Rebel in Town (1956) - full transcript
Ex-Confederate Bedloe Mason and his four sons ride into a small Western town with robbery in mind. Hearing a suspicious "click," Wes Mason whirls and shoots dead a boy playing with a cap pistol. The Mason clan then flees but Gray Mason, feeling remorse, decides to return to the town. He winds up at the home of John and Nora Willoughby who, unknown to him, are parents of the dead boy. Nora recognizes him as one of the Confederates but keeps quiet, wishing to avoid more violence. However, when John learns of Gray's true identity, he determines to avenge his son's death.
♪ If you hear folks say
♪ There's a rebel in town
♪ Just because
I refuse to be tied
♪ I'm a rebel in town
♪ A restless soul
♪ And a growing up mind
♪ I've a lot that
I've got to decide
♪ But the rest is still fine
♪ When you start
to ask questions
♪ And you open your eyes
♪ It seems all they told you
♪ Is a passel of lies
♪ A man's supposed to live
♪ Like his father before
♪ But I want something more
♪ I guess in time
♪ I'll be settling down
♪ But for now
I just gotta be free
♪ Let 'em call me
♪ Rebel in town ♪
Petey!
Petey!
[PETEY WHOOPING]
[DOG BARKING] [WHOOPING]
[WHOOPS]
[PETEY WHOOPS]
Petey! Come back here.
Ma'am?
You better
stop that nonsense
before you break your neck.
And get in the house,
breakfast is almost ready.
My compliments, ma'am.
And has the Major
returned yet?
Petey boy, if you're not
in the house in five minutes,
I'll have your father
assign you to the woodpile.
Aw, Ma.
Petey boy... It's the Major, Ma.
PETEY: Company, attention!
All present and
accounted for, sir.
[LAUGHS] At ease, Son.
Sergeant Major, you mean.
Oh, excuse me,
Sergeant Major.
And many happy returns
of the day.
Thanks, Dad.
Happy birthday, boy. Thanks.
Here.
Gonna hurt himself with that
sword one of these days.
I know it.
Oh, I doubt it.
I taught him how to use it.
Did you see
Adam Russell?
Mmm-hmm.
Well, what happened?
Five renegade Confederates
went through White Springs
yesterday
and they cleaned out
the bank.
We'll get them.
Did he ask you to go along?
Didn't have to.
I told him I was going.
John, must you go
every time there's trouble?
Adam needs help.
The territory's
crawling with rebels.
But they're not all outlaws.
And besides,
you're not in
the army anymore.
Neither are they, but
they're still fighting.
The war is over.
Someone should
tell them that.
They're not soldiers.
They're... They're
civilian criminals.
Adam is the...
Look, we've been
through this before.
You know
how I feel about it.
Yes, I know.
I wonder if you know
how I feel.
Nora, this isn't
a personal matter.
Isn't it?
I don't care
about the rebels.
I'm sick and tired of
hearing about the rebels.
That's all you
ever think about.
That's all your
son ever thinks about.
He doesn't play
with other children.
He spends all his time
killing Confederates.
He doesn't
even have a father.
He has a commanding officer.
NORA: Petey!
Petey, please sit down
and eat your breakfast.
Eat it before
it gets cold, Son.
Your mom's
not feeling too well.
She worries
a lot about us.
You know how women are.
You better get rid of that
sword for a couple of days.
[SIGHS]
You going out?Mmm-hmm.
Do you think you'll be back
in time for my birthday
party, Daddy?
I wouldn't miss
your birthday party
for a load of gold bars.
What time
did Mrs. Ackstadt
say to be there?
4:00. All the kids
in town will be there.
Including me.
Eat your chow.
Yes, sir.
Don't worry. I'll be
back as soon as I can.
John, can't you stay out
of this just this once?
Besides, it's
Petey's birthday
and we want you with us.
Please, we...
We must be more
important to you
than five
Confederate criminals.
Much more.
Believe me.
We wait here.
Pa, ain't it
kind of risky for
us to go in there?
Where there's a town
there's water
and we've got to have water,
so do the horses.
Can't travel without it.
Now, ride on.
Cain, you stay here.
Whoa, Barney. There.
Now, you listen
to me, young lady.
You set right here.
[SNIFFING]
You start wandering
around the streets
getting yourself all dirty,
there'll be no partying.
It's too hot to be
running around anyways.
Yes, 'am.
Grandma.Hmm?
There's Petey
and Aunt Nora.
Where?
That's them, all right.
Can I give Petey
his present now?
You just wait and give
it to him at the party.
And remember, give it to
him proper like I told you.
Yes, 'am. Hmm.
There's Grandma.
Come on, Ma.
All right,
but no running.
Okay, we'll
just walk fast.
Can I please give Petey his
present now, Grandma, please?
[CHUCKLING] Well,
my goodness, all right,
if you're gonna
bust your harness.
Thanks, Grandma.
Afternoon, Nora.
Hi, 'Lisbeth. Hi.
Hi, Grandma. Many happy returns, Petey.
Thanks, Grandma.
You be good, Petey boy. Okay.
Children, don't carry on
like a couple of Apaches.
We won't.Let's be little
ladies and gents.
Okay. Coming, Nora?
How is old Adelaide?
NORA: Well, Addie's...
Where are your pants?
Peter Willoughby.
What's the matter?
I've never seen you
in a dress before.
Well, I only wore it
on account of it was
your birthday.
Oh, it's very pretty.
Honest.
Thank you.
Many happy returns
of the...
For me? Wait a second.
Don't go busting your harness.
I'm supposed to give it to
you proper.
Many happy returns
of the day.
Here is, um... Oh...
Oh, here is the present.
It was a lot of mush, anyway.
I wrapped it myself.
Yeah?
Men!
Oh, boy!
Hey, Mom, look!
Look, Mom,
for my birthday.
It's a new cap gun
and a holster, too.
'Lisbeth gave them to me.
Well, that was
nice of you, 'Lisbeth.
It shoots powder caps, too.
Listen.
[CAP GUN FIRES]
Well, that's fine.
Now, look,
you wait here
with 'Lisbeth.
I'm going over
to the bakery.
And then we'll go on
to Grandma's.
You think Dad
will be there?
I'm sure
he will be.
That's good.
I don't like this at all.
They can't refuse
a thirsty man water.
Good day to you, ma'am.
Would you
excuse me, please?
I'd like to get some water.
Oh, sorry.
Rebels.
I'll fix 'em.
Your ma said
to stay here.
[SHUSHES]
NORA: Thank you very much.
Petey!
Petey!
[NORA SOBBING]
Petey!
Petey boy.
Come on, Gray.
Come on.
[SOBBING] Petey boy.
[GUN FIRING]
What was that
shooting about?
Could be they
recognized us, Pa.
Where's Frank and Gray?
Coming, I guess. You guess?
There was shooting in town.
What about?
Think we'd better
be traveling, Pa.
I want to know
what happened.
You never
should've run!
No?If you were
any kind of a man,
you'd go back there
and face them.
And be a dead man?
Not me.
That little boy's lying
back there hurt, maybe dead.
A boy
was involved?
What happened?
An accident, Pa.
He came sneaking up behind me
while I was watering
the horses.
He popped his
gun off in my back...
A toy gun!
A cap pistol! How was I to know?
I was edgy,
us being in town and all.
Now shut up about it.
It was an accident.
Kind of accident
caused by a coward.
You've gone and
dragged our name
through the dirt.
I couldn't help it.
I got nervous.
The kid brought it
on himself.
I still say
you're yellow.
All right,
that's enough.
Now holster
your gun, Gray.
What gives
Gray the right to
shoot his mouth off?
Shut up, Son.
Now cool down a notch,
both of you.
Gray, you've
got good sense,
good instincts
and pride in our name.
And that's good
because our name's about
the only thing we've got left.
What do you suggest?
I said it, sir.
Wesley should go
back and face them.
Well, if Wesley goes,
we all go.
That's our rule,
you know that.
But we'll take a vote
if you insist.
I'm sorry
this happened.
Of course,
if the boy is dead,
no doctor can cure him.
And if he's alive,
we can pray here as well
as in town for his recovery.
Suppose we do
ride back into town,
we could tell them
Wesley didn't mean it,
we're sorry
and nobody'd
get strung up.
We could tell them
it says in the Bible,
"Father, forgive them
for they know not
what they do."
If they'd listen.
Or we could tell them
our brother here
gets nervous
and is uncertain
at times in his actions.
We'll take a vote.
Those of you who wanna
go back to town, say so.
Frank?
Cain?
Wesley?
There's your answer, Son.
We ride on.
[LAUGHS]
I get a mite nervous
myself sometimes, Son.
Afternoon, Joe.
Howdy.
What's holding up
the party?
Hello, Doctor.
John, before
you go in there,
I want to talk to you.
What's the matter?
Someone's been hurt.
Who? Well, I...
Well, there's been
a shooting and I...
[SOBBING]
Nora?
Petey...
Petey's dead.
He's dead, John!
Petey's dead!
Oh, John!
[HOOFS POUNDING]
[PETEY WHOOPS]
[PETEY WHOOPS]
[PETEY WHOOPS]
We got a full day's
ride between us and
Kittreck Wells, Pa.
Can't we take time now to
split up that bank money?
After coffee, Son.
No business
until after supper,
you know the rules.
And how
about in the parlor?
During cigars and brandy?
[BOTH LAUGHING]
Wasn't funny
when we had a parlor.
A man don't
change his idea because
he has to change his bed.
We had a pretty
nice parlor.
Sorry, Pa.
Yeah.
Maybe we weren't
what you'd call society,
but you were all
raised as gentlemen.
Might be hard to
remember sometimes,
but if I were you,
I'd remember.
Lot of things have changed.
Lot of years
since we had a parlor.
Lot of men have died.
Lot of homes
burned to the ground.
But we had one.
If I were you lads,
I'd remember that.
Have some coffee, Pa.
Bad enough we have
to live like bandits.
You don't have
to act like them.
Where's Gray?
Went off out
yonder somewhere.
I'll go get him. Never mind, I'll find him.
Frank, you take care
of that.
Some coffee, Son.
No, thanks, Pa.
You don't mind if I bide
here with you for a minute?
No, I don't mind, Pa.
A man likes to be
alone when he's got
some thinking to do.
I didn't want to interrupt.
No, you're not
interrupting, Pa.
It's nice here.
I guess this is
the healthiest place
in the whole country.
You know, your mother and I
planned on coming out
here once.
About 20, 30 years ago.
If we had,
you might have been born
right around here someplace.
Son.
I'm sorry, Pa.
Wasn't important.
Sometimes there just
isn't any answer, Son.
Answer to what, Pa?
To all them
questions you've
been asking yourself
about that boy that got hurt.
You are looking
for a lot of reasons
that just aren't
any of your business.
What makes you think
they aren't any of
my business?
Well, let's say
you put it this way,
it might make you feel better.
"The Lord giveth and
the Lord taketh away."
Let it go at that
and no questions asked.
Sounds real easy
when you put it
like that.
It's not easy, Son,
it's just easier.
A man could go crazy
if he had to have reasons
for everything that happened.
"Trust in the Lord
with all thy heart
"and lean not upon
thine own understanding."
It says that
right in the Book.
Well, it is
my understanding and
it's the best I have.
How many times
I've asked myself
how was it we Masons
wound up on the run.
Stealing to live.
No kind of roof
except God's own stars.
No answer.
And how was it
the good Lord saw fit
to give me four fine sons
and then made
them different as
twilight to noon?
Still no answer.
Therefore, whatever
his idea was when
he made
Wesley draw that gun
and shoot that child,
that's his business.
For he giveth
and taketh away.
Maybe I just can't swallow
the idea of Wesley being
a messenger of the Lord.
Now, that's
just what I mean.
There isn't any
earthly answer, Son.
Then I don't
know anything.
There just doesn't seem
to be any end to this,
nothing but trouble.
Just riding from
one spot to another.
Stealing and
then running.
It isn't exactly what
I'd call a family life.
Maybe not.
But at least we're
still all together.
Maybe someday
we'll find a place far enough
away where we can pick up
where we left off.
You really
believe that?
I told you I wasn't asking
myself questions anymore.
Here's your money, Son.
You say you ran across
a trail when you were
out today, huh?
Tracks of five horses,
heading towards the gap
toward Bitter Creek.
Well, they had to have water.
That's why they came
into town.
But after what happened,
I figure they'll head for
Medicine Flat and the
high mountain.
So will we.
Just want you to remember
that every man around
here wants to help.
My horse is ready,
I'll get my gear.
No, John.
No, that's not the way
I aim to handle it. Sorry.
Nora needs you. You need
her so soon after the funeral.
No, it's better you stay.
Adam said
he didn't want you along.
Adam knows what he's doing
and I know what I'm doing.
You can't go alone, John.
And you can't
change things.
What's done is done.
At least wait till morning.
John, Adam said
they'd go after them.
You don't have to go.
They don't need you,
I need you.
John, please wait.
If you find them,
what good will it do?
How many men
will you have to kill
to make Petey get up
and walk around again?
What if they kill you?
For my sake,
don't leave me alone
when I need you so much.
Petey was my son, too.
I'll be back as soon
as I can, Nora.
You leaving, Son?
That's right, Pa.
Going back there?
That's what I figured.
After everything
I told you,
what in Satan's
wrong with you?
I can't get that little boy
out of my mind.
I keep seeing him lying
there in the street, hurt.
Got to go back and
find out if he's
still alive.
It wasn't your fault.
You had nothing to
do with it.
No, but one of
my brothers did.
You're acting crazy, Gray.
The minute you go
into that town, they'll
put a rope around your neck.
Seems kind of stupid to get
yourself strung up
for nothing.
What are you
trying to prove?
I want to know.
I want to find out.
And when one end
of the rope is
over a limb
and the other's around
your throat, what'll you do?
I hadn't thought
about that.
Oh, you hadn't, huh?
I'll tell you
what he'll do.
He'll just tell them
he didn't do it,
then he'll
save his own neck
and tell them who did.
He'll tell them about us
and get us all hanged.
FRANK: Shut up, Wes. Shut up?
Why should I take a chance
of swinging just because
he wants to play saint?
It was an accident.
Quiet, all of you.
Nobody's going
to a necktie party.
Nobody's going anywhere.
I've thought it out, Pa.
I've made up my mind.
Without consulting us?
Gray, you know we don't
do things that way.
We are still a family.
When anything comes up,
we take a vote.
That's kept us out of many
a tight scrape all the way
out here from Alabama.
This is the kind of thing
a man's got to decide
for himself, Pa.
We'll take a vote.
Frank?
It won't
do you any good, Gray.
Cain?
Plain stupid.
Wesley?
I say we stick together.
You heard
your brothers, Son.
I say the same.
The only way
you gonna keep me
here is to kill me.
Take a vote.
Pa, this is
all my fault.
I'll go talk to him.
Maybe I can change
his mind.
He's just sore at me.
Here, Pa, no trouble.
Sorry about popping off
at you back there.
Forget it.
Look, Gray,
I was wrong
and I was scared,
but I'm still your brother.
Now, you got
everybody worried.
How about
changing your mind?
I can't.
Gray,
if your mind's made up,
good luck.
Thanks.
Wes...
Did you hear
something, Pa?
No.
He's gone.
Tried to stop him,
but he wouldn't listen.
Back to that town?
Yeah.
Said he'd meet us at
Oak Fork, after three days.
[HORSE NEIGHING]
[HOOFS CLOMPING]
JOHN: Nora!
Get me a knife.
Get some clean water.
What did you do to him?
I didn't do anything.
I found him tied
to a horse
wandering around in the dark.
Take his arm.
Not much more than a boy.
That's...
That's a pretty bad cut.
Better get a doctor.
I want him to stay alive.
Can he stay here?
That's a pretty serious wound,
but I think he'll make
the grade.
As long as he can rest
and not be disturbed.
Fortunately, he's young and
in good shape.
His name is Mason.
Gray Mason, lieutenant,
Murphy's Alabama Battalion.
How soon do you think
he'll come out of it?
Oh, say sometime tomorrow.
Good night,
John, Nora.
Good night, Doctor. Good night, Doctor. Thanks.
I want
to talk to him about
the White Springs raid,
and he could be one of the
three men who came into town.
Do you recognize him, Nora?
I don't know.
I... I don't think
I ever saw him before.
All I could see
and think of was
what was happening.
Petey.
Of course.
Let me know as soon as
he comes around.
We will.Good night.
Good night.
[DOOR OPENS]
[DOOR CLOSES]
You thought I did that?
Well, the way you went
out of here, you...
I'm sorry, Nora.
Did you ever
see him before?
I told you,
all I could
think about was Petey.
If he
was one of them,
what would you do?
John,
don't do anything that
will take you away
from me.
You're all I've got left.
[COUGHING]
Here.
[SIGHS] Thanks.
Don't try moving,
you might hurt yourself.
[GROANING]
Oh, that does hurt.
It should.
Someone did a pretty
handy job on you
with a knife.
With a knife?
Mmm-hmm.
I should've expected
something like that.
Friend of yours?
Not really.
How'd I get here?
I found you
tied to a horse,
brought you home.
Who are you?
My name's
John Willoughby.
You were
hurt pretty bad. I figured
you were jumped and robbed.
Yeah, that's...
That's just about
the way it happened.
[SIGHS]
Thank you, Mr. Willoughby.
You're welcome, Mason.
How'd you know my name?
I found it
in that rebel jacket.
You don't sound like you're
too fond of Confederates.
War's over
as far as I'm concerned.
Could you eat something?
[CHUCKLES]
I could eat anything.
Hmm.
Nora!
Yes, John?
He's awake and hungry.
My wife
will be right in.
She's a good cook.
Best cook
in Kittreck Wells.
Ever hear of it?
Hear of what?
The town. Kittreck Wells.
Well, I don't think so.
I haven't been
around here very long.
I'm from Alabama.
This is my wife, Nora.
Gray Mason.
How do you do, ma'am?
You feeling better?
Much better, ma'am.
Thank you.
Good.
John, I'll need
some more water.
I'll get it.
I'll get you
something to eat.
Wouldn't be much chance
of anybody getting up here
without our seeing them,
would there, Frank?
I wouldn't say so, Pa.
BEDLOE: Fresh water
around, Cain?
I saw a stream, Pa.
We getting close
to Oak Fork, Wesley?
That's what Gray said,
wasn't it?
That's what he said, Pa.
You're sure
he said Oak Fork,
aren't you, Son?
After three days to
meet him at Oak Fork,
that's what Gray said,
wasn't it?
That's what he told me.
Funny Gray
should want us to
meet him up there
in that
out-of-the-way
place in the mountain.
Well, what
are you staring at?
That's what he told me.
I was just thinking maybe
you didn't hear him right.
Maybe he said
some other kind of oak.
Oak Bluff or
Lone Oak or someplace.
Look, I told you 100 times
he said Oak Fork.
You said
to sit around
and wait for him.
Well, maybe he didn't
mean to come back at all.
Well, he was
always yelling
about how he didn't
want any part
of what we were doing.
Maybe he ain't coming back.
Maybe he lit off somewheres
and we could be sitting and
waiting for 10 years.
If Gray said to wait,
we'll wait.
And if he said Oak Fork,
we will, the Lord willing,
go to Oak Fork.
He said tomorrow's
the day to meet him
and if that's what
Gray wants and that's
what he said he wants,
that's what it'll be.
That's what he said,
wasn't it, Wesley?
That's what he said, Pa.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
Mrs. Willoughby.Yes?
[THUNDER RUMBLING] Mrs. Willoughby, I...
Wind's coming up.
Looks like a storm.
Smells good.
It's ready.
[WIND HOWLING]
Get a couple of plates
of that under your belt
and you'll feel like
wrestling a mountain lion.
I feel pretty good
right now.
Careful, it's hot.
Thank you, ma'am.
Our patient's
from Alabama, Nora.
Yes, I know.
You're a long way
from home.
Yes, ma'am.
He was in the
Confederate cavalry.
I was in the
Union Army myself.
I probably
took a shot at you
somewhere along the line.
Vicksburg maybe.
That's over and done with.
A man can't hold a grudge.
Sure am glad
you feel that way about it.
If you'd have left me
where you found me...
It's about
the best meal
I ever did eat.
This is a hard country.
It can kill a man
or make him wealthy.
You plan on settling down
around here?
GRAY: Yes, that's right.
All the way from Alabama.
That's a long way.
Yes, it is.
And you came
all that way alone?
All alone.
No wonder you got jumped.
I guess so.
Some of that coffee'd do me
right fine just about now,
Mrs. Willoughby.
Thank you, ma'am.
Plan on settling down,
raising a family maybe?
Maybe. Sooner or later.
You like children?
Well enough.
Family's not a family
without them.
[SIGHS] You got
folks of your own?
Suppose everybody has.
Somewheres.
I don't suppose
you've ever been married?
Why don't you ask me
what you really want
to know?
What makes you think
I want to know anything?
I've been around
long enough to know
when someone's the
cat and I'm the mouse.
All right, Mason,
three men
rode into town and
one of them killed my son.
Three men I never saw or
heard of and one of them
killed my little boy.
I want to know who
they are and where
they are.
Why should I know?
You were
wearing a rebel jacket.
You were mighty foxy
about who cut you up.
And I found you
where those rebel outlaws
were supposed to have been.
You might be one of them.
I... I suppose I might.
Are you?
[LOUDLY] Are you?
If I was,
I guess you'd kill me
pretty quick.
Mmm, I'd kill you.
All right,
pull the trigger.
What difference does it make
if he was one of them or not?
Kill him!
And if he isn't enough,
go out and
find someone else.
Murder half the world
if it makes you happy.
That's what you want,
isn't it?
That's what
Petey would want.
Thank you, ma'am.
You Willoughbys seem to
take turns saving my life.
I was thinking of
my husband.
Why should he become
a murderer because
someone else was?
You mean you didn't
tell him about me?
That you saw me
in town when...
No, I didn't.
You're safe here,
Mr. Mason.
I don't want him ever
to find those friends
of yours.
I want him to forget.
I don't want him hurt.
You'll remember that,
Mr. Mason, won't you?
Yes, ma'am.
I'll remember.
[SIGHS]
[TWIGS SNAP]
Hold it, Wes.
[LAUGHS] Well, you really
are nervous.
I thought you'd jump
right out of your boots.
I wouldn't get frisky, Wes.
Hey, that's
a big hunk of cash.
I'd say about
double your share.
Don't play pussyfoot with
me, Cain. What do you want?
Me? Nothing at all.
I just came to say
goodbye seeing how's
you're leaving and all.
'Course Pa and Frank
are gonna be a little hurt
you went meandering off
without a fare-thee-well
or nothing,
wouldn't you say?
And then how do you think
Gray's gonna feel when he
finds out
you didn't even wait
for him to come back?
He is coming back,
isn't he, Wes?
What I mean is, he really
did go back to that town,
didn't he?
You didn't stop him,
did you?
Just seeing you
sneak off like this
with all that money,
I thought
maybe you and Gray
had a little trouble.
'Course you did leave
your gun behind that night.
Then I remembered
that knife in your boot.
I could kill you right now
and Pa'd thank me.
What's done is done.
"Will of the Lord,"
as Pa'd say.
You're still my brother,
so I figured you ought
to have a chance.
That's decent of you.
How much do you want?
How much?
Oh, you mean money?
Now, I'm not quite sure
that'd be right.
$1,000?
Now, ain't you
the generous one?
All right,
my whole share, $2,500.
I don't know.
Maybe Pa ought to...
All right, how much?
Considering everything,
just what you got
in your hand.
That's everything.
Couldn't ask
for more than that.
That ain't fair, Cain.
I could always
take you back to Pa!
Thank you kindly, Wes.
Now I think you'd
better be getting
a good head start.
[GUN FIRES]
Drop that knife, Wesley.
[GROANS] BEDLOE: For money,
you cut up your own brother!
You cut up your own brother!
No more, Pa!
[GROANS] Mercy, Pa!
[WHIPPING CONTINUES]
WESLEY: Please, no more, Pa!
Mercy, Pa. For money!
For money,
you killed your brother!
Dirty heathen!
Judas!Pa, please!
[PANTING]
Where is he?
What'd you do with him?
I didn't
kill him, Pa,
I swear I didn't!
Where is he?
I got scared.
I put him on his
horse, I sent him off.
You sent him off all cut up,
bleeding to death?
He's alive, Pa!
I know he's alive.
Pa!
[PANTING]
Boys, help your
brother clean up.
We're riding back
to find Gray.
I sure do want to thank you,
ma'am, for patching up
my jacket.
Well, it's not
too good a job,
but it'll do you
till you get a new one.
Sure you're
strong enough to ride?
Oh, I feel pretty good,
ma'am, thanks to you.
I just don't know how to
tell you how sorry I am
about your boy.
Let's not talk about it.
But I did want to help.
Yes, I know that.
I remember...
All ready? Yeah.
Your horse is, too.
Be careful,
he's a little fresh.
Well, I'll watch him.
I just can't thank you
folks enough.
That's all right, son.
Is that Grandma coming?
Kind of looks like.
Well, you got company.
I'll be moving along.
You've been
mighty kind, sir.
Forget it.
Where's your gun?
Well, I just thought I'd...
You thought you'd leave
it here as part payment?
You want to get
knocked off this porch?
I wouldn't enjoy it.
Haven't you gotten in
enough trouble without
roaming around
this territory unarmed?
[SIGHS] I'll get it for you.
Hi, Grandma,
how are you?
Hi, Nora.
Could I help you here?
Aw, go away,
I don't need any help.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Hi, Liz. Hi.
How've you been? Fine.
On our way
up the line to
see Abbie Snedden.
Abbie's abed again
with that back of hers.
Personally, I think Abbie's
just plain lazy now that
she's over 70.
Howdy, John. JOHN: Hi, Grandma.
NORA: Grandma, this is
Mr. Mason. Mrs. Ackstadt.
GRANDMA: Oh, howdy do,
Mr. Mason.
Glad to see you up
and around.
Heard about
the Willoughbys
here taking you in.
Well, they've been
kinder than I can say.
GRAY: Goodbye, folks. Goodbye.
Good luck to you.
Goodbye, little girl.
I know you.
I'll just bet you've
seen a lot of soldiers.
I hope to skin
a mule she has.
Her father was a major
with General Sherman.
Mr. Mason's not
from around here.
You couldn't
know him, 'Lisbeth.
I come from a long
ways from here, Liz.
Place called Alabama.
You were in town.
You were
one of the men
who hurt Petey.
'Lisbeth,
you don't know
what you're saying.
How do you know, 'Lisbeth?
I know.
Aunt Nora saw him, too.
Did you, Nora?
John, she's a child.
I am not.
I saw him hurt Petey.
'Lisbeth, if this is
something you're
making up...
I'm not! I saw him! I did!
You didn't,
you were in the store.
She's telling the truth,
isn't she?
John, listen to me.
[SHOUTING] Isn't she?
I was there,
but it isn't
what you think.
John!
John!
He didn't...
He didn't do it.
He didn't do it. John!
Let him go!
Stop it, John!
He didn't do it, John!
He didn't do it!
Now you put
that thing down,
Mr. Willoughby.
Go on, pull the trigger.
Now you just stand
right where you are.
I'd hate to have to
shoot down an unarmed man.
Don't push me too far.
Now that
little girl's right.
I was in town that day,
but I didn't kill anybody.
He's telling
the truth, John.
He didn't do it.
It was one
of the others.
Get onto your horse,
Mr. Willoughby.
Right there.
What are you gonna
do to him?
Don't you worry, ma'am,
he's coming with me
right into town.
Into town?
Yes, ma'am. I'm gonna
report to your marshal
just how it happened
to your boy and why.
But they'll hang you.
Well, maybe they will.
Why don't
you just ride on,
out of the territory?
I might.
But first I gotta
set the record straight.
Now, Mr. Willoughby,
you get on that horse.
Ride on, sir.
ADAM: But I have
the boy's deposition!
He swears
he didn't do it.
He's a Johnny Reb.
He admits he was there.
John, stop and think.
You know he could've
been miles away by now.
It took
more than courage,
him coming in like this.
Took a lad
who was innocent.
Or smart.
I'd like
to swear you in
as a deputy, John.
And have me
protect him?
[FOOTSTEPS PATTERING]
Bill, why don't you come home?
Keep out of this.
You go home
and stay home.
Go home, before
somebody gets hurt.
Where's Willoughby? Saloon.
There's gonna be trouble.
Nothing you
can't handle.
Nothing I wanna handle.
They're getting nervous.
They're just waiting for
somebody to wave a rope.
They wanna be heroes.
They think
they're doing it for you.
Trying to be
good neighbors.
They were
fond of Petey.
Well, they're gonna
get hurt if they try
to take that Mason boy.
I thought a lot of my son.
John, they think a lot
of you. You can stop them.
That's your job. I'd have to use guns
and people will be killed.
Our friends, our neighbors.
Now I'd rather you
do it with common sense.
They'd have to
listen to you.
[SHOUTS] Why should I?
This isn't you
talking, John.
He's gonna hang anyway.
If he killed
Petey, he will,
but legally.
How do you know he did?
[GLASS SHATTERING]
[PEOPLE CLAMORING]
You hear that?
They're whipping
themselves up.
Are you coming, John?
Give that baby murderer
to us, Adam.
We know what
to do with him.
[DOOR OPENS]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
Adam! Adam!
Over at the saloon.
John, you've
got to stop them.
You mustn't let them do this.
You can't stop a mob
when their mind's made up.
But he didn't do it,
I give you my word
he didn't.
Your word?
You knew he was one of them.
When I first brought him home
you knew he was one of them,
didn't you?
You knew he killed my son,
didn't you?
No, that's wrong,
it wasn't him.
We took him in
and cared for him
like one of our own.
You mended his coat
like it was Petey's.
And all the time you knew,
didn't you?
When he put a gun on
me to bring me to town,
you wanted him safe, why?
You wanted him
out of the country, why?
Tell me why!
Because I didn't want
any more killing.
Killing?
Killing?
What about my son?
What kind of a woman are you?
You've turned
into a madman.
And that's why you'll let
them kill that boy out there.
Not for Petey,
not for justice
but because
you're mad for revenge.
You nearly killed
a wounded boy.
He was weak.
He couldn't
defend himself,
except by killing you.
He had that chance,
but he didn't take it.
And why did I want him
to leave the territory?
Not to save him,
but to save us
from killing.
More killing,
useless killing.
And if you let those
people out there
hang this boy
just so they can
say that they're
good neighbors...
Well, Petey was my son, too.
What happened
was a cruel accident.
More killing will never
bring him back to us again.
And if you stand by
and let that pack
of animals out there
take this boy's life,
don't you ever call yourself
my husband again.
[PEOPLE CLAMORING]
MAN 1: Come on.
Let's take him
out of here!
Let him go!
Listen to me!
He didn't do anything!
Stop it! He didn't do it!
MAN 2: Let's get him
out of here!
What are you doing?
We're hanging him
for murder.
Who'd he murder?
Well, your son.
Take your hands off the boy!
If anyone's gonna hang him,
I'll hang him.
BEDLOE: Just hold still
right here.
GRAY: Pa!
Nice and easy now, Son.
Come over here.
Stand still.
Come over here, Gray.
One move and I'll
blow his head off.
You don't generally
hang a man without
a reason.
JOHN: Murder's
a reason enough.
You're mistaken, mister.
That boy never killed anybody.
Where were you the day
my boy was killed?
I was here.
You never should
have come back, Pa.
You're mistaken.
It was an accident.
[PEOPLE MURMURING]
You hear what I said?
It was an accident,
your son dying.
Now turn loose my boy.
Did you kill him?
No.
Who did, then?
A lot of people are
gonna die pretty quick.
Turn him loose.
You think you can
fight the whole town?
All right, Mason, who did it?
Which one? Which one?
Or do I settle for this one?
I'm the marshal here, Mason.
There'll be no hanging
or killing.
Your boy'll be treated
fairly as a prisoner
of the law.
You figure on taking this
whole town with four guns?
No, I don't.
But we sure can take
the nearest 10 men
with us.
And we will.
You sound like
an upright man, Marshal.
But in the eyes
of the good Lord,
this slaughter
will be on your head.
How about it, John?
Now, what do
you say, Mason?
It's not for me
to say, Marshal.
This is a family affair.
What concerns one of us
concerns all of us.
When a problem comes up,
why, we just take a vote.
Boys,
your brother
Gray's in trouble for
something he didn't do.
Seems like there are only
two ways to get him out.
Shoot it out
with the whole community,
or turn in whoever is guilty.
Frank, what do you say?
Whatever you say, Pa.
Wesley, what's your vote?
I say we shoot it out,
every man for himself.
BEDLOE: Cain?
I'll abide with you, Pa.
Wesley, that gives me
three votes against
your one.
I don't like slaughter.
So, I vote my three votes
against any further bloodshed.
Look out!
[PEOPLE CLAMORING]
Wesley. Wesley.
Wesley, please,
listen to reason.
Wes, if they find you,
they're gonna kill you.
They'll hang you.
Now, come on, you give
yourself up to the Marshal.
Stand your trial,
it's the only way.
[HAY RUSTLING]
Wes?
Wes?
[PANTING]
He'll be all right.
The other one's inside.
What the sons of some men
do to the sons of others.
There's the tragedy
of the world.
We're ready, Marshal.
Nora!
♪ There's a rebel in town
♪ Just because
I refuse to be tied
♪ I'm a rebel in town
♪ A restless soul
♪ And a growing up mind
♪ I've a lot that
I've got to decide
♪ But the rest is still fine
♪ When you start
to ask questions
♪ And you open your eyes
♪ It seems all they told you
♪ Is a passel of lies
♪ A man's supposed to live
♪ Like his father before
♪ But I want something more
♪ I guess in time
♪ I'll be settling down
♪ But for now
I just gotta be free
♪ Let 'em call me
♪ Rebel in town ♪
Petey!
Petey!
[PETEY WHOOPING]
[DOG BARKING] [WHOOPING]
[WHOOPS]
[PETEY WHOOPS]
Petey! Come back here.
Ma'am?
You better
stop that nonsense
before you break your neck.
And get in the house,
breakfast is almost ready.
My compliments, ma'am.
And has the Major
returned yet?
Petey boy, if you're not
in the house in five minutes,
I'll have your father
assign you to the woodpile.
Aw, Ma.
Petey boy... It's the Major, Ma.
PETEY: Company, attention!
All present and
accounted for, sir.
[LAUGHS] At ease, Son.
Sergeant Major, you mean.
Oh, excuse me,
Sergeant Major.
And many happy returns
of the day.
Thanks, Dad.
Happy birthday, boy. Thanks.
Here.
Gonna hurt himself with that
sword one of these days.
I know it.
Oh, I doubt it.
I taught him how to use it.
Did you see
Adam Russell?
Mmm-hmm.
Well, what happened?
Five renegade Confederates
went through White Springs
yesterday
and they cleaned out
the bank.
We'll get them.
Did he ask you to go along?
Didn't have to.
I told him I was going.
John, must you go
every time there's trouble?
Adam needs help.
The territory's
crawling with rebels.
But they're not all outlaws.
And besides,
you're not in
the army anymore.
Neither are they, but
they're still fighting.
The war is over.
Someone should
tell them that.
They're not soldiers.
They're... They're
civilian criminals.
Adam is the...
Look, we've been
through this before.
You know
how I feel about it.
Yes, I know.
I wonder if you know
how I feel.
Nora, this isn't
a personal matter.
Isn't it?
I don't care
about the rebels.
I'm sick and tired of
hearing about the rebels.
That's all you
ever think about.
That's all your
son ever thinks about.
He doesn't play
with other children.
He spends all his time
killing Confederates.
He doesn't
even have a father.
He has a commanding officer.
NORA: Petey!
Petey, please sit down
and eat your breakfast.
Eat it before
it gets cold, Son.
Your mom's
not feeling too well.
She worries
a lot about us.
You know how women are.
You better get rid of that
sword for a couple of days.
[SIGHS]
You going out?Mmm-hmm.
Do you think you'll be back
in time for my birthday
party, Daddy?
I wouldn't miss
your birthday party
for a load of gold bars.
What time
did Mrs. Ackstadt
say to be there?
4:00. All the kids
in town will be there.
Including me.
Eat your chow.
Yes, sir.
Don't worry. I'll be
back as soon as I can.
John, can't you stay out
of this just this once?
Besides, it's
Petey's birthday
and we want you with us.
Please, we...
We must be more
important to you
than five
Confederate criminals.
Much more.
Believe me.
We wait here.
Pa, ain't it
kind of risky for
us to go in there?
Where there's a town
there's water
and we've got to have water,
so do the horses.
Can't travel without it.
Now, ride on.
Cain, you stay here.
Whoa, Barney. There.
Now, you listen
to me, young lady.
You set right here.
[SNIFFING]
You start wandering
around the streets
getting yourself all dirty,
there'll be no partying.
It's too hot to be
running around anyways.
Yes, 'am.
Grandma.Hmm?
There's Petey
and Aunt Nora.
Where?
That's them, all right.
Can I give Petey
his present now?
You just wait and give
it to him at the party.
And remember, give it to
him proper like I told you.
Yes, 'am. Hmm.
There's Grandma.
Come on, Ma.
All right,
but no running.
Okay, we'll
just walk fast.
Can I please give Petey his
present now, Grandma, please?
[CHUCKLING] Well,
my goodness, all right,
if you're gonna
bust your harness.
Thanks, Grandma.
Afternoon, Nora.
Hi, 'Lisbeth. Hi.
Hi, Grandma. Many happy returns, Petey.
Thanks, Grandma.
You be good, Petey boy. Okay.
Children, don't carry on
like a couple of Apaches.
We won't.Let's be little
ladies and gents.
Okay. Coming, Nora?
How is old Adelaide?
NORA: Well, Addie's...
Where are your pants?
Peter Willoughby.
What's the matter?
I've never seen you
in a dress before.
Well, I only wore it
on account of it was
your birthday.
Oh, it's very pretty.
Honest.
Thank you.
Many happy returns
of the...
For me? Wait a second.
Don't go busting your harness.
I'm supposed to give it to
you proper.
Many happy returns
of the day.
Here is, um... Oh...
Oh, here is the present.
It was a lot of mush, anyway.
I wrapped it myself.
Yeah?
Men!
Oh, boy!
Hey, Mom, look!
Look, Mom,
for my birthday.
It's a new cap gun
and a holster, too.
'Lisbeth gave them to me.
Well, that was
nice of you, 'Lisbeth.
It shoots powder caps, too.
Listen.
[CAP GUN FIRES]
Well, that's fine.
Now, look,
you wait here
with 'Lisbeth.
I'm going over
to the bakery.
And then we'll go on
to Grandma's.
You think Dad
will be there?
I'm sure
he will be.
That's good.
I don't like this at all.
They can't refuse
a thirsty man water.
Good day to you, ma'am.
Would you
excuse me, please?
I'd like to get some water.
Oh, sorry.
Rebels.
I'll fix 'em.
Your ma said
to stay here.
[SHUSHES]
NORA: Thank you very much.
Petey!
Petey!
[NORA SOBBING]
Petey!
Petey boy.
Come on, Gray.
Come on.
[SOBBING] Petey boy.
[GUN FIRING]
What was that
shooting about?
Could be they
recognized us, Pa.
Where's Frank and Gray?
Coming, I guess. You guess?
There was shooting in town.
What about?
Think we'd better
be traveling, Pa.
I want to know
what happened.
You never
should've run!
No?If you were
any kind of a man,
you'd go back there
and face them.
And be a dead man?
Not me.
That little boy's lying
back there hurt, maybe dead.
A boy
was involved?
What happened?
An accident, Pa.
He came sneaking up behind me
while I was watering
the horses.
He popped his
gun off in my back...
A toy gun!
A cap pistol! How was I to know?
I was edgy,
us being in town and all.
Now shut up about it.
It was an accident.
Kind of accident
caused by a coward.
You've gone and
dragged our name
through the dirt.
I couldn't help it.
I got nervous.
The kid brought it
on himself.
I still say
you're yellow.
All right,
that's enough.
Now holster
your gun, Gray.
What gives
Gray the right to
shoot his mouth off?
Shut up, Son.
Now cool down a notch,
both of you.
Gray, you've
got good sense,
good instincts
and pride in our name.
And that's good
because our name's about
the only thing we've got left.
What do you suggest?
I said it, sir.
Wesley should go
back and face them.
Well, if Wesley goes,
we all go.
That's our rule,
you know that.
But we'll take a vote
if you insist.
I'm sorry
this happened.
Of course,
if the boy is dead,
no doctor can cure him.
And if he's alive,
we can pray here as well
as in town for his recovery.
Suppose we do
ride back into town,
we could tell them
Wesley didn't mean it,
we're sorry
and nobody'd
get strung up.
We could tell them
it says in the Bible,
"Father, forgive them
for they know not
what they do."
If they'd listen.
Or we could tell them
our brother here
gets nervous
and is uncertain
at times in his actions.
We'll take a vote.
Those of you who wanna
go back to town, say so.
Frank?
Cain?
Wesley?
There's your answer, Son.
We ride on.
[LAUGHS]
I get a mite nervous
myself sometimes, Son.
Afternoon, Joe.
Howdy.
What's holding up
the party?
Hello, Doctor.
John, before
you go in there,
I want to talk to you.
What's the matter?
Someone's been hurt.
Who? Well, I...
Well, there's been
a shooting and I...
[SOBBING]
Nora?
Petey...
Petey's dead.
He's dead, John!
Petey's dead!
Oh, John!
[HOOFS POUNDING]
[PETEY WHOOPS]
[PETEY WHOOPS]
[PETEY WHOOPS]
We got a full day's
ride between us and
Kittreck Wells, Pa.
Can't we take time now to
split up that bank money?
After coffee, Son.
No business
until after supper,
you know the rules.
And how
about in the parlor?
During cigars and brandy?
[BOTH LAUGHING]
Wasn't funny
when we had a parlor.
A man don't
change his idea because
he has to change his bed.
We had a pretty
nice parlor.
Sorry, Pa.
Yeah.
Maybe we weren't
what you'd call society,
but you were all
raised as gentlemen.
Might be hard to
remember sometimes,
but if I were you,
I'd remember.
Lot of things have changed.
Lot of years
since we had a parlor.
Lot of men have died.
Lot of homes
burned to the ground.
But we had one.
If I were you lads,
I'd remember that.
Have some coffee, Pa.
Bad enough we have
to live like bandits.
You don't have
to act like them.
Where's Gray?
Went off out
yonder somewhere.
I'll go get him. Never mind, I'll find him.
Frank, you take care
of that.
Some coffee, Son.
No, thanks, Pa.
You don't mind if I bide
here with you for a minute?
No, I don't mind, Pa.
A man likes to be
alone when he's got
some thinking to do.
I didn't want to interrupt.
No, you're not
interrupting, Pa.
It's nice here.
I guess this is
the healthiest place
in the whole country.
You know, your mother and I
planned on coming out
here once.
About 20, 30 years ago.
If we had,
you might have been born
right around here someplace.
Son.
I'm sorry, Pa.
Wasn't important.
Sometimes there just
isn't any answer, Son.
Answer to what, Pa?
To all them
questions you've
been asking yourself
about that boy that got hurt.
You are looking
for a lot of reasons
that just aren't
any of your business.
What makes you think
they aren't any of
my business?
Well, let's say
you put it this way,
it might make you feel better.
"The Lord giveth and
the Lord taketh away."
Let it go at that
and no questions asked.
Sounds real easy
when you put it
like that.
It's not easy, Son,
it's just easier.
A man could go crazy
if he had to have reasons
for everything that happened.
"Trust in the Lord
with all thy heart
"and lean not upon
thine own understanding."
It says that
right in the Book.
Well, it is
my understanding and
it's the best I have.
How many times
I've asked myself
how was it we Masons
wound up on the run.
Stealing to live.
No kind of roof
except God's own stars.
No answer.
And how was it
the good Lord saw fit
to give me four fine sons
and then made
them different as
twilight to noon?
Still no answer.
Therefore, whatever
his idea was when
he made
Wesley draw that gun
and shoot that child,
that's his business.
For he giveth
and taketh away.
Maybe I just can't swallow
the idea of Wesley being
a messenger of the Lord.
Now, that's
just what I mean.
There isn't any
earthly answer, Son.
Then I don't
know anything.
There just doesn't seem
to be any end to this,
nothing but trouble.
Just riding from
one spot to another.
Stealing and
then running.
It isn't exactly what
I'd call a family life.
Maybe not.
But at least we're
still all together.
Maybe someday
we'll find a place far enough
away where we can pick up
where we left off.
You really
believe that?
I told you I wasn't asking
myself questions anymore.
Here's your money, Son.
You say you ran across
a trail when you were
out today, huh?
Tracks of five horses,
heading towards the gap
toward Bitter Creek.
Well, they had to have water.
That's why they came
into town.
But after what happened,
I figure they'll head for
Medicine Flat and the
high mountain.
So will we.
Just want you to remember
that every man around
here wants to help.
My horse is ready,
I'll get my gear.
No, John.
No, that's not the way
I aim to handle it. Sorry.
Nora needs you. You need
her so soon after the funeral.
No, it's better you stay.
Adam said
he didn't want you along.
Adam knows what he's doing
and I know what I'm doing.
You can't go alone, John.
And you can't
change things.
What's done is done.
At least wait till morning.
John, Adam said
they'd go after them.
You don't have to go.
They don't need you,
I need you.
John, please wait.
If you find them,
what good will it do?
How many men
will you have to kill
to make Petey get up
and walk around again?
What if they kill you?
For my sake,
don't leave me alone
when I need you so much.
Petey was my son, too.
I'll be back as soon
as I can, Nora.
You leaving, Son?
That's right, Pa.
Going back there?
That's what I figured.
After everything
I told you,
what in Satan's
wrong with you?
I can't get that little boy
out of my mind.
I keep seeing him lying
there in the street, hurt.
Got to go back and
find out if he's
still alive.
It wasn't your fault.
You had nothing to
do with it.
No, but one of
my brothers did.
You're acting crazy, Gray.
The minute you go
into that town, they'll
put a rope around your neck.
Seems kind of stupid to get
yourself strung up
for nothing.
What are you
trying to prove?
I want to know.
I want to find out.
And when one end
of the rope is
over a limb
and the other's around
your throat, what'll you do?
I hadn't thought
about that.
Oh, you hadn't, huh?
I'll tell you
what he'll do.
He'll just tell them
he didn't do it,
then he'll
save his own neck
and tell them who did.
He'll tell them about us
and get us all hanged.
FRANK: Shut up, Wes. Shut up?
Why should I take a chance
of swinging just because
he wants to play saint?
It was an accident.
Quiet, all of you.
Nobody's going
to a necktie party.
Nobody's going anywhere.
I've thought it out, Pa.
I've made up my mind.
Without consulting us?
Gray, you know we don't
do things that way.
We are still a family.
When anything comes up,
we take a vote.
That's kept us out of many
a tight scrape all the way
out here from Alabama.
This is the kind of thing
a man's got to decide
for himself, Pa.
We'll take a vote.
Frank?
It won't
do you any good, Gray.
Cain?
Plain stupid.
Wesley?
I say we stick together.
You heard
your brothers, Son.
I say the same.
The only way
you gonna keep me
here is to kill me.
Take a vote.
Pa, this is
all my fault.
I'll go talk to him.
Maybe I can change
his mind.
He's just sore at me.
Here, Pa, no trouble.
Sorry about popping off
at you back there.
Forget it.
Look, Gray,
I was wrong
and I was scared,
but I'm still your brother.
Now, you got
everybody worried.
How about
changing your mind?
I can't.
Gray,
if your mind's made up,
good luck.
Thanks.
Wes...
Did you hear
something, Pa?
No.
He's gone.
Tried to stop him,
but he wouldn't listen.
Back to that town?
Yeah.
Said he'd meet us at
Oak Fork, after three days.
[HORSE NEIGHING]
[HOOFS CLOMPING]
JOHN: Nora!
Get me a knife.
Get some clean water.
What did you do to him?
I didn't do anything.
I found him tied
to a horse
wandering around in the dark.
Take his arm.
Not much more than a boy.
That's...
That's a pretty bad cut.
Better get a doctor.
I want him to stay alive.
Can he stay here?
That's a pretty serious wound,
but I think he'll make
the grade.
As long as he can rest
and not be disturbed.
Fortunately, he's young and
in good shape.
His name is Mason.
Gray Mason, lieutenant,
Murphy's Alabama Battalion.
How soon do you think
he'll come out of it?
Oh, say sometime tomorrow.
Good night,
John, Nora.
Good night, Doctor. Good night, Doctor. Thanks.
I want
to talk to him about
the White Springs raid,
and he could be one of the
three men who came into town.
Do you recognize him, Nora?
I don't know.
I... I don't think
I ever saw him before.
All I could see
and think of was
what was happening.
Petey.
Of course.
Let me know as soon as
he comes around.
We will.Good night.
Good night.
[DOOR OPENS]
[DOOR CLOSES]
You thought I did that?
Well, the way you went
out of here, you...
I'm sorry, Nora.
Did you ever
see him before?
I told you,
all I could
think about was Petey.
If he
was one of them,
what would you do?
John,
don't do anything that
will take you away
from me.
You're all I've got left.
[COUGHING]
Here.
[SIGHS] Thanks.
Don't try moving,
you might hurt yourself.
[GROANING]
Oh, that does hurt.
It should.
Someone did a pretty
handy job on you
with a knife.
With a knife?
Mmm-hmm.
I should've expected
something like that.
Friend of yours?
Not really.
How'd I get here?
I found you
tied to a horse,
brought you home.
Who are you?
My name's
John Willoughby.
You were
hurt pretty bad. I figured
you were jumped and robbed.
Yeah, that's...
That's just about
the way it happened.
[SIGHS]
Thank you, Mr. Willoughby.
You're welcome, Mason.
How'd you know my name?
I found it
in that rebel jacket.
You don't sound like you're
too fond of Confederates.
War's over
as far as I'm concerned.
Could you eat something?
[CHUCKLES]
I could eat anything.
Hmm.
Nora!
Yes, John?
He's awake and hungry.
My wife
will be right in.
She's a good cook.
Best cook
in Kittreck Wells.
Ever hear of it?
Hear of what?
The town. Kittreck Wells.
Well, I don't think so.
I haven't been
around here very long.
I'm from Alabama.
This is my wife, Nora.
Gray Mason.
How do you do, ma'am?
You feeling better?
Much better, ma'am.
Thank you.
Good.
John, I'll need
some more water.
I'll get it.
I'll get you
something to eat.
Wouldn't be much chance
of anybody getting up here
without our seeing them,
would there, Frank?
I wouldn't say so, Pa.
BEDLOE: Fresh water
around, Cain?
I saw a stream, Pa.
We getting close
to Oak Fork, Wesley?
That's what Gray said,
wasn't it?
That's what he said, Pa.
You're sure
he said Oak Fork,
aren't you, Son?
After three days to
meet him at Oak Fork,
that's what Gray said,
wasn't it?
That's what he told me.
Funny Gray
should want us to
meet him up there
in that
out-of-the-way
place in the mountain.
Well, what
are you staring at?
That's what he told me.
I was just thinking maybe
you didn't hear him right.
Maybe he said
some other kind of oak.
Oak Bluff or
Lone Oak or someplace.
Look, I told you 100 times
he said Oak Fork.
You said
to sit around
and wait for him.
Well, maybe he didn't
mean to come back at all.
Well, he was
always yelling
about how he didn't
want any part
of what we were doing.
Maybe he ain't coming back.
Maybe he lit off somewheres
and we could be sitting and
waiting for 10 years.
If Gray said to wait,
we'll wait.
And if he said Oak Fork,
we will, the Lord willing,
go to Oak Fork.
He said tomorrow's
the day to meet him
and if that's what
Gray wants and that's
what he said he wants,
that's what it'll be.
That's what he said,
wasn't it, Wesley?
That's what he said, Pa.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
Mrs. Willoughby.Yes?
[THUNDER RUMBLING] Mrs. Willoughby, I...
Wind's coming up.
Looks like a storm.
Smells good.
It's ready.
[WIND HOWLING]
Get a couple of plates
of that under your belt
and you'll feel like
wrestling a mountain lion.
I feel pretty good
right now.
Careful, it's hot.
Thank you, ma'am.
Our patient's
from Alabama, Nora.
Yes, I know.
You're a long way
from home.
Yes, ma'am.
He was in the
Confederate cavalry.
I was in the
Union Army myself.
I probably
took a shot at you
somewhere along the line.
Vicksburg maybe.
That's over and done with.
A man can't hold a grudge.
Sure am glad
you feel that way about it.
If you'd have left me
where you found me...
It's about
the best meal
I ever did eat.
This is a hard country.
It can kill a man
or make him wealthy.
You plan on settling down
around here?
GRAY: Yes, that's right.
All the way from Alabama.
That's a long way.
Yes, it is.
And you came
all that way alone?
All alone.
No wonder you got jumped.
I guess so.
Some of that coffee'd do me
right fine just about now,
Mrs. Willoughby.
Thank you, ma'am.
Plan on settling down,
raising a family maybe?
Maybe. Sooner or later.
You like children?
Well enough.
Family's not a family
without them.
[SIGHS] You got
folks of your own?
Suppose everybody has.
Somewheres.
I don't suppose
you've ever been married?
Why don't you ask me
what you really want
to know?
What makes you think
I want to know anything?
I've been around
long enough to know
when someone's the
cat and I'm the mouse.
All right, Mason,
three men
rode into town and
one of them killed my son.
Three men I never saw or
heard of and one of them
killed my little boy.
I want to know who
they are and where
they are.
Why should I know?
You were
wearing a rebel jacket.
You were mighty foxy
about who cut you up.
And I found you
where those rebel outlaws
were supposed to have been.
You might be one of them.
I... I suppose I might.
Are you?
[LOUDLY] Are you?
If I was,
I guess you'd kill me
pretty quick.
Mmm, I'd kill you.
All right,
pull the trigger.
What difference does it make
if he was one of them or not?
Kill him!
And if he isn't enough,
go out and
find someone else.
Murder half the world
if it makes you happy.
That's what you want,
isn't it?
That's what
Petey would want.
Thank you, ma'am.
You Willoughbys seem to
take turns saving my life.
I was thinking of
my husband.
Why should he become
a murderer because
someone else was?
You mean you didn't
tell him about me?
That you saw me
in town when...
No, I didn't.
You're safe here,
Mr. Mason.
I don't want him ever
to find those friends
of yours.
I want him to forget.
I don't want him hurt.
You'll remember that,
Mr. Mason, won't you?
Yes, ma'am.
I'll remember.
[SIGHS]
[TWIGS SNAP]
Hold it, Wes.
[LAUGHS] Well, you really
are nervous.
I thought you'd jump
right out of your boots.
I wouldn't get frisky, Wes.
Hey, that's
a big hunk of cash.
I'd say about
double your share.
Don't play pussyfoot with
me, Cain. What do you want?
Me? Nothing at all.
I just came to say
goodbye seeing how's
you're leaving and all.
'Course Pa and Frank
are gonna be a little hurt
you went meandering off
without a fare-thee-well
or nothing,
wouldn't you say?
And then how do you think
Gray's gonna feel when he
finds out
you didn't even wait
for him to come back?
He is coming back,
isn't he, Wes?
What I mean is, he really
did go back to that town,
didn't he?
You didn't stop him,
did you?
Just seeing you
sneak off like this
with all that money,
I thought
maybe you and Gray
had a little trouble.
'Course you did leave
your gun behind that night.
Then I remembered
that knife in your boot.
I could kill you right now
and Pa'd thank me.
What's done is done.
"Will of the Lord,"
as Pa'd say.
You're still my brother,
so I figured you ought
to have a chance.
That's decent of you.
How much do you want?
How much?
Oh, you mean money?
Now, I'm not quite sure
that'd be right.
$1,000?
Now, ain't you
the generous one?
All right,
my whole share, $2,500.
I don't know.
Maybe Pa ought to...
All right, how much?
Considering everything,
just what you got
in your hand.
That's everything.
Couldn't ask
for more than that.
That ain't fair, Cain.
I could always
take you back to Pa!
Thank you kindly, Wes.
Now I think you'd
better be getting
a good head start.
[GUN FIRES]
Drop that knife, Wesley.
[GROANS] BEDLOE: For money,
you cut up your own brother!
You cut up your own brother!
No more, Pa!
[GROANS] Mercy, Pa!
[WHIPPING CONTINUES]
WESLEY: Please, no more, Pa!
Mercy, Pa. For money!
For money,
you killed your brother!
Dirty heathen!
Judas!Pa, please!
[PANTING]
Where is he?
What'd you do with him?
I didn't
kill him, Pa,
I swear I didn't!
Where is he?
I got scared.
I put him on his
horse, I sent him off.
You sent him off all cut up,
bleeding to death?
He's alive, Pa!
I know he's alive.
Pa!
[PANTING]
Boys, help your
brother clean up.
We're riding back
to find Gray.
I sure do want to thank you,
ma'am, for patching up
my jacket.
Well, it's not
too good a job,
but it'll do you
till you get a new one.
Sure you're
strong enough to ride?
Oh, I feel pretty good,
ma'am, thanks to you.
I just don't know how to
tell you how sorry I am
about your boy.
Let's not talk about it.
But I did want to help.
Yes, I know that.
I remember...
All ready? Yeah.
Your horse is, too.
Be careful,
he's a little fresh.
Well, I'll watch him.
I just can't thank you
folks enough.
That's all right, son.
Is that Grandma coming?
Kind of looks like.
Well, you got company.
I'll be moving along.
You've been
mighty kind, sir.
Forget it.
Where's your gun?
Well, I just thought I'd...
You thought you'd leave
it here as part payment?
You want to get
knocked off this porch?
I wouldn't enjoy it.
Haven't you gotten in
enough trouble without
roaming around
this territory unarmed?
[SIGHS] I'll get it for you.
Hi, Grandma,
how are you?
Hi, Nora.
Could I help you here?
Aw, go away,
I don't need any help.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Hi, Liz. Hi.
How've you been? Fine.
On our way
up the line to
see Abbie Snedden.
Abbie's abed again
with that back of hers.
Personally, I think Abbie's
just plain lazy now that
she's over 70.
Howdy, John. JOHN: Hi, Grandma.
NORA: Grandma, this is
Mr. Mason. Mrs. Ackstadt.
GRANDMA: Oh, howdy do,
Mr. Mason.
Glad to see you up
and around.
Heard about
the Willoughbys
here taking you in.
Well, they've been
kinder than I can say.
GRAY: Goodbye, folks. Goodbye.
Good luck to you.
Goodbye, little girl.
I know you.
I'll just bet you've
seen a lot of soldiers.
I hope to skin
a mule she has.
Her father was a major
with General Sherman.
Mr. Mason's not
from around here.
You couldn't
know him, 'Lisbeth.
I come from a long
ways from here, Liz.
Place called Alabama.
You were in town.
You were
one of the men
who hurt Petey.
'Lisbeth,
you don't know
what you're saying.
How do you know, 'Lisbeth?
I know.
Aunt Nora saw him, too.
Did you, Nora?
John, she's a child.
I am not.
I saw him hurt Petey.
'Lisbeth, if this is
something you're
making up...
I'm not! I saw him! I did!
You didn't,
you were in the store.
She's telling the truth,
isn't she?
John, listen to me.
[SHOUTING] Isn't she?
I was there,
but it isn't
what you think.
John!
John!
He didn't...
He didn't do it.
He didn't do it. John!
Let him go!
Stop it, John!
He didn't do it, John!
He didn't do it!
Now you put
that thing down,
Mr. Willoughby.
Go on, pull the trigger.
Now you just stand
right where you are.
I'd hate to have to
shoot down an unarmed man.
Don't push me too far.
Now that
little girl's right.
I was in town that day,
but I didn't kill anybody.
He's telling
the truth, John.
He didn't do it.
It was one
of the others.
Get onto your horse,
Mr. Willoughby.
Right there.
What are you gonna
do to him?
Don't you worry, ma'am,
he's coming with me
right into town.
Into town?
Yes, ma'am. I'm gonna
report to your marshal
just how it happened
to your boy and why.
But they'll hang you.
Well, maybe they will.
Why don't
you just ride on,
out of the territory?
I might.
But first I gotta
set the record straight.
Now, Mr. Willoughby,
you get on that horse.
Ride on, sir.
ADAM: But I have
the boy's deposition!
He swears
he didn't do it.
He's a Johnny Reb.
He admits he was there.
John, stop and think.
You know he could've
been miles away by now.
It took
more than courage,
him coming in like this.
Took a lad
who was innocent.
Or smart.
I'd like
to swear you in
as a deputy, John.
And have me
protect him?
[FOOTSTEPS PATTERING]
Bill, why don't you come home?
Keep out of this.
You go home
and stay home.
Go home, before
somebody gets hurt.
Where's Willoughby? Saloon.
There's gonna be trouble.
Nothing you
can't handle.
Nothing I wanna handle.
They're getting nervous.
They're just waiting for
somebody to wave a rope.
They wanna be heroes.
They think
they're doing it for you.
Trying to be
good neighbors.
They were
fond of Petey.
Well, they're gonna
get hurt if they try
to take that Mason boy.
I thought a lot of my son.
John, they think a lot
of you. You can stop them.
That's your job. I'd have to use guns
and people will be killed.
Our friends, our neighbors.
Now I'd rather you
do it with common sense.
They'd have to
listen to you.
[SHOUTS] Why should I?
This isn't you
talking, John.
He's gonna hang anyway.
If he killed
Petey, he will,
but legally.
How do you know he did?
[GLASS SHATTERING]
[PEOPLE CLAMORING]
You hear that?
They're whipping
themselves up.
Are you coming, John?
Give that baby murderer
to us, Adam.
We know what
to do with him.
[DOOR OPENS]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
Adam! Adam!
Over at the saloon.
John, you've
got to stop them.
You mustn't let them do this.
You can't stop a mob
when their mind's made up.
But he didn't do it,
I give you my word
he didn't.
Your word?
You knew he was one of them.
When I first brought him home
you knew he was one of them,
didn't you?
You knew he killed my son,
didn't you?
No, that's wrong,
it wasn't him.
We took him in
and cared for him
like one of our own.
You mended his coat
like it was Petey's.
And all the time you knew,
didn't you?
When he put a gun on
me to bring me to town,
you wanted him safe, why?
You wanted him
out of the country, why?
Tell me why!
Because I didn't want
any more killing.
Killing?
Killing?
What about my son?
What kind of a woman are you?
You've turned
into a madman.
And that's why you'll let
them kill that boy out there.
Not for Petey,
not for justice
but because
you're mad for revenge.
You nearly killed
a wounded boy.
He was weak.
He couldn't
defend himself,
except by killing you.
He had that chance,
but he didn't take it.
And why did I want him
to leave the territory?
Not to save him,
but to save us
from killing.
More killing,
useless killing.
And if you let those
people out there
hang this boy
just so they can
say that they're
good neighbors...
Well, Petey was my son, too.
What happened
was a cruel accident.
More killing will never
bring him back to us again.
And if you stand by
and let that pack
of animals out there
take this boy's life,
don't you ever call yourself
my husband again.
[PEOPLE CLAMORING]
MAN 1: Come on.
Let's take him
out of here!
Let him go!
Listen to me!
He didn't do anything!
Stop it! He didn't do it!
MAN 2: Let's get him
out of here!
What are you doing?
We're hanging him
for murder.
Who'd he murder?
Well, your son.
Take your hands off the boy!
If anyone's gonna hang him,
I'll hang him.
BEDLOE: Just hold still
right here.
GRAY: Pa!
Nice and easy now, Son.
Come over here.
Stand still.
Come over here, Gray.
One move and I'll
blow his head off.
You don't generally
hang a man without
a reason.
JOHN: Murder's
a reason enough.
You're mistaken, mister.
That boy never killed anybody.
Where were you the day
my boy was killed?
I was here.
You never should
have come back, Pa.
You're mistaken.
It was an accident.
[PEOPLE MURMURING]
You hear what I said?
It was an accident,
your son dying.
Now turn loose my boy.
Did you kill him?
No.
Who did, then?
A lot of people are
gonna die pretty quick.
Turn him loose.
You think you can
fight the whole town?
All right, Mason, who did it?
Which one? Which one?
Or do I settle for this one?
I'm the marshal here, Mason.
There'll be no hanging
or killing.
Your boy'll be treated
fairly as a prisoner
of the law.
You figure on taking this
whole town with four guns?
No, I don't.
But we sure can take
the nearest 10 men
with us.
And we will.
You sound like
an upright man, Marshal.
But in the eyes
of the good Lord,
this slaughter
will be on your head.
How about it, John?
Now, what do
you say, Mason?
It's not for me
to say, Marshal.
This is a family affair.
What concerns one of us
concerns all of us.
When a problem comes up,
why, we just take a vote.
Boys,
your brother
Gray's in trouble for
something he didn't do.
Seems like there are only
two ways to get him out.
Shoot it out
with the whole community,
or turn in whoever is guilty.
Frank, what do you say?
Whatever you say, Pa.
Wesley, what's your vote?
I say we shoot it out,
every man for himself.
BEDLOE: Cain?
I'll abide with you, Pa.
Wesley, that gives me
three votes against
your one.
I don't like slaughter.
So, I vote my three votes
against any further bloodshed.
Look out!
[PEOPLE CLAMORING]
Wesley. Wesley.
Wesley, please,
listen to reason.
Wes, if they find you,
they're gonna kill you.
They'll hang you.
Now, come on, you give
yourself up to the Marshal.
Stand your trial,
it's the only way.
[HAY RUSTLING]
Wes?
Wes?
[PANTING]
He'll be all right.
The other one's inside.
What the sons of some men
do to the sons of others.
There's the tragedy
of the world.
We're ready, Marshal.
Nora!