"Well, there she is." "Tucson." "Tucson ahead!" " Where?" " There." "It ain't exactly pretty, is it?" " Protection from Indians." " Yep." "Sure feel good to stretch out in a hotel bed." " Come on." " What?" "Sure is nice to see some peaceful Indians." "Them is Papago." "Hate Apaches worse than I do." "Lookee yonder." "The town's growing all the time." "Back home they'd have called that making a house out of mud pies." "What do they do with the hole when they're done?" "Well, they..." "Well, just leave it, I reckon." "Lookee yonder." "Too lazy to make their own bricks." "Fellas like them are destroying evidence... of the only walled city in United States territory." "Old-timers used the wall for fighting off Indians?" "Yep." "Built when all this belonged to Mexico." "Whole town inside the walls, soldiers guarding it day and night." "Well, the way that wall looks now, I'd say Tucson's bust its britches." "Seems like that water would make you dirtier." "Stay around here long enough, you'll wind up drinking it." "I'll take a look at California first." "Haircut and shave." "Shave and a haircut." "Haircut and shave." "Well, here you are... the sweetest little city this side of a rat hole." "Camp in the Plaza!" "Sure is a tired-looking outfit, Grant." "More restless people." "Where do you say they're from, Pete?" "Judging by their rigs, I'd say no further east than Missouri." "What's he saying?" "He wants to water your horse in the Plaza for 15 cents." "Why, sure." "He says you are a great man." "My name's Grant Oury." "Where you from?" "Missouri." "Name's Peter Muncie." "You guessed right, Pete." "This is Estevan Ochoa, Pete Kitchen, and Bart Massey." " Pleased to know you." " Howdy." "Looks like your outfit got whittled down some on the trail." "Yep, we started out from Missouri with 45 people and 15 wagons... but the Indians took to pot-shooting." "Couple of brand new orphans in the outfit." "Yeah, that's why there's always legroom in the West." "Say, what's a good hotel here?" "Sir, the hotels to be found in Tucson are neither good nor bad." "They are non-existent." " You mean there ain't one?" " That's right." "What's the trouble, Phoebe?" "Who's she?" "Phoebe Titus, the only American woman in Tucson." "Think she's going to need help?" "Offhand, knowing Phoebe, I'd say no, but we'd better be sort of handy." "Stop that music." "Timmins, Longstreet, stand up and reach." "Now, listen." "I've got no quarrel with anybody but these two here... so the rest of you better clear out." "These might be in the way." "Much obliged." "Some day this town will get tired of being kicked around by Ward's men." "It'll run the whole gang of you out of town." "Till that happens, though... and as long as Ward keeps bragging there's no law around here..." "I'll settle things my own way." "What's ailing you now, Phoebe?" "These two playmates of yours stole $1,100 out of my house." "I'm not saying you put them up to it, Ward... but I'm here to get my money back." "Right now." "What do you say to that?" " Us?" "We did not." " We never saw no $1,100 in our whole life." "Then you'll wish you had." "'Cause there is going to be two holes dug in the new cemetery that you'll just fit." "You heard them, Phoebe." "Have you got proof?" "Yeah, I heard them." "Now if I don't start seeing my money I'm going to shoot." " There'll be no killing in my place." " Since when?" "Since this morning?" "All right, put that money on the table or get ready to feel lead." "You better do what the lady says." "Count it, somebody." "I'd like to oblige." "Keep digging, boys." "I'll get this off my chest." "Before I came to Tucson..." "I never dreamed a place could stomach such off-scourings and scum... as you and your crowd." "You wouldn't say that without these others backing you up." "I'm talking for myself." "It's not enough that you charge twice what it's worth to haul freight into here... but you've collected the doggonedest bunch of lawbreakers... in the whole territory of Arizona." "Pardon the interrupting, but you're $225 short." "Tell your banker to pay back what they lost." "Everybody knows it's stolen money." "All right, Joe." "Timmins, take that whip... and give Longstreet five of the best lashes you got in you." "Longstreet... you do the same to him." "And if either of you eases up, I'll make it 20." "But you got your money back." "Why don't you let us be, Miss Phoebe?" "We didn't mean no harm." " Get started." " Maybe I got something to say... about what can be done in my own place." "You better do what the lady says." "Get going." "Ward, you've got an idea you run this town... so I'll set you right about one thing." "I've got my livestock and a pie business to take care of." "That don't leave me much time for chasing thieves." "Keep your men away from my place... or I'll double-load this gun... and blow a hole in you they could drive a team of mules through." " Yeah?" "Now, listen here..." " Longstreet!" "Give him as good as you got." " Here's your money, miss." " Thanks." " My name is..." " Harder!" "Just got in to town a few minutes ago." "My name's..." "That's more like it." "And remember..." "I'm still keeping my money in my house." "Thanks, fellas." "Well, do you still wonder whether she can take care of herself?" "Brother, there goes a female army." "And after all that fine talk, she went and took my hat." "Be with you in a minute." " Trouble, Miss Phoebe?" " No trouble." "We've been waiting." "I've got to go to work." "Any man that don't think the pies are worth waiting for is free to leave." "Everything is fine." "I watch pies all the time you're gone." "Thanks, Hilario." "There will be a special pie for you in the next batch." "Sorry to keep you waiting, but I had a little business to take care of." "Got a peach today?" "Yep, I got a peach right here." "Mind the heat." "Can I get one of them?" "You sure can." "Take your pick, as soon as I see your dollar." "It's the last one, quince." "Much obliged, but I come to get my hat." "Oh, it was you." "Doggoned if I didn't walk right off with it." "Be right back." "Say, I never seed a woman pay less attention to me than you did in that saloon." "Well, I had plenty on my mind." "You're new here." "Got in a little while ago." "Help yourself to some pie." "Come on in." "How come you got yourself into my argument over at the saloon?" "Well, where I'm from, women is supposed to need protection." "I'm obliged for the use of your hat, stranger... but I don't ask nor get favors for being what I was born." "Yep, that's what I found out." "Where you from?" "Freeport, Illinois." "I'm from Saint Louis." "What brought you here?" "My father and I were going to California." "We got this far and he died." "I see how it is." "Living alone in a place like this, you couldn't afford to be a woman... unless you met the right man." "Eat your pie." "Anything left out of that last batch, Miss Phoebe?" "They are all sold, Judge." " How long before the next batch?" " Maybe an hour." "Seems as though a newly elected justice of the peace... ought to have some special rights." "Who elected you?" "Oh, some of the boys." "Hey, Joe Briggs." "I got some time on my hands, Joe, and there's a charge against you." "Might as well hold court out here where it don't smell so bad." "Are you ready to stand trial?" "I ain't got much time." "Can you hurry it up?" "Sure enough." "Just step in a little more where it's shady." "Now, prisoner at the bar, the charge against you is... that you up and blowed the head plumb off of Gus Modesto... in consequence of which said shooting, said Gus is deader than blazes." "Are you guilty or not guilty?" "No, Judge, I don't reckon I can say not guilty... when everybody seed me do it." "Now, what in tunket made you act like that, Joe?" "Drinking." "Just drinking." "Well, the verdict of this here tribunal is... that Joe Briggs is fined $5... for disturbing the peace." "Court is hereby adjourned... to Lazarus Ward's bar, where said fine will be duly disposed of." "Some day, Judge Bogardus, the law will come to Arizona... and half of you will be hung." "Miss Phoebe, you belittle us." "Not half, 90%." "Maybe the government forgot us now... arguing about what should be free and what slave... but the time will come... and when it does, this will be a territory to be proud of." "Quite right." "Quite right." "A territory to be proud of." "Meanwhile, Mr. Briggs, there is a fine to be paid." "Any of you gentlemen that feel up to it may participate in the first round." "I mean any one of you gentlemen." "You got the $5, ain't you, Joe?" "Mighty nice talk you give." "Probably won't do much good, though." "Somebody has to tell them off, whether it helps or not." "You're sure doing a man's work around this town, ain't you?" "I keep busy." "Do you wear them jeans all the time?" "Why?" "Well, I packed a banjo all the way from Saint Louis." "Thought I might serenade you tonight, if you'd put on a dress." "You'll serenade me the way I am." "I mean..." "I'll be busy tonight." "Music's for idlers anyway." "Thanks for the pie." "Keep the oven hot." "I don't want any serenading, now." "No serenading." "Haircut?" "Shave?" "I could use a shave." "Fix you up in a jiffy." "You play a nice fiddle." "I got a banjo." "Finest fiddle in the West." "I packed her 1,500 miles." "She never done bust a string." "Say, does Miss Phoebe Titus live at her pie stand?" "Yes, sir." "Fine girl, Miss Phoebe." "Figuring on doing a little courting?" "Maybe." "Let's fix you up sweet then." "Good close shave." "Some vanilla extract on your hair." "Yes, sir!" "Plenty of vanilla." "Don't shave me too short." "Who is that?" "Do you want I should send him away?" "Go on back to bed." "Can't you hear?" "I'm being serenaded." " Was it good?" " I don't know." "I guess so, I've never been sung to before." "You look kind of pretty standing there." "Lots different than you did in that saloon." "I suppose it would please you more... if I'd walk around town all day in my nightshirt." "I think I could get used to them britches if I stayed around long enough." "You figuring on leaving?" "Sometime." "This Arizona Territory is worth looking into for a man with ideas." "Maybe if you studied it some you'd decide to stay." "Might be I'd settle down, if I could get a job to suit me." "You mean one with something doing all the time, to keep you on the move?" "Yeah." "Say, how did you know that about me?" "The way you go poking into other people's troubles." "The way you talk." "The way you wear your hat." "Well, you sort of took an interest in me." "Yeah." "Arizona could use fellas like you right now." "Maybe something will turn up." "You sure are a calculating woman." "I wouldn't say what I said... if I didn't like you some." "Much obliged." "Same to you." "Play some more music." " Fancy or courting?" " Just music." "Howdy, Johnny." "Howdy, Miss Phoebe." " Morning, Solomon." " Sorry I missed the commotion yesterday." "It wasn't much." "Need some needles and another sack of flour for those gol-darned pies." "Those gol-darned pies are making you a good living." "Better ways than that to get ahead." "How much are your needles?" "Quarter apiece." "25 cents?" "Why, you old Scotchman." "What do you have to do, find them in a haystack?" "Well, you know the cost of hauling over land." "Especially when freighting men like Ward charge us twice what it's worth." "What about Ochoa?" "He's bringing in goods at fair prices." "Well, he can't supply everybody." "There's a business for you." "Freighting." "Plenty of room for another honest outfit." "Yeah, I reckon so." "Well, how many needles you want?" "Two's plenty." "Johnny, take a sack of flour over to Miss Phoebe's right away." "Wagons, oxen, mules... and plenty of good strong men that aren't afraid of hard work." "Also Indians." "That's part of living here." "I own a wagon that's fit to haul anything anywhere... four horses... and I got enough money to buy oxen and another wagon." "Solomon, I wouldn't be surprised to see myself in the freighting business." "Why, I thought you was aiming to own the biggest cattle ranch in Arizona." "That's right, and here's a better way of getting it than selling pies." "You're forgetting you'd be bucking up against Lazarus Ward." " He don't like to play." " Ochoa's doing all right against him." "Two wagons." "You'd always have to be waiting for somebody else's train to set out... so as you could join for protection." "Four wagons would do the trick." "Four wagons could travel alone." "I'll get along with two." "Phoebe... you and me think lots alike." "We both got confidence this country's going to grow." "Now, I didn't drive no mule teams across here... with every cent I had... without figuring that more people are going to be coming here all the time." "Being the man who opened the first store in Tucson... you ought to know which way the wind's blowing." "Phoebe, it looks like you got yourself a partner." "Shake." "Now, I'll put up money enough for two more wagons and some oxen." "Then..." "Say, where are we going to find a good man... to head the outfit on the trail?" " They're darn scarce." " Yeah." "Leave it to me." "I'll get him." "See you later, partner." "Got all day." "Good morning, Mr. Muncie." "Good morning." "I was hoping to buy a pie for breakfast, but you was out." " Hello, Phoebe." " Howdy." "There's something that might be worth talking about, Mr. Muncie." "Yes, ma'am." "Do you mind going someplace where it's not quite so noisy?" "Wherever you say." "Somebody rob you again?" "No." "I've been thinking about something for quite a spell." "I just settled it." "You seem mighty pleased." "Remember that job you were talking about last night... the one with something doing all the time?" "Well, it's waiting for you, right now." "What's that?" "Heading a freighting outfit on the trail for me." "For you?" "Solomon Warner is my partner." "He runs the big store here." "Maybe I'm taking a long chance deciding you're the man for the job." "But I'm a pretty good judge of people." "Well, what do you say?" "Miss Phoebe..." "I'm going to tell you something I'm afraid you won't understand." "What's that?" "There's a wagon train come in headed for California and I'm joining up with it." "When?" "Sundown." "Well, sundown's a good time to leave." "Indians don't hanker much for night fighting." "But why in tarnation do you want to go to California?" "I better not tell you." "I'm asking you, why?" "All right..." "I'm going to California because I want to see it." "Well, I'll be doggoned!" "I figure it sounds kind of crazy... to most people... going to California just to see it." "But there's a gallivanting bug in my blood... and that's the way I am." "Here I am offering you just the kind of job you said you wanted... and you talk about traveling 700 miles to go sightseeing." "Well, it ain't that I don't want to work." "There's something I got to do first." "What can you do in California you can't do here?" "Lie down under a shade tree." "Well, run me ragged." "I'll be heading back this way, though, when that gallivanting fever goes out of me." "Because I'm sort of fond of you." "It doesn't matter to me whether you come back or not." "Now, listen, don't act like that." "We both know we're partial to each other." "And the best thing I can do is... get the wandering done while it won't do no harm." "Will you be watching when we leave tonight?" "I don't know." "Maybe, maybe not." "There's only one more thing to be said." "When I come back this way, it will probably be to settle down for good... and I'll be looking for you." "We're leaving from the Plaza." "Well, I'll be dogged." "Remember the name, Peter Muncie." "Come back, Peter Muncie." "Phoebe... there's crazy talk around town you're going into the freighting business." "There is nothing crazy about it." "Ward... some day Warner and I'll have a train that'll make yours look like a lop-wheeled shay." "And people will be getting their goods at fair prices." "Maybe." "And maybe some day when you're running the freighting business..." "I'll be baking pretty pies." "You got a lot to learn, Phoebe." "Turn off to the feed store and start unloading." " Terry!" " Yes, ma'am." "The next two go to Warner's." "You two go to Warner's." "I got four barrels of salt fish for you, Sam, the best you can get." " Fine." "You're back early." " Yeah." " Terry." " Yes, ma'am." "Take care of Meyer's and the restaurant." "Have Steve unload at Hughes and send the last wagon over to my place." "Yes, Miss Phoebe." "You see that, Ward?" "Eight wagons top-heavy with freight." "You'd better start baking those pies." "Phoebe freighting and telling you to bake pies." "That sure would be comical, you baking pies." "Yeah, wouldn't it?" "Two days early." "Phoebe, you're a wonder." "No Indian trouble?" "We had a little brush with 10 Apaches... but they hightailed it before we could fire our second shots." "Sol..." "I got a real buy in Yuma." "Eight of the fanciest cast-iron stoves you ever saw." " Cast-iron stoves!" " Yeah." "Phoebe, where in tarnation can we sell eight stoves?" "There'll be women coming in here... and women from the East want to do their cooking in the house." "In the next five years, I'll bet you sell 100 stoves." "I'll live to be 90 and won't even sell two stoves." "Well, what else did you get I didn't order?" "Oh, fancy bolt cloth, needles..." "Needles you can sell for five cents apiece." "Phoebe, you're a caution." "Sol, we're going to make more money than we ever dreamed of, and honest." "And remember this." "Soon as I get enough for my ranch..." "I'm going to turn this whole business over to you... and I'm going to settle down to raise cattle and a family." "You need a husband for that." "I know where I can get one." "Things are coming our way fast, aren't they?" "Faster than we ever hoped." "Well, that's usually the time to start pulling in your belt." "You talk like an old squaw." "Yes, sir, things are breaking just the way I want them." "Say, what day of the month is this?" "12th." "April 12th." "Message from Maj. Gen. Lynde, sir." "At ease." "Go to the mess hall." "Tell them my orders are that you are to have anything you want to eat and drink." "Thank you, sir." " It." "Chapin." " Yes, sir." "Well, here it is." "War." "Our orders are to abandon and destroy our post... to burn everything between the Colorado and the Rio Grande... that might be food for the rebels." ""March out with your guns loaded..." ""and do not permit any citizen within three miles of your lines."" "There they go... the only law and order and protection we have known in the Arizona Territory." "Who could believe that we would be cast aside by our own government?" "That wanton acts of destruction are being committed by soldiers... to whom we look for security." "At this very moment, gentlemen... we are being officially abandoned by the Army of the United States of America." "What grand reward for those of us who raised that flag in childish loyalty." "Grain fields are being destroyed... livestock butchered... and by these traitorous acts... the government has demonstrated that it considers us... its own citizens, enemies, unworthy to live." " You're right." " Yes." "Well, what are we going to do about it?" "Stay here and be massacred by the Apaches... in a hopeless struggle to save what we have built?" "No!" "Mr. Oury... am I hearing right?" "Are you talking about giving Arizona back to the Indians?" "That's one way of saying it, Phoebe." "Like Oury says... it's better to leave what we built here than get our bones picked clean by buzzards." "What did you ever build?" "Help me up there, Grant." "Men..." "I know this hits all of us pretty hard." "We all sort of figured the Union troops might have to leave us... to fight in the war back east." "But we didn't want to think about it." "So now it's happened." "And the first thing you do is start hollering uncle." "Why do you want to quit now?" "Miss Phoebe, I'd follow you head-on into a barreled cactus... but there's some shenanigans that oughtn't to be did... like staying on here for one thing." "Terry's right." "We'd be fools to stay around here with the Army gone." "I'm leaving tonight!" "Gentlemen, may I have your attention." "Gentlemen, a little courtesy, please." "If you please, gentlemen, if you please." "Thank you very much." "I'd say, gentlemen... that this lady has made you look... like a bunch of mice." "Who are you to have an opinion?" "Jefferson Carteret." "You're quite fortunate that I just arrived by stage... because it's obvious that this town could use a little backbone right now." "Much obliged, Mr. Carteret." "Men... we didn't come to Arizona for peace and quiet." "We came here because it's in our blood to be where there's a hard life to be lived." "We've always been that way." "Why do you want to run out because the government has quit?" " I'm staying, Phoebe." " Here, here." "I was never leaving." "I wasn't worried about you men... but what about all the rest of you out there?" "Who's staying?" "All right, Miss Phoebe, consider me swayed by the will of the people." "Next election we have, you'll be swayed plenty." "We'll stay, won't we?" "Sure, we'll all stay, and we'll get soldiers here to protect us." "The Union don't want us, but there's somebody does." "Jeff Davis and the Confederate States of America." "How about it?" "How about right here and now..." "Arizona declaring its allegiance to the flag of the South?" "I'm for it." "At least we'll be treated like human beings." "I don't care who we declare for so long as there's an Arizona Territory." "Are we staying?" "Yeah!" "That's what I wanted to hear." "Come on, Sol." "Let's have a cheer for Jeff Davis." "For the Confederates." "For the flag of the South." "Well, I guess they have a right to do that... when the North's run off with the only flag we know." "The Union can't be blamed, Phoebe." "Using soldiers to hold the country together is more important... than just watching over a few venturesome souls in Arizona." "I'm not blaming anybody but it gets my dander up... to see how a doggoned war can mess up the plans of people... who want to mind their own business." " Well, there's troubled times ahead." " Yeah." "Wars don't last forever." "We'll have to work twice as hard and think twice as fast." "Lots of us are staying here... but later on, there's going to be plenty that's decided to pull out for safer country." "Let them." "And I'll buy their land with every dollar I've got." "When good times come back..." "I'll have a ranch you can't ride across in two days." "Sol, this is a territory to invest in for the future." "I never said it ain't." "We're going to have our hands full getting freight through." "Freighting?" "Phoebe, do you know that even stagecoaches won't run after today?" "People got to have food just the same... and things to wear, and we're going to bring them in." "We ain't hauling a pound of freight till I decide there's a chance to get through... or till there's soldiers again in this territory." " I say we are!" " I say we ain't!" "Phoebe, don't you understand?" "It's not that I'm afraid." "I never ran away from a fight yet." "But now is the time to sit tight... until we see what's going to happen." "I know how you feel, Sol, but I don't think that way." "I'm starting tomorrow night for Fort Yuma with all our wagons... and I'm bringing them back loaded." "Are we still partners?" "No, Phoebe..." "I'll have nothing to do with sending drivers to be murdered." "Suit yourself, Sol." "Can I use your share of the outfit?" "Thanks." "No hard feelings?" "Of course not." "It'll be what I haul that'll keep your store open." "Who asked you in my office?" " Office?" " No man comes in here unless I want him to." "And no man stays in Tucson if I don't like him." "I'm here and I'm staying in Tucson." "Sit down." "I know all about you, Ward." "Yeah?" " Where are you from?" " Poor but honest parents." " Is that a joke?" " You're the joke." " Listen here!" " You listen." "My name's Jefferson Carteret." "I heard you in the Plaza." "You and your smart talk..." "Anybody with sense would know... the Confederates can't spare enough soldiers to handle this territory." "Why, in two months the Indians'll have us barricaded in and starving to death." "You have a freighting business." "Right now there's a fortune to be made and you're stealing pennies." " I was doing all right." " All right." "But now with nobody to keep the Indians in line..." "Get them on your side." "How many guns can you lay your hands on?" " Why?" " I said how many guns?" "There's eight cases of Sharps rifles I'm supposed to haul to Tubac." " Ammunition?" " Yeah." "Who's the head Indian around here?" " Mano." " How can we talk to him?" "You're crazy." "You mean make a deal with Mano?" " The soldiers are gone, aren't they?" " Yeah, but you..." "This country is wide open for the Indians, isn't it?" "Well, what do the Indians need most?" "Guns and ammunition." "To blow our heads off?" "Not our heads." "We'll supply the guns and ammunition on condition... that Mano doesn't bother our freighting wagons." "Our wagons?" "From now on, I'm your silent partner." "And, Ward, you needed one badly..." " because you're just a downright idiot." " Nobody can say that about me." "I said it." "Why?" "That woman who spoke in the Plaza, Phoebe Titus." "What were you doing while she built up that freighting outfit?" "I done everything a man could." "It's all so simple." "Hire her good drivers away from her and from anyone else in the business." "Pay big wages that no one else can meet... and add it on to the cost of hauling." "Yeah, I can do that." "That's good, ain't it?" "I'll show you how to run this town." "Get word to Mano that you want to make a treaty with him, and do it right away." " Now look here, you..." " I'm talking." "And get those guns and ammunition loaded onto a wagon." "And remember this..." "As far as the people of Tucson are concerned..." "I despise you just as much as does any other decent citizen." "Never speak to me in public." " Never mention our partnership." " I don't care who you are." "You ain't going to come here and start ordering me around." " My freighting business belongs to me." " I don't play, Ward." "Either you take me into partnership or I'll run everything alone." "And you won't be around." "80 guns... and 16,000 rounds of linen cartridges... down there in the wagon, and more later." "Here's the mark we'll use on our wagons, a black cross." "Those are the only wagons you let through." "What you do, not make treaty... but take guns away, kill you?" "I come to Mano knowing of his great name and honor." "Yeah, me, too." "Give me your guns, I let your wagons go through." "Well, good." " Thank you, Chief." " Yeah, that's fine." "You're the only real teamster we've got, Terry." " Keep those wagons in line ahead of you." " I'll do my best." " Well, did you get to Mano?" " Yep." "That wagon train will never get a mile out of town." "What did you tell him?" "Like you said, that they wasn't only going for supplies... but to get soldiers from Fort Yuma." "Ward, what happens tonight will throw the whole freighting business..." " right into our laps." " Yes, sir." "This territory is too important to be abandoned for long." "It's the link with the Far West." "Whoever controls it will have a big job on his hands, and a big reward." " That's me, huh?" " Yes, officially that's you." "Stupid." " I heared you." " Oh, all right." "You "heared" me." "And don't follow me." " Phoebe!" " Yes, Sol?" "I know what I said yesterday was right about this being crazy... but I sure am sorry you wouldn't let me join up." "I know that, Sol, but you belong here to keep this town running till we get back." "Be praying for you." " Good luck." " Thanks." "Don't let them leave while I'm gone." "Take care of yourself." "Indians!" "Indians!" "The Indians are coming!" "Indians!" "Warner, Indians are attacking Phoebe's wagon train." "Hang on to them, Ed." "Have the Indians attacked so close to town before?" "It's those troops leaving." " You all right, Phoebe?" " Yeah." "Well, I asked them to stay." "Now it looks like they'll never be able to leave, let alone get in supplies." "All I can say is I didn't know how bad things were going to be." "This would have happened to those who were going yesterday." " You're not to blame." " Of course not." "And we'll get supplies somehow." "Sure we will, and I'm still glad I'm here." "Doggone it, I wish a certain fella would quit playing his banjo in California." "Union soldiers are coming." "Hundreds of them!" "Much more on their way!" " Union soldiers?" " Yep." "Union soldiers are coming." " Are they going to stay here?" " What do you think they'll do to us?" " This is Confederate territory." " It ain't no more." " Not with the Union soldiers moving in." " You know what we'll be?" "Prisoners of war." "They'll take our property away from us and drive us out of Arizona." "No, they won't." "Can't blame us for being deserted by the government now." "I'm for being back in the Union no matter what happens." "We belong to the United States again and I'm telling the world I'm doggone glad." "Let the soldiers know how we feel." "Give them a real greeting." "Hey, there's Sol." "Hi, Sol!" "Ain't this something to holler about?" "Hiya, fellas." "Hi, Phoebe." "Look what we met." " Where are they from?" " Advance guard, California Column." "California?" " Say, I wonder if..." " Yeah, he's here." "Hey, Miss Phoebe." "Well, soldier, did you see California?" "Yep, heard there was trouble out here." "Glad to see us?" "That flag sure seems homelike." "Still baking them pies?" "Maybe, for a hungry man." "You better start making tracks for home... 'cause soon as I can figure to get leave from this Army..." " you're going to have a visitor." " There'll be a pie." "What do we do now?" "Put it on the table over there." "Now you stay out of here unless I call you, see?" "Well, I'll be dogged." "What's ailing you?" "Phoebe, you know, this is the first time I ever seen you in a dress?" "Any complaints?" "Just like I always figured." "You sure are pretty." "Nobody could look pretty feeling as silly as I do." "Well, there's a dinner on the table." "You claim to be a man... let's see what you can do to it." "Well, I'll be dogged." "Turkey?" "Who shot it for you?" "Who do you think?" "I tailed it for two hours." "Pie, turkey..." "Phoebe, you sure are pretty." "There ain't been a dinner like that in or near me in a long spell." "Not even in California." "You aren't much of a hand to talk while you eat, are you?" "Meals like that don't come often." "A lot happened to Arizona since you left." "Those soldiers sure are welcome." "I enlisted in California soon as I heard about it." "I'm ready to settle down now." "That gallivanting fever is gone for good." "Well, you're in the Army, Sergeant." "You'll go where they tell you." "My enlistment is up soon." "Maybe I can get free even before then." "Is that job still open?" "The stock could use some water." "I asked you a question." "I know you did." "I'm thinking." "A man named Jefferson Carteret came here after you left." "He helped to hold this town together... when it looked like there wasn't going to be any more town." "You mean you took a fancy to him?" "I didn't say that." "I'm just sizing you up by comparing you." "Carteret wasn't jigging around California when I needed help." "Didn't go looking for a shade tree when the rumpus started." "I knew you'd never understand that." "I understood, all right." "But I'm different now." "Are you?" "A year ago you went away, said, "See you soon."" "Now you're back saying, "Grab me while I'm here."" "What's different?" "Maybe I don't stand up so good when you start comparing." "I wish there was some way to show you how I am now." "There is." "Tell me." "All I want is a chance." "When will the Colonel be here with the main body of troops?" "A couple of weeks." "Why?" "I'm going to have the best ranch in Arizona." "But it takes money to get started." "I want you to go to the Colonel and get me an Army freighting contract." "Is that all?" "Just walk up to the Colonel and make him sign a contract." "It can be done, for instance, by a man who wants to prove how good he is." "Why don't you ask me something easy like walking on water with a horse on my back." "You asked for a chance, there it is." "Good evening, Miss Phoebe." "Oh, Mr. Carteret, good evening." "How are you?" "I'm well, thank you." "I was just passing by and stopped to pay my compliments." "But I didn't know you had company." "You know now." "Mr. Carteret, this is Sgt. Muncie." "Peter, that's no way to be." "I'm being the way I want." "And this what's-his-name don't fit into my idea of a pleasant evening." "Mr. Muncie!" "I'll consider the source, Miss Phoebe." "Meanwhile, I hope to see you soon, without the gentleman in the Union suit." " Good evening." " Good evening." "So that's what you've been comparing me with." "Insulting respectable people in Arizona isn't good for your health." "I don't like him." "How do you know?" "You never met him before." "I got a good nose." "He happens to be something you'll never be, a gentleman." "He happens to be a sweet-looking dude... and a woman that'd pay any heed to him ought to have her head looked into." "Oh, I see." "In other words, you mean I'm just plumb crazy." " Phoebe, I was only trying to tell you that..." " Good night, Sgt. Muncie." "Good night." "The dinner was good." "I'll see what I can do about that Army freighting contract." "Teresa, I think I picked myself a man." ""There being no security of life or property within its borders..." ""it becomes the duty of the undersigned Col. Carleton..." ""to represent the authority..." ""of the United States over the people of Arizona."" "Martial law, that's what it is." "That sure fixes you, Judge." "My good man..." "Gentlemen, the Colonel has merely stepped in... to relieve me of a few of my administrative duties." "I accept his generous offer of cooperation with open arms." "That's what you say." "Don't crowd me." "Let's see, where was I?" "The Colonel's just declared martial law." "Yeah?" "And Phoebe's already got an order to supply hay for the government horses." "And our drivers are quitting to hook up with her." "There's that soldier helping her." "If she supplies hay, she'll be doing their freighting next." "And with the Army contract to build on... she'll take over all the business in this territory." "Well, anyway, there's Indians to take care of her wagons." "Idiot." "She'll have Army escorts." "Ward, we haven't a chance." "Unless we stop Phoebe right at the start." " We can't fight the Army." " No." "But we can help the Army fight those who betray it." "Have you declared allegiance to the Union?" "Soon as you told me." "There's one thing in our favor." "The colonel doesn't know anything about anybody in Tucson yet." "Buttercup, as a good citizen of the Union, you're going to the Colonel... with confidential information about Miss Phoebe Titus." "That's sure taking a chance." "You want to keep control of the freighting business, don't you?" " Why, sure I do." " All right." "How would you like to see your wagons with big banners on them..." "Lazarus Ward, The Government's Choice?" " Do you think, maybe?" " I know it." "And to prove your case, we might even dig up a Confederate receipt... with Phoebe's name on it." "That alone would take the Army freighting away from her." "Carteret, I think you've figured out a honey." " Phoebe?" " Come in." "Hello." "I see your wagons are all ready." "Yep, and there's a first-rate teamster for every wagon that's lined up out there." "I'll be back in business starting at dawn, freighting for the Army." "Oh, it's a wonderful feeling." "A pie over there for you." "What's the matter?" "Phoebe, here's an order from Col. Carleton..." " canceling your freighting deal." " Canceling?" "You're to report to him tomorrow morning." "He doesn't say why." "I found out a little from the adjutant." "Somebody reported that you hauled ammunition... for the Confederates when they were here." "I did not!" " That's what I wanted to hear." " Who claims I did?" "Well, it's a confidential report." " Now that you set me straight..." " There's only one man that would do this..." "Lazarus Ward." "He's after the Army freighting business." "The trouble is, how can I prove he's a liar with the Confederates gone?" "If Ward's the one, we'll see to it that he calls himself a liar... in front of the Colonel." "Right now I've got to get back to the Army camp and find out if it was him." "I'll see you soon as I know." "Open your mouth and I'll blow a hole clean through you." "Get up." "Start for my house through that door." "Don't raise your hands, just act natural." "Never mind your boots." "What's come over you, Phoebe?" "What set you on the warpath?" "Where's Ward?" "Well, I ain't seen him since early tonight." "Maybe you can tell me where he is." "I?" "Why should I know?" "You're around here often enough to know." "Wait a minute." "Walk straight ahead." "You'll find a tinderbox." "Light the candle on the table." "Get away from that gun." "You won't be so frisky come morning." "I knew you were the one." "Sit down." "Not there, you'll poison my pie." "Get over there, hurry up." "Ward, did you ever see a man's stomach tore open by a shotgun?" "Why do you say that, Phoebe?" "If I get arrested tomorrow and sent off to Yuma, it's gonna be very unhandy." "Especially if you take over my freighting business." "I don't know what you're talking about." "Maybe you don't remember telling Col. Carleton... that I declared for the South, that I sold ammunition to the Confederates." "Me?" "There ain't a word of truth." "Ward, it's kind of horrifying to know you're going to be killed." "But it's a heap sight worse to know it's coming and not know when." "What do you mean, Phoebe?" "Can you write?" "Some." "Why?" "Write on the back of that paper." "Tell the Colonel in your own hand that you told a pack of lies about me." "I won't write nothing." "Suit yourself." "Now, some time before morning..." "I'm gonna let off both barrels of this shotgun right at you." "I don't know just what time it'll happen." "Whenever my finger gets to itching too much." "But you can depend on it." "You're going to have a double hole blowed clean through you." "Maybe 10 minutes, maybe two hours." "All you have to do is sit comfortable till I think it's the right time." "You wouldn't do it." "I'm not ready yet." "Honest, Phoebe." "I never told the Colonel nothing." "Honest." "Well, I guess I'd better be getting this over with." " Brace yourself." " Don't pull!" "I'll write." "Don't pull." "I'll write." "You come close to being too late." "Take that pencil and write down what I say." "Col. Carleton, there wasn't a word of truth to..." "Go ahead." "Write." "Yeah." "So I'm supposed to sit quiet and write my life away." "Now we'll see who's getting holes blowed in them." "Drop that gun." " Let's have some light in here, Phoebe." " Soldier, am I glad to see you." " I've been looking for you, Ward." " He's the one, all right." "That's what I found out." "I was only trying to make a living." "Almost had him writing a letter to the colonel." "Well, Ward, I'll make it easy to understand." "I don't like you and it would be a pleasure to kill you." "You sit down and start writing or I'll pull this trigger fast till it won't shoot no more." "I'll tell him what to put down." "Whatever you want." "Col. Carleton, there wasn't a word of truth to what I said... about Phoebe Titus hauling ammunition for the Confederates." "You're talking too fast." "Then listen to me once and write it the second time." "I want to get this set in my mind right now." "I made it up to get rid of her, so as I could ruin her freighting business." "She never took sides either way, but minded her own business." "And furthermore, Col. Carleton, I am a no-good skunk." "Yeah, that makes it plain." "That's what you'll put down just before you sign your name." "And now since you've got a pretty good idea, let's start writing again." "Col. Carleton, there wasn't a word of truth to what I said..." "Say, you'd better stay here tonight and guard this skunk... so we can deliver him and his message to the Colonel in the morning." "You're the boss." "Ward, when you did this to my pie, you went too far." " We're all ready to go, ma'am. 10 wagons." " All right." " Pick up your Army escort at the camp." " Yes, ma'am." "Indians start anything, take your orders from whoever's in charge of the soldiers." "That suits me." "See you soon." "So long, Terry." "Hiya, pop." "Hello, lady." "Joe, better go get your eats." "Wouldn't I be a mess scrunched over a bunch of figures in here?" "What made you think of that?" "I'm leaving the Army." "Getting your discharge?" "Couple of weeks." "I thought it all over, Phoebe." "I concluded you need somebody around here." "That's right." "You been having more trouble than one person can handle." "So I decided we better share it, all the way." "You asking me to marry you?" "Roundabout." "Is there still something you don't like about me?" "No, it's not that." "If there wasn't something I didn't like about a man..." "I couldn't stand the sight of him." "Then what's troubling you?" "Do you know why I'm working so hard in this freighting business?" "You said once so you'd have the best ranch in Arizona." "I got the ranch land." "Bought it dirt cheap from people pulling out of here." "Now all I have to do is build on it and irrigate." "I know some about ranching." "Can you tell good cattle when you see them?" "That ain't hard." " Seen any around here?" " No." "Peter, I'll tell you honest." "There's nothing I'd like better than to have you move out onto that ranch... with me as my husband." "Well, I'm glad to hear it." "As soon as you take care of a little errand for me." " Errand?" " Yeah." "I want you to go to Nebraska Territory... pick out 500 head of the best eastern-bred cattle and bring them back here." "Errand?" "It won't be long now before the railroads will be getting this far west." "They'll bring in more people than you can shake a stick at." "Mining men, thousands of real American families." "And I'm going to be ready for them... with the finest herd of beef and dairy cattle in this territory." "Nebraska." "The war hasn't hit Nebraska yet." "There's bound to be men there that got out of the East with their stock... before trouble started." "I want you to pick out 500 head of the best." "Gosh almighty." "I'm quitting the Army to settle down with you... and the first thing you do is send me away for a honeymoon with 500 cows." "And who can say they won't be fighting the whole darn war in Nebraska... when I get there?" "The next time the Army paymaster comes to town, I'll have $15,000, all told." "I'm turning that over to you, every cent I have in the world... to make something possible I've dreamed about ever since I came to Arizona." "That money is our life together, our future." "I'm trusting it to you." "Who said I was going?" "You'll go." "Yes, I'll go, because a man in love with a woman don't have his right mind." "It sounded kind of pretty the way you said it... about our life together, our future." "You're the one that can make it happen." "But right now I'm going out and buy myself a drink... a sheepherder's delight with a mule's hind foot in it." "Maybe then my head'll quit rattling." "Errand!" "I hope that Army paymaster don't run out of money." "They owe me for 200 hams." "Considering the load of money that Phoebe carried out of here... he might go bankrupt at that." "Evening, Sergeant." "Helping to keep the town quiet?" "Yep." "Last night in the Army and I drew patrol duty." "Well, Judge, Johnny take care of you all right?" "No complaints, Sol." " Howdy, soldier." " Judge." "Looks like a little Arizona dew." "Mind if we share your dry spot?" "It's still a free country." "Well, sir, I'm always glad when that Army paymaster of yours comes to town." "Government pays what it owes to the people, soldiers spend what they earn... and everybody in town gets benefited or drunk." "From what I remember you should be carousing around with the worst of them." "No, I'm a changed man, soldier." "My heart did a back tumble on me and I sort of got religion." "I ain't had a drink in six months... and even Miss Phoebe took kindly to me." "Well, the ranchers can use this rain." "It sure is good." "Warner, you've lived in Tucson quite a spell." "Do people get out of hand much... celebrating when the Army paymaster comes to town?" "Oh, a little shooting and such." "This is a good time to have your money in a San Francisco bank." "I only drew out enough for operating expenses." "I tried to tell Phoebe to leave hers on deposit." "Well, maybe the rains will keep things quiet." "I guess I'm due for some sleep." "Good night." "Evening." "All ready." "I saw her put the money in the safe." "Carteret, I don't know about blowing that safe." "It'll make a lot of noise." "Try to make her give you the key." "These men are supposed to be bandits from Mexico, they're not to talk." " I only thought..." " I told you to quit thinking." "Get whatever is in the safe, head for the border and then circle back here." " Is that plain?" " Yeah." "Sure." " All right, clear out." " Yeah, clear out!" "Well, that's that." "Why couldn't you wait to get your money from the Army paymaster tomorrow... when I'd be out of the Army." "What happened, Phoebe?" "Joe, go to the Army post." "Tell them Mexican bandits just robbed me of $15,000." "I'll be dogged." "Which way did they head?" "Back towards Sonora, no telling where they'll end up." " Hurry, Joe." " Yes." "Why don't you start after them?" "Nobody's ever going to trail those men." "It's raining pitchforks." "There won't be a sign left." "Well, we might as well give up our trip to Nebraska." "Good morning." " Oh, hello." " Have you got a minute?" "Sure." "Joe, you'd better go get your eats." " Have a seat." " Thank you." "Well, I haven't seen you around lately." "I've been away quite a bit." "Investigating mining properties." "I was sorry to hear of the robbery." "Oh, spilled milk." "Miss Phoebe, I don't want to seem meddlesome... but several people have told me that on account of the robbery... you're in rather a difficult position over some plans you've made." "Well, I guess it's no secret." "To speak plain, I'm just about stopped cold." "They say you'd like to bring some eastern-bred cattle here." "Well, do you think I'm crazy, too?" "Here's my opinion." "When a lady has that much faith in herself and in the future of this territory..." "I'd say she was a better investment than a copper mine." "I'll lend you as much as you need." "You mean you'll lend me $15,000?" "15 or 20, at any interest you think it's worth." " Is 6% all right?" " Certainly." "We'll name your freighting equipment and ranch land as security." " If you think it's too much..." " No, that's fair." "I'll draw up the note and bring the money." "It'll be a few minutes." "Mr. Carteret, if there was any way of thanking you..." "Oh, that's all right." "I wish you and your soldier the best of luck." " Where did you get it?" " Carteret." " Why did you go to him?" " I didn't." "He came to me." " I know you don't think much of him, Peter..." " Where'd he get $15,000?" "He came out here to invest in mining properties." "He came to you, huh?" "Just walked up and offered the money." "Yeah." "How much did you have to give for it?" "6%." "And I put up my... freighting property and ranch land for security." "Maybe if I'd thought about it for a while I never would have taken the loan." "But it was my only chance to get what was almost lost for good, so I grabbed it." "Well, I guess you know your own business." "But from the little checking I've been doing..." "I'd say the whole thing smells of polecat." "Why?" "Phoebe, I'm the man you're going to marry, is that right?" " Yes." " So when I tell you the man's no good... without being able to prove it, whose side are you on?" " You know the answer to that." " All right." "Well, anyway, he's furnished what we wanted." "Plenty of time to check up on him when you get back from Nebraska." "Yeah." "I'd better get ready... because the quicker I leave, the quicker I'll get back." "Then I'll do some real finding out." " Did you do it?" " Yep!" "If Muncie doesn't get back to Arizona with the cattle... we'll take over Phoebe's freighting business and land." "If he does, there'll be an Indian attack just before he reaches Tucson... and we'll still own everything the lady has." "And all did with her own money." "Yes, sir, buttercup." "That's how it's did." "Well, I'm ready." "Say." "Oh, Teresa made this specially for your going away." "So we don't have to say anything more about that." "All right." "There's an Army scouting party leaving." "Be good company as far as Camp Bowie." " From then on..." " I ain't worried." "Maybe I been crawdadding quite a bit about the trouble I'd run into, but..." "I kind of think I'm going to enjoy it." "I know." "Hang on to that money." "It's going to spoil my rest... but I'll sleep on it every night." "There's a little something I got for you to take along." "It might come in handy with you traveling alone so much." "Well, I'll be." " I never seed a gun this pretty." " It's a Henry." "The important thing is it shoots 16 brass cartridges without reloading." "Sixteen?" "This case is filled with cartridge tubes." "All you have to do is... empty one of these into your gun and start shooting." "More shells in that package." "Phoebe, I never expected nothing like this." "That ranch will be ready when you get back." "Every penny I make freighting will be spent in building." "There's good adobe for bricks right on the place... labor's cheap." " You sure sound like you mean business." " I do." "We're going to have the best cattle ranch in Arizona." "I wish I could forget that you're a woman, and I'm leaving you here alone." "If you run into any trouble, save it for me." "And if you happen to find out my guess is right about that dude... keep quiet till I get back." "Whatever you do, don't talk out of turn." "I'll take care of myself." "I guess the trip will take about six months... buying the cattle and lining up some good hands to bring them back... but don't you worry." "Peter." "Gosh almighty." " That sure was good." " Now, skedaddle." "Those soldiers will be on their way back before you get started." " Phoebe, could I..." " I said skedaddle." "Everything will be waiting on you." "See you sometime, honey." "I want some cloth for curtains, 15 yards, finest chintz you got." "And all the china dishes you can lay your hands on." "Phoebe..." "I don't mind selling all the things you've ordered these past months... but why do you keep on putting every dollar you earn into that ranch?" "I told Peter it would be ready when he got back." "Besides, where is there a better place to put it?" "Well, I just mean that anybody that owes as much money as you do... should be careful about what's spent." "Especially when you're in debt to a man like Carteret." "Why do you say "a man like Carteret"?" "Well, I can't just put my finger on why I don't trust the man... but there is plenty of other people in town getting suspicious of him, too." "Why?" "Well, I guess it's mainly because he don't seem to be doing nothing for a living." "And being seen around so much lately with Ward." "Yeah." "Peter gave me some ideas about Carteret a long time ago." "I guess he knew what he was talking about." "What did he say?" "Now you just forget about that." "See that everything gets out to my house the first of the week... because it will be ready inside by then." "All right, I'll bring the last load out myself." " Like to see how the place is coming." " Good." "Say, keep your ears open for any word from Army scouts... about any cattle headed this way." "Teresa." "Here comes Sol with another load." "Have a couple of men move it into the house, will you?" "Take it around the back." " Hiya, Sol." " Hi, Phoebe." "Well, there is your last load." " I guess that about winds up everything." " Thanks, Sol." " Heard any news from the Army scouts yet?" " Not yet." "Those cattle are getting near, I can feel it in my bones." "Well, how does the place look to you now?" "Couldn't be better." "The rest of the fruit trees get put in today... all the planting around the house." "Now all we need is that furniture sitting in the rooms... and the smell of some good cooking in the kitchen." "Say, you sure talk a fine meal." " That tree helps a lot, don't it?" " Yeah, I suppose so." "How?" "It's nice to have plenty of shade... for a man to cool off in the heat of the day... and watch his cattle grazing down there in the valley." "That man, huh?" "Yep, that man." "Say, wouldn't it be something... if you was to have the first American baby born in Arizona?" "Why not?" "Well, I guess you..." "What does he want?" "Now, be careful, Phoebe, he's done nothing wrong till there's proof." "Don't worry." " Good morning." " Howdy." " Good morning." " Have you heard from Mr. Muncie?" " No." " That's very unfortunate." "There's no cause to worry." "I'm sorry I can't agree with you." "What do you mean?" " That loan's due tomorrow." " Tomorrow?" "I don't remember you setting any date." "You accepted the money on those terms." "I don't care what your terms are." "I can't pay you that soon." "You know she can't pay now." "You know this just fits in with what I've been guessing about you... and your business dealings." "Miss Phoebe, you've accused me of something." "What?" "Just what you think." "You owe me a direct answer." "Is that right, Warner?" "She's never traded yet on being a woman... have you, Phoebe?" "That doesn't matter." "I have a man to answer for what I say." "That satisfies me." " Say it." " All right." "I've concluded that a woman that borrows her own money that was stolen from her... is a downright fool." "That isn't quite clear." "You didn't have the money to lend me till after my safe was robbed." "Is that clear?" "It is." "Carteret, if you'll allow for the fact that Phoebe's upset about this..." "Never mind." "I've been called a thief... by someone I tried to help." "All right..." "I'll take over this property tomorrow... and get satisfaction from Mr. Muncie, if he returns." "Whoa!" "Hold the wagon." "All right, go ahead." "Tell Mano the important thing is to get those cattle away from Muncie." " Yes, sir." " He'll need about 50 Indians for that." "Stupid." "Those men with Muncie are fighters or they wouldn't have come this far." " Tell Mano we'll need 100 braves." " Yes, sir." "Say, Phoebe... there's a scout says a cattle outfit is camped a half day east of here." " How many cattle?" " 500, 600." "Did the scout say anything about it being Muncie's outfit?" "No, it came through in a hurry." "It's bound to be him." " Where are you going?" " I'm riding out to meet him." "Through that Indian country?" "You won't leave here unless you get an Army escort..." " not if I have to hog-tie you." " What do you think could harm me now?" "Then I'll go with you." "No, you won't." "This is something that belongs to me." "Alone." "You did it." " Are these Muncie's cattle?" " Yeah." "Where is he?" "There's your cows." "How many did you lose?" "Started out with 506, got this far with 520... counting calves." "Well, they look kind of gaunt." "You might say they'd come a little ways." "Did you have much of a trip?" "Brushed three times with Sioux and once with Apaches." "I ain't sorry it's finished." "What was I saying about this trip being finished?" "They're after our cattle." " We're losing our cattle, let's fight." " That won't help." "We got one chance." "Have the men on this side get ahead of the herd... and we'll try to stampede them back into the Indians." "Hurry." "Get to the head of the herd." "We're gonna drive them into the Indians." "Say, this must have been some errand." "Well, you finally owned up you didn't send me after a spool of thread." "Yeah." "Those cattle sure earned a rest." "You better have that ranch ready." "It's ready, all right... if we can hang onto it." "What happened?" "Carteret put a time limit on that loan." " He's taking over everything." " He is, huh?" "Not while I'm around." "I've had plenty of time to figure on this trip... and I decided Carteret's behind everything that's been working against you." "He's been seen around a lot with Ward lately." "The whole town's noticed it." "That makes my figuring right." "I'll bet this herd of cattle they stole your $15,000." "I hope you can prove that in a hurry... because I already talked us into a mess." "I told you to keep quiet till I got back." "I know, but... when Carteret showed up yesterday to collect..." "I kind of lost my head." "What did you say?" "I called him a thief." "He said I wouldn't dare say that if I wasn't a woman." "Well?" "I told him I had a man to answer for what I said." "That's right." "That's what you should've said." "All he wanted was an excuse to start gunning for you." "Now he's got it." "No telling what will happen." "Yeah." "Now don't you start looking for trouble." "The important thing for us to do is to figure out how to hang onto that ranch." "I was afraid things might get quiet... but with Carteret gunning for me... there's gonna be plenty happening around Tucson when we get in." "Let's go." "There's a turnoff ahead that goes right past the ranch." "Turnoff?" "Lady, we're driving this herd of cattle right to Tucson... so the whole blamed town can take a look." " No." " Yes." "Get them moving." "That puddingheaded Indian chief." "All those guns and he still lets Muncie get through." "You're always the smart one." "What can we do?" "It looks like I'll have to take care of Mr. Muncie right now." "You can't shoot from here." " The whole town would know." " Shut up." "But you've..." "There they are." "I wish you'd picked a safer way to show off these cattle." " Keep your eyes peeled for trouble now." " I know what I'm doing." " Good work, Muncie." " Thanks, Bart." "We're all ready to start celebrating as soon as you set the date for that wedding." "Well, you can pick your own date, just so it's no later than tomorrow." " Right?" " Yeah, well, let's get moving." "You can give the bride away, Sol, and Bart, you can hold me up." "I sure hope there'll be no shooting match to spoil this." " Where are you going?" " After Carteret." "Now's as good a time to settle as any." "Wait!" "Your errand isn't finished till you get these cattle onto that ranch, that comes first." " Listen, Phoebe..." " We'll take care of personal matters later." "Let's finish what we're doing." "A man can't even pick his own time to go skunk hunting." "Why can't we go out tomorrow and take over the ranch before they raise the money?" "Then we can sell it for more than they owe us." "Be quiet." "There he is." "Wait!" "I got something to say about this, I'm your partner." "Yes, I hadn't thought..." " You're still my partner." " This shooting won't help nothing." "Ward, at last you've used your head." "You're right." "A shooting won't help." "No." "Let's get out of town for a while, in case Muncie starts looking for me." "Then, when we come back, we can take over legally, as you suggested." "You're getting me so upset lately, I'm surprised I can think at all." "In a little while, though... you won't have anything to worry about, partner." "You sure you got that paper wrote good?" "We can demand the security or the money outright..." " without having to foreclose or nothing?" " That I can." " Quit talking that way." " You're raising your voice, Ward." "I don't like that." "Then stop acting funny." "You get me so I don't know whether you're waiting to plug me in the back, or what." "I'm a man of my word." "I don't shoot people in the back." "And I haven't forgotten that you took me into partnership... when I didn't have a penny in the world." "That means a lot to me, Ward." "I just wanted you to know that I appreciate that... even if I do like my little joke now and then." "That's all right." "We'll break up our partnership if you want... but we'll still be the best of friends." " Won't we?" " Sure." "I'm sorry for the way I acted." "But so many things have been happening to me..." "I guess I'm getting too suspicious, I..." "You next, Mr. Muncie." " Who did this?" " Muncie." "What did you tell him?" "He acted like he knew everything about us." "I had to keep answering questions or... get killed." "What did you tell him?" "All about robbing Phoebe, the Indian deal... everything." " If you aren't out of town in five minutes..." " I'll go." "Where's Timmins and Longstreet?" "Cleared out, headed for Yuma." " You're the only proof Muncie's got." " I know." "My horse is outside." "Start moving." "Sure." "They won't catch me." "Where's Ward?" "Get moving." "We'll need lots of room for the wedding." " Everybody within 50 miles will be here." " Sure." "Free drinks, free dancing, and plenty of free-for-alls." "Gentlemen." "There's a kind of religious feel to this wedding... of Phoebe Titus and Peter Muncie." "And I'd say the festivities ought to be sort of decorous." "Meaning the whole town shouldn't get drunk simultaneous?" "There's just one way to do this." "Start her whizzing at sunup and let her rip..." " till the whole town's wore out." " That's what I'm saying." "What's a celebration without any celebrating?" " Sure!" " My friends, them days is gone." "We're..." "Well, Muncie... it looks like you sort of caught us in the act of preparing for your wedding." "Yeah." "I don't mean to interrupt your plans, gentlemen... but I wonder if anybody can tell me where I can find Carteret?" " He might be in Ward's saloon." " I've been there." "Come to think of it, I ain't seen him today." "Any of you men?" " No." " Nope." "I been busy since I got back... and what I found out you'll all know when the time's right." "There's a herd of skunks in this town that ain't got a right to live... and when I finish with the head one, you can do what you want with the rest." "I'm handling Jeff Carteret myself." "Men, if this wedding happens, it's gonna be darn nigh historic." "Good morning, José." "Turn the buggy around, will you, please?" "Señorita will be ready very soon." "This is a special day, so it takes time." "You wait, no?" "I guess that's the thing to do." "Well, I hurry to the Plaza now... and buy some flowers for throwing at the bride and groom." " I see you there, maybe?" " I'll be looking." "Hello, honey." "I notice you drifted right to the shade tree." "Think it's in a good spot?" "Like it was put here to order." "It was." "Well, what do you know?" "Phoebe, this may not be exactly the wedding celebration we'd hoped for." "Why?" "Well, Carteret's set to make trouble, all right... soon as we're married." "Maybe he was only talking." "A lot's been happening." "Ward's dead, and Carteret's killed Haley." "I guess he's getting his house in order... so there won't be anybody around to talk against him." "Including you." "That's fair enough, considering I'm planning the same for him." "Peter, why don't you handle this in a lawful way?" "Prove what you know about him in court, before it's too late." "I just told you he'd killed Haley, the only witness I had." "But why risk everything for the sake of a personal shooting?" "We've got ourselves to think about." "We can stop him from making trouble if you'll only ask for help." "Phoebe, ain't you the one that said you got a man to stand up for you?" "I'm sorry, I forgot." "Let's go." "I started this trouble for you... started it by talking like a darned old woman." "Straighten up." "You're supposed to be the man around here." "Not anymore." "You ain't worried, honey." "That's better." "Thanks, José." "Sure is a sight." "Let's make sure we come back to it together." "Well, you got to admit it's worth fighting for." "Here they come." "Change the music, come on." "Fellow citizens!" "This is the most important event... in the history of the Arizona territory." "The wedding of the first American woman here... marking as it does the westward strides of civilization... practically moves us up into the class of a metropolis." "What's happening now?" "The wedding's started." "Keep going." "Peter Muncie... do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife... protecting her like a man should... standing by her in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?" "I do." "Phoebe Titus... do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband... promising to stick by him, no matter how bad things get... as long as you both shall live?" "I do." "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" "I do." "You got the ring, ain't you, Bart?" "Such being the case, I hereupon order Peter Muncie... to place the symbol... of eternal faithfulness... upon the fair hand of his beloved choice... and repeat after me." "With this ring, I thee wed..." "With this ring, I thee wed with my soul, I thee worship with my soul I thee worship and with all my worldly goods I thee endow." "...and with all my worldly goods I thee endow." "In consequence of which declaration..." "I now pronounce you man and wife." "Congratulations." "It's over." "They're married." "Poor Phoebe... a bride for five minutes." "Get out." "Well, I suppose you're pretty anxious to get going." "Yes, as soon as we're settled..." "Warner, would you mind opening your store... for my wife and letting her wait there for me?" "If you want." "Peter, I..." "See you later, honey." "You better stay where you are." "Let's go, Sol." "Ladies and gentlemen... this is a day of festivities." "Enjoy yourselves." "Music, my good men." "Music." "There's some... things I need for the ranch." "I'll order them while I'm here." " Phoebe, don't you think you..." " Please, write down what I order." "100 pound sack of flour... four of Pete Kitchen's hams... and... 50 pounds..." "50 pounds of sugar... best grade you got." "Phoebe... hadn't you ought to prepare yourself, just in case?" "My husband told me he'd meet me here." "Did you put down the sugar?" "I'm ready, Phoebe." "Sol, send those things out the house as soon as you can, will you?" "They'll be there today, Phoebe." " Thanks for the wedding party, fellas." " Yeah, thanks." "I'll fix that hand up when we get home." "What a woman... nothing but iron from topknot to gizzard." "And that's no jackrabbit with her." "Well, I'd say this territory's got quite a future." "Yes, sir, quite a future." "José." " Well, we're back." " Yeah." "Doggone it, Peter... if this is what it's like to be in love, I'm glad I'm only going to love but once." "Ripped by:" "SkyFury"