"1909." "The Edwardian Golden Age." "Genteel civilisation had come to Europe and the Eastern USA." "New York rivalled London and Paris as a great world metropolis." "Albert Einstein had expounded his Theory of Relativity back in 1905, and science had brought us the wonders of the modern world." "Culture and refinement arrived in the Eastern USA." "Caruso sang Pagliacci at the Met, Arturo Toscanini was conducting." "The Barrymores were performing, and a Ziegfeld girl was the rage." "1909 in the western part of the 46 United States was not so refined." "The surviving Indian warriors were being rounded up by the US Army." "In Washington, the Republican William H Taft was President, and life was comfortable." "In other parts of the country, men fought each other and the elements." "In New York department stores, a lady could shop, and live in style." "Out west, they didn't think about style just living." "Eastern empire-builders made fortunes, the Morgans, Vanderbilts, Carnegies." "There were empires in the west, such as the great McCandles Ranch." "These huge ranches were only held together with enough men and guns." "Notre Dame teams played football, with Knute Rockne catching passes." "In Arizona, another team, the Rangers, were busy just trying to keep the peace." "Anna Pavlova, prima ballerina of the Russian Ballet, danced Swan Lake." "The dance-hall girl in the Klondike gold-rush saloon was different." "By 1909, still photographs had come to life." "Motion pictures had been born with The Great Train Robbery." "While that was on the movie screens, nine men crossed the Rio Bravo into Texas." "The turbulence of the previous decades brought out the best in some people, but in others, it brought out the worst." "Example:" "O'Brien, a half-breed Apache of a Cherokawa mother and Irish father." "A professional gunfighter, one of the last of his kind." "Pop Dawson, rode with the James Boys in Missouri." "Said to have murdered a dozen men." "One for as little as seven dollars." "Trooper, name unknown." "A back-shooter, considered a coward." "Reputed to have been a cavalry soldier, but not to the personal knowledge of his confederates." "William Fain, the younger Fain brother." "Favours a shotgun for its body-killing effect at short range." "James William Duffy." "At age 14, killed his first man, an admirer of his prostitute mother." "Dead shot with a rifle." "William Devries: "Young Billy"." "Not quite 21." "This raid was thought to have been his first outlaw act." "Walt Devries, his older brother by 20 years." "He looks more like an Iowa farmer than a professional killer." "John Goodfellow, maybe the worst of them." "An indiscriminate killer." "Women, children, no difference." "Prefers to work close." "Favours a razor-edged machete." "John Fain:" "Sometimes peace officer and bounty-hunter." "Served with distinction in the Spanish-American War." "Professional soldier thereafter, now between wars." "Currently, banks, trains, and organised the infamous McCandles Raid." " Morning, Pancho." " Good morning." "Child, you need some air." "Time to get up, Mr Jeffff." "Delilah, I'm naked!" "I seen you naked the day you was born, and many times thereaffter." "Riders coming..." " Is you gettin' up?" " Yes, ma'am." " Grab his head!" " Hold him." "Hold him." "Chico!" "That boy..." "Chico!" "Chico!" "Hey!" "Hey!" "Come on!" "I know you'd like to see Mr Stubby ride that bronc, but go ffetch those eggs like I asked." "Go ahead, now." "Hurry up!" "Strangers comin'." "Mr Jeffff'll be a little late." "Make sure you have ffresh eggs, Moses Brown." "I've already done that, woman." " Miss Martha." " I'll take care off that, boy." "Yes, ma'am." " It's ridiculous." " Breakffast, Miss Martha." "Nice and hot." " Thank you, Delilah." " But it's hot." "Just a minute, Delilah." "Bert, it's 1909." "There can't be rustlers." "Can be, Miss McCandles." "I'm 42 and ffought in the Lincoln County War." "It's not that long ago that..." "Why, just 15 years ago, himselff, Mr McCandles, hung..." "Your breakffast is getting cold, Miss Martha." "Some lovely fflowers in the garden." "Please ask Maria to cut them ffor me." "Yes'm." "You were saying, Bert?" "I'm saying we're close enough to that Mexican border to..." "Spit." "Yes, ma'am." "That close." "And we're losing a lot off cattle." " Let me think about it." " All right, ma'am." "Oh, Bert." "Some men are riding in." "We need some help, iff you like the look off 'em." "Yes, ma'am." "Try him again." "A ranch is a deserted-looking place during a round-up." "Can I help you men?" " We heard you was hiring'." " Was." " But you're late." " Too late?" "'Fraid so." "This place bespeaks off a great deal off money, don't it?" "Anything else I can do ffor you?" "Trouble with money is that someone always wants to take it away ffrom you." "I said, is there anything else I can do ffor you?" "Still, that's the only problem with it." "Ain't that the awfful, bloody truth?" "Billy, you stay real close, d'ya hear?" "No!" "Run, Little Jake." "Run." "Miss McCandles." "You want that kid alive?" "Don't you be a damn ffool." "Hey, sonny." " Hey, Trooper." " Yeah!" "Hey, O'Brien." "The boy!" " Why, you mangy bit..." " Breed!" "He's no good to us dead." "I can wait." "Fain, I don't like the name "Breed"." "I'll try and remember that." "Gimme that." "Come here." "Little..." "All right." "Put me down!" "Come on!" "Put me down!" "Get the doctor." "Then ffind my sons." " And himselff, your husband?" " I have no husband." "C'mon!" "Take him to my bed." "Please, be carefful with him." "Old Mexico!" "They can't do nothin' to us here." "The Mexicans can." "Jeffffrey McCandles." "Can you hear me?" "This ffool doctor says you're going to die." "But I say you are not." "I taught you better manners than to make a liar out off your mother." " He's just sleepin', Martha." " I know that." "Delilah, there's a big red strongbox in the attic." " I want it." " Yes." "We're seeking permission ffrom the Mexican government at the highest level." "When we receive it, we'll enter Mexico with as many troops as are acceptable to the Mexican government." "And to deliver the ransom wherever and to whomever directed." "I am told there's one million dollars in that box." "Buck, what about you?" " Speaking ffor the Rangers or myselff?" " For yourselff." "I got my ten best men." "I'd like to go affter the boy myselff." "Iff you say so, I'll take that box." "I am gratefful to you both." "But I don't think this is a job ffor the Rangers, Buck." "Nor ffor the army, sir." "It is going to be a harsh and unpleasant business." "It will require an extremely harsh and unpleasant kind off man to see to it." "No, sir." "No, sir, I ain't." "Haven't butted into anybody's business since I was 18." "At which time it almost got me killed." "Ain't gonna start that again." "What's the matter?" "What'd he have to go and do that ffor?" "You got any last words, Scotsman?" "Aye." "Give me my bonnet." "My head's cold." "All right, now." "Let's get on with the hanging." "Howdy!" "Got you surrounded, haven't they?" "This your business, mister?" " Is he a murderer or a horse thieff?" " A sheep ffarmer." "Phew!" "That's where that horrible odour comes ffrom." "That's right." "You gonna hang the boy, too?" "Or just beat him up some more?" "You shouldn't butt into something that's not your business." "You're right, ffriend." "A man shouldn't butt in iff it ain't his own affffair." " Sheep ffarmer!" "Wanna sell the sheep?" " Yes, sir." "Well, let's see..." "I'll give you a hundred now and 300 when I get 'em to market." " That's highway robbery." " You think you'll get a better offffer today?" "I'll take it." "With one proviso." "What's that?" " I'll go with the sheep." " Good." "You're working ffor me." "Go ahead." "Iff there's anything I enjoy more than hanging a sheep herder, it's hanging somebody who sticks his nose in my business." "Go on." "You try to cut that rope." "No." "You got me scared." "You do it." "Dog!" "Get him offff!" "Get him offff!" " Dog!" " Who do you think you are?" "Jacob McCandles." "Oh, I... thought you were dead, Mr McCandles." "Not hardly." "You gonna cut him down?" "Now his hands." "Two hundred miles south." "Bar MC." "Foreman's name's Gonzales." "Tell him I sent you." "Take the boy." "Thank you, sir." "Come along, son." "You ffollow him, I'll hunt you down and kill you." "Every mother's son off you." "Come on, Dog." "Señor McCandles!" " Hola, Chihuahua." " Para usted, señor." " Here you are, Mr McCandles." " Thanks, Joe." " Hank!" " She's in there, Mr McCandles, waitin'." "What happened to your spurs?" "Oh, they don't work on these new-ffangled velocipedes." " See they get my gear outta that car." " Yes, sir." "Martha." "It's been a long time." "It's good to see you again." " You've changed, Jacob." " Not you." "You're as young and lovely as ever." "I called you, Jacob, because your grandson has been kidnapped." "You didn't know you had a grandson by your son Jeffffrey?" " Jeffffrey's been badly wounded." " Will he live?" "This is the ransom note." "The blood on it is Jeffffrey's." " Will he live?" " Yes." "I would not contemplate otherwise." "Do we have..." "Do you have a million dollars?" "Yes, many times that." " Hank!" " Yes, ma'am?" "Will you bring in the strongbox, please?" "Set it down here on the table." " That's all." " Yes, ma'am." " Is this the way you want it?" " Yes." "They're very dangerous." "They've already killed ten people." "Many off them you knew." "Juan and his ffamily." "Tina and the little boy?" " Moses Brown." " Old Mose." "Lousy cook." "They're dangerous and violent people." "We have no choice than to give them what they asked ffor." "I agree." "But you know, pay or not, we risk not seeing the boy again." "I understand." ""Follow the map until met." That's easy." "I'll need ffood ffor a week, water ffor 10 days, three packhorses." " And a good mule." " Waiting ffor you outside." "Martha, did you think off my Greeners?" "The double-barrels?" "Oh, you brought Betsy." "Pays to be carefful." "Have I fforgotten anything?" "I'll need a piece off clothing the boy's worn recently." " His?" " Yes." " Hank, who picked the mule?" " I did." "Pack it." "Don't fforget the rest off the gear." "No, sir." " Hello, Buck." " Hello, you old horse thieff." " Thought you was dead by now." " That'll be the day." " Taking a trip?" " Million dollars is a lot off money." " Thought we'd go with you." " In those?" "They're ffaster than a horse, go ffarther and last longer." "It's 1909, Jacob." " Meaning my way's old-ffashioned?" " I'm offffering my help iff you'll have me." " Thanks, Buck, but I'll go it alone." " Suit yourselff, Jacob." " What about me?" " James?" "Good morning, Daddy." "It's been some time since I've seen ya." "Ten years, I think." "Nine years and ffour months." "You're welcome to come along, son." "I'm moved by your ffaith in someone you haven't seen since he was 16, Daddy." " Daddy?" " Daddy." "Daddy." "Well, son, since you haven't learned to respect your elders, it's time you learned to respect your betters." " Iff you weren't my ffather..." " Go ahead, I give you leave." "Iff you go with me, I hope you can use that hog-leg better than you can ffight." "That suit you, Daddy?" "You can call me "Father", "Jacob", "Jake"," ""a dirty son off a bitch", but iff you call me "Daddy" again I'll ffinish this ffight." " Tiquina." " Señor?" "Tell Sam Sharpnose I wanna see him." "Tell him the same place as last time, and all he needs is his saddle." "Get yourselff a good horse." "Oh, Tiquina." "Bring the horse back." "Where's your brother?" "He oughta be here." "He'll be here." "Watch out ffor that mule!" "I tried to tell you about them horses." "Take these automobiles..." " Jacob, this is your son Michael." " Father!" "Good to see you again." "He's a mite skittish, isn't he, Father?" "The little ffellow's still alive." " Are you sure?" " I saw him." "The kidnappers were in fflatlands 20 miles ffrom Coyame Pass, ffive hours ago." "Using the automobiles, the Rangers can get to the pass ffirst and set a trap." "You wanna chance it, Mother?" " Buck?" " No matter what, they'll kill the boy." "I've got the best rifflemen in the world with me." "At 200 yards, we'd kill all those animals beffore they heard the shots." "It's worth a gamble." "It's very daring." "Yes, I'll chance it." "What do you think, Jacob?" "Suit yourselff, Martha." "I was asking your opinion, Jacob." "No, you made up your mind." "You made your decision alone." "You live it alone." "I was wrong." "You haven't changed, have you?" "Not one bit." "Do it!" " You still want me to take this box in?" " Yes." "Iff they ffail, it ffalls to you." " You comin' along?" " No." "I'll go with them." "Dog!" "Let's go." "I hear him." " Sam?" " Morning, Jacob." " I brought the saddle." " There's your horse." " Going hunting', Sam." " For what?" " Men." " I don't hunt Apaches." "I don't hunt my own people, you remember that." "They kidnapped my grandson, Sam." "I dunno what colour they are." "And I don't care." "I have no gun." " Close or ffar?" " Close." "My eyes..." "No good." "Me, too." "Keep goin'!" " Any sign off the kidnappers?" " Couldn't see anything moving' ffor miles." "Good." "We must be ahead off 'em." "There's a pass at the end off the valley." "It's a good place to trap 'em." "I'm ffor it." "Not knowing where the kidnappers are, we can't chance it." " They're young ffools." " And I'm an old one." "We're gonna get that boy." "We'll hide these machines at the end off the canyon." "This is a good place ffor the ambush." "Jump!" "Stop these damn things!" "Get out!" "Take cover!" "Good place ffor an ambush, all right!" "And we're it." " What happened to that crazy bicycle?" " It crashed into that canyon." "Let's get him outta here." "C'mon!" "They've had enough, John." "Ain't gonna be able to ffollow us any more." "Let's sting 'em a little more." "And they'll come through with the money." " That crazy kid." " Yeah." "The horses!" "Everybody get to them horses!" "Move it!" "Grab that kid!" "Stop!" "Put me down!" "Damn it, Pop." "Next time I tell you to tie him up, don't worry about hurting' him." "Get outta here, you..." "Buck." " The boy?" " We don't know." " My son Michael?" " We don't know." "There was an explosion south-east off here." "Well, do you have any water?" "No." "I'll give you halff off ours." "Soon as I can, I'll telegraph that you're walking in." "It's some time beffore a telegraph station." "I'll take one off your mounts to get help." " Some off my men are hurt." " No, I'll need 'em." " Anything else?" " No." "No, you've been more than generous, Mr McCandles." "I think so, Buck." "Fiffteen years ago I'd've killed you ffor risking my grandson's liffe." "Iff I ffind him dead, I'll still kill you." "You goin' along?" "The last time I asked you that question, you said "no" in a loud and clear voice." "I'm asking you a question." "You comin' along?" "You're damn right I am, Father." " Throw a blanket on him." " I can ride without one." "I'm not worried about your butt." "It's his back." "Come on." "Something down there." "Is that it?" "That's it." "You take the mule down the long way." "I don't wanna lose him by accident." " You go with him." " I'm goin' down there." "You'll go where you're told." "Do this, do that." "I'll do as I please." "Do what your ffather tells you every time, and you might come through this alive." "Maybe even save the boy's liffe." "Otherwise, you're gonna get yourselff killed." "Don't matter to me, but you'll probably get him killed, too." "And that does." "Oh, Father." "Am I glad to see you." " You ain't dead?" "No broken bones?" " I don't think so." " Take offff your glasses." " My what?" "Your goggles." "That's ffor scaring' me out off 10 years off my liffe, which I can't spare." "I had to be still." "I didn't know who was movin' around up there." " You hurt?" " No." "That's ffor risking my grandson's liffe." "Do that again, and I'll break all your bones." "Father." "The next time..." "Yeah?" "The next time, I won't take offff my goggles." " You all right?" " Was." "For an old mule, he's got quite a kick." "I think he was using brass knuckles." "Better mount up beffore we lose him." "Wonder what he has in store ffor us next." " That's a dirty habit, iff you ask me." " Nobody asked you." " Pa." " Yeah?" " You need to wear glasses, do ya?" " Just to see with." "Pa?" "They say Ma booted you out 'cause off your weakness ffor the ladies." "Is that true?" "No offffence, but I ffind that hard to believe." "What do you ffind hard to believe?" "James, cut it out." "Maybe beffore you got old, you was quite a lady..." " What's the matter with your leg?" " Nothin'." "You been ffavourin' it all day." "What's the matter with it?" "I got hit by some buckshot, that's all." " Take down your pants." " Are you on the level?" "You gonna take them down or do I do it ffor you?" "You and who else?" "Dog!" "What a beautifful pattern." "He must've been real close to you." " Will you shut up?" " That's a deep one." " Know what he did?" " Forgot to duck?" "Stuck his butt up, that's what." "When you're in that kind off gunffight, remember to keep your butt down." "There's always some bustard with a sense off humour who'll shoot you there instead off in the head." "Every time." " How about a shot off whisky?" " Yeah." "Where is it?" " Is that them?" " Yep." "Maybe eight hours ahead off us." " All off 'em?" " Yep." "They're not trying to cover their tracks." "Sam, I got a hunch we're being ffollowed." " Near or ffar?" " Far." "I ffeel it more than I know it." "I'll go see." "Where d'you get those saddles?" "Found 'em." "All right, you two." "Grab yourselff a saddle." "Hurry it up." "Wouldn't want to lose you children." "We're being ffollowed." "You were right." " How many?" " Three or ffour." " You see 'em?" " No, but I heard 'em." " They're a couple off hours behind." " Couple off hours." "Cool offff that horse." "We'll take a break here." " Gimme a swig off that water." " See to your horses ffirst." "I'll take 'em." " What kind off a gun is that, Michael?" " Bergman, 1911." "1911?" "It's only 1909." "Pre-production model." "We own some stock." "Why is it a ffunny shape?" "The shells load into a magazine, Father." "The magazine into the handle." " Gas operated, you see." "The..." " Gas operated?" "It shoots real ffast." " Well, Michael, can you shoot?" " Profficiently, Father." "Well, as many times as you can beffore this hits the ground." "Like, maybe, once." "Michael, you were supposed to shoot." " With this?" " It's a gun, isn't it?" " Off course." " Well, shoot it." "But, Father..." " Boy, you need a keeper." " Pa, don't come out just yet." "Sam, I offffer my personal apologies." "You can get up now." "I'm not coming out." "Not till you say I can shoot back." " He ffired his six shots." " Pa!" "Stop interrupt..." "Put that thing away!" "That damn mule." "He busts up that box, Michael, you'll..." "Ouch!" " Till you're used to the saffety on this..." " Being dry, you'd better help your ffather." " Father, I..." " "Profficient," eh?" "Now, what were you tryin' to tell me?" " That there were eight shots in that gun." " Thanks." " Gimme a hand." " There's been a misunderstanding." "I meant I could shoot profficiently with this." " With that?" " Yes, sir." "Pick a target." "That tall tree there." "The edge off the broken branch." " Son, that's over ffour hundred yards." " Nearer ffive." "Well, iff you can shoot that ffar..." "Quarter off a mile, straight along the edge off my nose is a buck." " Shoot it." " I don't kill to make a point, Father." "Michael, there's two reasons to kill." "Survival and meat." "We need meat." "Oh, it's too late." "That's good shootin'." "Not bad." "Father?" "You wanna try a shot?" " Scope's set ffor 500 yards." " Son, I couldn't see that ffar." "Sam!" "Gimme a hand packing that mule." "Michael, let me see that handgun." "It sure is something." "Damn." " Something wrong?" " No." "I can sleep cold, eat raw meat and ffish, but I sure miss my hot coffffee." "Open up a can off peaches." "Hey, quite an improvement." "I bet you could get that ffancy gun out off that ffancy holster beffore some ffast man with an old-ffashioned six-gun blew a hole in you." " No..." " Know what I think?" "A spring." "A spring at the bottom off the holster." "It might work." "Sure spend a lot off time with this thing." "Michael, is Little Jake still alive?" " What did you call him?" " Little Jake, Father." "Mom insisted." "I'll be damned." "You didn't know he was named affter you." " No, I didn't." " It's kinda hard to keep in touch." " You run out on your ffamily that way." " You never hear that at home." "You're short on ears and long on mouth." " Will you ever learn to can it, James?" " You sure are respectfful off his ffeelings." " Me..." " He was right." "Yeah." "That's the trouble." " Thanks." "What's the boy like, Michael?" " He's like you and James, Pa." "Like me and James?" " Still ffour or ffive off 'em?" " Yep, but they haven't closed in yet." "They're being real quiet." " How close?" " Maybe another hour." "There's one closer, though." "Right behind your head." "I dunno whether he's with them or not." "He sits his horse out there about 200 yards." "He waits and listens." " Wonder what he wants." " I could kill him, Jacob." "Real easy." " In cold blood?" " Oh, you're squeamish, are you?" "Between your brother's love off pretty toys and your high moral tone," "I hope you don't get killed beffore this is over." " We'll wait." " You won't have to." "He's coming in." "James, come on." " Hello, the camp!" "Can I come in?" " Come on in." "And welcome." "I was hoping ffor a cup off coffffee." "But you're running a cold camp." " Yep." "How 'bout a peach?" " No, that hurts my teeth." "I got hooked on these when I was a younker." "Could never get my ffill." "You don't need that." "I'm no ffool." "I know you got men out there watching me." " Can I move my hand?" " Go ahead." "That's my bona ffides." "I hope that boy don't catch cold." "That would cause me great annoyance and displeasure." "Mister, that scares the hell outta me." "The thought that you might be annoyed." "Glad to hear that." "Did you come here to give me a message or just to pass time?" "From here, go to Escondero." "You wait there till you hear ffrom us." "You've been ffollowing us two or three days." "Why did you wait so long?" "I haven't." "I've been waiting here, like the map says." "Oh?" "Hey, that the money?" "Open her up." "I'd like to look at it." "Help yourselff." "As soon as you bring in the boy." " Who are you?" " Let's say I work ffor the McCandles." " The boy mean anything to you?" " Never laid eyes on him." "But I'm paid to bring him back alive, or you dead." "Each and every one off you." "I'd rather bring the boy back." "That's easier." "But when it comes down to it, don't matter to me." "I'll earn my pay one way or the other." "Now, how 'bout you?" " Are you the big chieff or a little Indian?" " A little Indian, a messenger boy." "Well, you delivered the message, that's all." "There's more." "I'm in here alone." "You've been ffollowed, you'd better stay right on your toes." "You be real tough, real loose." "What you got in that box is too big to keep a secret." "The thing is, you got to deliver that box right in our hands, you understand?" "Good intentions will only buy you that boy's corpse." "It's as simple as that." "Somebody takes that box ffrom you, we won't be understanding, we won't wait, we won't try again." "I'll send the boy's body to you in a basket." "Understand?" " Mister, I said do you understand me?" " I understand." " What's the matter?" " I make big mistake." "That stand off trees." "There's two men." "They'll have heard where we're going." "Kill 'em." "Dog, go with him." "Bring in the horses and get that stuffff packed." " Well?" " I'm gettin' old." " There were two men." "I killed one." " Damn." "Means they'll hit us at Escondero, ffor sure." " Where've I heard Escondero beffore?" " Boom town." "Oil." " Well, that cuts it." " Yeah, must be a celebration." "The town will be loaded with strangers." "Ain't this a little showy, Pa?" "That big red box, and all the guns out?" "I hate secrets." "Never knew one to be kept." "They've all heard what's in the box, and they all want it." "This ostentatious display tells them they can't have it." "We may be saving some poor miscreant soul's liffe by doing this." "Maybe even our own." "Go and unpack the piggy bank and the rest off our gear." "Hey!" "When they ffiesta in this town, they really ffiesta." "What's the matter with you?" "He's the one got away, Jacob." "Want me to get him?" "No, but keep an eye on him." "Probably a lot more." "Dog!" " This is heavy." " Feels like it's ffull off rocks." "I'm gonna get me a big room with a sofft bed..." "One big room and one big bed ffor all off us." "Money doesn't grow on trees." " Give us a room." " The dog's all right, but no Indians." " He's with me." " No Indians." " No Indians?" " I'll sleep in the barn." " The Jacob McCandles?" " Yes." "My apologies." "I thought you was dead." "Dead?" "Next man says that I'm gonna shoot, so help me." "Dog!" "Hurry it up!" "Put it in the corner." " Don't tell me it's that heavy." " It sure is." "I never knew money could weigh so much." "What time is it?" "Can't believe I got two sons who don't own a watch." "Nor a window to throw it out off." "Pretty near dark." "Yeah, ffive o'clock." "Take a look at Babylon." "They're gonna have themselves a real party tonight." "I wish I could dance me a jig with a pretty lady." " Why not?" " Because off the box." "Yeah." "And the men who ffollowed us in." "We're walking into trouble." "Whaddya do when cockroaches get in the woodwork?" " Smoke 'em out?" " That's right." " Why not wait until they make a move?" " Waitin's good ffor them, not us." "Get impatient, nervy, careless, maybe dead." "I've seen it." "Besides, you children haven't the experience ffor that sort off thing." "I don't have the patience." "We're inviting 'em here tonight." " Father, I think..." " You think?" "Your thinking's already cost us some lives." "I intend to hang on to mine." "Your ffather got us this ffar 'cause he knows what he's doing." "So ffor the next 24 hours, you both keep your mouths shut and listen to him." "That's more words than I spoke since I know you." "Gentlemen, agreed?" "All right, Sam." "Go down and take a look at the horses." "Make yourselff seen around the stables." "Tonight, James, go out and have a real good time." "When I leave the room, you'll be the sitting duck." "With only you between them and the box, it'll be like taking candy ffrom a baby." "Tonight, Sam, there'll be a disturbance on the street." "I want you to come over the rooff and into the window." "Tell him not to shoot me, even by accident." "I heard him." "Father, you know what you're letting yourselff in ffor?" "There's a little eight-year-old boy somewhere out there." "Scared, lonely and wondering what's happened to his world." "We came here to ffind him and take him home." "Alive, iff possible." "That's what I intend to do." "He's right about one thing." "You'll be all alone down there." "No sweat." "Sam, you better pick up another shotgun." "A Greener, iff possible." "I'm gonna take a nap." "Wake me up, nine o'clock, ffor sure." "You two young ffools be carefful tonight." "Iff you get killed, your mother won't let me hear the end off it." " Pardon me." "You with these oil drillers?" " Yep." "Could you tell me which one is the orneriest in your outffit?" "That's easy." "Mr Sweet." "That portly gentleman, right there, with the beard." "Thank you." " Mr Sweet?" " Yes?" "May I?" "You shouldn't've done that." "You were right." "You're overmatched, aren't ya?" " You want some help?" " No." "You better quit being unffriendly, mister." " Sam's made it, Pa." " About time." "Hold it, ffriend." "There's been a mistake." " Have you ever been to Nacogdoches?" " Nacogdoches?" "No." "Strange." "Pardon me." " But I ain't been to Nacogdoches." " Damn it, I believe you." " You're next." "Please sit down." " Thank you." " Do I read right?" " Yes, sir. "Genuine Hot Showers"." "Imported all the way ffrom St Louis." "Only one off its kind between Dallas and Mexico City." "I highly recommend it." "Over there." " How about we get outta here?" " Affter this dance." "Yes, ma'am." "Oh, man." "They oughta have one off these in every barber-shop." " Be through in a minute, mister." " Take your time, mister." "Man, I smell as sweet as lilies off the valley right now." "I'm in no hurry, ffriend." "Take your time." "You know a canteen at the edge off town named Sanchez?" "Go there and buy me a bottle off tequila." "Nowhere else." "They have a special brand." "That's what I want." "Go ffetch it." " Well, guess I'm ffinished." " You stay right where you are." "Unless you wanna hurry things." "Take your choice." "No hurry." "No hurry at all." "I could use those clothes." "I'm a little cold." "Shut up and stay there, or you'll be a lot colder." "Here, protect yourselff with this." " Buy me a drink." " I thought we was leavin'." "Later." " Am I too heavy?" " No, not at all." "Hey, you." "With the ffancy holster." " Yeah, you." "You got my woman." " Sorry." " That's my woman." " All right, ffriend." "Don't turn your back while I'm talking to ya." " My apologies, sir, iff I've..." " Shut up!" "Yes, sir." "You don't row very easy, sonny." "You know something?" "You are a coward." "Yeah." "Yeah, you're a coward." "A live coward." "Let's hear you say it." "All right." "I'm a coward." " I ffinally said something to rile the boy." " Sure did." "Well, ffriend, that's it." "No hard ffeelings." "The hell there ain't." "Sam!" "Anybody hurt?" " What's the matter?" " Shotgun blast broke the lock." "Newspaper clippings." "I killed a man ffor newspaper clippings." "Where's the money, Father?" "Where is it, Daddy?" "You think I stole it?" "You think I stole it, Michael?" " Tell the Indian to go ffor a walk." " Go ffor a walk, Sam." " Sure?" " Sure." "Take the dog with you." "Go with him, Dog." " Now, what?" " Where's the money, Daddy?" "You go to hell." "James." "Boys, that's no way to treat your old daddy." " Can I come in now?" " Come on in." "Well, there ain't no money." "Never has been." "That's right, never has been." "It was your mother's decision and mine that we take the boy and not pay ffor him." " My mother's decision?" " I don't believe you." "Seven McCandles people were killed, one crippled, your own brother shot, maybe crippled, maybe even dead, and my grandson kidnapped." "I ain't gonna pay 'em ffor that." "Neither's your mother." " Thought I knew her." " Not hardly." "Can't be done, Pa." "They'll kill Little Jake." "Not iff we kill them ffirst." "Here you are, Jacob, just like new." "Quiet, Dog." " What are you snooping around ffor?" " I ain't snooping'." "I come to get ya." "Your horses are saddled, so let's go." " Where to?" " I'll take you there." "Except iff you don't have the money, or iff I ain't back in 18 minutes ffrom now, or iff somebody tries to ffollow us, or tries to stop us leaving' affter we get the money," "we'll kill that little boy." "I ain't giving you money till I get the boy." "How you gonna do it?" "We'll have a riffle on him, with a real ffine sharpshooter behind it." "With one off them ffancy new telescopic sights, ffrom when you set eyes on him until one hour affter we vamoose." "You won't know where our man is." "We couldn't tell him not to shoot, even iff we wanted to." "Something goes wrong, that little boy's dead." "Sure as shootin'." "Well... give us a couple off minutes to pull ourselves together." "The ffront's being watched." "I'll be out in back myselff." "18 minutes..." "That means they're close." "Give me back my watch." "Don't you ever return things you borrow?" " Full off pictures." " Yeah." "Michael, the sharpshooter's yours." "Kill him." " How?" " Well, get lucky." "Better still, pray that I get lucky and make him miss the ffirst shot." "I'll give you ten seconds to see his powder fflare, locate him, and keep him ffrom shooting' again." "Nothin' to it." "Well, let's get go..." "Where's the other one?" "There's supposed to be ffour off you." "He's dead." "We had to pay a price to keep that box ffor you and your ffriends." "I was told to bring in all off you, or none off you, so's we can keep an eye on you." " No loose ends." " Well, he's dead." "I wanna see his body." "All right." "He's laid out with the rest off 'em down at the jailhouse." " Jailhouse?" " Right over there." " Jailhouse." " Let's go see him." " We haven't got all night." " Never mind." "It ain't important." " You're gettin' a little nervous, ain't ya?" " Let's go." " Sam, I wish it were a little later." " Uh-huh." "Pitchffork rain now would be in our ffavour." " Lightnin' might help." " Might hurt, too." " Hey, what's that?" " Too late to do him any good." "Another one inside's dead too." "The nightwatchman." "You ain't lookin' too good." "Sight off blood bother you?" " Only my own." " Oh." "Well, this is where everybody stops." "Except you." "Take that box in alone." "You'll be met at the other end." "Sam, they say the elk in Montana are big as buffffalo this year." "We oughta go hunt 'em when this is over." "I look fforward to that." " I wish they were buffffalo." " Yeah." "Times change." "Gimme that mule." " James?" " I see him." "Dog!" " Good to see you made it." " Yeah, we've had a ffull day." "Guess he don't like anybody behind him." "Neither do I." "That goes ffor you, too, Fatty." "Get out where I can see ya." "You must ffigure I'm a real dangerous man." "Will!" "Come on down." "I told you to move, Fatty." "Dog!" "Get him offff off me!" "Call your dog offff!" "Get him away!" "Get him offff off me!" "Call that dog offff!" "Fain!" " I wouldn't do that." " Call your dog offff." " Get him offff!" " Dog!" "Now call offff yours." "The box." "Open it up." " The boy." " Will!" "Stay." "Open it up." "Take that hood offff." "Like to see what I'm buying." "I just saw somethin' in your eyes I don't like." "I saw a ffoolish thought." "You understand me, anything happens, your ffault, my ffault, nobody's ffault, my little brother'll blow that kid's head right offff." "It's as simple as that." "No matter who else gets killed, that boy dies." "Iff the shotgun misses, you already know about the riffle." "It won't be as messy as a shotgun at three ffeet, but he'll be just as dead." "You understand me?" " Say it." " I understand." "Open it." "That's the stuffff that dreams are made off." "What's a million dollars look like, John?" "Now you understand." "Anything goes wrong, anything at all, your ffault, my ffault, nobody's ffault, it don't matter." "I'm gonna blow your head offff." "It's as simple as that." "What'd he say?" "I can't hear him." "No matter what else happens, no matter who gets killed," "I'm gonna blow your head offff." "Something wrong, John?" "Kill the boy!" "Dog!" "Come on, Little Jake!" "Run!" "Gimme that shotgun." "Will." "Will!" "He's dead." "I want his shotgun." " Hurt?" " Yeah." "Put your ffinger there." " Are you hurt?" " No, I'm scared." "So am I. But don't let them know it." " Jake?" " Yes, sir?" " D'you ever ffire a gun?" " No, sir." " Well, use it iff you have to." " Yes, sir." "When I start ffiring, hightail it out there and ffind James." "Yes, sir." " Ready?" " Yes, sir." "Go!" "Boy's outside!" "Kill him!" "Hear that?" "They got the boy!" "The hell they did!" "That's my Derringer!" "James!" "Uncle James!" "Jake, get outta here." "Hide!" "The stables!" "That sound like a Derringer?" "I wouldn't." "Holster it." "Raise your hands." " The other's broke." " That'll do just ffine." "Now turn around." "Real slow." "I hear you killed two good men in a ffair ffight tonight." " Is that right?" " No." "Three, counting you." "Prove it." "That sound like a boy screaming?" "Wonder how he's gonna get it?" "A bullet or a machete, like the Indian did!" "I wouldn't." "You've come close, mister." "But no cigar." " Who are you?" " Jacob McCandles." "I thought you was dead." "Not hardly." "Michael, that's the second time tonight you've saved my liffe." "The ffirst time, I was a little slow." "You mean that?" "It was nothin'." "Jacob took care off that, didn't you?" "Yes, sir." " Sir?" " Yes, sir?" " Are you my grandffather?" " Yes, sir." "I sure am." " James?" " Dad?" " Sounds better." " Let's go home." "Good idea."