Tell me what he's gonna say, Trampas.
Well, uh, Judge Garth's a kindly man, Steve.
Yeah?
He's gonna say you drove 100 head of my cattle 150 miles.
Yeah?
Drove them through good country and bad,
through heat, thunderstorms, and never lost a head.
Yeah?
He's gonna say, "You fellas earned yourself a rest.
"Stay in Coyote Wells. Go to the rodeo.
Go to the dance. Have yourself a time."
Yeah?
"Stay a week," he's gonna say,
and the pay'll go right on.
You know, there might even be a bonus at the end to top it off.
That's what kindly old Judge Garth's gonna say?
Sure enough? Sure enough.
He says...
"Straddle your saddles at the crack of dawn
"and get on back to Shiloh.
You can have a day off when the snow flies."
Kindly old Judge Garth.
Sure enough.
Well, now that I think on it,
I figure I'm glad I didn't get to stay for the big doin's.
Suppose you figure that out for me.
Probably get throwed at the rodeo.
Probably drink too much at the dance.
Probably get in a fight after.
Might even get thrown in jail.
Yeah, you're right.
All that fun ain't good for a man, is it?
No.
Hey, look it there.
Whoa.
Looks like some kind of a monkey.
Too big for a monkey. Gotta be an ape.
Well, how 'bout it, Harv?
You ever see a varmint like this before?
He's not a varmint. He's a chimpanzee-- a pet, well-trained and gentle.
Nah, he doesn't look gentle to me.
All those teeth...
Hey, he might hurt somebody bad.
Yeah, be doin' the town a favor to get rid of him
before somebody gets bit. Yeah.
Whoa.
Now I gotta tell you, it ain't healthy to touch me.
He's my chimp. Let him alone.
Feller says that varmint belongs to him,
but it ain't wearin' no brand and it don't come when he calls it.
Now what you think?
I figure it's wild.
It might even be a bounty on it!
Yeah, a bounty or no bounty,
that hide ought to be worth a couple of dollars.
Yeah.
You pull that trigger, and I'll make you regret it
if it's the last thing I ever do!
Do you hear anything, Harv?
Nothin'. Nothin' but the wind.
Yeah.
What are you tryin' to do?
You weren't really meanin' to shoot a good-lookin' chimp like that, now were ya?
There was no reason for you to butt in. We was just foolin'.
Glad to hear it.
I'll see you again.
Any time.
Come on, boys.
Trampas: Hey, boss man, I'm hungry. Let's get somethin' to eat.
Virginian: Let's try the hotel.
Howdy, gents.
Howdy. Howdy.
You can order, but you won't get fed till the cook gets back.
He just ran down the street to see what all the shoutin' was about.
Oh, we're in no hurry.
I'll take steak, potatoes, pie, and coffee.
Make that two.
Well, seein' that's all you got, make it three.
Three.
Chimpanzee--that's what the man said it was.
Where do you think they find an animal like that?
Mexico.
South America maybe, but not Mexico.
I've been to Mexico.
Every place in Mexico?
Well, not every place, but places I was,
there wasn't any chimpanzee.
They got jungles in Mexico. You been in the jungles?
Not me, I don't fool with no jungle.
Mexico.
What do you say-- South America or Mexico?
I say let's ask the man.
Excuse me, would you sit down with us?
My friends and I would like to ask you
about your chimpanzee and where he comes from.
Well, thank you. My name is Martin Reese.
The chimpanzee answers to the name of William.
I'm in your debt.
I was wondering where you get an animal like that.
Martin: Well, I got him from a sailor in San Francisco.
He brought him from Africa.
If William could talk, he'd like to thank you for saving his life.
That man was ready to pull the trigger.
Hey, I'm sorry, gents,
but I can't go allowin' no monkey in the dinin' room.
That's no monkey. That's our friend.
He answers to the name of William.
William, meet the owner of these here premises.
All right, he's a friend of yours,
but he's got a real hairy hide,
and you know what'll happen if I let you feed him in here.
Some cowboy's gonna claim that he's got just as much right to bring his pony in.
What's wrong with a good, clean pony?
They gotta eat outside.
I got steak, potatoes, and pie.
I'm a vegetarian. I don't eat meat.
Bring us some apples, a loaf of bread, some nuts.
Nuts?
Oh, is that what he eats?
We both eat nuts.
I got nothin' more to say.
Well, Mr. Reese, what brings you and William to Coyote Wells?
I came here to begin a series of lectures.
I hope to convert people to a new way of life.
I thought that William might help me draw crowds.
You a preacher?
No, my interest is in health.
So you're a doctor?
I know a great deal about medicine.
I made a study of it after I lost my wife
and my two children to smallpox,
but I am not a doctor. I'm a vegetarian.
My purpose is to persuade people
to give up the practice of eating meat.
You say you're just startin'?
I sold my farm a week ago. I make my first lecture this afternoon.
You better be ready for a rough ride.
Fresh out of nuts.
Well, that's all right.
There you are, gents.
Thank you.
We're talkin' about the meat-raisers, Mr. Reese.
Practically everybody in this neck of the woods
makes their livin' one way or another
from raising meat for the table.
They're not gonna take to the likes of a man
who wants to change the country over to vegetables-- put everybody out of work.
I expect difficulty, and I hope to overcome it.
And now my friends, I hope you won't think me unfriendly or ungrateful,
but if you have no objections, I think that William and I will be going now.
Suit yourself.
You see, I do feel sincerely and strongly
about the practice of eating meat.
Ladies and gentlemen, I burn these things
to demonstrate my absolute sincerity.
I burn all of these things today--
each item to stand as proof that I believe what I say.
Well, you can't tell me he's not a looney.
The ape's got more sense.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I want you to share with me a great discovery--
a discovery that can bring you great health and happiness.
Think of it, ladies and gentlemen--
new health and new happiness!
Is this not worth a few moments of your time?
Listen to me.
This is my discovery.
It is not beneficial, it is not necessary
for human beings to eat the flesh of animals.
It is, in fact, bad for human health.
Oh, what are you talkin' about, mister?!
There ain't nothin' under the sun
better for a man than good beef.
A year ago, I would have agreed with you,
but now I know better.
I know somethin' too. You ain't right in the head!
I say it again--
it is not necessary, it is not beneficial
to eat the flesh of animals.
And I say a man can't get along without plenty of meat!
And I say you're a lunatic!
You're all intelligent men and women.
Let me explain myself.
Vegetation builds the great size of our cattle.
Vegetation builds the great strength of our horses.
Vegetation builds the high order of intelligence of the ape.
If there is health, strength, size, and intelligence
for animals in vegetation,
why is there not for us?
There is, ladies and gentlemen,
and I can prove it!
For the last year, I have lived on vegetation alone,
never tasting the flesh of animals.
What'd you eat
I commend this way of life to you.
I ask you to join me and others like me.
This is the final demonstration of my sincerity.
There is no need for animal products.
I condemn them all!
Hey, that's a $30 saddle!
No use wastin' it now.
You can save that for your next show.
Take my advice, though, you straddle it and you get out of town.
That's good advice, Mr. Reese. You're up against a stone wall here.
These people won't even listen to you.
No, I've made up my mind,
and no trapper's gonna make me change it.
Well, if it was me and I was just startin' out like you said,
it seems to me I'd try it first somewhere
where the goin' might be a little easier--
like Canada maybe.
Canada?
There's a lot of wheat country up there.
A man who grows wheat's likely to take to your ideas quicker.
Well, maybe you've got a point.
I wouldn't want them to think I'm scared.
Well, it would be just till you really got started.
Then you could work your way back...
slowly.
Yeah, maybe even stay in Canada.
You know, convince the whole country.
You fellas are pretty good convincers yourselves.
Trail's good to the north. You can make time easy.
About 150 miles, you'll come to our hometown of Medicine Bow.
Uh, but don't stop.
There's more meat eaters there than there are here.
Well, I'll think it over.
I don't see no call for you to take out this time of night.
No cause to stay. Couldn't sleep, that's sure.
Well, if you want anything else,
you just leave the pay and help yourself.
I got gals to spark and dancin' to do!
Thank you.
Make yourself comfortable. We got a long way to go.
It's that trapper. He's the one who broke up
that looney's speechmaking yesterday.
You find him?
Yep. Came to get our horses, and he was lyin' right there.
Nasty piece of work.
The ax is layin' over by the water trough.
Seen him in town the last few days.
I don't have his name.
Names Bandit. Jack Bandit.
The fella that runs with him named Lembeck.
See if you can locate Lembeck, Dell. Bring him here.
Sheriff.
Well, if you ask me,
that fella Reese is the man you're lookin' for.
Why?
Well, he's crazy, that's why!
Crazier than a drunkin' Indian! Ask anybody!
Standin' up there yesterday,
tellin' everybody to quit eatin' beef and start eatin' grass!
I believe you're right.
Anybody know where Reese is?
He left town.
How do you know?
He got me out of the dance late last night.
Trade me his horse and buggy for a saddle horse and a pack horse.
I helped him pack.
Had to leave right in the middle of the night.
Did he say where he was goin'?
Uh, he wouldn't talk hardly at all.
There's a crazy man loose,
and I got a family out there all by theirselves!
This here's Lembeck, sheriff.
You hear what happened?
Sure, he told me. It's the first I heard anything about it.
That's terrible. Who'd do a thing like that?
I tell ya, you don't have to look any further than that crazy Reese!
If you could have seen him, sheriff!
I saw him... right after these two dumped the water on him.
He seemed all right to me.
A lot of reasons for leavin' town
besides killin' a man, you know.
Come on.
Well, let's get the body here. You men get ready to ride.
Ben. Ben! Ben, come quick!
What's the trouble?
I thought maybe it was that Reese.
Told my woman to come runnin' when she see anybody.
I ain't takin' no chances.
Well, the sheriff's sendin' a posse out from town for Reese.
Well, that's all right. In the mean time, it don't help us none.
That looney comes this way, I'm gonna be ready for him.
Trampas: Here comes another one.
Ain't you fellas heard?
Heard what?
There's a murderin' lunatic loose!
I'm headin' for town to join up for the posse.
You better join with me.
I can't join.
Why not?
I ain't brave enough.
You mean you're scared?
Yep.
Well, I ain't.
You figure Reese done it?
I don't know.
He's looney enough to have done it.
Well, the way folks are riled up around these parts,
it won't make any difference whether he did it or not.
First man who sees him's gonna shoot him.
Only about an hour of daylight left.
This might be a good place to spend the night.
Yeah, it won't cost nothin' to look.
Well, that didn't hurt a bit, did it, huh?
Hey, you're a pretty girl.
I got me another one right here.
Greetings. Welcome.
I'm Ellen Beecher.
Sorry, ma'am, we're just lookin' for a place to camp.
Didn't know anybody lived here.
Well, in a manner of speaking, we're kind of camping ourselves.
Mrs. Winters, the lady who owns this property,
said we were welcome to use the cabin for a few days.
You got quite a family there.
Well, they're very happy and frolicsome.
I hope they didn't startle you.
Oh, no. No.
Is your husband at home, ma'am?
I have no husband.
I'm William! I'm William!
Shh! Mind your manners, boy.
At a guess, I'd say a man with a monkey passed this way.
Oh, indeed, yes. Martin Reese and his chimpanzee were here.
He took a meal with us.
Do you know him? Oh, we've met.
We'll probably catch up with him on the road.
Mr. Reese is coming back. He promised.
Shh! Robert.
I fancy he said that because the children were so sorry to see him go.
He went up into the canyon. He promised to be back. He did!
Mind your manners, boy.
A well-spoken man, but troubled.
I think he had much on his mind.
He was, um... troubled?
Mm.
Would you stay and take supper with us?
We'd be happy to have supper with ya.
Good.
Better hang on, son. That fence rail bucks pretty good.
Gad-zounds! I have many leagues to ride before I reach my master.
Mmm.
Hey, that smells good. Yeah.
Do you think that looney's gonna come back?
Could be.
Hey, did you ever hear kids talk like these kids?
No.
Matter of fact, I never saw a family
quite like this before either.
I thought we ought to throw a little somethin' in the pot.
I got a notion they could use it.
I got a notion you're right.
Take it inside.
Gad
What you got there, Steve?
Sack of flour. Sellin' it too cheap.
Hey, what's your name, son?
Tall Tree.
Hmm?
I'm a Black Foot Indian.
Oh. Hmm?
Somehow I'm not surprised.
What's your name, sis?
What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?
Her name's Dolores.
That's a mighty pretty name.
She's a mute. She hears, but she can't talk.
I'm sorry, honey, I--I didn't know.
Come on, Steve, bring your sack of flour and let's go on in.
Come on, fellas.
Oh, we're deeply beholden to you.
As I said, ma'am, it's our pleasure.
Let me help.
Again, we're beholden to you.
So far, I've counted seven.
Two girls and five boys.
And every one a gem.
I couldn't treasure them more if they were my very own.
Oh. Oh, I see.
Oh, I'm afraid you don't.
You see, I inherited the children.
You inherited them, ma'am?
Yes, I came here from Boston two years ago.
With the money my father left me,
I bought a little boarding house in Elk Creek,
which I ran until the mine gave out.
The two oldest boys were left with me
when their father went to California.
He was going to send money until he could send for them.
The letters stopped coming a year ago.
Sickness maybe?
Or forgetfulness.
Typhoid, two years ago, took Thomas and Dolores' parents.
The boys found Tall Tree wandering in the hills.
The other two, Mistress Betty and Felix,
were just plain left and deserted,
so we took them in.
How long you been on the road?
Oh, three months or thereabouts.
All those mouths to feed-- how do you manage?
Well, I had some money when I left Elk Creek,
and folks have been very kindly to us along the way,
and my readings of Charles Dickens
have helped mightily.
Tomorrow evening, I read for the Ladies' Culture Club of Dinnison.
Dinnison's about 20 miles from here.
What about the children?
Well, the older ones take care of the younger. They do it very well.
Well, I think there's, uh...
well, there's somethin' you should be--
What Steve is tryin' to say, ma'am,
is that there's some hard cases
that have been known to roam around these hills.
Might not be safe to--
Who would want to harm a child?
Well...
It's most important that I go.
I'm being paid in clothing for the children.
Cast-offs, but good material and clean,
clothing they can wear on the train when they go to the orphanage.
Orphanage?
Yes, in Kansas City. I have a letter saying they will take them.
Oh.
Well, the children don't know it yet.
I would rather not tell them until I must.
And I will thank you not to mention it.
No, no, no. Oh, of course not.
If one of you gentlemen would like to light the fire...
Oh, I'd be glad to, ma'am.
Oh, I'll open these. Which ones do you want.
Let me see...
the beans, this, and this, please.
It's such a happy bunch of kids.
It seems a cryin' shame to ship them off to an orphanage.
Well, it rends my heart.
My purse is empty, and I haven't found many along the road
who are interested in literature.
Well, maybe not, but that don't mean they don't like kids.
You know, I was just thinkin' the same thing.
I asked at many houses.
Found no one willing to take a strange child.
If we didn't have to get movin',
bet you we could find a home for those kids.
Well, I couldn't,
but perhaps I didn't knock at the right door.
Hmm.
Yeah, I hear those orphan--
I hear those places are mean and dirty.
They're worse than jails.
Must be some that are good.
Well, I never heard of any. Did you?
Not that I recall.
There's somethin' else.
What happens if we ride out of here tomorrow
and Reese comes back like he said he would,
and he finds these kids all alone?
I've been thinkin' about that.
They didn't have anything but vegetables to offer him today when he was here,
so they didn't aggravate him.
Now if he comes back,
one of those kids could say something that would be the wrong thing.
It'd be like touching a trigger. He's a looney.
He used an ax once. What's gonna keep him from usin' an ax again?
Now wait a minute. We don't know he was the one who used an ax.
Well, do you wanna take the chance?
Not if I can help it.
You better wake your bronco-ridin' friend up.
He's gotta wash and get ready for supper.
Come on, little cowboy.
I found Mr. Reese to be a man of breeding, intelligence, and manners.
The children did so enjoy the monkey.
But what about the way he talked?
Didn't you find that... a little strange?
We're all a little strange.
He neither more nor less than others I've known.
I thought him a lonely man as well as troubled.
More tea?
Yes, thank you.
Uh, no, thank you. I've got plenty right here.
Seven different kinds of herbs and a touch of wild mint.
Mr. Reese called it excellent. He drank five cups.
Hmm.
Come on, children, faster please.
It's bedtime.
Come on, come on.
Oh, Mistress Betty.
Ever since she came here, she's been hunting a lap to sit on.
How 'bout a kiss good night?
Mwa.
Thank you.
Good night.
Mwa.
Dolores, come on.
Good night. Sleep tight.
Night.
Good night. Mwa.
Good night. Good night.
Good night, Robert. Mwa. Thank you for everything.
Good night. Mwa. Good night.
Good night. Mwa.
Oh, save us.
What grateful little dears they are.
You know, Miss Beecher, I was just wonderin' something.
Some of the things that you and the children say--
they're from Charles Dickens' works, aren't they?
Yes. Do you know the master's works.
Well, I was exposed once, but round up came along, and I got sidetracked.
Would you like to hear a bit of a reading?
Virginian: We'd be beholden.
It's from Oliver Twist.
It's my favorite.
"In the orphanage, the evening arrived.
"The gruel was served out.
"A long grace was said over the short commons.
"The gruel disappeared.
"The boys whispered each other and winked at Oliver.
"Child as he was,
"he was desperate with hunger and reckless with misery.
"He rose from the table; and advancing towards the master
"basin and spoon in hand, said,
"somewhat surprised at his own temerity,
"'Please, sir, I want some more.'
"The master was a fat, healthy man,
"but he grew very pale.
"He gazed in astonished amazement
"at the small rebel for some seconds,
"and then clung to the copper for support.
"The assistants were paralyzed with wonder;
"the boys with fear.
"'What?!' said the master after some time.
"'Please, sir,' replied Oliver, 'I want some more.'
"The master aimed a blow at Oliver's head with the ladle,
"then pinioned him in his arms,
"then shrieked aloud for the beadle.
"The board was sitting in solemn conclave
"when Mr. Bumble rushed into the room in great excitement,
"and addressing the gentlemen in the high chair, said,
"'Mr. Lambkins, sir, I beg your pardon.
"'Oliver Twist has asked for more.'
"There was a general start.
"Horror was depicted on every countenance.
"'For more?' said the gentleman in the white weskit.
"'Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly.
"'Do I understand that he asked for more
"'after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary?'
"'He did, sir,' replied Bumble.
"'That boy will be hung,'
"said the gentleman in the white weskit.
"'I know that boy will be hung.'
"Nobody controverted the prophetic gentleman's opinion.
"An animated discussion took place,
"and Oliver was ordered into instant confinement.
"A bill was, next morning,
pasted on the outside of the gate
"offering a reward of £5
"to anyone who would take Oliver Twist
"off the hands of the parish.
"In other words, £5 and Oliver Twist
"were offered to any man, woman who needed an apprentice
"to any trade, business, or calling."
"'I never was more convinced of anything in my life,'
"said the gentleman in the white weskit
"as he knocked on the gate and read the bill the next morning.
"'I never was more convinced of anything in my life
"'than I am that that boy
will come be hung.'"
What happened to him?
Hey.
Mm, huh?
What happened to him?
What happened to who?
Oliver Twist.
Uh...
He fell in with some thieves and pickpockets.
He got adopted finally,
but he sure was in a mess of trouble before he did.
You see those kids?
Yeah.
They were listening like it
was the most frightening thing they ever heard.
They don't know it's not just a story,
but something that's about to happen to them.
If we could be two or three days late gettin' home,
maybe we could do somethin' about that.
Well, one day anyway.
Trampas: You mean we ain't gonna ride out in the mornin'?
Did you figure a way to stop Miss Beecher from goin' to Dinnison,
without tellin' her about the ax killin' and scarin' her half to death?
We just can't leave those children alone,
not until we're sure about Reese--
one way or another.
Steve, you and I'll take a ride up that canyon out there in the mornin'
and see if we can find him.
All right.
Yeah, you can play nursemaid.
Steve: Let's get some sleep, huh?
You got yourself a pretty big red horse here, son.
Let me give you a hand with that.
I can. I do it all the time.
Hmm. Well, we'll watch. Maybe we'll learn somethin'.
Come on, step up. Come on.
Good-bye, everybody.
Thank you.
Thank you, Robert. You're a big help to me.
It was kindly of you gentlemen to offer to delay your trip to stay with the children.
They manage very well by themselves.
Well, we've had some hard ridin'.
An easy day will do us good.
Probably take a look around
to see if we can find some meat for the pantry.
Oh. I imagine I'll bring back some goodies too,
besides the clothes.
Mrs. Winters said the club women
have been cooking and baking for a week.
Well, we might have a surprise for you when you get back.
Oh?
Oh, well, we'd be beholden to you.
Bye, everybody. Bye, children.
All: Bye!
Well, I guess we're as ready as we'll ever be.
Get lucky, huh?
Well now, kids, uh, let's have a square dance.
You know Skip to My Lou?
* Fly on a sugar bowl, skip to my Lou *
Well, come on, I don't hear ya.
* Fly on a sugar bowl, skip to my Lou *
* Skip to my Lou, my darlin'
* Da da da da da da da da
* Cow in a corn field, moo, moo, moo *
That's it.
* Cow in a corn field, moo, moo, moo *
* Skip to my Lou, my darlin'
* Cow in a corn field, moo, moo, moo *
* Skip to the Lou, my darlin'
* Cow in a corn field, moo, moo, moo *
* Skip to the Lou, my darlin'
Well now, now you're railroadin'.
Miss Beecher. You'll excuse the gun. I didn't know it was you.
Uh, three men came to the cabin after you rode out.
Before I could stop him, Robert told him you came up into the hills.
Don't blame the boy.
Three men?
Yes, from Medicine Bow. They say they know you.
They mentioned the chimpanzee.
I think I know who you mean.
I thought they were friends.
One of them is staying with the children.
The other two said they were going to hunt game,
but I think they're after you.
Thank you.
How are the children?
Oh, they're very well.
With so much of your own worry, It's thoughtful of you to ask.
The boys remind me of my sons.
If things were different, I'd like to do something for them.
That's kindly of you.
Well, I'd best get up to higher ground.
It might be prudent.
Come on.
It's a little early to go to bed, ain't it?
I don't feel good.
Well now, maybe you better take a nap then, huh?
Here, I'll tuck you in.
Ain't you been here before about three times?
Yes, sir.
That makes the cook feel real good.
You keep on comin'.
Here you are, cowboy.
Thanks.
Oh, here.
Just in time.
Just in time to wait your turn.
Any luck?
Uh, we saw a lot of country--
mostly straight up and down.
A few tracks. No sign of Reese.
We'll start again after we eat.
Well, there's only one of him.
Don't figure need more than one of us to see if he's still around.
You got somethin' in mind?
Yeah.
On the way in here, we passed a miller's place
about three hours from here.
Man named Shultz. He's got a wife, but no kids.
He could probably use a couple healthy boys around the place, you know.
Sure, he'd jump at the chance.
Sure.
I guess it's worth a try.
Well now, men,
let's have a little inspection here.
Well, come on now, let's get those faces lighted up.
This isn't a hangin' matter. We're gonna find ya a home--
permanent home so you won't have to go runnin' around pillar to post.
Wouldn't you like that?
No, sir.
Of course you would. I'm tellin' ya you would.
Now let's see-- you fellas wash behind your ears?
Yeah.
Jacob is feeling poorly.
He hurts.
Where?
In my stomach.
Nonsense, you'll get over it.
I told you fellas to bring your clothes. Where are they?
We're wearin' them.
Oh.
I'm feeling poorly too.
Will you stop that?
Now these are nice folks you're gonna meet. You're gonna like them.
We don't wanna go! We like it here!
Come on, get on the horse.
Come on, cowboy.
Come on up here, Buck.
Whoa.
Okay, let's go. I'll see ya, kids.
Bye. Bye, Betty.
Well, I'll be back when I get here.
In other words, don't look for me till you see me comin'.
Uh, boys, now this here is Mr. Shultz.
Mr. Shultz, this is Jake, Robert.
Shake hands with Mr. Shultz.
Healthy as horses.
Well-trained. Good manners.
Ah, looks small.
Well, time will take care of that. You'd be surprised how fast they grow.
You're brothers, yeah?
Yes, sir.
I've seen them do chores.
I can tell they'll be a lot of help to you.
Pick it up.
That's a--
that's a pretty big--
that's a pretty big load for a couple of kids.
Yeah, but you said they're going to help me.
Well sure, but...
well, a job like that takes time to grow into.
I mean, like fetchin' the wood and the water.
They're thin. There's no meat on their bones.
Well, they'll fill out fast. Regular meals--they'll fill out real fast.
Do you know how to milk a cow?
No, sir, I'm afraid of cows.
Well, they're foolin', Mr. Shultz.
Now you fellas cut that out, huh?
Do you know how to gather eggs and feed the chickens?
You bet they do.
I'd like to say, sir, we have a fine home where we are.
We're very happy there.
They're good boys?
They don't lie? They don't steal?
Oh, the best.
Like the preacher says, it takes kids to make a home.
I'll take them.
My stomach hurts.
I'm feeling poorly too.
Well now, let's-- let's give it a chance, huh?
Oh, you're-- you're gonna like it here.
Well, I know you will.
Please, can't we go home?
Look, it's gotta be this way.
One of these days, you're gonna thank me.
I'll stop and say hello whenever I'm ridin' by.
So long, Jake. Robert.
Come on. Come on.
Stop right there.
Draw your gun.
Drop it.
Ride out a bit.
There.
All right, get down.
I could have killed you just now.
Couple of times before, I expect.
A man trackin' another man's an easy target.
And you came on?
I didn't think you'd shoot a friend.
A friend?
I'm the most friendless man that lives.
My fellow human beings hunt me like a vicious animal.
They hunt in packs. They shoot on sight.
They're afraid of you.
They think you're dangerous-- a lunatic.
I'm not a lunatic.
Do I seem crazy to you?
You never did. They think you killed that trapper that was rawhidin' ya--
that fella Bandit.
Any truth to that?
Yes, I killed him.
I guess you had a good reason.
Oh, I had a good reason,
but I didn't do it deliberately.
It was an accident.
How do you kill someone with an ax by accident?
He tried to rob me-- he and that other fellow.
Lembeck?
Yesterday, they decided that anyone
who could spend money for a saddle and then burn it
would have a lot more.
I did--all the money I got from selling my farm.
The came to the livery stable just before I left.
They demanded I turn it over to them.
Did they use a gun?
Bandit had one.
They were both drunk.
I managed to put up a fight.
Bandit dropped the gun.
The only weapon I could put my hands on was an ax.
It was leaning against the livery stable wall.
All I could do was throw it.
I didn't want to do anything but drive Bandit away from that gun.
At the worst, to injure him,
but the ax turned in the air. It hit him in the head.
Well, what about Lembeck?
He ran away. He's a craven coward, that man.
Well, I don't expect Bandit would have let you live after he robbed ya,
so it figures out to be self-defense.
You're mistake was in not stayin' and facin' up to it.
In that town?
They think I'm a lunatic. You heard them.
It would be my word against Lembeck's.
You know who they'd believe-- Lembeck.
But the sheriff seems to be a reasonable man.
I think he'd listen to ya.
Come on in with me and we'll talk to him.
Oh, no, no, you tell him.
You tell him what happened.
You tell him that if he leaves me alone, I'll go on to Canada.
Well, he'd have to hear it from you.
I'm not going in.
Well, I can't leave ya here.
The posse's bound to find ya sooner or later.
Good chance you'll get yourself shot.
There's just as good a chance that some of them will get shot.
You can be sure that I'll defend myself.
They declared war on me.
Tell them to stop.
The war is over.
That's a big order. I'll see what I can do.
Well, there's Dolores and Tommy and you.
That's three. Now where's the other two?
Felix is in the barn.
Felix!
Dolores, the little girl Betty-- have you seen here?
Have you seen Betty?
No, sir, she's mostly with Dolores.
Well, she's not with Dolores now.
That's because Dolores is taking care of Tommy.
All right, but Betty's still gone, and we gotta find her.
Now she's not in the cabin. Where is she?
She's not in the barn.
All right, we gotta spread out and hunt for her.
All right, get lookin' for her,
and don't stop until you find her.
Felix, you look down in the gulley. Go ahead.
You look up in there, and you stay right here.
If Betty shows up, hang on to her, you hear?
Betty! Betty!
Betty!
Children: Betty!
Betty!
Child: Betty!
Betty, honey, we been lookin' all over for ya.
Where ya been?
I've been here.
Child: Betty!
Over here!
Hey, look at that boat. Can I see it?
Where'd you get that?
From the monkey man.
You been playin' with your little boat, Betty?
Mm-hmm.
Did Martin Reese make this for her?
Yes, sir, and he made one for Tommy too.
The heck he did.
Yes, sir, and he made a whistle for Dolores.
All right, honey, back to the cabin.
You can float your little navy in the water trough, okay?
Okay, here we go.
Over the water.
Okay, play with your navy in there.
You two guys help her.
Heard a lot of yellin'. What's goin' on?
Well, I'm gonna tell ya, it'd be a lot easier
keepin' track of hummingbirds than it would those kids.
Yo.
I lost one of them for a while.
What happened to you?
Brought them back.
Shultz wouldn't take them?
He'd take them, but I wouldn't leave them.
He went over them like he's buyin' horses.
He even looked at their teeth.
All he asked was how much work they could do.
Well, all kids got chores, you know.
Yeah, well, he had more chores in mind.
All he wanted was a lot of hard labor for no pay.
Made me feel like that fella in Oliver Twist--
that Fagin.
You know what I think?
I think you got soft-headed.
Couldn't let them go, that's what I think.
You think you could do better, huh?
Yeah, I know I could.
I'm gonna give you a chance to prove that.
On the way in here, we passed a little spread up against the hills.
I asked about them. No kids, but she's the motherly type.
She could probably use some.
Why didn't you stop?
Well, like you said, I'm soft-headed.
Well, you ain't backin' down, are ya?
I am not.
Just get on that horse and ride on out. We ain't lookin' for company.
I was hopin' you had a spare corner to sleep in.
I wouldn't ask for myself,
but I got a couple of tired kids with me.
He's not the looney.
He wouldn't have children with him if he was.
Well, you can come on in the house.
Well, thank you.
That's right neighborly of ya.
I'll look after your horses.
What's the matter?
Don't cry. It's gonna be all right.
Now, you gotta get some sleep now.
You go to sleep, all right?
Okay?
Are they asleep?
Oh, just about.
Orphan--
I think that's the loneliest word in the world.
No home, no kith, no kin.
You know, that little Betty...
she just hunts for a lap to sit on.
I'd sure like to take them both to raise.
Ma'am, that would be about the nicest thing that could ever--
I'd sure like to,
but I don't see how I could.
Oh, I'm sure there wouldn't be any trouble at all.
You and your husband could handle them so easily.
Land sakes! He's not my husband!
He's my brother.
Your brother?
I'm all alone here.
Why, he just rode over tonight to be sure the looney didn't burn me out.
That's the fourth time tonight I've been down to the feedin' pens.
Ain't nothin' down there but the wind.
Must be gettin' jumpy.
A man killed, two haystacks and a barn burned--
that's enough to make anybody jumpy.
Two haystacks and a barn?
Yeah, it's like havin' one of them hydrophobia coyotes runnin' lose.
I was just sayin' how much I'd like to take the children to raise...
and how it'd be too much for me.
Yeah.
It'd be different if I had a husband to help me take care of the place.
As it is, it keeps me going from sun up to sundown.
Well, you're just in your prime, sis.
Someone will come along one of these days.
Like Lochinvar from out of the West.
Be a good thing for whoever did.
It's a fine spread here.
Good land. Good equipment.
A new windmill.
New windmill?
You gotta stop this joshin', George.
And a fine house and the best furniture in the mail-order catalog.
Oh, saw that right off.
Man never pulled up to a finer table than she sets.
Have some coffee.
Uh, no, no, thanks.
Maybe some plum brandy would hit the spot.
I got some here. I made it myself.
Uh, thank you, no, wouldn't want you to bother.
With the kids here, a man would have a home ready made.
I'd sure like to have the children.
Yeah, I'm sure you would.
Betty. Betty was a little restless when I set here down.
I'll--I think I'll go take a peek and see if she's asleep yet.
Excuse me.
Shh.
My trouble is I'm soft-headed. What's your trouble?
Why don't you climb a tree?
Miss Beecher?
Hello.
All right, men, look after your animals.
Don't unsaddle them we'll be gettin' on.
Where's Miss Beecher?
She went to give a reading.
Hasn't come back yet. Come on in.
It's all right, we're mindin' the children.
Yeah, that murderin' lunatic.
You mean Reese? He's not crazy. He wouldn't hurt Miss Beecher.
She should have gotten home long ago.
Bad news broke up the meetin' almost before it got started.
Word came that my wife and daughter both were gone!
I left them with orders to stay home
behind locked doors, and they mind what I say,
but they're gone.
I'm almost afraid to look for them for fear of what I'll find.
Well, just because they're out of sight for a few hours
doesn't mean any harm's come to them.
Could be a dozen different reasons.
Murderin' lunatic roamin' loose--
I tell you, they mind what I say!
That man's gotta be caught and destroyed!
Will you ride with us?
We could use every man we could get.
No, I don't believe that about Reese.
I can't believe it.
I'm sorry.
Well, I think maybe it's a little worse than you know.
There's been some haystacks burned,
there's been a barn burned,
and they're blaming Reese for it.
The whole country's after him.
Now I don't know if he did all these things or not,
but I think if you wanna keep him alive, you better find him quick.
I already found him.
He's holed up high on the mountain,
afraid to let anybody come near him.
Plenty of reason.
He didn't burn any haystacks,
and he didn't carry off any women.
He told me his side of the story.
He admitted killin' that trapper, but it was an accident.
How are you gonna make people believe that?
I don't know, but we gotta get him down.
Well, let's get after him.
On a dark mountain? That don't make sense.
He'll start shootin' at anything that moves.
What's the matter, cowboy
What are you doin' out of bed?
I don't feel good.
Well now, you come on and get back to bed.
You've had too much excitement for one day.
You'll feel better tomorrow.
Well, with medium luck, we should be able to get him to come along with us.
After all, he knows that we're his friends.
Unless he is crazy.
He's not crazy! He's just scared.
He can't trust anybody!
After listenin' to Winters, I can't say I blame him.
Well, I got to agree with you.
Hey, wait a minute here.
Where's the little one-- the one that's been feelin' poorly all day?
That's Tommy over there. Now we got two feelin' poorly.
Well, what do you know.
What?
Measles.
Keep them warm, give them plenty to drink.
You sure you know what you're doin'?
To tell you the truth, no.
But you're sure it is measles?
I hope. Stay with it, Trampas.
Pile on the blankets and keep the place hot.
Look for me when you see me.
Yo.
Get down from there and hide!
Go hide! Quick! Hide!
Stop right there.
Stay where you are.
I'm glad you're still here. We need ya.
I got a couple of the children sick down at the house.
What children?
Miss Beecher's.
We've kinda been lookin' after them while she's gone.
Well, what's wrong with them?
Well, the little one, Tommy, took sick yesterday,
and late last night, it was Felix.
We don't know what to do with them,
and I remembered you sayin' that you'd studied up on medicine
after you lost your family to the smallpox.
You say the rest are beginning to take sick too?
Well, we're sure about Felix, and we're worried about the others.
I hope to heaven it isn't smallpox.
Where'd you say Miss Beecher was?
She went off to do a readin' and never came back.
Will you come in with me? We need ya.
We don't know what to do.
I can't come in, you know that.
There isn't anybody there except the three of us and the kids.
If you come in, we'll stand off an army if we have to.
That's a promise, Mr. Reese.
All right, I'll go.
Help me get my gear together.
Jake and Robert wanted to know how much more wood to chop.
Tell them a lot more. We gotta keep this place hot.
Both girls got it now, sure as you're alive.
That's four down and three to go.
Don't forget to count me. I'm feelin' a little poorly myself.
Hey, that smells good enough for a man to eat.
You take one taste, and I'll break your arm!
I couldn't shoot another grouse in a week of tryin'!
I'll be a son of a gun. He's got him.
Look out, Robert, he's heavy.
Where are they?
They're right in there.
Get the horses out of sight quick.
Yo.
Measles.
The rest of the children will come down with them, I'm sure.
Well, the fever's our problem. We've got to get it down.
Keep them in bed. Give them lots of fluids.
You name it, we'll do it.
Hey, Steve, you gotta get rid of that soup.
Aah! What for?
It's got meat in it.
I forgot.
Ooh!
Yeah.
Hey, ride into the next town and get the marshal.
We need him here in case that posse comes back.
Yo. I'll get it.
What have you got in the way of food?
Well, we almost ran out of food.
Choice to make the soup...
Smells good.
Hold it.
I had to shoot a grouse for this soup.
There was-- there's meat in it.
If it's fit to eat, it's fit for the children.
Most important thing is that they eat.
Tastes good.
I'll feed them now.
Trampas! Trampas! Trampas!
The posse's comin'!
All right, you kids get in the bedroom.
Bring the chimp with you. Go on! Go on!
You trapped me after all?
You used the children to bring me here to betray me?
Stay in here and stay away from the windows,
and you'll see what kind of betraying I do.
I knew it all along!
I didn't have to see that monkey a minute ago
to know that lunatic was here.
Been hidin' him.
Well, you're half right anyway. I'm hidin' him now.
From the law.
No, just from you.
I'm the law here now.
If you had any eyes in your head, you could see it!
I'm a duly sworn deputy.
Takes more than a badge to make a deputy.
Takes good sense.
I don't have to take any of your lip!
I come for that murderin' lunatic, and I want him right now!
He's not a murderer, and he's not a lunatic,
and he's stayin' right where he's at.
Now hold on! You can't talk to a posse like that!
Him leadin' you around by the nose--
you're not a posse, you're a mob.
I'm not gonna stand for this.
My wife and daughter are victims of that madman,
and I've worn myself to the bone huntin' for him,
and now you're tryin' to keep him from the law!
As I said, I'm just keepin' him from you.
Go get the marshal and haul him back here,
and you won't have any trouble.
Leave a couple of men to stand watch.
Leave me Lembeck.
I come for that madman, and I'm gonna take him.
Don't try it!
Hold it right there, Lembeck. Now ride over here to me.
Come on.
That was just your hat, Lembeck.
Now I'm gonna shoot off your left ear.
Then I'm gonna shoot off your right ear.
No, no, wait. Stop.
Don't shoot.
All right now, you tell the folks what happened to Brandon,
and why it happened.
It was an accident.
Go on, speak up. I don't think they can hear ya!
It was an accident.
I might have to take that ear yet, Lembeck.
No, no, don't!
Don't shoot.
I'll say how it was.
Him and Reese, they got to fightin'.
How come?
We went there to get him.
To get Reese?
Just to rob him.
He, uh... Brandon--he started fightin'.
Brandon-- he was gonna shoot him.
Reese-- he threw the ax.
He'd got killed for sure.
All right, Lembeck.
Take your gun belt off and throw it over here at my feet.
Again, real slow.
Come on.
Now get back.
Ben!
Oh, is it bad?
Where in tarnation have you been, woman?
Didn't I tell you to stay home behind a locked door?
Ain't you got sense enough to follow a simple order?
When I heard they were blaming Mr. Reese for Mrs. Winters' disappearance,
I tried to think where she'd be.
I remembered that she had a brother, so I went over there,
and sure enough, there she was, too scared to stay alone.
I hope I haven't inconvenienced anyone.
Is everything all right?
Well, almost all right.
Oh, Mr. Reese.
They'll be all right, Miss Beecher.
You don't have to worry.
What Are you speaking of the children?
Just measles, Miss Beecher.
Measles?
No cause for alarm. I've made them comfortable.
Thank you, Mr. Reese.
You're a dear man. We're beholden to you.
No, Miss Beecher, I'm beholden to you.
What do you think?
Time to take a nap.
Well, you got a long afternoon ahead of you, Dolores.
You're gonna need your nap.
You get some sleep
and you dream nice dreams.
Mwa.
Good night.
Good night, Mr. Steve.
Good night.
* Lou, Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou *
* Skip to my Lou
Gonna stand there admiring yourself all day?
Well, I think maybe I will. Got a lot to admire.
Just about take all day.
Is that a fact? Yep.
Besides bein' a handsome brute, I'm a pretty smart apple.
Now you got to admit that, now don't ya?
Fixed things all by yourself, huh?
Well, I had a little bit of help,
but just a little.
You know, that's what I admire about you, Trampas--
your modesty. Yeah.
Hey, she talked! She talked!
Who talked?
I put her down in her bed for a nap
and I give her a kiss and I says good night,
and I started to walk out and she says, "Good night, Mr. Steve,"
right back, just like that.
Who Dolores!
She couldn't. She did!
She don't talk. Well, she does now!
But why?
For the same reason you gotta get ready and get cleaned up,
or you'll be late!
Now go on!
Receive this ring as a token of wedded love and troth.
Minister: For as much as Martin and Ellen
have consented together in holy wedlock
and have witnessed the same before God and this company,
and there too have pledged their troth each to the other
and have declared the same by joining hands and giving a ring,
I pronounce that they are husband and wife together,
in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit.
Those who God has joined together,
let not man put asunder.
Amen.