The Duel at Silver Creek (1952) - full transcript

For some time,
there had been reports

about a vicious gang
of claim jumpers

who'd been forcing miners
to sign away their claims

through fear
of torture or death.

The claims were then transferred
to one of their own men,

or were sold to innocent miners

who had just arrived
in the territory

and were looking
for new claims to work.

These claims jumpers
were smart enough

not to try to grab
some of the bigger mines,

where there might be enough men
working to put up a fight.



Usually they picked
on the claims

being worked by one or two men.

And the more defenseless
these men were,

the better
the claim jumpers liked it.

Their plan was simple
and foolproof...

...because no one knew
who they were.

Since their victims either
disappeared or were found dead,

there wasn't anyone who could

put their finger
on these jumpers.

Working a claim became

a mighty dangerous business
for any miner,

because no one knew when
or where they'd turn up next.

Hey, Luke, come here, quick!

Take a look at this.



There's enough dust there
to blind a man.

Looks like we staked one with
some pay dirt this time, son.

It's about time we did,
hard as we been working.

Now you can buy
all the silver you want.

You won't have to go around
playing poker for it.

I like to play, Dad.

You never figure
on losing, do you, son?

Well, if you figured on losing,

you wouldn't be a poker player.

We must have better
than three ounces here.

You take it to town
and get it on the scale

before the assayer closes down
for the day.

I bet you
there's closer to five.

Ha, that sure ain't gonna
make me mad.

He's getting ready to move out.

Bill, Lenny, take care of him.

I'll wait supper for you.

But don't go
getting in no poker game,

or it'll be breakfast time
before you get back.

If I do play, I promise
to win as fast as I can.

Hi.

Howdy.

Any luck?

Oh, there's lots richer
pickings around, I guess.

Well, than you won't mind
signing over your claim.

For how much?

Let's say one dollar.

Just to make it legal.

What are you up to anyway?

Now, get off of my land
before I--

Now look, you're gonna sign.

Why don't you make it easy
on yourself?

I'm not signing anything.

Change your mind?

I told you, I'm not signing--

Maybe you'd like to sign now.

Maybe we're wasting
our time, boss.

That's what I was thinking.

You know, this mine is
no good to you if you're dead.

What do we do
with him now, boss?

Get him out of here.

We'll dump him in the arroyo.

What's holding up those guys?

Here comes Bill now.

That's not Bill-- leave him,
leave him, get moving!

Then old man Tompkins
struck it rich

a few miles north of Silver City

and the jumpers moved in
and killed him.

As usual they made
a clean getaway.

But this time they left a trail
I thought we could follow.

And as I was
marshal of Silver City,

I decided to get up a posse
to track them down.

Lightning!

How about letting me hold down
the marshal job

while you're out
hunting them claim jumpers?

I don't know, Dan,

I'm afraid there wouldn't be
a man left in town

without a hole in his skin

with a famous old gunfighter
like you on the job.

Are you meaning to say,

that I'm not as fast
on the draw as you are?

I'm meaning nothing of the sort.

Well, you should,
'cause it's the truth.

Even if I did teach you

everything you know about a gun,

ever since you was
big enough to pull a trigger.

But I'm older now, mite slower
on the draw.

Only a mite, Pop.

The way I figure it,
you've already tamed

most of these itchy-fingered
hotheads around here

to where I can ride herd
on them until you get back.

All right, Pop,
go into the office

and get one of those
deputy badges.

Thank you, son.
I knew you'd say that so...

I already took one.

Don't you worry about a thing
while you're gone.

Lightning!

Well, is that sack for me

to bring back
the claim jumper's scalps in?

- Unh-unh, smoked venison.
- Oh.

Might be gone for a long time.

Might at that--
thanks, Dusty.

You take care of me better
than many a wife I know of.

Johnny Sombrero looks mighty
happy about something.

Maybe it's because the
marshal's leaving Silver City.

Hey, Johnny Sombrero!

How about joining
the posse, Johnny?

Give you a chance to use
that shooting iron

legal for a change.

My gal don't want me
to leave town.

Which gal?

All of them
good-looking, female gals.

They say should something happen
to Johnny Sombrero,

their hearts would break.

Don't you go looking
at me when you say that.

If anything was to happen
to you, Johnny Sombrero,

I'd say good riddance.

Just don't go bothering Dusty
while I'm gone, understand?

Didn't know it was
a marshal's job to tell a fellow

what females he can
interest himself in.

In this case
I'm making it my job.

Of course, if you hold
another opinion,

you're welcome to try to do
something about it, right now.

Think I'd be loony enough
to draw on you, Marshal?

No.

Not while I'm looking at you.

I'm glad Johnny
ain't going with you, Lightning.

Be easy for him to put a bullet
in your back.

It's a wonder
he passed up the chance.

Maybe he's got something else
in mind.

We're ready
to move out, Marshal!

Bye, Dusty.

All right, let's go!

Get going, get going!

Hey, there's a posse coming!

- How many?
- About 20 of them!

Clear out!

The posse lost them
in the chase.

They tried to pick up the
trail again, but had no luck.

We were near Fort Lowell
when I took the bullet

through my right shoulder.

So they dropped me off
at the army hospital there,

and they went back
to Silver City.

That's not very good
for a marshal, is it?

I could do better
with my left foot.

Sometimes it feels like
it doesn't even belong to me.

How much longer do I have to
hang around here, Doc?

Well, let's have a look.

Hmm... mm-hmm.

Well, it's seems to be
healing nicely.

I'll take the bandage off
by the end of the week.

Oh, good.

Ooh.

Does that hurt?

No, not really,
it's just a little stiff.

Well, it may be for a while,
just keep massaging it.

Sheriff's coming!

Who's that on the horse?

Looks like O'Connor to me.

Who you got there, Sheriff?

Tom Peters.

Claim jumpers did it,
left him for dead.

I hope the doc
can pull him around.

Must have been shot in the back.

His back is all blood.

Found him lying at the edge
of Coyote Springs,

more dead than alive.

Get him inside.

Do what you can for him,
will you, Doc?

He saw the claim jumpers.

Told me he could recognize them,
then he passed out.

Be a mighty
handy man to have alive.

He'll be the first living
witness we've ever had.

Easy, easy with him.

Thank you, boys.

Excuse me, ma'am.

Perhaps I could be of some help.

I've had
some training as a nurse.

If there's one thing I need
around here, it's help.

All right.

Make him as comfortable
as you can.

I have to probe for the bullets.

Sure hope we can save
that poor devil, Doc.

Would you get me
some water, please?

Oh, sure.

He's dead.

I'll tell the sheriff.

I guess he was farther gone
than I thought.

I'm sorry for what happened.

I know how much
he would have meant

to you and the sheriff,
had he lived.

It was kind of you to help,
Miss-- or is it Missus?

Miss.

Miss Opal Lacy.

And you're the famous
Marshal Tyrone of Silver City,

aren't you?

Famous is a pretty big word.

I'm afraid most people call me
a lot of other things.

I heard you were wounded.

I hope it's nothing
serious, Mr. Tyrone.

Mr. Tyrone.

My friends call me--

I know, Lightning.

I heard all about how fast
you are with a gun.

As a matter of fact,
I know quite a bit about you.

And I don't know anything
about you.

Isn't that a bit
one-sided, Miss Lacy?

My friends call me Opal.

Well, they can't be
very friendly then.

If I knew you
real well, I'd call you...

I'd call you Brown Eyes.

Brown Eyes?

I like that.

When are you returning
to Silver City?

Oh, just as soon as I can
get this arm out of this sling.

I hope it'll be soon.

I'm on my way there now
to join my brother.

You did say your brother?

Yes.

He's a mining engineer.

He's just opened an office
in Silver City.

Oh.

Let's get on, folks.

I hope you'll visit me
in Silver City.

Brown Eyes, I'm afraid

you're gonna find me
a nuisance when I get back.

Why?

Because I'm going to be
sitting on your doorstep

every spare minute I get.

In that case, I'll make
certain my house has a doorstep.

Bye-bye.

Bye.

Good evening, Zack,
good evening, Harry.

Hello, Pop.

- Good evening, Dave.
- Hiya, hiya.

Evening, Dan.

Ah, evening, Tim.

How's Lightning getting along?

Well, of course he can't
hardly wait to get home.

But that doctor
over at Fort Lowell

won't let him travel none till
his wound's all healed.

I got a letter
from him just this noon.

- Who read it to ya, Pop?
- Dusty.

Why, you spavving cayoots...

are you trying to say
that I can't read?

Oh, of course not Pop, it's--

Well, it's just that your eyes

ain't as good
as they used to be.

Well, maybe they're not
so good for reading.

But they're still
good enough for shooting.

Oh, now, don't get mad, Pop.

I know you're still plenty quick
with a gun.

Well, just so
you don't forget it.

Ah...

Good night.

Good night, Dan.

Good night, boys.

- Night.
- Night.

Good night, good night.

You know that old galoot
still thinks he can draw.

The only thing he can draw
is a picture.

Shot in the back!

He drew all right,
but he never a chance.

Whoever did this sure picked
a perfect night.

We'll never be able
to find his tracks in the rain.

I wonder what Lightning'll do
when he hears about this?

Well, I'd sure hate
to be the guy that plugged him.

Hiya, Lightning,
how you feeling?

Fine, thanks, just fine.

Hiya, Will!

Glad to see you back, Lightning.

Hi, Dusty.

Pa, Pa!
Lightning's back!

Hello, Pete.

Pa and me's been worried sick

since we heard
you took a bullet.

All that worrying

is gonna make you old
before your time, Dusty.

How are you?

How is your arm?

Ah, good as ever.

How's Dan been behaving himself?

What's the matter?

Pop's all right, isn't he?

He was found dead,
shot in the back.

Shot?

When?

Three days ago.

I'm sorry, Lightning. I know
how much you thought of Pop.

Who did it?

Nobody knows.

Happened out in front
of the Blue Goose at night.

Oh, that's great.
That's just great.

Pop gets shot in the back,

and nobody makes a move
to find out who killed him.

Well, the rain was piling down
when it happened,

washed all the signs
out from around his body.

Yeah, whoever did it must have
been desperate for money.

They took
the gold nugget off'n him.

I think I'll have a talk
with Johnny Sombrero.

Funny thing about Johnny.

Up and got himself a steady job
right after you left.

Nobody can prove
he had anything to do with it.

Maybe I can.

Lightning?

Johnny's been talking big

since word got around
you were wounded.

He figures it's bound
to have slowed you down.

I never had much respect
for Johnny's figuring.

I hoped I'd still have
the Indian sign on Johnny.

Sure I could draw
as fast as ever,

but I couldn't
squeeze the trigger.

But Pop had been killed

and I had a feeling
Johnny'd done it,

and I had to find out... now.

That's him now.

Who killed Dan Muzik?

Why ask me?

I guess he couldn't
find his gun.

He didn't have
a chance to find it.

He was shot in the back--
where were you?

I was five miles out working
as a guide for the Acme Mines.

That's their office.

I'll check that,
and if you're lying to me--

You don't think I'd lie
to you, do you, Marshal?

I wouldn't advise it,

unless you're thinking that
bullet I took slowed my draw.

Has it?

There's a sure way to find out.

Uh-uh, I've reformed.

But my friend here hasn't.

His name's Blake from Tombstone,
and he don't like marshals.

Maybe there's a good reason
why you don't like marshals.

None of them live long enough
for us to get acquainted.

You've been meeting
the wrong kind of marshals.

I don't think I have.

I told you the marshal was
a mighty sudden gent.

If you're in Silver City
after sundown, Rat Face,

I'll throw you in jail.

- Here!
- Not now!

Excuse me, can you tell me
who the, uh--

Well, Brown Eyes.

Welcome home, Lightning.

You working here?

Not exactly,
I'm just helping my brother.

Oh, this is your brother's
place, huh?

Mm-hmm, he's inside.

I'm glad to see
that your arm is better.

Well, thanks-- I'd, uh, I'd
like to talk to your brother.

Won't I do?

Maybe you will at that.

I'm here to find out
if a Johnny Sombrero's

working for this outfit.

He is.

Oh, this is my brother Rod.

This the marshal of Silver City.

So you're the famous Lightning.

Heard a lot about you.

Glad to know you.

What do you want to know
about Johnny Sombrero?

I want to know
how long he's been with you.

I put him on the day
after I got here.

I needed a guide,
he knows the country.

Why, you got anything
against him?

Well, nothing I can prove.

I just have a hunch he had
something to do

with the killing of Dan Muzik.

Oh, he couldn't have.

He was acting guide for me
at the time of the shooting.

Have you talked
to the Silver Kid yet?

Silver Kid?
Never heard of him.

Opal, you shouldn't repeat
idle gossip.

What gossip?

She heard the Silver Kid
could have done it

because he rode into town

the day before this, uh,
Dan Muzik was shot.

Silver Kid, huh?

Thanks for telling me-- see you.

Lightning?

They say the Silver Kid is
awfully fast with his guns.

Thanks for the warning,
Brown Eyes.

I hope the Silver Kid
is as fast as they say he is.

We'll soon know.

Nice-looking fella.

Yes, he's attractive.

Interested?

Oh, don't be ridiculous.

My only interest in him

is to make certain
he doesn't get in our way.

Gimme a bottle.

When did you get back
into Silver Creek?

Glad you dropped in, Lightning.

I heard you come back.

Sorry about old Dan.

Do you know anything about a
stranger called the Silver Kid?

Not much, except I'd hate to
tangle with him,

even though he looks like he
ain't dry behind the ears yet.

Where can I find him?

Where he usually is, over there.

Doing all right
for himself, too.

He didn't have
the face of a killer,

but he had the cold,
steel look of one.

I noticed his hands
were quick and sure.

Betting 40.

Your 40 and 40 back again.

Calling.

Three aces.

Costs money to learn
to play poker, kid.

It sure does.

Looks like it's gonna
cost you plenty to learn,

because three aces don't beat
three trays and two deuces.

When are you gonna start
shaving, kid?

When you buzzards
learn to play poker, maybe.

Talks like a man, don't he?

Wears a couple
of shooting irons, too.

Well, I'll bet he's
a real tough hombre

when his ma's
around to protect him.

I wouldn't crowd too far
if I was you, sheep dip.

Sheep dip? Why you--

Thanks for the winnings, gents.

I'll be back later.

Better come with me.

Let's see your pouch.

What's the matter,
you short of cash?

Sit down.

I hardly expected to come across
Dan's nugget in the kid's pouch.

But I wasn't
going to overlook anything.

The kid could have been cocky
enough to carry it on him,

if he was the one
who plugged old Dan.

A man I thought a heap of

was shot in the back
a few days ago.

His name is Dan Muzik.

There's some folks in town
think you might have done it.

What do you think?

I'm asking you, Kid.

I don't shoot men
in the back, Marshal.

Only time I draw
is when I'm crowded.

I didn't kill this Dan Muzik.

Any more questions?

Yeah, what's your name?

And I, uh,
don't mean Silver Kid.

Cromwell, Luke Cromwell.

Where you from?

Santa Fe.

Santa Fe, huh?

Is that all?

'Cause I'm losing a lot of money
sitting around here.

Just a minute.

I'm probably wasting my breath,

but I'm gonna give you
some advice.

Get out of town pronto.

Get yourself a job,
and quit poker.

Poker's a man's game.

I can take care of myself.

Oh, sure, I know you're fast
with your guns.

But sooner or later
you'll meet a man who's faster

or who doesn't fight square.

Then you move to Boot Hill.

No, you're bucking a sucker's
game, kid, you can't beat it.

I guess that's good advice
Marshal, but I ain't taking it.

Besides, how to handle a six-gun
and poker is all I know.

There is a way
to stop them riding you

when you play poker, kid.

That I sure would like to hear.

I wasn't
interested in his poker.

But I was interested
in the way he handled a six-gun.

An idea hit me.

I needed a right hand,

and he had
the fastest one I ever saw.

You like silver, don't you, Kid?

They won't be so quick
to ride you

with that pinned to your jacket.

What's the catch?

No catch, I got
my reasons-- two of 'em.

One is to keep you
out of trouble.

The other is
with you covering my back,

I'll have a better chance
at staying right side up

till I square things
for Dan Muzik.

Pa wanted me to ask you if you--

Oh, Dusty, this is
the Silver Kid.

He's gonna be my new deputy.

Kinda young
to be a deputy, ain't he?

He handles his guns
like an old-timer.

Any objections
to me be being a deputy?

None, so long as you ride
protection on Lightning.

That's just what I aim to do.

Just be careful where you aim.

Pa said for me to ask you
to have supper with us.

Oh, thanks Dusty, be glad to.

Say, a deputy gets
hungry to, you know?

Oh, I think we can stretch
vittles for one more.

That your girl?

Who, Dusty?

She's like a kid sister.

I've known her
since the day she was born.

She don't look at you
like no kid sister.

Oh, you're seeing things.

Come on, let's get washed up.

You can bunk there.

Say, are you sure a deputy's
allowed to play poker?

Well, there's nothing in the
regulations that says he can't.

Why, you think of riding
Lady Luck after supper?

Yeah, if I'm half as lucky as
you are, I'm bound to clean up.

What do you mean by that?

A wound like that's

likely to put a man's shooting
arm plum out of action.

I always was a lucky hombre.

Lightning?

Well, hello.

Care to have supper with me?

- Tonight?
- Yes.

Oh, I wish
you'd have asked me earlier.

The Kid and I are invited to eat
at Pete Fargo's.

I must be losing my charm.

Any time you lose
your charm, Brown Eyes,

I'll be glad to look for it.

My brother is working
late at the sales office.

Well, why don't I come over
right after supper?

Good, I hated the thought
of spending the evening alone.

- Bye.
- Bye.

You're gonna get a belly ache
eating that fast.

Oh, me?
I always eat fast.

Yeah, especially
when there's a fancy filly

sitting all alone waiting
for him to come over.

What filly?

The one they call Miss Lacy,
but, uh, he calls Brown Eyes.

The only thing bigger than
your ears, Kid, is your mouth.

Gonna see her after supper?

Her brother's working late.

She's kinda scared to be alone.

You sure that's in the line
of duty, Marshal?

Look, kid, your job is to see

that I don't get a bullet
in the back.

That's all, understand?

You stuck on that filly?

Dusty, you got no right
to call that lady a filly.

Ha! Seems to me she got no
right to call that filly a lady.

All right, that's enough.

Good night.

Good night.

Oh, thanks
for the supper, Dusty.

It was a good supper.

You know I've seen fancy
dressers like her before.

They can do more harm
to a man sometimes

than a pair of six-shooters.

Anyway, I'm glad he didn't
ask me to go with him.

Why?

Hmm, I'd rather stay here
and talk to you.

What about?

Nothing, just talk.

Talking's a waste of time,

unless you're doing something
else at the same time.

Yeah?
Like what, for instance?

Oh, like, for instance,
helping me wipe these dishes.

Go on, put that apron
around you and get busy.

Now, just a minute, Dusty--

You ate, didn't you?
Now wipe.

You say one word
about this to anybody,

you won't be able to sit down
for a week.

You understand that?

Now remember,
he'll be coming out

soon after Lacy goes in.

So, be ready.

I'll be waiting for him.

And don't miss--
he never misses.

Evidently you don't like cake.

Oh, I always eat slow.

Good, that means
you'll spend more time here.

I don't need an excuse
to spend more time here.

Remember what I said
at Fort Lowell,

that I'd be
parking on your doorstep?

Well, if you insist
on the doorstep.

Oh, no,
I find this lots friendlier.

So do I.

Certainly friendlier
than the way

you stormed into my
brother's office this afternoon.

Brown Eyes,
had I known you were there,

I'd have been
on my best behavior.

But I had a lot on my mind,
some quick decisions to make.

Obviously.

What do you mean by that?

Well, making the Silver Kid
your deputy,

was not only a quick decision,

but kind of a reckless one too,
don't you think?

Oh, there's nothing
wrong with the Kid

a little growing up won't cure.

Isn't it dangerous
to make him your deputy,

particularly when he's suspected
of the killing?

Who, the Kid?

Oh, no, he couldn't possibly
have anything to do with it.

Well, if you don't suspect
him, then whom do you suspect?

Johnny Sombrero.

I just can't swallow his alibi.

But Johnny was with my brother,

they camped out all that night.

Yeah, they were only
five miles out.

Johnny could have
ridden into town and back again

while your brother was sleeping.

Or he could have
put Blake up to it.

Blake?

Yeah, some trigger-happy kid,

seems to be a sidekick
of Johnny's.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to get into
this kind of talk.

Don't be sorry, I'm interested.

Interested in me,
or in what I do?

Both.

Well, I guess I've taken up
enough of your time.

Do you have to leave now?

Well, no, I don't have to.

I just don't want to
wear out my welcome.

You're welcome here anytime.

Stay until my brother gets home.

You know, I like your brother,
especially when he's out.

So do I.

Well...

Next time I'll stay
at the office later.

Next time I'll start earlier.

I may have something to say
about that.

Good night.

Good night, Lightning.

You know, I have a hunch you two

would like me to work late
more often.

Always play your hunches, Lacy.

Good night.

Lightning, you all right?

Yeah!

That you doing
the shooting, Kid?

Nah, some bushwhacker
back there.

I was a might slow
bending my gun over his head,

but here's his.

Well, thanks
for saving my hide, Kid.

Let's take a look at him.

Lightning, Lightning!

The Kid just got himself
a two-legged coyote.

Who is he?

His name is Blake.

Rat Face suits him better.

Is he dead?

Come on, tell the lady
you ain't dead, Rat Face.

Come on, tell her!

Get me to a doctor quick,
you want me to die?

You want me to answer that?

Why did you want to plug me?

Thought you were
somebody else, I made a mistake.

The same kind of mistake
you made

as when you killed Dan Muzik?

You couldn't pin
that killing on Johnny Sombrero,

so now you want to pin it on me.

Well, you can't do it, see,

'cause I didn't hit
this stinking town--

Before I get through with you

you'll be sorry
you hit it at all.

That half-wit.

He had a clean shot at him
and he missed.

If the Silver Kid
hadn't interfered,

Blake would have gotten him.

I could swear
I've run into him before.

You think Blake will talk?

He won't.

Well, you better make sure.

Sitting in jail for a long time

can sometimes
loosen a man's tongue.

He won't be in jail that long.

You find anything?

No.

Well, it might help
if you tell your deputy

what you're looking for.

When I find it, I'll tell you.

Easy, Doc.

There, that's the last stitch.

If you'd have hit him harder

you'd have saved me
a lot of work.

What are you doing?

Quit tearing my shirt.

Lightning, ever see
one of these before?

Yeah, the jumpers use
these to identify themselves.

- I know.
- How do you know, Kid?

Some time ago, me and my dad
had a little claim

up in the Tomahawks.

One day some skunks

forced my dad
to sign over the claim and...

then they shot him.

I went after them
and managed to get one of them

before they shot my horse
out from under me.

One of them had a doodad
like this around his dirty neck.

Why did you kill Dan Muzik?

Talk fast!

I told you I didn't do it.

How many more of the jumpers
are with you?

Never heard of 'em.

Maybe a branding iron on his
belly might jog his memory.

There's another
way to make him talk,

worse than using
a branding iron.

I had a hunch that the jumpers

would try to break
Rat Face out of jail,

or else fill him full of lead

so he couldn't tell
embarrassing things,

like who their leader was.

So we sneaked him to the ranch
Pop had left me,

where I picked up my foreman.

I had in mind a cave that was
just made to order for Rat Face.

Yes, that oughta hold
the little buzzard.

This place stinks rattlesnakes.

You ain't gonna leave me here,
are you?

Yeah, the rattlesnakes
crawl in here kinda thick

during the heat of the day.

If a rattler bit you,
he'd probably die.

Ready to talk?

This is your
last chance, Rat Face.

I ain't scared,
and I ain't talking.

Dave'll look in on you
now and then

to see if you're ready to talk.

If I don't hear
from him in 48 hours

I'm passing the word around town
where you're hidden.

Folks in Silver City
thought a heap of Dan Muzik.

They'd like nothing better
than to string up

one of you claim jumpers.

You ain't gonna lynch nobody,
Marshal, I know too much.

Besides lynching's
against the law.

So is shooting marshals
in the back.

Take 'em into the corral,
Kid, Pete'll unsaddle 'em.

Well, what do you think
you're doing?

Guarding the prisoner
what ain't.

Why?
Doc Hargrove been talking?

Talking to me.

Everybody else still thinks
you got Rat Face back there.

Johnny Sombrero and Tinhorn

are trying to whip up
a lynching mob.

I figure a couple of loads of
buckshot oughta scatter them.

Well, you scatter
on home, Dusty.

We'll take care of the guarding.

Don't want a pretty gal like you
getting all messed up.

Know something, Lightning,

that's the first time
you ever admitted I was a gal.

Know something,
I must be real smart.

I figured she was a gal
the first time I ever saw her.

Maybe you're smart enough
to figure out

who'll get here first tonight,
the lynching mob or the jumpers?

Maybe I can, but right now,

I'm going to keep Dusty
a little company.

I figure there's no objections.

Hey, Dusty!

Mind if I walk you home?

Thank you,
and now you can walk yourself

right back to Lightning--
he might need you.

Oh, just brushing
that chip off your shoulder.

You know we're both holding
the same cards.

Maybe if you got your mind
off poker once in a while,

I might be able
to understand you.

Look, Dusty.

Lightning's so blinded
by Brown Eyes,

he can't even see your shadow.

You're so blinded by Lightning
you can't even see mine.

So it gives us
something in common doesn't it?

Same cards.

Maybe I ought to learn
to play poker better.

What you ought to do
is get out of this game.

If you do, we both stand
a chance of winning.

If you don't, we both
wind up holding dead hands.

I better go inside.

- Hi, Carl.
- Hi.

Here, this ought to blow it
into the next county.

What about the marshal
and that kid he deputized?

Johnny Sombrero
will take care of them.

Johnny's fixing it
so the marshal

will have his hands full at
about the time you get there.

Well, just so
they're out of the way.

You boys have nothing
to worry about,

just grab him
and wait for us back here.

Come on!
Come on!

I'll tell you
what'll happen to him.

He'll go to jail
for a little while,

and than he'll be free
to take up where he left off.

Johnny's right!

Them claim jumpers go around
killing with a free hand.

What happens to them
when they get caught?

Why, they stick 'em in some
nice, warm, comfortable jail.

Yeah, well,
it don't seem right to me

to let a claim jumper off
that easy.

That's what I say.

They're a bunch of murdering
rats, the lot of them.

If I had my way,
they'd all hang.

Why don't we string him up?

We've been putting up
with this thing long enough!

Let's get him!

Lightning! Lightning!

There's a lynch mob
coming after Blake.

Remember, Kid, no shooting
unless they start it.

Please, Lightning,
don't take any chances.

If you can't talk them out
of it, let them have Blake.

Don't worry about me,
Brown Eyes.

Now get on home
before they get here.

Be careful.

You can count on me, Lightning.

That's close enough!

You giving us Blake
or do we bust in?

How come you're in this, Johnny?

Yesterday Blake was
a friend of yours.

That was yesterday.

I didn't know then
he was one of the jumpers.

Now hand him over.

I'm handing nobody over.

Blake's done some talking-- at
his trial he'll do plenty more.

We'll hold a trial after we've
strung him up.

I'm warning you,
Lightning, we're coming in!

I got a load of buckshot
waiting for you, Johnny!

Opal told me you're in trouble.

And Johnny's making
the most of it.

I don't hold
with lawlessness, Johnny.

I just want to give this jumper

a piece of his own medicine.

That's the marshal's job,
not yours.

Don't listen to him, Johnny.

Shut up, Tinhorn.

I got respect
for what Mr. Lacy says.

I'm stringing with him.

Blake gets his neck stretched
after the trial.

Watch the walls!

Those jumpers got Blake!

We ought to
go after them, Lightning.

Ah, never find 'em in the dark.

Too bad they got Blake.

Outside of him, we wouldn't
know who to look for anyway.

See, Lightning?

If you hadn't butted in,

Blake would be dangling
from a rope.

Now he'll live to put
a bullet in your back.

That's enough, Johnny.

The marshal
was only doing his duty.

Now go home and get some sleep
before you get in trouble.

Yeah, that goes for all of you.

Anything you say, Mr. Lacy.

Come on, Tinhorn.

We'll get some boys together
in the morning

and see if we can't
follow their tracks.

Good idea.

I appreciate the way
you backed me up, Rod.

I would have been in hot water
with Opal if I hadn't.

Good night.

Good night.

One of them will be riding
high and wide, but not handsome.

I put a load of buckshot
into his britches.

Oh, thanks, Dusty,
whenever I need another deputy,

I won't have far to look.

Say, I don't know
if I'd interest myself

in a gal that can shoot
like that or not.

Likely spend the rest of my life
picking buckshot out of my hide.

You know, Lightning,

some folks are gonna
hold you to blame

for letting
that jumper get away.

Oh, the jumpers didn't
get Blake--

Shh, Dusty.

What's going on around here?

You sat out there
and saw them do it.

That's what comes for letting
a gal in on a secret.

Yeah.

Well, she held it longer than
most of them would have.

What are you two talking about?

Dusty's right, Pete,
the jumpers didn't rescue Blake.

The Kid and I have him
cached out at the ranch.

Well, you picked yourself
a right smart young deputy.

That's what I've been
trying to tell him.

Well, I'll be--

Come on, Dusty.

See you in the morning.

- Good night.
- Good night.

- Night.
- Good night.

Tell me, how does it feel

to have yourself
a right smart young deputy?

I'll let you know
as soon as I get one.

Come on, Kid, let's clean
this mess up.

Here comes the boss now.

You boys all right?

Sure, all but Slim here,

he'll be riding
standing up for a while.

Where's Blake?

That's what we'd like to know.

We bust in this jail
and it's empty.

Empty?

But Lightning put him in jail.

Lightning said
he put him in jail.

Well then, where is Blake?

Hidden somewhere else.

You boys get back
to the hideout.

You know something,

I have a feeling
Lightning would do most anything

for me... or my brother.

What are you getting at?

Well, maybe if we use
a little trick of our own,

we can get him to turn
Blake over to us.

What sort of trick?

Drive me back to the house,

and I'll tell you
about it... brother dear.

I figured that sometime
during the night,

the jumpers might take
a notion to sneak back,

and try to force me to tell
where Blake was hidden.

So I wasn't taking any chances.

I was going to be ready for them
when they came.

Lightning,
you've got to help me.

Some masked men broke
into the house

and they pistol-whipped Rod
and then they kidnapped him!

Did they hurt you?

Did you recognize
any of them, Miss Lacy?

Well, if you were listening

you'd heard her say
they were masked.

Well, they had hands,
didn't they?

Rings, fancy boots,
maybe a black sombrero?

I'll take you home
and look around,

see if the kidnappers
left any trademarks.

You stay here

in case the jumpers take
a notion to come back.

The lamp is on the table.

I'd like to look over
Rod's room first.

Through here.

Rod must have put up
quite a fight.

He did
but there were five of them.

Any idea why they wanted
to grab him?

He never had
any trouble that I know of.

Maybe the jumpers are gonna
try to force Rod

to sign over his claim.

But Rod hasn't filed
any claims here.

He was only
interested in reopening

the old silver mine
at Santa Rita.

You think they might have
grabbed him for ransom?

I, I don't know why they've
taken him, Lightning, but...

I'm afraid for him.

I'm afraid.

Go ahead and cry,
if it makes you feel any better.

Put your hands up.

You wouldn't shoot
your own deputy, would you?

Oh, that was a smart stunt,
I almost plugged you.

Maybe I should have, might
teach you to do as you're told.

I figured I'd better tag along,

just in case you might need me
sort of accidental-like.

From now on,
I'll do the figuring.

As long as you're here,

search the rest of these
downstairs rooms,

and the grounds outside,

and don't trample on any signs.

You're the boss... boss.

We'd better check your room.

What's in there?

My dressing room.

Do you think you'll find Rod?

I'll do everything I can,
Brown Eyes.

There's one fellow
I'm going to check on

as soon as I leave here.

Who is that?

Johnny Sombrero.

But Johnny works for my brother.

Why would he want to kidnap him?

Oh, it doesn't
make sense, Lightning.

Sombrero does a lot of things
that don't make sense.

Try to get
some sleep, Brown Eyes.

Good night, Lightning.

Good night,
see you in the morning.

Kid?

How dare you come
into my bedroom?

You ought to be horsewhipped!

I came out and found him here.

I didn't know
this filly was in here.

I heard something so I came in
to look around.

Get out.

I've taken
all I'm going to take from you.

You sure you know
what you're doing?

'Cause you're not only blind,
you're a cripple.

What do you mean, cripple?

Meaning you.

I notice the way you've been
massaging that right hand,

when you think
no one's watching.

Go ahead, let me see you
pull that trigger.

You're through, get out.

Go on, get out!

Johnny Sombrero
finds out about that,

you won't have the Indian sign
on him anymore, will you?

He didn't take anything, did he?

I don't know yet.

No, here they are.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

They're fire opals,
they're my birthstone.

Please?

Aren't they exciting?

Like their owner.

I really haven't had
much practice at this.

I'd be very jealous
if you had, darling.

You again!

Found this on the door
as I was leaving.

I thought
you mightbe interested.

Is it about Rod?

"Marshal, if you want
Rod Lacy back alive,

"you and Blake start
for hideout-- he knows where.

"On the way you'll be met
and prisoners exchanged.

Just you and Blake, no tricks,
or Lacy gets it-- The Jumpers."

But, that's not possible.

Rod told me
they'd rescued Blake.

Oh, I've got Blake
hidden away safe,

I'm holding him till he
tells who killed Dan Muzik.

But Lightning, they'll kill Rod.

Maybe I can get Rod,
and still keep Rat Face.

Well, good night, Brown Eyes.

There was one more thing I had
to do before making my plans.

I wanted to find out
if Johnny Sombrero was in town.

Rat Face had been his friend,

and he could be using Rod
to make me turn Rat Face free.

Hands off that gun, Johnny!

How long you been in bed?

Since right after
you let Blake escape.

Well, wiped nice and clean, huh?

You take real good care
of them, don't you, Johnny?

Always-- they cost me plenty
in Santa Fe,

Where's Rod Lacy?

Bed, I guess,
where you ought to be.

He was kidnapped
about an hour ago.

Mr. Lacy?

Five men broke into his house
and grabbed him.

And you think
I had a hand in it?

You're crazy-- I work
for Mr. Lacy.

He's a friend of mine.

So was Rat Face.

Maybe this is your way of
getting Rat Face back, huh?

Even swap Rat Face for Rod?

That your idea, Johnny?

You're scratching
in the wrong place.

The only way to turn up worms
is by scratching for 'em.

If he was the one

who put that note
on the door of the Lacy house,

his horse would still
feel sweated.

He was cool, I could tell
he hadn't been run for hours.

I began to think I was all wrong
about Johnny Sombrero

being mixed up in this.

Made this batch
a might stronger.

Phew!

Well, the stronger the better.

Phew, smells
like a skunk moved in!

- Garlic water.
- Garlic water?

Yeah, a trick
I learned from Dan Muzik.

Rat Face is gonna
ride this horse

when Lightning
takes him to the jumpers.

I trade Rat Face for Lacy,

then the posse
turns some dogs loose

and they follow the trail right
to Rat Face and the jumpers.

That way he figures
to get them all.

Kinda smart, huh?

No, I don't think it's smart,
I think it's crazy.

Sure the posse gets the jumpers,

but you and the Silver Kid
get your bellies full of lead.

Well, you can stop worrying
about the Silver Kid.

He's not going with me.

Why not?

I told him he was through.

He kept bucking me
at every turn.

The kid's
fixing to leave town, Dusty.

He's getting his stuff
together now.

Got a message for you,
Lightning, from Johnny Sombrero.

He's waiting for you
at the Blue Goose.

Johnny drunk?

He's just been listening.

He's heard you've been
riding bluff on him,

that that jumper's bullet did
things to your shooting hand.

Oh, you can still
draw plenty fast, but, uh,

can't squeeze the trigger.

Johnny aims to find out whether
he's been hearing right.

Tell Johnny
I'll accommodate him.

It's a pleasure.

I, um, heard you was leaving.

Well, you heard right.

There's nothing left around here
for me anyway.

But you can't go now.

Why not?

Because Lightning's going out
to meet the jumpers alone.

What do you want me to do?

Well, you've gotta
try and stop him.

Look, Dusty, there's one thing
you ought to get straight.

Lightning's not doing this
for Dan Muzik.

He's not doing it
for Rod Lacy either.

He's doing it for Brown Eyes.

He wants to stick his neck
out for her, let him.

Me, I don't figure
to stop no bullet

'cause he's stuck
on that fancy filly.

Maybe what you say is right,

he is doing it
for that Lacy woman,

but you can't let him go alone,
he's sure to get killed.

That's too bad.

It's too bad for you.

But I warned you
to get out of the game.

I'm not in the game anymore.

You were right.

I just hope it isn't too late.

You just couldn't wait
to get even with me, could you?

Why, you cheap little--

In just about one second

I'm gonna forget
you're crippled.

Why didn't you
forget it last night,

instead of blabbing it all
to Johnny Sombrero?

I didn't say anything to
anyone about your crippled hand.

You're a liar.

Johnny sent Tinhorn around
to say he's waiting for me.

Don't!

Now, get out of town
and keep traveling!

You're not gonna
meet Johnny, are you?

I got no choice--
if I back down now

I might as well turn in my badge
and get out of Silver City.

But if your hands are
no good, Johnny'll kill you.

I always had the Indian sign
on Johnny.

I think maybe I still got it.

Maybe when he sees me
call his bluff,

he'll figure the Kid

deliberately gave him
a bum steer just to frame him.

If that happens, he'll turn tail
like he always did.

But what if he don't turn tail?

It's a chance I gotta take.

Here he comes.

I'm taking over for Lightning.

Now, you'll be able
to get back to Brown Eyes.

Who killed Dan Muzik?

Opal... she... wanted it.

Talk sense, Johnny,
you haven't much time.

The, the nugget.

Take a look... in her jewel box
if you don't... believe me.

You liar, you dirty liar!

Who do you think told me
you couldn't squeeze a trigger?

Opal's been my gal right--
right along.

Hurt bad, Lightning?

Darnedest thing I've ever saw,
shot by his own deputy.

Here, let me tie this around it.

I'm sorry I had you wrong, Kid.

You didn't guess right
on Brown Eyes either.

Better let the doc
have a look at it.

The doc'll have to wait.

I've got something
to attend to first.

Darling, you've been hurt--

Lightning, what are you doing?

How did this get in here?

It was Johnny Sombrero's.

He gave it to me as a gift.

A gift of his love for you,

to prove he'd do
anything you want,

even if it meant shooting
Dan Muzik in the back.

What are you talking about?

Well, you can stop playing me
for a fool now, Brown Eyes.

Oh, please, Lightning,
you must believe me.

I didn't know
it was Muzik's-- how could I?

Johnny didn't say where it came
from, he only said it was a--

Oh, stop it--
Johnny Sombrero is dead,

but he did a little
talking first.

Johnny dead?

I'm clumsy with necklaces.

I can't squeeze the trigger.

You wanted him to kill me,
didn't you-- didn't you?

No, I didn't!

Who ordered Sombrero to kill
Muzik, you or your brother?

Rod.

But he isn't my brother.

He gave me
the things I had to have,

the things I wanted--
money and clothes.

When he wanted to control
a man, I managed it for him.

So that's it, huh?

You and Rod are jumpers?

That's putting it
a little coarsely.

Let's just say that we
buy up all the jumpers' claims.

But Rod's all through now.

I don't have to
take his orders anymore.

I never did like him anyway,

and you've been
wanting me, darling.

Trading post is closed,
Brown Eyes.

Lightning! Dusty
lit off to deliver Rat Face.

Why the little fool,
they'll kill her.

How long ago did she leave?

About 20 minutes ago.

We'll never catch up with her.

I know a shortcut
to the jumpers' hideout.

- Where is it?
- Near Silver Creek.

But you'd better open up
that trading post first,

'cause you'll never find it
without me.

I bet I can get it out of her.

Stay away from me.

Take us to the hideout
and we'll let you go.

All right, it's a deal.

Round up some men.

And remember, Brown Eyes,
this time no tricks.

We should have caught up
with Dusty by now.

Yeah, unless
she's already there.

It's Blake
and a gal's brought him in.

Hey, Lacy!

Hiya, Dusty!

Mr. Lacy!

Oh, I'm so glad you're not hurt.

I brought Blake
in exchange for you.

I appreciate that, Dusty.

I sort of like it here.

I think I'll hang around
a while.

How about getting
these irons off of me, boss?

Boss?

That's right, Dusty.

I'm much obliged to you
for bringing Blake back.

I'd like it better if Lightning
had come along though.

Posse coming!

Get her inside,
keep her there, quick!

Their hideout is on
the other side of those rocks.

This is as far as I go.

Just a minute,
you're gonna take us in there.

No, I made a deal--
let her go.

How do we know she ain't lying?

If she is, I'll find her
and bring her back.

Get going, Brown Eyes.

Little double-crosser,
she's bringing him in here!

Keep down till you hear me fire!

Bob, take two men up there.

Jack, three men up high.

Rest of you scatter!

Now remember,
don't shoot till I shoot.

Opal!

Rod!

There's a posse coming!

Yeah, and you brought 'em.

But I came to warn you.

No, Rod, don't, I love you!

We're trapped, spread out!

Hey, that's Dusty's horse!

Aah!

Come on, get on up
to that trough there!

Here they are, Marshal.

Where's the Kid and Dusty?

In there.

Excuse me.

Come here.

I just thought,
what is your name?

Well, I can't go through life
being called Mrs. Silver Kid.

Luke Cromwell.

Hello, Luke.

Hold on.

How about you?

Dusty ain't no dignified name--

It's Jane.

Hi, Jane.

You again.

We're set to pull out, Kid,
so anytime you're ready.