[ theme music playing ]
[ grunts ]
Whoa!
Looks like you got
yourself a little trouble!
I hit a big hole.
Broke the wheel.
Why don't you
leave it here till
the rain stops?
I gotta get my load
on the train.
We'll give you a hand.
Come on, Andy.
Need any help?
No, we're just out here
gettin' some exercise.
I won't
interrupt you, then.
We can raise the wagon
all right, Trampas.
You steady the horses.
You could use
a longer log,
make it a lot easier
to lift.
Fine. You go
chop one down.
On second thought,
that one will do.
[ thunder ]
Whoa!
Aah!
That's about it.
Just hold it there.
She's stuck.
[ thunder ]
[ neighs ]Whoa.
Hurry it up!
A couple more will do it!
[ thunder ]
[ neighing ]
Aaaah!
Hurry up!
Get him out of there!
Get it up!
Give me a little more!
How much to
stable my horse?
Two bits a day.
That counts currying
and feeding.
Looks like your animal
could stand a lot of both.
Come a long way?
Long enough.
Tell me--
you know a fella named
Homer MacDowell
in this town?
He had an accident
day before yesterday.
What kind
of an accident?
It happened
outside of town.
I don't know
much about it.
I just know they got him
down at Miller's
boarding house.
Just around the corner,
second house down.
Thanks.
The doctor's
in with him now.
I don't think
he can see anybody.
Mind if I wait inside?
Why, sure.
Come on in.
Thank you.
He's in there.
But, like I said,
I don't think
he can see anybody.
Excuse me. I've got
some food on the stove.
Hey, nobody's supposed
to go in there.
Yes?
Something
I can do for you?
How bad is he hurt?
Skull fracture,
internal injuries,
as close as
I can diagnose.
How'd it happen?
Step outside.
How is he, Doc?Still unconscious.
I said,
how'd it happen?
Trampas can tell you
about it. He was there.
What would you like
to know, Mister, uh...
Wolfe. George Wolfe.
His wagon broke down.
We were trying to
help him--
We?
Yeah. Andy Adams,
Mr. Wingate, and myself.
We had the wagon
hoisted up,
and Mr. MacDowell
was under the wagon,
trying to knock the wheel
off the spindle
so we could put
the spare on.
And she fell on him.
Hey, Doc? Let me
walk out with you.
What do you think, Doc?
It's hard to tell
when I can't tell
the extent
of the internal
injuries.
I know you feel
badly about this,
but accidents happen.
It's nobody's fault.
WOLFE: Doctor?
I'm going to be
staying at the hotel.
I'd be much obliged
if you'd let me know
when he's able to talk.
I'd be glad to,
Mr. Wolfe.
I gather you're
a friend of his.
We're in business
together.
That's why I want
to talk to him--
a few things we have
to straighten out.
I can't make any
promises at this point,
but I'll send word to you
if you can see him.
Thanks.
Buy you a drink?No, thanks.
I got some errands
to run.
Tell me--where'd this
accident take place?
About two miles
out of town.
It sure was raining.
And you just happened
to wander by.
I was on the way
back to the ranch. Why?
I was just wondering.
Well, I gotta be going.
See you.
Morning.Morning.
Let me have a beer,
will you?
They told me
at the hotel I could
find Andy Adams here.
Yeah, he's right over
there at the table.
Thanks.
This doggone game
beats me every time.
I don't know
why I mess with it
in the first place.
It helps pass the time.
Mind if I sit down?Go right ahead.
Thanks.
What are you doing,
celebrating?
No, I'm just thirsty.
That was a terrible
thing that happened to
MacDowell, wasn't it?
Oh, yeah, that's right.
You were one of the men
that was there.
Yeah, I was there.
How'd it happen?
I don't know.
I figure
maybe the lightning
spooked the horses.
You mean the horses
were still hitched before
you got the wheel out?
Yeah.
That's kind of
peculiar, isn't it?
Well, Trampas was
steadying them horses.
Besides, that wagon
was mired down tight.
There was no need
to unhitch.
Who's idea was it
to leave 'em that way?
I don't know.
It just seemed like we--
Say, what are you
drivin' at?
Just curious,
that's all.
Well, that ain't the way
it seemed to me.
Been a long time,
George.
Oh, hello, Mark.
You mind, Andy?
Oh, no.
He's all yours.
Where was
the last place that--
Denver, right?Yeah, that's right.
You had a dead man
with you.
Yeah, I remember.
He tried to escape.
Yeah.
What are you
doin' here, George?
Business or pleasure?
Who'd come here
for pleasure?
Who are you after?
I don't know yet.
What do you mean?
Fella name of MacDowell--
he wrote me a letter.
Said there was a man
living in this town
worth $5,000 in Nebraska,
dead or alive.
Said he'd give me his name
for a cut of the reward.
You have the information
on him?
Enough to bring me here.
But no name.
No name.
What were you doing
with Adams?
You know, you drop
a hook in the water,
sometimes
you get a bite.
After all, he's one of
the men who put MacDowell
where he is right now.
That was an accident.
He told me.
You may have noticed,
George, I'm sheriff here.
Any lawbreakers
come under my department.
I'll tell you what.
I'll let you have the ones
there's no reward out for.
You find your man,
you bring him to me.
I'll see you get
your money.
I've tried that before.
Don't work.
You think
I'd double-cross you?
$5,000 is
a lot of money.
You remember one thing,
George--
keep your g*n
in its holster.
You draw it,
you're gonna go to jail.
Well, what do you know?
Looks like I'm winnin'.
You're a lucky man.
I cheat.
WOMAN: Sheriff!
Sheriff, I was
lookin' for you.
The doctor's off
delivering a baby, and--
Is MacDowell worse?
He's dead.
I went to his room,
and he wasn't breathing.
Poor man.
Dyin' like that--
all alone, no family.
You did the best
you could, Mrs. Miller.
I'll take it from here.
I'll go on
back home, then.
Seems like somebody
ought to be there.
Looks like you had
a long ride for nothing.
It's only a delay.
He said if anything happened
to him before I left,
there's be a letter
in his lockbox at the bank
naming the m*rder*r.
Well, that box
can't be opened
without a court order.
Judge Crenshaw won't be back
for another two weeks.
I can wait.
Won't be necessary.
If there is a letter,
I'll open it.
Why, so you can get
the reward?
No, so you won't.
Mark, as long as
you wear that badge,
you gotta go
by the book.
I don't think the book
reads that way.
Not if the letter
has my name on it.
We'll see.
I'll probably have the
whole thing wrapped up
before that anyway.
What's that mean?
That accident
out on the road--
maybe it wasn't
an accident.
You're barking
up the wrong tree.
I know all those men.
I don't.
Mark, you got a job to do.
Whether you like me or not,
you've gotta do it.
What's this
all about, Mark?
We already told you
what happened.
A man's dead, Barney.
I want to pin down
exactly how it happened.
Boy, you try.
and do a man a favor
The next thing you know,
you're in jail.
Nobody's in jail, Andy.
I just want to get
a clear picture.
Well, let's get it
over with.
I got a long ride
ahead of me.
Go on, Andy. You were
walking into town
from the Johnsons' place.
Barney gave you a ride.
Yeah. We run into
MacDowell's wagon,
all bogged down
out by the fork.
He asked us
to help him get it up
so's he can change
the wheel.
He asked you.
Sure, he asked us.
Is that right, Barney?
MacDowell
did the asking?
Now, I don't remember
every word.
The point was,
he had to have help
to change the wheel.
You thought
it was a good idea.
Well, it didn't matter
what I thought.
He said he had
to get into town
to meet the train.
Aw, now,
wait just a minute.
What difference
does all this make?
Nobody set out
to hurt that man.
I didn't even know him.
Take it easy, Andy.
Take it easy.
While you fellas were
working on the wheel--
before MacDowell
got under the wagon--
Trampas came along.
Is that right?
That's right.
And you were coming
from town on your way
to Shiloh.
Yep.
Did you know MacDowell?
Only by sight.
Saw him in the saloon
once or twice.
You ever talk to him?No.
Barney says you didn't
like the way they were
raising the wagon.
No, I was just
kiddin' Andy about it.
I couldn't have done it
any better myself.
And then you went
to steady the horses?
Yeah. We were havin'
some thunder and lightning.
You must've thought
it was possible the horses
could move the wagon.
Well, it was possible,
I guess.
But it was mired down
pretty solid.
As it turns out,
the horses did spook
and move the wagon.
Well, it's hard to tell.
I think something
must've slipped out
underneath all that weight.
Mind if I ask
a couple of questions?
No, go ahead.
Thanks.
Mr. Wingate,
you do much traveling?
Heh. No, my ranch
keeps me pretty busy. Why?
How long you had it?
18 years.
Mm-hmm.
And you a local boy,
Trampas
No. I came here
about two years ago.
Where were you
before that?
All over. Texas, mostly.
That's not very definite.
Wasn't anything very
definite about me then.
My Dad and me
worked all the way from
the Platte to the Pecos.
Good ranch country
around the Platte.
What outfit
did you work for?
None in particular.
We were drifting
at the time.
Don't you remember
any of the names?
No.
Maybe your father
would remember.
He's dead.
What about you?
Where were you
before you came here?
I don't see no badge
on this man, Sheriff.
The sheriff and I work
the same side of the street,
but in different ways.
It so happens there's
a man in this town
worth $5,000 to me.
You're a bounty hunter.
What's that got
to do with me?
MacDowell was gonna
give me the name of
the man I'm after.
You think that one of us
deliberately caused that--
Not you.
You're in the clear.
That leaves Andy and me.
It's a possibility.
No, it isn't.
Not anymore.
I agreed to look
into this thing.
I've done it,
and I'm satisfied.
You men can go.
That's the last time
I'm gonna give
anybody a hand.
In an hour,
this'll be all over town.
Your man will be
long gone
before Judge Crenshaw
ever gets here.
Not if he's smart,
he won't.
He'll only call
attention to himself.
I think I'm
in business anyway.
Andy? Just because
he blew up at you?
No, not Andy. The one
that didn't blow up--
Trampas.
Of all the people
in this town,
you pick Trampas
because he didn't
blow up at you.
I've been
in this business
a long time, Mark.
You get a feeling
about these things.
Thanks for the use
of the hall.
What are you
gonna do now?
Go back to work.
What about you?
I don't know.
But I ain't
gonna let him
keep puttin'
the spurs to me.
That's a fact.
No reason to anymore.
What happened
to MacDowell
was an accident.
He's got the whole town
to look over for
the man he wants.
Yeah, well, just so
he lays off of me.
Who's that?
I don't know.
What's the matter?
I don't know. I...
feel a little dizzy.
Well, get in
out of the sun.
I'll finish loading
the wagon.
Come on, you swing
like an old lady.
Try her now, Steve.
That ought to hold it.
Hey.
Steve, we're gettin'
in a bad habit.
We gotta watch that.
Hey, how about it?
Aw, ain't you
had enough?
I didn't ask
for no lecture.
All I said was,
"How about it".
We gonna race or not?
You already owe me
$3 and six bits.
I hate to see money
break up a beautiful
friendship.
Double or nothin'?
You're set on
throwin' your money away.
Well, you've come
to the right man.
I figure it's about time
for my luck to change.
Things like losin' the bit,
the saddle comin' loose--
things like that
couldn't happen
twice in a blue moon.
Well, you sure
had your share of
bad luck, Steve.
Yeah, I sure have. Heh.
You about ready?Yo.
Wait, now. Give me
a chance to get aboard.
Hey!
Twice in
a blue moon!
Come on, fireball!
Wait! Hey!
Yee-haw!
I'm gainin', Steve!
[ shouting indistinctly ]
Come on! Come on!
Which one are you
rootin' for?
Steve today.
Yesterday it was Trampas.
Come on, Steve!
Come on!
[ whistling and shouting ]
Come on, Steve!
Come on!
Yeah!
That's a shame.
Well,
you finally did it.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
That makes us even,
don't it?
Yeah, all even.
I think tomorrow
I'll start earnin' me
a little extra money.
You can sure try.
You can sure do that.
Steve,
you shouldn't gloat.
That's half the fun
of beatin' him.
Modest, aren't you?
What slowed you down?
I don't know.
Something must've
spooked my horse.
You know him?
Yeah, I met him
in town.
Who is he?
His name's Wolfe.
Bounty hunter?
The one you told me about?
That's him.
Wonder why he wants
to see the Judge.
Who knows?
I appreciate you
taking the time to
see me, Judge Garth.
I know you're
a very busy man.
What did you want
to see me about?
First, I want to
tell you what I'm doing
in Medicine Bow.
I know why you're here,
in a general way.
So does everyone
in Medicine Bow.
That makes it simpler.
What's on your mind?
I want a little
information.
You have a hand working
here by the name of
Trampas, right?
That's right.
Let me see.
He said he came here
about two years ago.
Before that, he was
somewhere around
the river Platte.
I want to know exactly
when he came to work here
and exactly where he was
on the Platte.
I thought maybe
you might know.
I'm afraid
I couldn't tell you.
Oh?
But I can
tell you this.
Trampas is
a fine young man.
I've never regretted
hiring him in the least.
This man you're after--
what's he wanted for?
m*rder.
And you suspect
Trampas is your man?
He's a possible.
What are the grounds
for your suspicion?
I didn't say
I suspected him.
I said he's a possible,
worth checkin' out.
Mr. Wolfe--
Daddy, can I have
50 cents--
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean
to interrupt.
That's all right, dear.
What did you want
the money for?
Strawberries--
the first of the season.
Mr. Goren stopped by
before taking them
into town.
Well...
I think this should
cover it.
Oh, thank you.
Nice girl.
Mr. Wolfe,
I'm afraid I can't be
of any help to you.
Can't or won't?
Good day, Mr. Wolfe.
You don't like what
I'm here for, do you?
No, I don't.
What about
the man I'm after--
the criminal?
Naturally, if a man
has broken the law,
he should be brought
to trial.
But not by me?
I prefer to let
the legally constituted
authorities
take care of such matters.
Judge, we're both
on the same side.
With one large difference.
You don't care
anything about the law.
You're just interested
in personal gain
at someone else's
expense.
I work for my money.
Sometimes it's hard work.
Mr. Wolfe...
I'm afraid
I haven't the time
to engage in
a philosophical discussion
about the ethics
of your line of work.
Well, there's
an easy way to put me
out of business.
Tell them to stop
offering rewards.
Nice to have
talked to you, Judge.
Mr. Goren,
they look delicious.
Every one's a beauty.
Even the ones at
the bottom of the basket.
It's a
beautiful day.
Yes, it is.
Who is he?
His name's Wolfe.
Why?
Just wondered.
He seems sort of
reserved,
even when he smiles.
He hasn't had
too much practice.
Hey, what about
a strawberry?
You'll get them when
the rest of them do--
at Steve's
birthday party.
Hello, Judge.
Plan on doing
some sh**ting?
No, just keepin' it
from gettin' rusty,
is all.
That man Wolfe was in
to see me today.
Yeah, I saw him
ride in.
He asked me a lot of
questions about you.
Oh?
I told him he was
wasting his time.
Thanks, Judge.
I appreciate that.
I also asked him why
he was interested in you.
He wouldn't tell me.
That's easy.
He's here to get
some information
from MacDowell.
MacDowell got hurt
in that accident,
and he thought
that one of us that
stopped to help him
was really tryin'
to shut him up.
He was there when
we told the sheriff
how it happened,
but I guess it didn't
satisfy him.
I know.
Just thought
I'd let you know.
Much obliged, Judge.
But he's barkin' up
the wrong tree.
Let me borrow
your shoeing hammer.
My horse has got
a stone in his hoof.
Sure.
Up, boy.
Not leavin' town,
are you?
Just got here. Why?
That fella Wolfe
was around,
askin' some questions
about you.
What kind of questions?
Oh...how long
I'd known you--
things like that.
Real nosy fella,
ain't he?
It just goes
to show you.
Play hooky from school
just once...
and they'll never
let you forget it.
Evening, Danny.Evening, Trampas.
How's Trampas' credit?
Oh, no, not that.
It's not even the middle
of the month yet.
Yeah, well...
I was just checkin'.
Uh, thought I'd better
tip you off.
That guy Wolfe there
has been askin' me
about you.
I didn't tell him
nothin', though.
You know, like how
you owe me money
and like to get
in fights sometimes.
Thanks, Danny.
You're a real friend.
Hello, Trampas. How are you?
Sit down, have a drink.
I didn't come over to
have a drink with you.
What's on your mind?
We had a nice,
long session at
the sheriff's office.
When it was over,
he decided what happened
was an accident.
You don't seem
to agree with him.
It's a free country.
Then I'll give you
a free choice.
If you think I'm
the man you're after,
you can either say so
now, straight out,
or you lay off me.
Well, that's not
much of a choice.
Suppose I don't
think either.
Then I'm callin' you.
Trampas, if I went outside
with every young punk
that called me,
I wouldn't have time
for anything else.
You'll find time
for this.
You're not gonna
do anything.
You're runnin' scared.
You wouldn't sh**t me
across the table,
'cause they'd hang you
for that as quick as
anything else.
Outside, Wolfe.
If that's the way
you want it.
Sooner or later,
you'll have your chance
at me, Trampas.
If you don't want to wait
till they open that
lockbox at the bank,
why don't you tell me
the whole thing right now?
Then I'll be happy
to oblige you.
All right,
who started it?
Started what?
Nothing happened.
This your g*n?
I must've dropped it.
You wait outside.
I want to talk to you.
All right, Danny,
what happened?
I was busy serving
customers, Mark.
I didn't see nothin'.
I suppose
nobody in here
saw what happened.
It was just
an accident, Mark.
I told you before
not to pull that g*n
in this town.
There's no law against
showin' it to somebody.
You know me, Mark.
No profit, no fight.
Come on,
I'll buy you a drink.
No, thanks.
[ Fur Elise
playing on piano ]
[ music stops ]
Hi, Steve.
Love your
piano playing.
Thanks.
Your dad in?In the study.
Hey, did you bring me
those patterns?
Patterns?
The patterns I asked
if you'd be so kind
to pick up for me
while you were in town,
and you said,
"Sure, Bets-o, girl,
no trouble at all."
Oh, those patterns.
Oh, Steve.
Oh, you--
Careful.
Judge, we'll have
the cross-fencing finished
on the feed lot
by tomorrow afternoon.
Think we should put
another one up here
on the high range?
I haven't decided.
[ knock on door ]Come in.
Excuse me, Judge.
I saw Mrs. Drummond
in town.
She says the parson's
very sick in bed
and that he wants
to see you--
very important.
What's the matter
with him?
She didn't say.
I'll go in
this afternoon.
Steve, help out the boys
at the feed lot.
All right.
If we're gonna do it,
we'd better get started
pretty quick, Judge.
Has, uh--
Has Trampas
spoken to you about
being in trouble
when he was down
at Platte River country?
No.
[ knock on door ]
Come in.
Sorry to bother you,
Judge.
I was lookin' for you
to tell you first.
But maybe it's better
that you both hear.
Tell me what?
Well, the truth
of the matter is,
I'm gonna have
to take off for
a couple of weeks.
Where are you going?
Montana. I got a letter
from an old friend
of mine from there.
And he's in trouble,
and he needs help.
What kind of trouble?
It's kind of
complicated, but...
they jailed him for it.
What do you plan to do
to help him?
Won't know that
till I get there.
I know this is gonna
leave you shorthanded,
Judge,
but I don't want
to let him down.
And you think you'll be
gone a couple of weeks?
About that.
A little more, maybe.
Well, I guess we can
spare you that long.
When are you planning
to leave?
Right away, I guess.
The sooner I get there,
the sooner I'll be able
to do him some good.
Have a good trip.
Thanks, Judge.
You're goin'
to Montana, huh?
Long trip.
Got no choice.
When a friend's
in trouble...
Yo.
What's his name?
Wilcox.
Harvey Wilcox.
Wilcox.
I don't recall
your ever having
mentioned him to me.
Maybe I haven't.
It's been a long time
since I seen him.
I used to know
Montana pretty good.
Where they holdin' him?
Some little town.
Got a name, doesn't it?
Sure, it's got a name.
Eagle Rock.
Eagle Rock.
Never heard of it.
What's it near?
How do I know
what it's near?
Seems to be you're gonna
have a pretty hard trip
if you don't know
where you're goin'.
What's the matter
with you?
You think I'm makin' it up?
You don't believe me?
Steve brought the mail
out from town this morning.
He told me there wasn't
any letter for you.
I picked it up yesterday
at the post office.
Oh. Took you
all this time
to figure out what
to do about, huh?
I don't have to prove
anything to you.
No, you don't have
to prove anything
to me at all.
But you'd better
keep that letter handy
to show to Wolfe
when he catches up
with you.
That's who you're
runnin' away from,
ain't it?
You're makin'
a dumb move, Trampas.
So what if he's
pressuring you
a little bit?
You're not
the only one.
He's askin' questions
about a lot of people.
There's one difference.
I'm the one he's after.
What for?
Bank robbery.
m*rder.
Yeah, it's true,
all right.
My being wanted,
I mean.
Before I came here,
I ran out of money
down on the Platte.
So, I was sittin'
in a saloon,
tryin' to rustle up
a poker game,
when these four drifters
come along.
The Mason brothers.
They wanted one more hand
to round up some
scrubbed cattle.
First night out,
a posse jumped us.
Seemed that
the Mason brothers
had tried to rob a bank
in Rock Creek.
They didn't get
any money for it.
They k*lled two men
gettin' away.
So, I high-tailed it
out of there
with a b*llet
in my shoulder
for my trouble.
You were clean.
Why'd you run?
The posse
wasn't in any mood
to listen to me talk.
They just wanted
to hang somebody.
I didn't even know
what the Masons had done
until I got to Omaha
to get my shoulder fixed.
And there I was--
right on the list
with the Masons.
So, I just--
Well, I had serious
business up this way,
so I just kept on going.
How do you suppose
MacDowell found out
about you?
Maybe they had
a poster out on me.
I never went back
to find out.
You don't know
one way or another--
don't you see?
Why would Wolfe be around
asking questions about it?
Even up to see the Judge?
He doesn't have
the proof yet.
But he's sure.
He's just waitin'
for that lockbox
to be opened.
You ever think about goin'
back on your own hook?
And gettin' hung?
No, thanks.
It's been
a long time ago.
You could probably
clear yourself by now.
You're might willing
to take a gamble
that ain't gonna
cost you nothin'.
No, sir.
I ain't sittin' out
one day in jail for
somethin' I didn't do.
Can't you see?
If you run out now,
you're practically
admitting you're guilty.
Why don't you tell
your story to the Judge?
What good will that do?
He'll just tell me
the same thing you did.
Go back
and face the music.
If it doesn't work out,
I'll be the one dangling
from the end of a rope,
and not him.
What do you think
you're buying this way?
I don't know.
A little time, maybe.
It ain't gonna work,
Trampas.
With that kind of
money involved, Wolfe's
not gonna give up.
He'll come after you.
Let him come.
At least he'll have to
get me the hard way.
I won't be just
sittin' around, waitin'.
Look, why don't you
go on up to...
the line shack
at White Wing.
Hole up for a few days
till you hear from me.
What good will that do?
It'll keep you from
making a big mistake
out of panic.
I don't panic.
You call it
what you want.
But you're sure not
thinkin' very clear
right now.
Give yourself
a little time.
Make sure this is
what you want to do.
I'll let you know
if anything breaks--
I promise you.
Come on.
All right.
You, uh...
I'll tell the Judge
you changed your mind
about going to Montana.
Oh, it's only you,
Henry.
It's only me.
I didn't mean it
that way.
But I sent Pete
for the doctor,
and I thought--
What's the matter
with him?
I don't know.
He's got a fever and...
he seems
so uncomfortable.
Maybe it'd be better
if I wait till tomorrow
to talk to him.
Oh, no. He's anxious
to see you.
Go on in.
[ knock on door ]
Come in.
John.
How do you feel?
Well, I couldn't
preach...
much of a sermon
right now.
I'll tell you that.
Don't come too close.
Whatever I've got,
I wouldn't want
to give it to you.
I can come back tomorrow
if you don't feel
up to talking.
No, no.
It's important.
Please, sit down.
It's about
that man in town--
Wolfe.
Aptly named.
You know him?
I know who he's after.
You do?
Two weeks ago,
up at Casper, I ran
across an old circular.
A man wanted for m*rder.
There was
a picture on it.
We both know the man.
I had to decide
whether to do
something about it
or pretend I hadn't
seen the circular.
I decided to wait,
see if his actions
here would give me
the right answers.
Now that this man
Wolfe is here,
time is running out.
Why are you
telling me this?
The circular is...
in an envelope...
locked in
the bottom drawer
of my desk
at the church office.
You'll find the key
under the blotter.
I wouldn't want it
to fall into
the wrong hands...
in case something
happened to me.
Oh, John, you're
gonna be fine.
Perhaps.
But at my age,
it's wise for a man
to put things in order.
Well, in less
than two weeks,
they're gonna
open that lockbox.
A lot of things
can happen in two weeks.
You mind if I don't
tell you who the man is?
Frankly, I don't
want to know.
Hello, Henry.Harold.
Sorry to interrupt,
but I think my patient
has had enough
visitors for now.
Good-bye, Henry.
Thanks for
stopping in.
I'll come
again, John.
Henry, could I see you
a minute before you go?
Certainly.
I'll be right back.
Did you shake hands
with him, Henry?
Did you make
physical contact
in any way?
No, I was across
the room.
What's the matter
with him?
You sure?
I ran tests on him today.
No doubt about it.
Is he the only case
in town?
So far, he is.
The incubation period
on this disease
is from one
to two weeks.
No way to tell
what the source was.
Drummond was up in Casper
the week before last.
He could've
picked it up there.
If the source is local,
we're in real trouble.
Been waitin' for you
to come home.
Trampas changed his mind
about going to Montana.
That can keep.
Come into the house.
Been any sickness
among the men lately?
Sickness?
Not that I know of.
Have any of them
complained of headaches?
Chills?
Anything at all?
No. Why?
First sign of anything--
any discomforts at all--
I want to know it.
What are we
looking for?
John Drummond
has typhoid fever.
Typhoid fever.
He may not
have picked it up
around here at all.
I want to take every
possible precaution.
I want all the
drinking water boiled
before it's used.
Pass it on to the cook.
Same thing goes for
all the water used
in preparing the cooking
and washing up afterwards.
Send men out to
the line camps.
The Rynerson ranch,
the Lazy Seven, and I--
Would you mind if I didn't
eat dinner tonight?
I have kind of a headache.
She's to have
all the liquids you can
get her to take.
Don't be alarmed
by the fever.
That's nature's way of
burning off the sickness.
That's all you can
do for her?
Well, there's no cure.
The only treatments
we have are symptomatic
and supportive.
We could make her
feel less pain
and give her body
a chance to fight it off.
Outside of that,
it's up to her.
Come and have
some coffee.
Maybe it's just
a cold or something.
Yeah.
Just because
somebody gets a fever
doesn't mean--
How is she, Judge?
Sleeping.
Is it what we--Yeah.
There were three more
cases in town yesterday.
That means the source
of the infection is
right in this area.
So...
we have an epidemic
on our hands.
We will have...
unless we can
locate the source.
The one thing
they have in common.
Has Betsy been off
the ranch in the past
two weeks?
She went into town
once with me.
Did she drink anything,
get anything to eat?
I don't think so.
She was with me
most of the time.
Well, whatever it is,
we'd better hurry up
and find it.
You'll want
to stay with Betsy,
but can I borrow
these two men?
Aren't we under
quarantine?
There's not much
point in that now.
Besides, it's
more important that
we find the source.
All right.
But you'd all better
get some sleep first.
There isn't time,
Henry.
Believe me. Let's go.
Right.
I've been...all over
the last two weeks.
I just can't remember
who I was with.
Please try to remember,
Mr. Hastings.
A good many people's lives
may depend upon this.
I feel too bad, Doctor.
I just can't think.
Drink this.
You see Mr. Hastings
or Reverend Drummond?
I don't think so.
Doc Ashley says
there could be a carrier.
What about Wolfe?
Did he ever come in?
What would he want
to talk to me for?
No sense waking him up.
I'm sure that
with a sprained ankle,
he hadn't even been
out of the house
for a week
before he came down
with the fever.
Did anybody come
to see him?
Only the doctor.
Nobody else
was inside the house.
How do you mean?
There was a peddler here,
but I went to the wagon.
Yeah.
We can't afford
such luxuries,
but Roy likes strawberries
so much that--
Strawberries?
Did you buy them
from Mr. Goren?
Yes. They were the first
of the season, and I--
Did you eat
any of them?
I can't.
I get a rash.
Roy loves them, though.
He ate
the whole basket.
Thanks. I'm sorry
to disturb you.
Ain't nothin' wrong
with my berries.
I'll swear to that.
I've been
sellin' around here
for ten years.
Ain't never made
anybody sick.
You're not being accused
of anything, Mr. Goren.
But the fact remains
that your strawberries
are the only thing
that all these typhoid
victims have in common--
they all bought
your berries.
Nothin' wrong
with my berries.
We're not here to blame
or accuse you.
Are you gonna
help us or not?
Yes, sir. I'll help
any way I can.
All right. Have you
ever had typhoid,
or have you ever
been around anybody
who's had the disease?
No, sir.
Did you eat
the berries yourself?
No, sir.
I don't like 'em.
You have any left?
No, I sold 'em all.
Did you handle the berries
any differently this year
than usual?
No, sir. Done it
the same way I've done
ever since I started
this farm.
Not any different.
I want you to start
at the beginning
and show me exactly
how you go about it.
Well, it's simple.
I do the picking
myself.
Then I haul 'em here
into the yard.
Put 'em into baskets
like this one,
and then I load 'em
in the wagon.
You wash
the berries?
Most years not.
But this year,
the rain got 'em
all mud-splattered,
so, yes, sir,
I did wash 'em.
From this well?
Yes, sir.
There ain't nothin'
wrong with that water.
I've been drinkin' it
all along,
and I ain't sick.
Is it possible for
someone to drink from
a contaminated well
and not get
the disease?
No, it's not possible.
But I'll make a test
anyway.
How much you need
for a test?
A few drops
will be enough.
Hey, hold on.
Wait a minute.
I didn't use
that well.
The pump was out,
so I washed them out
behind the barn.
You have
another well?
But it ain't much good.
The water's gyppy.
Too shallow.
I ain't used it since
I got this one built.
Let's go, come on.
There it is.
Like I say,
I ain't used it
for a long time.
Did you use this water
for any other purpose?
No, just to wash
the strawberries.
Think that's it?
I don't know,
but I'll make a test.
Have a look.
That's what's called
a coliform determination.
The biggest mass k*ller
since the time
of Hippocrates.
One little
rod-shaped bacillus
hidden in a drop of water.
That must be what made
my wife so sick.
What do you mean?
I didn't know
what it was at the time.
First she got dizzy.
The she had a fever.
Where is she?
She's all right now.
Matter of fact, she's off
visiting her sister.
Feels fine.
Guess we were lucky.
Well, at least we know
we've cut off the source.
Steve and I will fill in
the well right away.
I feel terrible to think
it was my well that--
You couldn't help it.
You didn't know.
Well, I'll get you
the shovels.
All right.
Maybe now you can get
some of that sleep
we were talkin' about.
I used to think this town
wasn't big enough
for more than
one doctor.
Come on, Steve.
Let's get out of here.
Come on.
STEVE: It's like
a little snake.
[ horse snorts ]
Easy, boy.
[ neighs ]
Whoa, son.
Hold it right there.
Just keep your hands
where I can see 'em.
Thought I'd come out
and pay you a visit.
How did you know
where I was?
I talked to some of
your friends in town.
And you wanted to see
if I was still here.
I thought you might
get lonesome out here
all by yourself.
Not for your company.
Now hightail it
out of here.
It's been a dusty ride.
I'd like a dipper of water.
When you get into town.
I'm sorry, kid.
I'm thirsty.
Hold it.
This is Judge Garth's
property.
You bring a note from him,
and I'll give you
anything you want.
Until then,
you're trespassing.
You're real tough,
aren't you?
Just like you were
back in the saloon.
There's a difference.
You're playin'
in my yard now.
You could've overplayed
your hand, Wolfe,
comin' out here
all alone,
no witnesses.
Nobody to see
what happened.
You make it
real tempting.
Kind of makes you sweat
just thinkin' about it,
don't it?
You never saw the day
you could make me
sweat, kid.
g*n or no g*n.
That ain't the way
it looks from here.
Take a good look, Wolfe.
I guarantee you,
you won't get this close
to me again.
You know how I feel.
Is there anything
I can do?
Thanks.
But I'll be
all right.
It was nice of you
to come in...
with Betsy sick.
How is she feeling,
Henry?
She's going to be
all right.
I'm glad.
You'll take care
of that other thing?
Right away.
He was very anxious
about it.
Just before he--
Whatever it was,
he said it was your
responsibility now.
I'll take care of it.
Thanks.
I won't have to be
coming out here anymore.
Lucky for you
I was so mean
about not letting you
have any of those
strawberries.
Looks like you'll just
have to bake Steve
a plain old cake
for his birthday.
[ laughs ]
Not for a while.
You'll have to stay
in bed till you get
your strength back.
Fine. I like
being waited on.
That'll give you
a chance to catch up on
some of your studying.
Oh, you take all the fun
out of being sick.
[ laughs ]
How's Mrs. Drummond?
Holding up
pretty well.
Betsy might have
her ups and downs,
but she's out of the woods.
Just see that she
takes it easy.
Harold, can I see you
for a moment?
If it's something
that can wait, Henry,
I have other calls
I have to make.
This won't
take very long.
Excuse us.
Sure. So long,
Doctor.
What is it, Henry?
When John died, he left
something in his desk
that he hadn't decided
what to do with.
It was his dying wish
that I handled it.
It must've been
very hard on him.
It's true, then?
I was hoping there'd
been some mistake.
No mistake.
You have any brandy?
I've always known
that someday,
somebody would see
one of these,
that I'd have
to face it.
I thought I was ready,
but...
I find it comes as
more of a shock than
I thought it would be.
Thanks.
Heart patients,
fainting women,
and men with
shriveling courage--
that's what I recommend
the use of brandy for.
Circular says you're
wanted for m*rder.
The wife of the mayor
of Jonas Bend
was a patient of mine.
A lovely woman.
She had a heart condition,
had to take it easy.
One night, I stopped
out at their place
with some new medicine
I'd just received.
I found her dead.
She had bruises,
as if she'd been struck.
Her husband
had been drinking.
When I told him I was going
to report the bruises,
he became furious.
We scuffled.
I knocked him down,
and he went over
backwards,
and his head
hit the andirons.
k*lled him?
Instantly.
I reported it at once
to the sheriff.
But at the inquest,
they didn't seem to
believe it'd happened
the way I said.
Next thing I knew,
I was being held
for a m*rder trial.
That night, some cowhands
in on a drunk charge
broke out of jail.
They offered
to let me out, too.
I was scared enough
to take it.
I kept running...
till I came here.
I changed my name,
went on doing
the one thing I was
trained to do.
Did you know MacDowell
from Jonas Bend?
No, I never saw him
before he came to town.
He must've seen
one of those somewhere...
and remembered.
Well, Harold, as far
as I'm concerned...
you can leave
or you can stay.
There's still time
to choose.
Thank you, Henry.
I don't think
it'll do any good.
When they open
that lockbox--
I'm too old
to run anymore.
I can promise you,
when Wolfe takes you back,
you won't be going alone.
I'll be along with you.
With a stack of
character references
a foot high...
from the whole town.
We'll see you get
a fair trial.
Guess I'm more tired
than I thought.
Whoa, whoa.
Hi. How's Betsy?
Better all the time.
Fill the list?
Everything but
the number two wire.
There'll be
some more in next week.
They never
stock enough.
Oh. Mr. Huggins told me
to give this to you.
I'd have read it
on the way out.
I didn't have no way
to steam it open.
[ sighs ]Good news?
You bet it is.
I'm goin' out
to get Trampas.
You don't have to.
What's he got?
Let's find out.
What happened to him?You didn't--
You won't find
any holes in him.
Just keeled over.
Ah--
Careful you don't
burn your fingers.
He's hotter
than a branding iron.
He sure is.
Take him up to
the house, Steve.
The doctor's
up there now.
Hey, Harper, come on!
Give me a hand!
That's a long ride.
A man as sick as that--
anything could
happen to him .
Nobody would've
blamed you.
Yeah.
This'll make you happy
nothin' did.
I wired the sheriff
in Rock Creek.
The Mason brothers were
caught over a year ago.
They cleared you
at the trial.
Well, what do you know.
And all the time, I--
Too bad it didn't come in
before you went out
to the line shaft.
Maybe it's better
this way.
Like they say, you learn
something new every day.
Even about yourself.
Judge Garth?
Judge Garth?
What happened
to him?
Looks like you've got
another customer, Doc.
Trampas just
brought him in.
Said he keeled over
at the line shack.
What we he doing
out there?
I don't know.
I'll need some
cold towels.
We've got to bring
his fever down.
Put him in
the guest room.
When you get through,
you'd better wash the
clothes you're wearing
in boiling water.
Tell Trampas
to do the same!
Sheriff, I'll have to
make a list of the contents.
I'm only interested
in one thing.
Is that what
you're looking for?
That's it.
Wait a minute, Mark.
You can't open
that letter.
Why not, Judge?
This contains information
about a wanted man.
That has to be delivered
to him unopened.
Then, if you have reason
to believe it has
pertinent information,
you can subpoena
the letter.
I've got reason enough
right now.
Sorry, Mark.
You make out
the subpoena.
I'll deliver this
personal.
Unopened.
Don't worry.
[ horse neighs ]
Afternoon, Betsy.Hello.
How you feelin'?Fine, thank you.
Good. What's that
you're making?
Well, it started out
to be a scarf,
but if they don't let me
off this porch pretty soon,
it's gonna be
a blanket.
Afternoon, Mark.
Come in.
What brings you here?
This. From
MacDowell's lockbox.
I was hoping--
Yeah, so was I.
Doc?
Doc?
I was pretty sick.
Your fever's broken.
All we have to worry
about now
is that you don't
get a chill.
How long have I
been here?
Two days.
Your fever
had to be brought down.
You were up about
as high as a man could be
and stay alive.
[ knock on door ]
Mark has something
for your patient.
Come in.
We got the authorization
to open the lockbox.
This was in it.
You know,
for a careful man,
MacDowell made
a stupid mistake.
He folded this paper
before the ink was dry.
Well, I guess
the joke's on me.
I'll be heading
back to town.
WOLFE: Judge...
I'll be out of your house
just as soon
as I'm on my feet.
No hurry.
I'm pretty tired, Doc.
I'm gonna try
and get some sleep.
That paper wasn't folded.
You know, for a doctor,
you don't see too good.
So long, Doc.
[ train whistle blows ]
Now, don't overdo it
while I'm gone.
Don't worry, Daddy.
I'll be careful.
See you soon.
Both of you.
Oh, we'll both be back.
When they wade through these
affidavits of character,
they'll not only acquit him,
they'll want him
to run for mayor.
Don't you do that, Doctor.
We need you right here.
Thank you,
Mrs. Lemon.
Bye, Judge.Bye-bye.
Forward!
[ train whistle blows ]
[ whistling ]
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02x04 - A k*ller in Town
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The series was loosely based on The Virginian: Horseman of the Plains, a 1902 Western novel by Owen Wister that Hollywood had previously adapted for movies.
The series was loosely based on The Virginian: Horseman of the Plains, a 1902 Western novel by Owen Wister that Hollywood had previously adapted for movies.