01x12 - The Riley Gratton Story

[bunniefuu]

Howdy, boys!

This'll learn you,
Riley Gratton!

This tar ain't split-pea soup!

You won't be cheatin'
honest folks no more

when we get through with you!

You won't think it's funny

when we ride you out of town!

MAJOR: Any time you'd like
to know about Nebraska,

you just get in touch with me...

Seth Adams...
Major, U.S. Army, retired,

and wagon master.

I guess I've swallowed
enough Nebraska mud and dust

to remember
the bitter taste of it

for the rest of my life.

Yes, sir, it takes quite a spell

for a big wagon train like mine

to get across this piece
of real estate.

And for every mile
the wagons made,

I rode at least ten.

I can tell you right now that
there's more saddle sores

than there are dollars
in a job like mine.

You smell a polecat, Major?

Or you figure we're
gonna have more rain?

Rain. Heh. If I see
any more rain,

I'm gonna turn this whole
shebang back to Noah.

Don't you mention rain to me.

Yes, sir.

How do you figure we're gonna
cross that creek up ahead?

How do I know till
I get a look at it?

Probably have to swim across it,

if we cross it at all.

Yes, sir. Anything you say, sir.

You sure got your
troubles, ain't you, Major?

With a chuckle-head like you

and that lazy
dreamy-eyed McCullough

off roamin' about someplace,

I got my share.

You're a good man, though.

There's no question about that.

Oh, shut up.

I don't know why I ever
picked a job like this anyhow.

Wanderin' all over creation.

Got the home life of a coyote.

Gotta be judge and jury

at every family squabble,

and midwife to their cattle.

I'm supposed to
cure homesickness

and prescribe for
old ladies' bunions.

There's some people on
this train from Pennsylvania

that actually asked me

what hills the gold
is tucked away in

out in California.

If I knew that, I'd have
never left California, would I?

I thought you was
a dedicated man, Major.

It's always been my opinion
you didn't care about gold.

Who asked your opinion?!

Yeah.

Chuckle-head.

What's the matter, Sam?

Biggest crook I ever seen,

and you have to ask me
what's the matter.

Why'd you have to try
to sell honest folks

a gold mine that never existed?

Well, I...

I don't know.

I guess that's kind of
the way I am.

A crook, you mean?

A common kind,
stink-up-the prairie crook,

like my pa said yesterday?

Well, let's not say
the common kind, Sam.

Hey, what are you
doin' that for?

I'm givin' them back to you.

Well, does that, uh...

That mean we're
no longer friends?

I didn't say we wasn't
friends anymore.

It's only that...

This land deed I got here.

Pa says I should
give it back to you.

Pa said he'd bet his
whole track of land

that it ain't worth the
sweat off a lazy mule.

He says he knows
it's the only thing

you didn't steal.

'Cause he seen you
win it in a card game.

I can't see what good that's
gonna do me now, Sam.

Sam...

did you ever see a man

ridden out of town on a rail?

A human being all tied up

and fixed like a pig
for a barbeque?

Most folks got the decency

to k*ll that pig first.

I'm not gonna ask you
to help me, Sammy.

I know that'd be cheating
on your responsibilities.

You're cheatin' now.

You're tryin' to work
me into opening the door.

If that's how you feel,
all right.

You just listen to
your conscience tonight

when you go to sleep.

It may not make
a big speech to you,

see if it doesn't
mention my name.

Why don't you keep these
for me, Sammy?

I don't want nothin' from you.

I had your horse
all ready an hour ago.

MAJOR: You know, I was
right about that creek.

It's not that it was
just runnin' fast...

It was more like
the Lord had decided

on a second flood,

but somehow mistook me for Noah.

Frankly, I ain't a seagoing man.

Well, looks to me

like this dag-blasted stream

might gallop on like this
for a week or so.

I just ain't gonna be
responsible

for these people and their
wagons and their stock

if it keeps up like this.

Where's that McCullough anyhow?

I don't know.

Why don't you know?

You might as well ask me
where's Daniel Boone.

Major, you figure we
can throw a rough bridge

over a creek like this?

That's just what
I'm tryin' to figure out,

if you'll keep your
mouth shut for a minute.

There's plenty of timber
around here.

We've got plenty
of manpower, too.

I think it's two
or three days, I guess.

Them Dawson boys there
look like they're big enough

to go bear-huntin'
with a switch.

Seems like they ought to
be able to swing a tree around

like a broomstick.

Seems to me,
with all these delays,

we won't be doin'
no plowin' this year.

We might've been better off

just stayin' in Connecticut.

Major Adams.

That's me.
What can I do for you?

My name's Gratton...
Riley J. Gratton.

I was just ridin' through
to Dorbitville

when I saw these wagons,

and I just had a hunch
it might be your train.

Of course, there's no reason

why you should
really remember me.

Well, you sure look
familiar to me.

I've seen you someplace
before, I know that.

That's the feeling I had, sir.

You think it could've been
Antietam or Vicksburg?

No, I don't think so.

Cold Harbor?

No.

Say, you wasn't
at Shiloh, was you?

That's it, Major! That's it.
I was with Wallace.

You was with Wallace?!

Well, by golly,
it's good to see you.

Good to see you, Major.

You know, one thing I
remember about that battle

was the day afterwards.

That wasn't much
of a military success,

as you probably remember,

even though we did recapture
our camp from those Rebs.

But the thing I'd
really like to know

is the name of the dirty,
sticky-fingered son of a snake

that robbed my tent!

A man can't be too careful
about those things.

Take it from me, Major...

From my experience in the
cattle trade. Have a cigar?

Thank you very much.
You a cattle man?

Oh, just in a modest way.

You might say I'm a few cuts
of steak ahead of the game.

You know how it is with
old soldiers. Sure do.

We just do the best we can.

Well, it's a pleasure
to see you again.

Why don't you unsaddle
your horse and sit a spell?

It's a long, hard ride over
to Dorbitville from here.

You might even spend
the night, if you're of mind.

We'd be proud to have you.

Thank you, Major.
I'm much obliged.

I got a little work to
do down at the creek.

I'll be back
in a minute, though.

Make yourself at home.

Thank you, sir.

Paul?

Paul?

WOMAN: Paul?

Anything I can do, ma'am?

No, I was just
calling my brother.

I don't recollect seeing
you around here before.

My name is Gratton.
Riley J. Gratton.

I was just passin' by
to say hello

to an old friend
of mine... Major Adams.

Let me take that.

That's very kind, but my
brother's here to help me.

You call me, sis?

Well, I wasn't tryin'
to scare the crows.

This is Mr. Gratton, Paul.

He's a friend of Major Adams.

Oh? Glad to know you.

Pleasure's mine.

What's going on down there?

Huh? Oh. John's trying
to tell the Major

how we build bridges
in Connecticut.

I'm afraid we're gonna
be here for quite a while.

Oh, do you think we'll
ever get to California?

I don't know, sis.
But I hope we get someplace

so I can start plowing.

California's not the only place

that has good farming land.

Oh? What do you mean?

Well, I don't like
to influence people

on such a serious subject,

but there's mighty fine
farmland right here.

What'd you say your name was?

Uh, Dawson.

Paul Dawson. Paul...

you probably surmised I'm
not much of a farmer myself.

But I do happen to have

some choice Nebraska
chokecherry acreage

right here in my pocket.

Oh?

This is the deed, see?

Yes, I've seen
the wagons rollin',

Like pale ships in the sand,

Followin' the rainbow

To some destined Promised Land.

But there ain't no flesh
on a rainbow,

No matter how bright they seem;

And you can't hitch a horse
to a promise,

And you can put a plow
to a dream.

As a fellow pilgrim...

But speaking strictly
for myself...

I'd say I had an easier time

than you folks got ahead of you.

Yes, sir!
When I reached this land...

The very land I'm standing on...

It suddenly occurred to me...
Why hunt for rainbows

when the real thing
is right here?

Makes sense, doesn't it?

I don't want you folks

to think I'm blaming the Major

for trying to take you
to California.

After all, he's entitled
to make a living, too.

And if folks want to travel
two or three times farther

than they have to,

then that's their fault,
not the Major's.

I know...
because I speak as a man

who has more Nebraska acreage

than he knows what to do with.

Why don't you have
a cup of coffee?

It seems to me you
about talked yourself dry.

Oh, thank you, ma'am.

Much obliged.

Gentlemen...

to the land your hearts
are set on!

Mr. Gratton? Oh, Mr. Gratton?

Can I speak to you for a moment?

I've got about $400,
Mr. Gratton.

I'd like to put in
with John and Paul

to buy that deed
to your extra land.

Well, that's possible.

I've got nothing against
you personally, Mr. Bixby.

$850 in all, that'd be.

We pooled the money,
and I got it here.

Well, there's no use flashin'
money around, Mr. Bixby.

I know how you feel.

Step over here a minute.

Don't bust your buttons, Major!

Well, Mr. McCullough.

Nice of you to come by.

I'm back, Major,
reporting for duty.

Just wanted you
to know that, uh,

you're not as young
as you used to be.

Listen, you little...
Take it easy.

Don't get excited just
because I play a joke.

You know, you may
have a point there.

You're young enough.
Here, you take this thing!

Paul.

Where'd your brothers go?

Down by the river.

John says even if
we are pulling out,

he figures we ought to help.

Good, sober men, your brothers.

How far is it to
Dorbitville, Mr. Gratton?

Don't call me
Mr. Gratton, ma'am.

How far is it to Dorbitville?

About a day's ride.

Do Mr. Bixby
and my brothers know

that you're leaving
for there tonight?

Why not? I told them, didn't I?

Yes, I guess you did.

I was just wondering how
they're going to locate that land

they bought from you.

It's marked plain on the
deed. They travel due north,

and it's staked out plain
as the horns on a cow.

What are you gaping at, anyway?

You.

Why did you ask them
not to tell Major Adams

that they bought your land
and they're leaving the train?

Well, mostly because the
Major's a friend of mine.

He might feel a little hurt

if he thought I was taking
customers away from him.

I see.

There's just one thing I
want to ask you, Riley Gratton.

Yes, ma'am?

Do you know if that
tract of land you sold us

is any good?

Ma'am!

Now, why'd you have to
ask me a question like that?

Because John would break
your back like a matchstick,

and Paul would k*ll you
with his bare hands.

And I wouldn't
want that to happen.

I suppose not.

Ma'am, I'm sorry.

Well, if you're sorry,
why did you do it?

I kind of wanted to
find out what it'd be like.

You're an odd one.

I guess... I guess we just
never had your kind

back in Connecticut.

That's the way things go.

I guess your luck ran out.

I don't know what
you mean by that, but...

Look, I'm willing to
forget what happened.

I mean, I won't tell
John or Paul.

You know, you and I might
even get to be friends...

if that land
you sold my brothers

is half as good
as you say it is.

Yes, ma'am.

Good night, Riley.

Good night, Sarah.

MAJOR: When I got up
the next morning,

I felt it in my bones...
Something was amiss.

I guess it's a kind of
instinct you develop

in my kind of a job.

And when I saw the gaping hole

where the Bixby
and the Dawson wagons

had been the night before,

I knew I was right.

Hey, Hawks.
You didn't happen to see

the Bixby and Dawson wagons
pull out, did you?

Yeah, I seen 'em leave
about sunup, Major.

I was talkin' to 'em...
Bixby and Paul Dawson.

Seems like they bought a
great big chunk of Nebraska.

They did? Who'd they
buy it from?

From that fella
you were takin' around,

that friend of yours
from the w*r.

His name's Ratton, ain't it?

Yeah, that's his name.

Where is he, do you know?

I ain't got the least
bit of an idea,

but he sure seems
like a nice fella.

Yeah. Real nice.

Pretty good. Mm-hmm.

Either one of you two birds

happen to see that fella
Riley Gratton?

Did you say Gratton, Major?

That's what I said.
You ain't deaf.

I remember that name
from someplace.

Just tryin' to think of
the skunk to go with it.

And I do mean skunk, if
it's the fella I'm thinkin' of.

Was he a big, tall,
good-lookin', fast-talkin' fella?

That's right.

Charm the skin off a crocodile?

That's him.

Impossible, Major.
It just couldn't be.

A thing like that couldn't
happen twice to a man like you.

Listen, you little runt...

if you got somethin' to say,

you'd better tell me
and tell me now.

Who is he? Tell me!

This fella... did he
mention Shiloh?

I mentioned Shiloh!
What's that got to do with it?

He was there. He was there.

I hate to tell you this,
Major, but this Riley Gratton,

if I ain't mistaken...
And I ain't...

Is the fella
that robbed your tent

and took them golden spurs.

No.

Are you sure? Dead sure.

I can't believe that anyone
as smart as the Major

could let the same thing
happen to him twice.

Why don't you just shut up?

Yes, sir.

Came into my camp here,

cheated all these people.

Why, he took their money
right out from under my nose.

McCullough! Yeah?

You take charge here
till I get back.

Don't bother building
that bridge.

A little work would
probably k*ll you.

Come on, Charlie. Where to?

The Second Battle of Shiloh!

Here's mud in your eye.

Otto.

Look over there.

Who's that talkin' to Annie?

I don't know.
Friend of hers, I heard.

From Independence or Saint Joe...

One of the places she worked.

How good a friend?

Good enough to help him
spend his money, I guess.

Why, Joe?

Mind your own business.

I'll tell you something, Riley...

You give me a pain
in the ruffles.

You're like a big,
sick cat. You've changed.

Who could complain
about me changing?

I can.

I'm complainin' now.

You're counting memories, Annie.

And I can't say as I blame you.

Get your hands off me.
Who's the girl?

You got that stupid
look on your face.

I know the signs.

Hmm. That's possible.
The same kind of signs,

but a different kind of girl.

Then there is one, huh?

How different is she, Riley?

Has she got three legs?

No.

Not much like me, though, huh?

Let's just say she's, uh...

beautiful and innocent...
Like you, Annie.

But she, um...

She has different colored eyes.

That fella right over
there, talkin' to Annie.

I don't like the romantic type,

especially his kind.

You're a cheat and a thief,

and I'd cut your heart
out with a wooden spoon.

Yes, honey.

Are you in love with her?

She wasn't my kind.

I keep wondering what
might've happened to her

the last couple of days.

You'd better start wondering
about what's gonna happen to you.

Finish your drink and get out.

McSorley wants you.

I said get out.

You know why we're here, Harry.

Throw him out.

Any time, mister.

Any time at all.

Not if you're smart, Duke!

I've seen this fella before!

I'd like you people to
know my name is Gratton,

Riley J. Gratton,
from here and there.

I mostly like to go around
establishing new friends.

You know, Duke, people get
excited and do the wrong thing.

But you take me...
I don't have that excuse.

I do the wrong things
without getting excited.

You talk too much.

I know. That's another
one of my faults.

I wish I was helpful
to people like Mr. McSorley.

He's never mean or selfish,

and gives us whiskey and music

at a reasonable price.

And a chance to win
money at his tables.

We're open for business,

if that's what you mean,
Mr. Gratton.

But we just don't have
time for your jokes.

You call this a joke?

Bartender, drinks for the house.

That, uh... That money's good?

I'd say so, yes. It belonged
to some very nice people...

who used to be friends of mine.

There must be
some kind of mistake.

He couldn't have been
that much of a crook.

No. This is the spot.

I guess he owned this
rock pile, anyhow.

The land's staked out
and it matches the deed.

No sense wasting good
tears here, Mr. Bixby.

All the angels crying together

couldn't even make a daisy grow.

I'll k*ll him when
I find him, Paul.

Well, looks like
you bought yourself

a right nice weed patch.

Might be all right...

for growin' scorpions
or rattlesnakes.

We've already seen it, Major.

We don't have to be reminded.

And it's no secret...
He's a friend of yours.

I didn't say he was
a friend of mine.

You invited him
to camp, didn't you?

Mr. Dawson...

I ain't spent the whole day
lookin' for you

because I was happy
with what happened.

Let's not waste our time
deciding which of us

is the bigger fool.

I left Flint McCullough
in charge back at the camp

so I could go get Gratton
and bring him back.

All right, if that's your play.

But we're gonna go with you.

You'll do nothin' of the kind.

Your place is here
with your sister...

who's probably got more brains

than the both of you
put together.

But you can't get across
that river now anyhow,

so you might as well
go on back to the train.

I'll meet you there.

How long will you be gone?

Just as long as it takes me

to bring your money back...

or Riley Gratton's hide.
Come on, Charlie!

You take a look around
town in the other saloons,

then meet me back here.

If I'm not here,
you wait for me.

I'll do that. One thing
I want to tell you...

This Gratton's the kind of
guy you don't meet every day.

He'll steal your mustache off
you while you're blowin' your nose.

I just don't want you
to get hurt, that's all.

You what?! I don't
want you to get hurt.

Get out of here!

I'm lookin' for a fella
named Riley Gratton.

This is a saloon.

We don't serve information.

Bartender...

how would you like me
to beat some manners

into that impudent
skull of yours?

I said I was lookin'
for a fella.

Is McSorley out of bed yet?

Why?

Well, the guest in room 6

would like one small breakfast

and one big drink.

So?

He wants to know how much credit

he can get on these spurs.
They're solid silver...

and gold inlay.

Send the guest in room 6
his breakfast...

in about ten minutes.

I'll be glad to pay for
anything he can eat or drink.

Hello, Major.

Hello.

So, we met at Shiloh, did we?

You know how it is, Major.

Old soldiers?

Get up!

The land I sold 'em...

It wasn't any good, huh?

Get up, you cheap,
thieving excuse for a man!

Now, wait a minute, Major.
I never even saw that land.

I mean, I know I'm a crook,

but that land might've
been good, mightn't it?

Good? That land?

Why, a skunk wouldn't
walk his bride

across the sunny side of it.

You get up. I'm gonna
wail the tar out of you.

Give me some room, Major.
Give me a little room.

I'll give you room. Get up.

All right, go ahead
and hit me, Major.

I deserve it. But don't forget...

Old soldiers.

Where's that money?

I can explain
about that, Major...

Where is that money?!

Look at me, Riley Gratton!

Gone?

Mm-hmm.

$850... all gone?

Mm-hmm.

You gonna tell me that
some thief robbed you?

There was a little cards
and roulette last night.

I didn't do so good.

I suppose it was a crooked game.

Well, sure, but I knew that.

I usually do better
that way, Major.

But McSorley...

Well, you've gotta
give credit to McSorley.

I just couldn't figure out

what he was doin' to that wheel.

Well, you just gotta get
the money back, that's all.

Huh?

I said, you gotta
get the money back.

The man's a thief, ain't he?

Well, sure he is,
but so am I, Major.

Who's got a right to complain?

Well, the Dawsons and the
Bixbys... they've got that right.

And I promised them that I'd
either bring that money back

or your hide.

Oh, I see.

Well, the money would be better.

I mean, I'd live
longer that way.

You know, Major,
lying here this morning,

just before you broke
into my privacy,

I was thinking
of turning honest.

That'll be the day.

I know what you're thinking.

I never had such a wild
idea like that in my life.

But it's kind of
catchin' hold of me.

Now... you want me
to rob McSorley.

I don't give a hang
if you rob him

or talk the man to death.

All I want to do
is get that money back,

and I want it back right now!

And you're gonna get it!

All right, Major, all right.

Will you give me one hour?

Just one hour.

I may not even need
that much time, Major,

but I got an idea how we
can get that money back.

We? Yes, we.

Look, here's what
I want you to do.

Walk out of here like
a four-star general,

just the way you look, Major.

I mean, that'd be easy
for you, wouldn't it, Major?

Will you do that for me?

Oh, I must be out of my mind.

But I'm gonna do it.

I'll give you just
one hour, Riley Gratton.

And the Lord have mercy on you

if you try to pull
anything on me again.

Major?

You find him?

I found him.

Fixed him up good, huh?
Beat his brains out?

Charlie, speak softly.

Don't be so bloodthirsty.

But you did clobber him
out a bit, though?

A little. Enough, I'd say.

Did you get the money?

I mean, you wouldn't be
standing there

like General Grant's statue if you
didn't get the money, would you?

Well, would you?

Charlie, when you're
dealing with a crook

as clever as Riley Gratton,

you let him worry about
a little thing like money.

Now, just take it easy
and shut up, will you?

Troubles, Riley?

Maybe.

Who is he?

Why?

Is he a lawman, Riley?

What'd you steal this time?

Me? Last good bit
of larceny I saw

was at the wheel last night.

Though I still can't figure out

how McSorley can
stop it where he wants to.

Gratton, come in here.

Don't fool with him, Riley.

I shouldn't bother worrying you,

but he's not in the mood
for any nonsense today.

Oh, this is Willy Gentry.

He shoots fleas
off of runnin' dogs.

I'd advise you not to
try any jokes today.

Hi, Willy.

They tell me that
a government man

came to see you, Riley.

That's possible.

What do you suppose he's after?

Why don't you ask him?

Standin' out there,

sniffin' everything in sight.

What does he want?

I have no idea.

Except he seemed
rather disappointed

that I didn't have
any money on me.

Of course, I didn't tell him
how much I owed that to you.

Money? What money?

Well, uh...

All right, I'll tell you, Joe.

He's a government man.

Seems there was a mail
holdup about a week ago,

and the money that
was taken was marked...

You know, like
the Lord counts sheep.

Well, he told me that
whoever took the money

was the blackest sheep of all.

I'm glad that's not gonna be me.

You're lyin'.

That's what everybody
says about me.

But you can't tell every time.

You watch him, Willy.

You're holdin' that g*n butt
like a chicken neck.

Your grip's too tight.

Of course, I'm telling you
in a friendly way.

Guess some chickens
are faster than others.

Hey, Joe, did you see that?

Shut up. I'm lookin' to
see if any of these bills

looks different than others.

Don't try it, Duke.
You're smarter than that.

All right, throw it over there.

Count out $850, and don't
bother lookin' for marks.

I haven't got time
to be particular.

I'll k*ll you for this,
Riley Gratton.

You drop that g*n.
I'm warning you...

You couldn't get out of
this town with a regiment.

You hear?!

Move back.

I said move back.



and 50 dollars.

Well, I never thought
I'd see the day.

All right, give me the key.

So long, boys.

Hey, Marshal!

That fella stole $850 off of me!

How much? $850!

Well, go get him!

We might just do that, mister.

Come on, Charlie.

You know, Riley...

I wish you'd tell me
something. Mm-hmm?

How the devil did you know
about this little schoolhouse

if you'd never been
through Omaha?

Well, I never thought
we'd be sharin' it, Major,

but, you see, I always
pick a place to hole up

when I come into a new town...

Sort of a habit of a sinful man.

There's your money.

You'd better count it.

Oh, Riley, I don't
need to count it.

You know... old soldiers.

Well, I'd better be
movin' along.

Been nice seeing you
again, Major.

You just stay
right where you are

till I get through
countin' this money.

I want to take a look
at that shoulder.

You'd better keep out
of McSorley's way, too.

I doubt if he still thinks
you're a government man.

Is that what you told him?

Another thing, Major...

Tell Sarah I never knew for sure

that land was no good.

I'll tell her.

I reckon you'll live.

Just keep it clean.
You'll be all right.

Mm-hmm.

Never got shot in my whole life

until I decided to
become an honest man.

A what?

Here.

Come on, boy.

Sarah.

Riley.

Why did you have to come back?

Because I wanted
to see you again.

You're the prettiest
little thing I've ever...

You're a liar!

I always was a liar, ma'am.

PAUL: Gratton!

Hello, Paul.

I promised I'd k*ll you,
and I meant it!

Do you hear me?!

Paul, don't! Can't you
see he's been shot?

You're such a low-down
rotten critter, Riley Gratton...

You wouldn't even
come back here whole.

If you were half a man,
you'd roll over

and let me kick you
in the healthy side.

I know, Paul, I know.

I'm not the kind
you can depend on.

What'd you do with
the money you took from us?

You'll get the money when
the Major rejoins the train.

Oh, no.

You're fooling nobody,
Mr. Gratton.

I've got an idea
the Major shot you.

That's where you're wrong.

The Major and I are
the best of friends again.

You're lyin'.

Hey, John! Mr. Bixby! Come here!

I'm not lyin', Sarah.

I wouldn't fight the Major,

not for all of Nebraska
with the moon thrown in.

Then who did sh**t you?

As far as I know, a fella
by the name of Willy Gentry.

He's the only one in that town

that could hit
a bull with a broom.

You're not lyin' again, are you?

I know it sounds like a big lie

when I tell you I gave
the Major the money.

Sounds like the biggest,
fattest lie I ever heard.

That crook!

Now, now, Mr. Bixby.

You'll get your money
back, every last penny.

SARAH: Leave him alone,
Mr. Bixby!

I ought to k*ll that...

I said leave him alone!

I'll use this thing
if I have to.

She'll do it, too.

All I can say is...

Major Adams better have
that money

when we get back to the train.

If he doesn't,
or if he isn't there,

I'll see you hang for sure!

That's the man, all right...

The big fella ridin' forward.

I wasn't sure of it till now.

Well, now, what if he
ain't a lawman?

I thought about that, too.

Just mind your manners, Willy.

Don't get itchy with that g*n.

Hey, Major, when's that Second
Battle of Shiloh gonna start?

You hear me, Major?

Why don't you just mind
your own dag-blasted business

for a change?

Me? Why, Major...

you know I always
mind my own business.

That'll be the day.

Looks like they're
ridin' straight at us.

Know who they are?

I reckon so.

Looks like some of
Riley Gratton's friends.

Something tells me we'd
better split up, just in case.

You ride on ahead...

Easy, the way you are.

Then hit it straight
for the wagon train.

I'll find out what they want.

Sure you don't want me
to stick around?

You just do as you're told.

Ride like a scared jackrabbit
once you're out of sight.

Good to see you, Marshal.

Howdy.

What can I do for you?

You are a lawman, ain't you?

I didn't say I was,
I didn't say I wasn't.

That happens to be
my own business.

It'd be easy enough for
you to show us your badge...

That is, if you got one.

I like to be a law-abiding man,

and, well, I figure that
hangin' Riley Gratton

is about as legal a thing

as a plain honest man
can do to help his neighbors.

Now, if you are a Marshal,

why, you could sort of
come along with us

and help us officiate.

I'd like to see that
badge, if you don't mind.

This is the second time I've
seen you flyin' through the air!

Paul said you could sit up here

if you minded your manners.

He said the fresh air is much
better for a wounded man.

Mm-hmm, and who
suggested that to him?

I did.

Where'd you get the shirt?

It's Paul's.

He didn't mind?

He minded some, but I said,

"Listen, you'd put a blanket
on a horse, wouldn't you?"

Mm-hmm. What'd he say?

He said he never knew
a horse to steal $850.

I like Paul.
I guess I like John, too.

You know, Sarah, I, uh...

I've never been around
people like you before.

I mean, a tr*mp like me,

kickin' around
the country, you...

What I mean is, I just
never got to thinkin'

the way right-livin'
people think.

Yes, Riley?
I'm listening to you.

Why?

I don't know. I guess
most girls with any sense

just wouldn't even bother.

You know, the saddest
thing about you

is that people like you.

And it's such a terrible waste.

Like you read in
the Gospel about...

a bad tree can't bear
good fruit.

You make everything
a shame and a lie.

I guess you still think I'm the
biggest crook you ever met.

I kind of do, but...

But what?

Well, I'm just not sure.

It wouldn't be fair
to say that a person

couldn't ever
possibly get better.

That's very kind of you.

I guess that kind of
explains why I came back.

I mean...

there I was, riding away again...

No place in particular...

As useless as
a hound dog up a tree.

Then I got to thinkin'.

Yes, Riley?
You were thinking what?

Well, I...

RILEY: That may be the Major.

Nope. Not as big a man
as the Major.

How many g*ns?
How many g*ns you got?

Don't count him.

You're Gratton, ain't you?

That's right.

I never met you
at the wagon camp,

but considering the kind of
people that captured the Major,

I think we ought to
count you twice.

I'll get my horse.

Sarah?

Mr. Bixby, you stay
with the womenfolk.



It's all here, Willy.

The lawman had it all.

Throw the rope over the limb.

Where's Riley Gratton?

I don't know. You're a liar.

No pot-bellied cow of a man

can call me that
and get away with it.

With a rope around your neck,

I think I can.

You and Gratton was
partners, wasn't you?

I told you before...
I'm a wagon master.

I'd as soon be partners
with the devil himself!

But you admit knowin' him.

Of course I know him!

I wish I had my hands
on him now.

Well, I don't care
which one of you I hang.

One thief on the end of a
rope is as good as another.

Come on, let's go on
with it, boys.

Good to see you again, Major.

If it's a calf you're
tryin' to tie up, Major,

the critter got away.

Maybe I didn't
rope one, Charlie.

But I sure branded on
with my boot.

The fattest calf in all
the prairie, gentlemen!

Worth $850 on the hoof...

or sittin' down.

Why do you say you
can't keep them, Riley?

The Major insists
on you having them.

Why do you have to
send them to some boy?

Well, you might say
it's one of the problems

of being an honest man.

I might even tell you
about it someday.

You'd look awful handsome

in them spurs, Riley.

You think Riley's gonna
stay with us, John?

Heh! We won't be able
to pry him loose,

if that's what he's got in mind.

Chances are you'll end up
owning half of California

if you keep that fella with you.