Don Ricardo Returns (1946) - full transcript

[ Music playing ]

Ahh!

Touché.

I've seen few men

to equal you at this sport.

But my first touche,

almost on top of the shoulder,

too high above the heart.

You have already

pierced my heart.

Please, señor luera.

I appreciate

everything you do

to relieve me

of my worry,

but I have only

for Don Ricardo to come home.

I know,

I'm sorry.

Don Ricardo

is my cousin,

please forgive me.

Orange juice.

Mama Teresa,

you're always so considerate.

And prompt.

Too prompt.

Your overseer

awaits without, señor.

Por correno.

If you

will excuse me.

Bah!

Always watching

to see with his telescope.

And luera with his runners

coming and going

between here and monterey...

The Santa Maria

docked at monterey last night.

Then I must ride at once

for monterey.

Captain Martinez

will be expecting me.

I think

you fret too --

let me

do the thinking, fool!

I take no chances.

See that the road guards

are posted.

And my order to them

is to kill Don Ricardo

on sight.

Sí, señor.They already have the order.

[ Playing softly]

Bring me fish...

A pate...

Venison...

A bottle of well-aged madeira

and a sweet.

We have black bread

and goat's curd

to match

a peon's price.

Bring

what I ordered.

What stomach have you

for such food?

Names you've learned

by serving at the banquets

of the dons?

Treat that coin well,

landlord.

It has been my companion

for more than two years.

You shall be served,

señor.

He talks likes

a Ricardo.

Serve him.

Water oozes

from his clothes.

He must've

swum the bay.

What ship

came in last night?

Santa Maria.

Captain Martinez

is the skipper.

Go find him.

Go on, tell him

where he can find

his deserting seaman.

He pays

good bounty.

And you?

Vamos.

Have you seen

capitán Martinez?

Capitán! Capitán!

A deserter from your ship

is at the cantina.

When did

he come?

Half an hour ago,

I have searched for you

all over the waterfront.

Come on.

Oh, landlord!

My change.

Wasn't the food

good enough, my lord?

Don't jest me, man,

I've got far to go.

My change.

Change for what?

There is no change,

dog.

I warned you

to treat that coin gently,

scullion.

It was worth twice the value

of your food.

I should be a part of this!

To the door, hombre.

Thanks,

my enormous friend.

We may meet again.

How are you

called?

They call me

lugo the huge, Don Ricardo.

You know me?

By the scar.

Even though the rest

has changed.

You were

a small bambino.

Your pony threw you

and I picked you up.

My pony fell,

you big ox?

How fare

you now?

Food and fight is all I ask

of this life, señor.

I would like you

to furnish me boat.

You would

tie to me?

I do not want

your blue blood against you.

We'll go

to huge's wide mine.

From what I hear

of the rancher at San Luis Rey

you are likely

to have need of me.

You have news

of San Luis Rey?

And my cousin luera?

Maybe of another...

Wait!

I am in luck,

friend lugo.

Take this vodka,

blue blood.

I have never learned to fight

with nothing but feet and fists.

Let me go!

Ha ha!

Like a bug on a pin.

It's you!

That guy that you've kicked

and cursed through seven seas

for the past two years.

Sailing is

hard life, señor.

Shall I break this one

too, blue blood?

Hold 'em fast,

and stand witness

to what this pultroon

has to say.

Who brought me drugged

aboard your filthy ship?

Name the man

who had me shanghaied!

Answer or I'll split you

like a capon!

I was paid well --

double was promised to me

when I reported you dead.

But you let me live --

a prisoner in your fo'c'sle

when we reached here.

I intended to collect again

every time I come

to Madrid with you -- alive.

Name him,

or I'll spill that bilge

you call your blood!

It was...Jose luera.

My cousin --

you lie!

No, no, señor,please!

My brain has ached

with the thought

of everyone but him.

Go then,

master blackmailer --

report me dead

and collect your price.

You disappoint me,

blueblood.

You should have lifted out

that hombre'sgizzard!

You say you

live to fight?

Sí.

Come, amigo,

for your life has begun.

Ha ha!

Remember, you have

seen nothing

and heard nothing

since we came ashore.

Sí, capitán --

we have no knowledge

of the one who escaped.

I collect from this

luera before he finds out that

this shanghaied scum

still is alive.

My word --

luera will be here tonight.

And don't forget --

I will tell you

exactly what you know,

and don't know!

Tell me in detail

what you have seen

at San Luis Rey.

There is work

on these ranches --

work and I

do not agree.

Some things I see

in passing in camino real,

other things

I hear in the mission.

You have large ears.

What have they heard about

señorita flores?

Two months ago,

I saw her out riding.

Before that,

a year gone,

at the funeral.

Poor girl --

father dead,

alone on that great rancho...

But this tale you have

about cousin luera,

it's hard for me

to understand that, lugo.

You bluebloods,

you have weak stomachs.

You believe luera

had you shanghaied, no?

Then he has

robbed your rancho,

he has changed the brands

on your sheep and grainsacks,

and the same brand appears

on everything shipped

from your ranch.

I must identify myself

to give proof of this perfidy

to the governor.

Then, under the code,

José luera is entitled

to an affair of honor.

Ha ha ha!

You will last no longer

than a flea under a thumbnail.

You are a peon, now.

The life of a peon

is not worth -- that.

The moment you appear,

there is a knife in your back.

You are just another peon

who thought

he was something

and wasn't.

But the mission

can identify me...

Sí,identify youbetween two burning candles,

stretched out stiff

with coins on your eyes.

What benefits you then?

Jose luera --

who was that

riding lackey to him?

Pocareno, his overseer.

It was he who sent the servants

for both ranchospacking

and brought in his own kind

to do his dirty work.

You are right, lugo.

I must first obtain proof

against these criminals,

then take the evidence

to the alcaldeand the governor.

Aha, but Jose luera

is a power in both places.

Even now, he goes

to work some cutthroat scheme.

His mother was

half-sister to mine

and witnessed me.

I swear on the name

of my own mother,

I shall crossblade him

if it takes a year in hiding!

Are you with me?

Food and fight

and a flagon of wine.

That is all the pay I ask.

That you shall have

and more, amigo.

Abominable stench!

These ratholes

turn my gorge.

Sit, captain.

Speak fast.

The contract was completed, señor,he is dead.

He has seen his last day.

How and where?

Round the horn.

A terrific blow!

Keep your tales

for kitchen wenches.

You saw him go?

I heard his screech

above the waves!

He was over the side,

in the roaring sea!

How do we know he did not make

the shore?

Give your evidence.

There was a knife

in his back to the hilt --

the deck was red

with his blood

until next

whitewashing day.

Hunh.

You have brought

a copy of the log?

Aye, that I did.

Official as only

the captain of a ship

of his gracious king can make.

Sign it, capitán.

Landlord, bring

writing instruments.

Señorita.

Dorothea,

this is no place for you.

It is a castle

and someone in it

bears news of Don Ricardo.

I could not

wait at home any longer.

Alas, my dear,

the news is bad.

Come.

Capitán,tell is

as gently as you can.

It was around the horn, señorita.

A terrible storm...

With my own eyes,

I see him go over side.

Tell me there is hope --

he was a fine swimmer.

In the roiling sea,

miles from land?

He was hurt,

there was blood --

enough. You're

speaking to a lady.

Come, dorothea,

this place --

the capitánwill give his report

to the alcaldeat San Diego

when he reaches there.

I want the truth first.

Why did Don Ricardo

sail on yourship?

He saw more chance

for adventure on my ship,

or so he told me.

Adventure?!

Adventure of what sort?

Oh, senorita,

the man is dead.

The saints would not forgive

if I foul his name.

You lie, capitán.

Don Ricardo is a man of honor.

Señorita,my word is law!

I saw it with --

stop!

Don't twist a knife

in the wound, my dear.

I am not satisfied.

Ricardo may be dead,

but the rest is lies.

Lies, I tell you!

Come, my dear,

I'll take you home.

Ha ha ha!

The walnut stained you

the color of a cholo!

What is there between

a peon and a blueblood

but the looks?

Aye, but even a peon shaves.

Once a month, amigo,

if he is lucky.

My muscles are stiff

from work on

that accursed ship.

How are you

with a blade, lugo?

No, theseare my weapons.

I'd give you scant practice

with the foil.

Practice I must have

before I face luera,

he is no mean blade, himself.

Wait -- if padrecarlos

is still at the mission,

maybe he will

consent to a bout.

A priest? Ha ha ha!

He rather fence

with a scepter candle, eh?

We can ask.

See, amigo,

the brand has changed.

"Jl" -- Jose luera.

Does that convince you?

El rancho camino,

but the jl brand.

It is the same

with the tallow,

the beef -- everything.

This luera

owns both ranches.

Away, thief!

You swore a blueblood's oath

to cross blades with luera ---

now, listen to

a peon's curse:

I'll have the gullet of that one

for a wristband, I swear it!

You restrained yourself,

my friend,

for all could have easily

could have been lost.

Feed me no more restraints --

I am not a hound

that goes well on the leash.

Await me, then.

A few moments alone

in the chapel

is all I need.

Sí.

[ Organ playing ]

Holy mother, I offer thanks

for this safe return.

In many lands I have prayed,

and thou hast answered me.

Help me, holy mother,

to meet future strife

with honor.

[ Prays in Latin ]

You have suffered,

my son?

Father Carlos,

do you remember me?

Your face is familiar --

I am Ricardo ruiz.

Don Ricardo?

No...and yet --

have you some proof,

my son?

When I was a boy,

my pony fell.

His hoof struck me, I was

brought here for your surgery.

The youth who picked me up

awaits outside.

The scar,

of course I remember.

But what means this,

Don Ricardo,

these habiliments,

and your face, so drawn,

your eyes, distraught?

A dreary tale, father.

I came to ask your help.

Come, my son.

My own cousin

had me shanghaied,

and now believes me dead...

[ Bells tolling ]

Infinite is

the mercy of the lord

to have preserved you

through these vicissitudes.

I commend your courage,

my son,

but to take work now

as a peon on your own rancho

is foolhardy,

fraught with danger.

I see no other way --

proof, I must have,

and then evidence

for the alcalde.

If I announce myself

without these facts,

I am but a crazed peon

whose death is no more important

than that of a cur.

But should you have success

with the alcalde,

still I foresee

the inevitable affair

of life and death.

Jose luera will invoke

the laws of combat

of your rank and station,

and, perforce,

you will have to defend

yourself.

[ Priest prays in Latin ]

I am stiff from toil,

my muscles are hard as lead.

How may I get practice

with the foil?

Not I, my son,

I am a man of peace.

But, ah, the cause being just,

perhaps our father

will find a way.

Then I must see dorothea.

You must avoid Jose luera,

and, for the time being,

dorothea.

As you say, father.

Will you give me

a letter of recommendation

to porcareno

for me and lugo?

Certainly, my son.

Bracero!my horse.

Dorothea!

Trouble rides early.

Already he owns our silence.

Do not open doors too quickly,

I might get a bad fall.

Your ears are already bruised

from pressing against keyholes.

You mustn't mind her,

señor luera.

When will you cease

to call me "señor"?

I ride to San Diego del calla.

So quickly?

These legal matters

are unpleasant enough --

I registered at the church

this morning.

But to record a death

on the word of that sea captain!

A sea captain is sworn by oath

to uphold the laws of Spain.

His documents are

as binding as the courts.

He hinted at other things.

If the fact

of Don Ricardo's death

is no more truthful than that--

you are still suffering

from shock, dorothea.

If you will only

accept my --

you have been kind,

taken responsibility

for this ranch...

Some women remain steadfast

to a memory,

but I cannot believe

that Don Ricardo is lost.

Time is a great balm,

my dear. Adiós.

It will be

a few days only --

porcareno will

do your bidding.

So...he files the document.

His power in politics

hastens his claimed inheritance.

It is his right.

Have I trusted Jose luera

too long as a gentleman?

So now he owns both ranchos --

one by inheritance,

and yours through debt.

The debts will lift, Theresa.

Get my habit --

I go to church

to light the candles.

[ Bells toll in distance ]

Death!

That luera --

the scum,

ordering the funeral!

He had to let everyone know.

Remove your hats.

Kneel and cross yourselves.

That bell is for

the master of this ranch,

Don Ricardo,

dead at sea.

Get up.

The priest recommends you --

"hard working, honest."

You! You were in front

of the mission.

Gracious master,

you mistook me for a thief

when I merely wished

to see the brand

before asking for work.

It was on account of you scum

I almost came to grief.

How are you called?

Manual, my lord.

I'm a mission pilgrim

from monterey.

Share that hut.

Your ration is from

the commissary night and

morning.

You have felt my whip,

it falls also on the lazy.

Now get out of my sight!

Hear the bells, amigo?

Few men kneel

and cross themselves

at their own funeral.

That's bad luck

for porcareno.

His gullet sticks out,

ready for the plucking.

Phew! It's full of vermin!

We sleep outdoors

tonight, amigo.

Lugo.

I never kept hovels as this

for the working people.

Aha, but times have changed.

To the fields, dogs!

Join the others

in the fields!

If he strikes again...

Save your strength...

Our day will come.

Holy Mary,

preserve him, protect him.

Holy father,

bring Ricardo home.

Give US a sign,

precious one,

give US a sign.

Priest:

Have faith, my children.

Ha ha!

Come on.

Enough!

I am breathing

like a blacksmith's bellows.

Throw that thrust again.

An old trick of mine misfired.

No, no, no!

Not in the back, señor.

We'll try again.

Ah! My wrist is stiff.

Why not do it

this way, amigo?

We'll try again.

Blood.

By my grand size beard,

you need no leech

to bleed you at this game.

That's a fine thrust

you have --

the needle barely

nicked the flesh.

Hello, father.

How goes the practice,

Ricardo?

It is a question

of speed, father.

The heavy thrust

and guard remain,

but quick movement

and flexible wrist,

they're gone.

My feet are too big

for this dancing, father,

I do not help him.

You know, father,

a few hours with

a fast opponent,

I'd be ready.

[ Bells toll ]

It is time

for you to leave.

Blessings be

with you, my son.

Thank you, father.

My favorite blade...

Blessed by holy vows

these many years.

"Master suite..."

So now it will be

"master porcareno's."

Don Miguel porcareno,

master of all you behold

in San Luis Rey.

Sí, señor.

Dog swine!

Address me as Don Miguel.

Sí,don Miguel.

[ Thud ]

Porcareno:

The noise came from here.

Thieving swine!

Call the braceros,

loosen the dogs!

Braceros! Braceros!

Braceros! Braceros!

For a moment,

I feared the day's toil

had been too much for you.

No, we worked

in the orchard.

Lugo loafed all day

under a tree,

praying to the saints

for porcareno to catch him.

I see you've

obtained the clothing.

And my favorite sword,

a few papers

and the land Grant records.

But the returns

from the sale of both ranches

were not in the safe.

Let that not worry you now.

I made arrangements

for you to shave and bathe

so that you might change into

your own attire.

You think the muscles

will loosen

and the old science of the blade

will return more quickly, then?

Aye, my son,

indeed I do.

And this new fencing master,

he is quick?

And light,

with an astounding grace.

He will fence

with bare foils,

risk the bloodletting?

Perhaps, but I think

the decision will be

yours to make.

Dorothea!

Ricardo!

Oh, father Carlos

told me everything!

Oh, Ricardo,

there are no words,

no words!

And none to say

what is in my heart.

You are thinner...

Those poor, hard hands.

All I ask is a return

to their former suppleness.

It shall be returned.

We made a good sport of this

in the old days.

Is this what you would call

an ecclesiastic surprise, padre?

Call it what you will.

Now, get going --

time is short.

I promised you

a fencing master

with speed and grace.

Not to mention charm

and great beauty.

30 minutes.

En garde,ricardo!

Touché!

Your parry was

a bit slow, Ricardo.

En garde!

30 minutes.

The old skill

comes back slowly...

Too slowly.

It will come back,

Ricardo.

I will take you home.

No, my son,

the risk is too great.

Be not impatient,

return to the task

you've planned so well.

Mama Theresa awaits

with the horses --

I shall be all right.

Goodnight.

Only a half hour

each evening --

I need hours

alone with you.

Before the time candle

burns down, Ricardo,

your full skill

will have returned.

Goodnight, dorothea.

Until tomorrow.

[ Bell tolling ]

Without buttons, Ricardo?

Too dangerous.

Bare blades, Ricardo?

No, no --

in a moment

of excitement...

It is the only way

your full skill can return.

If this should

Pierce your skin,

I shall never

forgive myself.

Take care, my son.

You have suffered

tragedy enough.

En garde,ricardo!

Enough! My blade almost

nicked you then.

Fight, Ricardo, fight!

Thrust! Thrust!

Think that I am luera

trying for thy blood.

Ricardo! It was my fault,

you are hurt.

It is nothing.

Salt, my son --

this will sting.

It will be sweet pain,

good father.

My sweet darling.

It was worth

a hundred scratches,

even a mortal wound.

You must let your arm heal

before we fence again.

I am in shape, darling.

A few days more

and I'll be ready.

But luera might have

left San Diego --

he may be here

even now.

Good. I am ready for him.

Let your arm heal first.

She is right,

be patient.

You will have to

defend yourself

against a most

dangerous opponent.

Luera is fast

and aggressive.

Very well, father.

Everlasting Patience

is the life of a poor peon.

Peon? Oh, Ricardo, my love!

To labor like that!

I am learning much

of value, my darling.

San Luis Rey will be

much the better ranchofor it.

Should you need me,

tell porcareno to ask for

the services of Manuel and lugo.

'Tis the hour.

You must leave quickly.

Ah, señorita flores.

A million pardons

for my intrusion.

Be gone, dog.

Scum.

He suspects a lovers' meeting,

a rendezvous.

I know, I read it

in his face.

His tongue will wag

like the clapper of a bell

when Don luera returns.

Fear not, Ricardo is back.

Soon we shall be

our own masters again.

Bend your backs, dogs!

Halt! What goes?

Bear your shoulder.

We quarreled.

It was my knife.

Silence!

That is a sword wound.

How can you know

the art of sword play, swine?

I have fenced for sport.

You, a mission pilgrim

from the south?

I have served a Don, señor.

Oh, come to my house.

I have a task

for such as you.

Amigo,there is

a head of hot gas in me

like a beer barrel in the sun

ready to burst!

Don't explode --

this porcareno may be

playing into my hands.

What does this baboon want,

do you think?

In the house

the other night,

he was preening

before a servant,

calling himself

a hidalgo

and master of all

that you behold

at San Luis Rey.

Peacock.

A peon on horseback.

Pardon me, señor.

I go to meet señorporcareno.

[ Pompously: ]

Don Miguel porcareno.

What are you

staring at? Speak!

Señ --mast --

hidalg --

señor hidalgo porcareno,

there is a lowly peon

who wishes audience with you.

Don't stand there gaping

like a moonstruck cow --

send him in!

Sí, señor.

You wanted me, master?

Enter.

Be gone, dog.

You say you have

served the dons?

In Spain,

before I emigrated.

And at the ciudád.

I judge you for something

besides a field hand.

You know the manners

for such things as this?

Sí,master.

Show me, scum.

That is how

it is done, master.

Bueno.

It wants practice, master.

Often the dons

practice by the hour.

There are other details.

For instance,

if one were to approach a lady,

I mean, a lady..

If a lady was known to have had

visitations elsewhere,

what you do then?

She would still be

a lady, master.

Call me Don Miguel,

I would taste the flavor.

Don Miguel.

There are other matters.

There is always

the snuff box, Don Miguel.

Oh, good --

that is a point.

That is how it is done

in the king's court.

You have been

in the king's court?!

As a page, Don Miguel,

when I was a small boy.

What...

...is that?

Ah...

Ah...

Ah -- ah -- ah --

aachoo!!!

Be gone, dog.

Come back tomorrow.

If it pleases you,

Don Miguel.

Ah -- ah -- ah --

aachoo!!

Ha ha ha ha!

The snuff! I would give

my left lung to see this!

And you should have seen

his bow to a lady,

it was pathetic!

Ha ha ha!

What do you suppose

he'll want today?

[ Horse approaches ]

He takes the trail

to rancho camino.

So I see.

"The lady is known

to have visitations elsewhere."

Come, big ox, I promised you

that one's gullet --

if porcareno is up to

what I think he is,

the rest is yours.

Is she going to be

much longer, tongue wagger?

Hold thy Patience, scum,

she has consented thee,

and that is enough.

You wanted to

speak to me?

There is much to say,

señorita.

Is it about the rancho?

Well, yes,

and other matters.

Please sit down.

It concerns many matters.

When he returns

from San Diego,

señor luera has promised

to deed me these lands.

Rancho camino?

The same.

He then declares me overlord,

and with his influence

in San Diego,

he may have me dubbed "Don".

This nonsense.

Rancho camino is mine

by inheritance from my father.

And señor luera's by debt.

It is a misfortune,

but such is life.

Señor luera and I

are very close.

You have known

señor luera a long time?

Oh, yes.

But, señorita,i came

on a more personal mission.

I shall have these lands,

and perhaps a title.

When señor luera returns,

I shall discuss

the ranch affairs with him.

But señorita,

this concerns another matter.

Please!

Oh!

Go, scum, before I

loose the dogs on you!

I am of a station

equal to her,

or soon will be.

You will belong in the station

with the killers!

Ha ha ha!

But listen --

It is time --

and spoil everything?

No. He is a buffoon.

He is mean and dangerous,

but still a buffoon.

This stomachs me

not one bit, blueblood.

You promised action,

you give delays.

Let's be gone

before my Patience bursts!

Bracero,my horse.

For a successful journey

and a safe return,

thanks be to thee.

Oh, good friar,

you're up early.

My work knows no hours.

And have you had

a successful journey?

I have had the ear

of the governor.

The chapel,

it needs more color.

And the alter --

make the changes

and send me the bill.

Graciás, señor.

May I remind you,

these simple things

were brought from Spain,

brought across the isthmus

on the backs of pilgrims.

As you will.

[ Groaning ]

Help me, father.

Support him

to the surgery.

He was hurt, good father --

an accident.

Speak the truth freely,

my son.

Here stands

the master of the rancho,

the one man who may

right your wrongs.

He was whipped,

days ago --

we hid him in the brush.

Last night, they loosed

the hounds on him.

This is a nightly occurrence.

Your overseer

whips these poor men

like dogs.

My overseer whips

only when it is necessary.

However, I will

look into it.

Good day, father.

Holy father,

set this man's mind to order.

Bracero! Bracero!

Porcareno! Porcareno!

Sí, señor?

Where is he?

Don't stand there staring,

find him!

And have food brought to me.

Ah, porcareno.

Señor luera.

"Don luera" now.

Ah, Don luera.

What news have you?

Have you received

payment for the tallow?

I have received 1300 riales

for the tallow --

it is in the cash.

Good. Soon we will

make the division.

And the land?

We will discuss that later.

What news of our neighbor?

Oh, Don luera, much.

So it is on that

you wish to speak.

Speak then!

What is at the rancho camino?

She rides at night --

a rendezvous

somewhere near the mission.

Liar!

Another word

and I run you through.

Please, you are

a hidalgo, señor,

you rule over great lands,

it is my duty to defend

the honor of your name.

Unless with your own eye

you saw,

repeat me no further breath

of this scandal!

I swear, señor!

I encounter her,

spoke to her,

and she replied!

Filthy swine!

You are lower

than crawling vermin!

Say your prayers.

Hidalgo,please --i speak the truth!

I swear by all that's holy!

These words you utter

had better be true.

Draw my bath.

Sí, sí.

Prepare fresh clothes

and have my horse ready.

Sí,don luera.

Be gone, dog!

Sí, Don hidalgo!

Dorothea! Dorothea!

Our neighbor arrives.

Porcareno?

Worse, luera!

Go to the overseer

at rancho San Luis Rey,

tell him I want the services

of the new peons,

Manuel and lugo.

Dorothea, you are fair

as these blooms

you tend so well.

What news in San Diego,

señor luera?

I had the ear

of the governor.

My poor cousin's death

was duly entered

into the records.

In two months,

I sail for Spain.

No one has questioned

the sea captain's documents?

Oh, dorthea.

In life we are ever

close to death.

You must accept

what the fates send.

Don Ricardo is dead.

Very important matters

to discuss.

You know, of course,

that I inherit

rancho San Luis Rey?

These lands

are a burden to you, my dear.

I--

My words need privacy, hag!

Heh!

When do you face

this cousin?

It's impossible,

one word and he would

have US both killed --

peons who dare

to dress hidalgo.

I know,

but what I ask is when?

What are you doing, scum?

You two conspire

over much, I think.

We were discussing

the task, señor.

I am a landmaster here now!

You, the big one --

go to the hacienda

rancho camino.

The mistress there

has a job for you.

For both of US?

Silence, pilgrim.

I have work for you

at the house.

Make haste, dogs!

Watch your step --

if anything goes wrong,

run to the mission.

You! To the house!

There is much work

of this type.

I shall keep you

on it from now on.

I am feeling faint --

I would take the air.

I do not trust you, dog.

There is something

in your way that bothers me.

Keep at those books! Sit!

Carlos! Cholo!

Sí, señor?

Watch this one

while he works

with the books.

My hands, señor.

"Don Miguel," wretch!

Don Miguel,

my hands are soiled.

I would clean them

before marring these books.

Let him clean them.

Then back to the books.

Where is thy master?

I have yet to meet him.

Don't jest me, big one.

Where is Don Ricardo?

The overseer

sent only me.

Here, take these.

I prefer my hands.

Listen, nasty brute --

we expected Don Ricardo,

luera is here,

on the patio!

You wish me

to take his ears?

No, use thine own.

The scheme dorothea planned

has failed,

so go to the Rose vines

and trim them.

Keep thy great ears open

and report to Don Ricardo

what you hear.

What nature of man are you?

In a moment of peril

to Don Ricardo and thyself

you make sport!

Food and fight

is all I have ever lived for.

But I think there is

something I missed, no?

Go to the Rose vines,

and watch out for thorns!

Dorothea, listen to me.

My blood has been on fire

from the first time

I came from the south.

I'm sworn to Don Ricardo --

you know that.

But he is dead,

there is nothing for you

in this perpetual grieving.

Let me post the bands

at the mission,

and we will

order a fiesta.

Meat and wine for the peons

of both ranchos.

Be gone, vermin.

I spoke to you!

I sent for him

to trim the roses.

The other laborer

could not come, señorita.

He will work later?

As soon as

he can get free.

Dorothea, is this

gardening so important?

Don Ricardo

planted the roses for me.

I tend them

with every care.

But I must speak to you

in private --

this filthy wretch

will carry our words

into mudhouses.

You! Go to some other task!

I do not

take orders from you.

You dare address

an hidalgo?

I'll have you

killed for this!

Please, señor luera.

But he spoke to me!

You are not my meat --

I am keeping you

for a better man.

Stop, lugo, stop!

I am preserving you, fop!

Go, please go!

There are servants here

who will do his bidding.

Bracero! Bracero!

You great dumb ox!

You would stay and fight

a score of men?

Aye, a thousand!

Seek Don Ricardo,

bring him back

at all costs.

Braceros! Braceros!

Tear the dog to pieces!

[ Bell rings loudly ]

Run! He'll have

the whole countryside

up in arms!

[ Hears bell ringing ]

Trouble at rancho camino!

[ Hears luera screaming ]

You take care of this one!

Sí.

[ Gunshot ]

Blueblood,

I was coming back for you.

Was it you who

stirred up that hornets' nest?

What did you do?

I just slapped luera

a time or two.

But don't worry,

I saved most of him for you.

Luera's cutthroats are all

looking for US now,

you blundering ox!

There's one chance left.

Who asked for more?

[ Hounds baying ]

The hounds are

after US now!

It is your track

they follow, blueblood.

Come!

The swine

just passed here!

Whip those dogs!

It will be dark soon.

There they are!

See them?

[ Barking ]

Sanctuary, good father.

Until I catch my breath.

Come. In here.

Sanctuary has been pleaded here.

Here, let there be peace.

Those two murdering peons

are wanted by Don luera.

Then bring your master.

Sanctuary may not be broken

without proof by law

of a serious crime.

Now go, my children.

All of you,

go in peace.

Aachoo!

[ Knocking ]

Come in.

I did not wish

to disturb you.

I was merely resting.

What has happened?

They met, as I suspected.

Lugo and Manuel,

they shook off the dogs.

Again, we found their trail,

but they got clear

and found sanctuary

in the mission.

Sanctuary? This pair?!

Where did you get them?

A letter of recommendation

from father Carlos.

I do not like

this business, porcareno.

It has the earmarks

of no ordinary revolt

of the peons.

My peons don't revolt --

these two were strangers.

Probably wanderers.

Ah, it matters nothing.

Both must be killed.

That stupid friar,

giving sanctuary to swine

who dare to strike a Don!

Sí, hidalgo.

Be gone, porcareno.

Braceros,horses.

You know better

than this, friar --

where are these peons?

They claimed sanctuary.

You extended it,

your good offices

have been fulfilled.

A capital offense

has been committed --

one of them struck me!

Striking you is

a capital offense

against the king's law.

In the eyes of the church,

it is only a misdemeanor.

It is not for you, father,

to interpret the law.

I demand --

[ Astonished: ]

Ricardo!

You defile the name

of your own mother.

I'll run you though

and put and end to this now!

Stay your hand.

This is sacred ground.

Sergeant Garcia!

In the name of the king,

you are under arrest.

Arrest?!

Me?! For what!

I was sent

by the alcalde, señor.

Proof has been gathered here

of the thefts of two ranchos.

A captain Martinez spoke freely

about the threat of hot irons.

Do you submit to arrest?

I demand the right

of an hidalgo,

the privilege of combat

to one of my blood.

Sergeant Garcia,

I offer him the challenge.

As you wish.

Choose your terms.

Swords.

Place? Time?

In the gardens outside

the mission wall at high noon.

This soil is parched

for the blood of such as thee.

Seconds?

Alone, without seconds, padre,or physician...

To the death!

Why meet your adversary

alone, my son?

His was the choice

of terms, good father.

I like this

not at all.

[ Banging ]

[ Yelling ]

Who locked me in?

I did, amigo,

while you slept.

You? You strain the bonds

of friendship beyond repair.

Never have I been

in a worse jail!

It was necessary,

you dumb ox.

Luera and porcareno were here.

Porcareno! Listen, amigo,

it will take more than

that priestly jail

to keep me from his throat.

There are certain niceties

of law in combat

that you will

never understand.

Had you been loosed

at porcareno's throat,

my plan would have failed.

I meet luera at high noon

in legal combat.

I've heard too many

promises, blueblood --

you've lost yourself

a partner.

Lugo, listen!

Preach me one of

thy laws and politics,

my fingers itch!

Fate has dealt me

harshly, father.

I've lost a good friend.

Have at you, cousin!

Recover thy blade, luera.

If there's a prayer

in you, utter it.

To win!

Leave him to me,

dog, he's mine!

Blueblood, I am here!

Tear the swine to pieces!

Roust thyself, blueblood!

Choose, cousin --

death or dishonor?

Life, Ricardo, life!

Let me live!

Sergeant Garcia,

take him away.

Thank you, Ricardo.

'Tis better this way, Ricardo.

I will cook you a paté

that will make you drool!

Food and fight

is all I have ever asked.

But, ah...

I fear me, woman, there is

something I have missed.

Father, post the bands.

[ Laughing ]

Let the mission bells

announce the posting

of our bands, good father.

The peons of both ranchos

shall be guests of honor

at our wedding.

[ Music playing ]