The Red Pony (1949) - full transcript
In the coast range mountains on the western edge of the Salinas Valley is a ranch where Tom, a lad of about ten, longs for a pony. He lives with his mom, who was born there, her dad, a talkative pioneer who misses the old West, Tom's dad Fred Tiflin, who comes from the city and after years on the ranch doesn't feel at home there, and Billy, their trusted hand, a real cowboy. While Fred has to sort out whether he wants to stay a rancher and come to terms with his son being closer to Billy than to himself, Tom gets a pony and learns directly about responsibility and loss. What lessons can each learn, and are tragedy and hard choices all that life offers? Are laughter and joy anywhere?
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In Central California,
many small ranches
sit in the hollows
of the skirts of
the coast range mountains,
some the remnants
of old and gradually
disintegrating homesteads,
some the remains
of Spanish grants.
To one of them,
in the foothills
to the west
of Salinas Valley,
the dawn comes,
as it comes
to a thousand others.
Rosie!
Steady, Rosie.
Steady, now.
Ah, you'll drop
a fine Colt.
Remember your ears, Tom.
You're not clean
just because you're wet.
Go on.
Sit down, Fred.
I'll do that.
Good morning, ma'am.
Good morning, Billy.
We sure got a good day,
for it, Mr. Tiflin.
Sit down.
Sit down, Billy.
Got the cows
ready to go?
In the lower corral.
I could just as well
take them in alone.
Sure, you could. You could take
the oxen in alone, too,
but a man needs company,
and I'd rather you had mine
than the kind
you pick up in town.
Besides, your throat
gets pretty dry.
We'll start
right after breakfast.
May I go, sir?
I got to take this
to Billy.
Is that boy
doing his schoolwork
the way he should?
He's growing up
the way he should.
Is he?
He spends too much time
with Billy buck.
That won't hurt him.
Billy's making
a good rancher out of him.
There's more to life
than ranching.
You'll have to
convince Tom of that.
And you...
And your father.
Can I help you any
with the horses?
Can I hold them
for you?
What's the matter with tying
them up to the corral fence
like I always do?
All right,
maybe you can help some.
Billy...Billy, would you
lend me the clipping?
What do you want it for?
Well, I told the kids
how Rosie won
the stock horse finals
in Sacramento,
and they just laughed.
Jinx Ingalls
laughed first.
But I've got the clipping
to prove it.
They said they didn't
see the clipping.
Ah, you just come with me.
Who's that lady?
Oh, that's my cousin.
Who's she?
She's my cousin, too.
I thought
she was your cousin.
Well, we're a big family.
Now they'll believe it.
They got to
believe you.
You got both
of them.
You take care
of this clipping.
Don't go opening
and closing it too much.
You'll wear it out.
Ah, you kids
stand on your heads
and walk around
on your hands and knees
too much.
There.
Alice.
I'm up here, Fred,
in father's room.
This button's off.
In a minute.
Let it be, Fred.
You know he can tell
when anything's touched.
He'll probably
be in today.
I guess I've had as much
rest as I can expect.
It's a good 2 weeks
since I've had to listen
to those stories of his.
He's an old man.
He talks about the things
he remembers best.
You talk
yourself sometimes.
Sure, I do,
but he only talks
about one thing.
Indians. Indians and crossing
the plains, that's what.
You get out of here,
Mr. Big britches.
Go on, now, it's time
you started to school.
Good-bye, Billy!
Come on, Shep.
Tom!
Hi, Tom!
Tom!
Tom!
Hi, Tom!
Hi, Tom!
Did you get it?
Did I get what?
The clipping.
Sure, it and
the ribbon, too.
Let's see it
if you've got it.
Well, let's see it.
You promised me
I could see it.
How about it?
Yeah, how about
letting us see it?
Where's
the clipping?
Let's see it!
I don't think
he's really got it.
All right.
I'll show it to you.
I don't want to open it
too often.
It wears out,
Billy says.
You know,
Billy's bred her.
She's going
to have a Colt.
Maybe he might give
the Colt to me.
Did Billy say
he would?
Well, not exactly.
Then how do you know
he will?
I didn't say he will.
I said maybe he will.
Maybes ain't gettin'.
It cost him $25
just to breed her.
That Colt will be worth
at least $150.
Do you think
he'd give you $150?
No.
Then why do you think
he'd give you a $150 Colt?
Yeah, what makes you
think that?
Well, he might.
Mights ain't gettin's.
Tom!
I'm just gonna
get some wood.
That's more like it.
You crossed them so
last night,
there was hardly enough
to get breakfast.
What did you learn
in school today?
A lot.
That's good.
There are
other things to know
besides ranching.
If you bring another toad
home in that lunchbox,
you'll go to school
without lunch.
Toad?
And not only toads.
I don't want
any living thing
in that lunchbox.
I have to boil it out every day
when you get through with it.
When you fill the wood box,
feed the chickens.
Up!
Up!
So...you come
to meet me, did you?
Yes, sir.
Here.
Carry the rabbits.
There. Take my gun.
Now, I...
I should have
been here yesterday.
Got held up
by an old fool
wanted to start
an argument. Heh heh.
Are--are the folks well?
They're fine, sir.
I guess you got back
just in time
to go on
a mouse hunt with me.
Mouse hunt?
Have the people
of this generation
took to hunting mice?
I know they aren't
very strong,
but I never thought mice
would satisfy them for game.
Heh heh! Maybe your father
would like to borrow my gun
to shoot 'em with.
No, sir.
It's just play.
The haystack's gone
and I'm gonna drive
the mice out
with the dogs
tomorrow.
You can watch and even
beat the hay a little.
Oh, I see.
You don't eat 'em, eh?
You don't make clothes
out of the pelts.
It hasn't
come to that yet.
The dogs eat them,
sir.
I guess it isn't much
like hunting Indians.
No. No, not much.
But when the troops
took to hunting the Indians,
killing their children,
burning their tepees,
that wasn't much different
from your mouse hunt,
'cause they didn't
give them a chance.
Hey, you--
you've grown,
seems to me.
You've grown.
More than
1/8 of an inch
where they marked me
on the door.
I'm up 1/8 of an inch
since you left.
Well, I'll declare.
There's your mother.
Hi, Alice!
Hello, dad.
Tom,
put out the horse,
and then
get to your chores.
Yes, ma'am.
I'm hungry.
You know, honest, I don't
have as good an appetite
as I used to.
When we was
crossing the plains,
we all used to get
so hungry every night,
we'd eat the buffalo meat
before she got done.
Heh heh.
Where's
the schoolteacher?
Fred will be back
for supper.
And don't mention
buffalo at supper.
We're having
macaroni tonight.
? From Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? it's 13 miles ?
? from Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? Sotoville to Castroville ?
? Castroville to Sotoville ?
? it's 13 miles ?
? from Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? it's 13 miles ?
? from Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? it's 13 miles ?
? from Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? Sotoville to Castroville ?
? from Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? it's 13 miles ?
I'm hungry.
Feel kind of like when we
was crossing the plains.
We used to get so hungry
every night,
couldn't hardly let
the meat get done.
I could eat 5 pound
of buffalo every night.
Everybody could.
Sit down, Alice.
Grub's fine.
Moving around does it,
I guess.
My father was
a government packer.
I used to help him
when I was a kid.
The two of us could just about
clear up a deer ham.
I knew your father, Billy.
Good man.
Used to call him
mule-tail buck.
Never did know why,
except he packed mules.
You--you ought to know
if he had a tail, Billy.
You know, I--that's why
they called him that,
'cause he packed mules.
I remember one time
we run out of meat.
Thank you, Alice.
There was no buffalo,
no deer, no antelope,
not even rabbits.
Hunters couldn't
even shoot a coyote.
Thank you, Alice.
That was the time for the leader
to be on the watch.
I was the leader.
Kept my eyes open then.
You know why?
Well, I'll tell you why.
Just the minute the people
begin to get hungry,
they'd up and slaughter
their team oxen.
Do you believe that?
As leader of the party,
I had to keep them
from doing that.
And I was the leader.
You better eat.
The rest of us are about
ready for our pudding.
Well, I am a little hungry
at that.
Yep, I was the leader.
I'll tell you some
interesting things later.
I wonder, did I tell you
about the time
the Paiutes drove off
the 35 horses of ours?
I kind of think
you did.
Wasn't it
just before
you got up to
the Tahoe country?
Yes, that's right.
Well, I guess
I did tell you.
Well, anyway--
you told it
hundreds of times.
Of course, we'd like
to hear it again.
Tell about the Indians
and the horses.
I want to see you
after supper.
Did I ever tell you
how I wanted the wagons
to carry along
iron plates?
No, you didn't,
grandfather.
What did you want to use
the iron plates for?
Well, you see,
when the Indians attacked,
we always put the wagons
in a circle.
I figured that if we put
iron plates down to get behind--
well, Mr. Big britches,
are you coming?
Now, if those plates
had holes in them,
the men could stand them
in front of the wheels,
and they'd be protected.
Well, I guess
I'd better go.
They might need me.
I've got
an old powder horn
and a cap and ball pistol
out in the bunkhouse.
Did I ever show them
to you?
That reminds me
of a pistol I had
when I was leading
the people across.
It was a--a--
whatever happened
to that pistol?
Maybe you better tell it when
you go down to the bunkhouse.
Billy has to go.
Thank you, ma'am.
Good night.
Mine?
Yours.
He needs
a good currying.
And if I ever hear of
you not feeding him
or leaving
his stall dirty,
I'll sell him off
in a minute.
Well...
I guess he can bite,
all right.
And no more Indians,
Mr. Big britches.
Mine.
Sure.
That is, if you
look out for him
and break him right
like your father said.
Of course,
he's pretty young.
He couldn't bear
your weight for some time.
But you'll tell me
what to do, won't you, Billy?
Grandpa says you know
everything about horses.
I'm half horse myself.
You know, my ma died
when I was born.
Bein' my old man
didn't have cows around,
why, he mostly
gave me mare's milk.
I'm half horse
and horses know it.
Don't you, little fella?
You do like I tell you,
you'll have the best horse
in the country.
When do you think
I can ride him?
Well, you're
not very heavy.
Around, oh, say,
Thanksgiving, maybe.
Uh...
There isn't a saddle?
Oh, I forgot.
Come on.
Of course,
it's just a show saddle.
It's not practical
for the brush.
It was cheap at the sale.
A show saddle?
From a circus?
I guess you could call it
kind of a circus, sure.
It'll look pretty
on him.
If he hasn't
a name already,
I think I'll call him
Gabilan Mountains.
That's a little bit long
for a callin' name.
Why don't you
just call him Gabilan?
That means hawk.
That'd be a good name.
You know, if you'll
collect tail hairs,
I might find time
to make you a hair rope.
You could use it
for a hackamore.
Oh, sure. I'd train him
for a hackamore.
You wouldn't use a bit
on a good horse like this.
Could I lead him
to school, do you think,
to show the kids?
What are you
talking about?
That pony isn't even
halter broke yet.
Almost had to drag him here.
I could bring the kids
to see him here.
It would be even better
if they saw him here.
Golly.
Tom, you and me
been friends
for a long time.
Maybe you want me
to help with him.
Well, sometimes you can
but it's not a good thing
to have too many people
fooling around a horse.
It's liable
to get him all mixed up.
I wouldn't fool around him.
Let me curry him a little.
He's been curried.
I curried all that out
of him this morning.
Look out
for his heels!
He can kick,
and he can bite.
He doesn't look
like a mean one.
Oh, he isn't mean.
He's just got
a lot of spirit.
Why, when he drank
this morning,
he buried his nose
clear up to the nostrils
in the water trough.
That's a good horse
that does that.
You're gonna brush
the hide right off him.
It's just a little
place I missed.
Why don't you braid
his mane and tail?
Oh, I will sometime,
some other time.
What are you doing
out here so early?
Well, I couldn't
sleep anymore.
You've got to
tell me what to do.
This pony's
growing up.
I've got to
teach him now
or it'll be
too late.
Well, I got my chores
to do first.
Think he'll be
too old by then?
All right, Billy.
I'll wait
if you say to wait.
Whoa.
The first thing is
to halter break him.
That's hardest
because it's first.
We'll put the short
halter on him.
What'll I do?
Did you
bring the carrot?
That's fine.
Now, you coax him
with the carrot
and pull
on the lead.
He'll get the idea.
Keep talking to him.
He'll get the idea.
Patience
is the big thing.
We don't want
to force break him.
That takes out
the spirit.
You know, a horse
has got to understand
same as a man's
got to understand.
Let's get started.
Morning, ma'am.
Good morning.
Tom must have slept
in the barn last night.
He might as well have.
Come on, Gabilan.
Come on, Gabilan.
Come on, Gabilan!
Please, Gabilan.
Come on. See?
I got a carrot for you.
Come on.
Please.
Uhh!
Look, Gabilan.
See?
Breakfast will be
ready soon, Billy.
Fred, you'll burn
your hands again.
Sit down. I'll do it.
Alice, I thought I'd take
a little time each day
to show Tom some things
about the pony.
Well,
I gave it to him.
I thought I should
be the one to--
we got started
breaking Gabilan today.
Grandpa says nobody knows
more about horses than Billy.
Do they, Billy?
Grandpa says that
Billy can talk to horses.
He says
they can understand him.
I don't know how.
Billy has enough
chores to do.
He has no time
to go play with you.
It won't take much
of Billy's time.
He's got to learn.
He might as well
learn right.
Sit down, Billy.
Grandpa says--
where is grandpa,
anyway?
He's keeping everybody
waiting for breakfast.
He's still up in his room.
He'll be a good
half-hour fussing.
Well, he likes
to take his time.
You know how he
polishes up his shoes
and brushes off
his clothes.
I don't know.
He likes it that way.
Of course, a man
who led a wagon train
across the plains,
he's too great a man
to care how long
he keeps his daughter
at the stove.
He has to be very
careful how he looks
because he led a wagon
train across the plains.
Don't do that, Fred.
Please don't talk
that way.
Well, how many times do I
have to listen to that story
of the 35 horses,
the iron plates?
I've heard him tell
how he led
that bunch of people
across the plains
a thousand times!
That time's done.
Why can't he forget it
now it's done?
Why does he have to tell
about it oVer and oVer?
He came
across the plains.
All right,
now it's finished.
Nobody wants
to hear about it
oVer and oVer and oVer.
Morning.
Did you hear
what I said?
I don't know
what got into me, sir.
I didn't mean it.
I was just...Trying
to be funny, I guess.
Oh, I'm just trying
to get right side up.
I'm not being mad.
I don't mind
what you said.
It might be true.
Oh...I would mind that.
It's not true.
I guess I'm just not
feeling very well this morning.
I'm sorry
I said any of it.
No. Oh, no, no, no.
Don't be sorry.
Old man just don't
see things sometimes.
Maybe you're right.
Crossing's finished.
Maybe it ought to be
forgotten now it's done.
I'm going to work.
You take your time,
Billy.
Excuse me, ma'am.
Won't you tell any more
stories now, grandfather?
Huh?
Of course I will.
I'll tell them,
but only when I'm certain
people want to hear them.
That's the trouble.
I never made sure.
I like to
hear them, sir.
Of course you do, sure.
You're a little boy.
It was a job for men.
Now only little boys
want to hear about it.
Now that you're back,
you ought to come
on a mouse hunt with me.
I'll wait outside
for you, sir.
You can use my stick
for those mice.
I'll go make another one.
May I, ma'am?
Father--
I, uh, better not
keep the boy waiting.
Going to be hard
staying here,
feeling like I do...
As though the crossing
wasn't worth doing.
If you'd like
to tell a story, grandpa,
I'll listen.
Oh, I...
I tell those stories,
but they aren't
what I want to tell.
I know how I want
people to feel
when I tell them.
It wasn't the Indians
that was important
or adventures
and the land.
It wasn't even
getting out here.
It was a whole bunch
of people
made into one big,
crawling beast.
It was Westering
and Westering,
where every man there
wanted something
for himself,
but the big beast
that was all of them
wanted only Westering.
We carried life
out here,
set it down
and planted it
the way ants carry eggs,
and I was the leader.
The Westering
was big as god,
and the slow steps that
made up the movement
piled up and piled up
until the continent
was crossed.
Then we come down
to the sea,
and it was done.
Uh, that's what
I ought to be telling
instead of the stories.
Stories ain't
what I want to say.
Maybe I could lead
the people someday.
No, there's
noplace to go.
There's an ocean
to stop you.
There's a line of
old men along the shore
hating the ocean
'cause it stopped them.
In boats I might, sir.
No, Thomas,
there's noplace to go.
Every place is taken.
But that
isn't the worst.
No, that
isn't the worst.
Westering has died
out of the people.
Westering isn't
a hunger anymore.
It's finished.
Your father's right.
It's all done.
If you would like
a glass of lemonade,
I could make it for you.
No, I don't. I don't.
Yes, it would be nice
to drink
a glass of lemonade.
It would be nice.
Oh, Billy!
Billy!
Heh heh heh heh.
Oh, I don't like
lemonade, anyway.
I've been thinking
about that
homecoming week, Alice.
I would like for us
to go to San Jose.
We could catch
the afternoon train.
Homecoming won't be
for another week.
Well, we could
visit my folks,
look around a bit.
You could
do some shopping.
What's the matter?
Don't run away, Fred.
I'm not running away.
In your mind you are.
In your mind you've been
running back to San Jose
ever since we've been
ranching here.
Alice...
I didn't mean what I
said about your father.
I know
it's not father.
Fred, you're hurt.
You're hurt because
you feel people here
look upon you
as a stranger.
Well, they do.
I don't suppose there's
a man in this whole county
knows my first name.
It's "Mr. Tiflin this,
Mr. Tiflin that."
Never Fred.
Everywhere I go,
it's Mr. Tiflin.
After all these years,
I'm still a stranger.
That's true.
But are you sure
it isn't the way
you want it?
Do I want to be a stranger
to my own son?
Are you?
I think so.
Maybe you should
go to San Jose.
Maybe you can think
things out clearer there.
You mean...
You won't come?
No.
Someone has to
watch things.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe I'd
better go alone.
Get a whip
and he'll follow.
Pull his tail!
Push him!
Light a fire
under him.
Wait till I get a stick.
I'll make him move.
Yeah!
Come on!
Yay!
Yay!
Tom, come here.
Your dad's calling.
I'll take him around
for you till you get back.
No. I told you before--
too many people
fooling around a horse
get him mixed up.
You can open the gate
for me.
I'm going up
to San Jose.
You going, too, ma'am?
No, Tom, I'm staying.
I'm taking your father
to the train.
See that you
don't let the pony
get in the way
of your chores,
or your school, either.
If you do, I'll have to
take you in hand
when I get back.
Yes, sir.
That piece don't sound
quite right, Alice.
Sounds thin.
It is.
Seems to me
you and Fred
used to play that
four-handed, didn't you?
It was louder
that way.
Grandfather, sir,
how do you spell
chrysanthemum?
Mighty nice flower.
What is?
Chrysanthemum.
I know it is, but
how do you spell it?
Your father's the one
who ought to help you
with your lessons.
When is father
coming home, ma'am?
Soon.
How do you spell
chrysanthemum?
C-h-r-y-s-a-n-t-h-e-m-u-m.
C-h-r...
R...
Don't you think you ought
to learn to use a dictionary
instead of
asking people questions?
Father says it's good
to ask questions.
I never used
a dictionary
when he was home.
You're tired.
Go to bed.
Must I, ma'am?
Do you want
to do more lessons?
Good night,
ma'am.
Really, father.
You're right, Alice.
You're right.
Here I am, nearing
the end of my life,
and there's nothing I do
and nothing I have done
that I don't know
could be done better.
But I don't
do anything about it.
Alice, how did you spell
chrysanthemum?
Why don't you go out
and sit with Billy?
Good night, ma'am.
Grandfather, sir?
What do you want?
I'm going to work
Gabilan for Billy
in the morning.
Would you like
to come and see?
What for?
Well, nobody's
seen me work him
on the long halter yet.
Oh! Oh, yes.
I see.
Sure,
I'll come down.
Just let me know.
I'll come down.
Grandfather.
Grandfather, get up.
Hmm?
Get up, grandfather.
What are you
whispering about?
Shh. You'll
wake up mother.
What time is it?
Going on 6:00.
Don't look like 6:00.
Well, it's 10 minutes
after 5:00.
5:00?! You get out of here
'fore I shoot you!
You promised.
I'm going to
wake Billy up.
All right,
bring him along, Tom.
Don't open the door,
Billy.
I want to show you
something.
Go on, Gabilan.
I taught him
to do that.
Well,
you did a good job.
I don't know about
that door opening, though.
He might get out sometime
when you want him in.
Smart pony.
All right, let's see
how far you've gone
whoa!
With that long shank.
Come on, Gabilan.
Giddy-up!
Go on, trot.
Whoa!
Well, that's good.
He likes it.
You can tell
he likes it.
See how the ears
are forward?
When he's mad,
his ears stick back,
and when he's scared,
his ears are out sideways.
You can tell just how he feels
about everything
by the way his ears are,
even when he's mad.
You're learning,
aren't you, Tom?
Sometimes he laughs.
He just sits back and laughs.
When he bit me on the seat
of the pants, he laughed,
and when he stamped on
my foot, he laughed.
Well, you're getting him
pretty well under control.
He's awful good
on that long line.
He's almost too good.
Getting to be almost
like trick pony.
I don't like
trick horses.
Takes all the dignity
out of a horse,
make him do tricks.
Gets to be almost like
a...Actor. No dignity.
No character
of his own.
You've got to teach him control.
That's not a trick.
That looks like
tricks to me.
Hadn't you better be
getting him used to
the saddle pretty soon?
Can I saddle him up now?
You better hurry.
Your mother's already
rung for breakfast.
When's Mr. Tiflin
coming back?
Hmm? Oh, uh,
I don't know.
Here. I want
to see that.
Yeah.
Hey, you didn't fix
that tight enough.
It was good and tight.
I put my hand under it,
and it was good and tight.
It looks like
he's learned more
than you have.
He took a good
deep breath
while you was
fixing him,
and just as soon
as you stopped,
he let her out.
You got to at least be
as smart as the horse,
you know.
That's right.
Uh, when are you going
to ride him, Thomas?
Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving morning.
Stopped raining.
Yep.
Maybe I'd better let
Gabilan out into the corral
before I go
to school.
Tom?
I guess I forgot it,
ma'am.
If you forget it
once more,
I'll let you go
without it.
Don't let him
near that pony, Billy.
He'll be late
for school again.
Yes, ma'am.
I'll let him out
for you, Tom.
It'll be good for him.
But if it comes on
to rain--
not likely to rain
anymore today.
It's rained
itself out.
If it comes on to rain,
a little rain
won't hurt a horse.
Well, if it does
come on to rain,
you'll put him in,
won't you, Billy?
I'm scared
he might get a cold.
Thanksgiving's
only a week off.
Oh, sure,
I'll watch out for him.
But it won't rain
anymore today.
But, Billy--
go on to school.
You'll be late.
Hey, Billy!
Don't forget
to keep him in
if it rains!
I told you
it's not going to rain!
I pledge allegiance
to the flag
of the United States
of America,
and to the Republic
for which it stands,
one nation, indivisible,
with Liberty and justice
for all.
Thomas Tiflin.
Tom.
Thomas, do you hear me?
Yes, ma'am.
You're half asleep.
Yes, ma'am.
You don't hear me
even now.
I do, ma'am.
Well, then answer me
when I speak to you.
Now, go to the board
and add those figures.
Yes, ma'am.
Billy!
Come up give me a hand
with the sink pump!
Thomas!
What's the matter
with you?
Gabilan!
You said
you'd put him in.
I did put him in.
Well, he was out.
I did put him in.
You said
it wouldn't rain.
It's hard to tell
this time of the year.
You can't always
tell exactly.
You said
it wouldn't rain.
He got soaked through.
Oh, a little rain
never hurt a horse.
Well, he don't
look too chipper.
He's got
a little fever.
We'll get that
out of him.
You run in the house
and get a kettle
of hot water.
I'll give him
some warm mash.
We'll rub him down
and blanket him,
and he'll be all right
in the morning.
Well, go on.
What are you
doing home so early?
I was worried
about the pony.
You cut school?
Where's your
lunch pail?
I left it.
What will
your father say
when he finds out
you played hooky
because you were afraid
the pony might get wet?
How do you think you will
ever learn anything
if you do things
like that?
You're getting
too thoughtless.
Maybe a little punishment
will help you learn.
Maybe you'd better
not ride that pony
for another month.
Maybe then
you won't cut school
just because you
worry a little bit.
Where's that kettle
of hot water, Tom?
The pony got out some way
and got wet, ma'am.
I thought I'd make him up
some hot mash.
A horse isn't a lap dog,
Billy.
Don't you think you're coddling
that pony too much?
Well, he's got kind of
a cough, Mrs. Tiflin.
Suppose he has.
You know what to do.
Yes, ma'am.
You'd better
sit down here, young man.
You haven't been paying
any attention to school lately.
I think it's time
we checked up on you.
I'd like
to hear you read.
"The elephant
is the largest animal
"we see in the jungle.
His home
is in the jungle."
"His home is in India,
"and there, he is used
for many...
Kinds of work."
Why don't you
put him to bed?
I did.
What do you think
you're doing?
I sent you to bed
hours ago.
Billy's going
to steam the pony.
He's awful sick.
You'll be sick yourself
you don't quit
hopping in and out
of bed like this.
Put that kettle back
where you got it.
Your mother
told you
Billy can take care
of your pony.
Tom.
Run along.
Take care
of your pony.
I'm glad
you did that, Alice.
It's the boy's right
to take care of
his own horse.
Good evening, Alice.
Good evening.
San Jose.
1, 2, 3, 4...
That'll be 35 cents,
please.
Alice.
I caught the first train out
after I got your wire.
Fred...I had
to send for you.
Tom's pony
is very sick,
and if Billy can't
get him well,
I thought it would help
if you were here.
Morning,
Mr. Tiflin.
Hello, Alice.
If anything happens,
we can always
get him another horse.
Don't you remember
your first pony?
I never had a pony.
Tom will be glad
to see you.
I've missed him.
We expected you home
sooner.
I spoke
to my brother Dean.
His business is humming.
He asked me to come in
with him.
Alice...
Does Tom know
you sent for me?
No, I didn't think
it wise to tell him.
He's guessed why
I'm here.
Yes.
Hello, dad.
Hello, son.
Want me to do
the chores?
No. Better see
to your horse.
I think Billy
needs your help.
I should have
fixed this fence
before I left.
Is he going
to get well?
Feel that.
When that lump
gets bigger,
I'll open it,
and then he'll be better.
What's the matter
with him?
Strangles.
Strangles.
Don't you worry
about that.
I'll pull him out
of that.
I've seen horses get well
when they were worse than this.
How is he?
Oh, pretty good.
We're going to
open up that lump,
and then
he'll be better.
Now he'll feel better.
That poison makes him
awful sick.
He's still
awful sick.
Yes, he is.
But I've had worse ones
get well.
I'll pull him through.
I know you will,
Billy...
If you say
you will.
You stay with him.
I've got something to do.
I'll be right back.
Who is it?
It's me. Billy.
Well, come in, then.
That's a nice collection
you got there, sir.
Oh...yeah.
See that one there?
You know
what that dirt is?
Blood.
What kind of blood?
Black--
I don't want
to talk about it.
What do you want?
Sit down.
No! No, not there.
In the camps,
the one thing
a man daren't do
is sit on
another man's bed.
That was a thing
that was almost
like, uh...Holy.
Sit oVer there.
No, no! Leave her
where she is.
I'd kind of like to talk--
It's about the pony,
ma'am.
I did put that pony
in the barn that day
when it was raining.
It got out somehow.
I don't know exactly how.
Well?
Well, Tom, he doesn't believe
I put that pony in.
What difference
does that make,
whether he believes it
or not, if you did?
Well, I just don't like him
not believing it.
The pony's bad.
I just opened that lump.
Strangles,
isn't it?
Yeah. Getting so
he can't hardly breathe.
Well, you steamed him,
and you opened the lump.
Now if he gets
any worse,
there's only
one thing else.
You'll have to make
a hole in his windpipe
so he can breathe.
Yeah, I know.
Did you ever do it?
Yeah. Couple of times.
Well, that's all you can do.
When do you think
you'll have to?
Well, I thought I'd wait
till tomorrow.
He might get better,
I wouldn't have to do it, maybe.
If you have to, that's
everything you can do.
Then either he gets well
or he don't get well.
It's out
of your hands.
Thank you.
See, I know that.
I just wanted to know
if somebody else knew it.
Billy's not himself.
He's not a man
to be in doubt.
Well, he's finding out
that there's some things
even he can't do.
Oh, Alice,
fix that chair.
Billy, he's worse.
He can hardly breathe.
There's only one thing
left to do, Tom,
something
you won't want to see.
You're not going
to shoot him?
No. No, I'm going
to make a little hole
in his windpipe
and put this tube through it
so he can breathe.
You sure
you got to do it?
I'm sure.
You can help me,
if it won't make you
sick, that is.
I'll help.
All right, you run along
to the barn.
I'll be right there.
Where have you been?
He's worse, isn't he,
Billy?
He'll be all right.
Could it wait
a little while?
Can't you wait
just a little while?
What for?
Better to do it
right now.
Now I know where
you've been.
He's worse.
Yes, sir.
Like I told you,
there's only
one thing left.
When did you?
Oh, uh, Billy come
to see me yesterday.
Anytime you're ready,
Billy.
Oh, Billy's right, son.
We've got to do it.
You still want
to stay?
Yes.
Hand me the razor, Tom.
Sterilize that knife.
Now, wash that tube off.
Beautiful bird, Alice.
Sit down.
Come in, Billy.
Sit down.
Oh, hello, Billy.
How is he?
Gonna die?
It doesn't look like
there's much chance.
Of course,
there is a chance.
Don't you think
we ought to get Tom
out of there?
You think we ought
to let him
stay around
and see it?
I don't know.
But we can't
protect him.
I was wondering
about it myself--
what's good to see
and not to see
and think
and not to think.
And it kind of seems to me
it's better
to see everything
and think everything.
Sure.
You can't know life
unless you see death.
It's all part
of one thing.
We can't protect him
from it.
It's all part
of one thing.
Might as well
learn about it now.
Hey, Tom!
Hi, Tom.
Hi.
Hi.
Hi.
Hi. How are you feeling?
We thought we'd come
oVer and see the pony.
How's he getting along?
Fine.
Came to see you
ride him.
You are going to
ride him, aren't you?
Yes. Yes, I am.
Let's have a look
at him.
Come on, gang.
No.
Well, why not? We came
all the way oVer to look at him.
Well, you see,
we took him into town
to get shod.
When did you?
Well, he isn't
back yet.
Oh. I'll bet
your father sold him.
He did not!
That pony is down
getting shoes!
I'll bet he sold him.
You get on off the place.
I don't want you here.
Go on, now. Get off here.
I won't have anyone
calling me a liar!
I don't know what's
the matter with you.
I don't know what you
got to get so mad about.
Let's get out
of here.
Come on.
Gabilan!
Gabilan!
Aah!
Aah!
Aah!
Tom.
Tom!
Tom! The buzzard
didn't kill your pony.
Don't you know that?
Of course he knows it.
Use your head, man.
Can't you see how
he'd feel about it?
I know how it is.
Are you hurt?
You know, Tom,
I'm going to give you
Rosie's Colt.
She'll have a good Colt.
It'll be a big horse,
you know.
Stud's a thoroughbred.
Used to race some.
Pretty good, too.
Ah, it ought to be
a good Colt.
You know,
the best thing
about getting
a Colt so young
is you can just
grow up with it,
and you...
Pony's dead.
Tom...
He let him die.
Hi, Tom!
Hey, kids,
it's Tom!
Hello, Tom.
Hi, Tom.
Sorry about
your pony.
Me, too.
Yeah, too bad, Tom.
Is your father going to
get you another pony?
I don't want
another pony.
You mean you don't
want another pony?
I could have a horse
if I want.
How?
Billy buck will give me
his new Colt
if I want it,
but I don't.
Are you going to
start that again?
Billy buck's only gonna
give him his own Colt.
He's only gonna give him
a Colt worth $100.
I bet Billy buck's
going to give him
a railroad train.
Sure. Billy's bucks gonna
give him a whole circus,
but he don't want it.
He's getting to be
an awful liar.
He's getting to be
a terrible liar.
Come on, kids.
Go away, Rosie.
Go on home, Rosie.
Go on.
Get away from here.
Come on, Rosie.
Go on home, Rosie.
Hello, Tom.
I want Rosie's Colt.
I told you
you could have it.
I mean,
I really want it.
All right.
And I want to be there
when it gets born.
No reason
why you shouldn't be.
Rosie!
Rosie!
Rosie!
Rosie!
What's Billy doing
calling his mare
in the middle
of the night?
Rosie must be
about ready.
I thought
I'd go down and see.
Oh, Alice,
now that I'm up,
I wouldn't mind
a cup of coffee.
I'll make some.
Well, is she ready,
Billy?
Yes.
You got out just about
in time, didn't you?
I had a dream.
I dreamed the Colt
was turned wrong.
You don't believe in dreams,
do you, Billy?
No, but my father
believed in them.
He dreamed one time
his horse slipped
and fell oVer
a cliff with him,
and it did, next day.
Killed him.
What's that for?
I've got to get
that boy a Colt.
You wouldn't
kill your mare
to get the Colt,
would you?
Got to get that boy
a Colt.
You'd be crazy.
You've got a good mare there.
You don't know what
kind of Colt it'll be.
Got to get that boy
a Colt.
Well, I think
you're crazy,
but suit yourself.
It's your mare.
What are you
doing here?
You said you'd call me.
I said
I'd call you,
and I will, when
the time comes.
Is she all right,
do you think?
Aw, sure.
I think so.
You won't let anything
happen, Billy, will you?
Will you get back to bed
and stop worrying
this mare.
She's got enough to do
without you worrying her.
But I only thought
I'd come to see.
I waked up.
Well,
you get back to bed.
I don't want you
bothering.
Said I'd get you
a good Colt, and I will.
Now, you run along
and I'll take care
of everything.
But the pony died.
Coffee ready?
In a minute.
What's the matter?
Anything wrong?
Well, Billy says--
oh, Fred.
Sorry we woke you.
There was no need
for you to get up.
Billy says that after
what happened to that pony,
he's just got to get
the boy a Colt,
even if he has to
kill the mare.
He shouldn't
do that.
Well, Billy feels
that he and Tom
been pulling
in different directions.
He's right. You can't
get anywhere that way.
1...2...
I remember
when I was leading
the people across--
3--there was a whole
big bunch of them
wanted to go
to the south.
Now, the rest of them
wanted to go to the north.
Well, heh heh,
I soon straightened
that out.
Donner party broke up
the same way.
Now, those that went
to the south,
they got--
they got through.
Those that went
to the north,
they...
Well, they...
Just ate each other up.
That's good coffee, Alice.
I'll--I'll drink that
in my room.
I hope Tom gets his Colt
without any trouble.
It's time things got
straightened out around here.
High time.
I suppose you're anxious
to get to San Jose.
No, Alice. I'm home.
I'm staying home.
Are you sure
you're home?
Yes.
I thought things oVer
in San Jose,
and I've thought them oVer
since I got back here.
It isn't where you are
that makes you a stranger.
It's where you think
you're a stranger
that makes you one.
I was a stranger
in San Jose.
Welcome home, Fred.
Let me alone!
I'll get that knife
if I have to shake
your brains out.
I won't give you
the knife!
Aah!
Billy!
He took my knife.
You want to kill Rosie.
I may need it
for my mare.
He wants to kill Rosie.
Don't let him!
Stop him! Stop him!
Don't let him! Stop him!
Tom!
Come back here!
He wants to kill Rosie!
You're not going
to kill Rosie.
I won't let you.
I don't want your Colt!
I don't want your Colt!
Leave her alone! I--
Captioning made possible by
Artisan Entertainment
Artisan Entertainment
In Central California,
many small ranches
sit in the hollows
of the skirts of
the coast range mountains,
some the remnants
of old and gradually
disintegrating homesteads,
some the remains
of Spanish grants.
To one of them,
in the foothills
to the west
of Salinas Valley,
the dawn comes,
as it comes
to a thousand others.
Rosie!
Steady, Rosie.
Steady, now.
Ah, you'll drop
a fine Colt.
Remember your ears, Tom.
You're not clean
just because you're wet.
Go on.
Sit down, Fred.
I'll do that.
Good morning, ma'am.
Good morning, Billy.
We sure got a good day,
for it, Mr. Tiflin.
Sit down.
Sit down, Billy.
Got the cows
ready to go?
In the lower corral.
I could just as well
take them in alone.
Sure, you could. You could take
the oxen in alone, too,
but a man needs company,
and I'd rather you had mine
than the kind
you pick up in town.
Besides, your throat
gets pretty dry.
We'll start
right after breakfast.
May I go, sir?
I got to take this
to Billy.
Is that boy
doing his schoolwork
the way he should?
He's growing up
the way he should.
Is he?
He spends too much time
with Billy buck.
That won't hurt him.
Billy's making
a good rancher out of him.
There's more to life
than ranching.
You'll have to
convince Tom of that.
And you...
And your father.
Can I help you any
with the horses?
Can I hold them
for you?
What's the matter with tying
them up to the corral fence
like I always do?
All right,
maybe you can help some.
Billy...Billy, would you
lend me the clipping?
What do you want it for?
Well, I told the kids
how Rosie won
the stock horse finals
in Sacramento,
and they just laughed.
Jinx Ingalls
laughed first.
But I've got the clipping
to prove it.
They said they didn't
see the clipping.
Ah, you just come with me.
Who's that lady?
Oh, that's my cousin.
Who's she?
She's my cousin, too.
I thought
she was your cousin.
Well, we're a big family.
Now they'll believe it.
They got to
believe you.
You got both
of them.
You take care
of this clipping.
Don't go opening
and closing it too much.
You'll wear it out.
Ah, you kids
stand on your heads
and walk around
on your hands and knees
too much.
There.
Alice.
I'm up here, Fred,
in father's room.
This button's off.
In a minute.
Let it be, Fred.
You know he can tell
when anything's touched.
He'll probably
be in today.
I guess I've had as much
rest as I can expect.
It's a good 2 weeks
since I've had to listen
to those stories of his.
He's an old man.
He talks about the things
he remembers best.
You talk
yourself sometimes.
Sure, I do,
but he only talks
about one thing.
Indians. Indians and crossing
the plains, that's what.
You get out of here,
Mr. Big britches.
Go on, now, it's time
you started to school.
Good-bye, Billy!
Come on, Shep.
Tom!
Hi, Tom!
Tom!
Tom!
Hi, Tom!
Hi, Tom!
Did you get it?
Did I get what?
The clipping.
Sure, it and
the ribbon, too.
Let's see it
if you've got it.
Well, let's see it.
You promised me
I could see it.
How about it?
Yeah, how about
letting us see it?
Where's
the clipping?
Let's see it!
I don't think
he's really got it.
All right.
I'll show it to you.
I don't want to open it
too often.
It wears out,
Billy says.
You know,
Billy's bred her.
She's going
to have a Colt.
Maybe he might give
the Colt to me.
Did Billy say
he would?
Well, not exactly.
Then how do you know
he will?
I didn't say he will.
I said maybe he will.
Maybes ain't gettin'.
It cost him $25
just to breed her.
That Colt will be worth
at least $150.
Do you think
he'd give you $150?
No.
Then why do you think
he'd give you a $150 Colt?
Yeah, what makes you
think that?
Well, he might.
Mights ain't gettin's.
Tom!
I'm just gonna
get some wood.
That's more like it.
You crossed them so
last night,
there was hardly enough
to get breakfast.
What did you learn
in school today?
A lot.
That's good.
There are
other things to know
besides ranching.
If you bring another toad
home in that lunchbox,
you'll go to school
without lunch.
Toad?
And not only toads.
I don't want
any living thing
in that lunchbox.
I have to boil it out every day
when you get through with it.
When you fill the wood box,
feed the chickens.
Up!
Up!
So...you come
to meet me, did you?
Yes, sir.
Here.
Carry the rabbits.
There. Take my gun.
Now, I...
I should have
been here yesterday.
Got held up
by an old fool
wanted to start
an argument. Heh heh.
Are--are the folks well?
They're fine, sir.
I guess you got back
just in time
to go on
a mouse hunt with me.
Mouse hunt?
Have the people
of this generation
took to hunting mice?
I know they aren't
very strong,
but I never thought mice
would satisfy them for game.
Heh heh! Maybe your father
would like to borrow my gun
to shoot 'em with.
No, sir.
It's just play.
The haystack's gone
and I'm gonna drive
the mice out
with the dogs
tomorrow.
You can watch and even
beat the hay a little.
Oh, I see.
You don't eat 'em, eh?
You don't make clothes
out of the pelts.
It hasn't
come to that yet.
The dogs eat them,
sir.
I guess it isn't much
like hunting Indians.
No. No, not much.
But when the troops
took to hunting the Indians,
killing their children,
burning their tepees,
that wasn't much different
from your mouse hunt,
'cause they didn't
give them a chance.
Hey, you--
you've grown,
seems to me.
You've grown.
More than
1/8 of an inch
where they marked me
on the door.
I'm up 1/8 of an inch
since you left.
Well, I'll declare.
There's your mother.
Hi, Alice!
Hello, dad.
Tom,
put out the horse,
and then
get to your chores.
Yes, ma'am.
I'm hungry.
You know, honest, I don't
have as good an appetite
as I used to.
When we was
crossing the plains,
we all used to get
so hungry every night,
we'd eat the buffalo meat
before she got done.
Heh heh.
Where's
the schoolteacher?
Fred will be back
for supper.
And don't mention
buffalo at supper.
We're having
macaroni tonight.
? From Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? it's 13 miles ?
? from Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? Sotoville to Castroville ?
? Castroville to Sotoville ?
? it's 13 miles ?
? from Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? it's 13 miles ?
? from Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? it's 13 miles ?
? from Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? Sotoville to Castroville ?
? from Castroville
to Sotoville ?
? it's 13 miles ?
I'm hungry.
Feel kind of like when we
was crossing the plains.
We used to get so hungry
every night,
couldn't hardly let
the meat get done.
I could eat 5 pound
of buffalo every night.
Everybody could.
Sit down, Alice.
Grub's fine.
Moving around does it,
I guess.
My father was
a government packer.
I used to help him
when I was a kid.
The two of us could just about
clear up a deer ham.
I knew your father, Billy.
Good man.
Used to call him
mule-tail buck.
Never did know why,
except he packed mules.
You--you ought to know
if he had a tail, Billy.
You know, I--that's why
they called him that,
'cause he packed mules.
I remember one time
we run out of meat.
Thank you, Alice.
There was no buffalo,
no deer, no antelope,
not even rabbits.
Hunters couldn't
even shoot a coyote.
Thank you, Alice.
That was the time for the leader
to be on the watch.
I was the leader.
Kept my eyes open then.
You know why?
Well, I'll tell you why.
Just the minute the people
begin to get hungry,
they'd up and slaughter
their team oxen.
Do you believe that?
As leader of the party,
I had to keep them
from doing that.
And I was the leader.
You better eat.
The rest of us are about
ready for our pudding.
Well, I am a little hungry
at that.
Yep, I was the leader.
I'll tell you some
interesting things later.
I wonder, did I tell you
about the time
the Paiutes drove off
the 35 horses of ours?
I kind of think
you did.
Wasn't it
just before
you got up to
the Tahoe country?
Yes, that's right.
Well, I guess
I did tell you.
Well, anyway--
you told it
hundreds of times.
Of course, we'd like
to hear it again.
Tell about the Indians
and the horses.
I want to see you
after supper.
Did I ever tell you
how I wanted the wagons
to carry along
iron plates?
No, you didn't,
grandfather.
What did you want to use
the iron plates for?
Well, you see,
when the Indians attacked,
we always put the wagons
in a circle.
I figured that if we put
iron plates down to get behind--
well, Mr. Big britches,
are you coming?
Now, if those plates
had holes in them,
the men could stand them
in front of the wheels,
and they'd be protected.
Well, I guess
I'd better go.
They might need me.
I've got
an old powder horn
and a cap and ball pistol
out in the bunkhouse.
Did I ever show them
to you?
That reminds me
of a pistol I had
when I was leading
the people across.
It was a--a--
whatever happened
to that pistol?
Maybe you better tell it when
you go down to the bunkhouse.
Billy has to go.
Thank you, ma'am.
Good night.
Mine?
Yours.
He needs
a good currying.
And if I ever hear of
you not feeding him
or leaving
his stall dirty,
I'll sell him off
in a minute.
Well...
I guess he can bite,
all right.
And no more Indians,
Mr. Big britches.
Mine.
Sure.
That is, if you
look out for him
and break him right
like your father said.
Of course,
he's pretty young.
He couldn't bear
your weight for some time.
But you'll tell me
what to do, won't you, Billy?
Grandpa says you know
everything about horses.
I'm half horse myself.
You know, my ma died
when I was born.
Bein' my old man
didn't have cows around,
why, he mostly
gave me mare's milk.
I'm half horse
and horses know it.
Don't you, little fella?
You do like I tell you,
you'll have the best horse
in the country.
When do you think
I can ride him?
Well, you're
not very heavy.
Around, oh, say,
Thanksgiving, maybe.
Uh...
There isn't a saddle?
Oh, I forgot.
Come on.
Of course,
it's just a show saddle.
It's not practical
for the brush.
It was cheap at the sale.
A show saddle?
From a circus?
I guess you could call it
kind of a circus, sure.
It'll look pretty
on him.
If he hasn't
a name already,
I think I'll call him
Gabilan Mountains.
That's a little bit long
for a callin' name.
Why don't you
just call him Gabilan?
That means hawk.
That'd be a good name.
You know, if you'll
collect tail hairs,
I might find time
to make you a hair rope.
You could use it
for a hackamore.
Oh, sure. I'd train him
for a hackamore.
You wouldn't use a bit
on a good horse like this.
Could I lead him
to school, do you think,
to show the kids?
What are you
talking about?
That pony isn't even
halter broke yet.
Almost had to drag him here.
I could bring the kids
to see him here.
It would be even better
if they saw him here.
Golly.
Tom, you and me
been friends
for a long time.
Maybe you want me
to help with him.
Well, sometimes you can
but it's not a good thing
to have too many people
fooling around a horse.
It's liable
to get him all mixed up.
I wouldn't fool around him.
Let me curry him a little.
He's been curried.
I curried all that out
of him this morning.
Look out
for his heels!
He can kick,
and he can bite.
He doesn't look
like a mean one.
Oh, he isn't mean.
He's just got
a lot of spirit.
Why, when he drank
this morning,
he buried his nose
clear up to the nostrils
in the water trough.
That's a good horse
that does that.
You're gonna brush
the hide right off him.
It's just a little
place I missed.
Why don't you braid
his mane and tail?
Oh, I will sometime,
some other time.
What are you doing
out here so early?
Well, I couldn't
sleep anymore.
You've got to
tell me what to do.
This pony's
growing up.
I've got to
teach him now
or it'll be
too late.
Well, I got my chores
to do first.
Think he'll be
too old by then?
All right, Billy.
I'll wait
if you say to wait.
Whoa.
The first thing is
to halter break him.
That's hardest
because it's first.
We'll put the short
halter on him.
What'll I do?
Did you
bring the carrot?
That's fine.
Now, you coax him
with the carrot
and pull
on the lead.
He'll get the idea.
Keep talking to him.
He'll get the idea.
Patience
is the big thing.
We don't want
to force break him.
That takes out
the spirit.
You know, a horse
has got to understand
same as a man's
got to understand.
Let's get started.
Morning, ma'am.
Good morning.
Tom must have slept
in the barn last night.
He might as well have.
Come on, Gabilan.
Come on, Gabilan.
Come on, Gabilan!
Please, Gabilan.
Come on. See?
I got a carrot for you.
Come on.
Please.
Uhh!
Look, Gabilan.
See?
Breakfast will be
ready soon, Billy.
Fred, you'll burn
your hands again.
Sit down. I'll do it.
Alice, I thought I'd take
a little time each day
to show Tom some things
about the pony.
Well,
I gave it to him.
I thought I should
be the one to--
we got started
breaking Gabilan today.
Grandpa says nobody knows
more about horses than Billy.
Do they, Billy?
Grandpa says that
Billy can talk to horses.
He says
they can understand him.
I don't know how.
Billy has enough
chores to do.
He has no time
to go play with you.
It won't take much
of Billy's time.
He's got to learn.
He might as well
learn right.
Sit down, Billy.
Grandpa says--
where is grandpa,
anyway?
He's keeping everybody
waiting for breakfast.
He's still up in his room.
He'll be a good
half-hour fussing.
Well, he likes
to take his time.
You know how he
polishes up his shoes
and brushes off
his clothes.
I don't know.
He likes it that way.
Of course, a man
who led a wagon train
across the plains,
he's too great a man
to care how long
he keeps his daughter
at the stove.
He has to be very
careful how he looks
because he led a wagon
train across the plains.
Don't do that, Fred.
Please don't talk
that way.
Well, how many times do I
have to listen to that story
of the 35 horses,
the iron plates?
I've heard him tell
how he led
that bunch of people
across the plains
a thousand times!
That time's done.
Why can't he forget it
now it's done?
Why does he have to tell
about it oVer and oVer?
He came
across the plains.
All right,
now it's finished.
Nobody wants
to hear about it
oVer and oVer and oVer.
Morning.
Did you hear
what I said?
I don't know
what got into me, sir.
I didn't mean it.
I was just...Trying
to be funny, I guess.
Oh, I'm just trying
to get right side up.
I'm not being mad.
I don't mind
what you said.
It might be true.
Oh...I would mind that.
It's not true.
I guess I'm just not
feeling very well this morning.
I'm sorry
I said any of it.
No. Oh, no, no, no.
Don't be sorry.
Old man just don't
see things sometimes.
Maybe you're right.
Crossing's finished.
Maybe it ought to be
forgotten now it's done.
I'm going to work.
You take your time,
Billy.
Excuse me, ma'am.
Won't you tell any more
stories now, grandfather?
Huh?
Of course I will.
I'll tell them,
but only when I'm certain
people want to hear them.
That's the trouble.
I never made sure.
I like to
hear them, sir.
Of course you do, sure.
You're a little boy.
It was a job for men.
Now only little boys
want to hear about it.
Now that you're back,
you ought to come
on a mouse hunt with me.
I'll wait outside
for you, sir.
You can use my stick
for those mice.
I'll go make another one.
May I, ma'am?
Father--
I, uh, better not
keep the boy waiting.
Going to be hard
staying here,
feeling like I do...
As though the crossing
wasn't worth doing.
If you'd like
to tell a story, grandpa,
I'll listen.
Oh, I...
I tell those stories,
but they aren't
what I want to tell.
I know how I want
people to feel
when I tell them.
It wasn't the Indians
that was important
or adventures
and the land.
It wasn't even
getting out here.
It was a whole bunch
of people
made into one big,
crawling beast.
It was Westering
and Westering,
where every man there
wanted something
for himself,
but the big beast
that was all of them
wanted only Westering.
We carried life
out here,
set it down
and planted it
the way ants carry eggs,
and I was the leader.
The Westering
was big as god,
and the slow steps that
made up the movement
piled up and piled up
until the continent
was crossed.
Then we come down
to the sea,
and it was done.
Uh, that's what
I ought to be telling
instead of the stories.
Stories ain't
what I want to say.
Maybe I could lead
the people someday.
No, there's
noplace to go.
There's an ocean
to stop you.
There's a line of
old men along the shore
hating the ocean
'cause it stopped them.
In boats I might, sir.
No, Thomas,
there's noplace to go.
Every place is taken.
But that
isn't the worst.
No, that
isn't the worst.
Westering has died
out of the people.
Westering isn't
a hunger anymore.
It's finished.
Your father's right.
It's all done.
If you would like
a glass of lemonade,
I could make it for you.
No, I don't. I don't.
Yes, it would be nice
to drink
a glass of lemonade.
It would be nice.
Oh, Billy!
Billy!
Heh heh heh heh.
Oh, I don't like
lemonade, anyway.
I've been thinking
about that
homecoming week, Alice.
I would like for us
to go to San Jose.
We could catch
the afternoon train.
Homecoming won't be
for another week.
Well, we could
visit my folks,
look around a bit.
You could
do some shopping.
What's the matter?
Don't run away, Fred.
I'm not running away.
In your mind you are.
In your mind you've been
running back to San Jose
ever since we've been
ranching here.
Alice...
I didn't mean what I
said about your father.
I know
it's not father.
Fred, you're hurt.
You're hurt because
you feel people here
look upon you
as a stranger.
Well, they do.
I don't suppose there's
a man in this whole county
knows my first name.
It's "Mr. Tiflin this,
Mr. Tiflin that."
Never Fred.
Everywhere I go,
it's Mr. Tiflin.
After all these years,
I'm still a stranger.
That's true.
But are you sure
it isn't the way
you want it?
Do I want to be a stranger
to my own son?
Are you?
I think so.
Maybe you should
go to San Jose.
Maybe you can think
things out clearer there.
You mean...
You won't come?
No.
Someone has to
watch things.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe I'd
better go alone.
Get a whip
and he'll follow.
Pull his tail!
Push him!
Light a fire
under him.
Wait till I get a stick.
I'll make him move.
Yeah!
Come on!
Yay!
Yay!
Tom, come here.
Your dad's calling.
I'll take him around
for you till you get back.
No. I told you before--
too many people
fooling around a horse
get him mixed up.
You can open the gate
for me.
I'm going up
to San Jose.
You going, too, ma'am?
No, Tom, I'm staying.
I'm taking your father
to the train.
See that you
don't let the pony
get in the way
of your chores,
or your school, either.
If you do, I'll have to
take you in hand
when I get back.
Yes, sir.
That piece don't sound
quite right, Alice.
Sounds thin.
It is.
Seems to me
you and Fred
used to play that
four-handed, didn't you?
It was louder
that way.
Grandfather, sir,
how do you spell
chrysanthemum?
Mighty nice flower.
What is?
Chrysanthemum.
I know it is, but
how do you spell it?
Your father's the one
who ought to help you
with your lessons.
When is father
coming home, ma'am?
Soon.
How do you spell
chrysanthemum?
C-h-r-y-s-a-n-t-h-e-m-u-m.
C-h-r...
R...
Don't you think you ought
to learn to use a dictionary
instead of
asking people questions?
Father says it's good
to ask questions.
I never used
a dictionary
when he was home.
You're tired.
Go to bed.
Must I, ma'am?
Do you want
to do more lessons?
Good night,
ma'am.
Really, father.
You're right, Alice.
You're right.
Here I am, nearing
the end of my life,
and there's nothing I do
and nothing I have done
that I don't know
could be done better.
But I don't
do anything about it.
Alice, how did you spell
chrysanthemum?
Why don't you go out
and sit with Billy?
Good night, ma'am.
Grandfather, sir?
What do you want?
I'm going to work
Gabilan for Billy
in the morning.
Would you like
to come and see?
What for?
Well, nobody's
seen me work him
on the long halter yet.
Oh! Oh, yes.
I see.
Sure,
I'll come down.
Just let me know.
I'll come down.
Grandfather.
Grandfather, get up.
Hmm?
Get up, grandfather.
What are you
whispering about?
Shh. You'll
wake up mother.
What time is it?
Going on 6:00.
Don't look like 6:00.
Well, it's 10 minutes
after 5:00.
5:00?! You get out of here
'fore I shoot you!
You promised.
I'm going to
wake Billy up.
All right,
bring him along, Tom.
Don't open the door,
Billy.
I want to show you
something.
Go on, Gabilan.
I taught him
to do that.
Well,
you did a good job.
I don't know about
that door opening, though.
He might get out sometime
when you want him in.
Smart pony.
All right, let's see
how far you've gone
whoa!
With that long shank.
Come on, Gabilan.
Giddy-up!
Go on, trot.
Whoa!
Well, that's good.
He likes it.
You can tell
he likes it.
See how the ears
are forward?
When he's mad,
his ears stick back,
and when he's scared,
his ears are out sideways.
You can tell just how he feels
about everything
by the way his ears are,
even when he's mad.
You're learning,
aren't you, Tom?
Sometimes he laughs.
He just sits back and laughs.
When he bit me on the seat
of the pants, he laughed,
and when he stamped on
my foot, he laughed.
Well, you're getting him
pretty well under control.
He's awful good
on that long line.
He's almost too good.
Getting to be almost
like trick pony.
I don't like
trick horses.
Takes all the dignity
out of a horse,
make him do tricks.
Gets to be almost like
a...Actor. No dignity.
No character
of his own.
You've got to teach him control.
That's not a trick.
That looks like
tricks to me.
Hadn't you better be
getting him used to
the saddle pretty soon?
Can I saddle him up now?
You better hurry.
Your mother's already
rung for breakfast.
When's Mr. Tiflin
coming back?
Hmm? Oh, uh,
I don't know.
Here. I want
to see that.
Yeah.
Hey, you didn't fix
that tight enough.
It was good and tight.
I put my hand under it,
and it was good and tight.
It looks like
he's learned more
than you have.
He took a good
deep breath
while you was
fixing him,
and just as soon
as you stopped,
he let her out.
You got to at least be
as smart as the horse,
you know.
That's right.
Uh, when are you going
to ride him, Thomas?
Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving morning.
Stopped raining.
Yep.
Maybe I'd better let
Gabilan out into the corral
before I go
to school.
Tom?
I guess I forgot it,
ma'am.
If you forget it
once more,
I'll let you go
without it.
Don't let him
near that pony, Billy.
He'll be late
for school again.
Yes, ma'am.
I'll let him out
for you, Tom.
It'll be good for him.
But if it comes on
to rain--
not likely to rain
anymore today.
It's rained
itself out.
If it comes on to rain,
a little rain
won't hurt a horse.
Well, if it does
come on to rain,
you'll put him in,
won't you, Billy?
I'm scared
he might get a cold.
Thanksgiving's
only a week off.
Oh, sure,
I'll watch out for him.
But it won't rain
anymore today.
But, Billy--
go on to school.
You'll be late.
Hey, Billy!
Don't forget
to keep him in
if it rains!
I told you
it's not going to rain!
I pledge allegiance
to the flag
of the United States
of America,
and to the Republic
for which it stands,
one nation, indivisible,
with Liberty and justice
for all.
Thomas Tiflin.
Tom.
Thomas, do you hear me?
Yes, ma'am.
You're half asleep.
Yes, ma'am.
You don't hear me
even now.
I do, ma'am.
Well, then answer me
when I speak to you.
Now, go to the board
and add those figures.
Yes, ma'am.
Billy!
Come up give me a hand
with the sink pump!
Thomas!
What's the matter
with you?
Gabilan!
You said
you'd put him in.
I did put him in.
Well, he was out.
I did put him in.
You said
it wouldn't rain.
It's hard to tell
this time of the year.
You can't always
tell exactly.
You said
it wouldn't rain.
He got soaked through.
Oh, a little rain
never hurt a horse.
Well, he don't
look too chipper.
He's got
a little fever.
We'll get that
out of him.
You run in the house
and get a kettle
of hot water.
I'll give him
some warm mash.
We'll rub him down
and blanket him,
and he'll be all right
in the morning.
Well, go on.
What are you
doing home so early?
I was worried
about the pony.
You cut school?
Where's your
lunch pail?
I left it.
What will
your father say
when he finds out
you played hooky
because you were afraid
the pony might get wet?
How do you think you will
ever learn anything
if you do things
like that?
You're getting
too thoughtless.
Maybe a little punishment
will help you learn.
Maybe you'd better
not ride that pony
for another month.
Maybe then
you won't cut school
just because you
worry a little bit.
Where's that kettle
of hot water, Tom?
The pony got out some way
and got wet, ma'am.
I thought I'd make him up
some hot mash.
A horse isn't a lap dog,
Billy.
Don't you think you're coddling
that pony too much?
Well, he's got kind of
a cough, Mrs. Tiflin.
Suppose he has.
You know what to do.
Yes, ma'am.
You'd better
sit down here, young man.
You haven't been paying
any attention to school lately.
I think it's time
we checked up on you.
I'd like
to hear you read.
"The elephant
is the largest animal
"we see in the jungle.
His home
is in the jungle."
"His home is in India,
"and there, he is used
for many...
Kinds of work."
Why don't you
put him to bed?
I did.
What do you think
you're doing?
I sent you to bed
hours ago.
Billy's going
to steam the pony.
He's awful sick.
You'll be sick yourself
you don't quit
hopping in and out
of bed like this.
Put that kettle back
where you got it.
Your mother
told you
Billy can take care
of your pony.
Tom.
Run along.
Take care
of your pony.
I'm glad
you did that, Alice.
It's the boy's right
to take care of
his own horse.
Good evening, Alice.
Good evening.
San Jose.
1, 2, 3, 4...
That'll be 35 cents,
please.
Alice.
I caught the first train out
after I got your wire.
Fred...I had
to send for you.
Tom's pony
is very sick,
and if Billy can't
get him well,
I thought it would help
if you were here.
Morning,
Mr. Tiflin.
Hello, Alice.
If anything happens,
we can always
get him another horse.
Don't you remember
your first pony?
I never had a pony.
Tom will be glad
to see you.
I've missed him.
We expected you home
sooner.
I spoke
to my brother Dean.
His business is humming.
He asked me to come in
with him.
Alice...
Does Tom know
you sent for me?
No, I didn't think
it wise to tell him.
He's guessed why
I'm here.
Yes.
Hello, dad.
Hello, son.
Want me to do
the chores?
No. Better see
to your horse.
I think Billy
needs your help.
I should have
fixed this fence
before I left.
Is he going
to get well?
Feel that.
When that lump
gets bigger,
I'll open it,
and then he'll be better.
What's the matter
with him?
Strangles.
Strangles.
Don't you worry
about that.
I'll pull him out
of that.
I've seen horses get well
when they were worse than this.
How is he?
Oh, pretty good.
We're going to
open up that lump,
and then
he'll be better.
Now he'll feel better.
That poison makes him
awful sick.
He's still
awful sick.
Yes, he is.
But I've had worse ones
get well.
I'll pull him through.
I know you will,
Billy...
If you say
you will.
You stay with him.
I've got something to do.
I'll be right back.
Who is it?
It's me. Billy.
Well, come in, then.
That's a nice collection
you got there, sir.
Oh...yeah.
See that one there?
You know
what that dirt is?
Blood.
What kind of blood?
Black--
I don't want
to talk about it.
What do you want?
Sit down.
No! No, not there.
In the camps,
the one thing
a man daren't do
is sit on
another man's bed.
That was a thing
that was almost
like, uh...Holy.
Sit oVer there.
No, no! Leave her
where she is.
I'd kind of like to talk--
It's about the pony,
ma'am.
I did put that pony
in the barn that day
when it was raining.
It got out somehow.
I don't know exactly how.
Well?
Well, Tom, he doesn't believe
I put that pony in.
What difference
does that make,
whether he believes it
or not, if you did?
Well, I just don't like him
not believing it.
The pony's bad.
I just opened that lump.
Strangles,
isn't it?
Yeah. Getting so
he can't hardly breathe.
Well, you steamed him,
and you opened the lump.
Now if he gets
any worse,
there's only
one thing else.
You'll have to make
a hole in his windpipe
so he can breathe.
Yeah, I know.
Did you ever do it?
Yeah. Couple of times.
Well, that's all you can do.
When do you think
you'll have to?
Well, I thought I'd wait
till tomorrow.
He might get better,
I wouldn't have to do it, maybe.
If you have to, that's
everything you can do.
Then either he gets well
or he don't get well.
It's out
of your hands.
Thank you.
See, I know that.
I just wanted to know
if somebody else knew it.
Billy's not himself.
He's not a man
to be in doubt.
Well, he's finding out
that there's some things
even he can't do.
Oh, Alice,
fix that chair.
Billy, he's worse.
He can hardly breathe.
There's only one thing
left to do, Tom,
something
you won't want to see.
You're not going
to shoot him?
No. No, I'm going
to make a little hole
in his windpipe
and put this tube through it
so he can breathe.
You sure
you got to do it?
I'm sure.
You can help me,
if it won't make you
sick, that is.
I'll help.
All right, you run along
to the barn.
I'll be right there.
Where have you been?
He's worse, isn't he,
Billy?
He'll be all right.
Could it wait
a little while?
Can't you wait
just a little while?
What for?
Better to do it
right now.
Now I know where
you've been.
He's worse.
Yes, sir.
Like I told you,
there's only
one thing left.
When did you?
Oh, uh, Billy come
to see me yesterday.
Anytime you're ready,
Billy.
Oh, Billy's right, son.
We've got to do it.
You still want
to stay?
Yes.
Hand me the razor, Tom.
Sterilize that knife.
Now, wash that tube off.
Beautiful bird, Alice.
Sit down.
Come in, Billy.
Sit down.
Oh, hello, Billy.
How is he?
Gonna die?
It doesn't look like
there's much chance.
Of course,
there is a chance.
Don't you think
we ought to get Tom
out of there?
You think we ought
to let him
stay around
and see it?
I don't know.
But we can't
protect him.
I was wondering
about it myself--
what's good to see
and not to see
and think
and not to think.
And it kind of seems to me
it's better
to see everything
and think everything.
Sure.
You can't know life
unless you see death.
It's all part
of one thing.
We can't protect him
from it.
It's all part
of one thing.
Might as well
learn about it now.
Hey, Tom!
Hi, Tom.
Hi.
Hi.
Hi.
Hi. How are you feeling?
We thought we'd come
oVer and see the pony.
How's he getting along?
Fine.
Came to see you
ride him.
You are going to
ride him, aren't you?
Yes. Yes, I am.
Let's have a look
at him.
Come on, gang.
No.
Well, why not? We came
all the way oVer to look at him.
Well, you see,
we took him into town
to get shod.
When did you?
Well, he isn't
back yet.
Oh. I'll bet
your father sold him.
He did not!
That pony is down
getting shoes!
I'll bet he sold him.
You get on off the place.
I don't want you here.
Go on, now. Get off here.
I won't have anyone
calling me a liar!
I don't know what's
the matter with you.
I don't know what you
got to get so mad about.
Let's get out
of here.
Come on.
Gabilan!
Gabilan!
Aah!
Aah!
Aah!
Tom.
Tom!
Tom! The buzzard
didn't kill your pony.
Don't you know that?
Of course he knows it.
Use your head, man.
Can't you see how
he'd feel about it?
I know how it is.
Are you hurt?
You know, Tom,
I'm going to give you
Rosie's Colt.
She'll have a good Colt.
It'll be a big horse,
you know.
Stud's a thoroughbred.
Used to race some.
Pretty good, too.
Ah, it ought to be
a good Colt.
You know,
the best thing
about getting
a Colt so young
is you can just
grow up with it,
and you...
Pony's dead.
Tom...
He let him die.
Hi, Tom!
Hey, kids,
it's Tom!
Hello, Tom.
Hi, Tom.
Sorry about
your pony.
Me, too.
Yeah, too bad, Tom.
Is your father going to
get you another pony?
I don't want
another pony.
You mean you don't
want another pony?
I could have a horse
if I want.
How?
Billy buck will give me
his new Colt
if I want it,
but I don't.
Are you going to
start that again?
Billy buck's only gonna
give him his own Colt.
He's only gonna give him
a Colt worth $100.
I bet Billy buck's
going to give him
a railroad train.
Sure. Billy's bucks gonna
give him a whole circus,
but he don't want it.
He's getting to be
an awful liar.
He's getting to be
a terrible liar.
Come on, kids.
Go away, Rosie.
Go on home, Rosie.
Go on.
Get away from here.
Come on, Rosie.
Go on home, Rosie.
Hello, Tom.
I want Rosie's Colt.
I told you
you could have it.
I mean,
I really want it.
All right.
And I want to be there
when it gets born.
No reason
why you shouldn't be.
Rosie!
Rosie!
Rosie!
Rosie!
What's Billy doing
calling his mare
in the middle
of the night?
Rosie must be
about ready.
I thought
I'd go down and see.
Oh, Alice,
now that I'm up,
I wouldn't mind
a cup of coffee.
I'll make some.
Well, is she ready,
Billy?
Yes.
You got out just about
in time, didn't you?
I had a dream.
I dreamed the Colt
was turned wrong.
You don't believe in dreams,
do you, Billy?
No, but my father
believed in them.
He dreamed one time
his horse slipped
and fell oVer
a cliff with him,
and it did, next day.
Killed him.
What's that for?
I've got to get
that boy a Colt.
You wouldn't
kill your mare
to get the Colt,
would you?
Got to get that boy
a Colt.
You'd be crazy.
You've got a good mare there.
You don't know what
kind of Colt it'll be.
Got to get that boy
a Colt.
Well, I think
you're crazy,
but suit yourself.
It's your mare.
What are you
doing here?
You said you'd call me.
I said
I'd call you,
and I will, when
the time comes.
Is she all right,
do you think?
Aw, sure.
I think so.
You won't let anything
happen, Billy, will you?
Will you get back to bed
and stop worrying
this mare.
She's got enough to do
without you worrying her.
But I only thought
I'd come to see.
I waked up.
Well,
you get back to bed.
I don't want you
bothering.
Said I'd get you
a good Colt, and I will.
Now, you run along
and I'll take care
of everything.
But the pony died.
Coffee ready?
In a minute.
What's the matter?
Anything wrong?
Well, Billy says--
oh, Fred.
Sorry we woke you.
There was no need
for you to get up.
Billy says that after
what happened to that pony,
he's just got to get
the boy a Colt,
even if he has to
kill the mare.
He shouldn't
do that.
Well, Billy feels
that he and Tom
been pulling
in different directions.
He's right. You can't
get anywhere that way.
1...2...
I remember
when I was leading
the people across--
3--there was a whole
big bunch of them
wanted to go
to the south.
Now, the rest of them
wanted to go to the north.
Well, heh heh,
I soon straightened
that out.
Donner party broke up
the same way.
Now, those that went
to the south,
they got--
they got through.
Those that went
to the north,
they...
Well, they...
Just ate each other up.
That's good coffee, Alice.
I'll--I'll drink that
in my room.
I hope Tom gets his Colt
without any trouble.
It's time things got
straightened out around here.
High time.
I suppose you're anxious
to get to San Jose.
No, Alice. I'm home.
I'm staying home.
Are you sure
you're home?
Yes.
I thought things oVer
in San Jose,
and I've thought them oVer
since I got back here.
It isn't where you are
that makes you a stranger.
It's where you think
you're a stranger
that makes you one.
I was a stranger
in San Jose.
Welcome home, Fred.
Let me alone!
I'll get that knife
if I have to shake
your brains out.
I won't give you
the knife!
Aah!
Billy!
He took my knife.
You want to kill Rosie.
I may need it
for my mare.
He wants to kill Rosie.
Don't let him!
Stop him! Stop him!
Don't let him! Stop him!
Tom!
Come back here!
He wants to kill Rosie!
You're not going
to kill Rosie.
I won't let you.
I don't want your Colt!
I don't want your Colt!
Leave her alone! I--
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