California Mail (1936) - full transcript

Bids submitted to win the U.S. Mail contract for their stagecoach lines are entered by both singing cowboy Bill Harkins and the Banton brothers, Roy and Bart. During a stagecoach race to determine who is awarded the contract, Roy, fueled by his greed as well as his desire for Bill's lady friend, resorts to sabotaging his rival's rig in order to win. Bill, having an idea who is behind a recent rash of stagecoach robberies, devises a plan to catch the highwaymen but not before he is himself arrested for robbery and murder, having been seen committing the crime by impartial eye witnesses.

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- Hi, Tolliver.
- Hello, Banton.

- Hello, Mary.
- Hello, Roy.

I'll help.

Thank you.

- How are things at the ranch?
- Just fine.

Are you in town for the day?

- Yes, we are.
- That's fine.

I'm taking a ride out
to Oakville after dinner.

Would you like to come along?

Oh, thanks, Roy, I'd love to



but I'm going over
to see Munros.

They're, uh, christening
the baby this afternoon.

It's Bill!

He's riding bareback.
Something must've happened.

You know, there's somethin'
about a Pony Express rider

that sure does take
with the gals.

Now, listen, just because
you're my brother

don't try to rub it in.

Hello, dad. I didn't expect
to see you back so soon.

Just got in this mornin'.

Looks like you had
a little trouble.

- Oh, I did.
- Indians?

Yeah, same old spot about
four miles west of Triple Creek.

Shot my horse out from under me.



Sure glad I wasn't
ridin' Smokey.

Bill, what happened?
Where's your saddle?

Oh, I lent it to some Indians.

Listen, you're not fooling me.
I know what happened.

Mary, what are you
worried about? I'm here.

Yes, I know.

What I'm worried about is that
sometime you won't be here.

Oh, there's no danger.

Didn't you ever fight Indians?

Oh, you're hopeless.

You're coming out
to supper tonight?

You too, Mr. Harkins?

- Yes, indeed. I am.
- Oh, that's fine.

Well, I'll be looking for you
around 6:00. Goodbye.

- Goodbye.
- Come on in, Bill.

I got somethin' I want
to talk over with you.

Dad, what's on your mind?

Bill...it's come.

What?

Post office won't renew
our contract.

Well...somebody's gotta
carry the mail.

Yeah, but the Pony Express
is through in this territory.

They're gonna let mail contracts
to stagecoach lines.

Well, it was fun
while it lasted.

When does our contract expire?

About two weeks.

I guess I better start
lookin' around for a job.

Bill, I think you and me
ought to get in

on that stagecoach thing.

We've got no stagecoaches.

We can buy 'em.

Now, here's the idea.

They're going to open bids
of stage companies

in Dodge City on the 15th.

I want you to be there

'with a bid
for the Harkins' Stagelines.'

- Do you mean it?
- Of course, I mean it.

Maybe a lot of other bids
for this territory

but I think we can meet
any of 'em.

Sure, we can.

I'll show you
some figures tonight.

After supper.

Gee, Mary, I sure enjoyed
that supper.

I'm glad you liked it, Bill.

What a night!

Well, looks like we have
a chaperone.

Well, Smoke, old boy,
looks like we're headin'

for Dodge City in the mornin'.

It'd be kinda nice if a certain
young lady would say yes

to a prominent young stagecoach
owner, wouldn't it?

Sunny, does he look like
the businessman type?

She's thinking Roy Banton,
Sunny.

Why pick on poor Roy?

I think he's very nice.

Oh, you do?

I think Roy's an up and coming
young businessman.

Yeah, I admit
that I like the adventure

and the excitement
of the old days.

It sorta kept a man on his toes.

But I mean to settle down now.

'And if I do, may I ask you
a question?'

Perhaps you'd better wait
till you do settle down.

Alright, my mind's made up.
I'm startin' right now.

I'm settled down.

- How about that question?
- Wait a minute.

Let me look at you.

- What's the matter?
- I don't see any difference.

You don't?
You just keep your eye on me.

Don't worry.
I'll keep both eyes on you.

Well, Sam, I hope you get
that contract.

Thanks, we'll do our darndest.

Let me know how you come out,
will you?

I certainly will.

- Well, goodnight, Dan.
- Goodnight.

- Good luck.
- Thanks.

And I wanna be
your first passenger.

I hate to interrupt
you young folks

but, Bill, you've got
a hard day tomorrow.

- Alright, dad.
- Goodnight, Mary.

Goodnight, Mr. Harkins.

- Goodbye, Mary.
- Goodbye.

I'll see you as soon
as I get back.

Fine.

Gentlemen, we have three bids
on the Gold Creek district

so similar that we cannot
choose between them.

That's, uh, the Banton brothers.

Henry Ferguson,
Samuel, and William Harkins.

Now, uh..

...we will have to award
this contract

in rather an unusual way.

Maybe we could shade our bid
a little.

Wait a minute, Banton.
There's three of us--

Gentlemen, the bids are in.

Now, there's a particularly
hazardous stretch of country

in the Gold Creek district.

'Now, before the post office
department'

'will award this contract,
they must be sure'

'that that particular part
of the country'

'can be safely traveled.'

'So, on the day
of July, the fourth..'

'...we will have a match race
between the competitors.'

And go over this particularly
hazardous part of the country

which I refer to and back.

A distance of about,
uh, 30 miles.

- That's agreeable to me.
- And, uh, you, Mr. Ferguson?

Well, it, uh, seems about
the only way to settle it.

Well, I guess,
we'll have to be satisfied.

May the best man win.

And I'll be there to judge
the competition.

- Thank you.
- Good luck.

- Good luck.
- Thanks a lot.

Good luck to you.

Are you starting back today,
Bill?

No, I've got some business
in town.

I probably won't get out
until tomorrow

and I think I'll ride Smokey
over the course

'so I'll be used to it.'

- Well, uh, good luck.
- Thanks. Same to you.

- That goes for everybody.
- Sure.

The postmaster said it,
"May the best man win."

Goodbye, boys.

See you later.

You got somethin' on your mind.
What is it?

It's just this..

It ain't gonna be hard
to beat Hank Ferguson.

But that Bill Harkins..

...I don't think he ought
to drive that race.

I guess that could be arranged.

I reckon that ain't
the only reason

you want to get rid of him,
is it?

What do you mean?

Well, there's a girl
named Mary that--

Bart!

That's my business.

The other...that's our business.

That's him alright.
Get set, boys.

Now, Bud's a chance to show

how fast you really are.

Quick as a cat.

Looks like one of us
was a good shot.

Yup. That's the end
of handsome Bill Harkins.

Now, if we could just
do somethin' about Hank Ferguson

we could call the whole thing
off and go fish.

I'm not worried about Hank.
That was my trouble.

If you had red hair
and was a little taller

you might stand a chance
with Mary.

If you could
keep your mouth shut

you might amount to something.

Well, Smoke, old boy, it looks
like our luck still holds good.

Hello, Bill. How was Dodge City?

Hello, boys.

Look after Smoke,
will you, Jack?

Hello, son. Looks like
you've been ridin' hard.

- What delayed you?
- Oh, little Indian skirmish.

Come on inside and I'll tell you
all about it.

They weren't Indians, dad.
They were road agents.

They didn't try to rob me,
they apparently wanted

to get rid of me
because they started firing

as soon as I got in sight.

Could you recognize any of 'em?

No, they were all masked.

But I did notice that one of
them was riding a black horse

with white stockings
that stood out from the rest.

Did you ever see one
around here like that?

No, don't think I have.

But a horse with markings like
that shouldn't be hard to find.

You're right, dad,
that's exactly

what I'm gonna try to do.

Roy, I did see Bill Harkins
ridin' up to his hatch.

You're crazy.

Well, maybe I am
but I've seen him just the same.

He's on that palomino horse
he has too.

That Pony Express rider
sure have a way

of gettin' out of trouble.

Well, he'll be at the dance.

I'll fix that red head,
so he won't be able

to get out of bed,
let alone drive a race.

Well, I hope so or I'll have
to put my mind to work

and take care of it myself.

'All balance to your right.'

'Balance to your partners
and do-si.'

Wait a minute, boys,
wait, you can't go in there

until you check your gun.

Balance to your partners
and go swing.

'Balance to your opposite
partner and go swing.'

'Balance to your opposite
partners and swing.'

'Now, look to your opposite
partners and swing'

'and everybody join
in this big circle all again.'

'Circle to the right.'

'Now, circle to the left!'

'Now, it's to your home.
Everybody home.'

All ladies on the inside,
gents on the outside.

Form a double circle.

'Yeah!'

'Ladies, go left
and the gents go right.'

'Ladies, go right
and the gents go left.'

'Now, everybody swing.
Just grab anybody and let's go.'

'Yeah!'

Ladies and gentlemen..

...by popular demand,
I've been asked

to call on our own Bill Harkins.

Why don't you sing one for me?
Please, Bill.

I will if you'll save
the next waltz for me.

Alright.

Hey, thanks, Bill.

You boys play
"Love Begins At Evening?"

- You bet, we do.
- Yeah, we do.

You boys mind playing me
a waltz?

Anything you say.

- Dance, Mary?
- Wha..

- Well, I promised--
- First come, first serve.

Excuse me, Roy,
but this is my dance.

I thought you promised me
this dance.

I did, but Roy insisted.

I guess he's looking for trouble.

Now, Bill, you know
what you promised.

It's alright,
I won't start anything.

Seems to me like Mr. Harkins
has kinda got his own way.

- You think so?
- Looks like it.

Sometimes looks are deceiving.

- Mind if I cut in?
- Alright, Mr. Tolliver.

- But only once around.
- Now, don't be stingy.

Can't a fellow dance
with his own daughter?

Hey, Harkins.

What's the idea of breakin' in
when I'm dancing with my girl?

- So Mary's your girl?
- Yeah.

Funny I hadn't heard
about it before.

Well, you're hearin'
about it now.

What's goin' on out here?

Come on, Bill!
Come on, Bill! Get him!

- Stop right there. Break it up!
- If there's gonna be a fight--

We don't stand for no gang
fightin' around here.

And no gun play neither.
Give room.

- 'Come on!'
- 'Come on, Bill!'

Hit him. Come on, hit him.

Come on, Bill! Attaboy, Bill.

Hit him, Bill. Hit him, Bill.
Come on, boy.

Boy, he sure finished
him off good.

Dad, let's go home.

But, Mary, aren't you gonna
wait for Bill?

No, I'm going.

- Good goin'.
- Alright.

Say, Bill, if you're
looking for Mary

she just left for home
with her father.

You're gonna be in shape
to drive that race?

I'm alright, I tell you,
it was a lucky punch.

Well, I hope you're alright.

Most of our money
is on you to win.

We'll win.
We're not taking any chances.

What do you mean?

I mean we've got to fix
that Harkins' stage

so it won't finish.

What do we do?
Take an axe and break it up?

Oh, you can't do that.
They'd postpone the race.

We want 'em to start.

Well, we might under-saw
the spokes on one of the wheels.

Now, that's it.

Al, you and Charlie and Bud
get over at the Harkins Ranch

right away and
fix that coach good.

Well, I'm gonna pull off
my Sunday clothes first.

Y'all get some saws
and I'll be right with you.

It's in here.

Stay here and
keep an eye open.

- I'll watch things.
- You got it.

Hey, this sure
is a pretty wagon.

It's a shame to mess it up.

Come on, get to working
on this wheel.

Well, uh, let's cut it
on the inside so it won't show.

Well, that's where the boss
said to saw.

Well, I hate to tell
him what I know..

Duck, boys.
Bill Harkins is coming.

Well, Smoke, old boy, you
missed your dinner, didn't you?

Well, I'll make up for it now.
A nice, big one.

Come on, let's finish it up
and get out of here.

Few more spokes
and we're through.

I made all the bets
I could in here

and spread a lot around town.

A hundred more on Banton.
Fifty on Ferguson.

Ferguson, $50.

Harkins, $50..

I wanna bet it all
on Roy Banton.

How much you got there?

I've got eleven dollars,
two nickels and a dime.

Eleven dollars,
two nickels and a dime.

That big gazook would
bet his boots

if he could find anybody with
feet big enough to wear 'em.

Wait a minute, how much can I
bet with my watch? It's gold.

- How much do you want for it?
- Uh, $25.

- Give you five.
- I'll take it.

Well, I'm sure clean.
I even bet my gold watch.

- Here's 20 more on Banton.
- Twenty more on Banton.

Hey, I want to bet $1000
on Bill Harkins.

- 'What?'
- Get over there.

- Thousand on Harkins.
- Well, now I am in no possi--

Alright, Jake,
I'll take that bet.

Yeah, tighten up
on that inside breech.

Tie one link. There.

Careful now, boys,
everything's gotta be alright.

Come on, bring in them leaders.

Hurry up, boys.

- You know who I'm betting on?
- Who?

- Bill Harkins. He can't lose.
- Ah.

Hello, Mary, thought you
promised

I could take you home
last night.

And I thought you promised
you wouldn't hunt for trouble.

I didn't hunt for it.
That fight was forced on me.

- But, Bill--
- Listen, Mary.

This race means
an awful lot to me.

Well, I can't win
with you feeling this way.

I'm sorry, Bill.

You know how much
I want you to win.

That's all I wanted to know.

According to my figures,
when we win this race

we'll be eating chicken
for the rest of the year.

And if we lose,
we'll be eatin' a fish.

Hey, Hank, you got the best lead
team in the race.

They ought to win for you.

- Bettin' on you.
- Good luck, Hank.

Thanks, boys, I'll do my best.

'Drivers, get ready!'

Good luck, Bill.

Hurry up, son.
We're all ready.

Now, gentlemen..

...the conditions of the race
are as follows.

"You will start with
the firing of the gun.

"Race down the main street and
out through Coyote Valley Road.

"The winner will receive the
government's mail contract

for this district."

Use your head, now, son.

Don't try to pass anybody
on the turns.

Don't worry, dad, I know
every foot of the way.

Remember, Bill,
you're gonna win.

You bet I am.

Are you ready?

'Hurray!'

The winner, Roy Banton.

Wait, wait! Wait, wait!

- Congratulations, Mr. Banton.
- Thanks.

The mail contract is yours.

'Hurray!'

Sorry, Sam. I thought sure
Bill would win.

Hey, Banton, what happened
to Bill Harkins?

Bill?
He can't drive a stagecoach.

He went over the bank
at Devil's Curve.

Devil's Curve?
Maybe he's hurt.

Yes, yes, yes.

Let's get my team
and go after him.

Yes.

Didn't I tell you
we was gonna have chicken?

Darn right, but from now on
I'm gonna have somethin'

besides a wing.

You can have all the chicken
you can eat, Bud.

No, can't eat that much.

Come on, fellas,
I'll set 'em up.

Yeah, and we gotta collect
some money too, don't forget.

What happened? Did you get hurt?

No, no, dad, I'm alright.

Bill, how did it happen?

Well, I tried to pass Banton
on the curve up there.

Felt the left side
of the stage give way

and I jumped, just in time.

You must have hit
a soft shoulder.

Maybe.

- I'm sorry, dad.
- Oh, don't worry, Bill.

It wasn't your fault.
Accidents will happen.

- This wasn't an accident.
- What do you mean?

Take a look at that
wheel over there.

Somebody sawed the spokes
from the inside.

If I knew the cuss
that done that..

I'm going to find out
who did it.

Who owns that white stocking
horse?

Come on folks, don't be back.
We'll get up there.

I'll see you, Bart.

Now, let's hop right in there.

Now, have a good time.

Remember I'm buyin',
the sky's the limit.

Alright.

If you hadn't had that accident,
Bill, I know you'd have won.

Well, maybe.

Why don't you stay
home tomorrow and rest?

I'll ride down, bring you some
of that chocolate cake.

I'll be as good
as new tomorrow.

But it's a pretty sweet thought.

But, Bill, you ought to rest.

Rest? I've got too much to do.

I tell ya, I'll be over
to see you tomorrow night.

Thanks for your help, Dan.

I'll send it right back
with the team.

No hurry, Sam. Wouldn't need
'em till tomorrow morning.

I'm catching the early stage.

Going over to Amityville
for a day or two.

Oh, you are? Well, we sure as
going along ourselves.

- That you do.
- Come on, Bill.

Goodbye, Dan. Thanks again.

- Not at all, Sam.
- Giddy up.

Bye bye.

Where are you going, son?

I'm going over to Mary's, dad.

Listen, I gotta
use Sunny tonight.

I wanna give Smoke a rest.

Yeah, judging from the trips
you're planning

between here and Mary's,
looks like all our

horses gonna need a rest.

Dad, you ought to be
a mind reader.

- Goodnight, son.
- Goodnight, dad.

Alright, get out of here
and get out fast.

Maybe I've got a way
figured out to quiet

Mr. Bill Harkins for keeps.

Well, I've heard tell
that he ain't

such an easy fella to quiet.

Supposing you saw a big fella
holding up the stage

riding a palomino horse
with a shiny silver saddle.

Who would you think
the road agent was?

Why, Bill Harkins, of course.

That's just what everybody's
going to think.

'Cause one of us is holding up
that morning stage on his horse.

But they say nobody can ride
that horse but Bill.

Who said so? There ain't no
horse I can't ride.

That's talking, Frank.
Here's what you do.

Take Al and Charlie, get over to
the Harkins Ranch and hide out.

After he's turned in
for the night

get that horse in the saddle.

You know the rest.

After that it's a one man job,
Frank.

I got you. Come on, boys.

Frank..

...it might not be a bad idea

to, kind of, plug somebody
during that hold-up.

- Understand?
- Sure.

Well, it looks like Mr. Harkins
is goin' dancing again.

But this time
with the end of a rope.

Bill, where you've been so late?

Dad, I found out
about the Bantons.

The Bantons?

They're robbing
their own stagecoaches.

How do you know?

Well, I saw them
and followed them.

And Roy Banton was riding
that white stocking horse.

Then it was Banton
who tried to get you.

Had another close shave tonight.
They followed me for miles.

- Let's go get the sheriff.
- No, no, dad.

It wouldn't do any good.
I have no proof.

It's just my word
against theirs.

Well,
what are you gonna do?

We'll get together
some of our friends

and catch them in the act.

You know, if they heard
that there was

a gold shipment going through..

Bill, you've got it.

I'm sure the bank
will cooperate with us.

I'll see Johnson in the morning.

Alright, dad.
I'm gonna go get some sleep.

Goodnight.

There he is, boys.

Cut him out in that flat and
he ought to be easy to catch.

Whoa, you hammerhead.

Absolute broad feet.
Come down here.

I'll lay you down, Polly.

Alright, boys,
get the saddle on him.

'Put down that mailbags.'

Your money and jewelry.
Throw it out here on the ground.

- Bill!
- You made good guess, Tolliver.

Now get goin'.

The stage ought to be here
in any minute now.

You'd better come inside
and wait.

Keep out of the hot sun.

Alright, Jim.

Thank you.

I'll tie the team up
around the corner.

- Be right back.
- Fine.

Why, good morning, Mary.

- Hello, Mr. Harkins.
- What are you doing in town?

Dad's coming in on the coach.

He doesn't expect me
to meet him.

- So I'm going to surprise him.
- Oh, I see.

Well, I'm just going down
the bank for a few minutes.

I'll be back
and we'll both surprise him.

- Oh, Mr. Harkins.
- Yeah.

Why didn't Bill come out
to see me last night?

Oh, didn't he?

Oh, oh, yes, well,
well, you see, Mary

Bill had to ride out last night
on, on some important business.

Oh, I see.

Whoa! Call them doctor.
Somebody.

Get a doctor, quick!

- What's the problem?
- What's the problem?

- What happened?
- We were held up.

- They shot Dan Tolliver.
- 'Dan Tolliver?'

Is he hurt bad?
Take him inside.

- What's the matter?
- He killed Tolliver.

Anybody go for a doctor?

- How many was there?
- Just one.

He was riding a palomino horse
with a silver saddle.

Bill Harkins the only one around
here who's got a palomino horse.

Yeah, and that's just
who it was, Bill Harkins.

Is he alright, Mr. Harkins?

I don't know, Mary. We've to
wait till the doctor gets here.

Here's the doc now.

'Bill Harkins, it was
nobody else but him.'

- Get the sheriff.
- We don't want no sheriff.

'Get a rope
and we'll string him..'

What's going on?
What's going on here?

Bill Harkins held up the stage
and shot Dan Tolliver.

- We're gonna string him up.
- None of that lynching talk.

We got law in this town.

I'll handle this. Where's Dan?

He's in the hotel.

- Bill. Bill?
- What do you want, dad?

Somebody held up the stage
and killed Dan Tolliver.

- No.
- They're sayin' you did it.

- Me?
- Yeah.

The driver said
it was your horse

and he recognized
your silver saddle.

They're coming for you.
You better get out of here.

Why should I, dad?
I didn't do it.

But they're talking of lynching.
You can't reason with them.

Get away till
this thing's cleared up.

Here they come now.

Somebody get a rope.

- You still got time.
- No, no, dad, I'm staying.

- Hello, sheriff.
- Hello, Bill.

I guess you'll have
to come with me.

There's a charge
of murder against you.

Sherriff, there's something
funny about this.

I was right here
in the house with dad

at the time that
hold-up took place.

Yes, sheriff, that's the gospel
truth and I'll swear to it.

Well, I reckon that I'd say
the same thing for my son

if I was in your place, Sam.

But it's no good.
I gotta lock him up.

Well, sheriff,
before you lock me up

do you mind if I take a
run down to the pasture

and see if my horse
is still there?

We'll send somebody
down for you, Bill.

Alright, sheriff.

- All I ask is a fair trial.
- You'll get it.

We'll give him a fair trial
at the end of a rope.

Hold on, now, hold on, boys.
Hold on, there.

I've been sheriff here
for a great many years.

And I wanna keep my slate clean.

Don't listen to him, men.
Don't listen to him, men.

Let's get that killer!

- Wait a minute, boys.
- Come on, let's get him.

I don't want to cause any
bloodshed here unless I have to.

But I'm going to take
this boy to jail

and he's going to get
a fair trial.

The sheriff's right, men.
Give him a fair trial.

- That's right.
- That's the ticket, boys.

I'm glad to see you're gonna
let the law take its course.

This town's always
had a good record.

Now let's keep it that way.

Ah, thank you, sheriff..

Let's go.

Yes, sir,
Frank was sure dependable.

Oh, he never slips up.

Well, it didn't work.

The sheriff talked 'em out of it
and they took Harkins to jail.

Pete Nelson's night guard
at the jail now.

- Isn't he?
- Yeah.

Get him over here.
I want to talk to him.

I'll get him right away.

If you want any favors from him,
you'll have to pay for it.

You wait and see.

No, Bill, I think the only thing
to do is to tell the sheriff

all you know about the Bantons.

No, dad, he'll probably
bungle the whole thing.

We've gotta go through
with our original plan.

Did you see Johnson at the bank?

No, not yet. Was on the way over
there when all this happened.

You'd better go over
and see him right away.

Make sure that that fake gold
shipment goes through.

Let the Bantons get wind of it
and we've got 'em red handed.

Alright, Bill.
I'll go right over.

I think I can count
on Joe Johnson.

We've been friends a long time.

- Alright, son.
- Goodbye, dad.

Now, look, Pete.

We're gonna give you a chance to
do something for this community.

Yeah? That's fine.

Supposing Bill Harkins tried
to escape and you shot him.

- You'd be a hero, wouldn't you?
- Say, what are you gettin' at?

You know, uh, the Bantons have
quite a pull in this town

and the sheriff's
getting kinda old, Pete.

- You mean--
- 'That's just what I mean.'

That'll put you in line
for the sheriff's job.

What do you want me to do?

Tonight, when everything's
quiet, you go to Bill Harkins

and tell him you
don't think he did it.

You're gonna give him a chance.
You're gonna let him escape.

Then, when he starts runnin'..

Well, use your own judgement.

I get you.

Of course,
I'm as anxious to clear

this thing up as you are, Sam.

but after all, your request
is rather unusual.

But, Joe, the bank doesn't
stand to lose anything.

Naturally, this supposed gold
shipments are nothing but rocks.

Even if a stage isn't held up

what harm's been done?

Oh, none at all. I sure would
like to catch those road agents.

Well, here's your chance
to do it right now.

What do you say?

- Yes, Sam, I will.
- Good.

Now, as I get it,
the idea is that we're to simply

let it leak out
that we're shipping

a lot of gold on the late stage.

That's it.

Roy, I just heard something
very interestin'.

Yeah?

The bank is sendin' out
a big gold shipment

on that late stage tomorrow.

How do you know?

Well, the kid that works
in the bank

was over in the saloon.

He was drunk
and he told me so.

Funny, we didn't hear
nothin' about it.

He said they wanted
to keep it quiet

on the account of road agents.

Better get the boys together.

Brought you
a little fresh water.

Bill, I just can't believe
you held up

that stage and shot
Dan Tolliver.

I didn't, Pete.

It's mighty nice of you
to feel that way.

I believe you,

They were just goin' hog-wild

accusin' ya of it.

Bill, I wanna help you.

Help me?

How?

Come on, I'll show you.

Take a look.

Smokey!

Where'd you get him?

Ed Burke found him wandering
around back at the barn.

He did?

I heard a lot of threatening
talk in town this afternoon

about lynchin'.
Bill, you're not safe here.

And neither am I
if I have to keep them out.

Just what are you driving at?

Listen, Bill,
I'm gonna let you out of here.

Get on your horse
and ride back into the hills

and hide out until
this thing is settled.

Well, thanks, Pete..

...but I'm staying.

I had nothing to do with that
hold-up and I can prove it.

Alright, who put you up to this?
Who was it?

Was it Roy Banton? Was it?

Yeah.

Well, you give Banton
that from me.

I sure wish you weren't leaving
us tomorrow, Ms. Mary.

Nothing to keep me
here now, Jim.

I guess I know
just how you feel.

Anything more I can do
before I turn in?

No, thanks, Jim.
I'll be alright.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

'Mary.'

- I want to talk to you.
- How could you come here?

Mary, I had nothing to do
with that hold-up.

- A dozen people saw you.
- I don't care what they saw.

How could I..
Why should I do such a thing?

You were coming
to see me that night

but you had
more important business.

- But, Mary, I didn't--
- I'm sorry.

- Please go.
- He'll get out, alright.

Come on, Harkins. You're going
back to jail with me.

- Get movin'.
- Wait a minute, Jim.

Let him go.

Just be sure
he leaves the ranch.

- Why, Bill, how'd you get away?
- Never mind that now.

I've only got a minute. Dad, I
know who killed Dan Tolliver.

It was Frank Wyatt.
One of the Banton boys.

I found his body down near
the scene of the hold-up.

Smokey must have killed him.

I found the mailbag
he stole too.

- Did you get the sh--
- No, but..

We've gotta work fast.

I want you to make sure that
that fake

gold shipment goes through
tomorrow.

- That's all arranged.
- Good.

Get together all our friends
and I'll meet you at

Big Fort tomorrow morning.

Alright, son,
we'll be there.

Goodbye, dad,
I've gotta hurry.

Good luck.

Stay where you are,
I got you covered.

It's Bill Harkins, sheriff.

- Oh, y'all broke jail, eh?
- I'll explain later, sheriff.

- You've gotta come with me.
- What's this all about?

Sheriff, I'm gonna take you to
the man who held up

that stage and killed
Dan Tolliver. Frank Wyatt.

- You sure about that?
- I'll prove it to you.

Bill, if you can prove
your innocence

there would be nobody
happier than me.

I'll not only prove it
to you, sheriff

but I'll show you
who's at the bottom

of all this.

There he is, sheriff.

Yeah, it's Frank Wyatt, alright.

Well, that's one of 'em
out of the way.

Better not waste
any more time here, sheriff.

We got a lot to do
before morning.

I sure hate to see you
leave us, Mary.

I think it's for the best.

All aboard. Tim? Careful!

Now, remember, boys.

All we want is
that gold shipment.

Don't bother
with the passengers.

Oh, shucks. I wanted to get
myself a gold watch.

What would you do with it?
You can't tell time know-how.

Alright, boys,
get that strongbox down.

Dead right, Bill.
Let's get movin'.

- Rocks.
- Yeah, we're bein' crossed up.

I'll give you one more chance
to tell the truth.

Who held up that stage
and killed Dan Tolliver?

- I don't know, sheriff--
- Stop your lyin'!

We know how did it.
It was you.

- And you're gonna swing for it.
- No, it wasn't.

No, it wasn't. I'll tell ya,
it was Frank Wyatt.

- Oh, Frank Wyatt, eh?
- Yeah, Banton had him do it.

Oh, he did, eh?

Bill, I, I can't tell you..

Ah, don't try to, honey.

-- English --