The Redhead and the Cowboy (1951) - full transcript

The Redhead and the Cowboy 1951

Well, that ain't him.

That's our man.
Come on.

Hi, Gil.

Hi.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

There's no damage.

What'll it be, Gil?

She new here?
Who?

That girl over
at Goldie's table.

Yeah.



Pretty, ain't she?

Yeah.

Corn.

Corn?

Heh, heh. Drink rye, man.
We're celebrating.

The Yanks have gotten
Nashville and Savannah

and the Rebs are high-tailing it
out of Georgia.

To Ulysses S. Grant
and his blue pants army.

Yeah. Drink, mister.

So maybe you don't like the way
the war's going, ah?

Maybe I don't.

He's a Johnny Reb.

Stinking Copperhead.

Pick up that glass.
What goes on here?



Here's the man won't drink
to our victory.

What's the matter? Are you
trying to start something, Kyle?

Not yet, I ain't.

If he doesn't drink--
I'll do the talking.

Look, I've been shoved around
once tonight. That's enough.

I buy my own whiskey, I drink
to who I want and what I want

and no bunch of saloon soldiers
is gonna tell me different.

Saloon sol--
Move. I said move down

to the other end of the bar.
Now.

You too.

I've been watching you,
Kyle.

I should think you might be out
watching where you might do

some good instead of hanging
around saloons.

Where would that be?

Roads outside of town,
maybe?

You wanna make a complaint?

No. No, I'm just--

I'm just stating something,
that's all.

Roads are full
of trouble these days.

Renegades, outlaws,
Indians.

Got so a man isn't safe
after dark.

Yeah, it seems that way.

You have a brush
with someone?

Ah.

Hm. I've had
a few close ones myself.

You see,
I'm a cattle buyer.

I have to ride these roads
day and night.

And now with a Southern troop
raiding the territory,

no telling
what might happen.

Yeah, I've heard rumors
about it.

Oh, they've been here
all right.

Burned up a few ranches out
of Soda Springs last week.

Have a drink?

No politics attached.

Well, I've got no interest
in politics one way or another.

Here.
Me neither.

Just cattle.

Sure wish I could spot me
a fat herd somewhere.

You know, every time
I see some cattle

they're already
spoken for.

Picked up a few scrubs here
and there.

I was saying cattle
are getting scarcer than gold.

Or good-looking redheads.

I admire your taste.

Another drink?

No. Heh. Think I'll play
a little poker.

I'll get it.

I like buying my own drinks,
mister.

Well, I asked you to have
a drink with me.

All right, I'll flip you
for it.

What'll it be?
Heads or tails?

Heads.
( coin drops )

Heads it is.
Well,

maybe my luck's
changing, huh?

Thank you.

I made a mistake, mister.
There was some damage after all.

Oh?

Nothing serious, I hope.

Nothing a glass of wine
at the table couldn't repair.

Excuse us.

Gladly. Better than
poker anytime.

Oh, yeah.

Uh, Gus, send over a bottle
of the lady's favorite wine,

will you?
All right.

Well, how come you changed
your mind?

Maybe I like a man who stands up
for what he believes.

Now, how do you know
what I believe, huh?

I don't.

And I don't care.
That's better.

Do you--?

Do you always flip a coin three
times before you call it?

What, did I do that?

Oh. You know,
that's very interesting.

What?
That you would be watching.

I was thinking--

Here you are.

Thanks.

You were thinking
what?

I was thinking it might be nice
if you told me your name.

It's Kyle.
Gil Kyle.

Mine's Candace.
Candace Bronson.

Candace. Well,
that's a very pretty name.

Here's to it.

You know, you don't talk like
the other cowpokes around here.

Mm-hm? Well, I ought to.

I've been in and around
these hills most of my life.

Cattle?
Mm-hm. When I'm working.

And you're not
working now?

Yes.
Very seriously.

At what?

Trying to figure out what makes
your eyes snap the way they do.

It's very pretty.

Can't we talk about something
more important than my eyes?

Why, sure, we'll talk
about your nose.

That's very pretty too.

Also very unimportant.

What brought you
in here tonight?

Me? Oh, now, you-- You
are new here, now, aren't ya?

Huh?

Not that new.

New enough to want
to know something about you.

Well, not very much
to tell.

When I got money,
I like to spend it,

and when I don't I work.
That's all.

And politics?

I got none.

Ah, drink your wine,
huh?

Hm. I guess I better.

We seem to have run out
of conversation.

Mm, I don't know.

Maybe we're getting down
to what really counts.

Like how many Mondays
in a Thursday, for instance?

Like, like what?

It's a riddle.
Figure it out.

How, how many--? Ahem.
Wait a minute.

How many Mondays
in a Thursday?

What, there's an answer
to it?

I just made it up.
Mm.

All right. Suppose we both stop
twisting words, huh?

Look, I got two months' pay
in my pocket

that's just itching
to be spent.

There's enough there to buy us
the biggest evening

the Golden Trail's
ever seen.

Here you are: wine, song, dance,
anything you like.

Well, I haven't heard you
say "yes."

I'll-- I'll give you
my answer as soon

as I come back, Mr. Kyle.

I mean, Gil.

How do I know
you're coming back?

With two months' pay
in your pocket?

I'll be back.

As soon as I powder this
unimportant nose of mine.

How many Mondays
in a Thursday?

Eleven. One for each state
in the Confederacy.

Memorize:
broken sombrero, 13, 26.

Say it!

Broken sombrero, 13, 26.

That's right.

We're counting on you
to deliver.

Counting on you--

Del--

Deliver message.

Message.

Now, you'd a done better
to stay and finish that bottle

of wine with me.

That a friend of yours?

No. No, I never
saw him before.

It was dark.
I just came in to--

To--
To powder your nose?

Is he dead?

There's only one way
to find out.

Yeah, he's dead.
He's real dead.

Sorry. Wrong door.

I wouldn't move
if I were you.

You come in town looking
for trouble,

you found it.

He was there when I come in.
Alive?

Yeah, he was muttering something
about a message to be delivered.

What sort of message?
I'll ask the questions, mister.

Why don't you ask
the girl?

She was talking to him
before I come in.

What girl?

Well, the gi--

Hey, did you see a girl
come in?

I wasn't watching.
I was at the bar having a drink.

What brought you in here?

I asked the bartender.
I thought he said this door.

Yeah. He came in
to powder his nose.

I don't think Judge Simmons
is gonna find this

so funny
tomorrow morning.

Oh, yeah? Heh.
Oh, I don't know.

Any idea who he is?

Yeah, roll him over.

Why, you stupid--
You--!

Drop it.

I'm sorry it had
to be this way, sheriff.

I didn't kill our friend here.

Like I told you,
I never saw him before.

Kick your gun over.

I'm coming back right quick
with some proof.

Maybe then you'll believe me.

Ah, that was
a cool one.

Let me outta here.

Sorry.

Imagine my being so clumsy
with a gun,

a man like me that's been
around guns all his life.

Candace!

Miss Bronson!

Hey, you.
What's your hurry?

What happened to you?
It was Kyle.

Hey, Rusty, you take Frank
and get some more men

and bring 'em
over to the office.

You don't know this country
very well, do you, ma'am?

I've been waiting
for some time.

Mr. Kyle.
What's the matter?

Are you surprised
to see me out of jail?

What are you doing?

Going back to town.
No, I can't go back there.

On the other hand,
if you don't, I can't.

They think you
killed him.

You didn't help
matters any

running out in such a hurry,
you know.

Well, if I hadn't, whoever did
it would have killed me too.

No, you know, I figure you left
because you had some kind of a--

Kind of a message
to deliver.

That'd be nearer the truth,
wouldn't it?

Oh, no, wait. I can't tell you
what it is I'm doing,

but it's important.
Very important.

It's pretty hard for me
to figure anything

more important than my neck
right about now.

Oh, you'll make a deal
with me.

I've only
a few miles more. Let me go.

I'll be back in the morning,
and I'll clear you then

with the sheriff,
I promise.

Ah.
And after you're cleared,

we can still have that evening
you were talking about.

The biggest the Golden Trail's
ever seen.

Mm, well, that--
You know, that's--

that's a mighty
attractive proposition.

Oh, on the other hand, if I did
turn ya over to the sheriff,

how do I know
you'd tell the truth?

That's right.

I could lie your neck right
into a rope.

But tomorrow morning...

I'm thinking more about tomorrow
night. Come on, let's go.

This is it, isn't it?
Yes.

I'll only be a moment.

Yeah.

Thank you.

If I'd had more time,
I'd have worn different clothes.

Yeah, well, they're not exactly
the best thing for riding,

but they're kinda pretty,
you know?

Not much activity around here.

Gil...
Huh?

You wait outside,
please.

You can trust me.

All right.

Mr. Carson?

Mr. Carson.

Wonder why
the door's open.

He's expecting you, isn't he?
Yes.

Yeah, well,
why don't you go on in?

No.

Oh, there's nobody home.

He should be here.

Well, let's let a little light
in here, huh?

Where do you suppose
he is?

Oh, I don't know. Probably
stepped out somewhere.

Doesn't know he's gonna have a
couple of guests for breakfast.

See if he has any eggs.

There's some bread.

What's this?

Hey! It's hot.

What was that?

It's a dog?

Mr. Carson?

Easy now.

Ah, look, the windows is open.

Kinda looks like he left
in a hurry.

There's something wrong.

Here boy.

Here fella.

Carson?

Two corpses.

You're getting more
than you bargained for.

Gil...

I, um,
I guess you were right

when you said there was
trouble around.

Put him outside, Gil.
I'm afraid of him.

All right.

Come on, boy.

Come on, fella.

What's that?

Let's have it.

Here.

Let go!

You're full of cat, aren't you?

Well, I don't know about you,
but I'm still gonna eat.

Coffee's on.

Hey, what are you looking for
anyway?

Something to tell me
where I should go.

He knew how important it was.

You think he had time
to leave a farewell note?

Hey, why don't you quit
playing soldier,

come on get some food, huh?

Come on, fella. That's a boy.

Look, the lock's been blown off.

Well, whoever came had to--
Had to shoot their way in.

Then Carson knew
they were coming.

Yeah, it looks like he put up
a fight.

There's a bullet hole
in the shutter, you see?

Ah, there's a couple more
in the wall here.

He must have had time
to leave a message.

Ah.
He'd know I had to go on.

You're not going anywhere
but back to town.

Yeah, the sheriff will give you
all the protection you need

and I'll be-- I'll be happy
to get lawful again.

Ah, there's some meat here.
Here, fella.

You'd like some of this, huh?
Okay, I--

You really had a tough time,
haven't you? Huh?

Oh, feels like one of his ribs
is broken.

Hm.

He doesn't belong here.

He doesn't?
No.

Lazy Y Ranch.

Got the brand scratched
on his collar, see?

You're probably right.

I don't remember seeing a dog
around here before.

You'd probably be hightailing it
for home right now

if you didn't feel so bad,
huh, boy?

Lazy Y...

Is that the big ranch
near Brockville?

Yes, it's about 18 miles
north-east of here,

just short of the Squaw River.

A fella by the name of--
I think it's Barrett owns it.

It's a man, alone.

Wait here.Morning.

Well, I thought you'd be clear
out of the territory by now.

No need to draw, Kyle.

I'm full of peace and mildness,
like to keep it that way.

Yeah?

What are you doing
stopping here?

Cattle.

Thought I told you
I was in the cattle business.

I was riding by, I saw a herd
far down the valley.

I said to myself,
"Jeffers, those are for you."

Course, the idea of breakfast
wasn't exactly repugnant to me.

I saw that smoke
coming out of the chimney.

Carson around?

Oh, relax, Kyle.

I give you my word I won't
mention the Golden Trail.

Live and let live,
that's my motto.

Hot beef.

Molasses.
Coffee bubbling away.

Well, my luck holds out,
Carson'll sell me his steers.

Hey, uh, where is Carson anyway?

Watering the stock?

I couldn't say.

What's he to you, friend?

How'd it happen
you rode all night?

Well, I let out before
the sheriff got to ask me

how come I was so clumsy.

He had all his steam up,
I'll say that for him.

Not only the dead man but you
had to knock out his deputy.

When I left he was
swearing in half the town,

issuing orders
to shoot on sight.

You're gonna make the war look
like a border incident.

Maybe.

You suppose the girl
would like to eat too?

I saw her horse outside
with yours.

Since I did there's no reason

why she can't come out,
is there?

Miss Candace?

You're having bad luck
with that girl.

With bodies too.

How did this one die?

Northern mob.

See this?

Bad business.

Man has an ounce of sympathy
for the South,

they call him a Copperhead.

He ends up
full of bullet holes.

How do you know
there was more than one?

Mm?

Oh, the bullet holes
in the front room wall there.

They came from different
directions.

It's pretty foolish of you

getting mixed up
the same way twice.

Any idea which way
the girl is heading?

No.

What's it to you?

Nothing. I was just
wondering about your alibi.

Yeah.

Somebody better.

Was Carson dead
when you got here?

Yeah.

I'm thinking you need that girl
more than ever.

Why are you so interested
in the girl?

No special reason.

Well,
I'm thinking there is.

Do you know
where the girl's gone?

Maybe.

All right,
let's face up our hands.

We're both on the same side
of the table.

You wanna find the girl,

keep her safe
to clear you back in town.

I want her to deliver
the message

she got at the saloon
last night.

Why?

Since you're neutral
the details don't concern you.

Well, the girl does.

Well,
I give you my word of honor

I don't wanna see her harmed
any more than you do.

I'm to believe
you're for the South too?

I helped you last night,
didn't I?

Figured you were with her,
she needed you.

You lead me
to where she's going,

then you can have her, take her
back to town with you.

How do I know you won't
put a slug in me

the minute
you catch sight of her?

You don't.

But from the way I saw you
handle that gun last night,

I'd say it'd be a mighty
unhealthy thing to try.

'Course there's another
alternative.

Well, what's that?

I turn you over
to the law.

I think you'd better decide
pretty fast

or the sheriff and his posse
will do it for you.

They'll be here
in a few minutes.

You just got yourself
a guide.

Who's that?
It ain't Carson, for sure.

That's Kyle up ahead.

This is it.

Good.

What do you fellas want?

We'd like to see, uh,
Mr. Barrett.

What for?
We're cattle buyers.

Got no cattle for sale.

Well, you mind if we borrow
a little water?

For our horses.

All right.

Thanks.

Can we have a talk
with Mr. Barrett anyway?

He might have something
coming up.

He don't talk to strangers
now or later.

Howdy, miss.
Hello.

Did you come to see my father?

No, not exactly.

No, I came to see you.

You did?
Yes.

Yes, I heard there was a very
pretty girl in these here parts

so I figured
to do some courting.

'Course, I'd have to ask your
father first, wouldn't I?

I already got
a sweetheart.

Have you?
His name is Carrot.

He's a rabbit.

Oh, well, I'm very disappointed.
I--

No,
I hadn't heard about him.

What do you got here?

Ah, that's a real Indian doll,
isn't it?

Pretty feathers on it
and everything.

Oh,
I wish I had one like that.

Mary, come here.

And quick.

Yes, Ma.

Get inside that house.

And stay there.

Is that Mrs. Barrett?

She don't wanna talk to you
neither.

Have 'em come in, Ned.

Mrs. Barrett?
My name is Jeffers.

This is my partner,
Gil Kyle.

We were wondering if Mr. Barrett
had any cattle for sale.

No, he hasn't.

Oh, that's a pity.

We're offering top prices.

There's a big demand
for beef.

We'll take anything.
Scrubs, or--

Told you once
we haven't anything.

Hi there.

Get back where I said.

Oh, that's a mighty pretty
little gal, ma'am.

She your daughter?

She sure put Gil here
in his place.

Turned him down cold
for a rabbit.

She told me.

Well, I-- Now, hope I didn't do
any harm, ma'am.

I-- I only meant
to amuse her.

You amused her.

I mean, little enough fun kids
get these days.

Well, I guess we'd better
push along, Gil.

We got a lot of ground
to cover.

Thanks for your trouble,
Mrs. Barrett.

Um, by the way,
you didn't happen to see

a young lady riding by here,
did you?

Pretty and redheaded.

She was supposed to
meet with us hereabouts.

I saw no one.

Oh, that's too bad.

Uh, Gil here is mighty anxious
to meet up with her.

In fact, uh,
he'd like to marry her

if she'd hold still
long enough.

Anybody'd get married these days
is a fool.

Well, I don't think
you'd say that, ma'am,

if you saw her, now.
She's--

She's smart
as well as pretty.

Smart enough to tell you no,
that's for sure.

Mm, yes.

Well, that's the way it goes,
ma'am.

You know, one day it's yes,
next day it's no.

Trying to figure her out

is like asking how many Mondays
in a Thursday.

Might be these men are thirsty.

They've been on the road.

You got any tea,
or a bit of food?

We got nothing
in the house.

It's all right, Mr. Barrett.
We've eaten.

Ah, I see you've had
an accident.

You've been laid up long?

Three days.
Leg's broken.

Oh. How'd that happen?

Fell off his horse.

I've been riding 30 years
without a slip,

then one day I find my face
in a clump of sage brush.

That's too bad.

You say you two
are cattle buyers?

That's right.

Have you tried Bar X?

You mean the Carson ranch
towards Golden Trail?

Yeah, we did.
Earlier this morning.

Fact is he--
He sent us to you.

Carson did?

I already told 'em
we got no cattle.

We got work 'round here.

If you men are finished
I'm asking you to go.

Sorry to have troubled you,
Mrs. Barrett.

Why did you make me
ask 'em in?

Why? Because they're just what
I figured they was.

Yankee spies.

You heard 'em
trying to trick us.

And you're gonna do what?
Shoot 'em dead? Be a hero?

There's a war on, woman.

That all you can think of?
War?

There's nothing else?

You wanna wind up full of holes
like Carson?

Or come home and find your wife
and child charcoal corpses,

the whole house burned down
like they did the Frasers?

Look!

Oh, that's very kind of you,
ma'am,

but I couldn't think
of taking that from you.

No, it just wouldn't be right
for me to take it.

Oh, we got lots more.
Yeah?

Daddy gave one to a pretty lady
a little while ago.

Well, your daughter just gave us
a good luck piece, ma'am.

We both thank you.

Well,
you pulled the right string.

They gave one of those
to the girl.

What do you make of it?

Any ideas?

Maybe.

Well, where do you suppose
it came from?

It's Navaho country.

That's a pretty big
territory.

Yeah. You know, we might get a
line on it at the trading post.

Trading post, yeah.
Where's that?

It's 15 miles ahead.

You know, I'm thinking
if the girl went that way

that's mighty dangerous
country.

Then what we need is a shortcut.
You know any?

Yeah, I know several.
One way's--

What's the matter?

What am I telling you for?

You might decide you don't need
a guide any more.

Come on.

We're gonna climb that?

You wanted a shortcut.

That could be sheriff
and his posse.

Now, they come
a long way.

Must want my neck
pretty bad.

Mine too,
by now.

We'll wait.

They can't spot us
up here.

Sure glad to get off
that horse.

Well, now that shouldn't be much
of a ride for a cattle-buyer.

If you're on the girl's side
like you said,

how come you don't know
the seven passwords?

I do.

Why didn't you use them
back at the Barrett's?

Well, I figured the girl
had been there already.

They were jumpy enough.

It would've only made them
more suspicious.

Why don't you know
where the girl's going?

The system's
set up that way.

Each messenger knows
the next post, nothing more.

That's so nobody
can give it away.

The golden trail was figured
to be the weakest link,

so I was sent there.

Well, somebody should know
something about it.

Somebody does,
at Confederate headquarters.

You're pretty quick
with the answers, aren't you?

They've gone into the woods.
Let's go.

No, there's lots of time.
We got a head start.

I'm thinking of the girl
riding those roads alone.

Yeah.

I'm thinking
of her too.

For my own reasons.

She's got trouble.

Got some trouble,h, and we gonna
partner? help her out of it.

Hey, what do you know.
It's a gal.

Yeah.

Saw you up the road
a piece, ma'am,

but figured you
for a cowpoke.

The horse went lame.

Well, that's too bad.
I'll take a look at him for you.

You got any idea
which leg he was a-favoring?

Yeah. Left foreleg.

This one?

Why, he's picked up a rock there
in the frog of his foot.

I can get it out
for you,

but he'll probably be lame
for a while.

Which way you heading?

Uh, home.

My father's place.

We've got a ranch
about four miles ahead.

We'll take you there.

You can, uh,
ride double with me.

You're very kind.

I don't wanna
inconvenience you.

Oh, no inconvenience, ma'am.

None at all. A lady wants to get
to where she's a-going,

and we're gonna fix it
so she can do just that.

Now, if I could
find me something

to pry that stone
out with...

I, um, didn't know
there was any ranches

in this part of the country,
ma'am.

What's the name
of your father's place?

Uh, it's called, uh,
the Double O.

Double O, huh?

Yeah.

Must be new.

Yeah.

Yeah, it is.

Not very big.

Will the ladies there go around
dressed like you, ma'am?

Not exactly.

These are
my brother's clothes.

Guess they don't fit
very well.

I think they fit
just fine.

I'll bet she'd do it again
if you gave her the chance.

Ah, shut up.

Hey!

Take them horses
around the back.

Come here.

Now look, miss,
there ain't no reason

why we can't settle this thing
peaceful-like.

We ain't a-looking for trouble,
no more than you are.

Just wanna make
a deal with you.

What kind of a deal?

Well, a swap,
sort of.

You answer us a couple
of questions,

and in return we'll forget
what we know about you.

What could you know
about me?

Well, for one thing,

you're carrying a Confederate
message in Union territory.

Now, some people might even
call that spying.

What makes you think that?

We've been watching you ever
since you left Golden Trail.

Saw you at Carson's
and at the Barrett's.

Even saw you give
your friend a slip.

Now, what kind of way is that
to treat a lady?

Especially when we was just
a-coming to an understanding.

Nobody shoves me and--
Shut up!

Now, get outside there.
Keep an eye out for the road.

Did he hurt you,
ma'am?

Got a bad temper,
Perry has.

It's a-gonna get him
into trouble one of these days.

Now to get back
to our deal.

The main thing
we'd like to know

is where that Confederate outfit
of yours is holed up at.

I don't know anything
about them.

Maybe we'd better
work back to that

after you answer a couple
of easier questions.

Like for instance,
where was you heading?

Now, you ought
to know that.

Red Rock Canyon.

That's better.
She's lying!

Red Rock's noways
near here.

I told you
to get outside.

You better keep your answers
straight, ma'am.

It'll save us all
a lot of time.

Now, to get back
to where you was a-going.

Hey, Brock.
Two men riding this way.

You know them?

One of them could be the cowpoke
we seen at Carson's.

With her.
Yeah?

Gil. Gil.

Howdy.
Hi.

It, uh, could be we're--
We're kind of lost here.

Could be.
Where you heading for?

We're trying to spot
some herds.

There's supposed to be a ranch
around here, isn't there?

Might be.

You, uh-- You work
around these parts?

I'm out looking
for strays.

GIL:
What ranch?

Double O.

Back across the hills.

I don't suppose they might have
some cattle for sale, do you?

As far as I know.

That's what they're
in business for.

Yeah, well, uh...

thanks.

Thanks for
the information.

What a minute. Here.

Seems I've seen
you two before.

Where?

Little scramble I had coming in
to Golden Trail.

What are your names?

Brock.
Perry.

I know this pair too.

They're mercenaries working
out of Fort Jackson.

They're after
the thousand-dollar reward

for the location
of the Red Troop.

You didn't give me much
of a chance last night, did you?

Gil.
I'll take care of them.

Get the horses.
Please.

Sure don't know how
they picked you for this job.

Where's your horse?

They put him
around back.

You're a fine pair
of patriots,

killing old man Carson

and knifing the other one
in the back at the saloon.

What's wrong with him?
He picked up a rock.

All right, come on,
we'll take a look.

Follow us,
but keep it a distance.

Or you'll answer
to Fort Jackson.

Gil, he shot them.

Shouldn't think you'd have
much sympathy for them

after the way
they roughed you up.

We're going with you.

Thanks, Gil.

Well, somebody's gotta help you
delivery that message.

It kind of looks like
you can't do it alone.

Let's go.

Who is that man?

Oh, him?
Why, he's a cattle-buyer.

Just like you're
a dance-hall girl.

Now, the post is up
that far canyon.

Well, there it is.

We don't buy these, ma'am,
we sell them.

How many Mondays
in a Thursday?

Follow me.

Everybody.

Wait here.

Well, looks like you've reached
the end of your journey.

I hope so.

Welcome.

Merely a precaution,
gentlemen.

They'll be returned
to you later.

This is yours?

Yes.
May I ask where you got it?

Are you Mr. Lamartine?

Thousand pardons.
I should've introduced myself.

I am Lamartine.

You, uh got this where?

From Mr. Barrett.

So I was expecting
Mr. Barrett.

Is there reason
he could not come?

He has a broken leg.

He fell from his horse.

Carson sent you all?

Mr. Carson was dead when we got
to the ranch this morning.

He was shot
in the back.

These are difficult times.

You, then, are the young lady
from Golden Trail.

Candace Bronson.

And these gentlemen?

This is Mr. Kyle,
a friend.

Mr. Kyle.

And Mr. Jeffers.

Without their help,
I wouldn't have gotten here.

Mr. Jeffers.

You have a message
for me?

Oh, come, my dear,
no longer need for concern.

There are 11 Mondays
in a Thursday.

One for each state
in the Confederacy.

Well, I'm glad we finally
got that question answered.

The message.

Broken sombrero, 13-26.

Broken sombrero,
13-26.

It seems to me, Miss Bronson,
you've done an excellent job.

May I extend the appreciation
and gratitude

of a humble soldier?

Thank you.

And now if you'll
excuse me a moment,

come with me,
Mr. Jeffers.

I believe I have something
that will interest you.

Betien, three more places
for dinner.

We have guests.

Well, kind of looks like
our friend Jeffers was expected.

I still don't know
if I trust him.

Why?

The way he killed
those two men.

Well, war makes everybody
a little quick on the trigger.

That's a little fancy
for these parts.

I'll be glad to sit down
to a nice, quiet dinner.

Could be this is gonna
be too quiet.

How come you got mixed up
in a thing like this?

Oh, I don't know.

Maybe I just wouldn't admit
the South was losing the war.

Still no reason for a girl
to start playing soldier.

My father was killed
at Antietam.

My brother's in a Union
prison camp.

I wanted to do something,

so they assigned me
to the job at the Golden Trail.

You're a brave girl.

Will you accept the respects
of a-- Of a humble cowpoke?

What about you, Gil?

I'm going back to town
right after dinner.

You're going with me.

I will.
I gave you my word.

Yeah. You and I,

we, um-- We had a date with
a bottle of wine, remember?

Yeah, it kind of looks like
we're gonna have to have it here

instead of
the Golden Trail.

Ah, I see
you like a good glass.

So do I.

I don't cotton to a man
who cries "when."

If he's gotta worry
about drinking too much,

he's not to be trusted
when he does.

I might as well drink
as fight this kind of war.

Oh, come, sir, it can't be
that distasteful.

I can do without
the knife-stabbings,

the terrorizing
of civilians.

That goes for both sides.

Agreed. Agreed.

But what we seek here,
Mr. Jeffers,

has been a source of violence
even in times of peace.

Sir, I'm ready.
Good.

Join us.

You cannot help
but be interested.

What both sides
seek, sir: gold.

Only we do not dig it
from the ground.

Instead our good friends of the
Union Army supply it in bullion,

wrapped and corded.

I have but
to carry it away.

Look here, sir.

Broken sombrero.

Code for "Attack northern
gold train at dawn tomorrow."

Points 13 and 26
become coordinates.

We have the point
of attack.

The bivouac of the train, sir,
should be in this general area,

some two or three miles
short of the attack point.

My troop, at present,
is at Ramada Canyon.

Here, Mr. Jeffers.

Ho-ho! This is excellent.

Truly cooperative
on the part of the North.

See how the narrow trail
widens into a valley?

Room for attack.

My men will move out
tonight.

At dawn tomorrow,
they'll be here waiting.

Surprise.

Surprise, my friend, the element
many afeared leaders utilized.

Sometimes it was just advantage
when he was outnumbered.

Quite true.

As a matter of fact, I've
already sent my Indian scout

to ascertain
the train's strength.

He'll be back, I'm sure,
before we finish dinner.

Miss Bronson,
should like again

to express the indebtedness
of the Confederacy

and my personal admiration
for your constancy.

The message was of
singular importance to us.

Betien.

Contained information
which will enable my men

to capture a Northern gold train
in the morning.

Thus supply the South with means
to buy things we badly need.

Riffles, gun powder,
ammunition.

Uh, we'll want wine
and brandy glasses.

Now, what do you mean
"your men"?

Troop of Confederate soldier
encamped nearby, Mr. Kyle.

Ramada Canyon, to be exact.

Your journey, Miss Bronson,
was all the more remarkable

since one of your companions
is a Union intelligence officer.

Major Jeffers.

But that's impossible.

He helped me get here.

Naturally, my dear, he wanted
you to lead him to me.

So you lied
back at Carson's.

I told you I didn't wanna see
her harmed, I still don't.

You think using her to get at
the South isn't harming her?

Our genial friend here has no
more to do with the South

than I have.

Colonel Lamartine was once
a Confederate officer.

He is now a renegade,
a deserter,

leading a troop
of deserters.

The South is just as anxious
to catch him as I am.

Come, come, major,

surely you can't
expect anyone to believe that.

Does this place look like a
soldier's headquarters to you?

No reason a soldier
can't be comfortable.

On the loot from half a dozen
burned out ranches.

He's gonna attack the gold
train, all right,

those are his orders.

But the South
will never see the gold.

I'm disappointed in you,
major.

Most disappointed.

Not because of your effort
to discredit me,

but for the way you've trapped
yourself with your own words.

If I've betrayed my superiors,
as you say,

how do you account for this?

A copy of your orders,
sir.

Word for word,

your description,

the time and day of your
arrival at Fort Jackson.

All said to me from Richmond
within the last few days.

If you like, Mr. Kyle,
you may verify my statement.

And you, Miss Bronson.

I don't need to.

Thank you, my dear.

Thank you for
your confidence in me.

We'll be having dinner soon,
if you'd like,

I can provide you
with a change of costume

from the
trading post.

Not an elaborate thing,
but a dress at least.

Thank you,
I'd appreciate it.

You satisfied,
Mr. Kyle?

Yeah,
I guess so.

And may I suggest,
major,

that you take
your defeat gracefully

and make our evening together
as pleasant as possible.

And as short.

I've got a lot
of traveling to do.

There you are, sir.
That's enough.

And you, major?
Why not.

I see you're
enjoying yourself.

Is it possible you still hope
for a miracle?

Fort Jackson
riding to your aid?

Major Jeffers.

Be quiet.

If you like, you have
permission to tell your friends

the location of my troops.

It's worth a thousand dollars
to them, major.

Payable at Fort Jackson,
of course.

I appreciate your surprise,
my dear,

but shots fired in the air
rarely kill men on the ground.

Then they were working for you.

No. They were what I said
they were, mercenaries.

One of the unpleasant aspects
of war, Miss Bronson,

is that creatures
such as you've just seen

often follow on its wake
like vultures on a battlefield.

We detest them,

yet we are forced at times
to make use of them.

I'm sure Major Jeffers
feels as I do,

as every military man does.

What was that?

Nothing, my dear.
Nothing.

Just Brock and
Perry.

There was a time when war was
the property of gentlemen,

of men on horseback who fought
under a rigid, ethical code.

Unfortunately my dear,
those times have passed.

Ah, bring them in.
Come.

Lieutenant Wylie,
Captain Peters,

welcome, gentlemen.

What is it
this time?

Good news, a gold train.

Munroe will give you
the details.

He has a map
and full instructions.

What's wrong, captain?

The men are grumbling.
Getting hard to handle.

That's your problem, Peters,
not mine.

Either you can command a troop
or you can't.

You made them
promises.

I intend to keep them.
They've got nothing so far.

They say you're keeping
the profits.

And I say so too.

It's gold now or no raid.

Wylie, you're
in charge now.

Tell the men I've scouted
the gold train,

we have it
outnumbered.

They'll get their share
of the gold tomorrow.

Now, collect your orders
from Munroe.

Well, go on.

Yes, sir.

Come on.

One moment.

Betien.

I'm sorry.
I tried to tell you.

You did
what you had to.

I'm thinking of the people
who died helping him.

Carson.

And the men
at the Golden Trail.

So he gets a bullet in the back
one of these days.

Miss Bronson,

Mr. Lamartine would like
to speak to you for a moment.

Miss Bronson, I have decided
under the circumstances

to send you on
to the camp.

I assure you,
it's best for all concerned.

What's going
to happen to them?

Nothing, my dear. Nothing.
Oh, no.

No.

Wylie, I'll join you
as soon as possible.

Miss Bronson has asked me
to convey her regrets

and her appreciation
for your efforts.

She's spending the night
at camp.

And then?

She's agreed to accompany us
tomorrow after the attack.

Will you, uh, join me
in a final drink, gentlemen?

Since there's been
some doubt cast

on our legitimacy
as Southern soldiers,

we greet the gold train tomorrow
in full uniform.

We ride to the attack,
colors flying.

Now if you'll excuse me,
gentlemen,

I have some packing to do.

Up.

In there.

Well, maybe I should've
believed you.

Been better
for all of us.

We might still
have a chance.

I've hidden a gun
in the other room.

Where'd you get it?

Brock.

But we gotta get
out of here to use it.

Are the horses
ready?

Yes, sir,
they're all packed.

Excellent.

I'll go on with them
and leave the rest to you.

We meet you at the rendezvous
with the Yankee gold.

And then,
on to the border.

Think you and Betien
can finish things here?

It'll be a pleasure.
Good.

Oh, Munroe,

might be advisable
afterwards

if the trading post
were to catch fire.

Yes, sir.

Gil.
Um-hm.

If one of us
gets out of here alive,

that one's gotta go
straight to the gold train.

Well, let's get
out of here first, huh?

Where is
the gold train?

Two miles the other side
of Medicine Valley.

That's your quickest way
to the girl.

Maybe.

Well, you can't ride
into Ramada Canyon alone,

the whole troop's there.

Gil.

You've gotta promise me.

I'm the one that knows
where the gun is.

Right.

Is this the gun you're
looking for, major?

Stay where you are, major.

I said stay where you are.

Get out the window.

I'm staying with you.

You promised.

Go on.
I'll cover.

Halt.

Where do you think
you're going?

I have a message
for your commanding officer.

Dismount.

What is it?

Says he has
a message for you.

From
Major Jeffers.

Major Jeffers?

Come in.

Loukai, load that
in the wagon.

Well, gentlemen, we're on
the march at last.

Wylie.
Yes, sir?

Order the men to commence
breaking camp at once.

Kelso.
Have you checked the ammunition?

We've got plenty.
And the horses?

Five extra mounts.
Splendid.

What about
the uniforms?

Uniforms?

I told Munroe

I wanted every man in this
company in battle dress.

Our last action must be
a credit to the Confederacy.

Yes, sir.

I can't believe that you were
ever a Confederate officer.

Why not?

You couldn't have sunk
this low.

A common bandit.

I'm afraid you're not
being realistic, my dear.

The war is lost.

The South could have no
possible use now for our gold.

So, what could be more logical
than to use it ourselves?

We plan to get through

disguised as
an ordinary wagon train.

But if you're telling
the truth,

we'll need every
reinforcement we can get.

There's no point
in me lying to you.

You sent for us, sir?
Yes.

I want every man
in the camp rousted out.

Seems we're in
for an attack tomorrow.

Carr, have the outriders
cover every ranch and farm.

Anybody and everybody
that can fire a rifle

I want brought in
before daybreak.

Yes, sir.

You take two men,
Fenton,

ride ahead
to the trading post.

I want a report
on what happened there.

Yes, sir.

Now look, captain,

I know Ramada Canyon
like the back of my hand.

You give me some of your men,
I can get the girl out.

And let Lamartine know
he's been discovered?

I'm sorry.

We'll see what we can do
after the attack.

Miss Bronson.

Company's monitor.
Fine.

Give the order to advance.
Yes, sir.

Miss Bronson,
you will accompany me.

Where you taking me?

To a place near
the point of the attack.

Quite safe, I assure you.

And afterwards?

We'll discuss that later.

They're moving in,
all right.

Yeah.

I wanna see Lamartine's face
when he finds out

we got men in those wagons
instead of gold.

Yeah.

Where's Lamartine?

Come on, where is he?

Fox Canyon, most likely.

Where's the girl?

She's in the wagon.
Move.

Give me a hand, Kelso.
We gotta get out of here fast.

I'm getting out of here now.

Kelso!

Round up all the prisoners
in one place.

Yes, sir.

I see you found her.

Yeah.

I, uh, found
something else too.

Well,
Colonel Lamartine.

We've been wanting to meet you
for a long time.

Put him with the rest
of the prisoners.

Yes, sir.

Sign a man
to this wagon.

We're starting everything
out there that can move.

Yes, sir.

We'll be going through
Golden Trail about dusk.

I don't think anybody'll notice
if you both drop off there.

Maybe she can stay
with the sheriff.

Well, maybe I'll still
be able to keep that date

with a bottle of wine.

And a
good-looking redhead.