Best of the Badmen

'We were the diehards of the middle border,

'the last of old Bill Quantrell's Raiders, the orneriest pack that ever rode without a flag.

'Funny, ain't it, how you burn Lawrence, Kansas, and it's war good and proper,

'but when the peace bells ring, shooting Kansans in the britches puts a price tag on your head?

'Fat prices they put up, too.

'Big enough to make every turn in the trail look like a bushwacker's trap.'

-Halt! Set camp!

-We ain't tired.

Ask your horse. All you're doing is sitting on it.

'Yeah, the toughest gun hands that ever rode together. That was us, all right.

'It's even been said plenty law-makers looked the other way quick when some of us rode past.

'Jesse and Frank, for instance. The James boys, I mean.

'Jesse was the quick, quiet one who lived and slept with both eyes open.

'No-one ever rightly knew what he was thinking. It was all wrapped up in fire inside of him.

'Frank, well, he was just a homesick farmer who traded his plough for a rifle,

'and always a mite bitter about it.

'And then there was the young 'uns - John, Jim and Cole.

'Cole was our captain with Quantrell, you know. He was still our captain.

'Smartest soldierman in our troop.

'Had a weak spot, though...

'his brother Bob.

'He wasn't a stripe to the rest of us. Too young, I guess.

'Always dreaming of things far off instead of what we was up against,

'but plenty mean when the chips was down.'

-Cut out that mushy music.

-Keep pestering me and I'll break you in two!

-And he could at that, Curley.

Ringo's right, Bob. Those Yankee soldiers got good ears. Go and get some rest. You'll need it.

-All right, Cole.

-Curley, invoice the rations. See what food we got to cover us from here to Quinto.

'Curley Ringo. Hmm, ever seen a bush rat?

'That was Curley with a capital R.

'And me? Doc Butcher's the name.

'What about me? Well, I was just an old horse thief... I mean, a horse doctor.'

Doc, take sentry duty.

Yanks! Yanks!

Yanks!

Hold it, men. We can't make it, so this'll be the last ditch.

When I give the order, hard to it!

That's Jeff Clanton from Missouri.

Dirty skunk! Sold out to the Yanks.

I'm going to talk to him...unless somebody's got strong objections.

-Stop there, Clanton.

-Hello, Cole.

-Whatever you've got to say, say it quick and say it good.

-All right.

The army's tired of Quantrell's gang keeping things in an uproar. Quantrell's dead and the war's over.

-We want you to give up.

-Then the army turns us over to carpetbaggers!

-There's rewards up on us.

In their rigged-up courts, we'd never beat the rope. We'll take our dyin' shootin'.

All right, it's your funeral. You can have it right now if you want,

but first hear the terms of Lincoln's Peace Proclamation.

-Take the Oath of Allegiance?

-Yes, and start with a clean slate if you can prove you were Confederates.

But it's those carpetbaggers who've grabbed authority!

You're talking to the army. That's the only authority I know.

It's your chance to surrender and make yourselves eligible for parole.

-Big man, ain't you, since the Yanks won the war?

-Shut up!

-Why should we take his say-so?

-I give you my word.

You've got a second choice, but I doubt if you'd win.

My troops are under orders to open fire ten minutes from when I came up. I haven't looked at my watch,

but time isn't running backwards.

Kind of got us in a box, ain't you, Clanton?

One way you can get out of it.

I don't know about the rest of the boys, but I'd sooner be a sensible LIVE quitter

than a stubborn DEAD hero.

You know, Clanton, you're about the only Yank that I'd trust.

Maybe I'm about the only Yank that would trust YOU.

All right, let's line up and get this over with.

Give me your names and service connections.

And talk straight. They've got your records at headquarters.

-Cole Younger, Quantrell Battalion.

-We're all Quantrell. All you need's the names.

-Jim and John Younger.

-Right.

-And Bob. I never expected to find you here.

-Wherever my brothers go, I go with them.

-The name's Ringo, Curley Ringo.

-Never heard of you.

You?

-James.

-Jesse?

We got nothing to go home to. Northerners burnt us out.

-Who are you?

-Frank James.

-You've done some burning too. Now you start even.

-HORSE NEIGHS

Daisy! That mare's from the Clanton farm.

Doc Butcher!

-Here! Quantrell's Battalion, horse doctor.

-Horse THIEF. You'll get life.

Er, Major, I collect bridles for souvenirs and on the end of one, I was surprised to find a horse.

Ephraim...Butcher.

Horse...

..veterinarian.

Oh...

'So we took Jeff Clanton's word for it

'and wound up at the town of Breckenridge, where the Third Cavalry was bivouacked.

'It was a kind of a sleepy looking place where they was used to seeing military prisoners brought in.

'Nothing to do but get our records checked, and everything looked rosy, except one thing I noticed -

'a man wearing a badge,

'a fella with silver dollars in his eyes, looked like he was adding up a tote to put in his pocket.'

Wilson, where's Mr Fowler? In the bedroom, unpacking.

-What's the excitement, did you find my wife?

-The army has Quantrell's bunch. All the top reward names!

-The Youngers?

-Sure.

-The Jameses?

-All of them.

-It's my lucky day!

I'll see the commanding officer, get 'em transferred to my custody.

-Wilson.

-Yeah.

-We'll need our best men to take these prisoners back to Kansas.

-Yes, sir.

BUGLE SOUNDS

-Take over, Lieutenant.

-Yes, sir.

Prisoners over here!

-Congratulations, Major.

-Thanks, Bill, but you may be a little premature. Check these service connections.

-That's not what I'm congratulating you for. Could this be what you're looking for?

-Is that it?

-Best news since Grant took Richmond.

-They finally got around to us.

-Yes.

You've been out the army for the last three weeks, officially.

Of course, you could've gotten yourself killed, unofficially.

How right you are.

How did you get in here?

I just told the sentries my name.

Matthew Fowler. Perhaps you've heard of me, Major Clanton?

-Who hasn't?

-Quite a compliment. Congratulations on a public duty bravely performed.

-Thank you.

-Now, what are you really here for?

-To take certain of those Quantrell men off the army's hands.

-Frank and Jesse James, the Youngers, Curley Ringo, Doc Butcher.

-The high-priced ones.

It isn't a matter of reward money, but of duty.

I gave those men my word that if their service records checked,

-I'd give them the Oath of Allegiance and...

-Set them free? You can't do that!

-Who says so?

Perhaps you've been in the army too long, Major - kind of lost sight on who's running the peace now.

Men like you, taking advantage of these disorganised times!

I heard about your detective agency. Detecting banks and gold shipments!

I'm not asking you, I'm telling you.

You'll hand the outlaws I named to my custody. I intend to take them into court and get convictions.

That wouldn't be too hard with some of these courts I've heard about.

Delivering those men would make you one of the biggest men in America.

You know, there's fast promotion for men in the army these days if they know the right people.

But there's DE-motion too.

You can't touch me, Fowler, you glory-hunter, Mr Carpetbag. Now get out of here!

-I wish we'd get done and get out of here.

-What's your hurry, kid?

-Leave it to your big brother. He'll fix us up.

-Who asked you?

-This town has got no use for us.

-Cool off. We'll be leaving soon.

-That guy making powwow,

-he measured us for reward money when we hit town.

-They got guns, we ain't.

I don't like the way he's buzzing those townsfolk. They'll tar and feather us!

-All of them are on the rebel payroll.

-Fine. I wasn't sure about a couple of them.

LOUD HUBBUB

Line 'em up.

Line up!

-Raise your right hands.

-Major!

Don't administer that oath!

-You've no right fixing to let them Quantrell outlaws get away!

-Repeat after me...

-I do solemnly swear...

-THEY REPEAT

We feel you're going against civil law for your fellow Missourians.

That's right!

Double the guard!

-..And will in like manner...

-And will in like manner...

-..abide by and faithfully support...

-Abide by and faithfully support...

..all laws and proclamations made during the existing rebellion...

GUNSHOT

VOICE FROM THE CROWD: Let's get 'em!

Look out, Jeff!

Hold fire! Advance to the reservation line.

Raise your right hands again.

I will faithfully support all laws and proclamations made during the existing rebellion...

THEY REPEAT

-So help me, God.

-ALL: So help me, God.

-Now mount up and get out of here.

Fowler, get your man out of here.

He's dead.

TRAIN APPROACHES, BELL RINGS

-Well, goodbye, MR Clanton.

-Goodbye, MR Blane.

-Couldn't believe it when those orders came to strike camp.

It was good of you to wait a day to see us mustered out.

-For men I've been with three years, a day isn't important.

-Hope you get home for ploughing.

-I hope it's done.

-I just want to meditate on freedom.

-I got a warrant for your arrest.

-By what authority?

-Keep out of this.

-For what?

-Murder. You was out the army when you killed that fella.

Get out of my way. I'm going home!

BELL RINGS

We find the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree.

We commend the jury's integrity in reaching this quick decision.

Quick's right! Quickest justice on record, from a hand-picked judge and a bought-and-paid-for jury.

-The defendant is warned against remarks.

-The whole state knows I'm no murderer!

-I'm just a paid advertisement for the Fowler Agency.

-Mr Fowler's not on trial here!

-You admit you were out of the army when you shot a civilian in defence of outlaws.

-If they're outlaws...

then what are you, Fowler, you and your filthy organisation?!

-Let them get away with it and it'll be your turn next!

-Silence!

-What's happened when a man like this can assume power?

-Silence!

Your Honour, I suggest you sentence the defendant.

Jefferson Clanton, it's this court's judgement that at sunrise you shall hang by the neck until dead.

And may God have mercy upon your soul.

You shoulda ate, Clanton. Where you're going, they don't feed good.

What do you want? Mr Fowler sent you a present.

Everybody else is celebrating, so why can't you? Rot gut, eh?!

Wait, you can't come in here. I'm already in.

You're not scared, are you? No...

No, I ain't, but you have got to get on out of here.

Why? We're all alone, aren't we?

Yeah.

Let's you and me have a little drink. We'll drink to the hanging...

of a stuck-up Yankee officer who thought he was too good for me! Clanton?

There was a time when the Major claimed he was so crazy about me, and I believed him!

And then he ran out and left me!

You want to crow over him. More than that!

I want to show him what live ones are doing while he's dancing on air.

Fill 'em up and then we'll...

Hey, wait. You can't go back there.

Oh... You want me to leave?

Mmm?

No...

No, but I'm only telling you that...

Do what I tell you and you'll always go wrong.

Come on - fill 'em up, handsome. Sure. Way up!

Well, Major, where's your horse? SHE LAUGHS

You don't look as pretty as the last time we got together.

And in a few hours from now,

they'll tie a rope round your neck, kick the box from under you, and I'll yell louder than anybody.

Hey, you!

I got 'em poured. Get that jailbird off your mind.

Hawkins, what are you doing...?! Who is she?

She claims she used to be sweet on Clanton.

She give me the bottle, said Mr Fowler sent it.

Well, well, so we've finally caught up with you, and here of all places.

Won't Fowler be glad to see you! You know her? Sure. She's Mrs Fowler.

Let go of me!

Peg, stay here. Whenever she turns up, it's trouble for Matt Fowler.

What do you know?! I better look at Clanton's cell, case you left the barn door open.

Make a sound and you're dead.

Put your hands down. Call the jailer. Tell him there's something wrong with the lock.

Hawkins, there's something wrong with the lock.

Ha!

It was all right when I put him in there.

Hold it! Unlock the cell.

Now turn around.

Drop your gun belt.

Get in there.

Now turn up that blanket.

PIANO MUSIC PLAYS

Now, right in here, Mrs Fowler.

-Excuse me, Judge.

-Of course.

What is it, Joad?

Lily!

Stay away from me.

Where did you find her?

In the jailhouse.

-Go back over there. Keep an eye on Clanton.

-Not a bad idea.

-What were you doing at the jail?

-I wanted to see what kind of a man you were murdering this time.

-You mustn't say things like that. People wouldn't understand.

-Well, I understand you!

LAUGHTER

You're so small and cheap. You try so hard to be a gentleman,

and you're nothing but a filthy gunman!

Hey, Hawkins! MUFFLED SHOUT

BANG! BANG!

It's Jeff Clanton, he's busted out.

You have got to find him.

GUNFIRE

Lily, you did this...

-Wilson!

-Yes?

-Did you see Mrs Fowler?

-No.

GUNSHOT

There's his horse. He must be around here.

Fan out!

Howdy, soldier. Tracking Cherokees?

I've been mustered out. Need some ranch duds.

Pick your fit, mister.

Er...get me a bottle of whisky.

-5,000 reward.

-I ain't paid much attention to it.

Why not?

-That's top prices.

-Sure is.

Well, the house always pours the customer a drink.

I'll get you a glass.

HORSES' HOOVES

Go get Fowler!

Mr Fowler said not to curl your toes. That's going to be HIS pleasure.

I guess he won't complain none if you're marked up.

So you killed one of our deputies, eh?

Freeze, you oversized coyotes!

< Hold it!

Now put your hands down and put your backs together!

-Ain't you glad to see us?

-Never figured I'd be this glad.

-You sure are a hard man to catch up with.

-How'd you work it?

Me and Bob had a little banking business to do.

We heard about an outlaw on the loose,

and followed the trail of shot-up saloons and wore-out posses.

-I thought you men went home.

-Your oath of allegiance didn't stand up.

-What do you mean?

-A civilian giving us the oath didn't mean a thing.

Fowler's outfit was on our tail till we had to hole up in Quinto.

Tell Fowler Bob Younger did this. Tell him when I catch up with him he won't be tied with a rope,

he'll be hanging from it, for making half a man of me.

-Right arm useless for life.

-Looks like we've all got a score to settle with Matthew Fowler.

-Can I give you some help, Major?

-No, thanks.

Where to, Doc?

-Quinto, Badman's Territory.

-It's a territory now?

-The States forgot to claim it.

-Let's get out of here.

Hey, wait a minute! I always liked bridle with rosettes on 'em. I'll take this along for a souvenir.

And what do you know, there's a horse at the end of it too?

'We knew a place where the climate was cool, way down there between Oklahoma and Texas -

'the little town of Quinto is the Cimarron sandhills.

'Badman's Territory, they called it.

'Cherokee strip, where the rigged civil law and the carpetbaggers

'couldn't stick its claws in and the army wouldn't waste the powder.

'Plenty fellas vacationed there,

'mostly fast gun hands who didn't like the smell of rope.'

Oscar, I want you to meet an old friend of mine, Major Jeff Clanton,

retired and tired.

-Pleasure. What can I do for you?

-I want a rum, a razor and hot water.

-Well, if it isn't the big bad Yank. How are you?

-Fine.

-Quite a famous citizen now, ain't you?

-All depends on how you look at it, Curley. How you been doin'?

-Got no complaints.

Then we start even.

-This is a nice time for somebody to buy a drink.

-How long since you bought one?

-Me? I ain't old enough.

We Youngers can stand the expense. Come on.

What've you got agin' the Major? I just figure he walks too tall for his size.

Somebody might have to cut him down. You accepting the nomination?

-What'll you have, Jeff?

-Beer. Cold.

-You're not in Breckenridge. ..Give him a glass that wasn't in the sun.

-Doc tells me you've gone plain outlaw.

-We didn't have much choice.

Here's to the men that Fowler can't git and the man he couldn't keep.

It's a pleasure to drink with you. We Youngers owe you a past due bill.

Doc and Bob took care of it.

# Tell me, do you love me?

# Tell me softly, sweetly

# As of old

# Tell me that you love me

# For that's the sweetest story

# Ever told

# Tell me, do you love me?

# Whisper softly, sweetly... #

You seem interested in music. What's your opinion?

My opinion is...I'm going to bed.

-# Tell me that you love me... #

-Rheumatism, Major?

-Or just over-exercise from running?

-Lead poisoning.

Could happen to anybody.

APPLAUSE

-Who is she?

-She came in on the stage the other day, while you boys were out of town.

Why?

KNOCKING

-Hello. May I come in?

-Yes.

-You remember me?

-I ought to.

-Thanks for the use of the gun.

-Oh.

-You keep it.

-Thanks. A practical memento, but I don't understand Mrs Fowler handing me a gun.

I'd help any innocent person. I came up to ask you a favour.

-Will you please forget that my name is Fowler?

-The customers don't know who you are?

-Of course not.

If they ever found out, I'd have to leave Quinto and it's my last refuge.

They won't find out from me.

CREAKING

-How long have you been there?

-Why? Anything I shouldn't hear?

-What do you want?

-Her.

Or is she too busy with you, Major? It's all right.

I dropped by to see if I could help the tired hero.

Knew him before, didn't you? You wouldn't believe all the men I've known before.

SHE PLAYS BRAHMS' LULLABY

-Miss, why don't you go outside and get a little fresh air?

-Forget it, Cole. It's nothing she can't hear.

Doc, make some room.

I offered the Major a proposition, but for certain reasons, he turned it down.

-Too good to earn your money like ornery badmen?

-Correct.

-If you mean stealing for the sake of it.

-What was the colour of that uniform you wore? Blue or yellow?

-Keep your hand cold, Curley.

-Or I'll cool you all over.

-What plan WOULD interest you?

-One that aims straight at Fowler.

One that'll rid the country of Fowler's organisation.

-That's too big an order.

-Not if we get organised,

-pound nothing but places protected by Fowler.

-He's got an army!

Sure, he's got the law by the tail, but he's spread himself out too thin to last.

-His men can't be 100 places at once.

-Hit him where he ain't.

-Hit him hard and long enough and you'll win.

-The banks will cancel him out. We can break him down so he can't even hire gun hands.

-Yeah...

while we're breaking a few banks besides.

-Jeff, you got the makings of a millionaire.

-You can have the money!

All I want is Matthew Fowler in front of me, without a hundred deputies in between.

-What do you think, Jesse?

-I'll answer when I get through thinking.

He talks as big as General Grant. Grant didn't do bad for a Yank.

LAUGHTER

Just one thing, Jeff. I ain't going to let you kill Fowler.

We'll both do it.

I think you're going to get yourself an army again, and it wouldn't surprise me to see it grow...

and grow and grow and grow.

-Jeff, stop! You're terrorising the whole country.

-What do I care?

People wanted Fowler, didn't they? They didn't care about me.

-I want 40 new deputies. Start hiring!

-They're shying away, even the top-wage gunslingers.

But I've got to have more men!

Look at these cancellations pouring in. We've got to stop them!

Increase the rewards on all of them, especially Clanton.

BUZZ OF ANIMATED CONVERSATION

-Oh, hello, Bob.

-Good evening.

Lily, I... I brought you a little present.

-Oh, from the last raid?

-Oh, no. I bought it.

-I...I'd rather the boys didn't see me give it to you. Can I bring it upstairs later?

-Certainly.

I think I'll go outside for a while. Will you excuse me?

-Evening, Lily.

-Are you enjoying your celebration?

-Sure. Tonight, we're going to plan a real big job.

-Really?

What's the matter with you? Why have you been so cold?

-Maybe it's because I don't recognise you now.

-I look the same to me when I shave.

-No, you've changed.

I haven't changed.

-It must be you, Lily.

-Oh, no. I'm the same woman who gave you a gun,

the same woman who admired you when you said you wanted to fight, but I didn't know what it would do to you,

so gradually that you don't even know what's happening.

Jeff, we're not Quinto. This is not our environment.

Let's you and I leave before it's too late.

And waste everything I've done so far? No, we don't stop now.

LAUGHTER

You won't stop till you're like one of those men - killers of innocent people, like that bank teller.

Jeff, come on in. Cole wants you. He's planning our next job.

-Let Jeff sit there.

-Sure, Cole.

Jeff, you gave us the right information. I checked it.

The gold is hauled from the mine to this spot on the railroad, then transferred to a passenger train.

The mining company only have two of Fowler's men on the bullion car.

Five miles up the track, there's a grade.

Where it begins to slow up the train is where we plant the dynamite.

We'll blow the train right off the track.

-And what about the passengers?

-Who cares?

-After the explosion, you won't even be able to find them.

There'll be no dynamite!

What's the matter? Don't you like the way I laid this thing out?

This gold train hold-up was my idea. There'll be no dynamite.

If you've a better idea, let's hear it.

Three miles further down the track is a station called Yellow Rock.

At night, there's nobody there but the telegraph operator.

There's good brush cover nearby for our horses. The train only stops here if it's flagged down...

-KNOCKING Who is it?

-It's me...Bob.

Yes, Bob. Come in.

Oh, my present.

Oh! But, Bob, it's... it's jewellery.

-Don't you like it?

-Of course! It's beautiful,

-but a lady doesn't accept jewellery from a gentleman unless they're engaged.

-Engaged?

-That means you won't take it.

-Of course I will. I'll be happy to wear it. Thanks so much.

-What are you doing, spying on us?!

-Take it easy. I'm doing you a favour. Now skedaddle.

-I want to talk to Lily in private. We've nothing to say. Get out!

-Go on.

Out!

All right, I'm going. I'd just like to say one little word to her...confidentially.

Get the kid out of here or I'll tell him who your husband is.

-What did he say?!

-Keep out of it, one-arm!

Jeff! Jeff!

Leave him alone!

Try to slug me, will you? I ought to really let you have it.

You'll let him have nothin'! ..You hurt, kid?

-He started it, Cole.

-Get downstairs, Curley.

Wait a minute, Cole. You got it all wrong.

I got nothin' wrong. I just put something off too far.

-You're no good, never was.

-I was just warning the kid about her.

Know who she is? She's Mrs Matt Fowler!

-How long have you known about her?

-Ever since you hit Quinto.

-You've been holding it over her, using it.

What are you going to do about it? You're both through.

-Curley wasn't lying, was he, Jeff?

-No, he wasn't.

-Why didn't you tell us about her?

-I didn't figure it was any of your business.

-She could inform on us.

Inform? She hates Fowler worse than you do, and with more reason.

She's on the run same as the rest of us. She's entitled to her chance too.

-Not from us.

-What are you kicking about? I made you a deal and I've made good on it.

-Yeah.

-But if you're using us to get you a woman, it's no deal.

-She ain't out of here tomorrow...

-She won't be.

-Jeff, we're giving you a deadline.

-That's what you say, Cole.

But I say Mrs Fowler will be in Quinto as long as I am.

-Lily!

-I heard what they told you, Jeff.

-Forget it.

-No, I'm leaving. I've wanted to for a long time.

-Alone? Where can you go?

Mexico. Any place.

Listen. Wait a few days and I'll go with you.

-Jeff, do you mean that?

-Of course.

-Then let's leave right now.

-I've got to go with them on this robbery.

-Because YOU planned it. Goodbye.

-I've got to for your reasons.

You're right - they're killers. They'll dynamite the train unless I go.

-That's why I've got to be with them this time, but I promise you it'll be the last.

-I believe you.

-I'll wait here.

-No, you can't stay here. Curley might come back.

-Go with me to Yellow Rock and we'll both leave from there.

-Yes, Jeff.

Yes.

Be careful, Jeff.

-Can I take you to the stagecoach?

-Thanks, but Jeff is taking me.

Then, seeing the others aren't around, I'll say goodbye now.

-Goodbye, Bob.

-Lily, I want you to know I don't feel about you like Cole and the others.

I know it, and I won't ever forget you.

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS I flagged so many trains they ought to retire me on a pension.

TRAIN APPROACHES

-Mr Fowler, got my money on you?

-Yeah, but this better not be a wild goose chase, Ringo.

You'll get Clanton and the whole kit and caboodle. They better be there.

WHISTLE BLOWS

They're there. That's Doc waving the lantern, I'd know him anywhere.

Get the men ready.

BELL RINGS

Jeff! Jeff!

-Get the horses! Why didn't you tell me my wife would be with them?

-I didn't know.

Hurry it up! Hurry it up!

-Keep going.

-Why are we stopping?

-Lily's been shot.

-I'll make it back.

-We'll stop here till daybreak.

-Why?

-We're too close to Quinto.

-We can't stop!

-To go in, you have got to get more men.

When my deputies catch up, we'll go in.

-I'll take my divvy now.

-You'll get it when I get them.

-What took you?

-I was delayed by relative trouble. YOUR relatives.

Lily...can you hear me?

That bullet has to come out.

You do it, Jeff.

-We'll need more whisky for antiseptic.

-I'll get it.

-I'll need your help, Doc.

-I'm with you, Jeff.

-Where are you going with that?

-Upstairs.

-To help that Fowler woman?

-She's hurt.

Do you think your brother Jim is enjoying that crease in his leg? John caught lead too. Go help HIM.

I think we can make this stretch.

-He said two men guarded the train.

-Yeah, for the last three months.

Somebody warned them. Who? The Fowler woman? Clanton?

If Fowler hasn't attacked by now, he won't be in by daylight.

-Jeff changed our idea on dynamite. It looks like double-dealing.

-No, that woman set this trap alone.

-You're wrong. If that was true, she wouldn't have got shot.

-Stay out of it! She's made a fool of you too.

Then we're all agreed - it's only the Fowler woman we'll take care of.

-Clanton will fight for her.

-He gets in our way, we'll take care of him too.

You ain't goin' up there.

I'll handle this. ..Put that gun down, Bob.

-Stay away from me, Cole.

-Put it down.

-I'd hate for it to be you, but nobody's going up these stairs.

I am.

Don't make me, Cole.

Don't make me!

Freeze, you oversized polecats.

Bob, get Clanton down here.

Give me that gun.

These fellas look kind of unpersuaded.

Ain't none of you any kin of mine and I ain't burdened by no scruples.

Step back, gents. Reflect on the joys of living.

-What's this all about?

-We want Lily Fowler.

-If you're blaming her...

-You bet! She's been trouble since she came. She turned Bob against his brothers.

We're going to get her. Get in our way, we're going to get you too.

That works double, Cole. I'm going to take her out of here and you'd better not try to stop me.

-She's not well enough to travel.

-Tell your brothers.

-I had my say to them. I'm with you.

-Thanks, Bob.

Go find something on wheels to move her in.

-Do you know what you're doing, Doc?

-Nope, I don't.

But my impetuous nature got me into this. It's going to have to get me out.

Whoa, boy.

-Is it Fowler?

-I don't know. We're not going to wait around to find out.

Doc, jump in the wagon.

Bob, put the horses in there.

Doc, run 'em!

Yahoo!

-It worked. We lost them.

-It won't be long till they catch up with that wagon and start backtracking.

We better hightail it out of here.

Doc, bring your horse up here.

We better pull up. She's just got to rest.

Bob...

you ain't exactly needed right now.

-Are we...? Where?

-What difference does it make? We're safe.

Not for long.

-I'm a drag on you.

-You don't know what you're saying.

Close your eyes and try to get some rest.

-How is she?

-Not good. The moving is doing her more harm than anything.

-Best medicine would be a place to rest.

-She can't take no more horseback travel.

-Bob, care for her.

-You know I will.

-Let's go, Doc.

Yahoo!

Throw down that luggage! Everybody out!

-Nobody's going to hurt you, mister.

-Rustle your bustle.

You can keep that stuff. Pick up your valises and start walking.

Jeff Clanton! I seen your picture. What could you do with 5,000 in a cemetery?

Hold on there!

Thanks.

Three more of them and I can trade them in for a great big cigar.

Hey-up!

URGES HORSES ON

Yahoo!

Yahoo!

I'm glad you came back, Jeff.

Oh...

-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...

-Hurt me?

Forget it. After all, you're not talking to a kid, you know.

Sure...I knew it was Jeff all the time.

You have to be a man to say that.

Lily...

-Shucks, I'm just glad to hang around.

-You'll hang all right.

Over here, Mr Fowler!

Fowler! So you're the rat that crossed us at the railroad.

Joad, Mrs Fowler's hurt.

Bring that wagon up closer.

Where's Clanton? ..Come on, kid, do yourself a favour. Where's Clanton?

We saw Clanton driving that wagon. Where is he?

I don't know.

We have got to wait here. He'll be back.

-No, he won't!

-Keep talking.

He's gone to Quinto for help. They wouldn't help Lily Fowler.

They'll help me. There'll be plenty happy to drill a traitor rat!

Let's get out of here.

My wife needs a doctor. I'm going to take her to Breckenridge.

-I'm not going there. Give me my money!

-You'll get it in Breckenridge.

Jeff!

-Fowler was here. He got Lily. He's taken her to Breckenridge. Curley was with him.

-That ringtail...!

-Got to get to Quinto.

-Your brothers wouldn't help Lily, not even to get Curley.

-Where are you going?

-Breckenridge.

-How do you know they took her there?

-I heard Fowler.

-Just as I thought. Bob's the hook and she's the bait.

-It IS a trap.

But it doesn't change what I've got to do!

Hey, you stole my horse! I'll get you if I have to follow you to the end of the Earth!

-I thought you liked him?

-I do. I just wanted an excuse to go along.

Hey!

Off the street! Jack, get that buggy out of here. Get those horses out of there. I want the street cleared.

Johnstone, get up there!

Dixie, you and Jim in there!

George, you and Mason get in those upstairs windows.

You boys get those horses out of there. I want this whole street cleared.

-Well, Doctor?

-Someone did a remarkable job of surgery.

-Undoubtedly saved Mrs Fowler's life.

-Thank you. That'll be all.

Goodbye.

-I'd keep off the streets for the next few days.

-The whole town knows the visitor you're expecting.

You might as well call off your men. Jeff Clanton's too smart to walk into such an obvious trap.

He's in love with you, isn't he? Or is it all on your side?

I hope it isn't all on my side.

-How're you coming, Bob?

-Be right with you.

Hup!

STAGECOACH APPROACHES

Remember, Doc - third blast.

I wish Fowler would call this off. He isn't going to show up. Yes, I could use some sleep.

One...

So, he was too smart, huh?

< COMMOTION

Jeff!

Lily!

Wilson.

Come on.

Whoa! Easy, baby. Just one more to go.

Hey-up!

SHOUTING AND GUNFIRE

Well, here are our horses.

-What now? Head west?

-No.

-Right again, Doc. You figured we'd separate here.

I'm giving myself up, going to clear my name.

Well, if that's the way it's going to be, we better get mounted.

-Goodbye, Doc.

-Goodbye. Goodbye. That's good luck, ain't it?

-I'm sure you'll have it where you go.

-We're going to California. We hear there's gold out there.

There's gold in the middle of Denver too, and it's a lot closer.

Ya-hoo!