

they will hang us by the neck

until we don't lives no more.

We got no time to die now, eh?

Avast that, Runty.

Let it be.

Nobody cares what time


it is around here,

except maybe the [inaudible].

Well, I care because

it's regulation,

and if you'd ever sailed

before the mast, you know it.

You [inaudible] on that.

I've sailed the Davis Strait.

I've picked whole whales from


to Madagascar.

Now, stay away.

I think I'll scuttle you.

No, don't.

Sailaway is off his course.

Now, you undersized

jellyfish, repeat after me.

I'll never speak no more foul


slander against my friend.

He and that Runty are

up there fighting again.

Hey, Sailaway.

Runty?

Go on.

But... but Sailaway,

we... we don't have to...

Come on.

Speak.

Off the port bow, a


school of sea cows, look.

You ain't getting out of this.

Say it.

Look, sea cows.

You say it.

You floating landlubber,

don't you know

better than to block a channel?

Sailaway, can't


you miss a sandbar,

even in broad daylight?

But it wasn't his fault.

Hey, Skipper, I've

navigated the reefs of people

Nuku Hiva in a typhoon.

I've sailed the shoals of...

Never mind that.

Why'd you run aground?

Oh, them multi-horned

sea lions pushed me here.

You'll need a better

excuse than that

if you can't get her off.

Full speed astern.

- Aye aye, sir.

- Full speed a...

Full speed astern.

[inaudible], you up

there, I think maybe you

boys are stuck good good, eh?

That man at the wheel should stay

awake when the river, she bend.

You blubbering knuckle joint.

I'm sorry my friend,

but I don't like

the haircut with old harpoon.

Shut her off, Runty.

Now that you've shown

us your fancy sh**ting,

how about getting

us off this sandbar?

You got us on.

Maybe we do business.

I come aboard.

I got an idea he's got a

funny notion about business.

The Fremont bottom,

30 years of floating,

I'm winding up high and

dry on a Texas sand dune.

You must have done your

floating in the bathtub.

I'll float you.

Dominique Andre

[inaudible], at your service.

Huh, that's quiet a

collection of handles.

That is a custom in my Louisiana.

And yours?

I'm Paxton Bryce.

This is Dan Taylor, my partner.

Good.

What's your deal?

Well, I am in quick hurry.

You carry my cows, and, uh,

I will pull it off your boat.

Somebody after you, huh?

Looks like they're rustlers.

Ah, the big, old fashion, the wars

here make enough cows for us all.

What's the w*r got to do with it?

Everything, the owners,

they go away to fight.

They stay for years, and these

cattle travel all over Texas

by himself and make

plenty of little ones.

These are what people in French

are..., like English,

free like deer.

They belong to know one.

They got no brand.

And, uh, finders is keepers, huh?

Oh, I have a soft heart.

I ask myself, uh, Dominique,

these poor cattle, they

don't got no home.

So I gather them together like

they come to live on my home.

That's very kind of you.

Why are you such a hurry?

Well, these ranchers, they want

to keep all the wild cattle,

so they chase me.

Upon this sense, I am

telling you the truth.

Well, that's good enough for me.

What do you say, Dan?

I guess it's all

right if the Betsy Ann

gets paid for what she carries.

Oh, I am honest man.

I wish to go to Millio

Landing on the Louisiana side.

How many cows you got?

About $1,000.

Cost you a dollar a head.

I will get my men started, huh?

Tie a rope to the

back of the boat.

Ferrying cattle, it's

plum degrading, Runty.

Could have been goats.

Hey, Dominique, I'd

like to hear some more

about those poor orphaned cows.

And those cattle are

worth a lot of money.

All the Frenchman had

to do was pick 'em up.

What's the matter,

Jim, the bearing again?

No, sir, but I just laid

eyes on who we're carrying.

That's Dominique Beauchard, the

fella that raided Parkfield.

Beauchard?

Why, he's the one that's

turned this end of Texas

into a sh**ting gallery.

Get below, Jim.

We may need a full head of steam.

We better get our money quick.

Well, how about our money, fare?

Oh, I pay later when I

get the money for the cows.

Pay now, or you don't

take 'em off, Beauchard.

Oh, Beauchard, so

you know me, huh?

That is of no consequence.

Boy, close the cargo part.

I say I pay later.

Pierre, get those cows off quick,

and keep your eyes

on les Americaine.

Billy, Henry, get the

cattle off the boat, quick.

Full speed ahead.

Full speed ahead.

Hey, ya [inaudible],

why didn't you

tell me something I don't know?

Beauchard, your cows just

about pay for our troubles.

And we never give credit.

I still owe you

something, but I always pay.

Well, it looks like we're

in the cattle business.

I'd sooner he'd handed

us the money, though.

He handed us an idea

that's worth millions.

We're way ahead.

This whole end of

Texas is full of cattle

that don't belong to

anybody, natural increase

during the w*r.

If we buy the land, all

the cattle on it are ours.

Sounds like a great idea.

It's too much of a gamble, though.

Gamble?

So was running the blockade,

but we made money, didn't we?

Can't you see it, Dan?

This beats any deal

we've ever been in.

We can take the

money we've got, sell

these cattle and the Betsy Ann.

We can buy land by

the square mile,

round up cattle by the thousands,

sell them and buy more land.

We'll have a ranch like

nobody's ever seen before.

It would be like owning your

own country, wouldn't it?

It'll be bigger than that.

It'll be like a... like an empire,

our own American empire.

When you're flying high,

well, I'll flap along with you.

We'll get to Riverford.

We'll go have a talk with

a land agent, then I, uh,

think we ought to drink

a couple of toasts

to a mighty bright

future, don't you?

Worse than a

Nantucket sleigh ride.

I

I'll put the law on you.

Oh, where's my

customer, my customer?

Hello, little fella,

what a place to roost,

you're the prettiest prize

I ever got in a grab bag.

Is there any more

in there like you?

Isn't one victim enough,

or do you generally

run them down by the dozen?

Let go of my hat.

You ain't hurt none?

I'll live.

Hey, you bust a seam, Skipper?

Not a one.

Not a one.

Get out of here.

Get out of here.

This ain't no corral.

And you, mister, it will cost you

a lot of money for this damage.

All right, it'll cost

me a lot of money.

Here you are.

Take that and keep the change.

All right, boys, show's all over.

I'll see you down

in the music hall.

Hey, you got a

wonderful door here.

Go ahead.

Trample my luggage, too.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

Honest, I am.

I mean, about the whole thing.

You ought to be sorry, a grown

man playing horseback on a cow.

I ought to call the police.

You'll have to call

awful loud because we're

not blessed with them out here.

That's too bad.

You belong in jail.

Missy, your tacking

way off your course

'cause he's the finest

little skipper that

ever tripped around the deck.

Thank you, Runty.

My compliments, ma'am,

to cool you off.

Little lady, my compliments,

to hold in your temper.

And may I compliment also?

I've never seen finer

specimens of drunken hoodlums.

Ooh, is she upset or something?

Now, I've shivered and froze

over half the Arctic Circle,

hunting these here whale

bones so women could

hold up their reputations.

And what thanks do I get?

Reminds me of the Hatty T...

got the lines of a clipper

and the disposition

of a blocky barge.

I sure hope we don't

sight her again.

Let's go back where we came from.

Hey, Dan, h*, Dan,

what in the Sam hill?

Where are you?

What... what happened?

I thought you were gonna meet

me after you got tied up.

Well, something happened

that kept me onboard.

Oh, did you miss the time?

Yeah, sure, I guess you did

the honors for both of us, huh?

You better sleep it off.

Oh, I don't want to go to bed.

We're going back

to the music hall,

and wait till you see

the red head that I got

lined up for you.

Well, we'll make

it some other night.

What's the matter with you?

Didn't... didn't you hear me?

I said a red head.

She's even prettier

than the one you sent

them violets to in Galveston.

I didn't have a

girl in Galvestone.

It must've been Sailaway.

Sailaway my eye, it was

you she through the lamp at.

This was even...

What else did the red head do?

What's she doing here?

You know we don't

allow women onboard.

She's no woman.

This is my kid sister, Abigail.

Abby, this is Paxton Bryce.

She arrived this afternoon,

had a kind of an accident

with a no-account drunk.

Well, what's so funny?

I was the accident.

Well, she said that it was

a low-down, no-good rowdy.

I should have recognized you, Pax.

Well, I've furnished

so much amusement.

How did she happen to cruise in?

Did you send for her?

Well, not exactly, that is I might

have mentioned in

one of my letters

that we had a lot of room onboard.

Oh, yeah, sure, sure, sure,

and you also told her we're

gonna make a stop at Riverford.

Holy smokes, Dan,

we haven't got time

to be a couple of nursemaids.

Now, listen, Pepperpot,

I did send for her.

We probably hurt her feelings.

That's too bad,

but she can't stay.

Poor kid, she's probably

crying her eyes out.

A fine reception we gave her.

This country is no place for her.

It's gonna have to be.

My aunt that she's

been living with

died, and naturally, she feels

that her place is with me now.

I'm very sorry, but our plans

don't include kid sisters.

She's going back east.

Give her any excuse you like,

but you gotta get rid of her.

Nothing doing, now it's

up to me to look after her,

and she stays.

Look, Dan, you know

how bossy women are.

Before you know it, she'll

be telling us what to do.

She'll have the whole

place upside down.

Well, if that's all that's

worrying you, forget it.

You won't even know

that she's around,

and I... I promise you won't.

All right, see that I don't.

I suppose I'll have to stand

for some of these changes

around here, but the

Hatty T stays right there.

Sorry, I was just gonna put

up something I like better.

Well, maybe your brother

doesn't mind if you make

a parlor out of this

cabin, but I'd appreciate

it if you let my things alone.

And where are the old curtains?

I like them.

Those are the old curtains.

I just washed them.

Would you mind telling

me where my pipes are?

Here they are.

I washed them for you.

You what?

Oh, don't get so excited.

It's only soap and water.

Only soap and wa... oh, my...

and with my shaving brush.

So I wasn't even going

to know she was onboard,

and in the last two

weeks she's overhauled

everything but the engine.

Oh, simmer down, Pax.

Personally, I like the

way she's fixing things,

and don't forget the good

meals she's been cooking.

Yeah, all the comforts of home.

Well, I've had enough.

I'm going ashore to

look at that acreage.

Hey, the land agent said it make

a good starter for the ranch.

Well, I'll go with you.

I'd better get a couple

of cans of beans.

Why?

Abby's cooking a nice rabbit stew.

Hey, Sailaway, heave to and

tie up to the west bank.

Sailaway, you and

Runty stay behind

and give Miss Abby a hand.

This tub is turning into

a cruddy, old hen house.

Splice me for a one-eyed eel.

I ain't no cabin

boy, Mr. Taylor.

Of course, you aren't, Sailaway.

And I'll handle the

rest till we take

a look at Mr. Bryce's property.

It isn't every day that you can

catch a glimpse of an empire,

is it?

No, ma'am.

Are we ready?

There's the boundary marker.

Now, way up in those rolling

hills is another marker,

and everything in between is the...

Is the Bryce Empire?

And is that the cattle

that come with it?

All right, Runty,

man your station.

We'll put the little

critter in drydock.

I'll take the bow.

You take the stern.

Mr. Bryce!

Mr. Bryce!

Look.

Oh, it doesn't look bad at that.

There are a lot of

things to consider, Pax.

We don't know anything

about the cattle business.

We can learn, can't we?

Look at that.

When I see that, there's only

one thing I can think of.

How much land can I get, and

how many cows go with it?

You're letting your imagination

run away with you as usual.

If it wasn't for my imagination,

we wouldn't have a nickel.

Why, we wouldn't have run

cotton, and we wouldn't have...

Well, this time, you're wrong.

I think, Dan, that...

Now, I know you had to come along.

Please, don't bother thinking.

I was just going to

agree with you, Mr. Bryce.

Oh.

Oh, you were?

Well, that's a little different.

Then neither of you are

using any common sense.

Who's gonna buy beef from

us in these parts when

they can get it for nothing?

They won't here, but they

will up north and back east.

They're paying $10

a head in Abilene,

and that fella, Chism, proved

that cattle can make the trip.

Yeah, it's a point, but

why throw away money buying

and when you can round up

all the cattle you want?

Oh, it won't always be like that.

Someday, all this land

will be privately owned.

Of course, it will, Dan.

The country is growing this

way, and before long, there

will be a new way of living, law

and order and property rights.

There will be no place

for wild cattle hunters.

You'll have to have your

own range, and a lot of it.

Well, Dan, we're, uh,

two to one against you.

So you two are pulling

together for a change?

Well, I know when I'm licked.

We'll sell the Betsy Ann

to that fella in Riverford.

Well, Abby, I, uh, guess I was

a little bit wrong about you.

It's, uh, getting to be a pleasure

having you around here.

That's the first nice

thing you've said to me.

You better be careful.

It might get to be a habit.

You couldn't be.

A habit is, uh, something

you're not conscious of.

Like that awful

frown when you're mad?

Well, that's, uh, self defense.

Begging your pardon, Skipper,

what are we gonna do now?

You can swap that harpoon

for a branding iron.

We're going to work.

A harpoon on dry land,

why, that's plum loony.

I'm gonna get me a

buffalo for a pin cushion.

I'll cleave him clean

in two at 100 yards.

Sailaway, you're gonna make a

valuable man on a cattle ranch,

the way you can throw the bull.

I hope it's as good

as it looks, Abby.

It better be.

I put eight eggs in it.

Eight eggs in one cake?

The Bryce and Taylor Ranch

must be doing all right.

Boy, that's pretty now.

Why don't you let it

burn a little while?

I don't know.

Happy birthday, sis.

Happy birthday, Abby.

And to the first anniversary

of the Bryce-Taylor Ranch.

We have to drink to that.

Are you gonna cut

the cake right away?

Sure, we want to eat it.

How about it, boys?

Should we wait for the

cake, or should do it now?

No.

Right now?

All right, Abby...

We're, uh,

all mighty pleased at the way

you stuck by us through

a pretty tough year.

And since this is your birthday,

we, uh, want to give you these.

Oh, gee, I don't know

how to thank you all.

Come on.

Open 'em up.

Let's see what it is.

From Sailaway and Runty.

Oh, look.

That nice?

Oh, it's lovely.

Oh, of course, you don't have to...

Didn't you like it?

Sure.

Because you're twice as

big, you get kissed twice.

Gosh, I wish I was

as big as an elephant.

Well, ain't ya?

Well, uh, open up the other one.

Oh, Pax, it's beautiful.

Gosh, a pair of laced chaps.

I didn't buy 'em.

The sales lady must

have put 'em in.

I'll put the dress away

so it won't get wrinkled.

How about a little

song, huh, Runty?

Yeah, yeah.

Come on, a little song.

Come on, boys.

You better stop that gal,

and she's got him earmarked.

Earmarked?

That lass has got him

roped and hogtied.

She sure has.

Oh, Pax, it's the loveliest

present of all, oh.

It's all just beginning, Abby.

There isn't anything the

future won't give you.

All I want and need is

right here with me now.

Oh, Pax, we'll build

something fine together,

something we can be proud of.

We can be married

before I go to Abilene.

Oh, and this will make

such a lovely wedding dress.

Certainly, what do

you think I got it for?

Pretty sure of me, weren't you?

I never heard of such conceit.

Well, I...

If it's just a question of you,

I could say, no, but I don't

see how I can resist the dress.

Give me some

time to blow the man down.

Oh, it's sailors and

tinkers and tailors as men.

Hey, hey, blow the man down.

Have I but known,

I would have arrived

sooner for our celebration.

What do you want,

payment for your cattle?

Oh, no, monsieur, but you

plenty of cattle now, eh?

Yes, and plenty,

but they're all ours.

Oui, oui, ours, eh?

Not yours, ours.

The old score is all settled.

Absolutely, Dominique

Beauchard always start clean

with his new partners, eh?

Well, why do you laugh?

It was my idea to

go into business.

My idea, your money,

yeah, we are partners, no?

No.

You don't have enough claim,

not even for a single hoof

or horn.

Yeah, but I have a different view.

Listen, Beauchard, if we

catch you or anybody else

taking any of our cattle, I'll

give you a dose of stomach

pills you can't digest.

Do we understand each other?

Hey, I know how you feel, but

I, too, have ideas like yours.

I would like a big ranch

in my Louisiana where I

can be a big man of much power.

That's your affair.

But when you're on

this side of the river,

you keep your eyes peeled

for our boundary markers.

Oh, I have seen

them, but, uh, I don't

believe little words on paper.

He wasn't bluffing.

We can take care

of him, all right.

Think you ought to put

off the drive to Abeline?

Not by a jug full,

we need all the money

those cattle will bring.

You'll have enough men to

take care of Beauchard.

I'd relish doing it for a fact.

Come on, Runty, let's

finish the song.

Yeah, come on.

Oh, sailors as

tinkers and tailors as men, oh,

h*, blow the man down.

Well, go on, Paxton.

- Good luck.

- Thanks, Dan, so long.

Bye, Ms. Bryce.

Take care of yourself, Sailaway.

Yeah, Sailaway, take

good care of my husband.

Likely as not, he'll

take care of me, ma'am.

Well, come on, Runty.

Promise you'll be

careful, darling.

It's such a dangerous trip.

And if anything

happened to you, I...

Nothing will, not when I

have you waiting for me.

I'll be back by Thanksgiving.

Goodbye, Abby.

Goodbye.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Come back here, you buzzard.

No use in running!

You're gonna roost in my oven.

Come back here, you buzzard.

Hello, Willa May.

Hello, Willa May.

Oh, hi, [inaudible].

Everything all right?

Well, I know we'll have a

real Thanksgiving, sure enough.

How about a piece of

that good old apple pie?

Pie is waiting.

But don't you mess

up my kitchen 'cause

you know I know you cowboys.

Oh.

Oh, Pax, I'm so glad you're home.

Not any gladder than I am.

I got you a little thing.

I sold the cattle, and

then I went right out

and bought you the finest

present they had in Abeline.

Bring it in, Saillaway.

Wait till you see it.

We missed you, Sailaway.

Nothing like home port, ma'am.

Where you want it?

Put it right there.

Just the only one in the

world, I had it made special.

Well, there she be, with

not a scratch on her hull.

You like it, honey?

Like it?

Oh, it's fit for a king.

That's what he'll be someday.

Oh, Abby, he's going to make

our future complete, something

to build for.

What's the matter?

Lately, I haven't been

so sure of our future.

I've been worried, Pax.

You'll get those notions

right out of your head.

We'll have the best

doctor that mo...

Oh, it isn't that.

It's Dan and the ranch.

Beauchard's been raiding

us ever since you left.

Why didn't you tell

me in your letters?

I'd have come right back.

Dan thought he could

catch him, but he's managed

to slip away every time.

I guess I didn't take that

hombre seriously enough.

Where's Dan now?

He's gone to Blue Rock Canyon.

He put some cattle

there to drop Beauchard.

Oh, Pax, I'm afraid.

Dan may be walking

into a trap, himself.

Beauchard seems to know ev...

If you don't stop that fretting,

you won't have any appetite

for that turkey dinner.

I'll go give Dan a hand.

Runty, hold it.

Wait till they start

moving the herd.

Augustin, you are a

wise old fox to find

so many cow in one place.

For that, I am going to promise

you one hundred gold piece, eh?

What's wrong, Dominique?

Hey, now I know why

there are so many cow

where the glass is so poor.

I smell a [inaudible].

This place is no

good, and we must go.

All right, fellas.

Hi, Pax.

Hi, Mr. Bryce.

Hello, boys, how are ya?

Well, you missed quite a ruckus.

Yeah?

I finally got Beauchard.

He wound up in the river.

That's the best day's

work you ever did.

I don't want any trouble

for the next few months

on account of Abby.

That's right.

How'd things go in Abeline?

Got top prices.

Good.

You are hurt, huh?

My friend, they give me something

I will not forget too soon.

Ah, oui.

Take it easy, Pax.

Abby will be all right.

Hey, that squeal's pretty high.

It must be a girl.

It's gotta be a boy.

I made him a harpoon.

Is she all right, Willa May?

She's fine, so is your son.

Whoo...

Shh, y'all be quiet.

Come on.

The cigars are on me.

Help yourself, boys.

Oh, thanks.

How's it feel to be Pop?

I don't know.

Uncle Dan?

That's right.

Lucky it wasn't a girl, Skipper.

We'd have had a tough

time raising her.

Oh, what do you know

about raising kids?

Everything, I was the

last in a 14-kid family,

and I never did get enough to eat.

And good thing you didn't.

Let me tell you

some of the troubles

I had when I was a kid.

And that, my mates, is how come

I had the measles 14 times.

How many times?

14.

Go on in, Pax, and

meet your new boss.

I can't tell you

how much I love you.

He's beautiful, Pax.

He has your eyes.

Husky little shaver, isn't he?

Yes, sir, awful

lucky, [inaudible].

Pax, Jr., for every

one of those pounds,

I'll get you 10,000 acres.

And for every year after

that, I'll double it.

Hold it this way, two fingers.

Now, keep the elbow stiff.

Put your weight on your right

foot, and bend your knees.

That she blows.

No, no, Pax, get

some heft into it.

But you I could rope it.

Ah, what kind of

sailing talk is that?

Aw, gee, Sailaway, I

don't want to be a whaler.

I'm a cowboy.

Listen here, young feller,

whaling is a noble profession,

and you're gonna be

the great whaler...

Not if I have anything to say.

Good morning, Pop.

I got up extra early for our

ride, but you'd gone, though.

I went into town to

get something for you.

My pony?

Where is it?

Runty's on him.

Oh.

Sailaway, I don't like

to be at you all the time,

but you've got to stop spouting

that kind of talk to Paxton.

Well, blast my

barnacles, Mr. Bryce.

I hate to see the lad

grow into a landlubber.

He's not going to be

foot-loose wind jammer.

He's going to grow up to be a

solid, dependable man that the

whole country can look up to.

Aye aye, sir, but I still say he

ain't cut out for no cowpoke.

Mom, Mom, look, my very own pony.

He's great, isn't he, Mom?

Oh, I'm glad you like it.

You haven't even

noticed the saddle.

Oh, it's wonderful

and just my size,

thanks, and a real lariat.

Yeah, made it special for you.

You did?

Thanks, Runty.

Is it what you ordered, son?

Oh, you're the best pop in the

word, and you're the best mom.

Well, up we go.

How are the stirrups?

They're just right, yahoo.

You'll be out-riding

me in no time.

Patch is awful smart, Pop.

She handles easier than

a smoke in a fair breeze.

I wish you wouldn't pay

quite as much attention

to Sailaway's yarns, son.

Oh, I listen 'cause I like him.

Can I go on the next round up?

Oh, that might be a good idea.

It's about time you

learned how a ranch is run.

You just keep your

eyes open and watch

everything I do because someday

you're gonna be the boss.

Am I?

If I watch you, will

be a real cattleman?

Pax, raising cattle

is a mighty big job.

It's probably the biggest

job in the United States.

You know, once

Abraham Lincoln said,

we must get beef to all the

country, both North and South.

He was talking to

cattlemen like you and me.

He left us with

that responsibility,

so we'll have to live up to it.

Golly, if we're

gonna feed everybody,

we'll have to round

up a lot of steers.

Lucky I got my new lariat.

I rope calves and help ride herds.

We can always use

a good hand, son.

Now, I guess we better get home.

Want to race?

All right, come on.

At the end of

the trail, little pal,

when the sun

disappears in the west,

at the end of the trail,

little pal, we will

have real contentment and rest.

If we should be parted

by some trick of fate,

wait at the old corral.

Why don't you all go to work?

You know you may

depend that you'll find me,

old friend, at the end

of the trail, little pal.

These figures are impossible,

3,000 had less than last year.

Every year, your tallies have

been off, more each time.

Well, I can vouch for the figures.

We've combed every

inch of the range.

Yeah, I thought at

first it was drought,

freezing, normal strain

when you consider

the size of the

herds we're handling,

but 3,000 head is

too much of a leak.

I don't like the

look of it, myself.

Pop, will you fix my lariat?

Not now, Pax, I'm busy.

There's only one answer for it.

Other ranchers are

driving our cattle

to market alongside of their

own and burning out our brands.

There's a sure way to stop it.

Close the range to everybody.

That'll cause a peck

of trouble, Mr. Bryce.

Folks have always driven

across each other's land.

They're not going

across mine anymore.

Post no trespassing

signs, and patrol

the range to make sure everybody

understands we mean it.

Don't you think we better

wait till Mr. Taylor

gets back from Galveston?

I gave you your orders, Ford.

Pop, are Mr. Crowder and

his friends our cattle?

Somebody is, and we're

gonna put a stop to it.

Ah, Pierre, the

journey was good, eh?

Oh, good 1,000

times, such fat cows.

I should thank Monsieur

Bryce and Taylor

for raising them for me, huh?

Yeah, also the saints

that they don't find out it

is you who take them

all these years.

Yeah, but you forget.

I am a ghost.

Was I not drowned?

Hey, something happened

while you was away.

Oui?

Oui, I buy the Lamir

Plantation at St. Croix.

You bought...

Oui, oui.

Well, soon, you will be the

most rich man in Louisiana.

Well, the most rich and

the most powerful, heh?

Well, can I help it if

my good partners are so

careless with their cows, hmm?

Well, no, no.

- Howdy, Mr. Taylor.

- Howdy.

How are you doing, Mr. Taylor?

Hi, boys, glad to

see you all again.

Well, thank you.

Why are the a*tillery?

No outside herds allowed on

the range, Mr. Bryce's orders.

Some of the outfits are kinda hot,

but so far they're

just calling names.

They you are.

Now, it'll run free

without grabbing.

Thanks, Pop.

Pax, what are you

thinking of, closing

the ranch to outside cattle?

Well, you know all

Texas is open range.

Well, it's about time it wasn't.

A man can't raise a decent

herd with every scrub

bull mixing with this stock.

He puts out feed.

Another man's cattle eats it.

You can't even run

steers on your own land.

Somebody grabs 'em.

Just the same, you can't

go around stepping on folks.

Well, let 'em keep out of my way.

Pax, you don't have to push

people against the wall.

Well, if you make those

ranchers drive the long way

to market, there won't be any meat

left on their cattle to sell.

You'll force 'em out of business.

This country was made for men that

can stand on their own feet.

If you want to survive,

you have to fight.

You can't be a sentimentalist.

And you can't play

lord and master.

You forget it took the little

man as well as the big one

to make this country what it is.

I can do without your lecture.

You've gotten so puffed up

with your own importance...

Dan, please don't quarrel.

I won't, Abby.

Have it your own

way, but remember.

You can only push 'em so far.

Pax, what's happened to you?

You've changed so.

You're hard and greedy.

Hard and greedy because

I'm fighting to keep

what I have for my family?

I'll see them in...

Pop, why?

Is it because you're turning

people off our place?

Mm-hmm, we can't let 'em

keep on stealing our cattle

till we have none left, so we

have to keep 'em out, don't we?

You betcha, Pop,

and when I grow up,

- I'll help you fight 'em.

- Sure.

Hush, Pax.

You mustn't talk like that.

What do you want him

to be, a mollycoddle,

afraid to fight for what's his?

I want him to know there

are two ways of putting out

a hand, in a shake or a slap.

You get back a hand according.

Howdy, I'd like to

see Bryce or Taylor.

Pax, it is a mighty good

notion, getting this breed.

It's certainly built

to pack a lot of beef.

Look, Dad.

He's got a pillow on the neck.

That's a brahma bull, Pax.

We'll cross him

with our longhorns,

and that'll give us a

higher percentage of beef.

Bryce and Taylor are

sure getting highfalutin,

building a castle like this.

I wouldn't mind

being in their boots.

Well, you could be

if you pushed folks

off the land the way they have.

They tried to buy me out,

but I sent them packing.

I told Bryce he wasn't

trampling on me.

Crowder's got a lot

of nerve, coming here

after running you two hand.

I wonder what he wants?

I don't know.

Howdy, boys.

Hello, Crowder.

Hello.

Now, we came to,

uh, well, a brahma.

Aren't Texas longhorns good

enough for your outfit?

We decided that

improving our stock

might encourage our

neighbors to do likewise.

Leading ranchers should

set an example, of else

how is the cattle industry

in Texas going to grow?

It was growing

before you were born,

and it'll be growing

after you're gone.

I'll shove it along

while I'm here,

and my son will carry

on where I leave off.

I'm learning now, Mr. Crowder.

I'm gonna be Pop's right-hand man.

Well, how about getting

down to business?

This is Mr. McKay.

He represents the Great

Southwest Railroad Company.

How do you do, sir?

- Mr. Bryce and Mr. Taylor.

- Mr. Bryce.

How are you?

How do you do?

Mr. McKay has a deal for you.

It concerns every man here.

Well, might as

well be comfortable.

Sit down, gentlemen.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Go ahead, Mr. McKay.

Well, gentlemen,

our company proposes

to build a line from

Abilene to Riverford,

and we're obtaining rights of way.

So far, everyone along the

route has given us permission,

but we must have yours to

complete the final link.

Sorry, Mr. McKay,

but for my part,

no railroad is going

through our property.

Well, you can't think of

yourself all the time, Bryce.

This'll benefit

the whole community

and make Riverford a

great cattle center.

Maybe, and it'll also bring

in a tidal wave of settlers.

Before you know it, they'll be

demanding roads, town sites.

They'll cut up the

land into farms.

We cattlemen will be crowded out.

Hold on, Pax.

Maybe we can get on

without a railroad,

but I claim some of

the smaller outfits

are entitled to make

a decent profit, too.

And they can, by freighting

their cattle to Abeline

instead of driving 'em.

You're right.

Mr. Taylor's right.

You know the cattle industry

needs range, enormous range,

and a railroad will k*ll it.

I say it stays out.

You've got your sights levelled

on the wrong target, Pax.

I guess there's nothing I

can say that will switch him.

Mr. Bryce, don't you

realize you're stopping

development in this territory?

McKay, it's taken years to

put this range together, years

of sweat, struggle, and fight.

I am not letting your

railroad tear it down.

I am sorry we can't get together.

So am I, goodbye.

Goodbye.

Mr. Crowder, it looks

like our deal is off.

None of the land is any

good to us without theirs.

Well, they're riding high now,

but they won't ride on forever.

When I was

walking down Paradise Street,

hey, hey, blow the man down.

Up with the young damsel

that I chanced to meet,

give me some time to

blow the man down.

Where did you get my pet fan?

I borrowed it to shoe

the flies off Patch.

She growed a tail

for that purpose.

Not on her front end.

You don't mind, do you, Mom?

If anything should happen to

it, I'll buy you another one.

You could never

replace it, darling.

It's the first present

your father ever game me.

Oh, I'll be careful.

I'll put it away as

soon as we get home.

A rabbit, let's chase it.

Bryce can drive off some

of the smaller outfits,

but he can't stop this drive,

not if we all stick together.

Still and all, it

will be a trespassing.

Well, how are we gonna

get our cows to market?

Why, it would take a week

to circle their range.

If we don't shortcut, we

have to cross the river

and get on through the bayous.

We can't drive steers through

mud that has no bottom.

[inaudible] cut across Dry Creek.

The Bryce-Taylor outfit

shot 20 of his steers

and creased him in the shoulder.

Well, they're clamping

down on us, just

like they planned all along.

They won't be satisfied until

they starve every one of us

out.

No sidewinder is gonna keep

me from making a living.

Me, neither.

Just let 'em try to stop us.

Sorry, Mr. Crowder, but you

can't cut across Bryce-Taylor

Ranch anymore.

Well, we've been

doing it right along,

and we don't aim to change now.

Mr. Bryce says different.

Boyd, you keep out of the way.

We're coming through.

Crowder, turn those cows.

We don't want trouble.

Son, you've got it.

All right, bring 'em on.

Stop.

You can't come on our place.

My pop said so.

Come on.

Over there!

Drive my cattle.

There's no space, Pax.

Get out of the way.

Stop.

Pax.

Stop.

Pax.

I tried to keep 'em out, Pop...

like you said.

Pax.

Oh, no.

Oh, Dan.

There's something

I want to say, Pax.

I've been doing a

heap of calculating.

Oh, not now, Dan.

I can't think.

I've been going crazy.

I can't believe he's gone.

I had so many plans for him.

How's Abby?

She hasn't talked to me for days.

She's taking it pretty hard.

Swine, they won't be staying...

They're not responsible.

You are.

You pinned them in a corner, drove

them into going against you.

They didn't have to k*ll my son.

I'll keep 'em off this place.

I'll fence the whole ranch.

I'll put a b*llet in the first

one that sets foot on it.

And you'll do it alone.

When we started this ranch,

we wanted to make it something

we'd be proud of, but you've

turned it into a thing that

reeks of greed and

oppression and a thing

that all decent

people hold against.

It's already cost the

life of an innocent child.

What's happened is

only the beginning.

There will be more killings,

more bloodshed, and for what,

so you can have a few more miles

or range and a few more cows?

I can't stomach your

notions any longer.

You've gone soft.

Well, I won't.

You've done enough.

Stay out of this, Abby.

Now, I have had my craw full.

I am putting an end

to this partnership.

Good, I'll buy your interest.

That suits me.

Paxton, listen.

Hate and revenge will destroy you.

It won't bring our son back.

What kind of a mother are you?

You want me to turn

my other cheek?

Well, I won't.

That's not my way.

Your way is to rule and trample

the people, grab for yourself

at every turn.

You taught it to Pax.

You're very words led him to it.

It's easy enough to blame me.

But if I had it all

to do over again,

I'd still teach him to

fight for what's his.

Pax, you're blind,

and you'll stay blind.

There's no place in your heart

for love and understanding.

I can't go on like this.

That's up to you.

I'll miss your

spouting, you big walrus,

but Ms. Abby will need me.

Goodbye, Sailaway.

You've been awfully kind to me.

Thanks, ma'am.

Things won't seem ship shape

around here without you.

Bye.

Abby...

Still set on leaving?

I'm sorry, Pax, terribly sorry.

We had something

fine and beautiful.

It wasn't enough for us.

Ready, Abby?

I'll have the money for

you as soon as possible.

Whenever is convenient,

we'll be in Riverford.

Goodbye, Abby.

Goodbye.

Mr. Bryce, Mr. Sailaway

told me to give you this.

So he ran out on me, too.

I ain't running out

on you, Mr. Bryce.

Yes, sir, you betcha.

I tore right into them pirates.

I cracked 'em on their skulls so

hard, I busted all their toes.

Bravo, bravo, mon ami.

Honored to meet you,

two honors to meet you.

Sure.

Why don't you stay here in Luciana

and come to work with me

at the Rancho [inaudible].

Nope, I'm going back to the sea.

I hate ranches.

They change people.

It makes them forget to be human.

But my boss, he's almost human.

He pays well.

He got so many cows you

can hardly see the grass.

We find them in Texas

by the [inaudible].

I don't care where you found them.

From now on, cows is

only steaks to me.

All right, have it

your way, but honor me

by meeting my boss.

He like to meet men

with courage, like you.

All right, we'll buy him a drink.

All right, and we'll drink

it, and we don't care.

Sure.

What's the matter?

Are you sick?

My liver, is that your boss?

Oui, monsieur, come

with me, will ya?

Come and meet him.

I'll meet him later.

I'm ill.

My liver is turning into a turtle.

Oh, come on.

Come on, [inaudible], a friend.

I like him.

He's cool.

Is that right, 1, 4, 7, 3, 4?

14,734, check.

Mm-hmm, as near

as I can configure,

Dan's share comes

close to $1/2 million.

If we raise that much

cash, that'll leave

us with a mighty small herd.

Hi, Skipper.

What are you doing here?

You're supposed to be

halfway to the Gulf.

I was, but I ain't.

I don't want no shore leave when

there's some fighting to do.

You're drunk.

But just the same, my

eyes and ears ain't.

I found out where your

cows been going to.

Yeah, where?

Mr. Beauchard shanghaied 'em.

Beauchard?

Should Now I know you're drunk.

Sure, but just the same, I saw him

just as plain as [inaudible] light

in a tavern across the river.

Where you been all this time?

Shh.

Shh.

That's a neat job of

working these brands over.

Looks like they're

all wearing them.

Round up a couple of them.

We'll take them

along for evidence.

One bellow out of you, and I'll

tie your tongue to your trail.

Hey, what an evening we have, huh?

Now, we can dream

of our sweetheart.

Well, if it is not my old friend.

Why you no let me

know you was coming?

I stay home to welcome you.

I didn't want to put

you to any trouble.

Besides, this isn't a

social call, Beauchard.

In the last seven years, you've

stolen 10,000 of my cattle.

A normal increase would've

raised that to about 50,000.

That makes you owe me

plenty of hard cash.

But I will take my share of

our partnership, and I keep it.

I have men, both loyal and brave,

and they will not let you

take my cows from my ranch.

There's more than one

way of collecting a debt.

If you k*ll me, my men will sh**t

you before you can go a mile.

So what you gain, eh?

I guess you're right.

I hadn't thought about that.

But what can you do about this?

Dominique Beauchard, you have

been found guilty of the charge

of capital stealing.

The sentence of this

court is that you

be confined for the term

of from two to five years.

That's just a vacation.

If I was skipping this

here show, I'd stake him out

on a yard arm.

Shh.

Mr. Bryce, I understand

you have filed

suit in the Louisiana

courts for the value

of your stolen cattle.

In view of this verdict, you

should get your money quickly.

It is bad to lose

the money, but it

is better to save the neck, eh?

Your luck is they only tried

you for stealing cattle.

You have no cause to grin.

Stand up.

I'm not through with you yet.

There is another matter.

Beauchard, you've been a thorn

in the side of law and order

in Texas for over 10 years,

but the law always catches up

with K*llers like you.

For your raid on

Clarksville, where

you were responsible for

the death of four persons

and on Melford, which

you burned to the ground

at a cost of more lives, for

your attack on half a dozen

ranches, the order of this course

is that you be remanded to

the custody of the sheriff

to stand trail for m*rder.

Court dismissed.

Thanks for everything, Beauchard.

It is too soon for

thanks, monsieur.

I promise you.

You are very foxy.

Foxy, yeah, but look.

I am in here.

That's a good one.

That sure is a good one.

What do you want?

I have fresh clothes

for Monsieur Beauchard.

All right, come in.

Let's have a look at them.

Oh, oui, oh, they are just

handkerchiefs, socks, and

a robe that will keep him warm.

Oh, a cord, uh, to

tie around the middle

to keep up the whole arm, huh?

All right, let me have them.

Hey, but why are you

keep me wait so many days?

The police come to the ranch.

We had to hide in the hills.

And they have taken all the

gold and put it in the bank

until they're there for it.

Oh, well, that is most convenient.

Well, we'll be rolling

east in about 10 minutes.

Do you suppose we'll

ever get used to living

there again after all this?

Oh, sure, we will,

and it'll be better.

Barbed wire, consigned to

the Bryce-Taylor Ranch,

confound Pax's hide.

He's just begging for trouble.

Oh, Dan, he is so wrong.

And the terrible part is

he believes he's right.

Now will you agree that we've

got to clip Bryce's wings?

That's the cruelest

contraption ever invented,

and he's using it to

fence his whole range.

It started coming in last night,

and they've carted

most of it away.

They called it barbed wire.

Look at them barbs.

Well, that'll tear

the cattle to pieces.

We've got to drive

him out of the country

before he puts up a [inaudible].

Well, he's like jimson weed.

He's choking us to death.

I'm for making a necktie social.

Now, you're talking.

We'll all meet tonight

at Mesquite Flats.

Pass the word to

the rest of the men,

and get to every man in Riverford.

Let's go.

Let's get out of here, too.

Dan, we'll have to warn him.

They'll k*ll him.

I thought I'd stop loving

him, but I haven't.

When it comes to Pax, changing

our minds is a Taylor habit.

I'll ride out.

You and Runty stay

here at the hotel

while this thing blows over.

And they won't rest until you're

swinging from a limb, Pax.

Now, come on and give up the

idea of using barbed wire.

I'll run this ranch as I see fit.

No mob is gonna dictate to

me when I'm in the right.

You're no more in the

right than you were when

you accused them of rustling.

Oh, admit it and

pull in your horns.

Dan, my son died keeping

them off this place.

And as long as I live,

they're gonna stay off, if I

have to turn Texas upside down.

They'll pull this house

apart brick by brick and...

What do you care?

It's not your property.

You got your check.

Now, go on, before they show up.

All right, I'll go.

For 15 years, I've been sticking

my neck out beside yours.

Now, I'm through.

Runty, where have you been?

Dan hasn't come back

yet, and I'm worried.

I'm going to the ranch.

Well, you can bet I'll

get you out of here.

Riverford ain't gonna be healthy.

Why?

What's happened?

Well, nothing, I

was down by the river

and heard two Frenchy

boatmen yammering.

Beauchard and his

pack of scuttlers

are coming in from Las

Cumbres, and they're

gonna sack the town.

There's nobody here to stop them.

Crowder and his men...

I know all about it, Cal.

Runty and I will try to

stop them at the flat.

You get all the women and

children together and put them

in the schoolhouse.

Well, it looks like every

man in town turned out.

All right, men, march your horses.

Get your r*fles from

Mr. Whites on the porch.

Your ammunition is there, too.

Got an extra six sh**ter for me?

I was hoping you'd come back.

The fight wouldn't seem natural

without the two of us in it.

Well, that's the way I figure.

They may have left

the flats by now.

You go on after them, and

I'll shortcut to the ranch

and get help.

Aye aye, Skipper.

Hey, [inaudible].

Every man in town is gone.

Only the old ones stayed there.

Oh, certainly, those ranchers,

they make Monsieur Bryce

pay for his sins.

And while they do, Dominique

Beauchard will collect, eh?

We march.

Remember, the ranches in

the valley belong to you,

and I give you the town

also, but not the bank.

That belong to me.

Hold it.

Hey, Skipper, it's Ms. Abby.

Open the gates.

Open 'em up.

I thought I told you to stay

in town until this thing blows

over.

Beauchard's at Las Cumbres,

and he's got hundreds of men.

He's gonna attack Riverford.

Let him attack.

But, Pax, he'll wipe

out the entire valley.

Those women and children...

Let their men take

care of them instead

of using their mob rule on me.

Runty's gone after

them, but I'm afraid he

won't reach them in time.

You can't let those women

and children suffer, Pax.

Your fight's not with them.

She's right, Pax.

Why should I worry

about their families?

They didn't worry about mine.

Even so, we've got to help them.

While we ride to the

rescue, that pack of wolves

tears my ranch apart.

Oh, no, Pax, Jr. paid a

big price for this place,

and I'm not letting go

for a noble gesture.

It won't make it

easier on you to bring

agony on others, in spite

of what those men have done.

They love their families

as much as we loved Pax.

Would you want them to

go through what we have?

No, I wouldn't.

You go down to the old

ranch house with Willa May.

You'll be safer there.

Well, Dan, I guess this

is the end of our empire.

Sure, but I've got a

notion you're starting

to build something better.

Sailaway, Ford, all you

men, get your horses.

Beauchard's got us outnumbered,

but from where he is,

he'll have to go

through Bottleneck Pass.

We're a lot closer

to it than he is.

I've got a hunch we

can even up the odds.

You all ready, men?

Yeah.

Come on, keep working.

Make those anchor posts

good and solid, men.

If that fire trap

doesn't hold them,

this barricade has got to.

Throw some brush over it.

Hey.

Whoa, hey.

Hey, you fellas better

pound it back to town

'cause Beauchard's

gonna pounce on it.

Well, you hold your shirttail.

He's up in jail in Sabine.

Taylor told me so, himself.

Well, this rabbit is

just one of Bryce's men.

It's a trick to stall us.

It is not a trick.

I tell ya.

Beauchard is heading for the...

You go back and tell

your boss we're not giving

him time to get set for us.

Go on.

Oh, listen, fellas.

Hey, Crowder, wait, hey.

Lay low and wait for the signal.

All right, men, get down.

I don't want to spoil everything.

Wait till they start

coming back out.

Come on, Ford.

Start plugging that gap.

Light up, here.

What kind of trick is this?

Pierre, it is not

good to play with fire.

We go back.

We take longer way to town.

All right, let 'em go.

Hop to it.

Keep this fire

blazing! [inaudible].

Come with me.

We are trapped, but we'll get out.

Follow me.

Get ready, men.

Wait till they start up the slope.

Now will you believe me?

Them ain't dogs barking.

Sounds like it's coming

from the bottleneck.

Well, maybe Bryce sent some

of his men to draw us off.

That firing is too heavy.

Bryce hasn't got

that big of a g*n.

I'm taking a look.

Hey, we better all

take a look, huh?

Come on.

Hey.

Hey, tell Willy about

that one, will ya?

Make a go for it.

Another man down, Pax.

Back to the rocks.

Eh, [inaudible], cactus wire, huh?

Well, salut.

Pull it.

Pull it down.

Pull it down.

Pull it.

Pull it.

Pull those ropes.

Pull.

We gotta play our ace, Pax.

Sure, Skipper,

let's give it to 'em.

Go ahead.

That blast ought to stop them.

Hold it, men.

Round 'em up.

He ain't trumped, but

he's sure for drydock.

Bryce, from now on,

you can string as much

of that barbed wire as you want

to, and I'll go to help you.

You fellas saved our families,

and we won't forget it.

I guess we've both

been wrong, Crowder.

I can't stop the railroads

any more than you

can stop fenced-in ranges.

They're both here

to stay because they

both mean progress.

Texas is... Dan, you better finish.

Well, Pax means that

if we all pull together,

we can make this the finest

state in the union, the cattle

center of the country, so we're

letting the railroad through.

When we put up our fences,

we're gonna leave plenty

of gates for our neighbors.

Give me them pills, you

big bunch of barnacle.

You ain't giving these to the

Skipper, your little sand crab.

Let go, or I'll flatten

you like a flounder.

But the catalog says they're

good for man or beast.

Yeah, sure, I swallowed

one this morning,

- and my teeth are still rattling.

- I don't care.

- Give them to me.

- No.

Now, give me them.

Here's the bottle.

Eat one pill, it'll make you

tie a knot in an octopus.

Eat 'em yourself.

She's all the medicine

I'll ever need.