04x01 - In Silent Battle

[bunniefuu]

-Whoa.
-Whoa.

Good morning.
What's the problem?

Blocked.
We're blasting
in this area, Major.

-Using dynamite?
-Yes, sir.
You familiar with it?

Moderately.
I know it's tricky
compared with gunpowder.

What's the project?

Irrigation ditch.

We got water
on the other side.

We aim to bring it
down into the valley.

Glasses,
Sergeant.

Sir.

You'll be using that...
defile.

First charge at the top,
second near the bottom
should do it.

Yes, sir.
Just about a minute
in between.

-You a demolition man?
-Hardly.

Excuse me, sir,
but would you be
by any chance

-Major Jonathan Eliot?
-I am.

[laughs]
Yoo-hoo!

Could I-- would it be okay
if we shook hands, sir?

I'm mighty proud
to know you.

[horses approach]

Excuse me, sir.

Mornin', ladies.
Sorry I got to
stop you, but--

[expl*si*n]

[brays]

Whoa! Whoa!

They'll be blown
to bits.

Hold it, Major.
Stop!

-He'll never make it.
-I'm betting he will.

Hang on, Audra!
Hang on!

I can't hold
him, Audra!
Jump!

Are you all right,
Audra?
Yes.

It's my leg.
I can't make it.

Run.
Run, Audra.
I can't make it.

♪♪ [theme]

Nick, I think that's
the best-lookin' woman

I've seen you with
in a long time.

[laughs]

Mother,
Silas has fixed up
the guest bedroom.

-Thank you.
-Ah, but first,

madame is going to
try the latest thing

in Barkley buggies.
Right this way.

Guaranteed to stop
and turn better than
any kind of horse.

[chuckles]

And I have some
new magazines
for you to read.

[groans]
Thank you.

Well, you all
keep this up,

I may decide never
to get well.

If I know you,
you'll be tearing up
and down those stairs

under your own steam
within two weeks.

Well, I certainly hope so.

I know I'm very grateful
to Major Eliot.

Oh, I hope someone thought
of inviting him for dinner.

I did.
As a matter of fact,

-he should be here
any minute.
-Good.

He's a very courageous
man.

A real, legitimate w*r hero.
And, uh, quite good looking,
wouldn't you say, Nick?

Mmm.

-Is he? I didn't notice.
-I'll bet.

-[knocks on door]
-Oh, that must be him now.

-Audra, your nose is shining.
-Is it?

No, no, on second
thought, I think
it's your eyes.

[all chuckle]

Hello, Silas.

-Come in, Major.
-Thank you.

I hope I'm not late.

No, sir,
you're right on time,
and mighty welcome.

This way.

-Hello, Major.
-Jarrod.

-Howdy.
-Hello, Nick.

-Major.
-Good to see you
again, Mrs. Barkley--

Miss Audra.
You both look
just fine.

-Please, sit down.
-Thank you.

Major, you have
no idea how nice
it is to see you.

Only-- how does one
thank a man for
doing what you did?

By not mentioning it
again, please.

Seeing you-- all of you--
is ample payment.

Well, it's nice seeing
you again, Major.
And if you'll excuse me,

-I have a few things
to tend to.
-Of course.

Audra, why don't
you pour the major
a cup of coffee?

What's your
assignment going
to be here?

Locating five acres
of suitable land

within easy riding
distance of Stockton
for a supply depot.

-Preferably near water.
-That sounds like
the north 40 to me.

And it's not very far
from the river.

Well, that's fine.
I'll make that
my first stop.

And why don't you make
our home your headquarters
while you're here?

There's plenty of room
for you and your orderly.

Oh, I wouldn't
want to impose.

It's no imposition
at all, believe me, Major.

And I could be your guide--
if you'd like.

Well, in that case, I accept.
With your permission,
of course, Mrs. Barkley.

Permission granted, Major.

And just how long
are we going

to be around here,
anyway, Major?

Oh, it's...
hard to tell.

Listen, I've got an idea.
You're not really needed
here.

Why don't you go up
to San Francisco

and stay at The Palace
and enjoy yourself
for a few days?

-The treat's on me, of course.
-Well, thank you, now.

-But I don't think I will.
-Why not?

You've always liked
The Palace.

Good service,
fine liquor...

maybe even a girl or two
you remember fondly.

I'll be all right
right here.

And anyway, you just may
be needin' me, Major.

Suit yourself.

Where would we
be going now?

Not we-- me.
I'm going to look
at that land.

Alone?

-I'll have a guide.
-A guide?

It wouldn't be the girl,
now would it, Major?

-We won't discuss it.
-Come off it, Eliot.

Why do you think I want
to stay around here?

That'll do, Sergeant!

Audra: Major?

MCQUADE [whispers]:
Here comes your guide,
Major.

Do you want
to talk about it
in front of her?

McQuade,
you don't understand.

Yes, sir, Major!

I'll have the other horses
settled in a moment, sir.

Very good, Sergeant.

[whispers]
Very good.

Good morning,
Miss Audra.

Whoa.

Interesting.
A definite possibility.

It would seem to be
just what we need, Major.

Let's not be hasty,
Sergeant.

How far are we
from Stockton,
Miss Audra?

-About 13 miles.
-Hmm.

-Can we take a look around?
-Of course.

-You may water the horses,
Sergeant.
-Yes, sir.

What do you think?

A handsome view.
Is it always like this?

It's especially lovely
this time of year.

"Where every
prospect pleases,
and only man is vile."

A soldier who
reads poetry?

It has sustained me
from time to time,

when everything
else has failed.

May we rest here
for a moment?

-I've been reading Swinburne.
-Oh, yes.

Are you familiar
with his work?

My favorite lines
are from the Garden
of Proserpine.

"Here, where the world
is quiet..."

No, another stanza.

Which one?

"From too much love
of living,

"from hope and fear
set free,

"we thank with brief
thanksgiving whatever
gods may be

"that no life
lives forever,

"that dead men
rise up never,

that even the weariest river
winds somewhere safe to sea."

Obviously, that's not
your favorite stanza.

No.
It's too dark--
too hopeless.

And your world
is full of hope--

Full of bright
and beautiful sunshine,
isn't it?

I like to think so.

Does the major have
any further orders
for me,sir?

No, Sergeant.
We'll be moving on now.

[laughing]

Very funny.

-More beef, Sergeant?
-No, thank you, ma'am.

It's the finest meal
I've ever had,
but I'm all full up.

You figure the land
in the north pasture's

what you're
interested in, eh?

Well, it's the best
I've seen so far,

but I'd like to scout
around some more,
if you don't mind.

Be our pleasure,
Major.

My pleasure, really.
I've never had a more
charming guide.

Sounds like a good
job for you, Audra.
Regimental guide.

[chuckles]

Oh, uh, Ed Masters
wants to know if he can
come out

and do an interview on you
for our local newspaper.

Only if I can't
avoid it.

That's one of the prices
of fame, I'm afraid, Major.

And a waste of time.

I gave an interview
several months ago
in St. Louis.

The reporter wanted
to know all the gory
details of old battles

while I wanted to talk
about the things that
concern me today.

Uh, the interview
was a fiasco, of course.

What are the things
that concern you,
Major?

It's not the time or
place for an oration,
Mrs. Barkley.

I'm sure we'd all
be interested.

Well, briefly then,

our cities have become
cesspools of vice,

and the corruption
is spreading throughout
the entire land.

Well, now, do you, uh--
really feel that way,
Major?

Yes,
and it's one battle
I'd be eager to fight.

I've told the major
he should run for
public office.

That'll do, Sergeant.

Oh-- Uh, try our wine.
It's from our own vineyards.

Thank you.

Uh, begging
the major's
pardon--

No wine for
you, sir.

Surely just a half
a glass, Sergeant.

Oh, no, sir.
The regimental surgeon
gave me strict instructions.

Alcohol for medicinal
purposes only,

and only in
an emergency.

McQuade is my faithful
watchdog, and he's right,
of course.

My old wounds
sometimes prohibit
my simple pleasures.

Hey, do you want
to hang?!

Because I can arrange it
anytime you like, Major,
and you know it.

Ah... so, here are
your orders, Major--

Number one, you stay away
from the Barkley girl!

Don't dirty her name
by mentioning it.

Oh, you're a real little
leprechaun, aren't you,
me love?

Order number two--
You stay away
from the booze.

Even you should know
better by this time.

-Get out!
-Ah, "get out"--

Happens to be order
number three.

You stop your stallin',
you finish your business,
and you get out!

Because if you don't,
I may not be able to save
your skin this time.

Do you understand?

So, I'll say
good night,

and I'll be seeing
you in the morning...

Major.

[grunts]

[grunting]

Meg-- Meg...

Meg.

The whole town knows...

How could you?
How could you do it?

[chuckles]

You're nothing to me.
Nothing.

You're dirty.
You're dirty.

You're dirty!

[sighs]
Not again.

I'm gonna get you.

I'm gonna get me a g*n
and I'm gonna get you!

You're gonna go
sleep it off.

Now, get outta here,
Crowley, and don't
come back.

I'll get you.
I'm gonna get me
a g*n.

I'll be back.

It's gettin' late,
and we're gettin'
ready to close up.

So, if you don't
mind, sir...

-Major Eliot.
-We've met?

Well, not exactly,
but I was with the 7th
at Dollar Creek.

Oh.

If you want a drink,
it's on the house,
Major.

Well, thank you,
but you buy yourself a drink,

and bring me
a bottle, please.

Yes, sir, Major.

Hello, Major.
They call me Cora
around here.

-Good evening.
-And, uh, gettin' on
towards mornin'.

I got me a room
upstairs out
across the alley--

If you'd like
to do your
drinking there.

Some other time, perhaps,
if you don't mind.

You just might be missin' out
on something real special.

Fellas come from all around
just for me.

Do they?

One fella came all the way
from Arizona.

Get away from me.

You heard him, Cora.
Beat it.

The best in the house--
Pennsylvania rye whiskey.

That'll be
just fine.

To the brave men
of Dollar Creek.

Yes, sir.

Excellent.
My compliments.

Oh, my pleasure, Major.
And we'll be open as long
as you care to stay.

-Thank you.
-Yes, sir.

[dog barks in distance]

Oh!
Well.

I didn't expect you
tonight, Major.

I didn't figure
you'd expect me, Meg.

Meg? Oh!
[chuckles]

It's me-- Cora.

-Remember?
-I remember.

Any man-- any time--
Meg.

Oh.
You want to play
games with me.

All right.
I don't mind games.

You want me to play
like I'm this Meg.

Now, uh--
what was she like?

Mm-mmm.
I know you, Meg.

Did you think
I'd ever forget?

Major, I think you had
a little bit too much
to drink.

Now I'm gonna
make it all right.

It's a little cold
in here, Major.

Would you shut the door?

Good morning.

-Morning, Audra.
-Good morning, Audra.

Morning, Audra.

You and the major
going out again
this morning?

-After breakfast.
-Did you know, Jarrod,

that Major Eliot
started out as
a rear-rank private.

-Do tell.
-That's right.

Two months later,
he was a sergeant,

he was commissioned
in the field,

and he finished the w*r
as a captain.

Before he came here,
he commanded a garrison
in Tucson.

Now, somehow
I should've known that
she would know all that.

Is the, uh, sergeant
going along with you?

-I suppose so.
-Somehow I figured that.

There's not too much
the major can do
without the sergeant.

AUDRA:
Sergeant McQuade
ishis orderly.

Mm-hmm, only, uh,
just, uh, well--

Well, what?

Well, it seems to me
that, uh--

-There's something
peculiar about those two.
-Peculiar?

NICK: Yeah, well,
do you ever notice
that, uh--

It's the sergeant
that's always
giving the orders?

I always thought that
women were supposed
to be the gossips.

They are!
Of course they are!

-Good morning.
-Major.
-Oh, good morning.

I'm sorry I overslept.
It's something
I rarely do.

Oh, there's no need
to apologize.

I'm just glad
you had a good
night's rest.

Actually, I didn't
get to sleep
till almost dawn.

When I did, I slept
like a child.

Mmm, well, uh--

I've gotta get out
and prod those
hired hands.

Now that Heath's
up in San Francisco,

that leaves all
the work to me.

There'll be no
gallivantin' around
out here, hmm?

-Mm-hmm.
-All right. Bye bye. Major.

Well, I'm afraid
I have to be on
my way, too.

Mother, you are under
strict orders to have
a good day.

-Bye.
-You too, Major.

Thank you.
I'm sure I will.

I envy you
your family, Mrs. Barkley.

My father died
when I was a boy,

and I never did
have any brothers
or sisters.

And your mother?

My mother.

Oh, she's living
in Mexico now.

I suppose I did have
a family of sorts
when I was growing up.

My mother kept a roof
over our heads by
running a lodging house.

So, there were always
plenty of people around.

Men from all over
the world.

That gave me an education.
I suppose I didn't appreciate
it at the time.

Yes, my mother gave me
quite a head start in life.

Do you have
pictures of her?

No, but she was beautiful.
She was the toast
of the lodging house.

I remember, people used
to call her by her first name--

And so did I,
when I was quite small.

Folks used to think
that was funny,
and I guess it was.

What was her name?

Meg.

[knocks on door]

Why, hello, Fred.
Come on in.

Morning, Jarrod.

What brings you
out our way?

I've got to see
Major Eliot.

Oh?
What about?

You remember a girl who
worked at the Gold Eagle
named Cora?

-Yeah.
-She was m*rder*d last night.

The bartender says that you
were one of the last people
to see Cora alive, Major.

I was in town
last night.

-How did she die?
-She was strangled.

Whoever did it
put his brand on her.

His brand?
What do you mean?

The letter "A" was burned
into her shoulder

with a match,
or a lit cigar--
Something like that.

-Huh. That's funny.
-Funny?

Oh, I didn't mean it
that way, Fred.
It's just that...

wasn't there a book
by Hawthorne,
The Scarlet Letter,

-where the heroine was forced
to wear the letter "A"?
-Why?

-She was accused
of being an adultress.
-That's it.

Uh, Major...

Major, how did it happen
you were at the Gold Eagle
so early this morning?

I couldn't sleep.

You recall my exchange
with McQuade about the wine
last night.

Yes, I do.

Well, I'm still carrying
some Confederate lead
around in me,

and it's painful.

When it hurts too much
and I can't sleep,

alcohol will usually
do the trick.

However, our regimental
surgeon prefers

that I abstain until
times of real need.

Last night was one
of those times.

Major, was there anyone
else in the saloon?

Just the bartender
and the unfortunate girl
when I arrived.

The bartender was alone
when I left.

Jarrod, do you remember
Jud Crowley?

Jud Crowley? Yeah.
He used to work for us
about a year ago.

Yeah, that's the one.
He's been helping out over
at Kane's stable recently.

FRED:
The bartender says that
Jud was giving Cora fits

about something or other
most of the night--

So bad he had to throw
him out just about
the time you arrived.

ELIOT: Yes, I remember now.
He was so drunk he could
hardly stand on his feet.

Did you hear him
threaten anyone?

He said he was going
to get a g*n and come back.

Yeah, that checks.
Now, um, by any chance

did you happen
to see him later?

Maybe when you left
the saloon?

Well, Major?

Sheriff, this is
most serious.

I must tell it to you
exactly as it happened.

That's exactly
the way I want it.

Well, as I recall,

there's a stairway
outside the building

across the alley
from the saloon.

FRED:
That's right. Go on.

I have no idea
where it leads.

As I was leaving,
I saw a man walking
up those stairs.

I remember because
I wondered who else
would be out that late.

Was it Crowley?

Sheriff,
it was quite dark.

Major, you had a good look
at this man earlier.

Was it Jud Crowley?

It was.

Thank you, sir.

It's Tucson
all over again!

Everything's exactly
the same!

We're all right.
They don't suspect me.

And I give you my oath
it won't happen again.

[scoffs]
Your oath?

Don't make me
laugh, Major.

Yes, I'm rid
of that feeling.
I'm cleansed.

Look in my eyes.
It's out of my system.

Until you get
your hands on
a jug again.

You are a bloomin'
maniac.

I'm not.
That's not true.

I was a hero
during the w*r.

I risked my life

time and time again!

Look at some
of these medals.

The w*r's over,
Major!

And that won't wash out
what you've done to these
innocent girls!

[chuckles]
Innocent?

They were filth,
and the world's a better
place without them.

Oh, really?

-And just what did they
ever do to you?
-They exist.

That's no answer, Major!

Sergeant.

I'm going
to tell you a story--
one of surprise.

I'm going to tell you
about my mother.

I'm not interested
in your mother!

My mother!

Ran the most...
popular...

boarding house
in the city,

and it wasn't because
of the quality
of the rooms.

Do you have any idea
what it's like for
a little boy...

to find that out
about his mother?

To hear dirty jokes?
To be pointed out with
a wink and a smirk?

-Do you want to hear more?
-[scoffs]

-Where are you going?!
-Listen, you take it easy.

Anything happens
to me,

and they open a letter
that puts a rope around
your neck.

-Ha ha!
-I don't think so.

You been living too well.
"Too high on the hog, love,"
so to speak.

I don't think you're
going to give that up.

-And besides,
you're an accomplice now.
-Me?

You.

You could've turned me in
after Tucson.

But you didn't, because
you were a rear-private with
a bad record and no future.

You wanted to climb aboard
a gravy train--

Get a promotion,
be my orderly,
live my kind of life,

-share my money--
-that's not how it happened.

-Oh, no?
-No!

I-- I-- I didn't
ask you for anything.

You did all the offering.

Anything I wanted,
I could have,

just so long as I kept
my mouth shut.

[laughs]
You begged me.

You told me that I--
I'd be a fool to pass up
such a chance.

You tell that to a court
and see where it gets you!

Oh...
[scoffs]

You really are a leprechaun,
aren't you, Major?

Hmm.

All right.
You win.

But there's got to be
no more k*lling.

Oh, I told you there
wouldn't be anyone else.

No, it's over now--
over.

I pray that it is,
Major.

Now,
you just relax...

and enjoy
your stay here.

You may never have
another opportunity to
be at such a fine place.

All right.

But, uh, doesn't the major
think that it's time for
us to leave this place?

The major does not.

The major has plans.

Plans?

Audra Barkley,
Sergeant.

I've never met anyone
like her before.

With her, I feel it would
change everything.

-Are you serious, man?
-Yes, I am.

She will be my salvation.
She's pure.

I feel I can fully
and finally cleanse
myself with her.

[plays]

Well, we're off.

Now, you sure
you're gonna
be all right?

-Just fine.
-Good.

-Major, why don't
you join us?
-Where are you going?

Well, it's just
the cattlemen
association meeting,

but we usually cut that
short and sweet

and get into the most
cut-throat poker game
you've ever seen.

Thank you, but I think
I'll just stay here

and keep
the ladies company,
if you don't mind.

Well, all right.

-Jarrod, don't keep a kicker.
-Never.

-Where's Nick?
-NICK [shouts]: Where's Jarrod?

There's Nick.

-And you-- Nick.
-What?

Don't draw
to an inside straight.

Oh, no, not me.
I learned not to
do that from you.

You beat me out
of $5, remember?

Well, that's very
pretty playing, Miss.
Very pretty.

That's because
you have no ear
for music.

You are absolutely right.

-Major--
-Nick, will you come on?

All right.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I hope you ladies
don't mind.

Not a bit.

Well, now, Jarrod,
you ready to lose

the east wing
of the Barkley ranch?

[laughs]

So pure...
so lovely.

Please don't stop.
Not now.

You've heard
my entire repertoire.

Besides,
it's time for coffee.

-Mrs. Barkley.
-Mmm?

I'm going to marry
your daughter.

I beg your pardon?

I said I'm going
to marry your daughter.
I hope this pleases you.

Well, Major...

have you discussed this
with Audra?

Well, not yet.
I didn't think
it was proper.

And you are quite correct.

Major...

well, we all admire you
very much,

and we are very
grateful to you for
what you have done,

-but--
-Am I to understand that
you're rejecting me?

Oh, no, no, no.
In the final analysis,

Audra's wishes are all
that are important.

But you barely know each other.
Aren't you being a bit hasty?

Hasty?

Well, who knows how much
life is left for you--
for me-- for anyone?

Can't you see?

What's the matter?

[chuckles]
She is opposed
to our marriage.

Our marriage?

Yes.
I won't permit it.

I respect your mother,
Audra,

but our future together
is really all that matters.

Major, I--

I don't know what I
could've done to cause
this misunderstanding.

I think you're
a wonderful person,

and I think you're
very attractive, but--

Then you will marry me,
despite what anyone else
says.

I'm sorry,
but I don't love you.

In fact, I barely know you.
It takes time.

Time?

There is no time.

I thought you were
different, but perhaps not.

Perhaps there's
another man.
Lotsof men.

I thought you were pure,
but...

with your permission,
ladies, I shall remove
my unwelcome presence.

I've never seen him
act like that.

Oh, Audra,
he's a strange man.

A very strange man.

Well, it sure has been
an interesting trip--

-Me traveling along,
listening to myself talk.
-Huh?

You haven't said 10 words
since we left the ranch.

Oh, I'm sorry Nick.
I was just, uh--

Just thinkin' about
Audra and Eliot.

Yeah, I been doin'
some thinkin'
about him, too.

-He's kinda sweet
on Audra, isn't he?
-I think he is.

You know, if we
don't watch our step,
we may just wind up

with a genuine hero
in the family.

Could be.

How would that sit
with you, Nick?

I told you how
I felt about it.

But this Eliot--

He's, um--
kind of a little
off-center, isn't he?

-What do you mean?
-[chuckles]
Well, I mean,

you should've heard
the lecture he gave me
this morning.

-Lecture? What about?
-Oh--

You boys did bring
all your foldin' money,
didn't you?

Come on, let's go.

What, uh-- what was
the lecture about,
Nick?

Oh, same old stuff.
Vice, corruption,

how there's no such thing
as a pure woman.

-You know, this man makes
a preacher seem sinful.
-[chuckles]

-He sure does carry on
about purity, doesn't he?
-That he does.

-Well, after you, counselor.
-I'll tell you what--

You go ahead.
I'll be with you
in a minute.

You're not thinking
about doing something
sinful and unpure?

-Wouldn't dream of it.
-No.

Evening, Jarrod.

Hello, Fred.

Join me
in a bite?

No, thanks.
Coffee hot?

Sure.
Help yourself.

-How you doin'
with Jud Crowley?
-Hmm?

Oh, you mean,
has he confessed?

No.
No, as a matter of fact,

he keeps hollerin'
he didn't do it.

What do you think,
Fred?

You know it doesn't
make any difference
what I think, Jarrod.

-It's up to the judge
and the jury.
-I mean just between us.

Well...
all right.

He's makin' a believer
outta me, Jarrod.

If it wasn't for Major Eliot
identifyin' him the way he did,

I don't think I'd even
be holdin' him.

You mind if I have
a little talk with him?

No.
Wish you would.

Jud, you got
a visitor.

Call when
you're through.

Thanks, Fred.

Hello, Jud.

What do you want,
Barkley?

Just a little
conversation.

How come?

Well...

-might be that I could help
you.
-[scoffs]

The last help I got from
a Barkley was a boot in
the seat of my britches.

That's because
you were drunk,
Jud--

Mean, fightin' drunk
just once too often.

Nick warned you about it.
You didn't listen.

Well, I've been doin'
just fine without
the Barkleys, thank you.

Sure--
sure you have.

That's why you're lyin'
here in jail booked
on suspicion of m*rder.

I didn't do it.

Now, suppose you
tell me about it.

Some people get
all the breaks,
that's all.

I been kicked around
all my life.

Did you go back
to Cora's room after
the saloon closed?

No.

Major Eliot said he saw you
going up the stairs.

The only thing I can figure,
he just--

Well, he must've seen
somebody that looks
a whole lot like me.

[sighs]

The light must've
been pretty poor,
right, Jud?

Well,
that's the answer.

That's the whole thing
right there in a nutshell,
ain't it?

Jud, if it comes down to
your word or the major's...

you realize whose word
the jury's gonna take,
don't you?

Yeah.

But I didn't k*ll that girl.

I couldn't k*ll anybody.

-Least of all her.
-You were drunk.

Yes, I was drunk,
and I was talkin' mean.

But that's all it was--
just a lot of talk.

Jud, were you in Tucson,
Arizona, about a year ago?

I never been to Tucson
in my life.

I was workin' for you
a year ago, remember?

Does the letter "A"
mean anything to you?

What are you talkin' about?

I never learned
how to read and write.

Mr. Barkley, I'm gonna
tell you somethin'.

You probably ain't
gonna believe it.

Why don't you
try me, Jud?

I was in love
with that girl.

I wanted her
to marry me.

She wouldn't do it.

That's why I got so drunk.
That's why I got thrown
out of that place.

Tell me something, Jud--

do you feel that she was
pureenough for marriage?

She was a good girl.
She just never had no
decent chance, that's all.

I don't mean
any offense, Jud.

Anyway...
what's so pure about me?

I'm a...

Well, I drink too much.

I don't blame her
for turnin' me down.

I wasn't good enough
for her.

Anyway, what difference
does it make?

I reckon she's gone now.

Fred.

Well,
what do you think?

I agree with you.
He didn't do it.

You gonna defend him?

Maybe,
if it comes to that.

Fred, do you remember
hearing about the m*rder
of a dance hall girl

in Tucson, Arizona,
about a year ago?

No.
Should I?

No.
No reason why
you should.

It's just that I--

Well, I read a couple of
lines in the San Francisco
newspaper about it.

Well, the girls
are gettin' beaten up,

and k*lled sometimes.
It's not what you might
call an easy trade.

Yeah,
but this was special.

How special?

She was strangled
and branded with
the letter "A".

-You want this to go to
the sheriff of Tucson, Arizona.
-That's right.

"Saloon girl m*rder*d
and branded.

"Your town,
approximately one year ago.

"Is criminal
still at large?

"Urgently request
immediate answer

"and details of crime,

"collect,
care of this office.

Signed Fred Madden,
Sheriff."

You gonna wait on this?

We'll be over
at the Gold Eagle.

Rush it over just the
second it comes in,
will you, Nate?

Yes, sir,
Mr. Barkley.

I was wondering
when you were going
to try it, Sergeant.

[chuckles nervously]
I don't know what the--
uh, major is suggesting.

The major is suggesting that
the major would be no harm
to the sergeant when dead,

and therefore incapable
of contradicting
whatever story

the sergeant chose
to tell the authorities.

h*!
No, sir.

I-- I was just trying
to keep you out of any
further trouble

by forcing you
to leave.

I-- I figured if you
stayed here much longer--

[gasps]

[thuds]

To the brave men
of Dollar Creek.

-There you are, Harry.
-Thank you.

Thanks, Nate.

That Tucson gal died
the same way poor Cora
did, Sheriff.

And they never caught
the man that did it.

Let's go, Fred.

Major Eliot?

Major, I thought
I heard a--

You're impatient,
aren't you, Meg?

I was just coming
to get you.

-[screams]
-Meg.

No!

Audra: No!

No!
No!

[screams]

Ooh.

[winces]
Oh!

Audra!
No!

No!
No!

[grunts]

No!

Ah!

-[thuds]
-Ow! Oh...

Where're all your men
now, Meg?

They used you
and they joked
about it.

But they can't
help you now,
can they, Meg?

I loved you, Meg.

I could k*ll you quickly,
you know...

but I won't.

Because you must
be punished.

The whole world must know...

what you are.

No!
No!

[grunts]

No!
Ah!

Eliot!

[fires]

Meg...?

[both chuckling]

Say, Nick,
do you see
what I see?

And just what do you
think you're doin'?

Demonstrating the fact
that I'm no longer
an invalid.

-Well--
-I may even cook dinner
for you tonight.

-What?
-And Heath's coming home.

Audra, I made it
all by myself.

-I don't believe it.
-I did, I did, I did.

She certainly did.

Well, well, well.

All right, you two,
what's going on?

Well, we just
got through talkin'
to the army.

Seems they're very well
satisfied with the north 40.

-Oh?
-Of course, we told 'em
we didn't think so,

but we'd let 'em know.

Well, why not?
It'd be good for the town

and good for us, too,
wouldn't it?

Attagirl, Audra.

Nick, what do you say
we take care of that
little thing?

All righty.
Goodbye, Mother--
Audra.

I guess they were
afraid they'd stir up
some bad memories.

You know,
it's strange, Mother.

He was so brave,
and yet so gentle.

I wonder what changed him
into another man.

I don't know, Audra.
I don't know.

Because there were
two men, you know,

and they fought
a silent battle that
no one could see, until--

until finally they...

they both died.

♪♪ [theme]