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 ]