(LIQUID SPLASHING) (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(GLASSES CLINKING)
♪ Bury me not on the lone prairie ♪
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(AX WHACKS)
Good mornin' to y'all.
And to you, ma'am.
Beggin' a pardon for the imposition
but a few words need speakin' on.
Won't you come inside then?
(SPITS)
You'll have to forgive us,
we're not used to seeing folks out here.
Is the water to your likin'?
Very much so, thank you.
Yeah, well, it's the darnedest thing,
the well out there's all full of sulfur
but ya set a pitcher of it out in the sun for an hour
and it seems to fix it right up.
Word had it it was just the two of you.
Our daughter, Ruth.
How you manage to maintain yourself.
My apology, ma'am.
Quite a nice piece of land you have here.
Secluded, a little isolated.
Well, we make do, don't we?
Still, man's a complicated and fickle creature.
Once he grows accustomed to having something,
it's hard to learn how to do without.
Simple things, the slightest diversions of convenience
gives him a sense of reprieve.
Now myself, I find that paramount to our existence.
Amen to that.
(SIGHS) I spent most of my life on the trail,
far from the amenities of the gentrified,
a fresh cigar, a smooth shot of whiskey,
or the warmth found between the thighs of a fine woman.
At least with that last one,
you're not having to do without.
Are you, Isaac?
Name's Meechum.
James Meechum.
Well, forgive my error.
I was told that this was the homestead
of Mr. Isaac Ackerman.
Six of 12 and foreman in the trial
of a man by the name of Jake Tullis?
The word is that Mr. Ackerman and his fellow weren't content
to simply snatch the life from old Jake
but left him on a rope past sundown.
Left him there for the better part of a month.
So birds picked out his eyes from his skull
and the flesh off his bones.
Go tend to your chores, Ruth.
Do no such thing.
I regret this not being a tale
such innocent ears should hear.
If I may...
Now, Tullis was no angel.
That much is true.
But whatever could he have done to warrant such cruelty?
And at the hands of such fine and upstanding people?
I've asked this question of many
and still have yet to get an answer that satisfies.
So I inquire to you, Mr. Ackerman,
what great cruelty befell those good people
that would cause them to behave in such a way?
This turn out any different
if I spin you some fancy words?
Good man.
Hard and steady to the last.
Can't say the same for any of the others.
But it's only fitting,
seeing as how you're the final notch to carve in the iron.
Last of 12.
Oh, I figured you heard.
But maybe you hadn't, seeing as how far you were in.
But just to move things along,
I find you guilty.
(RUTH GASPS)
Mama!
Let her go, please.
Please.
Oh, it's a precious thing to behold.
The love a father has for his child.
Nothing runs so thick as blood.
(RUTH CRYING)
Were you there that day, Mrs. Ackerman?
Imagine you're proud of your husband.
I beg you, please.
From what I hear, it was quite the occurrence.
Brought in folks from miles around.
All endeavoring to steal a peek
as Isaac here, the duly appointed foreman,
rose to his feet and read aloud the verdict.
Condemned to death my brother.
Did it make you proud of your man, Mrs. Ackerman?
This last one's not rhetorical and I'm expecting a reply.
Now you're thinking this can only end bad, you're right.
But tell me the truth and maybe I'll let the girl live.
I was proud.
Proud that my husband could deliver
what he thought was justice.
Thank you, ma'am.
Sincerely.
ISAAC: No!
(GUN FIRING) (RUTH CRYING)
Hold!
Why?
Girl.
Hey!
Do you bleed?
Are you a woman yet?
Yes.
GRETCHEN: She comes with us.
No.
No, no, no, no, no, no!
♪ Oh, you can pray to Jesus ♪
♪ You can do God's will ♪
♪ But you'll never make it back from Eminence Hill ♪
(SNORING)
(THUDS)
Who the hell are you?
Given the fact that I took the trouble to send you a wire,
I was expecting you would already know that.
Are you here for Garret?
Garret!
Rise and shine, you got yourself a visitor.
I don't know you.
Quincy Hollis Foster, United States Marshal.
What can I do for you?
Would you be so kind as to give us a moment alone?
You gonna state your purpose?
QUINCY: Thank you, I'll wait until you've finished.
Done.
Right to it then.
Tracking a man of your acquaintance.
Agree to help me find him,
and you walk out of here tonight a free man.
(GARRET LAUGHS)
I amuse you?
Not in the slightest.
What are you doing?
I'm going back to bed.
And if you plan on stayin',
I'd appreciate you cutting down on the chatter.
I've just stated that if you agree to help me,
I will secure your liberty.
You want me to help you find Royce Tullis.
And I hear he's been keeping you boys pretty busy of late.
Yes, I want you to help me find Mr. Tullis.
And Gretchen James, Samson Sullivan, and Cyrus Pope.
A few days ago, they crossed the final name off their list.
Man by the name of Ackerman.
Killed his wife too.
But they had a daughter.
Might still be alive, though if that be the case,
by now she's likely wishing it wasn't so.
You can't be this simple.
They're cutting me loose in a day or so.
So help you or not, I'm flying this rat's nest.
Ever heard of a town called Macon?
Folks there sure know the name of Carson Garret.
Army scout and tracker turned rustler and highwayman.
Carson Garret, otherwise known as Marcus Tunstell,
otherwise known as Carson Miller,
wanted for the crimes of horse theft, larceny,
and lewd and lascivious conduct of an uncivilized nature.
Sounds like you had yourself quite a time.
What are you pitching here?
A pardon for past offenses,
granted by Governor Safford's office.
A chance at some redemption for an ill-spent life.
And a pleasant thank you.
Going up against Tullis?
Nothing short of a death sentence.
Certainly was that way for a town marshal,
a territorial magistrate, and 12 good citizens
that gave his brother the swing.
But at least this way you get a chance,
albeit a slim one, to slip a fate so earnestly deserved.
There's a town not far from here called Silvermill.
You know it?
Passed it on my way here.
There's a saloon there, hard to miss.
There's a fine woman of less than honest repute.
You get me outta here, a hot bath, some fresh clothes,
a ride on that beauty, you got yourself a deal.
It's not exactly what you call an ample sucker, is it?
Now that little birdie over there
would rightly satisfy another kind of hunger.
Get it outta your head, Cyrus.
We'll reach Creekside tomorrow,
then Stonetrees a day after.
And you can eat till your guts burst,
fuck till you can't walk.
You keep your hands off the blondie.
Sell her intact.
Blood Feathers.
What the hell for?
That little stranger fetch a better price
with the savages than just about any place else.
I hate those fuckers.
You're more than free to stay at Creekside.
Leaves a better split for the rest of us.
I'm not staying.
All right.
It looks about done.
Got plenty of thirst.
(GRETCHEN MOANING)
(ROYCE MOANING)
I ain't getting that again.
I do got the right of it though.
Don't even think it!
You know Royce wants her unspoiled.
Care for a little swallow?
Hell, come now.
Please, I just wanna go home.
What do you think will happen?
(RUTH SCREAMING)
The hell is that?
Cyrus!
Shit.
RUTH: No!
Come here.
RUTH: Please!
Give it to me.
(RUTH SCREAMING)
He's off now.
Put it away.
Put it away!
Goddamn.
Fuckin' whore.
Stick a blade on me, will you?
I will.
Listen, you goddamn...
Hey, hey!
Oh, shut up! (FIST SMACKS)
You just walk it off, Cyrus.
He's just (MUMBLES).
No true hold.
We all get some sleep.
We break at sunrise.
(SLOW MUSIC)
Goddamn it!
(GUN FIRING)
Shit, fuck, filthy fucking savages!
- The hell, Cyrus? - What?
Apaches.
Blood Feathers and everything.
What?
Oh, we were just relieved of our means of travel.
No fucking way!
Yes fucking way.
Well, they weren't Blood Feathers at least.
How do you know that?
'Cause our throats ain't split open.
Hey, bug-eyes.
I know you saw 'em, didn't ya?
Yeah, you saw and you didn't think to warn us, did you?
I'll make you learn!
Hey, she's worth less without her teeth!
Weasel, hang the weasel.
This little piece of strange is bad luck.
That's all?
Plain and simple.
Cyrus, you are one simple son of a bitch.
Keep on pushing me!
Cyrus!
Silence!
All right?
We're on foot from here.
Gear up what you can manage, all right?
Hey.
It true?
You hear them creepin' up?
No, sir.
I hope not.
Because bad as things were for you,
they just got a whole lot worse
now that we got to cross the land on foot.
All right, let's get out.
That's it.
Should grab what you can.
(SLOW MUSIC)
(CROWD CHATTERING)
So would you be wanting a little filly yourself then?
Thank you, no.
Are you sure?
You seem a bit wound up.
I'll be just fine.
Thank you.
What'll you have, friend?
Some tea would satisfy.
Haven't got tea.
But I could put a fresh pot of coffee on.
Thank you, no.
Is your water clean?
Pulled from the well this morning.
I'll have that then.
BARTENDER: There you go, sir, one water.
Thanks for that.
You should be thanking the dude that paid.
(LAUGHS) Hell, thanks, dude.
Who is he anyway?
Oh, some flat-foot lawman.
You going square on me, Garret?
That's just a cat's paw.
He's enlisted me to track down Royce Tullis and his crew.
Well then.
Well?
Well then, I guess this is goodbye.
Hope you enjoyed yourself, Mr. Garret.
(LAUGHS) Little romp in the bush might ease some
of that tension you're holding onto.
I don't keep with whores.
Well, that ain't no fun.
You know, I was thinking.
Thinking?
Since we're going up against the most dangerous gang
in the territory, you could like purchase me a six-shooter.
Hell, a rifle even.
That won't be necessary.
Will it not?
Don't expect you'll need to do any fighting.
We gonna just ask old Tullis to come along peaceful like?
- All you need to do, Mr. - Garret, is lead me to him.
I can handle the matter from there.
Okay then.
Hey!
Wow, 2,000.
Double what they were offering a week ago.
You know that much metal's gonna draw some attention.
That it will.
(SLOW MUSIC)
(SIGHS)
ROYCE: Well?
I swear this don't make no sense.
What do you mean?
Well, we was on the right trail Creekside,
then this hill'd be Banshee's Peak.
But it ain't.
How can you tell?
Well, if this here was Banshee's Peak,
then down there would be Canners Walk.
I don't know what that is down there, but it ain't Canners.
We're lost!
- You bitch! - All right, goddamn it.
Dimwitted and he don't know where he's taking us.
Ease up.
We're gonna figure this out.
Smoke down there.
Few wisps, like someone made camp.
Could be Indian.
Apaches maybe.
Hell, Blood Feathers even.
I don't think so.
That smoke could be seen for miles around.
Blood Feathers never call attention like that.
All right.
What say you, Jonah?
Is it about done?
I agree.
Well, speak up, man, if you want me to share with you.
Desist!
Oh, Jonah, you leave me only the lamb share.
Well, I need to relieve myself.
Try and resist the temptation of your larcenous nature
while I'm gone.
Howdy.
That chop looks awfully tasty.
You wouldn't happen to have another piece to spare?
Would ya?
Allow me to interject, sirs.
Poor Jonah here hasn't even the power
of the simplest of speech,
but luckily for him, I confabulate well enough
for the two of us.
What's confabulate?
Means to talk.
Oh.
Oh, that's a good word.
I'll remember that one.
This the road to Creekside?
Creekside?
Creekside must be 90 leagues from here.
You've quite a lengthy ride, sir,
if that's your destination.
What did I tell ya?
Sorry, boss.
It's 'cause the storm and all.
Where's this road take us?
The nearest proper town would Stark Ridge Hollow.
Not more than two hours at a trot.
Follow the road, it'll lead you there.
Well, we'll be off then.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
That one is protective.
Friends, stop.
Jonah, my good man, curb yourself.
Don't get involved in things that don't concern you.
You should listen to him, Jonah.
I can take him.
Fuckin' hell, Cyrus!
You want that little piece, she's yours.
Just ease up on that trigger.
Jonah, please.
Heroics are detrimental to your health.
(GUN FIRING) (SCREAMS)
That little birdies don't fly from me!
Gretchen!
Goddamn it.
Get off me, half-wit.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Can't run from me, girl!
ROYCE: Gretchen!
Hey, ma'am!
Please, help!
Easy now.
She ain't worth so much as a corpse.
Come now, Athaliah.
On your feet, bitch!
Boys all right?
You all right?
Whoa!
Good day, friends.
Nothing to concern yourself with.
Boys are gonna want to hold back!
MAN: Salutations.
Same to you.
Welcome to Eminence Hill.
Sir, help!
Girl's a thief.
Caught her trying to part with my purse.
A thief, you say?
She hasn't the look of one.
Don't let her youthful visage fool you.
Turn her over first lawman I come across.
We're all lawmen here of a sort.
And what sort would that be?
No, no!
Stop, help!
Ah, God's law.
There's no other kind.
No argument here.
You got a name?
I'm Dathan.
Dathan.
He's not faring so well either.
I can barely fucking walk.
You should unencumber yourselves at our Father's house.
Fresh water for you and yours, food and respite.
Tend to that wound of yours.
It works for me, boss.
I guess I can't rightly refuse.
Lead the way, friend.
Come then.
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
I don't mean to question your proficiency, Mr. Garret,
but we seem to be heading north rather than south.
Well, is that so?
Macon lies to the south, as does the Ackerman homestead.
You wanna find Royce Tullis,
he ain't in Macon or the Ackerman place.
No, but ought we not try and pick up his trail from there?
How else do you intend to track him?
If you wanted yourself a tracker,
shoulda hired yourself a redskin.
If you wanna find Tullis, we're headed north.
You know where he is then?
I've got an idea.
Better than backtracking, in any case.
How?
Well, you say he has a girl with him?
Only one reason he'd have a girl.
Oh, and it ain't what you think.
Old Gretchen cut his balls off.
No, he's got an eye toward selling her.
Selling her?
Yeah, they fetch a good price, they got all their teeth.
And where would he go to broker such a transaction?
Well, you got old Mexico,
but that's crawling with headhunters.
Fetch a better price up north.
My bottom dollar says he's headed to Stonetrees.
Never heard of it.
Blood Feathers territory.
Blood Feathers?
Know 'em?
Name rings out.
Indians, Apache and Navajo renegades along with other sorts.
Hardest killers in the territory.
Put the Mongolian hordes to shame.
I see.
And that's where you believe Tullis is headed.
I do.
Very well then.
Hey, the reward,
cut it right down the middle, right?
We do not.
How do you figure?
Well, you made your terms plain enough back in Riley.
A bath, fresh clothes, and a turn in the velvet.
(SPITS) You're shitting me!
I have met my obligations and you will do the same.
Well, I bet you don't make many friends, do ya?
Folks are friendly.
A little too friendly.
Doesn't smell though.
I mean, he's good too.
I don't like it.
You never like it.
People seem kinda weird.
That means a lot coming from you.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
You the one they call Father?
I'm Noah.
Welcome to my ark.
Fine spread you got here.
Thank you.
WILHELMINA: Rejoice, Father.
Oh, Sister Wilhelmina.
Looks wonderful.
That is one tasty-looking bird.
What?
Problem, sunshine?
Let us have some words before we partake.
As we bow our heads,
let us thank the Lord for his bounty
and may this harvest give us strength
so that we may serve him better.
(GRETCHEN SNORTS)
For we know that only through service
and worship of him shall we have salvation.
Amen.
Amen, let's dig in.
That's some flavor.
I'm glad it's to your liking.
Where do you hail from?
Well, uh, there and about.
So it's only by happenstance that you're here in Eminence?
Despite our thief,
wouldn't come across this place any other way.
Yeah, I can't say I ever heard of y'all before.
I mean, I ain't ever seen a map, you know?
We keep to ourselves.
Homesteaders.
You know what'll go great with your bird?
A little bit of old Taos.
I beg your pardon?
Whiskey.
Beer even.
Well, I'm sorry.
We never partake in spirituous libations.
Wow.
That's just plain uncivilized.
I feel dizzy all of a sudden.
Me too, I feel...
It's best not to fight it.
Let it take you.
(CALM MUSIC)
Snort?
Yeah.
Days are warm but I do mind how cold it gets up here
when the sun goes down.
Hey, hand me that.
(TWIG SNAPPING)
You hear that?
No.
Something's out there.
Coyotes probably.
CARSON: Hey up there!
Who's out there?
Name's Garret, coming in friendly.
Got the law with me.
We don't want any trouble.
How's about both you boys step on down from those horses?
As you like.
Howdy.
You tell your boy back there no sudden moves.
We just come for a simple passage of words
and a little warmth by your fire there.
All right, pop a squat,
but I'm gonna keep my eyes on ya.
CARSON: Obliged.
Snort?
Don't mind if I do.
Thank you, partner.
Where are you fellas headed?
Nowhere special.
And you?
Of a kind.
Just a ride about.
A ride about, you say?
We're headed the same place you boys are.
But we're looking to split that reward four ways.
I don't know what you mean.
Is that so?
What about you, Foster?
Call yourself the law now?
That badge must have cost a tidy sum.
I'm sorry, you seem to have me at a disadvantage.
You don't remember me.
Sure as pain I could never forget you.
Take a good look, boys.
Got a real legend in our midst.
Quincy Hollis Foster himself.
You heard of him?
I have.
That so, Charlie?
Why don't you tell us all what you've heard?
He's a killer.
Killer.
Boys, that man's close to Armageddon in the flesh.
Make you shudder to hear half the things they say he's done.
Things I've done.
The past tense underscores the lack
of importance this subject holds
to the present dilemma.
Which is?
From what I've been told of Mr. Tullis and his crew,
the thoughtful money would be on him wiping you boys out.
There's little sense in taking a chance
after such efforts have been spent on my part.
What, you just think you're gonna run us off?
No.
MAN: Well then.
(GUNS FIRING)
Fire's very pleasant.
If you don't mind, I think I'll make my own bedroll.
Do as you please.
Royce?
Royce!
Gretchen.
Cy?
What's going on?
Royce?
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
Hey!
Rise and shine.
(ROYCE GROANS)
Know who you're mixing with?
You know who you're mixing with?
That's the question we first need answered.
Then we can talk of how you came upon us
and if we should anticipate any more visitors.
But for all in proper order, who are you?
I'm Royce Tullis.
Name's not foreign to me.
That's never a surprise.
Understandable.
Because if I knew who I was holding,
I'd be a fool to misuse him so.
(MUMBLES) Soon as I get out of a bit of a situation here.
I give an offer to release my people, me.
We agree to look beyond this.
I'm not interested in looking beyond anything.
Christ.
(ROYCE GROANS)
I'll knock the devil out of you, boy!
The strike was for the blasphemy.
If you're able to refrain,
then you can keep the rest of your smile.
Now please, answer the question.
You're a dead man.
All of you.
What are you doing?
(GROANING)
MAN: Left hand.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no!
You'd rather a right hand gunslinger?
ROYCE: No, hold on!
(SCREAMS)
Answer.
What, goddamn it?
(CHOKING)
Last time.
How'd you find us?
Hold.
It was, it wasn't planned.
We were chasing down a child.
She broke away from us and came upon y'all.
By the looks of her, she'd have issues stealing a chicken.
Who is she?
Why?
What could you possibly care about her?
You abducted her.
From where?
And is anyone liable to come looking for her?
No one's gonna come looking for her
because we left none alive.
But the manner in which I left her people is nothing
compared to what's going to happen to you
if you don't cut me loose.
It's gonna be a long night for you, Mr. Tullis,
but we'll break this defiant streak.
(ROYCE SPITS)
(BIRDS CAWING)
Be easy on that, needs to last all day.
Hell's got to be colder.
You know, if we push through,
we'll make it to Sharon Springs by nightfall.
(SIGHS) And if we stop for a respite?
(LAUGHS) The only source of fresh water for miles.
We stop before then, we die.
I take it you're used to these horrendous conditions.
I am.
Myself, I fear I never will acclimate
to extremeness of weather, hot or cold.
Well, I wouldn't grow too sour.
Seems like you've developed a comfort for other things.
Suppose that's true.
It doesn't unsettle you at all, does it, killing folks?
I do only as my obligations dictate.
And that's how you reckon with it.
You know, for a man who once rode
with the most vile outlaw in the territory,
you seem curiously judgmental.
I've done my share of bloodletting,
just never took to it the way men like you have.
(QUINCY LAUGHS)
You find that amusing?
There are no men like me, Mr. Garret.
Well, I know of one.
If fates were kind, you'll wind up ending each other
before this thing's over.
World would be better off for it, I suppose.
(SLOW MUSIC)
Hey.
Hey, Royce, Royce.
Royce.
Royce?
Is Royce in there with you?
You sons of bitches.
You sons of bitches!
Cyrus, goddamn it, answer me!
Pig scum!
Just you wait.
I'm gonna delight in making you suffer.
Hey, where are you taking her?
Oh, can't ya hear me?
Swine fuckers!
Good afternoon.
Apologies about yesterday,
but today will see you fare better, I believe.
Thanks to you, brothers,
but I can take count of her from here.
I am Sister Abigail but you may call me Abby.
Ruth.
By his blessing, may she share my harvest and home.
"Where you go, I will go."
"And where you stay, I will stay."
"Your people will be my people and your God my God."
What?
Recital of your namesake, Ruth.
Pure of heart and friend of God's people.
See now, Athaliah, what a meager amount
of tenderness can achieve in restoring the wayward lamb.
Yes, ma'am.
As with all things, only possible through the Lord.
Yes.
And why is that?
Because the righteous only act in...
ABBY: In the furtherance.
Furtherance of his will.
Quite right, child.
"And as they continued to ask him,"
"he stood up and said to them,"
"let him who is without sin among you be the first"
"to throw a stone at her."
(KNOCKING)
Yes?
How lovely you look.
Thank you.
Brother Dathan waits for us in the parlor.
Brother?
Sister, would you give us a moment of privacy?
Yes, Brother.
Have a seat, please.
Where should we begin?
I don't know...
Why not start with how you came by such sordid company
in the first place, and more importantly,
how you found us.
It wasn't anyone's intent.
After they...
They came to our farm one day and killed my mother and pa.
All on account of Pa having sat on a jury
that found Mr. Tullis' brother guilty of murder.
Mr. Tullis was out for revenge for his dead kin,
so they killed him and took me.
While on the road, we came across two men,
one white and one colored.
The colored man helped me make a break for it
and I can only figure they killed them too.
I see.
I wasn't looking or paying heed to where I was going.
My only aim was to get away.
But by the time Gretchen caught me,
I was here with you folk.
I believe you.
And it seems you've suffered a grave injustice.
Good day to you, miss.
Mister?
What's gonna happen now?
Father will preside over a trial in the morning
for your companions.
After which it's highly likely
you'll never have to see them again.
So you're gonna kill them?
They will be called to account for their sin.
What fate awaits them is up to the...
If that be so, I'm glad and I thank you for it.
Some may call it wicked,
but my desire for their blood weighs heavy on me.
No, miss, not wicked,
but vengeance is the Lord's alone.
Why you stare at him like that?
I've never seen anybody better
than Mr. Tullis like that before.
Hell, he break free and want more, do you?
Man's only flesh and blood after all.
What do you reckon they'll do to us?
(SIGHS)
Nothing pleasing, I'm certain.
They're gonna torture us, ain't they?
Sever our fingers.
Are you scared, boy?
Of course he is.
Be a fool not to be.
Samson?
Can you hear me, darlin'?
Ain't no shame in it.
No man alive's above the jitters.
Yes ma'am.
MAN: That one.
MAN: Come on, boy.
(SAMSON SCREAMING)
Samson!
Down, boy.
Leave him be, you cunts!
(SLOW MUSIC)
(WATER SPLASHING)
(FOOTSTEPS TAPPING)
Garret, you've led us directly into an ambush.
Somehow you've managed to descend even lower in my esteem.
That really stings, boss.
Hold on, boys, we don't want any trouble.
Not looking for trouble?
That's a first for you, Garret.
Silky Foal.
Sylvia now.
I don't care about the handle, I'm glad to see ya.
Who's your friend?
CARSON: He's a...
US Marshal Quincy Hollis Foster.
You bring the law to my camp, Garret?
CARSON: I didn't know you were holed up here.
What's he telling her?
Hey, we've got money.
We'll gladly compensate for bed and board.
You bring this man here, this is most unwelcome.
Ma'am, if I may...
Whatever your crimes may be,
I can assure you I have no intent on being a bother.
As your friend Mr. Garret rightly said,
it's fresh water and some cooked food,
that's all we're after.
What do you pay with?
Whatever your preference, silver or paper.
Got more than enough of both.
What will you take then?
Whiskey.
We ran out.
It's your lucky day.
This is the best wildcat this side of old Mexico.
Not much here.
But every drop's pure heaven.
Diego.
See our friends get to camp.
Tell Alejandro I said care of 'em.
(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
(CROWD CHATTERING)
I thought you were dry.
(MUMBLES) Drink beer.
'Cause a fool sold the last bottle of whiskey
to a frumpy old man.
Two bottles of medicine.
You can't get drunk off of medicine.
Alejandro, my good man.
Is that the scent of whiskey I smell on your breath?
Go away.
And what of you, fine sir?
Have you any spirits?
Oh, fresh out.
I'm disappointed.
So fine.
Like rays of sunshine.
What?
Your hair, it's lovely.
Thank you.
I think Father Noah intends for you to join us.
I'm glad.
And what if I don't want to stay?
Where would you go?
Your folks are gone.
Are they not?
Besides, no one is ever permitted to leave.
Father says that those who know of us
must never be able to depart.
For it's only that the sinful know not of our sanctuary,
that we thrive in the light of the Lord.
(GASPING)
Again.
How'd you come to find us?
By chasing that little cunny.
I swear.
That'll suffice.
NOAH: What's your notion?
They've all said the same thing more or less.
We still have one more
but to bedevil a woman would put a strain
on my conscience, Father.
It's not necessary.
Eminence Hill is safe.
♪ Bury me not on the lone prairie ♪
♪ Coyotes howling, wind blows free ♪
Your friend doesn't look so happy.
He's not one for fine company.
Or company of any sort.
Sad part is, he's the one with the money.
Oh, thank you.
No change?
Something regarding your personage
is awfully pressing on that man's mind.
It would seem so.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
Quincy Foster?
Not the slightest.
Mason Mills, Staff Sergeant, Third Cavalry.
As was.
Fascinating, what can I do for you?
Carson Garret, the (MUMBLES) Southern.
That was a long time ago, partner.
Yeah, I used to know a lot of the boys from the Southern.
It's sad to see that you're taking up
with such a sordid character.
You just need to leave it, friend.
Advisable idea.
But some things need to be said.
We all have our history.
Yeah, none of us are angels.
Hell, I'm just a bounty chasing road dog myself.
But I tell you, in 100 years,
only a time or two has hell spit out a man such as this.
A fellow with a coldness about him that just ain't human.
A creature that takes a life
as simple as drawing a breath.
And one who don't discriminate
about whose life ends at his hands.
You make me sound quite the monster.
Maybe you should ask your friend
to talk to those people at Beacon's Hope about that.
You do remember Beacon's Hope, Mr. Foster?
Quiet place, as peaceful as you would like,
until they found gold in the creek.
And those folks musta thought that they had struck fortune.
That is until the Hurst Mining Company came in,
sent Mr. Foster.
It was a business transaction
with some regrettable attributes.
Hurst kinda did pretty well with it, didn't he?
Because he ended up seizing the mining rights
because there wasn't a soul left to deny his claim.
You see, Beacon's was founded by Kansas abolitionists
as a safe haven for former slaves.
And when Mr. Hurst got the word
that there was color to be found,
that brought on the furies.
Your vivid depictions loosen the memory.
Though the years have not been kind.
But Sergeant Mills here, along with other cavalrymen,
was hired to assist in the suppression
of a renegade colony of ex-slaves.
Now I am sorry if acting with accord of your duty
has caused you some personal regret.
But it has been a day of some exertion
and I'll be taking my leave.
Don't you even.
Just cool them heels.
Calling me out?
Here we go.
I'm calling you a lower than scum murderer
of helpless women and children.
I'm not calling you out.
As sorry as I feel for the people of Beacon's,
I have no intention of rushing to join 'em.
I just needed to say my part.
Quincy Hollis Foster is a child killer.
And with that, I take my leave.
Hold!
Come on, partner, let it roll off.
You gonna force me to draw?
Your call to play, Sergeant.
I've come to purpose.
SERGEANT: If you're gonna shoot me,
it'll have to be in the back.
Quincy!
(GUN FIRES)
Look at me!
Open your eyes and take sight!
(GROANING)
As all of you can attest to,
I did not stab this man in the back!
♪ Bury me not on the lone prairie ♪
♪ I thought I heard a mournful sound ♪
♪ Among the groans still lower down ♪
(ROYCE GROANING)
♪ That awful sight no tongue can tell ♪
♪ Is this, the place called Drunkard's Hell ♪
Christ, woman, that's depressing.
(LAUGHS) Oh.
Pretty fuckin' lamentable.
You and me tangled here
like a couple of hogs awaiting slaughter.
Yeah.
(GROANS)
Hey, Royce.
We ain't getting out of this one, are we?
I don't think so.
(SIGHS) The evening progresses
and still we find you troubled.
What are you about, old man?
You should know better
than to sneak up on a man in the dark.
My apologies, sir.
I simply thought you might like some company.
You know, most people that track off by themselves
are trying to avoid it.
Still, after the horrific incident
that took place back there, your friend.
Hardly my friend.
Hired me as a guide
and the sooner I get him where he's going,
the sooner I never have to set eyes on him again.
And where is it that you are headed?
For your sake as well as mine, I'll avoid an answer.
Naturally, wherever a man like that is headed
is a place best avoided.
I thought someday he'd meet up with a man
that was faster and colder,
give him his just desserts.
I thought there was such a man at the end of our journey
but I think even Royce Tullis'll find himself wanting
when he squares up with Quincy.
Royce Tullis, you say?
Need to keep that under your hat.
As you say, but I do believe he's the fellow
I had the misfortune of encountering a day past.
Was traveling with a good woman, two fellows, and a child.
Where'd this crossing take place?
On the road from Stark Ridge.
My companion tried to assist the child in their company
and they cut him down.
Stark's only a ride and a bed from here.
Chances are he's not there by now.
Couldn't have traveled far, doubling back by Creekside.
Don't say a word of this
to anybody you hadn't already told.
(RUTH GASPS)
Sorry, ma'am.
No need.
But it is time you wake.
Father Noah has called an assembly at the church
and the entire community is obliged to attend.
What's happening?
The trial of your companions, of course.
(BELL RINGING)
And you must be Ruth.
I'm Liam and this is my sister Margaret.
Is it true?
You were taken prisoner by savages?
- Come now. - Sorry.
(CHAINS RATTLING)
Hold strong, son.
Show no debility.
The accused will refrain from talking amongst themselves.
I recite from the book of Genesis.
"Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God"
"and the earth was filled with violence."
This is the word of the Lord
and just as salvation was granted to Noah and his family,
so too has the Lord seen us fit for our own sanctuary.
But once again, brothers and sisters,
the agents of the devil have found our sanctum.
Of all of those who have stumbled upon our ark in the past,
never has there been such wretched creatures
as the ones that stand before you today.
Royce Tullis,
a heathen paramount in sin, more beast than man,
and then he gorges himself drunk on the blood
of any who would oppose him.
What say you, Mr. Tullis?
Confess.
Seek his salvation, Mr. Tullis.
It is the Lord Jesus Christ
who teaches us compassion and forgiveness.
He tells us of the repentant sinner that may,
only by the grace of God's mercy, yet be saved.
Sir, I wish for absolution.
Cyrus!
Restrain yourself, Mr. Tullis.
I will not!
A morbid game is all this is.
Probably the way this old pecker gets firm.
Speak up, young man.
Do you wish to confess?
As do I.
This is a glorious news.
For what sins do you seek atonement?
Well, as been said, sir,
I've done a whole heap of evil.
Kinda hard to know where to begin.
Have you murdered?
I have.
Have you stolen?
CYRUS: Yeah.
Have you spoke falsely?
Many time.
Do you speak falsely now?
No, sir.
It is the Lord's truth.
And you.
Same as Cyrus.
And more.
I see.
Would that I could absolve you myself
but alas, only God can judge
whether your confession warrants forgiveness.
What's that mean?
(GASPS)
ROYCE: Damn fool!
So what happens next?
ROYCE: Cyrus!
Tullis's handiwork?
That's that feather's dead mute.
Look, the tracks are going west.
Why would he venture off trail?
Well, I don't know, but he did.
Fear not, for you confessed.
Please, please, no, no, no, no.
No, please, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
(HORSES NEIGHING)
(SCREAMING)
(RUTH GASPING)
I'm sorry.
I've got no money, I'm just taking what I need.
Be needing a fast horse as well then?
Anything will suffice.
I'm told that Stark Ridge is just up north.
Not only did Father take you in
but he passed the Lord's credence on those that wronged you.
I just can't stay,
after seeing what they did to them.
But you are not to blame.
Any child born into the darkness of this world
will cast off the radiance we offered her.
Goodbye, Abigail.
(SMACKS)
(SCREAMING)
♪ Won't you spare me over ♪
♪ Till another year ♪
Samson!
Trespasser!
Deliver me, Lord, from every evil!
(GUN FIRES)
Though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear...
It's always Psalms.
(GUN FIRES)
Girl, can you hear me?
She's done, leave her.
She's not and I won't.
Welcome, strangers.
(LAUGHS) There's no need to bark thunder, friend.
We're just here to bid you welcome.
Welcome?
Where are we exactly?
We call this place Eminence Hill.
We are a small community of the faithful,
put down in a territory full of lawlessness and violence.
We find that our best defense is casting a small shadow.
I'm called Father Noah.
(GUN CLICKS)
US Marshal Foster.
I'm happy to know you
but I'm saddened to see that one of our flock has fallen.
What happened?
I shot her.
Why?
CARSON: That woman damn near killed this here child.
I see.
So it was all in the line of duty, huh?
We're on the trail of some bandits,
tracks led us here.
Any help you proffer would be justly rewarded.
Royce?
Hey, Royce?
What?
We need a plan.
You hear me?
You're always so good at that.
Remove any notion of walking away from this.
So I've resigned myself to the fate that awaits.
But I'm not going out like Cyrus and Sam.
And not that I have much of one left in me,
but I'm putting up a fight, come what may.
I just hope I can take at least one of 'em
before they get me.
Royce.
I don't think I'm ready to die.
No one ever is.
I suppose it's customary where you're from
to offer a spirit but we in Eminence Hill never partake.
Nor do I.
Ah.
I was beginning to think no man beyond this town
knew the value of a clear mind.
Oh, Sister Wilhelmina.
You've outdone yourself again.
Gashes are deep.
Wounds won't close on their own.
Athaliah, would you be so kind
as to bring a needle and thread
and some fresh water from the well?
Yes, Brother.
So Marshal, tell me about these men you're chasing.
Let's move forward.
I'm going to assume you know exactly who it is I speak of
and for reasons of your own,
you have sought to delay me.
You're a very perceptive man.
Well.
I'd suggest you eat your roast before it goes cold.
But if swine's not to your taste,
I can have Sister Wilhelmina fix you something else.
Royce Tullis.
Where is he?
Traveling with three others,
among them likely a girl, not yet a woman,
who was taken captive by Mr. Tullis not farther in years
than the child my associate now tends to.
We've offended you
and for that, I ask your forgiveness.
But let me put your mind at ease
in the case of Mr. Tullis and his brigands.
We have it well in hand.
This is growing tiresome.
They say that poison is a woman's weapon.
Or a coward's.
(SHOUTS)
(GUN FIRES)
Watch carefully now.
It's a painful way to die, gut shot.
Slow to be sure.
But it can always be made worse with helping along.
(NOAH GROANING)
Where are they?
Tell me!
(SCREAMS)
(GUN FIRES)
(QUINCY GASPING)
(GUN CLICKS)
(GRUNTS)
(NECK SNAPS)
Sorry, darlin', I don't think we're welcomed here.
Where'd those damn horses get to?
(GUN CLICKS)
You gonna cry out so those people come running?
You gonna hold quiet?
Good girl.
Where's the stables?
I'm gonna need another horse.
Much obliged.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(QUINCY GROANS)
WILLIAM: Heaven help us.
Find Nathan and Rufus and tell all the people
to go to their homes and not come out
until we give the signal.
I'll not leave you.
No, you must.
No, you...
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(GUN FIRES)
William!
Stupid boy.
Kid's gone, so are you.
You can save the rest of these good folks.
Tell me where you got Tullis.
(LAUGHS) My people ain't afraid to die.
(BELL RINGING)
There's a better world waiting for 'em.
(GUNS FIRING)
(HORSES SNORTING)
You gonna be all right?
I'm gonna go find us some saddles.
Hey, who's that there?
Royce?
Carson Garret.
No words for my astonishment finding you here.
What the hell'd they do to you?
Guess I'd be hoping too much
if you were here to spring us loose.
(GUNS FIRING)
Come now, Garret, see reason if not charity.
Name your price, spring us loose.
I ride with the law now.
Ain't much different from riding with you
but I'm bound to it.
You don't know these folks.
They murdered Cy and young Samson.
They tore them apart from limb to limb.
Whatever you want to pin on me, I'll wear it,
but no man deserves to die like that.
(GUNS FIRING)
This lawman you ride with, anybody I know?
Quincy Foster.
(GRETCHEN LAUGHS)
Foster?
That's who they sent after me?
Ain't no lawman.
He's a damn killer.
The only thing you're gonna get from him
is a back full of lead as he makes sure,
damn sure, come hell or hard rain,
that he's the only swinging dick left alive
to tell the story.
You spring us loose, I'll be saving your life.
You and me may not have always seen common
but I've never stated falsely when it counted.
Cut me loose and I'll give you my word.
I won't follow.
I'll take care of Foster.
What if it's him that gets the better of you?
In such an outcome,
at least you get a head start.
(GUNS FIRING)
(NOAH GASPING)
MAN: We need to help him!
No!
(SCREAMING)
(GUNS FIRING)
ROYCE: No!
No, no.
What's that?
You're gonna cry for me, Tullis?
You hold quiet, girl.
(GASPING)
Just you and me, Foster!
They're all dead now!
This one's holding on.
Would you like the privilege?
I would.
You're sending me from this world
to the arms of the Lord.
I think you're in for one hell of a disappointment.
Just know this.
It was all for naught
because once you're gone, I swear to you,
I'm sowing out the hellfire
and consigning this whole goddamn place to the ashes.
His will be done.
(GUN CLICKS)
(GUN FIRES)
You've been wounded, Mr. Tullis.
It's a shame that our paths have not crossed
when you were in better health.
You don't appear to be in the best of sorts either.
Just a scrape.
Same here.
I'm still just standing.
Just to make things fair.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(GUNS FIRING)
(QUINCY SCREAMING)
(ROYCE GASPING)
Now that's just a misfortune.
So well, I think it was me,
I got the better deal in this.
(QUINCY SCREAMING)
Godspeed, Mr. Tullis.
Yeah, godspeed.
(GUN FIRES)
(QUINCY SCREAMING)
(SLOW MUSIC)
What weighs so heavy, Garret?
You believe in God?
Shit, sorry I asked.
Truly.
I suppose so, of course.
You believe he saves people from their sins?
That's what's told to us.
I used to have nightmares.
Things I've seen, things I've done.
Used to keep me up for all hours.
It was hell.
Man without rest is like a wounded animal.
Makes mistakes and...
And loses his way.
Then the nightmares stopped.
Not that they're replaced by good things or nothing,
they just stopped.
I guess I should be grateful for that
but it's like another piece of me died.
Something got awful in your craw today.
Hell, maybe we read too much into these things.
Maybe there ain't no God or devil
or good or evil and we're all just walking around,
trying not to get eaten by each other.
Like animals in the wild.
Yeah, well, I hope we're more than beasts.
So do I.
Are you looking for some company, big boy?
Morning, Henry.
Good morning.
A little hair of the creature, maybe?
Oh, coffee'll suffice.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
Garret.
Foster, what the hell are you doing here?
Royce Tullis is dead.
Others too, as far as I can tell.
All that remains is for us to conclude our business.
Oh?
Your pardon, Mr. Garret,
does that no longer hold an interest for you?
You rode all the way here to secure my pardon.
I find that a little more than hard to believe.
You'd find your suspicions well warranted.
Alas, I have come to yet another impasse.
In order for me to collect my just reward,
Governor Safford's office has demanded
that I deliver them the child.
Alive preferably, but any condition will satisfy
the terms of the contract.
She's not here.
Where?
(GASPS)
I daresay that looks putrid.
My health should be of no concern to you, Mr. Garret.
Surprised you haven't found some doctor,
lop that off for you.
I found one who tried.
He regretted that effort.
It's a hard fate for a man such as yourself
to lose use of his shooting paw.
The girl, Garret!
Garret!
Don't you turn from me!
Garret!
Goddamn it, Garret, don't turn from me
when I'm talking to you!
Foster, this is our goodbye.
Foster.
Can't be.
Quincy Hollins Foster.
I don't know you.
Name's McKellips.
Edward McKellips.
Brother of the late Thomas.
Surely you remember him.
Yes.
I remember.
(SLOW MUSIC)
(GUN FIRING)
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
♪ I'm gonna get me a gun ♪
♪ And then I'm gonna kill someone when I get me a gun ♪
♪ I'm gonna get me a gun ♪
♪ I'm gonna shoot that goddamn bastard when I get me a gun ♪
♪ I'm gonna get me a gun ♪
♪ I'm gonna kill that goddamn bastard when I get me a gun ♪
♪ I'm gonna get me ♪
♪ I'm gonna take that gun and stick it up his ass ♪
♪ And then I'll pull the trigger when the gun goes blast ♪
♪ If I committed murder then I do confess ♪
♪ But I still got this here gun ♪
♪ So y'all clean up this mess ♪
♪ I'm gonna get me a gun ♪
♪ I'm gonna get me, get me, get me a gun ♪
♪ I'm gonna get me a gun ♪
♪ To shoot that goddamn shitty ♪
♪ And grouchy no good son of a bitch ♪
♪ Mother of a bastard ♪
♪ When I get me a gun ♪
♪ Chilled me right down to my soul ♪
♪ Night they put me in that hole ♪
♪ Well, I lost my mind inside that box ♪
♪ To this day, the devil knocks ♪
♪ But this sweet grave is just for me ♪
♪ I like the dark now I can see ♪
♪ So go ahead and lay a hand on me ♪
♪ And I'll return it broke in three ♪
♪ I've killed the damsel in distress ♪
♪ And just for fun I wear her dress ♪
♪ Yeah, just for fun I wear her dress ♪
♪ And you'll be sorry for your sins ♪
♪ The night the angry woman wins ♪