"Come in." "Father!" "You didn't write you were coming." "Why would I?" "I knew I would be here before any letter." "So this is where you've spent your last five years." "Going to school in the daytime, keepin' store at night." "I'm graduating' tomorrow, sir." "Your brother, lon, goin' west to seek his fortune." "He's never written me once, not all these years." "Well, lon and I were always different." "What are you doin' in st." "Louis?" "I'll tell you." "Five years ago you an' lon left home," "Like thieves in the night." "I had careers planned for you." "Careers in the army of the United States." "But no, you didn't want that." "So, I decided I'd come an' see what you've made of yourselves." "I can't speak for lon." "No, you can't." "Lon is dead." "Lon?" "I wrote letters of inquiry to almost every federal law officer" "In the western territory, an' I finally got this reply." "Says lon is dead, shot down in a gunfight." "Buried there in this place called north fork." "Signed by the marshal, with regrets, that's all." "Well, that's not enough!" "My son dead an' I don't know why or who did it." "I demand answers to these questions, I want satisfaction." "That's why I'm here, ben, you an' I," "We're goin' to this north fork." "I can't leave." "I said we're goin', ben, that's an order." "Father, I'm not goin'." "I might have expected that!" "You've disobeyed me all your lives, you an' lon." "Very well, I'll go alone." "Father!" "Don't ever call me that again." "I've no sons." "No sons left at all." "Good day, sir." "Good day to you, sir." "Road markers were down a while back," "Wondered if I was on the way to north fork." "A few more miles you'd have been there." "Say, on the way in," "You didn't see a boy, a 12-year-old on a chestnut mare," "Did you?" "No, can't say I saw anyone." "Your boy missing'?" "No, late from school." "Maybe you could use some water." "Thank you, I have sufficient." "Cavalry, huh?" "Captain josiah perry, third illinois." "Glad to know you, captain," "I'm..." "Lucas mccain." "You, uh, planning' on visiting' north fork" "Or you're just passin' through?" "You might say I am..." "Goin' to visit kin." "That's your boy?" "That's him." "Hello." "I'm sorry, pa, but when the fish started biting'," "Well, I forgot all about time." "But they'll be good for supper, though." "Mark, you were supposed to be home hours ago." "An' on the way" "Home, you were supposed to bring me my axe plate" "From the blacksmith, where is it?" "I forgot it, too." "Visit to the woodshed would sharpen his memory." "Man or boy," "Strict discipline is the only way to teach 'em." "Thanks for the advice, but I'll raise my boy my own way." "I've reared two of 'em." "Two boys, who disobeyed my wishes an' went their own ways." "If I'd beaten some sense into them when they were young," "I might have gotten better than I received." "They left me with bitterness an' heartache." "You listen to me," "Mccain, discipline that boy" "Or the same thing will happen to you." "Good day." "Who was he?" "A stranger, wanting' directions." "He sure seemed mean." "Well, he must have been hurt pretty bad." "Mark, what am I gonna do with you?" "Well, whatever you think, pa, I know it was wrong." "Knowin' is one thing an' doin' it again is another." "Now for the next week, you'll come home right after school." "An' you'll have some extra chores." "Right now, get back on that horse," "Go into town an' get my axe plate from the blacksmith" "An' don't dawdle, come right back." "Yes, sir." "Here!" "We'll have these for supper, all right?" "Relax yourself, mark," "This work will be finished in a few minutes." "Yeah, but you don't understand." "Pa wanted me to get right back." "So I'll just explain to 'im I didn't find time to finish" "The work like I promised." "Lucas will understand." "Here, run an' get yourself some candy." "By the time you get back," "I'll be finished." "All right, thanks!" "Captain perry, I told you all I know in my letter." "You mean to tell me that even with your books," "You can't remember who killed my son?" "That's right." "My son's life meant that little." "I can't accept that, marshal." "All I can say, captain, is the case is closed." "Now what good will it do it to start diggin' around" "In all the details?" "All I've got left of my son is details." "I wanna know how he died, and why." "You might not like what you hear." "I've come a long way to hear, whatever it is." "All right." "Your son was involved in a criminal attempt" "To extort money." "When he found out his plan wasn't gonna work," "He forced a gunfight hoping' to kill the man" "Who stood in his way." "Did you see it, this gunfight?" "My son..." "It wasn't a matter of cowardice?" "It was a fair fight, if that's what you mean." "The other man just happened to be a little faster." "And this other man." "Captain, why don't you just let it..." "Rest there?" "What's his name?" "I said it was a fair fight." "Namin' names won't help anything'." "I just want to see this man, an'..." "Talk to him." "I don't have to warn you, captain," "If you've come here to cause any trouble." "His name!" "Goodbye, captain perry." "I tell you, I don't remember who this lon perry was," "An' I don't remember any killing'." "He's buried out in your town's graveyard," "Killed in a gunfight last July." "Why is it so important that you find out who did it?" "I'm the boy's father." "Why don't you go talk to the marshal, maybe he'll help you," "I got work to do." "Well, son, didn't expect to see you up an' around so soon." "Oh." "Well, I was just gonna pick up some things for my pa" "An' get right back." "He's probably missing' me already." "You, uh, you don't happen to know the way to willow springs," "Do you?" "Oh sure I..." "I'll draw it for you in the dirt." "Well, fair enough." "First of all, you know the road" "That you're comin' out of town on?" "Uh-huh." "Instead of goin' straight ahead, you turn right." "Oh yeah." "You just keep followin' it, there are a few signs." "I see, you know, you are a smart, young fellow." "I wonder if you could help me." "You know, last July a man was killed in this town" "In a gunfight, name of lon perry." "You, uh, remember that?" "Why, I don't know." "Oh, sure you do." "Smart young fellow like you'd remember a gunfight." "What do you wanna know about it?" "Well, I just like to know who killed him." "You see I've been wantin' to thank whoever did it." "You wanna thank him?" "That's right." "You see, I've been lookin' for perry myself." "Oh, he was a mean one, he was." "Now it looks like someone in your town's done me a favor." "It looks like you've come to the right person." "You see, it was my pa that shot him." "Mccain?" "Yeah." "Mr. Perry, he challenged him an', well," "Pa tried to avoid a fight but..." "He had no choice." "You've been real helpful, son, real helpful." "Was that all you wanted?" "Mark?" "It wasn't ready, pa, you can ask nils." "He's right, lucas, but it's ready now." "Oh, all right, nils, well, you better get it, son," "We've gotta get back." "Thanks." "Hello, captain perry." "It was you that killed my son, mccain?" "I don't know what you're talkin' about, captain." "Stay right where you are, mccain." "You better explain, captain." "Lon perry was my boy!" "Lon?" "Lon perry, I remember." "He forced it, there was nothin' else I could do." "I know, I know all about it." "He was involved in some criminal scheme but" "But what, captain?" "But you were the one who killed him." "With all respects, captain, it was your boy who asked for it." "I'm not talkin' to you, mister!" "My boy did wrong, mccain," "I know that, an' he's dead for it." "If he was alive, I'd punish him, he disobeyed me." "Yes, he an' benjamin, both of 'em." "I had plans for him but no," "He had to come out here an' get himself killed." "But that's not gonna be the end of it, it can't be." "Well, what's all this got to do with me?" "Did you think you could kill my son, an' not be punished for it," "The same as I'd punish him if he was alive?" "Captain, you better think a minute, you - you don't really wanna punish me." "Oh, but I do, mccain, there's no one else." "You're being foolish." "Take your punishment like a man." "You're under my command now." "Don't do it, captain." "Mark!" "I'm lockin' 'im up 'til he cools off." "You better try an' talk some sense into 'im, micah." "Thank you, but you know," "He should have taken his punishment." "Would have been better for him if he had." "You don't seem very hungry, son." "Well, not much." "Is somethin' bothering' you?" "Pa, before you came into town today, well, the captain stopped" "Me an' started askin' me a lot o' questions" "About who killed lon perry." "You told 'im?" "Well, he tricked me." "He said that he wanted to thank the person who did it because," "Well, because he'd been lookin' for 'im himself." "Oh, son, that didn't give you any cause to tell 'im." "Well, I..." "I guess I was kinda proud that you were the one." "Proud!" "Now I've taught you always, there's nothin' to be proud of" "In the killin' of a man, no matter who he is" "Or what he's done!" "I know, an' I'm sorry." "Well, go on an' finish your supper." "That captain sure is a strange person." "But what I don't understand is why he wanted to punish you" "If well, if..." "He hated his son so much." "Well, mark, sometimes a man trained the way the captain's" "Been, well, he gets to livin' by the book." "You see in the army" "There's a book o' rules to study an' follow to the letter." "A lot of that book's got to do with discipline." "Keepin' his men in line an'..." "Forcin' their obedience." "Well, with captain perry, it seems he's got discipline" "All mixed up with retribution." "In his mind, somebody's gotta pay for what..." "Well, what he thinks his son did to him." "Now his son is dead an'..." "He's turned to me." "I think I understand but..." "But I'm not sure." "Well, I'm not exactly sure I've got it right, either." "Now you better finish your supper" "Or start cleaning' the dishes, huh?" "I'll finish!" "Got a hot supper for you." "Thank you, marshal." "There you are." "Marshal, if you've got nothin' better to do," "I'd appreciate the company." "How long do you figure to keep me here?" "Oh, I..." "Don't exactly know." "I'm due back at my post in four days," "An' that's a good four-day ride." "I can't help that, captain." "You probably think I went out of my head today, hmm?" "Well, that could be true." "Seein' my son's grave this mornin' did somethin' to me." "You got any..." "Children, marshal?" "No." "Well, I'd have to say you're lucky." "Those of us who have" "Children have to be lucky to have them turn out well." "Oh I don't know, I've seen plenty of 'em grow up." "Not too many of 'em go wrong." "Well, you could be right." "Maybe it's just my own hurt talkin'." "You see I had dreamed" "That they'd carry on the perry name in the service." "But they wouldn't give me that." "Now when I find ben's no more my son than an army mule," "An' I hear lon's dead, just an outlaw." "Well, nothin' much left, except feeling' hate" "An' striking' out at things." "When a man has a kin shot down, let alone a son," "It's understandable if he'd wanna go out after the killer," "No matter whose fault it was." "Well, a man might feel that way at first, but then his reason" "Ought to take over." "I can't say I blame mccain, very likely he couldn't help it." "Seems like you've changed a little since this afternoon." "Well I've done with mccain, an' with this town an' all the rest." "All I want now is to get back to my post." "Maybe back there in the life, I know I can forget all this." "Captain, will you give me your word" "You'll cause no more trouble?" "As an officer an' a gentleman." "I'm gonna take you on your word." "I..." "Don't know how to thank you properly, marshal," "For your understandin'." "Will you see that there's always a marker on my son's grave?" "Marshal, my name is ben perry." "I was told by the people at the hotel" "That you're holdin' my father." "Well, I was, I let 'im go just a little while ago." "He's gone?" "Where?" "Back to his military post." "I was told he had some trouble with a rancher today," "A- a lucas mccain?" "A little." "I'd like to apologize for my father, marshal," "He hasn't been himself lately." "I understand, mr." "Perry." "Oh, would you like a cup of coffee?" "No, thank you." "I'm obliged to you, marshal." "You didn't deserve any better." "But the man who killed you will not go unpunished." "Mr. Mccain?" "My name is ben perry," "I'm lookin' for my father, captain perry." "Well he's not here." "Now what's this all about?" "I didn't come here to make trouble, mr." "Mccain," "But I would like to talk to you." "All right, mr." "Perry, step inside." "Thank you." "I..." "Just rode in tonight, I found out what happened today." "You came all the way out here to tell me that?" "I went to the jail to see my father," "But the marshal had just let 'im go." "I'm afraid he's headed here." "Sit down, mr." "Perry." "I don't think micah would have released" "Him if there was any harm still festering' in 'im." "I hope you're right, but I doubt it." "I know my father." "Well, I'm..." "I'm obliged you thought to warn me." "It wasn't only for you, mr." "Mccain, I would like to" "Prevent anything' from happenin' to my father." "Well, he's not an easy man." "I know." "And I feel somewhat responsible for it." "I should have stopped him from comin' to north fork." "Sometimes stopping' a man bent on somethin'" "The way your father was, is..." "Near impossible." "But I had the chance to try, an' I didn't take it." "What finally decided you on comin' out here?" "The realization that I was somewhat responsible" "For everything, my father's violence, his bitterness." "Seems to me the death of your brother, lon," "Was the cause of that." "That was only part of it." "You see, mr." "Mccain, since I was very young, I had one ambition." "One I was afraid to tell my father about." "I wanted to be a minister, so I entered divinity school." "You never told 'im?" "No." "A few days ago, when my father came to st." "Louis" "To take me with him, I wanted to tell him," "But I knew how he'd take it." "So I just said I couldn't go." "I couldn't tell him the real reason was" "Because the next mornin' I was being ordained." "You're an ordained minister now?" "I took this off before ridin' into north fork tonight." "I was afraid to let him see it." "I didn't wanna hurt my father" "Any more than I already had." "What are you plannin' to do when you see 'im?" "Help him if I can." "The day I put that collar on, I thought about the duties" "An' responsibilities that went with it." "I'm supposed to lead my flock, help heal their souls," "Ease their afflictions." "I realized then that if I was ever to help anyone," "I'd have to start with my father first." "Reverend perry, are you gonna do it with the..." "Collar on or off?" "On, mr." "Mccain." "Mccain!" "Mccain!" "Mr. Mccain, please, without the rifle." "There'll only be bloodshed." "Pa, what's the matter?" "You stay here, son, stay right here." "I came to see only mccain." "Father, I've come to take you home with me." "You're no son of mine." "Father, look at me." "This is why I couldn't go with you." "This is what I wanted." "Please, try to understand." "Out of my way!" "You ready, mccain?" "Go on home, captain." "I'm not gonna help you push this grudge." "When a man's challenged, he fights, mccain." "Prepare yourself." "Pa!" "Stay where you are, son." "Give him his rifle, boy." "No, son." "Don't force me to shoot an unarmed man, mccain." "Pa, he means it!" "Your boy disobeyed you!" "Yes, he did, captain, but out of love." "The boy did it out of love, father." "Can't you understand that?" "Benjamin, let's go home." "Thank you, mr." "Mccain, for everythin'." "Good night." "You'd better get back to bed, son." "You know, pa, I just realized something'." "What's that?" "This is one time that a son taught his pa a lesson." "Oh you mean the reverend an' captain perry." "Well, that can happen sometimes, mark." "Oh, of course I know..." "I know between us who does all the teaching'." "You know somethin', son," "I think we oughta get you a haircut tomorrow mornin'." "Oh, pa." "But right now, uh, good night." "Hmm, good night."