Bonanza: Under Attack (1995) - full transcript

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Gentlemen,
I have been empowered...

to execute the law here
as I see fit.

Brook no interference.
Is that clear?

Questions?

- What about the Cartwrights?
- Damn the Cartwrights.

- Let's go.

What do you think,
Jacob?

Shorthanded as we are,

we'll be hard pressed
to round up all those horses
before the bad weather sets in.

Ah, we got a chance...



if we put in
some long days.

I don't know about you, Bronc,
but I sure am hungry.
Hey, Bronc, Jacob.

Evening, Josh.
Hello, Josh.

5:00 is dinnertime.
Half the time
nobody shows up.

Then when they do show up,
they're late.

You know how much trouble it is
cooking for this bunch,
trying to keep things warm?

- What is that, Buckshot?
- At 5:00, it was meat loaf.

Not bad.
Not bad?

What do you mean "not bad"?
I bet you a dollar
you can't do as good.

Okay. Sure.
Okay, it's all yours.

Huh.

You know,
I've been thinking.

What do you suggest
I do about that offer?

Are you asking my advice?



Yeah. You're my sister.
Who else am I gonna ask?

Benj, I don't know.

What about your idea
of setting up a small
law practice here?

I know.
I guess it's
just a question...

of what I want to do
with my life, Sara.

I mean, we are talking about
one of the biggest law firms
on the east coast.

I have to consider it
seriously.

What about the family?

- No!

Supper's getting cold.
Gets any colder,
I'm gonna throw it away.

- We're coming, Buckshot.

Will you hold this, please?

That's pretty good shooting,
brother.

Not bad.

Who won?
I did.

Isn't A.C. coming to supper?
No. I haven't
seen him all day.

Well, he rode off
late this afternoon...

to fix that corral
down on the south side.

Hmm. It's not like A.C.
to miss supper.

Well, I think A.C.
has other things on his mind
besides eating.

Adam, this is madness.
What if my father
finds you here?

I don't care.
I have to see you.

Papa's due back
any minute now.

He just went
to make special arrangements
for a train force.

Our plans have all changed.
We're leaving Sunday night.

Sunday?

Yes. He has a meeting
with the president...

and the secretary of interior
on Friday.

We have to leave.

Adam, come with us.

Please.
Oh, please, Adam,
come with us.

It would be so much fun.

Now you and A.C.'s
got three days to get
those line shacks stocked.

I've given orders
to the winter line riders
to move out...

first thing
Monday morning.

And we're gonna set up
base camp at Kane Lake.

You boys get your work done,
you can meet us there.

We've got a thousand head
of horses to round up...

and deliver to the army
by the end of the month.

So, we do have our work
cut out for us.

-I wanna move at first light.
-You're not talking about
tomorrow, are you, Bronc?

- Yes, sir.
- Me and Josh are going
fishing tomorrow.

That's right.
We tied a whole bunch
of new trout flies.

Thought we'd try to coax
Old Moe out of that deep hole
in the forks.

Old Moe will have to wait.

We've got a lot of work to do
and not much time
to get it done.

Yes, sir.
Bronc.

You know, Annie's
leaving next week, so...

why don't you let me
take A.C.'s place?

A.C. only has
a few more days
to spend with Annie.

Bronc, I can do it.

I can ride as well
as any of you.

Miss Sara,
this is no job
for a lady.

Come on, Bronc.
You're not being fair
to A.C.

You'll give me
your answer then?

Promise?
Promise.

Noon tomorrow,
our meadow.

It's a thousand years
until then.

Adam.

I don't want you
to go.

Come on, Bronc.
Send somebody else.

Let A.C. be with Annie.

Are you questioning
my orders, Benj?

Well, in this case,
yes, I am.

Don't do it again.

You've lived so long,
you don't remember anything
you've ever felt...

about being young
and in love?

Benj, maybe someday
you'll find out just how dumb
that question was.

Our visitors normally
use the front door,
Mr. Cartwright.

Yes, sir.
Perhaps you can
explain to me...

what you were doing,
jumping off the balcony.

Well, I came to see Annie,
Mr. Stewart.

I've asked her to marry me.

Ah, I see.
Well, times have
obviously changed.

When I was a boy,
we asked the young lady's father
for permission first.

I'm sor--
I must tell you
that Annie's happiness...

means everything to me,
Adam, as it should to you.

I love her very much.

She loves you.
Therein lies our dilemma.

Dilemma?

Annie is gifted
with a God-given talent...

that is meant
to be shared
with the world.

A genius that belongs
to the world,

not just to you
nor to me.

Do you understand?
I think I do.

Let me ask you, Adam.

Do you love Annie?

Truly,
do you love Annie?

Yes, sir.

Then you must be man enough
to let her go.

I don't know much
about poetry,

but what I've heard
I've liked.

Would you like to hear
one of my favorites, Josh?

I'd be pleased.

Um, this is by
Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

She wrote this poem
for her husband.

I like it too.
Our mother loved this poem.

"How do I love thee,
let me count the ways.

"I love thee to the depth
and breadth and height
my soul can reach.

When feeling out of sight
for the ends of being
and ideal grace."

I wish I could write
like that.

Mm.
That's beautiful.

A.C., you're back.
Hey.

What's wrong?
Nothing.

Did you see Annie?
What did she say?

- We've been waiting
on you, A.C.
- What's wrong?

I don't feel much
like talkin'.

Yeah, maybe I should
go talk to him.

I don't think so, Benj.

You ain't said a thing
since we left.

I'm sorry.
I just got a lot
on my mind.

Oh, look at
this view though.

Mm! Isn't it somethin'?
The Ponderosa.

A thousand square miles...

of the most beautiful country
in the world to call our home.

Dad burn it, A.C.
We gotta be
the luckiest guys alive.

Mm! My, my.

- What is it, A.C.?
- Saw somebody in the trees
over there.

I don't see nobody.
What'd he look like?

A man on a horse.
Just seemed to vanish.

Maybe it was just shadows.

Maybe you saw a ghost.
Boo!

Sure.

I'm just trying
to help, cousin.

Hyah!

Whoa! Whoa!

Come on!

Well, here we go.

We got this one
and the shack up at
Bear Tooth Pass today.

And then, uh,
them two tomorrow
at Copper Basin.

We still gonna have to
go like something
to make it, A.C.

That we'll do.

You're going to Europe?
Annie wants to
get married in Paris.

We'll live there
so she can study music.

You mean you're gonna
leave the Ponderosa?

Yeah.

Hyah!

I already picked out the site
where I want to build my house,

if I ever find a woman
that'll have me.

Oh, wish you could see it, A.C.
Right on a hilltop.

Dang, you can see forever.

The mountains, lake.

Dad burn it!
I was hoping that we could...

all be a family.

Me, you, Benj and Sara--
live out our lives here.

Raise our kids.
You know what I mean?

I don't know, Josh.
The Ponderosa just doesn't mean
as much to me as it does to you.

I guess I just wanna
go my own way,
be my own man.

Well, you go away,
and I'm sure as heck
gonna miss you.

Josh, hate to
ask you this, but--

Ask.

I need a favor.

Anything.

Sure you don't mind
doing this alone?

No, don't worry about it.
I'll take care of the lines
at Bear Tooth Pass.

Meet you at Copper Basin
in the morning.
All right. I owe you.

Get outta here.
Have fun.
You sure?

Get outta here,
dad burn it. I'm tired
of looking at you.

All right.
I'll say hi to Annie
for you.

Dad burn it.

If Benj rounds up those strays,
we can call it a pretty good
day's work, Bronc.

Yeah. We'll set up
base camp over yonder
under them big trees.

Right on the point.
Uh-huh.

Wonder what's happened
to Benj. He shoulda
been here by now.

Oh, you know how he is.
Pretty independent
in how he does things.

Takes his own time.
He'll be along.

I don't know what I'm doing
wrong with these boys, Jacob.

There's something missing.
Missing?

Yeah. Ben Cartwright
kept his sons together
as a family.

They worked together.
And by God, they really loved
the Ponderosa.

Well, different generation,
Bronc.

Different values, I guess.

Uh-oh.

Whoa, girl.
Whoa, girl.

Hold on there.
Whoa!

What have we got over here?
Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Put your hands up.

Dad burn it.

Well, you ain't thinking
of leaving us, are ya?

Oh, Buckshot,
I don't know.

I love it here,
but Boston is where
I spent most of my life.

I do miss it.
All my friends are there.

The only friend I have here
is Annie, and next week
she'll be gone.

She sure turned out
to be a pretty thing.

Seems like just yesterday
you and her was running around
with freckles and pigtails.

Did you ever
hear her play?
Once.

Me and A.C.
went to San Francisco.

It was outside
on a stage...

and a big symphony orchestra
behind her.

You know, they're saying
she's a musical genius.

She brought tears
to my eyes.

Did you know she's gonna
play for the president
at the White House?

For Teddy?
President Roosevelt.

Yeah, Teddy.
Teddy.

Penny for your thoughts.

I was just thinking
about something Josh
said this morning.

He's right, you know.
This is the most beautiful
place on Earth.

Maybe I am gonna
miss it.

Just wait till you see
our house in Paris.

Adam, it's beautiful.
It's right on the tip
of Villa St. Louis,

overlooking the Seine
and Notre Dame.

And we're gonna be
so happy there.

Yeah.

I'm just afraid
you don't know
how much I love you.

I'm sorry for intrudin'.

Truly, I am.

But I sorely need your help.

Whoa! Whoa!

Well?
He's about a mile
up ahead, sir.

Hurt bad.

All right, gentlemen,
let's put an end to it.

Is that really Frank James,
the famous outlaw,
Jesse James's brother?

Yeah. He says he's
a friend of Bronc's.
Rode with him in the Civil War.

Adam, he and his brother
are legends.

Look, go.
I'll take care of him,

and I'll see you
as soon as I can, okay?

Are you sure
you'll be all right?
Sure. Go.

Okay.

All right, son.
Gimme a hand here,
will ya?

Yeah, fine.

Some Pinkertons
bushwhacked me last night
just before dark.

And they were set up
waiting for me when I
crossed onto the Ponderosa.

They've been chasing
after me ever since.

Why are they after you?
Are you still wanted by the law?

No. No, no.
After Jesse was killed,
I paid my debt.

I stood trial three times,
acquitted each time.

All the charges against me
have been dropped.

Why are the Pinkertons
after you?

One man, Charley Siringo,
to him it's personal.
The law don't count.

Now, son, I thank you,
but it's best you leave me.

You clear on outta here,
because they can't be
too far behind me.

You said that right.
There they are.

Well, well, well.

After all these years,

Siringo's finally gonna
get his chance to kill me.

No, he's not.
Not on the Ponderosa.

You don't know
who you're dealing
with, son.

Gentlemen,
I'm Adam Cartwright Jr.
My family owns the Ponderosa.

Mr. Ketchum,

disarm the prisoner,
put him on his horse
and be quick about it.

Wait. Can't we just
talk this over first?

Stand aside, young man.

- I'm sorry, I can't.
- I said stand aside.

I heard you the first time,
but I'm sorry, I can't.

I just can't do that.
I'm sorry.

I warn you,
you're obstructing justice.

Justice?
What do you mean by justice?

Are you gonna
shoot him again?

No, sir.
I'm gonna hang him.

- No, you're not.

Who's gonna stop us?
You?

I don't see anybody else,
do you?

You see, gentlemen,
like I said, on this land...

those railroad badges of yours,
they don't mean much.

In fact,
I hate to tell you this,
they don't mean a damn thing.

Legally,
you're trespassing.

Mr. Cole.
Mr. Siringo.

Handcuff this insolent
little pup.

With pleasure, sir.

And then teach him a lesson
he won't soon forget.

Whoa, wait a minute.
I got a better idea.

Why don't you let me take
Frank here to the hospital,

and you take your thugs
off the Ponderosa.

What do you say?
Hmm?

You move that hand again,
I will blow his head off.

You realize how much trouble
you're getting into, boy?

I don't do well
when I'm in trouble.
Makes me nervous.

And when I get nervous,
my finger twitches.

It's an involuntary reaction.
I can't stop it.

And in case you're interested,
there's a hair trigger
on this gun.

Just so we don't have
any accidents, why don't you
tell your playmates...

to throw down their weapons,
on the ground, now.

- You're bluffing.
- I wouldn't bet on that,
Siringo.

But if there's any doubt
in your mind, I'm not.

All right, gentlemen,
do as he says.

Throw down your weapons.

And the rifles.
Don't forget the rifles,
gentlemen.

Do it.

And the automatic, Charley.

Fancy.

A gift from Mr. Pinkerton
for services rendered.

I've carried it
for more than 20 years.

You're the first,
beside myself,
to put a hand on it.

Really?
How come?

Because I'd kill anyone else
who touched it.

Well, I guess
I should be scared
to death then.

- Yes, you should.
- Is that what you intend
to do, Mr. Siringo?

Not only kill Frank James
but kill me as well?

You're gonna be
one busy boy.

Now ride outta here
and keep riding till
you're off the Ponderosa.

Enjoy the moment, Mr. James,
you and your young friend here.

You won't get out of here alive.
That I promise you.
Let's go.

Not bad, son.

Not bad.

Frank James, the outlaw?

Yes. He's been shot.
He just appeared
out of nowhere.

We did what we could
for his wound, but--

Who shot him?
I don't know.

Annie, we have to
go back up there.

Miss Sara, I'm not sure
that's such a good idea.

We can't leave A.C. alone
with a wounded man.
He needs help.

Yeah, maybe you're right.

Besides, it'd make
a heck of a good story
for my newspaper. Let's go.

No.
Buckshot, this is news.

- I can't just ignore it.
- Wanna get your head
blown off, Finster?

Annie, them fellas
that your father saw riding
past your place last night,

did he tell you
what they looked like?

Did he say whether
they were wearing dusters
or suits?

Yes, they were. Why?

Damn it.
Pinkertons.

What, the national
detective agency?
Yes. This is all planned.

That's why they're here,
to get Frank James.

Buckshot, what are you
talking about?
What is going on?

Frank's here
because of Bronc.
Maybe me.

See, we was together--
me and Bronc
and Frank and Jesse.

We fought out of Texas
in the Civil War.

You?

Well, I-I wasn't
always an old man.

Track 'em and find 'em.
Yes, sir.

Frank James,

you're a dead man.

War was over.
We rode out of Texas
into Missouri to surrender.

Charley Siringo was there
with the Union boys.

None of them
hardly old enough to shave,
on either side.

I think Jesse was 16.

He carried
the white flag for us.

They heard that Yankee officer
give the order, and the Union
troops started shooting.

And they mowed us down
like we was nothing.

Saw Jesse take a bullet.

I got hit.
Still carrying
the Yankee lead in my leg.

If it wasn't for Bronc,
I wouldn't be here.

He got me out.

I'll tell ya,
we were the lucky ones
that day.

We have to
do something to help.
Will you come with us?

No, Annie,
and neither will you.

We'll just get in the way
and probably get themselves
killed worrying about us.

Buckshot's right.
Thing to do is to get
the sheriff.

I was surprised to see
that old log house
was still there.

We used to play in it
when we were kids.

Yep.

Your grandfather put it up,
solid like a fort.

It's the first place
the Cartwrights built
when they came to the Ponderosa.

I remember.

We used to call it
"the old homestead house."

Yeah, that's where
it all began, Benj.

Yeah, it's a shame
it's been let to go
to ruin like that.

Whoa, son.

Whoa, boy.

We've got trouble, Bronc.
Gimme a hand with him.

Frank?
Hello, Bronc.
Been a while.

Yeah, it has.
Let's get him off here.

Siringo come after us,
Jesse and me,

from the time we come home
from the war, Bronc.

He wouldn't let up
on us.

He was the youngest detective
in the agency.

And he was bound
he was gonna make
a name for himself.

You know how bad things got
during the fighting.

Both sides, Union people,
and us, we did terrible things.

No quarter asked
nor given.

Women, children killed.

Old folks.

People's homes burned.

Things I don't like
to remember.

None of us do, Frank.

We were bitter.

We were guerrilla fighters.
We hated the Yankees,
and the Yankees hated us.

But even after we surrendered,
things didn't get any better.

Yankees declared us outlaws.

Not soldiers
from a defeated army
but outlaws.

So, Siringo hunted us,
Jesse and me.

He run my blood kin
off their farms.

He surrounded my mother's house
and blew her arm off
with a bomb.

Killed
my nine-year-old brother.

I heard.

I'm gonna have to
cauterize that wound.

A.C., grab a hold
of him.

Gentlemen, thank you
just the same.
Let's just do it.

It's gonna hurt you now.
I know.

Let's get on with it
and not be jawing
about it all night.

Okay.

Oh, yeah.

Oh.

Done.

I didn't catch you
enjoying that, did I?

Well, that's the most fun
I've had today.

Yeah. Thanks.

The Ponderosa's
always been a safe haven
for people in trouble.

I think A.C.
did the right thing.

I think he did too.
But if we give Frank sanctuary
on the Ponderosa,

it'll be dangerous
for all of us.

We'll be putting
our life on the line.

Can't we go to the law?
And what about Sheriff Russ?

Out here against Siringo,
he hasn't got a chance.

Those men with him
are professional gunmen,
hired killers.

They don't give a damn
about the law.

Now, if we do this thing,
we're on our own.

Now, I can decide
for myself,

but I can't decide
for you three.

- How can you be sure?
- 'Cause I know him.

We fight fire
with fire, Benj,
or we forget it.

We'll just let him
go off alone? They'll
hunt him down and kill him.

That's exactly
what they'll do.

Over my dead body.

And mine.
Jacob?

Bronc, you know
where I stand.
Benj?

Yeah, I'm with you.

This is the plan.

Me and Jacob will take Frank
down to the sheriff's office
in Virginia City.

Then you two can head up
to Copper Basin and get Josh.

All them Pinkertons
running around with their guns,

I don't want him
up there by himself.

Right.

You go back to the house
and wait for us there.

And keep your eyes open.

If you run into
any of Siringo's gunmen,
give 'em a wide berth.

- Don't worry.
- And good luck.

Could be 100 men in
these trees. We'd never see them
till they were right on us.

I don't like it.
Think I do?

Keep your eyes open
and quit bitchin'.

Bitchin'?
Who's bitchin'?

You are.
I'm not bitchin'.

I'm nervous.
When I'm nervous,
I tend to talk a lot.

- What's that?
- What?

Over there,
something moved. See?

You're seeing things.
There's nothing there.

I'm not seeing things.
There's something there.
Look.

You're right.

There's something there.
Go see what it is.
I'll cover you.

You'll cover me?

You ever shoot that thing?

Of course I've shot it.
I'm a good shot.
Go on.

You sure?
Yeah, I'm sure.

Come on.

This is the pack of horses
Josh had with him, aren't they?

- Yeah.
- Where's Josh?

Look over here.

I don't see anything.

Looks like Josh met up
with two horsemen here.

They rode off
in that direction.

- How can you tell?
- See these tracks
here and there?

See the way they go?

You can barely see them.
Where'd you learn
to do that?

Outback, Australia.

When I was a kid,
an old Aborigine hunter
taught me.

He could trace a dingo dog
for miles across bedrock.

Think the Pinkertons
got him?

Could have been anybody.

I thought for years
about coming to see you.

Ain't many of us left
who rode with Captain Quantrill.

You know that he was
only 28 years old
when the Yankees killed him?

Yeah.
I guess we were all
young'uns in them days.

I don't look back on those years
with too much pleasure, Frank.

What were you doing
over in California?

Visiting my uncle.
He's got himself
a big ranch there.

Paso Robles.

I run into
a buckaroo friend
of yours there.

Tom Mix.
You remember him?

Sure.
Last time I saw Tom,
he was just a boy.

Rode line for us
years ago.

That's when I first
come to the Ponderosa.
Hmm.

How's he doing?
Oh, all right,
I guess.

Wanted me to throw in
with him,

making something
called "moving pictures."

Whole business sounded
pretty silly to me.

New century,
new time, Frank.

The life we lived
is no longer possible.
Mm-mmm.

Bronc, ain't no way outta here.
Pinkertons got every trail
blocked.

Can we get out
through the canyon?

Not in the shape he's in.

Can you ride, Frank?

Where to?

Back to Kane Lake.

We'll take shelter
the first night
in the old Cartwright house.

That's our only out.

Now, you sure you can ride?

I have to, don't I?
Yeah.

Sure hate
getting old, Bronc.

Oh, you ain't old.
You're wounded. Come on.

Okay, boys.
Stop right there.

Mr. Siringo
wants to see you.

Well, Mr. Cartwright,
we meet again.

And you, sir,
who are you?

My name is Benjamin.
Cartwright.

That's right.
And who are you?

I'm Charles Siringo,
Chief Detective
Pinkerton Agency.

I'm a lawyer,
Mr. Siringo,

and I demand to know
why you've put handcuffs
on my cousin.

Well, sir,
I don't, uh,
care who you are,

what you are,
nor do I give a good damn
about what you demand.

You are here alive
on my orders.

Now I believe we have
some business to discuss.

You okay, Josh?

Yeah. Yeah, just
a mite hungry is all.

Let's get down to it, shall we?
These are my terms.
We'll make a trade.

You give me Frank James,
and I'll give you
Josh Cartwright.

- Frank's gone.
- We don't know where he is.

Gentlemen, it is now...

noon exactly.

I give you 24 hours.

If I don't have Frank James
by noon tomorrow,

I'll hang young
Mr. Cartwright here
in his place.

Where do you want to
make this trade?
Here will do.

Noon tomorrow then.
Mr. Cole,

show our guests the door.

Oh, one more thing.

If you try anything heroic
or attempt something foolish,

I promise I'll blow
his head clean off.

Gentlemen.

There's Pinkerton guns
on every trail.

They're swarming
all over the mountain,
but I think I found a way.

Down that canyon.
Probably how Bronc
and Jacob got out.

They didn't get out.
They doubled back to Kane Lake.
Come on, let's go.

They got Josh.

Come on, boy, dance!

Show us how you
can move them feet.

Come on, boy, dance.

Keep yourself warm.

Well, what'd you stop fer?

I said, "Dance."

That's enough.

We was just funnin' with him
a little, Mr. Siringo.
No harm done.

Take the cuffs off of him.
Bring him to me.

Lucky.

Coffee?
No, sir.

- Whiskey.
- I don't drink.

Well, I know
that you're hungry.

How about some food?
Please, be my guest.

You're sure?

Tell me, is it, uh,
Josh or Joshua?

Josh.

And what Cartwright son
did you spawn from?

Hoss. They called
my father "Hoss."

You bear
a strong resemblance.

You're the bastard child.

Yes, sir.

I had an acquaintance
with your grandfather,
Ben Cartwright, years ago.

It was
a brief acquaintance.

I can understand
why your acquaintance
with my grandfather was brief.

He was a hardheaded man.
Stubborn.

It was not
a friendly encounter.

As I recall, it was
a dispute over Bronc Evans.

He wanted to kill me.

It's a pity he didn't.

You know, Josh, years ago,
I made up a list...

of the men
that I thought most evil.

I've scratched every name
off that list but one.

And until I scratch
that last singular name
off that list,

Frank James,

well, I just don't
feel that my life
would have been justified.

That's why
you're doing all this?

It's as simple as that,
my young friend.

I'm not your friend.

Well, anyway,

I'm gonna hang
Frank James...

here tomorrow.

My family's not gonna
let that happen, Mr. Siringo.

Well, then you
and your family
are all going to die.

How you gonna
explain that?
Simple enough.

Frank James, a known
and dangerous killer,
went berserk.

And before I can get to him
to save you, he wiped out
the entire Cartwright family.

You think anybody
will believe that?

Why, Josh,

who would possibly
question my word...

on what happened here?

Ben Cartwright,
maybe you picked
the wrong man.

Siringo killed Bronc's wife?

Yep.

Didn't know
he ever had a wife.

He ain't spoke about it
since the day it happened.

When did it happen?

That's a day
I'll never forget
as long as I live.

Him and me
was trying to finish
building this house...

before the baby
came that fall.

Karina came out
of her tent that morning,
all dressed to go to town.

She kissed Bronc.
Said she'd be back
before dark.

That was the last time
we ever saw her alive.

How was she killed?

The Boyd gang was in town
to hit the bank that morning.

Siringo and his men
were just lying in the wait.

Karina was just coming out
of the general store
across the street.

Witnesses said
that Siringo reeled around
and didn't hesitate,

shot her in the back.

- What'd Bronc do?
- Went plumb crazy.

Didn't care about anything.
All he wanted to do was
find Siringo and kill him.

Why didn't he?
Your grandfather.

Ben liked Bronc.
Took him in.
Comforted him.

Talked to him for days.
Made him stop thinking
about killing.

Then he hired him
as his foreman. Gave him
a fresh start in life.

The other night,

you asked him if he remembered
ever being young and in love.

Benj,

he never forgot.

Wake Frank.
I got a plan.

Just before first light,
while they're all still asleep,

you boys head down
to their camp, get Josh
and get out fast.

- Is that clear?
- Yeah.

- Let's go.
- Now, when you go
to get Josh,

you're gonna stir up
a hornet's nest,

so cover your trails,
make sure you're not
being followed...

and get back here.
Right.

Good luck.

That was a while ago.

My son's grown now,
and I'm real proud of him.

He's a good man.

I do love my family,
Bronc.

I never had a family
of my own.

I always wanted one.

But Siringo took that
away from me.

How's that?

He killed my wife, Karina.

I'm sorry, Bronc.

I haven't mentioned
that name aloud in...

many years.

When Ben Cartwright died...

and left me the responsibility
of running the Ponderosa,

all the kids come back.

I says to myself,
"Bronc,

"this is your family.

Be a father to them."

And how you doing?

Not too good.

Not too good.

Anything happens
to this family, Frank,

I don't know
what I'll do.

Gone.

Well, Siringo
suckered us.

Held us here. Wasted
three hours in those woods
just looking at this.

Yeah, well, he's smart.
Yeah, so are we.

They're riding horses.
Had to leave tracks.

Let's go.

Hey.

Sheriff, look!

You wait here.

Uh, Sheriff,
I'd like to go with you.
Whoa!

Yeah, you'd better let me
go up and check it out
by myself.

He might not cotton to having
a newspaper man around.

Welcome, Sheriff.

You have no authority
on this property.

Here's my authority.

Holy God!

Let's go!

Unarmed man!
Unarmed man!

Siringo.

He's-- He's gone too far.

No way out.

He's got to kill
all of you.

Stay in the woods
and off the trails. They've
got men posted everywhere.

Right.
When you
get to the canyon,

stay on the west side
in the shadows,
understand?

And if you get through,
telegraph the U.S. Marshal
in Carson City.

You tell him
what happened here, okay?

Good luck, Finster.
We're counting on you.

Thanks.
I'm gonna need it.

Hey!
The kid's gone!

Huh? What?
Wake up!

Damn!
He's gone!

Siringo will skin us alive
if he gets away.
Let's get him!

Whoa! Whoa!

Whoa!

How you doing?

They were shooting at him
from here.

- Where'd they go?
- Down there, towards the river.

Can't be far behind them.
- We're not.

There's one.
Oh!

Hey, that's pretty nifty.
How'd you do that?
Yeah.

Practice.
Years of diligent practice.

Here, help me off
with this boot, will ya?
Sure.

My wife knitted
these socks for me.

I had to talk like
a Dutch uncle to get her
to leave the holes for the toes.

She didn't understand
the principles of ventilation.

Oh! That feels good.

Man.

I don't know why.
It didn't used to
feel that good.

I guess because
I'm older, huh?

What's the matter, Josh,
you cold?

No, no, I'm fine.

Really, I'm just hungry
as all get-out.
Oh, well, here.

In the bag,
help yourself.

Something wrong?

What is it?
It's runnin' vittles.

Bacon pot of pone
with bacon, beans.

In the old days,
we'd cook up a batch
any chance we could.

Enough to last for days.

That way,
if you were on the run
and you couldn't light a fire,

you'd have something
to put in your belly.

- You eat this?
- Sure.

It gets cold
or soggy or stale.

But if ain't gone too ripe,
it'll keep a man going.

Ain't much of a life,
being an outlaw, is it?

Oh, it ain't too bad.

If you're young,

and you don't mind
eatin' some dust.

Or fryin' in the sun.

Or ridin' for days
with soaking clothes...

when you're ridin'
in the rain.

Or sleepin' on the cold,
hard ground...

under a wet blanket.

Or if you get sick,
pneumonia.

Or worse-- toothache.

Toothaches
are the killers.

That's the worst.

But if you can
put up with that,

it ain't a bad life.

We best get movin', Josh.

Them Pinkerton boys
ain't too far away.

Well, how you know that?

I can hear 'em.
I can't hear a thing.

You make
a damn poor outlaw.

Let's go. Here.

Put this on.

How far is that wine shack?
Up at Copper Basin,
about four or five miles.

Carryin' two of us,
this horse won't last too long.

Him and me's both
gonna need a rest.
We'll hole up there for a while.

Looks like we lost 'em.

They're out there.

Come on.

We got 'em now.
Yeah.

You two stay here
and keep an eye on 'em.
I'll ride and tell Siringo.

I got a better idea.

Siringo
ain't gonna like it.

Why not?
We get the job done.

Get the hell down!

How do you know
they're dead?

That cabin was blowed
all to hell, Mr. Siringo.

Nobody could've
got out of there.
Right, fellas?

That's right, Mr. Siringo.
He's dead, all right.

Him and
that Cartwright boy.

And this here's
his horse, Mr. Siringo.

Well, you're wrong.
Frank James is not dead.

He's alive and I can feel it.
And we're gonna find him...

right now.

You all right?
You hear 'em?

I don't hear anything
except those birds.
Horses.

Yeah, now I hear 'em.

What do we do?
Can't outrun 'em.

Come on.

This the boy
you're looking for?

It sure is.
Good to see ya, Josh.

Glad to be here, Bronc.

Found him under a rock.
I wasn't under a rock.
I was behind it.

Looked to me
like you were under it.

Dad burn it.
You ever consider there's
a strong possibility...

there's something
really wrong with you two?

Who, us?

Not us.
Could use a bath.

- You all right, Bronc?
- I am now. Thank you.

Least we could do.

You should have seen it, Josh.
Huh?

Blood all over the place.
Everywhere.

And then Jacob, he reached in,
he took this big ol' knife
right out.

It was red hot,
right out of the fire.
Yeah, yeah.

And then he took it
and placed it
right on his skin.

You could hear it
smoldering on his skin.

Mmm.
It made me sick.
Make you sick?

It was horrible.
And that noise.
Oh, the noise.

That noise
that Frank made.
Huh?

It was-- It was like--
It was like--

No, no, no.
It was like--

Yeah, that's it.
That's it.

Well, I'm just glad
he's all right. Hmm?

Buckshot, U.S. Marshal's
on his way with a posse
from Carson City.

- They'll be here before noon.
- We're to wait here for 'em.

When were they to make
the exchange--
Frank James for Josh?

Noon, why?
They won't do it.

They'll fight.
Annie, I need your horse.
It's faster than mine.

Take it.
Hey, where do you think
you're goin'?

To join them.
A gunfight's no place
for a lady.

Buckshot, they're my family.

Hey, wait.
You ain't goin' alone.

Sara, tell 'em
I'll have dinner ready.
5:00 sharp!

Whoa!

They're here.

Go on.
Get goin'.

Bronc Evans, you hear me?

Yeah, Siringo,
I hear ya.

It's a trick, Bronc.
They're gonna try and flank us.

Yeah, I can see that.
Benj!

You're surrounded, Bronc.

Give us Frank James and
we'll let you and your people
ride out of here alive.

You want Frank James, Siringo,
you come and get him!

Bronc, if I ride outta here,
they'll follow me.

- Don't even think about it.
- Send him out, Bronc,

or I'll drag your whole bunch
out like they were rabbits.

I'm waiting for my answer.

You heard it!

Fine!

Lordy, am I glad
to see you!

Sara, what are you
doin' here?

I'm a Cartwright.

What are we waitin' fer?

Patience, Mr. Ketchum.

We'll allow them
to spend their ammunition.

When Luke and the rest
of the boys get back,
we'll finish it.

Here's your hat.
That's my favorite hat!

Do you know how long
I've had that hat?

Isn't that the hat
you bought last year
in Virginia City?

No, before Virginia City.
I bought this in New York.
Huh.

I love this hat.

Bronc, you think
they'll rush us?

I don't know.
They should've come
at us by now.

Must be waitin'
for somethin'.
Yeah.

Kind of gun is that?
One of them new
ought unloaders.

Mean.
You can say
that again.

Very mean.

Dad burn it!
I ain't hit a thing
I aimed at yet.

- That's 'cause
you're nearsighted.
- I ain't nearsighted.

It's this gun--
don't shoot straight.

Josh, you can't see past
the nose on your face,
and you know it.

Where are those glasses
Sara bought you?

- Here in my pocket.
- Put 'em on.

- Nope.
- He's just too vain
to wear 'em is all.

- Make me look like
an old schoolteacher.
- Put 'em on, Josh.

Nope.

- Dang it!
- You don't put 'em on,
you can't see to shoot.

And if you
can't see to shoot,
we're dead.

There.
You two happy now?

He's right, you know.

Looks like
an old schoolteacher.

Can you see?
Like an eagle.

- Oh-ho-ho! Amazing!

That old boy's
starting to get
on my damn nerves.

Yep.

Where's Luke and the rest
of our boys? Shouldn't they
be here by now?

Yes. Yes, go on.

This all the rifle ammo
we got left?

Yep.

Hmm.

I'll get 'im.

You all right?
You all right? Hmm?

You all right, Jacob?

Yeah, Bronc.

There. That'll stop
the bleeding for a while.
Thanks.

I don't have any more
cartridges left, do you?

No. Mm-mmm.

What'll we do?

I don't know.

One of 'em
just rode in fast!

The rest of 'em
won't be far behind.

U.S. Marshals got
Chief Detective Pete Morgan...

out of our Chicago office
with 'em, Mr. Siringo.

They're fixin' to come up here
and arrest ya.

The rest of the boys,
they-- they all lit out.

Anybody got any ideas?

Well, if we had some rocks,
we could stone 'em to death.

Stone 'em?

Hell, handful of
Buckshot's biscuits
could do more damage.

You thinkin'
what I'm thinkin'?

How many rounds
you got, Frank?

I got two.

I got five.

Let's do it.

- Siringo!
- What do you want, Mr. Evans?

He wants to make out
his will.
Shut up.

Hold your fire.
We're comin' out.

What's goin' on?

Bronc, I'll take this to mean
you're calling me out.

This ain't
their fight, Siringo,

it's ours.

How's that arthritis, Frank?

I understand that
it's a painful disease,

and that sometimes
you can hardly
bend your finger.

Is that true?

Let's find out.

What are we waitin' for?
Yeah, I second that.

You stay out of this.

You killed my wife,
Siringo.

You waited a long time
for this, Bronc.

Get it over with.

Don't do it, Bronc.

He ain't worth it.

You listen to him, Bronc.
He's right.

He ain't worth it.

Mr. Siringo,

I'm Captain T.J. Fox,
U.S. Marshal.

Of course, you know
Detective Morgan here.

Charley, the agency warned you
about doing this.

You and your men
are under arrest.

We'll treat your wounds,
then escort you
back to Virginia City.

This incident...

was Mr. Siringo's
personal vendetta.

You have my apologies,
gentlemen.

Understood.

Thank you.

Frank James.

You just keep looking
over your shoulder.

One of these days
I'll be there.

Don't wait too long.

Bronc, you had me worried there.
Thought you were gonna kill him.

Yeah, I thought
I would too.

Why didn't ya?
'Cause I got
better things to do.

Bronc, my father spent his life
running away from the Ponderosa.

Never had a real home
or a family.

Until all this happened,
I didn't realize how much
this place meant to me.

Bein' here,
bein' a part of this family.

Did you say that
to Annie?

Yeah.

She, um,

she wants us
to live in Paris.

But she said
if I didn't want to
leave the Ponderosa,

she would give up everything
and stay here with me.

Hmm.
She loves you, son.

I love her.

I don't know
what to do.

You'll do what your heart
tells you to do, son.

You know,
love is a strange,
wonderful thing.

I had a wife...

a very long time ago.

And her love was...

the greatest thing that
ever happened to me.

Long as I live,
I'll never forget her.

She taught me
the greatest thing...

anyone could ever
learn in life, A.C.

She said...

when you're in love--

I mean, when you're
really in love--
you'll do anything.

You'll sacrifice anything
for their happiness.

Oh, there's
a few rough spots
along the way, but...

not very many.

I'll be here.
I'll wait for you.

I love you.

I love you.

So you got yourself
shot again, huh, Frank?

I did. I surely did.
Builds character.

Buckshot, that hurts.

Mr. James, we didn't get
much of a chance to talk.

You might not know this,
but I'm a newspaper man.
Oh.

So you're lookin'
for a,

a yarn to tell
your newspaper readers,
Mr. Finster?

Yes, sir.
Uh-huh. Well,

truth be known,
there's not much
to talk about.

Well, no need
to be modest, Mr. James.

Will you be coming
to town tomorrow?
I am.

I'm gonna see the doc,
have these bandages changed.

Well, after you seen him,
perhaps we can talk.

Sure thing. I'll buy you
a sarsaparilla. Maybe two.

I'd appreciate that.
Night, gentlemen.

Good night.

Sarsaparilla?
You're losin' it, Frank.

Buckshot, have mercy,
will you, please?

Come and get it!
We're waitin' on ya!

I'm on my way, Buckshot.

Now that Bronc's here--

without any ceremony, Josh.

The family thought
you oughta have this.

To replace the one you lost.

Well, don't you want
to try it on, see if it fits?

Yeah.
Why, sure.

Oh, my.

Oh-ho. Very stylish.

Very nice.
Thank you.

Thank you, everyone.

You're at
the dinner table, son.

Oh, yes, sir.

Oh, my.

It's nice to have the family
back together again, isn't it?

- Right.
Oh, yes.

Ain't it the truth.

Dad burn it.