Shotgun (1955) Movie Script
[DRAMATIC PASTORAL MUSIC]
[COWBOY] We'll split up here.
When you see Hardin, give
him both barrels for me.
Yeah, take care
of Fletcher, too.
Sure, we'll bring you back
the pieces, won't we, Ben?
Yeah.
See you at the cabin.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Johnny, as long as we're here,
pick us up some fresh
horses at the corral.
Bentley, cover me
until I get inside.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Sign the payroll
All we do is
sign the payroll
And we haven't
got a red cent yet
[PAYROLL SIGNER] [LAUGHS]
Oh, you're gonna feel awful
when you hear the
bugle in the morning.
[TENSE MUSIC]
What do you want?
[DISHES CLATTER]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[BEN] Don't try it.
That's better.
Anybody else around?
No.
[BEN] You pray
it stays that way.
There won't be anybody.
We were just getting
ready to close up.
You're Ben Thompson, aren't you?
I'll do the asking.
What's your name, friend?
Holly, that's my wife.
What do you want here, anyway?
This may take a while.
Sit down over there by
your wife and relax.
Would it hurt so much
to tell us what you want?
There's a couple of
marshals in this town,
Clay Hardin and Mark Fletcher.
[SOFTLY DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I spent six years in
a stinking prison hole
on account of them.
I figure to even things.
For a man that's trying
to set up an ambush,
Thompson, you're sure not
being very careful about it.
Somebody's bound
to see you in here,
and that means Hardin and
Fletcher will soon be showing up.
That's the point.
I'm counting on them thinking
this is gonna be
a real easy touch.
They might try to take
me without a fight.
[DOOR CLICKS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[DISHES CLATTER]
Looks like he's catching up
on some of his
sleep the hard way.
What about the street,
how does it look?
Just like you figured.
Shouldn't be long now.
[TENSE MUSIC]
What are you gonna do to us?
Well now, that
depends, doesn't it?
[TENSE MUSIC]
It's him all right,
Marshal, Ben Thompson.
I saw him through the window.
He's got a gun on Holly
and his wife in the bar.
All right, Davey,
you go on home.
We'll take care of it.
You won't need that,
Clay, you're not going.
I told you, I want
Thompson alive,
and, once he sees you, he's
sure to start shooting.
That's not the real
reason, Mark, now is it?
You got a good job waiting
for you up at the capital,
and I'm not gonna let
you risk your neck
now even if you wanted.
Well, maybe that
white collar job
doesn't seem so
important right now.
Look, you said yourself
I'd have a better chance
taking him alone,
so let's forget it.
But that was before he
was holed up in the bar.
You can't take him
now without a fight,
and I intend to be
there when it starts.
Not this trip, Clay.
I can't take a chance on
Thompson getting nervous
and gunning Holly and his wife.
Don't be a fool, Mark.
You don't know
Thompson like I do.
He's sure to have at
least one gunslinger
with him like he pulled on
me that time in Santa Fe.
You aren't gonna be able
to handle them both.
All right, you cover the corral.
If anybody's with
Thompson, the chances are
they'll be trying to pick
up some fresh horses,
and you can stop them there,
but stay off the street.
I don't want a fight unless
it has to be that way.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[HORSE WHINNIES]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[SHOTGUN BOOMS]
[KNIFE THUNKS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUNS BANG]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
Clay!
He got Fletcher.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Be better not to look, Clay.
He was my friend.
Wasn't a thing I could do.
That shotgun just
practically tore him apart.
Yeah.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[HOOVES CLOMP]
[MAN IN DOORWAY]
Where's Johnny?
He's dead.
What happened?
We nailed Fletcher.
Never got a chance with Hardin.
Johnny got it on the way out.
Yeah, everything
turned out just great.
[BEN] Think we
should've hung around
and got Hardin, is that it?
If we had, chances are we
wouldn't be here right now.
What's the difference?
The way things stand
now with Fletcher dead,
Hardin's gonna be tailing us
all the way to
Boot Hill and back.
Not the way I got it figured.
When I was buying those
Winchesters in Tucson,
I heard a lot of
talk about Hardin.
Word in the capital
is he's gonna
be the new Indian Commissioner.
You think he's gonna throw over
a soft job like that
to come after us?
I don't plan on staying
around to find out.
If we had any sense, we'd be
on our way to
California tonight.
We'll clear out for
California when this is over.
Right now, we got a
good thing worked out
with Delgadito and his Apaches.
They're gonna pay plenty
for those new Winchesters.
But if you're worried
about anything
and you wanna pull out,
there's no ropes on you.
Maybe I'll do just that.
No hard feelings.
No hard feelings.
[COWBOY] He's getting
way out of line, Ben.
How come you're letting
him walk all over you?
We'll be moving out soon.
When you know you're gonna
have to kill a man, Perez,
it costs nothing to be polite.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Then you won't change your mind?
No.
You're a fool, Clay.
I was a fool to
let Mark Fletcher
walk down that street alone,
if that's what you mean.
You know perfectly
well what I mean.
Fletcher was killed doing
exactly what he was paid for.
How can you feel
you're to blame?
As long as Ben Thompson
is running loose,
I can't feel any other way.
Can't, or won't?
Either one, it adds up the same.
Not to me.
Father and I have pulled a
lot of strings in the capital,
arranging for the kind of
job you said you wanted,
which means living like
decent people and not savages,
and now you're going
to walk out on it.
Maybe I'm doing
you a favor, Aletha,
and you don't even know it.
It doesn't have to
be this way, Clay.
You don't have to be the
one that gets Ben Thompson.
Why, for all we know,
some other marshal
may have already caught him.
He may even be dead by now.
Maybe.
When I find out, we'll
talk about it then.
I don't know how I could
have ever thought
of marrying you.
Why, you're nothing but
a common gunman yourself.
When you get right
down to it, Aletha,
I guess we're all pretty
common, one way or another.
Well, there's one
thing you can count on,
you may be leaving this
town as a US Marshal,
but I'll guarantee you
this, I'll see to it
that you won't be one
when you get back.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
- How are you?
- Hiya.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Say, wonder if you've
ever seen any of these men.
No.
- No.
- No.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Ho!
Ease off, Sam.
Howdy!
How are you?
Nothing wrong up here, I hope.
Well, we outran a bunch of
Apaches a few days back.
Well, they won't be in a
hurry to stop us again.
What can I do for you?
Tell me, when's the last
time you saw any of those men.
Yes, sir, those braves
tried their best to get us,
didn't they, Sam?
Yeah.
Well, that's the
way it goes, Marshal.
Company just put this
rig out on the line.
They ain't gonna like it, all
them holes in the rear end.
Hmm, seen this fella before.
You should see them
holes back there.
Right through a new
bunch of underwear.
Where'd we see this
fella before, Sam?
Never do forget a face.
Least ways, not often.
It's all right, take your time.
I got all day.
Don't rush me,
Mister, let me think.
Say, how about a refill?
That's it.
Give him some water
at Dry Creek Crossing
a few days back just before
that brush with Apaches.
What's the matter with you, Sam?
Don't you remember nothing?
I remember that looker
they had with them.
Hmm, pretty thing, wasn't she?
A woman?
You sure?
Never do forget a face,
especially when I do them a favor.
How about the water?
Help yourself.
Gabby cuss, ain't he?
- Sure is.
- Hey!
Move along, move along!
Move, you four-legged
[SPEAKER TRAILS OFF].
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Hey there!
Here, quick, quick!
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Cut him loose.
That rawhide's almost tight.
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Hurry, cut him loose!
Hurry!
There's plenty of time.
[SNAKE RATTLES]
What are you waiting for?
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Please, Marshal, cut me loose.
This rawhide's drawing up.
Let's have a little
powwow, Bentley.
Well then kill it, for
God's sakes, kill it!
Might be easier than a shotgun.
It wasn't me, it was Thompson
that triggered that Marshal.
You didn't try to
stop him now, did you?
I couldn't.
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Marshal, don't leave me.
No, no!
I'm pulling up.
You badge-holders
are worse than snakes!
You stay out of
this unless you wanna
be back in that tree.
[SNAKE RATTLES]
I'll do anything,
just cut me loose!
[SNAKE RATTLES]
All right, where's Ben Thompson?
He's headed for Calexico
with Greybar and Perez.
Marshal, Marshal,
I'm pulling up.
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Oh, cut me loose, Marshal,
please, cut me loose!
I'm pulling up, I'm pulling
up, please, cut me loose!
[SNAKE RATTLES]
[GUN BANGS]
You'll be all right.
Let's get the blood going.
All right, drink up.
One apiece.
The girl first!
Hurry it up, that shot
will probably bring
every Apache in the territory.
[DRAMATIC, EXCITING MUSIC]
You didn't have to do that!
Get on your feet,
we're moving out.
No more talk out of you.
[SOFT MUSIC]
What do they call you?
Abby.
Well, I'm Clay
Hardin, climb aboard.
I'll walk.
You got a hat?
No.
Here, use this one.
I don't need one.
Suit yourself.
This way.
[QUIETLY DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Get going.
Go on.
[QUIETLY DRAMATIC MUSIC]
All right, you better drink up.
You, too.
[SOFT MUSIC]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
Whoa, whoa!
Ho, ho!
Come down now.
[HAND SMACKS]
The buzzards would have
brought the Apaches down.
Come on, climb up.
I don't need any help.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
It's about five miles
to the stage station,
so you better hold onto me.
[PASTORAL MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC]
I guess we're still
riding together.
Yeah, looks that
way, doesn't it?
[PASTORAL MUSIC]
I don't see anything.
Well, that's the idea.
I've used this place before.
Come on.
Wait a minute.
A mountain goat
couldn't get up there.
All right, you stay here.
Be here in the morning, maybe.
[SOFT MUSIC]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Coffee.
Watch the light from the fire.
What do you think I am?
Coffee.
It's not very hot.
Do you want me to heat it?
Don't talk about
it, just pour it.
[ABBY LAUGHS]
Good, huh? [LAUGHS]
I don't understand.
What makes you tick?
I've known plenty of men before.
I knew what most of
them wanted, too.
You call Bentley a man?
He happened to be going my way,
toward Calexico in California,
until he had a
fight with Thompson.
Now Bentley's gone,
thanks to you,
but California's still there.
That's all I need
for a fresh start.
I imagine you've had
quite a few fresh starts.
You think that tin badge makes
you some sort of god, don't you?
What would you know
about filthy hands
pawing at you all the time,
or having to move on every
time the law decides it?
Why don't you say something?
[ROMANTIC MUSIC]
You'll do all
right in California.
Go on to bed.
[ABBY PANTS]
[CLAY LAUGHS]
What are you laughing at?
Oh, nothing, just
the way you look.
[GUN BANGS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[HOOVES CLOMP]
[GUNS BANG]
What are you trying to
do, tell them we're here?
Get back in those rocks.
Go on.
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUNS BANG]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[APACHES SHOUT]
[LIGHT MUSIC]
Morning, ma'am, sorry
to upset your household.
Well, much obliged, Hardin.
I heard you were around
these parts somewhere.
Getting so even the Arizona
Territory isn't large enough.
Those red sticks jumped me
the first thing this morning,
just about the time I
finished saddling up.
Didn't even have time
to pick up my camp.
Never thought they'd come
looking in the bottom of a gully.
They've been chasing
me for about an hour.
Doing a pretty good job
of catching me, too,
til you came along
with that rifle.
Reb, you always
did talk too much.
Abby, this is Reb Carleton.
Morning.
Roll up, and make
sure that fire's out.
We'll move out of here before
they come back
with their friends.
Without breakfast?
Without breakfast.
Give her a hand.
I'll see if I can catch
one of those ponies.
We've been riding double.
Oh.
You're kinda asking
for trouble, ain't you?
I didn't ask for
it, it just happened.
Well, it wasn't my fault.
That a shotgun?
Yeah.
Here, let me help you with that.
Known him before, huh?
Yeah, off and on.
Ran into him the first
time up in the Panhandle,
about a year ago.
How come he's
carrying a shotgun?
Hasn't got the range
for this country.
That's his business.
If you're so
all-fired interested,
why don't you ask him?
Now don't get so touchy.
I was just wondering.
After all, he
can't hurt anything
over 30 yards away with it.
I don't even use
one in my business.
Oh, what's that, prospecting?
Well, you might call it that.
I've been called
other things, too.
Yes, sir, that's a good
name for it, prospecting.
I'll have to remember that.
There's only one
difference, though.
My gold has two legs on it.
This beats a shovel anytime.
Oh, a bounty hunter, huh?
Kill a man for the
price on his head.
I've heard of your kind.
Now, Abby, you don't
wanna take that attitude.
You don't mind if I
call you Abby, do you?
I don't mind if you call me Reb.
Well, now that
you've settled that,
you mind if I finish up?
Yes, sir, you'd be
surprised how much gold
a fella can bank, providing
he stays alive to enjoy it.
I know, Mister.
All you figure it
takes is a bag of gold.
Now that depends
on who's taking.
Look, I don't know what's
between you and Hardin,
but if you're figuring on
getting to him through me,
you're barking up
the wrong tree.
He ran into me yesterday
with a man named Bentley.
Bentley?
Where, he's wanted.
That's what I
found out yesterday.
Where is he?
Floating down the river
last I saw, face down.
$1,000.
Did he mention Perez or
Greybar or Ben Thompson?
Maybe he did and, then
again, maybe he didn't.
Or maybe he told Hardin.
[CLAY] Reb, Abby, hurry it up.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[HORSE WHINNIES]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Can you hear it?
[TENSE MUSIC]
[HORSE WHINNIES]
[TENSE MUSIC]
Looks like an Apache.
No, let him come in.
He's most likely one
of Delgadito's men.
[TENSE MUSIC]
You bring word from Delgadito?
I bring the man you
had us tie to the stakes,
but he did not die that way.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Man called Hardin killed
him at Yellow River.
He is now following your trail.
You've done well.
Tell Delgadito I'll see
him soon, and repay him.
Delgadito says you
will come with me, now.
Maybe we're biting off
more than we can chew, Ben.
This Hardin's beginning
to sound rough as a boot.
I've been in plenty
of gunfights before,
and I always come out on top.
I don't think Hardin's gonna
be the one to change anything.
Knowing Hardin, I
figure he's gonna head
for the relay
station in Cervales.
I think we'll arrange to
welcome him when he gets there.
[OMINOUS, DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Well, Reb, let's
break it up right here.
We're headed down the stream,
southwest, to cover our tracks.
That's a funny thing.
I was figuring on
doing just that.
Looks like we're still company.
We could use an extra gun.
We've run into plenty
of Apache signs.
That doesn't matter.
I'm dropping you off
in Cervales tomorrow.
It'll take me weeks
to get a stage west
out from that station.
You'll handle it.
Kinda pretty when she's mad.
Reb, I don't want any buzzards
hanging around this camp.
You want the girl, all right,
take her, but ride on out.
I just told you, I'm
riding to the station.
What do you two think
you're dividing, a sandwich?
Lady's got a point.
Could be, but let's get
one thing straight, Reb.
I started out after Thompson,
and I have every
intention of getting him.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Well, it's all clear.
Good, now we can
get out of this.
Yeah, I was beginning
to think I was a canoe.
It'll be great to
stretch my legs.
Hold it, Abby.
But I thought-
- Do what the man says, honey.
Look, there's an
island past the bend.
There's no sense taking chances.
We'll stay in the stream
and hold up there.
You're the stud
duck in this pond.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[PLAYFUL MUSIC]
Here, I could sure
use some of that.
Hey, that's water!
You heard what the
man said, no fire.
Now that's thinking.
Well, I got plenty on me.
Might as well get some in me.
Want something to eat?
No, thanks.
Coffee?
No coffee, no Indians, I guess.
That all you got to do?
No, but I'm learning something.
Well, that's a help.
They say you can tell a man
by the way he treats his horse.
Yeah, or his guns.
That makes sense.
They're both life or
death in this country.
Whatever you do adds
up to that, doesn't it?
What are you afraid
of, someone liking you?
Or is it the other way around?
What are you after this time?
Does someone always have
to be after something?
[PLAYFUL MUSIC]
I'll take a look around.
Abby, everybody's got an ax
to grind, one way or another.
I only knew one man who didn't.
Is that where Thompson comes in?
I know Reb wants him, and
he wanted Bentley, too.
Is Thompson the reason
for your shotgun?
You ever see a man who was
worked over by a shotgun?
No.
You know the man I
was telling you about,
the one who didn't
have an ax to grind?
Thompson worked him
over good, both barrels.
I think I'll wash up.
Stay on the south bank.
[REB WHISTLING]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Now ain't that pretty?
You're worse than a
hound dog in springtime,
aren't you, Reb?
It's always open
season on her kind.
[REB GRUNTS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[FISTS THUNK]
Stop it, quit it!
[EXCITING MUSIC]
Stop it, please!
Stop it, please, stop
it, you're killing him!
All right, all right!
Next time you step
sideways, I'll kill you.
What's eating you two?
You're always at
each other's throats.
You mean he's always at mine.
Well why?
I brought a friend of
his in once, feet first.
$1,000 in gold.
- A friend?
- Yeah.
Clay boy was on the
outlaw trail himself
until some marshal friend
of his reformed him.
He started wearing a badge.
He's still more
killer than lawman.
He could've used a gun
on you a dozen times.
Not Clay, gunman's pride.
Always wants the other fella
to make the first move.
No profit in that.
Profit?
I should've let him drown you.
He's twice the man
you'll ever be.
Kinda got you interested, huh?
Maybe so.
Always did like spirit.
[COCK CROWS]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
Somebody's out there.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[BEN] Open up,
Apaches are coming!
Maybe they are and
maybe they aren't.
- Cover me.
- Open up!
[GUN CLICKS]
[DOOR BANGS]
[GUN BANGS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
Get up, get up.
[MAN THUDS]
[SOFT MUSIC]
[HOOVES CLOMP]
Can't we stop for a while?
No, not too many miles.
We can't take a
chance stopping here.
Clay, I can't.
10 minutes won't hurt,
it'll be good to stretch.
You stretch.
Last time you stretched,
you lost your entire camp.
Yeah, I heard the man.
[QUIETLY DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I'm gonna look over their stock,
see if I can pull a switch.
[QUIETLY DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Hello.
Ed?
Hello in there!
Better tie up.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Hey, she gets around, don't she?
Yeah.
Get back.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Abby, get behind the wagon.
Long time no see.
I heard you was wearing a badge.
Glad your ears are
still good, Perez.
What do you hear from Thompson?
That's enough, you.
You can still ride back
the way you came, you know?
You haven't
answered my question.
Where's Thompson?
He said tell ya he was sorry.
He said he couldn't wait.
[GUNS BANG]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
You ever try shooting
a man from the front?
Not unless I have to.
She's learning, too.
[CLAY] Now what are
you doing with that?
I told you to stay
behind the wagon.
A woman's got a right to
fight for what she wants.
Yeah, it wouldn't have
done much good, anyway.
Clay, get us out of this!
Here, put it back
where you got it.
They had us pinned
in since yesterday.
We couldn't warn you.
How did Thompson
know you were coming?
I didn't hear about it.
Unless one of those Indians
he's been running
guns to told him.
Army boys went through
about a week ago,
told us about him.
Where's Thompson?
He left them two
behind to wait for you
when he rode off.
Which way is he heading?
What was that name he mentioned?
I think it was Delgadito.
Yeah, that's right,
one of the renegades
that broke off the reservation.
He's leading a group
of about 40 braves.
They've been running wild.
You used to know
him, didn't you?
Yeah, yeah.
Where these Apaches
been holding up?
Last report had them at that
mountain range south of here.
Boys, this is Abby.
Ed, Frank.
How do?
Hello.
Clay.
He hasn't changed a bit, has he?
He sure hasn't.
You wouldn't mind
signing this affidavit
for Greybar, would you, Marshal?
[QUIET MUSIC]
Clay, why don't you wait here?
Thompson will show
up when he gets tired
of waiting for word
of what's happened.
You don't know Thompson,
he'll keep moving.
So will I, until I find him.
Don't you see, if
it isn't Ben Thompson
it's, well, there'll
always be somebody.
Maybe.
Maybe what?
Maybe some day you'll
run into a faster gun
or you'll get shot from behind.
Clay, why can't the
army take care of him?
If he's mixed up with
Delgadito, it's their job now.
And mine.
Abby, listen, I've got
something to finish,
and, when I do, I'm heading back
for a little ranch I've got,
and it's not exactly the
kind of life that you'd like.
Not the kind of
life I'd like, huh?
Why don't you say what
you're really thinking,
that I'm not good enough
for you, I suppose.
Wasn't like that
this morning, was it?
Abby, now listen-
- No, you listen to me.
Maybe I was foolish
enough to have
some ideas concerning you.
Maybe I thought I'd found a man.
Well, all right, so
I danced in a saloon,
and so I put up with all of it.
Well, where would
you be if someone
hadn't dragged you
off the outlaw trail
and given you a chance
to straighten out?
Reb told me all about it.
All right, Abby,
once and for all,
I'm gonna tell you something.
Killing Thompson the
hard way will serve
as an example for every
gunman in the territory.
Oh, that's your excuse,
and there'll always
be one, won't there?
[QUIET MUSIC]
All right, go ahead, take
your shotgun, keep killing.
Only this time, you'll
be trying to forget
the sight of a man you
blistered with buckshot.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Well.
[HAND SMACKS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
Is this the way Delgadito
greets his friends?
A friend does not
come empty-handed.
You were to have
brought us guns.
I couldn't bring
the shipment through,
not with Hardin following
me every inch of the way.
You want those
Winchesters, maybe you
better take care
of Hardin yourself.
I've already done much for you.
You know what
happened to Bentley.
My Apaches have
been as your own,
but it cannot go on this way.
It had better go on,
if you and your people
want those new
weapons to fight with.
Then perhaps it is wise
to let the fighting end.
Even returning to the
white soldiers' reservation
is better than
continuing a fight
without hope of winning it.
That's up to you,
but you can still have the
guns if you wanna string along.
You better think it over.
[QUIET MUSIC]
[SWIRLING MUSIC]
Well.
Aren't you gonna invite me down?
Why, I thought
you said everything.
What are you doing here?
Didn't wanna wait
around Cervales,
and Reb said that-
- Reb?
So that's who brought
you here, huh?
Where is he?
Back there.
I thought it'd be best
if I came in first.
Suppose you ride
back and flag him in.
Don't yell, flag him in.
Sure, Clay.
[SWIRLING MUSIC]
How'd he take it?
I'm not sure.
Well, I kept my
end of the bargain.
I got you here.
See you live up to yours.
Don't worry, if I had my way,
you'd go after Thompson alone.
That's the way I want it.
[SWIRLING MUSIC]
I told you once I didn't want
any buzzards hanging around.
Oh, Clay!
[CLAY] You stay out of it.
Now, Clay, you know-
- I know, I know
you're tagging me,
trying to get
Thompson the safe way.
More of your blood
money, using her
as an excuse to get here.
Maybe you're a necessary
breed, Reb, but not around me.
You want Thompson?
All right, but you got to
go through me to get to him.
What's the matter?
Isn't that gold shining
bright now, Reb?
Yeah, but your badge
shines even brighter.
[TENSE MUSIC]
You been waiting for this
a long time, haven't you?
[CLAY] Your deal.
[EXCITING MUSIC]
- No, no, Clay!
- Let him loose
and get outta there!
I told him to bring me out.
[CLAY] Then tell
him to bring you back.
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[QUIET MUSIC]
Good luck, Clay.
I guess this is the
way it has to be.
That's right.
If you ever make
Calexico, ask around.
Yeah, yeah, I'll do that.
[BROODING MUSIC]
May as well start back.
Let's not make
any hasty decisions,
not before we've
had a little coffee
and a chance to
stretch our legs.
May have a chance
to return then.
There's coffee in my saddlebag.
Hustle it up while
I build a fire.
A fire?
Just a little one.
Nobody's gonna see it.
Reb, that smoke.
We oughta be getting outta here.
Don't get touchy,
nothing's gonna happen.
Let's get going.
I'm beginning to
get a funny feeling.
We're not going back.
I'm just giving
Clay a chance to get
a few miles up the trail.
We're not going back?
You know what'll happen
if you catch up to him.
I don't aim to.
I aim to stay just
far enough behind
to get first crack if a
certain sack of gold shows up.
Then it's Calexico
for you and me.
That's what you want, isn't it?
I suppose so.
Then you better drink up.
This has gotta last us
til we get to California.
[ARROW THUNKS]
Head for the horses!
Keep moving!
[ARROW THUNKS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUNS BANGS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
Where's Abby?
Lot sooner than
you expected, huh?
Take it easy.
Thompson's got some
nice playmates.
All right, Reb, let's get-
- Don't.
You know better than that.
It'll be slower dying this
way, but it's less painful.
Imagine, Reb Carleton
pinned to a tree.
Oldest Apache trick in the book.
It's funny, if it
hadn't been for this,
I might've gotten it clean.
If Thompson saw this, he
thought I was a marshal,
your sidekick, in
the entire land.
Here, you might run
into the same lot.
[CLAY] How about a smoke?
No, thanks.
What did they do with the girl?
She's with them.
They got other plans for her.
She's prettier than me.
Is there anything
I can do for you?
I guess not.
Not that it matters, I'd
like you to know something.
About that friend of yours
I collected the bounty on,
I didn't know he was
giving himself up,
coming in without his guns,
but I guess it wouldn't
have made any difference.
You'll pick up the trail
about 40 yards out there.
Oh, leave me a gun, will you?
Apaches might come back.
It won't be long.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
[WIND HOWLS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[APACHES CHATTER]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[APACHES SHOUT]
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[CLAY] Delgadito.
You should never
have come in, Clay.
Are you all right?
Up til now.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
You've come a long
way for nothing, Clay.
I never figured you'd let a gal
get you into this kind of mess,
or is it that badge
you're wearing?
I figure I got a
pat hand, Thompson.
Against 50 to one?
My back's all right, so
long as I'm facing you.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Go ahead, why don't you try?
Against a shotgun?
Delgadito, I come as a friend.
I want no fight with
you or with your people.
I want the white
girl and this man.
The Apaches are a brave nation.
They respect bravery in all men.
He wants girl, too.
He brings us guns.
He is our friend.
Your friend?
Since when did
Delgadito, a great chief,
call a coward a friend?
Coward, I'll fight him anytime
with any kind of weapons.
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[APACHES SHOUT]
What is it?
It's a duel, with these.
[APACHES SHOUT]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
This is stupid, one shot apiece.
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[DELGADITO] Go.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
[HORSE WHINNIES]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[QUIET MUSIC]
Still heading for Calexico?
Not unless you are.
I was thinking of a ranch.
Might be the kind
of life you'd like.
[SWEEPING, DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[COWBOY] We'll split up here.
When you see Hardin, give
him both barrels for me.
Yeah, take care
of Fletcher, too.
Sure, we'll bring you back
the pieces, won't we, Ben?
Yeah.
See you at the cabin.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Johnny, as long as we're here,
pick us up some fresh
horses at the corral.
Bentley, cover me
until I get inside.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Sign the payroll
All we do is
sign the payroll
And we haven't
got a red cent yet
[PAYROLL SIGNER] [LAUGHS]
Oh, you're gonna feel awful
when you hear the
bugle in the morning.
[TENSE MUSIC]
What do you want?
[DISHES CLATTER]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[BEN] Don't try it.
That's better.
Anybody else around?
No.
[BEN] You pray
it stays that way.
There won't be anybody.
We were just getting
ready to close up.
You're Ben Thompson, aren't you?
I'll do the asking.
What's your name, friend?
Holly, that's my wife.
What do you want here, anyway?
This may take a while.
Sit down over there by
your wife and relax.
Would it hurt so much
to tell us what you want?
There's a couple of
marshals in this town,
Clay Hardin and Mark Fletcher.
[SOFTLY DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I spent six years in
a stinking prison hole
on account of them.
I figure to even things.
For a man that's trying
to set up an ambush,
Thompson, you're sure not
being very careful about it.
Somebody's bound
to see you in here,
and that means Hardin and
Fletcher will soon be showing up.
That's the point.
I'm counting on them thinking
this is gonna be
a real easy touch.
They might try to take
me without a fight.
[DOOR CLICKS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[DISHES CLATTER]
Looks like he's catching up
on some of his
sleep the hard way.
What about the street,
how does it look?
Just like you figured.
Shouldn't be long now.
[TENSE MUSIC]
What are you gonna do to us?
Well now, that
depends, doesn't it?
[TENSE MUSIC]
It's him all right,
Marshal, Ben Thompson.
I saw him through the window.
He's got a gun on Holly
and his wife in the bar.
All right, Davey,
you go on home.
We'll take care of it.
You won't need that,
Clay, you're not going.
I told you, I want
Thompson alive,
and, once he sees you, he's
sure to start shooting.
That's not the real
reason, Mark, now is it?
You got a good job waiting
for you up at the capital,
and I'm not gonna let
you risk your neck
now even if you wanted.
Well, maybe that
white collar job
doesn't seem so
important right now.
Look, you said yourself
I'd have a better chance
taking him alone,
so let's forget it.
But that was before he
was holed up in the bar.
You can't take him
now without a fight,
and I intend to be
there when it starts.
Not this trip, Clay.
I can't take a chance on
Thompson getting nervous
and gunning Holly and his wife.
Don't be a fool, Mark.
You don't know
Thompson like I do.
He's sure to have at
least one gunslinger
with him like he pulled on
me that time in Santa Fe.
You aren't gonna be able
to handle them both.
All right, you cover the corral.
If anybody's with
Thompson, the chances are
they'll be trying to pick
up some fresh horses,
and you can stop them there,
but stay off the street.
I don't want a fight unless
it has to be that way.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[HORSE WHINNIES]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[SHOTGUN BOOMS]
[KNIFE THUNKS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUNS BANG]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
Clay!
He got Fletcher.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
Be better not to look, Clay.
He was my friend.
Wasn't a thing I could do.
That shotgun just
practically tore him apart.
Yeah.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
[HOOVES CLOMP]
[MAN IN DOORWAY]
Where's Johnny?
He's dead.
What happened?
We nailed Fletcher.
Never got a chance with Hardin.
Johnny got it on the way out.
Yeah, everything
turned out just great.
[BEN] Think we
should've hung around
and got Hardin, is that it?
If we had, chances are we
wouldn't be here right now.
What's the difference?
The way things stand
now with Fletcher dead,
Hardin's gonna be tailing us
all the way to
Boot Hill and back.
Not the way I got it figured.
When I was buying those
Winchesters in Tucson,
I heard a lot of
talk about Hardin.
Word in the capital
is he's gonna
be the new Indian Commissioner.
You think he's gonna throw over
a soft job like that
to come after us?
I don't plan on staying
around to find out.
If we had any sense, we'd be
on our way to
California tonight.
We'll clear out for
California when this is over.
Right now, we got a
good thing worked out
with Delgadito and his Apaches.
They're gonna pay plenty
for those new Winchesters.
But if you're worried
about anything
and you wanna pull out,
there's no ropes on you.
Maybe I'll do just that.
No hard feelings.
No hard feelings.
[COWBOY] He's getting
way out of line, Ben.
How come you're letting
him walk all over you?
We'll be moving out soon.
When you know you're gonna
have to kill a man, Perez,
it costs nothing to be polite.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Then you won't change your mind?
No.
You're a fool, Clay.
I was a fool to
let Mark Fletcher
walk down that street alone,
if that's what you mean.
You know perfectly
well what I mean.
Fletcher was killed doing
exactly what he was paid for.
How can you feel
you're to blame?
As long as Ben Thompson
is running loose,
I can't feel any other way.
Can't, or won't?
Either one, it adds up the same.
Not to me.
Father and I have pulled a
lot of strings in the capital,
arranging for the kind of
job you said you wanted,
which means living like
decent people and not savages,
and now you're going
to walk out on it.
Maybe I'm doing
you a favor, Aletha,
and you don't even know it.
It doesn't have to
be this way, Clay.
You don't have to be the
one that gets Ben Thompson.
Why, for all we know,
some other marshal
may have already caught him.
He may even be dead by now.
Maybe.
When I find out, we'll
talk about it then.
I don't know how I could
have ever thought
of marrying you.
Why, you're nothing but
a common gunman yourself.
When you get right
down to it, Aletha,
I guess we're all pretty
common, one way or another.
Well, there's one
thing you can count on,
you may be leaving this
town as a US Marshal,
but I'll guarantee you
this, I'll see to it
that you won't be one
when you get back.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
- How are you?
- Hiya.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Say, wonder if you've
ever seen any of these men.
No.
- No.
- No.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Ho!
Ease off, Sam.
Howdy!
How are you?
Nothing wrong up here, I hope.
Well, we outran a bunch of
Apaches a few days back.
Well, they won't be in a
hurry to stop us again.
What can I do for you?
Tell me, when's the last
time you saw any of those men.
Yes, sir, those braves
tried their best to get us,
didn't they, Sam?
Yeah.
Well, that's the
way it goes, Marshal.
Company just put this
rig out on the line.
They ain't gonna like it, all
them holes in the rear end.
Hmm, seen this fella before.
You should see them
holes back there.
Right through a new
bunch of underwear.
Where'd we see this
fella before, Sam?
Never do forget a face.
Least ways, not often.
It's all right, take your time.
I got all day.
Don't rush me,
Mister, let me think.
Say, how about a refill?
That's it.
Give him some water
at Dry Creek Crossing
a few days back just before
that brush with Apaches.
What's the matter with you, Sam?
Don't you remember nothing?
I remember that looker
they had with them.
Hmm, pretty thing, wasn't she?
A woman?
You sure?
Never do forget a face,
especially when I do them a favor.
How about the water?
Help yourself.
Gabby cuss, ain't he?
- Sure is.
- Hey!
Move along, move along!
Move, you four-legged
[SPEAKER TRAILS OFF].
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Hey there!
Here, quick, quick!
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Cut him loose.
That rawhide's almost tight.
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Hurry, cut him loose!
Hurry!
There's plenty of time.
[SNAKE RATTLES]
What are you waiting for?
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Please, Marshal, cut me loose.
This rawhide's drawing up.
Let's have a little
powwow, Bentley.
Well then kill it, for
God's sakes, kill it!
Might be easier than a shotgun.
It wasn't me, it was Thompson
that triggered that Marshal.
You didn't try to
stop him now, did you?
I couldn't.
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Marshal, don't leave me.
No, no!
I'm pulling up.
You badge-holders
are worse than snakes!
You stay out of
this unless you wanna
be back in that tree.
[SNAKE RATTLES]
I'll do anything,
just cut me loose!
[SNAKE RATTLES]
All right, where's Ben Thompson?
He's headed for Calexico
with Greybar and Perez.
Marshal, Marshal,
I'm pulling up.
[SNAKE RATTLES]
Oh, cut me loose, Marshal,
please, cut me loose!
I'm pulling up, I'm pulling
up, please, cut me loose!
[SNAKE RATTLES]
[GUN BANGS]
You'll be all right.
Let's get the blood going.
All right, drink up.
One apiece.
The girl first!
Hurry it up, that shot
will probably bring
every Apache in the territory.
[DRAMATIC, EXCITING MUSIC]
You didn't have to do that!
Get on your feet,
we're moving out.
No more talk out of you.
[SOFT MUSIC]
What do they call you?
Abby.
Well, I'm Clay
Hardin, climb aboard.
I'll walk.
You got a hat?
No.
Here, use this one.
I don't need one.
Suit yourself.
This way.
[QUIETLY DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Get going.
Go on.
[QUIETLY DRAMATIC MUSIC]
All right, you better drink up.
You, too.
[SOFT MUSIC]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
Whoa, whoa!
Ho, ho!
Come down now.
[HAND SMACKS]
The buzzards would have
brought the Apaches down.
Come on, climb up.
I don't need any help.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
It's about five miles
to the stage station,
so you better hold onto me.
[PASTORAL MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC]
I guess we're still
riding together.
Yeah, looks that
way, doesn't it?
[PASTORAL MUSIC]
I don't see anything.
Well, that's the idea.
I've used this place before.
Come on.
Wait a minute.
A mountain goat
couldn't get up there.
All right, you stay here.
Be here in the morning, maybe.
[SOFT MUSIC]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Coffee.
Watch the light from the fire.
What do you think I am?
Coffee.
It's not very hot.
Do you want me to heat it?
Don't talk about
it, just pour it.
[ABBY LAUGHS]
Good, huh? [LAUGHS]
I don't understand.
What makes you tick?
I've known plenty of men before.
I knew what most of
them wanted, too.
You call Bentley a man?
He happened to be going my way,
toward Calexico in California,
until he had a
fight with Thompson.
Now Bentley's gone,
thanks to you,
but California's still there.
That's all I need
for a fresh start.
I imagine you've had
quite a few fresh starts.
You think that tin badge makes
you some sort of god, don't you?
What would you know
about filthy hands
pawing at you all the time,
or having to move on every
time the law decides it?
Why don't you say something?
[ROMANTIC MUSIC]
You'll do all
right in California.
Go on to bed.
[ABBY PANTS]
[CLAY LAUGHS]
What are you laughing at?
Oh, nothing, just
the way you look.
[GUN BANGS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[HOOVES CLOMP]
[GUNS BANG]
What are you trying to
do, tell them we're here?
Get back in those rocks.
Go on.
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUNS BANG]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[APACHES SHOUT]
[LIGHT MUSIC]
Morning, ma'am, sorry
to upset your household.
Well, much obliged, Hardin.
I heard you were around
these parts somewhere.
Getting so even the Arizona
Territory isn't large enough.
Those red sticks jumped me
the first thing this morning,
just about the time I
finished saddling up.
Didn't even have time
to pick up my camp.
Never thought they'd come
looking in the bottom of a gully.
They've been chasing
me for about an hour.
Doing a pretty good job
of catching me, too,
til you came along
with that rifle.
Reb, you always
did talk too much.
Abby, this is Reb Carleton.
Morning.
Roll up, and make
sure that fire's out.
We'll move out of here before
they come back
with their friends.
Without breakfast?
Without breakfast.
Give her a hand.
I'll see if I can catch
one of those ponies.
We've been riding double.
Oh.
You're kinda asking
for trouble, ain't you?
I didn't ask for
it, it just happened.
Well, it wasn't my fault.
That a shotgun?
Yeah.
Here, let me help you with that.
Known him before, huh?
Yeah, off and on.
Ran into him the first
time up in the Panhandle,
about a year ago.
How come he's
carrying a shotgun?
Hasn't got the range
for this country.
That's his business.
If you're so
all-fired interested,
why don't you ask him?
Now don't get so touchy.
I was just wondering.
After all, he
can't hurt anything
over 30 yards away with it.
I don't even use
one in my business.
Oh, what's that, prospecting?
Well, you might call it that.
I've been called
other things, too.
Yes, sir, that's a good
name for it, prospecting.
I'll have to remember that.
There's only one
difference, though.
My gold has two legs on it.
This beats a shovel anytime.
Oh, a bounty hunter, huh?
Kill a man for the
price on his head.
I've heard of your kind.
Now, Abby, you don't
wanna take that attitude.
You don't mind if I
call you Abby, do you?
I don't mind if you call me Reb.
Well, now that
you've settled that,
you mind if I finish up?
Yes, sir, you'd be
surprised how much gold
a fella can bank, providing
he stays alive to enjoy it.
I know, Mister.
All you figure it
takes is a bag of gold.
Now that depends
on who's taking.
Look, I don't know what's
between you and Hardin,
but if you're figuring on
getting to him through me,
you're barking up
the wrong tree.
He ran into me yesterday
with a man named Bentley.
Bentley?
Where, he's wanted.
That's what I
found out yesterday.
Where is he?
Floating down the river
last I saw, face down.
$1,000.
Did he mention Perez or
Greybar or Ben Thompson?
Maybe he did and, then
again, maybe he didn't.
Or maybe he told Hardin.
[CLAY] Reb, Abby, hurry it up.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[HORSE WHINNIES]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Can you hear it?
[TENSE MUSIC]
[HORSE WHINNIES]
[TENSE MUSIC]
Looks like an Apache.
No, let him come in.
He's most likely one
of Delgadito's men.
[TENSE MUSIC]
You bring word from Delgadito?
I bring the man you
had us tie to the stakes,
but he did not die that way.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Man called Hardin killed
him at Yellow River.
He is now following your trail.
You've done well.
Tell Delgadito I'll see
him soon, and repay him.
Delgadito says you
will come with me, now.
Maybe we're biting off
more than we can chew, Ben.
This Hardin's beginning
to sound rough as a boot.
I've been in plenty
of gunfights before,
and I always come out on top.
I don't think Hardin's gonna
be the one to change anything.
Knowing Hardin, I
figure he's gonna head
for the relay
station in Cervales.
I think we'll arrange to
welcome him when he gets there.
[OMINOUS, DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Well, Reb, let's
break it up right here.
We're headed down the stream,
southwest, to cover our tracks.
That's a funny thing.
I was figuring on
doing just that.
Looks like we're still company.
We could use an extra gun.
We've run into plenty
of Apache signs.
That doesn't matter.
I'm dropping you off
in Cervales tomorrow.
It'll take me weeks
to get a stage west
out from that station.
You'll handle it.
Kinda pretty when she's mad.
Reb, I don't want any buzzards
hanging around this camp.
You want the girl, all right,
take her, but ride on out.
I just told you, I'm
riding to the station.
What do you two think
you're dividing, a sandwich?
Lady's got a point.
Could be, but let's get
one thing straight, Reb.
I started out after Thompson,
and I have every
intention of getting him.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Well, it's all clear.
Good, now we can
get out of this.
Yeah, I was beginning
to think I was a canoe.
It'll be great to
stretch my legs.
Hold it, Abby.
But I thought-
- Do what the man says, honey.
Look, there's an
island past the bend.
There's no sense taking chances.
We'll stay in the stream
and hold up there.
You're the stud
duck in this pond.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[PLAYFUL MUSIC]
Here, I could sure
use some of that.
Hey, that's water!
You heard what the
man said, no fire.
Now that's thinking.
Well, I got plenty on me.
Might as well get some in me.
Want something to eat?
No, thanks.
Coffee?
No coffee, no Indians, I guess.
That all you got to do?
No, but I'm learning something.
Well, that's a help.
They say you can tell a man
by the way he treats his horse.
Yeah, or his guns.
That makes sense.
They're both life or
death in this country.
Whatever you do adds
up to that, doesn't it?
What are you afraid
of, someone liking you?
Or is it the other way around?
What are you after this time?
Does someone always have
to be after something?
[PLAYFUL MUSIC]
I'll take a look around.
Abby, everybody's got an ax
to grind, one way or another.
I only knew one man who didn't.
Is that where Thompson comes in?
I know Reb wants him, and
he wanted Bentley, too.
Is Thompson the reason
for your shotgun?
You ever see a man who was
worked over by a shotgun?
No.
You know the man I
was telling you about,
the one who didn't
have an ax to grind?
Thompson worked him
over good, both barrels.
I think I'll wash up.
Stay on the south bank.
[REB WHISTLING]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Now ain't that pretty?
You're worse than a
hound dog in springtime,
aren't you, Reb?
It's always open
season on her kind.
[REB GRUNTS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[FISTS THUNK]
Stop it, quit it!
[EXCITING MUSIC]
Stop it, please!
Stop it, please, stop
it, you're killing him!
All right, all right!
Next time you step
sideways, I'll kill you.
What's eating you two?
You're always at
each other's throats.
You mean he's always at mine.
Well why?
I brought a friend of
his in once, feet first.
$1,000 in gold.
- A friend?
- Yeah.
Clay boy was on the
outlaw trail himself
until some marshal friend
of his reformed him.
He started wearing a badge.
He's still more
killer than lawman.
He could've used a gun
on you a dozen times.
Not Clay, gunman's pride.
Always wants the other fella
to make the first move.
No profit in that.
Profit?
I should've let him drown you.
He's twice the man
you'll ever be.
Kinda got you interested, huh?
Maybe so.
Always did like spirit.
[COCK CROWS]
[FOREBODING MUSIC]
Somebody's out there.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[BEN] Open up,
Apaches are coming!
Maybe they are and
maybe they aren't.
- Cover me.
- Open up!
[GUN CLICKS]
[DOOR BANGS]
[GUN BANGS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
Get up, get up.
[MAN THUDS]
[SOFT MUSIC]
[HOOVES CLOMP]
Can't we stop for a while?
No, not too many miles.
We can't take a
chance stopping here.
Clay, I can't.
10 minutes won't hurt,
it'll be good to stretch.
You stretch.
Last time you stretched,
you lost your entire camp.
Yeah, I heard the man.
[QUIETLY DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I'm gonna look over their stock,
see if I can pull a switch.
[QUIETLY DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Hello.
Ed?
Hello in there!
Better tie up.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Hey, she gets around, don't she?
Yeah.
Get back.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Abby, get behind the wagon.
Long time no see.
I heard you was wearing a badge.
Glad your ears are
still good, Perez.
What do you hear from Thompson?
That's enough, you.
You can still ride back
the way you came, you know?
You haven't
answered my question.
Where's Thompson?
He said tell ya he was sorry.
He said he couldn't wait.
[GUNS BANG]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
You ever try shooting
a man from the front?
Not unless I have to.
She's learning, too.
[CLAY] Now what are
you doing with that?
I told you to stay
behind the wagon.
A woman's got a right to
fight for what she wants.
Yeah, it wouldn't have
done much good, anyway.
Clay, get us out of this!
Here, put it back
where you got it.
They had us pinned
in since yesterday.
We couldn't warn you.
How did Thompson
know you were coming?
I didn't hear about it.
Unless one of those Indians
he's been running
guns to told him.
Army boys went through
about a week ago,
told us about him.
Where's Thompson?
He left them two
behind to wait for you
when he rode off.
Which way is he heading?
What was that name he mentioned?
I think it was Delgadito.
Yeah, that's right,
one of the renegades
that broke off the reservation.
He's leading a group
of about 40 braves.
They've been running wild.
You used to know
him, didn't you?
Yeah, yeah.
Where these Apaches
been holding up?
Last report had them at that
mountain range south of here.
Boys, this is Abby.
Ed, Frank.
How do?
Hello.
Clay.
He hasn't changed a bit, has he?
He sure hasn't.
You wouldn't mind
signing this affidavit
for Greybar, would you, Marshal?
[QUIET MUSIC]
Clay, why don't you wait here?
Thompson will show
up when he gets tired
of waiting for word
of what's happened.
You don't know Thompson,
he'll keep moving.
So will I, until I find him.
Don't you see, if
it isn't Ben Thompson
it's, well, there'll
always be somebody.
Maybe.
Maybe what?
Maybe some day you'll
run into a faster gun
or you'll get shot from behind.
Clay, why can't the
army take care of him?
If he's mixed up with
Delgadito, it's their job now.
And mine.
Abby, listen, I've got
something to finish,
and, when I do, I'm heading back
for a little ranch I've got,
and it's not exactly the
kind of life that you'd like.
Not the kind of
life I'd like, huh?
Why don't you say what
you're really thinking,
that I'm not good enough
for you, I suppose.
Wasn't like that
this morning, was it?
Abby, now listen-
- No, you listen to me.
Maybe I was foolish
enough to have
some ideas concerning you.
Maybe I thought I'd found a man.
Well, all right, so
I danced in a saloon,
and so I put up with all of it.
Well, where would
you be if someone
hadn't dragged you
off the outlaw trail
and given you a chance
to straighten out?
Reb told me all about it.
All right, Abby,
once and for all,
I'm gonna tell you something.
Killing Thompson the
hard way will serve
as an example for every
gunman in the territory.
Oh, that's your excuse,
and there'll always
be one, won't there?
[QUIET MUSIC]
All right, go ahead, take
your shotgun, keep killing.
Only this time, you'll
be trying to forget
the sight of a man you
blistered with buckshot.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Well.
[HAND SMACKS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
Is this the way Delgadito
greets his friends?
A friend does not
come empty-handed.
You were to have
brought us guns.
I couldn't bring
the shipment through,
not with Hardin following
me every inch of the way.
You want those
Winchesters, maybe you
better take care
of Hardin yourself.
I've already done much for you.
You know what
happened to Bentley.
My Apaches have
been as your own,
but it cannot go on this way.
It had better go on,
if you and your people
want those new
weapons to fight with.
Then perhaps it is wise
to let the fighting end.
Even returning to the
white soldiers' reservation
is better than
continuing a fight
without hope of winning it.
That's up to you,
but you can still have the
guns if you wanna string along.
You better think it over.
[QUIET MUSIC]
[SWIRLING MUSIC]
Well.
Aren't you gonna invite me down?
Why, I thought
you said everything.
What are you doing here?
Didn't wanna wait
around Cervales,
and Reb said that-
- Reb?
So that's who brought
you here, huh?
Where is he?
Back there.
I thought it'd be best
if I came in first.
Suppose you ride
back and flag him in.
Don't yell, flag him in.
Sure, Clay.
[SWIRLING MUSIC]
How'd he take it?
I'm not sure.
Well, I kept my
end of the bargain.
I got you here.
See you live up to yours.
Don't worry, if I had my way,
you'd go after Thompson alone.
That's the way I want it.
[SWIRLING MUSIC]
I told you once I didn't want
any buzzards hanging around.
Oh, Clay!
[CLAY] You stay out of it.
Now, Clay, you know-
- I know, I know
you're tagging me,
trying to get
Thompson the safe way.
More of your blood
money, using her
as an excuse to get here.
Maybe you're a necessary
breed, Reb, but not around me.
You want Thompson?
All right, but you got to
go through me to get to him.
What's the matter?
Isn't that gold shining
bright now, Reb?
Yeah, but your badge
shines even brighter.
[TENSE MUSIC]
You been waiting for this
a long time, haven't you?
[CLAY] Your deal.
[EXCITING MUSIC]
- No, no, Clay!
- Let him loose
and get outta there!
I told him to bring me out.
[CLAY] Then tell
him to bring you back.
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[QUIET MUSIC]
Good luck, Clay.
I guess this is the
way it has to be.
That's right.
If you ever make
Calexico, ask around.
Yeah, yeah, I'll do that.
[BROODING MUSIC]
May as well start back.
Let's not make
any hasty decisions,
not before we've
had a little coffee
and a chance to
stretch our legs.
May have a chance
to return then.
There's coffee in my saddlebag.
Hustle it up while
I build a fire.
A fire?
Just a little one.
Nobody's gonna see it.
Reb, that smoke.
We oughta be getting outta here.
Don't get touchy,
nothing's gonna happen.
Let's get going.
I'm beginning to
get a funny feeling.
We're not going back.
I'm just giving
Clay a chance to get
a few miles up the trail.
We're not going back?
You know what'll happen
if you catch up to him.
I don't aim to.
I aim to stay just
far enough behind
to get first crack if a
certain sack of gold shows up.
Then it's Calexico
for you and me.
That's what you want, isn't it?
I suppose so.
Then you better drink up.
This has gotta last us
til we get to California.
[ARROW THUNKS]
Head for the horses!
Keep moving!
[ARROW THUNKS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[GUNS BANGS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
Where's Abby?
Lot sooner than
you expected, huh?
Take it easy.
Thompson's got some
nice playmates.
All right, Reb, let's get-
- Don't.
You know better than that.
It'll be slower dying this
way, but it's less painful.
Imagine, Reb Carleton
pinned to a tree.
Oldest Apache trick in the book.
It's funny, if it
hadn't been for this,
I might've gotten it clean.
If Thompson saw this, he
thought I was a marshal,
your sidekick, in
the entire land.
Here, you might run
into the same lot.
[CLAY] How about a smoke?
No, thanks.
What did they do with the girl?
She's with them.
They got other plans for her.
She's prettier than me.
Is there anything
I can do for you?
I guess not.
Not that it matters, I'd
like you to know something.
About that friend of yours
I collected the bounty on,
I didn't know he was
giving himself up,
coming in without his guns,
but I guess it wouldn't
have made any difference.
You'll pick up the trail
about 40 yards out there.
Oh, leave me a gun, will you?
Apaches might come back.
It won't be long.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
[WIND HOWLS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[APACHES CHATTER]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[APACHES SHOUT]
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[CLAY] Delgadito.
You should never
have come in, Clay.
Are you all right?
Up til now.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
You've come a long
way for nothing, Clay.
I never figured you'd let a gal
get you into this kind of mess,
or is it that badge
you're wearing?
I figure I got a
pat hand, Thompson.
Against 50 to one?
My back's all right, so
long as I'm facing you.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Go ahead, why don't you try?
Against a shotgun?
Delgadito, I come as a friend.
I want no fight with
you or with your people.
I want the white
girl and this man.
The Apaches are a brave nation.
They respect bravery in all men.
He wants girl, too.
He brings us guns.
He is our friend.
Your friend?
Since when did
Delgadito, a great chief,
call a coward a friend?
Coward, I'll fight him anytime
with any kind of weapons.
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[APACHES SHOUT]
What is it?
It's a duel, with these.
[APACHES SHOUT]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
This is stupid, one shot apiece.
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[DELGADITO] Go.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[GUN BANGS]
[HORSE WHINNIES]
[EXCITING MUSIC]
[DELGADITO SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[QUIET MUSIC]
Still heading for Calexico?
Not unless you are.
I was thinking of a ranch.
Might be the kind
of life you'd like.
[SWEEPING, DRAMATIC MUSIC]