"[***]" "[***]" "[***]" "[***]" "You Owen walton?" "Where's judge Henry?" "Judge sends his apologies." "Tied up with ranch business." "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you then, mister...?" "[Grunts and sighs]" "Judge's puttin' you up in one of his bunkhouses." "Well, at least I'll finally" "Get to sleep in an actual bed." "I don't know about no bed," "Got a pretty fair cot in it." "No bed." "Better than my place." "Judge tells me you're a writer?" "I'm writing a novel about cattle-ranching." "I figure that the best experience to be had" "Is to become a ranch hand." "Good luck with that." "[Man grunts and cries out]" "I bought them cattle fair and square!" "Get up!" "Get up there!" "Would somebody help me?" "Shut up." "Shut up." "Get up there." "[Man panicking]" "He deserves a fair trial!" "Every American deserves a fair trial, sir!" "Even rustlers?" "Yes, even rustlers!" "[Shot rings out]" "Get that off 'im." "He was caught red-handed." "[Tin can clinks]" "What's your game here, South?" "New yorker's concerned about him gettin' a fair trial." "Says it's every American's right." "Well, you know I decide what's fair," "And I say Driscoll gets the necktie." "I'll wager your judge" "Would agree with me just fine." "Now, I'm stringing' him up." "No, you ain't." "[***]" "You want to go to war over this?" "Do you?" "We both know damn well you ain't gonna shoot a lawman." "Good thing there ain't a real lawmen here, then, ain't it?" "Now, get that off of 'im." "You heard him!" "Get this goldarn rope off my neck!" "Judge is gonna hear about this." "Damn straight he will." "Now give Driscoll your iron." "Do it." "[***]" "I'm gonna let you draw first." "What?" "You heard me." "If you're quick enough," "You ride outta here a free man." " I draw first, you say?" " [Hammer cocking]" "[***]" "I'm gonna go to the saloon and get a drink." "You can come with me," "Or you can just stand there and shake." "Don't make me no difference." "I still don't see why he had to die." "The two worst things you can do in Wyoming" "Is shoot a man in the back" "And steal his livestock." "Not necessarily in that order." "But still, how can you be sure that he was guilty?" "An innocent man wouldn't have drawn." "[Boot-spurs hitting floor]" "[Cackles]" "Didn't know the judge gave you a day off." "How the hell are ya, you old rebel?" "What's wrong?" "Driscoll." "Got caught rustling'." "Oh, that's tough." "They hung him?" "Something like that." "You must be that writer from New York." "My friends call me Steve." "What do your enemies call you?" "Steve ain't got no enemies," "Because he's always buying the first round." "Ain't that right, Steve?" "[Cackles]" "Just stay away from the Brandy." "That poison's expensive." "Another whiskey." "[Grunts]" "[Quiet background chatter]" "How come you don't play?" "I've got nothing but bum's luck." "Not like him." "What's his real name?" "If that damn virginian wants you to know his name," "He'll tell ya." "He's from Virginia?" "Born there." "But him and his pa came to Wyoming" "Before he could even crawl." "His mama died in childbirth." "Him and I known each other a long time." "Rode together, fought together." "He don't like it when I call him virginian." "He's got a sore spot about the war." "Ain't that right, virginian?" "Shut up, Steve." "[Chuckles]" "Gets him every time." "We're a long way from Virginia." "Ah, he only went" "Because he felt he had to do right by his kin back home." "Ended up losing damn near his whole family in the war." "When it was all over, he found his way back here." "[Saloon doors clack and swish]" "Here's trouble." "[Owen whispers]:" "Who's that?" "What're you doing here, trampas?" "I was hopin' I could join you in a game of chance." "Way I see it," "Poker's more a game of skill." "Didn't take six months to get your ass run out of Arizona." "Only running I done" "Was on account of them fearing for what I'd do" "To their womenfolk." "[Grunting dirtily]" "[Laughing]" "[Giggling to himself]" "You sure you got that kind of money?" "I just found me a job." "I'm gonna be bathing in silver notes from now on." "I'll take one." "You taking a bath of any kind" "Would be welcome news." "I'm gonna raise you." "25." "[Flicks cards down]" "[Chuckles smugly]" "Tough luck." "You bastard!" "Smile when you say that." "[Hammer cocking]" "[Forced chuckle]" "Hell..." "I didn't mean nothing by it." "Yeah, I'm gonna start my new job tomorrow, so..." "I think I'm gonna call it a day." "[Thuds glass down]" "Let's go, boys." "[Footsteps receding]" "[Townspeople chattering, indistinct]" "Don't suppose I could talk you into" "Looking that over?" "What's it for?" "Well, I think it's about time" "Medicine bow had a school teacher." "There's gettin' to be a fair number" "Of young'uns around here." "Being learnt to read and write" "Is of some import." "Never had a teacher myself." "So, you would like me to read this" "To see if it makes you sound educated to this..." "Young lady, miss Molly west?" "Any ulterior motives?" "Just doin' my part" "To help out the little 'uns." "'Sides, she calls herself a spinster." "Age is not the only reason why" "A woman might be considered a spinster." "True enough." "Could be because she's ugly." "[Indistinct exchange]" "What's he doing?" "Judging." "Now, you know we talked about this last time, Avery." "She was comin' at me like a wildcat." "I was just protectin' myself!" "Doc says" "She may not regain sight in her left eye." "That's your wife we're talking about." "Tie him up, trampas." "[Avery]:" "Please, judge!" "I didn't mean to hurt her!" "For gosh sakes!" " Shut up!" " [Blow lands]" "My rawhide, Danny." "[***]" "I know you heard me, son." "[Avery]:" "Please, judge!" "I swear to God, I won't do it again!" "It's just to remind you how we treat our women" "In this town." "[Crying out] Ah!" "[Avery screaming]" "Ah!" "[Whip cracks, Avery screams]" "Ahh!" "Oh!" "Please!" "[Whip cracks, Avery cries out]" "Let him down." "[Breathing raggedly]" "[Thuds]" "Next time you think about beating up on a woman," "You just remember how that felt." "[Weakly]:" "Yes, sir." " You hear me?" " Yes, sir." "[Avery wheezing]" "It's a pleasure to see you again, judge Henry." "Sorry you had to witness that." "But, uh..." "Sometimes, that's the only way to get through." "Anyway..." "Glad you made it out of the city" "And found your way back into God's country, huh?" "That I did." "Long time no see, cowboy." "What's he doin' here?" "He's gonna solve the rustling problem." "That's my job." "Yep." "It was." "You're gonna rehire him after what he did?" "Everybody makes mistakes." "[Takes a heavy breath]" "He's made his amends." "Right, trampas?" "He knew Porter was riding that night." "Since when do rustlers ride alone, anyway?" "You calling me a murderer?" "Saying it's hard to keep your eyes on your work" "When you're having to watch behind you all the time." "I ain't working with him!" "I'm sure I don't have to remind you," "Your allegiance is to sunk creek." "We clear here?" "Yes, sir." "Perfectly." "Besides..." "I'm planning on bringing you in as my heir." "I want you to concentrate some more" "On the business side of things." "Your heir?" "[***]" "Now, if you're willing to earn it," "I can give you a roof over your head," "Food, a fair wage." "And more important," "I can teach you about honor and justice..." "And how to live by a code." "I don't know what to say." "Well, just say," ""I'm looking forward as much as you are, judge."" "Good to have you back, son." "Have yourself a good time." "Danny..." "You still stealing' biscuits from the cookshack?" "Only when the cook ain't lookin'." "Steal some extra ones tonight, 'cause I'm riding with you." "Yes, sir, South." "You're gonna go up to high lonesome." "Have any rustlers been spotted along here?" "Nah." "Mostly over on the valley side," "Over by sunk creek." "How come I can't ride over there?" "You still need to keep your eyes open" "And be mindful." "There been well over 3,000 head stolen" "In natrona county in the last year or so," "At 20 bucks a head." "Dang!" "That's more money than I ever dreamed of." "Whoa." "Don't worry." "If they try me, I'll give 'em hell." "You listen to me, Danny." "Rustlers are ruthless as a general rule." "They'll cut you down without a thought." "All in the name of thievin' what don't belong to them," "Thievin' our way of life." "I'll be ready, I promise." "[***]" "When I said to be ready to go at sun-up," "I didn't mean halfway through the mornin'." "It's barely 7:00." "Yeah, and the sun came up at 5:45." "It's past time for us to be gettin' a move on." "Well, good morning to you, too." "Try to keep up." "You don't like me much, do you?" "I don't know you yet." "If I tell you somethin'," "You promise to keep your mouth shut?" "I'm game." "I think it's about time for me to move on." "What, because of that trampas gentleman?" "Trampas is about as far from a gentleman" "As a man can be." "I don't know what the judge was thinking" "When he brought that scum on." "Hyah!" "[Sighs heavily]" "[***]" "Danny..." "Ed had his daddy's old gun pointed at Clyde," "He made him strip, bare-assed," "Right in front of all the girls." "He ran squawking like a rooster." "What'd all the girls do?" "They ran, too." "Just in the opposite direction." "[Both laugh]" "God, I raised you with some sense, boy." "[***]" "Why don't you hang back a bit?" "[***]" "Son, no matter what," "You promise me" "You're not gonna go down in that valley, you hear?" "Matter of fact, you get yourself home." "Why?" "What's going on?" "You listen to your pa!" "But I can help!" "Get home!" "Hyah!" "[***]" "[***]" "[Shot echoes]" "No!" "Pa!" "No!" "[***]" "Danny..." "[Sighing]" "What the hell happened?" "Rustlers." "Shot Danny." "Where was he at?" "High lonesome." "High lonesome?" "I thought he was working sunk creek?" "Already had a couple men over at sunk creek." "I figured he'd be safe..." "You figured?" "You figured?" "I thought I was doing right." "I promised his mom I'd take care of him." "Gather up his things." "I gotta..." "I gotta go tell her." "I never should've sent him out there alone." "He knew this was a risky way to make a living." "I just never caused an innocent man to die before." "You want to quit?" "No, sir." "I intend to serve justice on those who done this to Danny." "But you're gonna have to work with trampas." "He works for me." "Fair enough." "Oh, one more thing." "I'd like to move in to Porter's old bunkhouse." "Give me a little more room to think." "Well, you don't know when to stop pushing', do you?" "No, sir, I don't reckon I do." "Ahh." "[Crickets chirping]" "[Sighs]" "Porter..." "Why'd trampas have it out for you?" "Ho!" "What the hell is that?" "Alright, Owen." "You wanna learn to cowboy," "You need to learn to use this." "Alright." "Now just pull the hammer back," "Line the sights up on the bottle..." "And pull the trigger easy." "Where'd you learn to shoot like that?" "It is legal to own a gun east of the Mississippi." "The hell, you say." "[Owen chuckling]" "[***]" "Damn." "You did not like the ending?" "Ah, it ain't a book." "It's some kind of ledger." "Why's it finding you so frustrated?" "Well, you tell me." "It's just a bunch of nonsense." "It's a cipher." "A what?" "A word puzzle" "Where you substitute one letter for another" "And then you try to decipher it." "Porter, the last foreman," "Had it squirreled away in his foot locker," "Like he didn't want nobody to find it." "Do you mind if I have a look at it?" "I've always enjoyed puzzles." "Maybe I can come up with something." "Ah, let me take another crack at it." "So would you say" "You're the fastest with a gun around here?" "[Takes a breath]" "Well..." "Guess that depends on how you define fast." "Meaning?" "Well, any fool can draw a gun quick and shoot it." "Might even hit somethin'." "Likely won't be what he was intending on hitting, though." "No, sir, I don't think it's so much a matter of speed" "As it is a matter of will." "It seems to me there are plenty of men" "In this part of the world" "That seem to possess that will." "Well, no question about that, but..." "When it comes right down to the nut cracking'," "And it's either you or him," "You got to be able to look a man in his eyes" "And have the will to end his life..." "And you got to know that you're gonna do it" "Without hesitating." "And you do not hesitate?" "I guess I ain't yet." "Does it ever bother you?" "The men that you've killed?" "Rustling is like stealing our way of life." "Everything around these parts" "Revolves around cattle" "Since the silver ran out." "Rustlers, they're..." "A poison." "A poison to our way of life." "You didn't answer my question." "Yeah, I did." "It's all about "the code" out here." "It's all we have." "You sign on, you ride for the brand." "What does that mean?" "Well, it means that a man's word is his bond" "And you can choose to..." "Live by that rule," "Or you can die." "Well, we're picking up that schoolteacher tomorrow." "That we are." "Have you got a woman?" "[Chuckles] Hmph." "Ah, most women out here" "Are either whores or housewives." "That makes 'em either too crazy" "Or not crazy enough." "Unique perspective." "[Bustling of townspeople]" "Miss west?" "Molly west?" "Yes." "Friends call me "South."" "You're the gentleman that wrote me that sweet letter." "Well, I'm just trying to do my part." "It was very compelling." "Really?" "Indeed." "It convinced me" "Of the dire need to accept the position." "This is Owen." "Pleasure." "Nice to meet you." "Them your bags?" "They are." "If you would be so kind as to take my trunk," "I can get the rest of the bags." "Ma'am, a gentleman doesn't let a lady carry her own bags." "I can manage." "Shall we?" "Let's." "Just going down here." "Come on." "Here it is." "After you, ma'am." "I, um, know it's not fancy," "But we tried to clean it up for you." "It's perfectly fine." "Thank you." "I'm sure you've stayed" "In some swanky places back east." "One or two." "But you know what I learned?" "That you shouldn't have left?" "[Laughs] No." "I learned that my head only needs one pillow." "Well, uh, you should've seen it before, though." "A raccoon got in here, and..." "Anyway." "Um..." "If you need anything," "You just holler." "Sure." "Good afternoon, then." "Good afternoon." "Evening, judge." "Have a seat." "Got the herd moved, like you wanted." "[Distracted]:" "Hmm?" "What'd you say?" "Said we got the herd moved" "To the West Side of the creek, without any trouble." "Fine." "Fine." "Good work, South." "What you got there?" "Found that in Porter's bunkhouse." "I can't make heads or tails out of this nonsense." "Mr. walton figures it's some kind of cipher," "Like a puzzle." "Hmm." "Did you figure it out yet?" "No, but I got a fool notion" "It's got somethin' to do with the rustling." "Well, you don't think Porter had anything to do with this?" "That man was salt of the earth." "No." "Besides, the rustlin' didn't stop after he was killed." "Tell you one thing, we don't resolve this soon," "I'm gonna have to start" "Throwing off some of the dead weight around here." "Well, I hope trampas is included." "You know..." "You can say what you want to about trampas," "But he always manages to get his job done." "That's more than I can say for your drunken friend." "I went through four years of hell with Steve" "And I know what kind of man he is." "You can count on him just like you can count on me." "Well, even you left me one time." "You know I just did that" "'Cause of my kin back in Virginia." "I lost a lot more in that damn war than you did." "Point I'm trying to make is," "I'm running a business here, South." "I'm not running a flophouse for drunken cowboys." "I want you to pay special attention" "To them weasels like balin." "Them small ranchers," "Think they're entitled to what they don't own." "I'll go pay him a visit." "Thank you." "Now, if you don't mind," "I got a bit of work to do here." "Think I could have the book back?" "I spent a good deal of time" "Trying to figure it out," "I don't wanna quit now." "Help yourself." "[***]" "Is that helping?" "Always does." "I think I see a pattern here." "Look at this." "Most of this rustling is happening" "Between balin's place..." "And horse-thief pass." "That's a rather aptly-named geographical feature." "How come no one's caught him yet?" "Well, that area" "Represents about 50 Miles." "Don't have enough men to cover that all the time." "[Picks up harmonica, resumes playing]" "There's balin right there." "Balin." "You ain't gonna kill me like you done in Driscoll!" "If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already." "That's some big talk for a man with a rifle trained on him." "Put the rifle down." "Drop your holster first!" "I don't unholster for nobody." "It ain't barely sun-up." "What's so damned important?" "You still sore" "About that scrap we got in last winter?" "No reason I should be." "I won it." "[Chuckles]" "Best I recollect," "You were the one on your hands and knees," "Picking your teeth out of the mud." "You old mud-sill." "Them bruises I left on your face" "Made you uglier than a shaved grizzly." "Prettier than your wife." "At least I got me a wife." "I'm sure there're plenty of sheep" "Tired of calling you "sweetheart."" "Enough with the pleasantries." "Balin, what do you know" "'Bout judge Henry's missing cattle?" "Not a damn thing." "I never even stole a piece of hard candy" "When I was a young'un." "Well, if it's all the same to you," "I'm gonna want to take a look at your herd today." "You ain't gonna find no strays." "For your sake," "I hope you're right." "I did win that damn fight." "I don't doubt it." "You see that notch up there?" "Yeah?" "That's horse-thief pass." "That looks imposing." "They bank on folks feeling that way." "[Sighs wearily]" "That's not right." "What's that?" "The tracks are on only one side of the fence." "So what's the problem?" "Well, the problem is..." "This job was done by someone from sunk creek, not balin." "That's right." "[Hushed exchange]" "Hey, Molly." "Gentlemen." "Nice to see you." "Can I help you with that?" "No, thank you." "It's not heavy." "Just some supplies for the children." "Chalk, pencils and the like." "I would've thought you'd have" "Plenty of supplies on hand." "Oh, it's just that" "We've had so many more children than we ever imagined." "So the school's being well-received." "Are you enjoying the school... teaching?" "Yes." "Well, I'm not sure how much good I'm doing," "Teaching with of the books they've given me." "They might as well have been written in the time of Moses." "[Chuckling]" "Well, it was lovely seeing you again, Ms. west." "Molly." "I don't know how you do it." "Do what?" "Manage to put your entire foot" "In your mouth." "That's big talk" "For a feller that speaks like an old English lady." "Speaking like an adult and speaking like a woman" "Is not the same thing." "Maybe once you realize that," "You'll be able to exchange more than a couple words" "With miss west." "Yeah, I got two words for you." "You see that?" "Whoa." "Somethin' about this don't look right." "Let's see what these yanks are up to." "[***]" "Who you burying'?" "[***]" "[Shots firing]" "Owen!" "It's like shooting bottles." "They just leak more." "It was either them or me." "I had no choice." "You didn't hesitate." "That's for sure." "Come on, Jesse James." "[Boots thumping]" "[Cork pops]" "Drink this." "That's not going to help." "No, it won't." "You probably think I'm soft." "I know you're soft," "But that's besides the point." "I think about people that I know" "That have died." "Even bad men have people who care about them." "You don't ever forget taking another man's life." "It bothers me all the time." "I hear their voices." "See their faces." "Hung." "Shot." "[Sighs]" "Ain't a damn thing good about it," "But it's necessary." "They put themselves in a place where they forced me to do it," "Just like those men did you." "If it happened again, you'd do it again," "Or you'd be dead." "And you're not." "[South gulps whisky and exhales]" "And neither am I, thanks to you." "So let's live." "[Heaves a big sigh]" "[Footsteps]" "You're awfully quiet tonight." "She's a classy woman, Owen." "What would somebody like that" "Want with somebody like me?" "[Amused sigh]" "Believe it or not, South," "You're not actually quite that bad." "What would we even talk about?" "Anything!" "Everything." "It doesn't matter." "I've seen you turn your back" "On a man with a loaded gun." "You're gonna tell me you're afraid of a..." "Schoolteacher?" "'Course not!" "Then prove it." "We're still alive." "Remember?" "Shoot." "[Begins playing]" "[***]" "[***]" "You know, music will" "Keep you warm at night when you're alone on the range." "It's like magic." "If you got one of these, you... you always got music." "[Resumes playing]" "[***]" "[Floorboards creak]" "[Trampas chuckling]" "[Trampas]:" "I wonder" "Who's gonna dip their wick in that teacher next?" "I hear she's done" "Half the men in medicine bow already." "[Men snickering]" "[South pounds bar with glass]" "Whore!" "You take that back." "What?" "You stand up and tell these boys" "That you ain't nothing but a liar." "Aw, take it easy, cowboy." "We all know you're sweet on her." "You know, some fellas tried to kill me yesterday." "A bunch of old blue-bellies, just like you." "I ain't been in that damn army for years now," "So don't look at me." "Well, the way I look at it," "You're the only sumbitch around here that has a grudge." "And you move your hand one inch closer to that pistol," "You gonna be in a pine box come morning." "Now stand up..." "And swear that you're a liar." "[Chair scrapes floor]" "She ain't your woman." "You might want her to be..." "But she ain't." "I can say whatever I please." "No, you can't..." "Because she's a lady!" "[Trampas groans]" "[Coughing]" "Now say what I told you to say!" "[Wheezing groan]" "[Steadies his breathing]" "I was talking out of my ass." "Aw, just get the hell out of here!" "Ain't done drinking' yet." "I say you are finished drinking'." "How bad you want it to be?" "Bad enough to die for it?" "I figure that's about as good a reason as any." "Besides..." "We both know" "You draw about as fast as a lame mule walks anyway." "And you're drunk." "Well, just try me." "[Starts chuckling]" "[Howls with laughter]" "It's cheap whiskey anyway!" "Let's go, boys." "[Trampas keeps laughing]" "Whoa." "Steve." "Get up." "Steve." "[Fires gun]" "[Gasps]" "Why'd you do that, virginian?" "I told you not to call me that no more." "Havin' a bit of a rough start this morning, is all." "Did you put 30 head in the feed lot" "Like I told you to?" "Yeah." "Did you fasten the gate?" "Who pissed in your coffee this morning?" "Yeah, I tied it up good." "Get your ass in the saddle." "Drunk old bastard." "[Cattle lowing]" "Over 30 head lost." "Yes, sir." "Get rid of him." "He made a mistake, but he's a good man." "I don't care if he's Jesus Christ!" "I can't afford to have him around." "Do you have any idea what I pay for around here?" "Huh?" "The preacher..." "The church, the school," "That school marm's salary!" "I can't afford to take any more losses!" "You hear what I'm saying?" "I can't afford it!" "[South sighs]" "I'll go help him pack his personals." "Then, come morning," "I'll take Owen and go find those cows." "I want you to take trampas instead." "I don't want his help." "I didn't ask you what you wanted!" "[Door opens and thumps shut]" "[Quietly]:" "Yes, sir." "If I were boss," "I would've hung your friend for what he done." "Shut up, trampas." "Keep a sharp eye." "Shoot, you ain't no better than me, cowboy." "Yeah, in the lord's eyes, maybe." "You know, there can't be heroes like you" "Without sons of bitches like me, right?" "I ain't no hero, trampas." "Just doin' my job, livin' by the code." "[Chuckles]" "You and your God-forsaken code." "It's only a code" "When big-shots like the judge say so." "Fools like you believe that crap..." "Ho!" "What the hell they doin' off reservation?" "You leave 'em be." "They don't have any stock." "I'll teach 'em to use our water." "Just like the good old days." "Get back here, trampas!" "You damn fool." "[Horse whinnies as shot rings out]" "[Cackles]" "[Shoshone whoops]" "[Gunshot echoes]" "Whoo!" "You had no business firing on them." "Shoshone ain't the fighting sort!" "They had no claim to this here water." "[Trampas groans]" "Trampas, you're an idiot." "[Panting]" "[South grunts]" "You're walkin' back." "That's 10 Miles!" "Yeah, well, that'll give you plenty of time" "To think about what an evil bastard you are." "Behind you!" "Injuns!" "[Shot fires]" "[Thuds]" "Whoa." "South!" "I'm gonna get you back to medicine bow." "You hang in there, you hear me?" "It's not our fight, major." "We gotta fall back." "[Panting]" "[Weakly]:" "Trampas..." "It was trampas." "What's he talking about?" "I'm gonna kill him." "Calm down." "You're safe." "I gotta get up." "Let me go." "You're in no condition to go anywhere." "[Groaning]" "Oh..." "[Door creaks]" "This stuffy room needs some fresh air." "You're a sight for sore eyes." "That's about the only part of me that's not sore." "Owen?" "He needs a bath." "Owen, you don't have to leave." "It's not like I'm gonna get naked." "[Water splashing]" "You alright?" "I'm the nurse here." "Why don't you let me do my job?" "[Grunts]" "[Takes a deep breath]" "So was there great fanfare when they hung trampas?" "Hung him?" "Judge Henry made him foreman." "After what he did?" "Trampas told us about the ambush" "And how he barely escaped with his life." "Whitey and I, we weren't more than a mile away" "When we heard all the gunfire." "I rode as hard as I could," "And, luckily, I found you still alive." "Trampas had run for it by then." "It took a few days to find the other Indian," "But when he was caught, justice was swift." "That other Indian was long gone when I was shot." "Are you..." "Sure, because you've been through quite the trauma..." "I got to go talk to judge Henry." "You're too weak." "I've got a score to settle." "[Groans]" "Oh..." "South..." "Please don't kill him." "South!" "I got business with that son of a bitch." "He shot me in the back and left me for dead." "Ah, it was the Indians that done that." "Hell, I barely got outta there with my own life." "I know it was you" "Sent them yankee soldiers to bushwhack me, too." "The hell're you talking about?" "Alright, let's end this right now." "That's what I came over here to do, trampas." "There ain't gonna be no gunplay." "Stand down." "[Barks]:" "Stand down!" "What the hell is he talking about?" "Two innocent injuns dead 'cause of him." "Ain't no such thing as an innocent injun." "Trampas, I'm gonna ask you one more time." "What's he talkin' about?" "Sir, you know how a man's brain gets after he's been shot." "Ahh, I remember it clear as a bell, judge!" "South, I've always known you to be a man of your word." "What do you want me to do here?" "Turn him over to the law." "I would gladly do that," "But, at this point," "I don't think we got enough proof." "Hah!" "One thing I do know, though." "Ain't no way you two" "Are ever gonna be able to work together again." "Trampas, I'm gonna have to let you go." "You're gonna believe this washed-up old has-been over me?" "He's just trying to get his damn job back!" "Sorry, trampas." "I'm letting you go." "Out of fairness," "We'll set up some sort of severance." "South?" "Can you give us a minute here?" "Did you see trampas?" "Yeah." "Tell me you didn't." "[Sighs wearily]" "I didn't kill him." "I got the judge to fire him." "I knew you'd do the right thing." "[Huffs]" "What's wrong?" "When you catch a fox in your henhouse," "You don't just run him off and forget about it." "It'll come back for more of your chickens." "What do you mean?" "I mean trampas." "You holding books?" "You holding a gun?" "Well, after what happened," "It seemed to be a prudent course of action." "Nobody needs to kill you, Owen, they were after me." "But if I'm going to be spending more time with you," "Then i... hang on." "Why do you have books?" "I got to go." "Since when do you read?" "These are schoolbooks." "You got new textbooks for miss west, didn't you?" "Thought I'd surprise her." "You need to have those wrapped." "Mm-hmm." "Miss west?" "I think we're well past that, don't you?" "Well..." "Where did you find these?" "Well, it took some diggin' and about a month's pay," "But I hear tell" "Those're about the best damn schoolbooks you can find." "Thank you." "You know, you didn't have to do that." "I know that." "So, seems like you're recovering nicely." "Are you taking it easy?" "Nah, there's no time for relaxing." "We're still trying" "To chase down those rustlers." "I'm told it's a sin" "Worse than murder in Wyoming." "Yeah." "Depends on who's getting killed, I suppose." "Have you ever had to deal with a rustler?" "Personally, I mean." "Yes." "And?" "And what?" "Did I string him up?" "It's my job." "So I suppose I should properly thank you" "For volunteering me a place to stay." "I hear the tuckers' house has holes in the roof." "I guess judge Henry told you that." "He didn't have to." "Do you make it a habit" "Of rescuing damsels in distress?" "Well..." "Not many damsels around these parts," "And the ones that are here" "Pretty much take care of themselves." "Are you insinuating" "That I can't take care of myself?" "Well..." "I'm sure in Vermont you do just fine." "Wyoming's a whole other deal." "Is that a fact?" "It is indeed a fact." "So much so that I'd like to take you out tomorrow," "And show you how to use a rifle." "I don't need you to teach me how to shoot a rifle." "Every man, woman, and child" "In this part of the country needs to know their way" "Around a rifle." "Not being willing' to learn would just..." "Well, it's just foolish." "Mr. Fuller," "You don't have the right to presume anything about me," "Especially presuming me to be a fool." "If you'll excuse me." "Molly." "It's miss west." "[Door thuds]" "Ahh..." "[Sniffs and grunts]" "Did you know we have shellfish in Wyoming?" "Is that so?" "Yeah, rocky Mountain oysters." "People say they taste like bull balls." "And here I thought" "Everything tasted like chicken." "Grab me that branding iron." "Forgot to ask." "How'd things go with Molly?" ""S" equals "c."" "That's it, damnit!" ""S" equals "c"." "I seen that brand a million times." "Well, each letter's" "Gonna be offset the same amount." ""T" equals "d", and so forth." "Names..." "Number of head, how much they paid," "It's all there." "It was trampas the whole damn time." "20 head to Jackson, 40 head from Simpson," "And Porter knew all about this." "Maybe he was in on it." "No." "I'll bet Porter was gonna turn him in." "I knew it was murder." "We need to tell judge Henry." "No." "No, I'm bringing him in myself." "I should've killed him a long time ago." "[Sighs wearily]" "I'm going over horse-thief." "There's a couple of ranches over there." "I want to see if they dealt with trampas." "Damnit!" " What's wrong?" " I'm supposed to ride..." "High lonesome tonight, and I don't have anybody else" "To do it." "I can cover the fence." "Couldn't ask you to do that after what happened to Danny." "South!" "I can handle it." "[Sighs reluctantly]" "Don't you do anything stupid out there." "Hell, I still have a novel to finish." "I have no desire to die" "Before I get paid for the damn thing." "[Crickets chirping]" "[Metal snaps]" "[Snaps]" "[Horse whinnies]" "[Loads shells]" "[Thuds]" "And turn over so I can see you, mister!" "[Groans]" "Owen?" "[Wheezing]" "What the hell are you doing?" "Right this minute, I'm fixin' on passing' out from the pain." "[Steve groans]:" "Oh!" "That was a hell of a shot, though." "Of all the idiotic things..." "Judge Henry" "Told everybody I ain't trustworthy." "I can't get a job for nothin'." "Man's got to earn a livin'." "You could've left town!" "You could've gone to Montana" "And Colorado!" "Takes money to be mobile, my friend." "Okay." "Okay..." "If you tell me" "Who the other one was," "I will give you enough money" "To go to Colorado." "That's a tempting offer," "But I'm obliged to decline." "I can say that" "You were trying to stop the rustlers," "If you just tell me who the other person is." "[Starts laughing]" "What's so funny?" "You just don't get it, do you?" "Get what?" "I ain't telling you anything." "Any name that comes off my lips," "That man'll be hangin' from a tree," "Just as sure as if I killed him myself." "Don't go soft on me." "[Groans]" "South's coming back over horse-thief." "I'm gonna meet up with him." "Just bring him over" "To the old abandoned stables." "[Cocks hammer]" "What's your business, stranger?" "It's me, Owen!" "What the hell are you doin' up here?" "I shot a rustler." "We've got him over in the abandoned stables." "[***]" "[South grunting angrily]" "South!" "South!" "Get off of me, boy!" "[Steve groaning]" "Why... did you do this to me?" "I done this to myself!" "I had to get enough money to get back home." "Had no choice." "You could've asked me!" "Now you're gonna tell me right now" "Who was with you." "If I was gonna tell ya, I'd have told you by now." "Was trampas one of 'em?" "Man comes up to me," "Fella I known in town for a while..." "Wasn't trampas..." "Tells me I can make a lot of money," "All I got to do" "Is ride with him and lead some cattle" "Off the judge's land to some other spot." "I don't know nothing else, God's honest truth." "Well, who was that man, Steve?" "Another hard-luck case like myself," "And I will not be party to his lynching!" "[Cries out, wheezes]" "Stop whining'." "Try to die with some dignity." "Well, that's what I aim on doin', South." "It's all I got left." "I know trampas is in on this," "And if you know trampas is in on this," "You tell me now," "So's there can be peace between me and you." "You are probably right." "And if I knew, I would tell you." "Lord knows he deserves everything that's comin' to him." "And you deserve everything" "That's comin' to you too, Steve," "'Cause you just turned out to be a damned scallywag!" "Tell me something I don't know." "No, I'm gonna" "Tell you something else you do know." "You know what I'm gonna do to you come sun-up, don't ya?" "Yeah." "I do." "Where you going?" "I'm goin' to get some shut-eye." "I don't suppose I could have the use" "Of some paper and a pencil?" "I'm sure he would've loaned you the money." "[Scoffs bitterly]" "I drank" "Nearly every penny I ever earned," "And then some." "I couldn't ask." "Are you afraid to die?" "[Laughs sadly]" "The whiskey's been killin' me," "Little by little" "For years now." "I'm at the frazzled end of my misspent life, Owen." "Trying to hang on to a shred of dignity." "I want to ask you" "If you would give this letter" "To that damn stubborn virginian" "When I'm finished writing'." "But promise me" "You will not show it to him" "Until..." "After." "I promise." "[Sighs]" "Alright, old soldier." "It's time." "Get up." "Is he...?" "We're waiting on you." "[***]" "[***]" "[Horse whinnies, neck snaps]" "[***]" "[Rope creaking]" "[***]" "Whoa." "Can you stop for a minute?" "I'd rather keep moving." "No, I think you should hold up." "What's so damn important?" "Steve gave me a letter last night." "He told me to give it to you when it was over." "I have to read it." "Here goes." ""We had a good run, Jeff..."" "Who's Jeff?" "That's my name, it's short for Jefferson." ""I hate like hell that I spent the last hours on earth" "Kicking up a hornet's nest with you."" ""I know you hated it when I called you "the virginian"," ""Especially seeing as we grew up here together in Wyoming." ""Maybe I did that because I couldn't believe" ""That we came from the same place." ""Had to be some reason why I turned out to be a..." ""Useless drunk," ""And you became the best man I know." "Only the lord knows why that is."" "Stop!" ""I figured that if I showed one little bit" ""Of how I wanted your forgiveness" ""Or begged for your mercy," ""You'd have gone against your grain" ""To let a rustler go," "So, I decided I wouldn't give you the chance..."" "I said stop, damnit!" "[***]" "[***]" "[Gasps]" "Why didn't he tell me how bad off he was?" "You should've said somethin'!" "He made me promise..." "In no uncertain terms." "[Cries out]" "I could've saved him." "What about the code?" "The part about a man's word being his bond?" "Damn the code, Owen." "And damn you!" "[Heavy blow lands]" "Yeah!" "That's right!" "You should've said something!" "Stop it!" "Stop!" "Stop..." "You know what the code is for?" "To keep law and order?" "It's to protect" "The judge Henrys of the world," "That's what it's for." "We've lost the trail anyway." "I hate Wyoming." "[***]" "Here." "Steve wanted you to have that." "To Steve." "I don't think I want to talk to her yet." "You're gonna have to talk to her" "Sooner or later." "The look on her face, it might be sooner." "Excuse me." "Welcome home, boys." "I'm sorry about Steve," "But, uh..." "He knew the work he was getting into." "He was riding with trampas." "How do you know that?" "Did he confess?" "No, sir." "He didn't give us any names before he died." "Well..." "Just forget about trampas." "He's working for baling now, anyway." "Trampas is doing this on his own, judge." "Right now I'm more worried about" "What Molly thinks about me." "I had a talk with Molly," "And I explained to her" "That what you did" "Is just like what a judge does..." "Doling out punishment." "You go talk to her." "[Molly slaps South]" "And this is where I think I should" "Excuse myself to take a warm bath" "And change into some clean clothes." "I got a job." "Get two men" "And meet me at the stables." "[Knocks]" "Molly, I gotta talk to you," "And you got to listen to me." "Do I?" "I think I know what you think of me." "And, uh, I thought" "I was just doing my job," "But I was wrong." "I hope we can..." "Get past this." "Can you get past this?" "[Huffs emotionally, stifles himself]" "He needed help." "He needed help and I killed him." "I killed him." "[Sighs]" "Molly..." "You just shut up for once." "[Exhales deeply]" "You did what you thought was right." "And we all do." "That's why I've decided" "I'm leaving tomorrow for Vermont." "What about the school?" "Who's gonna..." "Who's gonna teach?" "I've written for a replacement." "The new teacher will be here in two weeks." "Don't." "Please." "I have to." "I'm taking Molly to Cheyenne in the morning." "She's going home." "Alright." "And I'm going with her." "If she'll have me." "It is a long train ride to do by myself." "[Starts chuckling]" "What's so funny?" "I'm just havin' a hard time..." "Picturing you in Vermont, is all." "I got some business in Cheyenne myself." "Oh, really?" "Like what?" "I'm gonna take this to the U.S. marshals." "Maybe they can find the guilty parties." "I can round up a whole lot more gunmen" "Than the U.S. government can." "You oughta just give it here." "If it's all the same to you, I'll take it to Cheyenne." "I want trampas to pay." "You know, we sent some people out to find balin." "He's at the root of all this trouble." "Balin's too scared of the noose to have anything to do with it." "He's the one that hired trampas." "You hired him, too." "What are you insinuating', son?" "[South]:" "Not a thing." "I'm just sayin' again" "That I don't think balin's a thief." "They're not going to hurt him, are they?" "They will serve justice, ma'am." "[Molly]:" "I understand all too well" "What constitutes "justice" in Wyoming." "[Judge]:" "We got a..." "Way of life we're trying to protect out here, ma'am." "[Shot rings out]" "Balin ain't done nothin' to deserve your kind of justice." "South..." "Why don't you just come out and say what you want to say?" "I'm sick of" "The way you push those small ranchers around." "One of these days, one of 'em's gonna push back." "Yeah." "And that," "That's gonna be somethin' worth seeing." "Lynching a man for stealing?" "Where theft is worth a man's life." "[Heavy thud]" "[Chair scrapes floor]" "Someday, you'll pay for what you've done." "I'm gonna pay?" "[Sets cutlery down]" "What is it I'm gonna pay for?" "Did you forget who you're talking to?" "I've got the taste of bile on my tongue because of you." "Come on, Molly." "Oh, so all of a sudden, you're so high and mighty," "'Cause you got yourself a proper woman, huh?" "You keep her out of this." "And noble, too, huh?" "Let's not forget," "You got blood on your hands." "Lots of it," "And there never was any cause for it." "Do you have any idea" "How lawless this place would be without me?" "I am the order!" "I am civilization!" "I made peace where there was only chaos." "I decide who dies around here!" "[***]" "And who lives, too." "Where are you going, son?" "Sorry, but I seem to have lost my appetite." "I'll be leaving tomorrow as well." "That book of yours finished?" "All except for the ending." "[Wagon rumbling]" "A word." "Whoa." "Whoa." "Wait for me at the general store." "Be careful." "Please." "Walk on." "Trampas wanted me" "To pass along a message to you." "You and him, in front of the gallows, 4:00." "Since when are you his message boy?" "I ain't nobody's message boy." "Maybe you ought to ask me" "To take my gun off again." "A lot easier to talk big when you got a judge behind you." "Not so much when you're by your lonesome." "I'm not alone." "Mm." "I remember when the judge took you in," "A few years after they found your father." "You used to cry yourself to sleep at night, like a baby." "Boys used to joke about it all the time." "You been thinking you're better than us" "Far too long." "You're nothing more than a dirty penny" "Someone saw fit to try and shine once." "You done?" "I'll be seeing you in hell, South." "Hey, you might be getting there" "A lot quicker than you think, Broyles." "I'm not going to miss Wyoming." "Not one bit." "It's awfully pretty," "For what it's worth." "That's true." "It's an evil place, though." "I've been called out by trampas at 4:00." "You don't have to do this." "This is something that can't be left unfinished." "We can leave all this behind." "I can't leave here a coward." "That's not important to me." "It's important to me." "It's important to every other person" "That'd ever cross paths with that snake." "[Sighs tensely]" "I want you both to stay here," "Out of harm's way." "I've been in harm's way plenty lately." "Owen, I'm asking you to look after Molly." "I don't need to be looked after," "And you don't need to get yourself killed." "I'm not plannin' on it." "If you do this..." "I'm leaving." "Right now," "And I'm not coming back." "You mean that?" "That it'd be the... end?" "Of us?" "[Takes a shaky breath and sighs]" "Can you look me in the eye and tell me that, Molly?" "Well, that's how it's gonna be?" "[Sighs heavily]" "Sure you want to do this?" "I have no choice." "I understand." "[***]" "[Sighs]" "Walk on." "[***]" "[Bellows]:" "Come out!" "In the open!" "Coward!" "South, look out!" "[Exchanging fire]" "[Trampas cries out]" "[Shot rings out]" "[***]" "You gut-shot me, you bastard!" "I meant to." "You deserve to die slow and painful." "Everything I done, I done on orders." "What do you mean?" "You stole all them cattle, didn't you?" "Every one of them, you idiot." "I already knew that." "I saw your ledger." "[Chuckling]" "It was the judge's ledger." "You lie like a dog even when you die." "Why would he steal his own stock?" "God, you're stupid." "If he can pin it on balin" "And them other penny-ante ranchers," "Then he gets all the land," "And all the water!" "Hell..." "You know what they call that?" "A monopoly. [Laughing]" "Yeah, he's wanted you dead for some time now." "He paid me to kill you today!" "Finish what I started." "Guess he never got his money's worth." "[Gasps weakly]" "I guess he didn't." "[Sighs]" "[Gun fires]" "Get your hands where I can see 'em." "[***]" "Lose the weapons, South." "[***]" "All of 'em, South." "[Crack]" "[***]" "Want anything done right around here," "You got to do it yourself." "Down on your knees." "You can't shoot me, judge." "[Chuckles]" "I can do anything I want." "[Sighs irately]" "You were gonna be my heir." "Till you had to go believing that the "code"" "Was for everybody, even folks like me." "The code ain't about murder." "Found that ledger..." "I knew it was just a matter of time" "Before you figured that out, so..." "Well, I couldn't let that stand." "[South fumes]" "I seen that look a time or two." "Those of us who have seen it" "May have plenty of reason to be scared." "The way I figure," "This here's right out of scripture." "You know?" "How like" "When God asked Abraham to kill his son." "Except, this time," "There ain't gonna be no God to save your ass." "Just like there was no God to save your pa," "Down in that river valley." "He was just a..." "Stupid two-bit rancher who couldn't take a hint." "You son of a bitch." "[Shot fires]" "[Coughs and sputters]" "[Thud]" "[Gasping weakly]" "I-it hurts..." "Just hang in there, tenderfoot." "My book..." "Bury it with me." "[***]" "[Thud]" "I still don't understand why we're doing this." "It's symbolic." "That part of my life is over now." "[South sighs]" "Awful lot of land down here" "For two shot-up ol' cowboys to try to take care of." "Might have to make some changes out here." "What do you think, Molly?" "I think if we spend" "Too much more time together," "You're going to have to" "Make an honest woman out of me." "Hmm." "Well, I will, if you'll let me." "[***]" "[***]"