( theme music playing )
**
( shouting )
( horses neighing )
Looky there, boss man.
Old Mr. Trouble himself!
We hear you talkin, mister!
Why don't you come down, we'll play!
I think that's what he has in mind.
What's the matter with the old fool?
We left him plenty of mares back up in the hills.
I think maybe he admires our tastes.
He's comin' right down to me.
I'd hate to disappoint His Highness.
**
( neighing )
Hey, giddyap! Whoa.
Come on!
( neighing )
Get back. Good.
Easy, boy. Whoa.
Get around, now. Whoa!
( neighing )
Whoa, now.
That ought to hold him till we get him back to the corral.
Let's hope. Whoa, now.
( neighs )
So long, partner.
( shouting and whooping )
That's a good-lookin' bunch. Yeah.
Fella back there agrees with you. I'm gonna cut him loose.
I'll go with you. See if we can pick up any strays.
Take some of the boys and do the same.
Scout around the hills up toward the north.
When, now?
Why not?
Well, we already put in a long day,
and, uh, there's only an hour or so more of daylight.
And, uh...
And the army's comin' to Shiloh
in exactly ten days to take delivery on these horses.
You want to tell the Judge
that we couldn't live up to the contract
because the workin' hours were a little too stiff for you?
Well, no. That's not it.
It's just that, uh--
I don't know what the rush is.
We're gonna make it in plenty of time anyway.
If the weather stays good
and nobody gets hurt
and no more stallions come around to spook the herd,
and, uh-- All right.
All right, you made your point.
Let's get back.
Didn't you forget something?
What do you mean?
That speech you made about all the things
that might hold us up on the drive.
It seems to me you left out the big one.
The Kroegers?
Yeah. I've heard so much about 'em,
I'm lookin' forward to meetin' them.
I'm not.
Think we scared 'em off?
No.
But it's a nice thought. Hold on to it.
Let's go.
**
Hey! Leave that horse alone!
( neighs )
All right, mister. What's the idea of cuttin' our--
Go ahead! Why don't you hit me?
Who are you? What do you mean, cuttin' our horse loose?
Your horse?! You think stealin' him makes him yours?!
Just a minute, now. Take it easy.
We weren't stealin' anything.
What's the trouble?
You tell me.
First she cuts our horses loose,
and then calls me a horse thief.
Well, that's what you are--both of you!
Your name wouldn't be Kroeger, would it?
I don't know you.
Your pa send you down here to do this?
I don't have to talk to you!
You'll find out who owns those horses.
Friendly little thing, isn't she?
Yeah. I was lookin' for her pa and the boys
to make the first move.
You know, I almost hit her.
Good thing I stopped just in time.
Yeah. You might've made her mad.
**
You're late. Supper should be on the table.
I ran into some horse thieves,
stealin' our horses! Did you, now?
They were bringin' them down from the high pasture.
They must've had over 100 mares.
I told you I heard something the other night.
They acted like they owned the whole range.
How many of them was there?
Well, I-- I don't know. I--
Well, can't you count?
Well, I only saw two,
but there must've been more.
I can handle two of 'em.
You can't handle anything 'less I tell you.
I told them they'd find out
who owned those horses.
You talked to 'em?
Well, I--Yeah. You see, I was--
Next time you talk to strange men,
I'm gonna take a strap to you.
You understand? Yes, Pa.
Get your brothers.
You sure do know how to rile him.
I can't help it if I'm not a boy.
I wouldn't want you to be.
Who'd do the cookin'?
You have supper on the table when we get back.
What are you standin' there for?!
**
( music swells )
Look at all them horses, Pa.
You gonna let 'em get away with that?
You boys ever know the day I would?
But it's mighty nice of them fellas
to collect 'em for us.
**
Daniel, Jess.
Yeah, Pa.
You get up there and cover us.
Here they come. Right behind you.
Better take your Winchester
and go up behind that rock, just in case.
Nice bunch.
Yeah, they were the best we could find, Mr. Kroeger.
You know me, huh?
I had an idea who you were, yeah.
You're the boss here?
I work for Judge Garth.
He send you down here to steal my horses?
Your horses?
That's what I said.
Well, now, the Judge is very particular
about any of his hands doin' any stealing, Mr. Kroeger.
You show us your brand on any of these horses,
we'll turn 'em loose right now.
The only excuse for a brand
is when your horse is liable to get mixed up with somebody else's.
Can't happen here. They all belong to me.
I'm sorry you went to all that trouble
to corral them for us, but, uh...
you tell Judge Garth
that the Kroegers will find a way to return the favor.
We don't like to be beholden to nobody.
You don't owe him a thing.
These are his horses,
and I'm takin' them down to Shiloh Ranch.
You're new around here. I can see that.
What's that got to do with it?
What you probably don't know is...
I staked out a claim here 15 years ago...
when me and my family first came up these mountains to live.
You mean you claim that everything up in this mountain range
belongs to you?
Now you're gettin' it.
I don't like to argue with you,
but I'm afraid that just isn't legal.
You can say you claimed a mine or a water right or something like that,
but you have no legal right--
Don't tell me my rights, mister.
I got the right because I was here first.
The day after I buried my wife...
I quit dirt farmin' and come up here,
and I've been here ever since.
Now, if that don't give me my rights,
I don't know what does.
Afraid it's not as simple as that, Mr. Kroeger.
Two, three times a year, people get to thinkin' that way.
Always turns out they're wrong.
How do they find that out?
Different ways.
It's a long drive.
It's a lot harder than it looks.
We'll make it.
They're coverin' us from the ridge.
I didn't want to take any chances.
I didn't know what kind of people I might be talkin' to.
Can't say as I blame you.
Matter of fact, I had the same idea.
If you'll just look over behind that rock.
I suppose he's got orders to shoot me dead
if I make one bad move, huh?
That's about it.
I guess we'd both better be careful from now on.
I think you're right.
Like a cup of coffee before you go?
Me and the boys bring horses
out of these mountains every fall.
If Judge Garth wants to buy some horses,
we got 'em for sale.
I'll tell him.
Maybe he'll be interested next year.
Might be a lot cheaper this year if he'd buy these.
**
Now you've seen the Kroegers.
I told everybody here that we could expect a run-in with them
sooner or later.
No one's ever been able
to bring a herd of wild horses out of these mountains
except the Kroegers.
I expect we'll find out how come before long.
Well, one thing--we probably got 'em outnumbered.
I hope the old man can count.
KROEGER: Jess, Daniel!
Pa, we can clean them fellas out easy.
Nothin' to it.
How old are you, Jess? 19?
You ought to know, Pa.
Yeah, I know.
When you're a man, I'll ask for your opinion.
I'm a man, Pa. I think he's right.
Why don't we?
You think you're a man,
but don't think for your father.
I say what we do here.
Now, your sister's waitin' supper.
We're gonna eat...
and then I'm gonna tell you how we're gonna handle these people.
Get your horses.
If there was gonna be any shooting,
it would've started by now, right?
We still make good targets just standin' here.
We're gonna be targets as long as we're in these mountains.
The Kroegers can sight down the barrels of their rifles at us
any time they feel like it.
We can't be lookin' over our shoulders,
wonderin' about that, now, can we?
I guess they can't hurt us
as long as all they do is sight.
What if they start shootin'?
We shoot back.
**
Now...
you all had a lot to say out on the range.
Let's hear what you got on your minds.
Well, if you want to know what I think--
I think we ought to let them have the mares.
What difference does it make, Pa?
There's still plenty left for us.
You're soft, Eric.
You think like a woman.
We let them get away with this,
next year there'll be more like them.
And more the year after that.
Pretty soon, there won't be any room for us on the whole mountain.
That fella--he said one thing that made sense-- about branding.
That'd be a big job, but...
we could wait till the snow drives the herd down here to us,
and then we can cut out the best mares and yearlings
and put our own brand on 'em.
That way we'd know where we stood.
If you want to spend your life brandin' horses,
you go get a job on ranch.
Let somebody boss you around all day.
Well, I say them horses belong to us.
And we'll fight anybody who tries to take 'em away.
Jess, you got a good solution for any problem.
Just start shootin'.
Never mind the odds.
Bang away.
We could've evened it up this afternoon
when everybody was around that fire.
These men work for Judge Garth.
He'd have these mountains crawlin' with lawmen
if you pulled a fool stunt like that.
You tell us, then, Pa. What do we do?
There's easier ways to even the odds.
Chasin' wild horses--
it's a hard way to make a livin'.
A lot can happen to a man
before he gets a big herd like this.
Out of these mountains.
Coffee.
Yes, Pa.
**
The big problem is water.
They trampled that waterhole into a bog overnight.
Yeah, I know. We're ready to move out.
We ought to hit the first waterhole in a couple of hours.
Well, I see you're keepin' an eye out for our neighbors.
You lookin' for 'em to show up?
I hope they disappoint me.
Maybe they're late sleepers.
Let's move 'em out.
**
( shouting and whistling )
( shouting continues )
Wow! Looks like they smell water up ahead!
Yeah! It's about time, too!
Whew!
Want some?
We're about out.
It's gone. All right, let's go.
You can't say I didn't tell 'em it was gonna be hard work.
It's gonna get a lot harder.
Mighty convenient landslide.
Yep.
Think we can herd the horses dry the rest of the day?
Maybe we won't have to.
Spring's still runnin'!
Let's see if we can open it up a bit.
Build a dam over there, make a basin.
Whatever happened to the carefree, lazy life of a cowhand
I keep readin' about?
Ask the man who wrote the book.
**
Where you goin'?
I want to ride up to the top and look around.
If anybody's throwin' rocks down on me, I want to know it.
I've been up there. You won't find anything.
I wonder how it's going to be
at the next waterhole down the line.
Maybe you'd better find out.
You and Jock ride ahead, make sure everything's all right.
And what if we run into the Kroegers?
I'm not sending you two men out
to start a fight with the Kroegers.
I just want you to keep watch on a waterhole
for a little while until we get there, that's all.
Get movin'.
I think the Kroegers are responsible for this.
I know they were. There were footprints up at the top.
What are we gonna do about it?
Keep the herd movin'.
**
Pa said none of that.
I wasn't gonna shoot.
I just wanted to see how easy it'd be.
Do you think this thing's gonna work?
It's Pa's idea.
Well, Pa's gettin' old.
You want to tell him that?
Someday maybe I will.
They're comin', Pa.
All right, let's tie her loose.
That'll give 'em something to chew on.
What do you think?
I think it's mighty strange.
There wasn't any loose boulders on the way in.
Howdy, boys. What do you want?
You look like a couple of sensible men.
Thought that we might have a little talk.
I don't run this outfit, mister.
I'm just a hired hand. Me, too.
Sure, I know that. But you got somethin' to say
about how hard you work to earn your money.
A man expects to take a few chances on a job,
but, uh, no reason to get all busted up.
For just a few bucks.
Think about it, cowboy.
The fact is, you can't make a wild horse wrangler
out of a cowhand in just one trip.
Me and my boys, we've been at this fifteen years.
We know the country,
and we know the critters,
and we don't recommend it to nobody.
You're tellin' us to get out of here
on the horses we came in on, or get hurt?
Is that it?
I'd say that is a pretty fair statement.
And I'd say it as a friend.
This is the last time you're gonna hear it.
We'll be watchin'.
**
( whistles )
I thought I told you to wait at the waterholes.
We came back to draw our pay.
You mean you're quittin'?
You can call it that.
Well, what would you call it?
We didn't sign on to fight a war.
You signed on for the job.
What kind of hands are you?
So, the Kroegers got to you, huh?
Look, mister--
How much are they payin' you?
They ain't payin' us nothin'.
We got a right to quit.
Do we get our pay?
Give this to Judge Garth at Shiloh Ranch.
He'll take care of it.
I'm paying you to this date.
You ride back on your own time.
When you get back to Shiloh,
just keep on goin'.
Because I don't want to run into you when I get back.
I don't think you're gonna get back.
That's what you get for signing on drifters.
If you'll remember, there wasn't any rush
to sign on for this job.
I had to take what I could get.
I wonder how long the rest of them are gonna last.
Let's go.
**
( shouting )
This is the kind of country I like--
no chance for a landslide. Ha ha ha!
Level with me.
How far do you think he'll go to try and stop us?
I don't know. I think we're the first bunch
that didn't spook when the old man barked.
How can a man just up and say that he owns a whole mountain range?
You can't get away with that stuff anymore.
Maybe 20 years ago.
You know and I know it,
but I don't think he's got the word.
Looks like we'll make the corral before dark after all.
( whistles ) Hyah!
Don't bet on it.
**
That just about does it.
I'll tell Steve to gather up the hands.
The Kroegers can't be very far away.
Wait a minute.
What do you think you're gonna do?
You're not gonna sit still for this, are you?
I came here to get horses.
Chasin' off after the Kroegers
isn't gonna bring that herd to Shiloh.
What's gotten into you?
First they muddy up a waterhole, then they scare two men off,
now they burn a corral that took us a half a day buildin'.
What does it take to get you mad?
Another stupid question like that.
Well, I don't get it.
I'll spell it out for you. In the first place,
we can't prove they started that landslide,
or even that they did this.
And in the second place, there's nothin' the Kroegers would like better
than to have us leave the herd and go chasin' off
all over the mountains after 'em.
I never thought I'd see you get pushed
and not push back.
Sometimes you have to take
what Judge Garth calls "the long view".
( clears throat )
Well, he didn't say you had to like it, did he?
No.
What are we gonna do now,
build another corral?
No, we haven't got time.
You keep the herd movin'. I'll scout ahead
and see if there's someplace we can hold 'em for the night.
I'll pass the word.
**
Fred and me want to talk to you.
What's the matter? Somethin' wrong?
Yeah, this job.
Well, nobody said it was gonna be a barn dance.
We didn't come out here to argue with you.
We just come to tell you we're pullin' out.
Pull--Now? In the middle of the night?
Now.
At least you could wait till morning
and talk it over with the Virginian.
There's nothin' to talk about. I've had enough.
Come on. Look, mister--
you want the horses that bad, you stick around.
We're gettin' out while we still can.
I can't give you a pay voucher.
Tell the boss to keep it.
**
Boy, that beats all--
sneakin' out in the middle of the night.
What difference does it make if they left at night
or during the day? They're just as gone.
At least they could've been man enough to tell him to his face
they were quittin'.
If they were men, they wouldn't have quit.
I didn't see any point wakin' you up just to say goodbye to 'em.
Besides, they really didn't want to see you.
They were even willing to give up their pay
to keep from havin' to face you.
You did the right thing, Steve.
Besides, I figure I'd save the Judge some money.
If I'd have woke you, you'd have to give 'em pay vouchers, right?
That's right. I'll be sure and tell the Judge
what a good businessman you are.
Get a move on.
You think we can handle it, just the four of us?
If we stand here jawin' all day, we can't.
Cozy, isn't it-- just the four of us?
Could be worse.
It's all downhill from here.
You really had to reach to find that silver lining.
What do you suppose our friend will try next?
He'll think of somethin'.
All right, Steve, move the logs!
**
( shouting and whooping )
Bring 'em out!
( whistling and shouting )
You see those storm clouds comin' up?
Yeah. What do you think?
Same as you do. We'd better get the herd out of here
before the storm breaks.
Yo.
( thunder )
What's it look like up ahead?
The corral's all right.
We'll get the herd there before dark if the rain doesn't start up again.
Oh, that's all we need-- a flash flood.
At least there's one thing we can't blame on the Kroegers.
No, but we'd be a lot farther along now
if it wasn't for them. I can blame that on 'em.
( horse neighs )
Hey.
No need for that. I come to talk.
I'm not even carryin' my gun.
It's all right.
What's on your mind?
You've been runnin' into a lot of tough luck.
Landslides, fellas quittin' on you,
leavin' you shorthanded.
Don't forget that burned-out corral.
Things like that.
I figured it'd only be a matter of time
before you'd run out your string.
But what I didn't figure on was the weather.
What about it?
Winter's comin' on early.
The way it looks now, it's liable to turn mean any day.
And when that happens,
the four of you aren't gonna make it out of here
before you get holed in for the winter.
On the other hand, me and my boys
would have the same kind of problem with the herd
if you was to quit right now.
So?
My deal is... we work together.
We get the herd out fast.
And then we split her.
Right down the middle-- half to you, half to me.
The way I see it, half of somethin' is better than all of nothin'.
You got a deal.
Good.
You think now there won't be
any more rock slides or anything else
to slow us up?
Well, I've always been lucky.
We're gonna work together from now on.
Share and share alike.
She comin' along?
She can do a man's work.
THE VIRGINIAN: The herd will be along in a few minutes.
We rode on ahead to check out the next corral.
I didn't want any more surprises like last night.
Well, I don't expect there'll be any,
now that we're partners.
Like I said--
You've always been lucky.
Let's hurry 'em up.
**
Set it on the pile.
Go and help your brothers rub down the horses.
Yeah, Pa.
Here.
Water bags.
Stream's down there.
My girl can cook for all...
if you're willin' to turn your rations over to her.
She knows better than to spoil good food.
She'd sure have to go some to spoil it any worse than we do.
Help yourself.
( branch snaps )
( gasps )
I didn't mean to scare you.
I was cuttin' myself a mattress.
Oh.
Let me give you a hand with that.
I just wanted to help you.
I don't need any help!
Whew! You always carry such a chip on your shoulder?
I understand the first time
when you thought we were stealin' your horses.
But this is different. We're supposed to be helpin' each other.
Get out of my way!
All right, all right. But I'll carry the bucket.
It's not that you couldn't.
Just the way I was brought up,
when a gal's totin' more than 50 pounds,
a gentleman's supposed to give her a hand.
After you, miss.
Ah-ah!
Well, I wasn't expecting any thanks,
but don't you ever smile?
Just a little? Huh?
**
( laughing )
( laughs )
( chuckles )
If that hadn't have done it, I'd have to give up.
( laughs ) You mean you did it on purpose?
Well, it was worth it...
just to prove you couldn't always go around
with a sour look on your face.
You know, smiling's like stayin' on your feet.
There's nothin' to it once you get the hang of it.
It's easy.
( laughing )
Whoa.
( both laugh )
Uh, Mr. Kroeger?
Uh, where--where would you like this water?
I'll take it.
Hey.
I sent you for water.
Next time... you bring it back.
Now, you hold on a minute-- Trampas.
Come on, come on.
It's his family. Let him run it any way he wants.
He didn't have to do that.
What's he tryin' to prove-- what a big man he is?
I felt like hittin' him right in the jaw.
Come on, cool off.
I used to think I had it rough at home.
But compared to Kroeger...
my old man downright babied me.
I don't want anybody to pull anything
till I give the word.
You understand?
Pa, you haven't told us what you want us to do yet.
I'll tell you when it's time for you to know.
Till then, you just ride herd on them horses
and you stay out of trouble.
And, girl, that goes for you, too.
That little girl can sure cook.
I know you're not dumb enough
to trust that miserable old buzzard.
What I can't figure out is why you bought his proposition.
It's simple. He was right about the weather.
And I'd just as soon he be where I could see him, too.
What do you think's gonna happen when we get out of the mountains
and he doesn't need us anymore?
I figure he'll probably make a play for the whole herd.
Might even make it sooner if the temptation gets to be too much for him.
How are you gonna keep him from being, uh, tempted?
Take turns standin' guard at night.
Next thing is, I let him know that if he starts anything,
his family will be considerably smaller before it's done.
Think that'll stop him?
Could slow him up a little.
When he makes his play,
you fellas take care of his sons.
I got first call on the old man.
Still sore about those water bags, aren't you?
I'm not sore.
I just don't like him.
**
Stay away from her, Trampas.
I'm not gonna do her any harm.
I just feel sorry for her.
Feel sorry for her from your side of the fire.
Was that an order?
Yep.
**
( shouting and whistling )
Noticed you boys lost some sleep last night.
Just one of us at a time.
Don't trust me, huh?
Just force of habit, I guess.
Mr. Kroeger...
how come you knew one of us was awake all night?
**
( shouting )
Whoa. Nice goin'.
Thanks.
If you ever need a job,
I could use a hand like you down at Shiloh Ranch.
What's the matter? Don't you think I'll make it home?
Why shouldn't you?
You tell me.
You know your old man better than I do.
I don't know what you're talkin' about.
Don't you?
What are you two jawin' about?
Nothin'.
Took a long time to say nothin'.
We were just talkin' about the herd.
**
Man...
sure must have to love wild horse wranglin'.
Can't be enough money in it.
What are you doin' it for?
'Cause Judge Garth told me to.
Now, from what I hear,
he can afford to buy anything he needs.
He's, uh, more than willin' and able
to pay for anything he thinks anybody has a right to sell him.
And you don't feel we have that right?
No, frankly. I don't.
Just because you ran off everybody else
that ever came up here lookin' for wild horses.
You want to know what I do think?
I think your father's leadin' you and your brothers
into big trouble.
Can't fight the whole world, Miles.
Unless you want to live like an animal.
That, uh, sure ain't my idea of livin'.
**
( shouting and whistling )
Some good mares in that herd.
Put 'em in with the right sire,
and they'll make great cow ponies.
Yeah.
I'll be real happy with my half.
Hope your pa is, too.
Daniel.
I've been around some, and I've seen a lot of men.
I've even been fool enough
to let myself be double-crossed once or twice.
To be honest about it, I don't look for your pa
to divide up this herd when we get out of here.
He never said nothin' like that to me.
Don't suppose he would.
What I see in your pa, he wouldn't waste his breath
talkin' a thing like that over with you boys.
I don't know what you're drivin' at.
I'll make it simple, Daniel.
If he tries anything,
I promise you there'll be some Kroegers
that won't be around to find out who winds up with the whole herd.
Why don't you tell my pa that?
He knows it without being told.
He's been around some, too.
I just figure you boys are entitled to know
what you're gettin' yourselves into.
See you later.
**
KROEGER: Hey, mister!
You been talkin' to my boys.
That's right. Figure it's about time
somebody talked to 'em besides their pa.
I know what you're tryin' to do.
You're tryin' to turn 'em against me.
It won't work, mister.
We Kroegers stick together,
and that's the way I like it.
Anybody ever ask them how they like it?
Movin' a herd of wild horses before it snows
ain't a big enough job for you, is it?
You gotta make family trouble for me.
We Kroegers are doin' just fine without your advice.
Maybe. But this is the first time
you ever threw your sons into the kind of trouble where they could be killed.
I want to make sure they have a choice
before they get in so deep they can't back out.
You tell me what kind of trouble I threw my kids into.
I want to know. No, you don't.
You don't want to know anything from me or anybody else.
You keep crowdin' me, mister,
you and me are gonna have a showdown.
One against one? Those ain't Kroeger odds.
**
( shouting )
What you said back there--
about a job. You really mean it?
Sure. I can always use a good hand at Shiloh.
Why, you want to take me up on it?
No, I couldn't leave Pa.
No, I was just wonderin' why you would do that when we're--
well, when we're--
Enemies?
Now, I didn't say that.
It's a big world, Eric. Shame for a man to live and die
without seeing any more of it than just this.
I don't care what that ramrod told you.
Nothing's changed.
You understand me? Nothin'.
He's lookin' for us to make the move.
I don't see how we're gonna surprise him, Pa.
You just let me do the worryin'.
You keep one eye on me and one eye on them.
What if he doesn't wait for you to name the time?
What if he moves first? He won't.
Eric, I told you before--
you stay away from them.
Remember this, all of you.
The only people in this world you can trust
are your own flesh and blood.
I know.
Come on, let's eat.
You're gonna back Pa up, ain't you?
We've been backin' Pa up a lot longer than you have, little brother.
**
During our brief honeymoon with the Kroegers,
it's a crying shame we didn't let that girl
teach you something about cooking.
Well, you were doin' all that totin' for her, Trampas.
How come you didn't learn anything?
Old man Kroeger's gettin' edgy.
Keep both eyes open from now on.
I was watching you today.
You were mighty sociable with those boys.
You thinkin' of changing sides?
Just tryin' to even the odds a little.
Any luck?
I won't know till the time comes.
**
Trampas.
Time for you to stand watch.
The Kroegers accounted for?
Yeah, all but the girl.
She got up real quiet about a half an hour ago.
I saw her leave camp, but she didn't come back.
All the men asleep?
Haven't taken my eyes off them.
**
( horse neighs )
( neighing )
Go on! Get back, get back!
Easy, now.
Whoa, now. Whoa.
Looks like you had help, old girl.
Whoa, now.
Whoa, there.
( branch snaps )
Uh! Where do you think you're goin'?
Is that the most thing you ever do-- cut wild horses loose?
Let me go!
Not until you tell me what this is all about.
If you don't, I'll take you to your Pa
and you're gonna have to tell him.
Well?
I wanted them to get away.
Why?
So there wouldn't be any more trouble.
Let me get this straight.
You think if you scatter the horses,
that's gonna ease things off between your folks and us?
You afraid your menfolk can't take care of themselves?
I don't want to see anybody get hurt.
Well, our side's not gonna start any trouble, I can promise you that.
I don't care who starts it.
If anything happened to you...
I'd die.
You'd what?
Last night...
you tried to be nice
and help me out.
Pa didn't like it.
All day long, I kept thinkin' about it.
If anything happens, it'd be my fault.
Now, I'm--
I'm used to takin' chances.
You don't have to worry too much about me.
I have to.
I love you.
You what?
I know I do.
You don't have to think much of the idea.
I know what I'm like.
I'm ugly...
and I don't know how to talk to people--
Mildred. Now, you listen to me.
You're-- You're not ugly.
Get yourself some female clothes,
fix yourself up, maybe push a pretty in your hair.
A man would feel proud to walk down the street with you.
You don't really mean that.
There. Now you believe me?
( sighs ) I-- You better get back to camp
before somebody starts missin' you.
I don't care if they do.
They can kill me if they want to.
Now, look, stop talkin' foolish.
You got a lot to live for.
No, I don't.
You want to know why?
Because I love you.
And you don't love me.
You were just...
bein' kind.
Look, Mildred, you listen to me.
I want you to understand something,
'cause we may never get another chance to talk.
You think you're in love with me
because I was nice to you,
probably because I was the first fella who ever kissed you.
Well, I was, wasn't I?
Wasn't I?
You--You rate a lot more than being grateful
just 'cause somebody gives you a few kid words.
You rate...flowers,
fellas courtin' you,
dances, parties.
All the other things that go on
outside this miserable world your pa makes you live in.
Might be all right for him.
Might even be all right for your brothers.
It's all they want out of life.
But it's not all right for you.
It's not good enough for you.
If things were like you said...
and if I lived in town...
would you...
court me?
Well, I'd...sure try.
But you wouldn't give me any more
than a passin' look in town.
Come on. Oh, I would!
I would, I would!
You'd be the only one I'd look at.
Would you...
kiss me once more before I go back?
Save it for me.
For when I can court.
When's that gonna be?
When you can look me right in the eye
and know I'm nothin' but a shiftless cowhand.
When that time comes, if you still feel the same way,
you won't have to ask me again.
I don't understand.
You will someday.
Now, uh...
oh, go on back, huh?
Go on.
**
I'm goin' to look for some strays I seen up in the hills,
got loose from the herd before we penned 'em up last night.
Give me a hand? Sure.
**
They were up that way.
You got a nail in your boot? Yeah.
Where's Trampas?
I don't know. He took off with Jess someplace.
**
Are you crazy?
Hey! What are you--
That's enough, Trampas! That's enough!
Wait!
He has it comin'. He tried to kill me.
Roped me right off my horse.
What'd you do that for?
We'll let your pa take care of you.
You do that.
Just do it.
Get on your horse.
**
You like to run your own family?
Here's one for you.
What happened?
Let him tell you.
Son?
Lucky I didn't kill him after what he done.
What'd he do?
I asked you a question!
Ask her. She knows.
What do you know about this?
Nothin'. I don't even know what he's talkin'--
Ask her where she was last night when everybody was asleep.
Ask him, too. I seen him.
Sneakin' into camp so nobody'd hear him.
Speak up, girl.
It wasn't like that.
It's wrote all over your face!
Don't anybody move!
I'll put a bullet through your boss!
You're makin' a mistake, Kroeger.
You like to talk.
You tell your men I mean it.
I'd just as soon blow your head off.
Boys, you take care of Trampas.
You know what to do to a man who shamed your sister.
Nobody shamed anyone.
Nothin' happened that was wrong, Pa. I swear it.
Shut up.
Pa, let her talk.
I want to hear what she has to say before--
I give the orders here. I've heard enough.
Go on, get their guns.
Nothin' happened last night to be ashamed of!
Unless you call being nice to somebody wrong.
But you just wouldn't know about that, not any of you!
The only thing you know is hate!
I said get their guns.
Nobody's takin' our guns,
and your boys don't lay a hand on Trampas. Understand?
You try to stop us and you die.
KROEGER: Quick.
Maybe so.
But you pull that trigger, and you're gonna be dead, too.
Maybe a couple of your boys along with you.
You want to make that kind of a trade, you go right ahead.
Miles?
You're the oldest. What's it gonna be?
Could be your life, too.
We're not afraid of a fight, mister.
Pa's the boss.
That...goes for me, too.
Go on, call the roll.
Jess? Daniel? Speak up!
Whatever you say, Pa.
We're with you, Pa.
That's the second time
you tried to turn 'em against me.
I told you before-- we Kroegers stand together.
Some of you are gonna be buried together, too.
No need to...
now that I've made my point.
Don't need a gun for what I'm gonna say now.
I understand you've been tellin' the boys
that my word's no good...
that I figured to cheat you out of your share of the herd.
Care to deny it?
Why should both of us be liars?
If this weather holds,
we'll be out of the mountains in two days.
Take your cut of the herd now.
I don't want to have to look at you no more.
What about him, Pa? You gonna let him get away
after what he done?
We'll look him up after the drive.
You be sure to do that.
Better get to splittin' the herd.
We've wasted enough time.
Just a minute.
We don't want to be eatin' your dust, mister.
About five miles from here, the trail forks.
Yeah, I know.
Either way will lead you out of the mountains.
Take your pick.
We'll take the south trail.
Pa, I don't get it. You said if we let them get away
with stealin' our horses,
everybody and his brother would be up here doin' the same thing.
So I did. Well?
Remember the rest of what I said before you questioned what I did?
Remember I told you that Judge Garth
was a big name in this part of the country?
We can't just go runnin' his men off like they was drifters.
You got somethin' else in mind?
I always got somethin' in mind.
**
( shouting )
( shouting continues )
Go as far as you can before dark.
I'll catch up with you. Where you goin'?
I got some unfinished business on the south trail.
Need any help?
Won't be no gunplay.
Nothing you could even point a finger at.
Keep the herd movin'!
**
( shouting and whistling )
( neighs )
You think we've seen the last of the Kroegers?
I think we've seen the last of them
when we get this herd to Shiloh Ranch.
**
Hey, boss!
There's a fire.
We'd better turn 'em back. We can't.
We can't outrun it with the wind this way.
We'll have to run 'em through before it gets too big.
Hey, get a move on!
Fire!
( men shouting )
Hyah! Hyah!
Come on! We're gonna make it!
( gunshot, horse neighs )
( gunshot )
**
Pa...
wasn't always the way you fellas saw him.
Sometimes we got along real good.
Sure gonna seem funny without him yellin' at me.
Do this, do that.
Guess he was just scared to let--let go.
Miles, I know this is kind of a bad time to bring this up, but...
I believe the Judge would give you a pretty good price
for your half of the herd if you want to come along with us.
Might as well, I guess.
We won't be comin' back this way anymore.
I will.
You know, I kind of like it out here.
Suit yourself, Jess.
From now on, everybody takes care of his own life.
**