The Texas Rangers (1951) - full transcript
It's 1874 and the Texas Rangers have been reorganized. But Sam Bass has assembled a group of notorious outlaws into a gang the Rangers are unable to cope with. So the Ranger Major releases two men from prison who are familiar with the movements and locations used by Bass and his men and sends them out to find him.
Under the infamous nine-year
rule of the carpetbaggers
that followed the Civil War,
thieves, murderers, and
other fugitive criminals
from every part of the country
found sanctuary in the state of Texas.
In 1874, the Union Army
of Occupation was withdrawn,
leaving Texas at the mercy
of a horde of ruthless bandits
operating in open defiance of
all existing law enforcement.
Among them were some of the most
dangerous men in American criminal history.
Such men as
that legendary outlaw,
the terror of
every Texas railroad.
Fares, please.
I'm the new conductor
on the train.
Sam Bass is the name.
Shell out, folks,
shell out all you got.
Travelin' comes high in Texas
when Sam Bass
is running the train.
Right in the bag, ma'am.
Thank you, miss.
Lovely day, isn't it, ma'am?
Duke Fisher, a two-gun
stop sign on any highway.
John Wesley Hardin,
gentleman by birth,
lawyer by training,
killer by instinct.
Travis County has law
and order now, Hardin.
What's the charge, Marshal?
Murder, mayhem,
and highway robbery.
Unbuckle his belt, Joe.
David Rudabaugh,
king of the cattle rustlers.
I'll only call you, Dave,
but I have the high
hand, three aces.
You got the
low hand now, partner.
And the Sundance Kid,
at double-dealing gent
who only had one real friend,
the Sundance Kid.
Buff Smith, a good boy
and bad company.
Hold them, Johnny,
till I get mounted.
John Carver,
the fastest gun in Texas.
Come on, Johnny.
Oh, Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
All right, folks.
All right.
All right.
We'll take charge of them.
They killed George Fenton.
Is that true, Miss Helen? Yes.
These men started shooting
and my father fell right beside me.
Sorry, ma'am.
He stopped the last one the
Sundance Kid threw at me.
You're just as much to blame.
You were in this together,
thieves and murderers.
I'll see you hang for it.
Let's string them up right now!
Wait a minute. Let's do this
according to law and order.
All right, boys, take him away.
To combat this lawlessness,
the state once again called
into being the Texas Rangers,
demobilized since the
beginning of the Civil War.
Major John B. Jones, a gallant
officer of the Confederacy,
was placed in command.
And no finer body of
fighting men was ever known.
Within two years,
Major Jones and his Rangers
had brought law and order
to the far-flung
borders of Texas.
It was then that
Sam Bass called together
the remaining bandit leaders
at one of his hideouts
in the Lampasas River region.
All right, gentlemen.
Now that we're all here,
let's get down to cases.
I reckon you know that I
didn't ask you way down here
just to have a sociable
drink and smoke.
Now let's get to it, Sam.
I ain't aiming to spend
the night in this swamp.
Hold your horses, Arkansas.
I'm the dealer.
Boys, the way Major Jones
and his Rangers are goin',
we're gonna be holed up
in a worse place than this
if we don't do something
about it, pronto.
Well, there's no argument
there, Sam. What's your plan?
Organize, Wes.
Put everything we have
into one pot.
Work some big jobs together.
Share and share alike.
Nah, I've always worked alone.
So have I, Arkansas.
We all like to play a lone hand.
But where is it getting us?
How's cattle rustling, Dave?
I haven't moved
a steer in two months.
You ain't been doing so good
either lately, have you, Sundance?
You, Duke?
Not you either, Butch.
And, uh, John,
they tell me the Rangers blew
up that last bank job of yours.
Right my face.
I was lucky to get away.
There you are, boys.
I tell you, there's only one
way to beat this Major Jones.
Working together, we can lick any
Ranger outfit they send against us.
They've been busted up
before, and we can do it again.
Before we're through,
we'll just about own
this part of Texas.
Stock, lock, and barrel.
That's mighty
big talk, Sam Bass.
Seems to me the kind
of outfit you're proposing
has got to have
a boss, ain't it?
That's right.
I reckon you figure
on being it, ain't you, Sam?
Why you more than me?
I've pulled more and bigger
jobs than you ever thought of.
You've taken on
a big one now, Arkansas.
Let's see you pull it.
Boys,
here's to the Long Riders
Self-Protective Association.
Sam Bass, President.
Major Jones, I'm not detracting
from the splendid services
you and your Rangers
have rendered over
the past two years.
But this Sam Bass
is making Texas the
laughingstock of the nation.
Governor, Sam Bass has organized
the strongest band
of outlaws on record.
Confound it, Major, he's operating
practically within the shadow of the capital.
And what, may I ask,
have you done about it?
We've tried to
run him to cover, sir.
I've lost 30 good men
within the last month.
Sam Bass strikes
in one county today,
and reappears in
another two days later.
The scoundrel
is becoming a legend.
They're even signing
ballads about him.
Look at my desk, sir.
Piled high with
letters of complaint
and newspaper attacks
on my administration.
Major, we've got to put
Sam Bass out of business
before the
legislature reconvenes.
That's a tall order, Governor.
It gives me less than a month.
But if you don't care
of what methods I use...
Do it any way you can.
Only be on time, or there
won't be any appropriation.
And that means the end
of the Texas Rangers.
Carver and Smith in the
soup again. What is it this time?
They slugged Keeper Hansen
and tried to go over the wall.
Well, pump Carver out
and dry him off 'cause he's
wanted at the warden's office.
Hello, Johnny.
Major Jones.
Excuse me, sir, I...
The warden's boys sort of got me
sun-blinded and waterlogged.
Here, here, sit down.
Thanks, sir.
It's good to see you.
It's always good
to see an old friend.
Even in a place like this.
Looks like your luck kind
of run out on you, Johnny.
Yeah, it's run out
for good, I reckon.
What happened after the war?
You used to be one of the
best platoon sergeants I had.
What went wrong?
Got home to find nothing but a
stone chimney and a heap of charcoal
from a Yankee guerilla raid.
My ma and pa killed,
kid brother wounded.
I got him taken care of,
then I...
Then I joined up
with the border raiders.
One thing led to another.
I reckon you know the rest.
It's too bad.
You'd have made a fine Ranger.
Not me.
I'd never help send a man
to rot in a hole like this.
Twenty-three more years to go.
They might as well
have made it life.
They did.
Nobody's ever lasted
more than 10 years in here.
Sergeant, there's a new war on.
It's not like the one
we fought together.
No flags waving, no bugle calls.
It's a war of extermination between
my Rangers and the Sam Bass outfit.
I need your help.
What for?
You know all the outlaw trails and
hideouts along the Lampasas River.
You used to be proud
you were a Texan.
Here's a chance for you to
strike a blow for your state.
I'm more interested in striking
a blow for Johnny Carver.
What's in it for me?
A parole in my custody
as a probationary Ranger.
The promise of a full
pardon if you do a good job.
Who's all in this Sam Bass
outfit you're talking about?
John Wesley Hardin,
David Rudabaugh,
Duke Fisher,
Butch Cassidy.
And the Sundance Kid?
That's right.
Could you get my pal Buff Smith
out on this same kind of deal?
That was part of my
understanding with the Governor.
Major, you've got yourself
a couple of new Rangers.
Well, what do you know?
How do you call that turn, Bob?
Beats me. Some
haul the boss made.
Buff Smith and Johnny Carver,
the fastest gun in Texas.
- Yeah.
- Bonner.
Danny, meet Buff Smith
and John Carver.
Bonner?
How are you?
They've joined up with us.
Gee, that's great.
We thought they were prisoners.
I, uh, didn't catch
the name quite right.
Uh, Bonner, Danny Bonner.
Take them over to the
mess and find bunks for them.
They'll be riding out
early in the morning.
Why waste tonight, Major?
Buff and me could be
well up the line by morning.
That's all right with me.
Go over to the corral, Danny.
Find good mounts for 'em.
Come in with me, boys,
and get your outfits.
Yes, sir.
Hello, Major.
Hello, Pete.
How was your trip, sir?
Not too rough.
Anything new?
Yes, sir, but it's not good.
They got Jim McCoy
up at Granger.
One of our best men.
That makes 31 this month.
This note was found
pinned to his jacket, sir.
This'll give you an idea of
what you're up against, Johnny.
"Keep sending them, Major.
We have lots of ammunition."
Signed, Sam Bass.
All right, we've tried to
accommodate Mr. Bass and company.
Oh, uh, Captain,
meet John Carver and Buff Smith.
They're joining us on probation.
Boys, this is Captain Pete,
my second in command.
Howdy, Captain.
Pleased to meet you.
Welcome to the Rangers.
Just a minute, please.
Oh, Major, this young lady
has been waiting to see you.
Miss Helen Fenton.
She's publisher of the
Waco Star. Oh, I see.
Well, what is it, Miss Fenton?
Did I understand you
correctly just now, Major?
You've taken these men out of
prison to make Rangers of them?
That's right, Miss Fenton.
Major Jones,
these two men were
tried and convicted
as accessories to
the murder of my father
two years ago in Waco.
I was a prosecuting witness.
They're murderous outlaws.
I'm afraid you're allowing
your personal tragedy
to blind you to
reality, Miss Fenton.
Two years ago Texas
was an outlaw state.
Many young men capable
of becoming good citizens
had drifted into
lives of violence.
These men are cases in point.
I think they should have a
chance to redeem themselves.
Well, then there's no use
in my staying longer.
I was hoping to go back to Waco
and tell the people of my county
that the Rangers would soon
bring them relief from Sam Bass.
But you can.
These men are going to be of
great help in rounding up that gang.
They're the kind of men we need.
We're fighting fire
with fire, Miss Fenton.
Major Jones,
if the Texas Rangers
have reached so low
in the bottom of the barrel
that there's nothing left
but rotten apples,
there's little hope
for McLennan County.
We might as well
elect Sam Bass sheriff.
Good day, sir.
Phew! That filly leaves
a trail like a prairie fire.
I reckon you'll have to read
the next edition of the Waco Star
through smoked glasses, Major.
I'm afraid so. Now, boys, if
you'll take a look at this map.
The last four jobs
Sam Bass pulled
we all between
Little River and Waco.
Ah, that means
they're working out of
Lampasas River country,
all right, Major.
Yes, and Bass now has enough
gunfighters to block every known path
and ambush my men
when they try to follow him.
Now I want you to locate
his hideout in the bottom lands
and spot an unguarded path
through the river timber.
I reckon Buff and me
know about 100 deer trails.
They can't block them all.
Right and when you're
all set, report back to me.
I'll be a day's ride behind you
with all the men I can assemble.
And you'll lead us in
for a surprise attack.
Any questions?
Reckon not.
You, Buff?
No.
Say, Major, didn't I...
Well...
Didn't I smell chewing meat on
the fire out there, when we drove by?
That's right, Buff.
The mess cook will fix
you up with all you want.
Oh, man, oh, man!
This will be the first time I sat
down to three or four T-bones in...
In two years.
Just a minute, Buff.
Now, boys, raise
your right hands.
Repeat after me.
I solemnly swear...
I solemnly swear...
...to render loyal service
to the State of Texas.
...to render loyal
service to the State of Texas.
Danny.
Hi, Buff.
Johnny, gee, you could have
knocked me over with a broom straw
when I saw you and Buff ride in.
How'd you do it? Your
name is Danny Bonner, eh?
What's the idea, kid?
Ashamed to be known
as my brother?
That wasn't it, Johnny,
you know it wasn't.
I never have been
ashamed of you.
I told you that in my letters.
They don't give you any
mail in that prison, Danny.
What about the
packages I sent you?
I expect our keepers enjoy them.
Oh, no wonder you thought
I'd turned on you.
No, I only took Uncle
Bonner's name because...
Well because I was afraid
they wouldn't let me in
the Rangers
if they knew about...
Well, that's the only
reason. That was all.
Oh, look, Johnny, how could
I have been ashamed of you?
I've carried
this medal of yours,
haven't I, ever since
you came back from the war?
Now I can show it to everybody
and let 'em know we're brothers.
No, not yet, kid.
Why not? Your being in the
Rangers makes everything just fine.
We can go to the Major and...
No, nothing doing.
Let things ride as they are.
I get it. You want to prove
yourself first, that's it.
Sure. That's it.
Well, look, if you'll go to the Major
and put in a good word for me,
he'll let me string along with
you and Buff on my first field job.
Oh, not a chance, Danny.
This is special,
just for Buff and me.
Take care of yourself.
When he was born, Buff, he weighed
four and a half pounds on a hook.
Well, he's a grownup
Texas longhorn now.
Gosh, Aunt Helen.
Johnny Carver's
the only man in Texas
who'll slap leather
faster than Sam Bass.
Oh, Sam Bass is faster
than him with both hands.
Yeah?
Yeah!
Hey, hey, we've enough bandit killers
in Texas without you two joining up.
Now get these papers delivered.
Yes, ma'am.
But I'd still like to be around when
Johnny Carver and Sam Bass meet up.
Miss Helen.
Sam Bass and a bunch of
gunfighters just rode into town.
They set themselves up in the Frontier
Palace, just as cool as you please.
Where's the Marshal
and his deputy?
When last seen,
he was heading south.
Coward!
No wonder our boys make
heroes of these murderers.
Miss Helen, you ain't
going to the Palace.
Where else?
I run a newspaper, Pete.
It's my job to interview
celebrities when they come to town.
Leave it to me,
Mr. Bass.
Supper for 9:00 and
everything the best.
And everything on the house.
Oh, of course.
It's a great pleasure, sir.
Bill, Charlie,
set the big table.
Nice fella, huh?
Real hospitable town, Waco.
We should come here more often.
Oh, boys. Wes,
that Belton Bank job is ripe
and ready for us
to pluck off the limb.
Ah, that penny-ante piggy
bank isn't worth the trip, Sam.
She will be by the
time we get there.
I got news from the
boys down south today.
Wells Fargo is coming in with a big
bundle of cash and we're really gonna...
You're Sam Bass, aren't you?
That's right, ma'am, but you
have the advantage of me.
I'm Helen Fenton,
publisher of the Waco Star.
Pleased to know you, ma'am.
What can I do for you?
Just one thing.
You and these hyenas of yours
can climb right back on those horses
outside and let the people of
Waco breathe clean air again.
My name ain't "hyena" sister,
it's Dave Rudabaugh.
I know.
I have all your photographs
back at the office.
You're John Wesley Hardin and
you're Duke Fisher
and you're Butch Cassidy.
And who am I, sister?
You're the Sundance Kid.
Easy, Sundance. I don't
go for beating women.
What was I gonna do?
Let her shoot me?
Where did you get this talk
about Johnny Carver?
What talk is that?
Read it.
Says there that Johnny Carver is
out of prison and joined the Rangers.
Him and Buff Smith.
Maybe that's the best
way out for Texas after all.
Make Rangers out of half the outlaws
and you can fight it out among yourselves
till you're all killed off.
Ah, you talk too much, sister.
See the lady to the door, Wes.
I can find the door
without assistance.
Boys, this is a deeper
creek than we think
and full of quicksand.
The gal says here,
the Major told her
that Buff and Johnny were gonna
help the Rangers round us up.
That means they should
be riding north.
Hmm, I can't figure
them two turning Ranger.
I can.
You know 'em?
Raised in the same town.
They was both in
Major Jones' cavalry.
Always bragging about what
a great fellow Jones was.
That explains things, Butch.
I know those hombres,too.
They're bad medicine.
We don't want them
north of the Lampasas.
Leave them to me, Sam.
I got a special hate
on them two sidewinders
for that double cross they gave
me here in Waco two years back.
Oh, that's not the way
I heard it, Sundance.
Then you heard it wrong.
Would like to wade into
it any deeper, huh, Wes?
None of that, there'll be no
gunplay among ourselves.
Wes, get over to
the telegraph office.
Jeff and Bart are down in
Belton casing that bank job for us.
Wire them and tell them to
look out for Carver and Smith
at Pecos Palmer's
place in Granger.
That's a good idea, Sam.
Sundance, take a couple of the
boys and head south right now.
I want those two
stopped below Belton,
so they won't interfere
with that bank job tomorrow.
It's a pleasure, Sam.
But I won't need any help.
I know a spot where I can
Winchester the both of them
right out of their saddles.
Suit yourself, Kid.
On the way down, stop in
on the telegraph operator.
He might have some news
from Pecos Palmer.
Boys, who's pouring?
You know, Johnny,
I keep remembering all
them pretty words to that oath
the Major gave us
back in Austin.
"I do solemnly swear to render
faithful service to the State of Texas."
Now, that's the first time I
ever swore without cussing.
Pecos Palmer's place
is just up ahead.
We got to pick up the
Sundance Kid's trail there.
We ain't going gunning
for that snake first, are we?
We are if I can smoke him out.
But the Major's orders
was for us to locate...
Look, let me do the figuring.
Sundance is our
personal business.
You owe him as much
as I do, don't you?
Oh, sure, Johnny, but
we swore by the good book.
And Sundance is first in my book,
tonight, tomorrow, or the day after.
Nobody I know,
except Pecos the barkeep.
Uh, them two at the bar.
Appears like to me I've
seen 'em before someplace,
in Sam Bass' gang.
Trail's heating up.
Well, well, Rangers Johnny
Carver and Buff Smith.
Be careful of your language,
boys, the law is with us.
How'd you hear about us
so soon, Pecos?
Sundance Kid send
you a telegram?
Sundance Kid?
Never heard of him.
What'll it be, Rangers?
Reckon this ought to be safe.
Your whiskey is bad
enough, Pecos, without
a shot of rat poison.
Who belongs to that
straw pony outside?
How do I know?
I ain't been outside.
I reckon that's my pony
you're asking about, Ranger.
What's it to you?
Mighty nice-looking pony.
Boys must have been
in a big hurry,
getting here the same day
you crossed the Lampasas.
We like to ride fast.
Any objections?
No. Just wondering,
that's all.
Who sent you down to meet us?
Sam Bass or the Sundance Kid?
Talk fast.
Where's Sundance?
Just keep heading north, he'll
be watching for you, Ranger.
Let's ride.
So long, Pecos,
you better not be
here on our return trip.
You won't like that water
cure up at the state prison.
He'll wire somewhere
up the line.
Sundance will know
we're after him.
Doggone it, Johnny, he'll hole
up some place then, won't he?
No, not him, he won't run.
We'll have to do more looking
behind us than in front of us.
Howdy, Sundance.
Wait till I sign off.
Man, this line's been hot.
Anything I ought to know?
Yeah, Pecos Palmer
wired up to Marshal Gorey
at Belton about a
shooting down at his place.
Is that for me?
At my usual rate, Sundance.
Much obliged.
Pecos said a couple of Rangers,
Carver and Smith by name, had a
set-to with Jeff Barton and Bart Howard.
Yeah?
Who won?
The Rangers.
Still riding north, looking
for you, Pecos said.
Hmm, that's funny,
I'm looking for them.
You know, I'm getting to like this
Ranger business more and more.
That was the first time I ever used
the gun with a clear conscience.
Man, last time I rode
through this part of the country,
I had old Marshal Gorey in
a posse riding herd on me.
How'd you shake 'em off? Hmm?
Oh, I holed up in some
of them trees over yonder.
He rode right on by me.
Show me, we'll see
what's following.
Somebody following us?
Yeah, they have been
ever since the morning.
What's the big idea, kid?
The Major sent me.
He got word that Sam Bass
and his gang are in Waco and...
...they're coming south.
- Why'd he pick you?
- I don't know.
Guess he figured wasn't a better man
I could work with on my first field job.
He's stalling.
He knows who you are
and sent you out
because he don't trust me
to go through with the job.
Oh, no, Johnny,
you got him all wrong.
He knows you wouldn't back
out once you've started something.
Yeah, once...
You know, I sure have been getting
out of practice with this thing lately.
You know I took a shot
last night at 10 feet
and it was over an
inch and a half high? Ha!
Hey, the fella what put up that
sign over there forgot to dot the "I's."
Oh, it's still an inch high.
Hey, now that's pretty
good shooting, Johnny.
Well, nail me up to
a barn door to dry.
Say, where'd you learn
to shoot like that?
I had a pretty good teacher.
That'll be Sundance.
And just as itchy-fingered
as ever. Hold it.
You two stay here.
Johnny, he ain't
likely to be alone.
That's something I'll
have to find out for myself.
I'd feel pretty good with not
taking you into an ambush.
Buff, you keep him here if you
have to throw and hog-tie him.
See what you've done
by tagging after us?
Turned a doggone good
Ranger into a doggone nursemaid!
Lie real quiet, Sundance.
Let go of that Winchester.
I could let you have it in
the back, like you did me,
but that would be
too easy on you.
Rise and reach.
Higher.
All right, Ranger, what's next?
Take one hand down slowly to
that belt buckle and open her up.
Slowly, I said.
Major Jones is sure gonna
be happy to see you.
I want you to get a taste of
that waterhole at the state pen.
I'd like to see you
after the warden's boys
get through playing with
you for a month or so.
Somebody got it!
Yeah, but which one?
Can't wait here to find out.
Johnny, you got him!
Man, oh, man, that last
shot had us both worried.
Where'd you leave
the Major's outfit?
Down at Round Rock.
They should be making
Pecos Palmer's by sundown.
Take this load of buzzard
meat and deliver it to them.
But if we push on fast, we
got a chance to get our job done
while the gang's still
north of the river.
That's the Major's job.
I've finished mine.
I don't get it.
Give the Major my thanks.
Tell him not to worry
about Buff and me anymore.
We're leaving Texas for good.
But you gave him your word,
your solemn oath.
It's the promises I make to
myself that count with me,
and I kept that one.
Johnny, wait.
There's nothing to
argue about, kid.
One Ranger in
the family's enough.
Come on, Buff.
You're not going anywhere.
Get your hands up.
You know you couldn't shoot.
If you don't think so,
just try for your gun.
Buff, I could give this fool kid a
one-shot edge and still get him.
But I don't want to hurt him.
Take his gun away for me.
I'm sorry, Johnny.
I'm stringing with Danny.
And you know you can't
give me no one-shot edge.
Get his gun belt, Danny.
Belton's the next town north.
I'm turning you over to
the Marshal there, and then
I'm gonna do the job that
you were sent out to do,
locate Sam Bass' hideout.
Why, you don't know
one trail from another.
But I do.
Hot news from down
the line, boss.
Johnny Carver, Buff Smith, and
another Ranger just rode into Little River
with the Sundance Kid,
dead and tied to his saddle.
How long ago?
Not more than an hour.
The operator at Little
River wired up to Belton.
They left Sundance's body
and rode on north.
Guess Sundance wasn't as handy
with that Winchester as he figured.
Butch, Dave, take three
of the boys and see
that Carver outfit
stopped south of Belton.
We can't have them riding in on
that bank job tomorrow morning.
Luke, Connor, Hilton.
Come on, Dave, let's go.
From here, boys, we drift
on into Belton easy-like.
Meet up at the
Rancher Hotel tonight.
Get 'em started, John.
You two have everything it
takes to be Rangers except brains.
If Sam Bass is riding
south like the Major told you,
he ought to be pretty
near here by now.
I don't like to riding into his
reception committee empty-handed.
It's a good try, but no deal.
Let's take cover here.
It'll be easy pickings
when they stop for water.
Yeah.
Tie 'em up to the trees, boys.
Luke, take that rock over there.
All right. Go.
Over there.
I'll take Carver.
All right.
I'll nail the kid.
Johnny!
Why didn't you keep going?
Hit bad?
Nah, just a scratch.
In the back.
That slug was meant for you.
Get one of the canteens.
Thanks.
I'm all right.
Reckon we better
take you back south to the Major
instead of going on to Belton.
Give Buff your gun.
It's all right, Danny.
I'm gonna take you
back to the Major.
I knew you couldn't
run out on us.
No more then you could
have pulled that trigger
on me, Danny.
Buff, get my pony, will you?
Be ready to travel in a minute.
As soon as I catch breath.
Sure, kid.
Right away.
It's 4:00 now.
We can be at
the Lampasas by 8:00.
It's kind of...
It's kind of dark for 4:00,
ain't it, Johnny?
It's clouding up a bit, Danny.
Seems like an northern's
coming on.
We'll telegraph the Major
a report from Little River.
Only...
Only we'll sign it John
and Daniel Carver.
No more of this Bonner
stuff for me.
Oh...
Uh...
Next chance I get...
Can you get me
one of them fancy...
Fancy watch fobs
that dudes wear?
I'm gonna hang
this medal in plain sight,
where everybody can see it.
I'll get one for
you myself, Danny.
Folks'll ask me, they'll say,
"Son, where did
you get that medal?"
And I'll say...
Say, "My brother Johnny
"won it fighting at Shiloh.
"Fighting for Texas."
You're talking
too much now, Danny.
Take it easy a bit.
Yeah.
You're right, Ranger.
Johnny...
Johnny, I can't see.
Johnny.
Danny.
Danny.
Bet you never knowed he was
Johnny's brother, huh, Major?
I knew who he was all along.
In fact, it was something
he said about
being men in prison who would make
good Rangers if they had the chance
that started me working on
getting you and Johnny out.
Johnny wanted me to ask you to
have him buried under his right name.
Of course.
I'll take him back
to Austin with us.
He'll rest in the state cemetery,
along with a lot of other good Texans.
You're going back
to Austin, Major?
We've been ordered back.
But what about Johnny?
He'll be working up there,
trailing Sam Bass
and figuring you're
right behind him.
You know how to
make contact with him?
Well, we figured out a place about
four miles this side of Waco to meet.
You better get ready
to start north again, Buff.
I'll give you your final
instructions before you go.
Yes, sir.
There it is.
50,000 cash and
new Yankee folding money.
Good as gold
and easier to carry.
Wells Fargo's smartening up.
Look at all them guards.
Yeah, but they'll
be pulling out soon.
Their responsibility
ends with delivery.
They put in, we take out.
So long, Marshal.
Howdy, Dave.
Man, you look all beat.
Where's Butch and the others?
Is Sam inside?
Yeah.
Room 22. Second floor.
I don't get it, Dave.
Five of you against three,
and you still couldn't pull it off.
Sam, it was just
one of those things.
Carver got Cassidy and the rest
of the boys with a few lucky shots.
I was the only one left
and had to get out of there.
Looks like I'll have to make
Carver my own personal business.
Here's your opportunity, Sam.
Johnny Carver.
Hold it, Dave.
You'll have them Wells
Fargo men back on our hands.
Howdy, Marshal.
Howdy, Johnny.
From the telegrams I got, seems like I can
welcome you to the side of law and order.
I'm mighty glad to hear
it, young fellow. Thanks.
How many deputies you got?
Oh, nary a one.
Nothing ever happens
in this one-horse town.
Well, you better hold
your hat, Marshal.
There's a lot more than one horse
back of the hotel, and men to ride them.
Sam Bass outfit.
Sam Bass?
Why, man, Wells Fargo's just
brought in $50,000 of county money.
So that's what they're after.
Ain't there no more
Rangers around?
Not within a day's ride.
Well, Johnny, it looks like
it's just you and me.
Yeah, reckon it is
whether we like it or not.
That makes the setup
even more interesting.
You all know the cards
I dealt you.
Let's go play them.
What kind of cards
you gonna deal Carver?
Aces and eights.
Dead man's hand.
Get in the cage, quick.
Take cover behind the desk.
Eddie, Tom, flat on the floor.
Looks bad, Marshal.
There's always a chance, son,
you'll get the one with your name on it.
Take the money out of the
safe and put it in the bag.
But why?
Don't ask questions, do it.
Grab that tie rail,
break in the door.
It's all there, Ranger.
Much obliged.
But that's the bank's funds
you've got in that...
Drop that gun, Marshal.
Johnny!
Drop it, I tell you,
or this one will
have your name on it.
What's the deal, Marshal?
You're too late to rob
this bank, Sam Bass.
That renegade Ranger Johnny
Carver's just beat you to it.
Did you check on this wire?
Yes, sir, came
direct from Belton.
Old Marshal Gorey
sent it himself.
"John Carver robbed
Belton bank."
I'd have bet my bottom
dollar on that man.
So would I, sir.
Even though I'd
only seen him once.
This is going to be an
awful blow to the Rangers
when the papers
get through with it.
It's going to be
worse than that.
I sent Buff Smith
north to meet Carver
with a message
of vital importance.
Oh, so we better send out
some "wanted" notices.
There's nothing else to do.
Wire every Ranger outpost,
every sheriff in the state,
John Carver wanted,
dead or alive.
Right, sir.
Johnny Carver, you are a worse
double-crosser than the Sundance Kid.
I'm taking you in.
You must have heard
about the Belton bank job.
Heard about it,
you ornery critter.
They've got "wanted" notices out
on you all over the state of Texas.
Oh, take it easy, Buff.
I only pulled that job to save that
money from the Sam Bass gang
and to keep old Marshal
Gorey from getting shot.
Money's in a safe place, Buff.
All but what I'm holding on to buy
myself a seat at Sam Bass' table.
Are you fixing to join
up with that outfit?
That's the only way I can do
a job for the Major and Danny.
I've got to join them to
find out how to trap them.
Well, tie me tail to tail
with a wildcat.
But, Johnny,
the Major wants us both
back in Austin right away.
What for?
To help guard
the Yankee gold loan.
Yankee gold loan?
Oh, man, where you have been?
They're loaning Texas
a million dollars cash.
It's coming down Friday.
On the Texas Central?
They're running
a special train for it.
Buff, that's our chance
to lay the Sam Bass outfit
right in the Major's lap.
I'm going into Waco.
No, Johnny, they'll blast
you out of your saddle.
Oh, stop worrying, Buff.
Just bore yourself a hole in
that clump of trees over there,
and I'll come back
soon to dig you out.
Just a minute, please.
Speaking to me, ma'am?
It is surprising, isn't it?
But, you see, that's part of
my job, interviewing celebrities.
In your case, I'm anxious to
get some facts for your obituary.
Reckon I was playing hooky from
school when that word came up.
It means "death notice."
Oh.
Ain't you a mite
previous, ma'am?
I'm feeling fine.
From what I hear, there will be
a sudden change for the worse
when Sam Bass
learns you're in town.
So, how about a few last
words for my next edition?
Why, sure, ma'am.
What about?
I'd like to print, straight
from your own mouth,
just how it feels to
take a solemn oath
of allegiance to your
native state and break it.
See you later.
And then to double-cross
your own thieving pals
till you wind up without
a friend in the world,
hunted by the law
and the lawless alike,
every man's hand against you.
How does it feel,
convict John Carver?
Sister, you wouldn't
be a bad looker
if you'd wipe some of that
printer's ink off your face and hands.
Sure got a nerve.
I wish he'd go before
Sam Bass finds him.
Too late now.
Look who's coming.
Have some chicken, Sam.
It's mighty tasty.
Before I drop you, Johnny, why
did you pull that Belton job on me?
I figured it was the only way I could
talk to you and not start shooting.
You and me has gone
beyond talking, Johnny.
Maybe.
There's a certain deal coming up
only you and your men
can handle.
Such as what?
It's about a train
and a million dollars
in cold cash.
Come to think of it, that
chicken does look pretty good.
Set them up, Rico.
Tell Wes to stop poking
his gun through those doors.
Makes me nervous.
Okay, boys.
Come on in.
Send the drinks
into the back room,
and bring another
platter of chicken.
After two years
in the state prison,
I'd have joined
any outfit to get out.
Even the Yankee cavalry.
Especially when I met a chance
to tie the score with Sundance.
Was it a fair fight?
As fair as you could
get with Sundance.
He's strictly
a percentage player.
This time, it was his
Winchester against my six-gun.
What became of that pal
of yours, Buff Smith?
Pals once, but no more.
Buff got religion, I reckon.
He wanted to stay in with
the Rangers, so we split up.
If you ain't a Ranger,
what did you do
with that Belton loot?
It's in a safe spot, Sam.
I'll take you to it someday.
All I want is my cut of it.
That's an easy promise, Johnny,
but money talks.
Well, here's some
with a few words to say.
Two thousand I held out for
expenses on this money train job.
You handle it, Sam.
I'll put you in.
Now, uh, tell us about
that treasure train.
Is that,
that Yankee loan to Texas
I've been reading in the
papers about? That's right.
Why, that shipment will carry a whole
train-load of Pinkerton men and Rangers.
Not from the orders I saw
on Major Jones' desk.
It's coming down secret
on the Texas Central
branch from Dallas.
What day?
What train number?
Sam, I need you and the men.
But if I told you everything I
know, maybe you wouldn't need me.
You win, Johnny.
I figure we all better be in the vicinity
of Round Rock by Friday morning.
That's my pick of towns
for the job.
Round Rock suits me fine.
Depot's right in town, plenty
of cover and easy getaway.
It's a deal then?
It's a deal.
Okay, boys, let's clear the
table and play a little draw.
Not me, Sam.
Dude smells so sweet,
I think I'll run over to Sing
Wong's and get me a bath.
See you later.
So long, partners.
Better see that he gets
over to Sing Wong's safe.
I wouldn't want anything
to happen to him.
Uh, yeah.
Come on.
Paper, Mr. Carver?
No, thanks, I've seen it.
Ain't you and Sam Bass
going to shoot it out?
Well, not today, I reckon.
Oh, gee!
Will you do me a favor?
Sure.
Can you keep a secret?
Anything.
Here's a cartwheel for you.
Just lead my pony up the
street to the livery stable.
Why sure, and thanks, Johnny.
Want me to unsaddle
and feed him? No.
Just lead him straight through
the stable to the back alley,
and then bring him down the
alley behind Sing Wong's place.
I'll be waiting for you
there. Understand?
You ain't letting old Sam Bass
run you out of town, are you?
You worry too much, kid.
Now get going.
Got it straight, Buff?
Yeah, sure, Johnny.
I catch the next train for
Austin and I tell the Major that
you got the Sam Bass outfit
fixing to rob the gold train
at Round Rock next Friday.
That's right.
Hey, you can square me with
him on that Belton Bank job, too.
Oh, he'll sure be glad to know
what you've been doing, too.
Let me get well up the road
before you show yourself.
Move right on in, Johnny.
Get yourself a couple
for the road.
I could use a couple.
Hey, you look slicker
than a wet muskrat.
Enjoyed your bath
over at Wong's?
Yeah, and caught up
on some lost sleep.
Hot tub sure is wonderful.
I take one every month,
whether I need it or not.
Where did you pick him up?
Over near Dal's, Johnny.
We picked him up
after you left him.
What about it, Johnny?
Sure I met him.
I wanted to give him a last
chance to quit the Rangers
and throw in with us.
Throw in with you?
A man that would rat out
on a friend like the Major
after he got you
out of a prison?
I told you he got religion.
I don't need no religion
to hate polecats like you.
This Rudabaugh,
he shot my pal Danny Bonner
in the back.
Bragged about it to me.
What do you say, Sam?
Let me shut his yap for good.
Wait a minute, Dave.
You're sure he didn't have a
chance to send any messages?
Well, he never got out
of that patch of woods.
We've been working
on him all afternoon.
Trying to break down that sad
story of your busted friendship.
- And no break?
- Not a crack out of him.
I'll have to admit, it looks
like a real split-up, all right.
Okay, Johnny, I guess that
puts you in solid with all of us.
What do you want done with him?
Let him go.
What he don't know
can't hurt us.
Oh, it's too late
for that now, Johnny.
I couldn't trust him
out of my sight.
Give him another chance, Sam.
After all he was
a friend of mine once.
No friend of mine.
Nor mine.
Sorry, Johnny.
I know how you feel, Johnny.
But with a million
in gold at stake,
we couldn't take any chances.
All right, Sam.
Let's start south.
Now you're talking.
Hit the street, boys.
We'll split up and
head for Little River.
Just a minute, Sam.
I've got a little unfinished
business with that girl in there.
All right, so I was wrong.
You still have some friends,
and a fine crew they are, too.
Sit down and listen to me.
I've got to make this look rough,
lady, they're watching every move.
So if you want to help round up
Sam Bass and his whole outfit,
just sit there
and listen a minute.
Stop it!
Now get this,
I only pulled that bank job
to get in with
the Sam Bass outfit.
I had to use part of the money.
The rest of it is on its way
back to the bank.
I don't believe a word
you're saying! Listen, lady,
we're riding south right now.
There's very little time.
You take the night train to Austin,
tell Major Jones I'm still working for him.
Tell him I've got Sam Bass
and his whole outfit
set to rob the Yankee gold
train at Round Rock, Friday.
Got that?
Round Rock, Friday.
Now sit down.
They killed Buff Smith before he
got away to take word to the Major.
I can't use the telegraph.
Bass has friends
listening in on the line.
You're the only chance left.
Please, Aunt Helen, he's telling
the truth. You've got to believe!
Nice going, kid.
If she doesn't go,
you take that train.
Here's some money for you.
I wish I could believe you.
You'd better believe me.
Maybe this will help
convince you.
Mmm...
Don't worry, Johnny,
she'll go, all right.
Now, lady, leave my
name out of your paper,
or I'll come back
and do that again.
Was Buff Smith really
killed, Miss Fenton?
Yes. In the Frontier Palace,
I saw the body.
Major, that would seem
to lend some conviction to
the story Carver told you.
Yes, but it could be a trick.
Get our men in one place,
and then rob the train in another.
Johnny Carver wouldn't
do that, Major.
Honest, he wouldn't.
Jimmy's his champion.
In fact, if it hadn't
been for Jimmy,
I don't think I would have
bothered to come down to Austin.
And yet there was a
desperate sort of sincerity
about that man
that you couldn't deny.
Especially that kiss
he give you.
Oh?
Yes, Major, but by force.
I think it was intended
to amuse the men
looking on from outside
and help put them
off their guard.
Well, my dear,
I've already risked too much
on Carver to back down now.
We'll see it through,
sink or swim.
When that gold train
rolls into Round Rock,
my men and I will be there
to give Sam Bass a welcome.
And so will the Waco
Star. Me, too. Oh, boy!
Johnny, my hat's off to you.
Ah, boys, there's no doubt
about it, number 44 is our baby.
She's highballing all the way
to Waco up to Round Rock.
Everything else on the side
track to give her right away.
Any idea how heavy
she's guarded?
Yeah, she's got three
men with the money
and the rest Pinkertons
riding as passengers.
Well, hadn't we better
hightail it for Round Rock, Sam,
with 44 running free, she'll
be an hour ahead of schedule.
That's right, Johnny. Only
we ain't going to Round Rock.
I don't get it, Sam.
If she's free and makes the first
stop there... Why wait till she stops?
Dave, you remember that horseshoe
bend a couple of miles north of Round Rock?
Why sure. I run it many a
time when I was railroading.
44 will be slowed down to a
walk when she goes through there.
You and Duke get on,
take over the engine,
uncouple that express car,
leave the rest of the train
and the Pinkertons behind, and
we'll meet you at Cooper's water tank.
Ah, you're making history, Sam.
No one's ever stolen
a moving train before.
Oh, Dave, as soon as you've
shaken lose that express car,
give us one long and one
short blast on the whistle,
so we know
everything's all set. Right.
One long and one short.
And be sure you don't forget.
Because if we don't hear that
whistle, we'll think you messed up
and we'll throw the switch and ditch
the whole train by the water tower.
Well, give me a third man for
the uncoupling, and I can't miss.
I reckon that's me, Sam.
I'm a railroader from way back.
Now ain't that swell.
No wonder I took
such a fancy to you.
Same here.
You three better get up
the top of the hill,
find a good spot to
get on that engine.
Hey, Sam,
aren't we about ready to
get rid of that counterfeit?
Sure. As soon as
he uncouples the train.
Much obliged.
44 just cleared Temple,
Major. Thanks, Joe.
Less than an hour more, Captain.
Any sign of any Bass men
in town yet?
No, sir, not so far.
They should have
been drifting in long ago,
if they're really
coming here. Yes, sir.
It doesn't look good.
No.
Well, Miss Fenton,
you take Jimmy
into the waiting room,
and when that train rolls in,
be sure you keep him
inside till it's all over. Yes, sir.
But I think I'd better
find a piece of rope first.
Ah, Aunt Helen,
I'm going to miss all the show.
Let's get the boys headed south.
Mr. Bass,
I just got a flash from Round Rock.
The whole town is full of Rangers.
Have a cigar.
Have a cigar and remember, son,
don't ever trust nobody's
brains but your own.
I'll see you, and
raise you seven cents.
I reckon this is the
first game of penny ante
ever played on
a million-dollar table.
I'll raise you a nickel.
Hurry up with that pin, Johnny.
Okay, Johnny, join
us up at the engine.
Something's wrong, boys.
She's slowing down.
Hold it, Bill,
they're on the car.
I had Carver figured right,
he made a move
to warn the Pinkerton man.
Well, that closes him
up, don't it? On sight.
Now, Duke, now.
There's the signal, Wes.
They made it all right.
Call the men off that switch.
Get ready to blast
that car open.
Why don't they slow it down?
Get away from that truck.
And let you run her
straight through to Austin?
Nothing doing, Ranger.
Dave and Johnny in a tangle.
We got to stop that train.
Trouble signal.
Carver is trying to
signal the Rangers.
Get the men mounted.
Yes, sir.
Hurry up, men!
This is for my
kid brother and Buff.
Here come the Rangers.
What do you say, Sam? We shoot
it out? Yeah, this is a showdown.
I'll get Carver and
keep that engine running.
Meet you up the line.
For me?
Gee, Johnny, thanks.
Shh.
That's 30 for now. Charge it to
the Waco Star account. Yes, miss.
Well, there'll be an
extra on Waco streets
within a half an hour,
and what a story.
Thanks to you, Johnny.
Remember what I said
I'd do to you if you put
my name in your paper again?
Well...
Turn around, son.
rule of the carpetbaggers
that followed the Civil War,
thieves, murderers, and
other fugitive criminals
from every part of the country
found sanctuary in the state of Texas.
In 1874, the Union Army
of Occupation was withdrawn,
leaving Texas at the mercy
of a horde of ruthless bandits
operating in open defiance of
all existing law enforcement.
Among them were some of the most
dangerous men in American criminal history.
Such men as
that legendary outlaw,
the terror of
every Texas railroad.
Fares, please.
I'm the new conductor
on the train.
Sam Bass is the name.
Shell out, folks,
shell out all you got.
Travelin' comes high in Texas
when Sam Bass
is running the train.
Right in the bag, ma'am.
Thank you, miss.
Lovely day, isn't it, ma'am?
Duke Fisher, a two-gun
stop sign on any highway.
John Wesley Hardin,
gentleman by birth,
lawyer by training,
killer by instinct.
Travis County has law
and order now, Hardin.
What's the charge, Marshal?
Murder, mayhem,
and highway robbery.
Unbuckle his belt, Joe.
David Rudabaugh,
king of the cattle rustlers.
I'll only call you, Dave,
but I have the high
hand, three aces.
You got the
low hand now, partner.
And the Sundance Kid,
at double-dealing gent
who only had one real friend,
the Sundance Kid.
Buff Smith, a good boy
and bad company.
Hold them, Johnny,
till I get mounted.
John Carver,
the fastest gun in Texas.
Come on, Johnny.
Oh, Dad!
Dad!
Dad!
All right, folks.
All right.
All right.
We'll take charge of them.
They killed George Fenton.
Is that true, Miss Helen? Yes.
These men started shooting
and my father fell right beside me.
Sorry, ma'am.
He stopped the last one the
Sundance Kid threw at me.
You're just as much to blame.
You were in this together,
thieves and murderers.
I'll see you hang for it.
Let's string them up right now!
Wait a minute. Let's do this
according to law and order.
All right, boys, take him away.
To combat this lawlessness,
the state once again called
into being the Texas Rangers,
demobilized since the
beginning of the Civil War.
Major John B. Jones, a gallant
officer of the Confederacy,
was placed in command.
And no finer body of
fighting men was ever known.
Within two years,
Major Jones and his Rangers
had brought law and order
to the far-flung
borders of Texas.
It was then that
Sam Bass called together
the remaining bandit leaders
at one of his hideouts
in the Lampasas River region.
All right, gentlemen.
Now that we're all here,
let's get down to cases.
I reckon you know that I
didn't ask you way down here
just to have a sociable
drink and smoke.
Now let's get to it, Sam.
I ain't aiming to spend
the night in this swamp.
Hold your horses, Arkansas.
I'm the dealer.
Boys, the way Major Jones
and his Rangers are goin',
we're gonna be holed up
in a worse place than this
if we don't do something
about it, pronto.
Well, there's no argument
there, Sam. What's your plan?
Organize, Wes.
Put everything we have
into one pot.
Work some big jobs together.
Share and share alike.
Nah, I've always worked alone.
So have I, Arkansas.
We all like to play a lone hand.
But where is it getting us?
How's cattle rustling, Dave?
I haven't moved
a steer in two months.
You ain't been doing so good
either lately, have you, Sundance?
You, Duke?
Not you either, Butch.
And, uh, John,
they tell me the Rangers blew
up that last bank job of yours.
Right my face.
I was lucky to get away.
There you are, boys.
I tell you, there's only one
way to beat this Major Jones.
Working together, we can lick any
Ranger outfit they send against us.
They've been busted up
before, and we can do it again.
Before we're through,
we'll just about own
this part of Texas.
Stock, lock, and barrel.
That's mighty
big talk, Sam Bass.
Seems to me the kind
of outfit you're proposing
has got to have
a boss, ain't it?
That's right.
I reckon you figure
on being it, ain't you, Sam?
Why you more than me?
I've pulled more and bigger
jobs than you ever thought of.
You've taken on
a big one now, Arkansas.
Let's see you pull it.
Boys,
here's to the Long Riders
Self-Protective Association.
Sam Bass, President.
Major Jones, I'm not detracting
from the splendid services
you and your Rangers
have rendered over
the past two years.
But this Sam Bass
is making Texas the
laughingstock of the nation.
Governor, Sam Bass has organized
the strongest band
of outlaws on record.
Confound it, Major, he's operating
practically within the shadow of the capital.
And what, may I ask,
have you done about it?
We've tried to
run him to cover, sir.
I've lost 30 good men
within the last month.
Sam Bass strikes
in one county today,
and reappears in
another two days later.
The scoundrel
is becoming a legend.
They're even signing
ballads about him.
Look at my desk, sir.
Piled high with
letters of complaint
and newspaper attacks
on my administration.
Major, we've got to put
Sam Bass out of business
before the
legislature reconvenes.
That's a tall order, Governor.
It gives me less than a month.
But if you don't care
of what methods I use...
Do it any way you can.
Only be on time, or there
won't be any appropriation.
And that means the end
of the Texas Rangers.
Carver and Smith in the
soup again. What is it this time?
They slugged Keeper Hansen
and tried to go over the wall.
Well, pump Carver out
and dry him off 'cause he's
wanted at the warden's office.
Hello, Johnny.
Major Jones.
Excuse me, sir, I...
The warden's boys sort of got me
sun-blinded and waterlogged.
Here, here, sit down.
Thanks, sir.
It's good to see you.
It's always good
to see an old friend.
Even in a place like this.
Looks like your luck kind
of run out on you, Johnny.
Yeah, it's run out
for good, I reckon.
What happened after the war?
You used to be one of the
best platoon sergeants I had.
What went wrong?
Got home to find nothing but a
stone chimney and a heap of charcoal
from a Yankee guerilla raid.
My ma and pa killed,
kid brother wounded.
I got him taken care of,
then I...
Then I joined up
with the border raiders.
One thing led to another.
I reckon you know the rest.
It's too bad.
You'd have made a fine Ranger.
Not me.
I'd never help send a man
to rot in a hole like this.
Twenty-three more years to go.
They might as well
have made it life.
They did.
Nobody's ever lasted
more than 10 years in here.
Sergeant, there's a new war on.
It's not like the one
we fought together.
No flags waving, no bugle calls.
It's a war of extermination between
my Rangers and the Sam Bass outfit.
I need your help.
What for?
You know all the outlaw trails and
hideouts along the Lampasas River.
You used to be proud
you were a Texan.
Here's a chance for you to
strike a blow for your state.
I'm more interested in striking
a blow for Johnny Carver.
What's in it for me?
A parole in my custody
as a probationary Ranger.
The promise of a full
pardon if you do a good job.
Who's all in this Sam Bass
outfit you're talking about?
John Wesley Hardin,
David Rudabaugh,
Duke Fisher,
Butch Cassidy.
And the Sundance Kid?
That's right.
Could you get my pal Buff Smith
out on this same kind of deal?
That was part of my
understanding with the Governor.
Major, you've got yourself
a couple of new Rangers.
Well, what do you know?
How do you call that turn, Bob?
Beats me. Some
haul the boss made.
Buff Smith and Johnny Carver,
the fastest gun in Texas.
- Yeah.
- Bonner.
Danny, meet Buff Smith
and John Carver.
Bonner?
How are you?
They've joined up with us.
Gee, that's great.
We thought they were prisoners.
I, uh, didn't catch
the name quite right.
Uh, Bonner, Danny Bonner.
Take them over to the
mess and find bunks for them.
They'll be riding out
early in the morning.
Why waste tonight, Major?
Buff and me could be
well up the line by morning.
That's all right with me.
Go over to the corral, Danny.
Find good mounts for 'em.
Come in with me, boys,
and get your outfits.
Yes, sir.
Hello, Major.
Hello, Pete.
How was your trip, sir?
Not too rough.
Anything new?
Yes, sir, but it's not good.
They got Jim McCoy
up at Granger.
One of our best men.
That makes 31 this month.
This note was found
pinned to his jacket, sir.
This'll give you an idea of
what you're up against, Johnny.
"Keep sending them, Major.
We have lots of ammunition."
Signed, Sam Bass.
All right, we've tried to
accommodate Mr. Bass and company.
Oh, uh, Captain,
meet John Carver and Buff Smith.
They're joining us on probation.
Boys, this is Captain Pete,
my second in command.
Howdy, Captain.
Pleased to meet you.
Welcome to the Rangers.
Just a minute, please.
Oh, Major, this young lady
has been waiting to see you.
Miss Helen Fenton.
She's publisher of the
Waco Star. Oh, I see.
Well, what is it, Miss Fenton?
Did I understand you
correctly just now, Major?
You've taken these men out of
prison to make Rangers of them?
That's right, Miss Fenton.
Major Jones,
these two men were
tried and convicted
as accessories to
the murder of my father
two years ago in Waco.
I was a prosecuting witness.
They're murderous outlaws.
I'm afraid you're allowing
your personal tragedy
to blind you to
reality, Miss Fenton.
Two years ago Texas
was an outlaw state.
Many young men capable
of becoming good citizens
had drifted into
lives of violence.
These men are cases in point.
I think they should have a
chance to redeem themselves.
Well, then there's no use
in my staying longer.
I was hoping to go back to Waco
and tell the people of my county
that the Rangers would soon
bring them relief from Sam Bass.
But you can.
These men are going to be of
great help in rounding up that gang.
They're the kind of men we need.
We're fighting fire
with fire, Miss Fenton.
Major Jones,
if the Texas Rangers
have reached so low
in the bottom of the barrel
that there's nothing left
but rotten apples,
there's little hope
for McLennan County.
We might as well
elect Sam Bass sheriff.
Good day, sir.
Phew! That filly leaves
a trail like a prairie fire.
I reckon you'll have to read
the next edition of the Waco Star
through smoked glasses, Major.
I'm afraid so. Now, boys, if
you'll take a look at this map.
The last four jobs
Sam Bass pulled
we all between
Little River and Waco.
Ah, that means
they're working out of
Lampasas River country,
all right, Major.
Yes, and Bass now has enough
gunfighters to block every known path
and ambush my men
when they try to follow him.
Now I want you to locate
his hideout in the bottom lands
and spot an unguarded path
through the river timber.
I reckon Buff and me
know about 100 deer trails.
They can't block them all.
Right and when you're
all set, report back to me.
I'll be a day's ride behind you
with all the men I can assemble.
And you'll lead us in
for a surprise attack.
Any questions?
Reckon not.
You, Buff?
No.
Say, Major, didn't I...
Well...
Didn't I smell chewing meat on
the fire out there, when we drove by?
That's right, Buff.
The mess cook will fix
you up with all you want.
Oh, man, oh, man!
This will be the first time I sat
down to three or four T-bones in...
In two years.
Just a minute, Buff.
Now, boys, raise
your right hands.
Repeat after me.
I solemnly swear...
I solemnly swear...
...to render loyal service
to the State of Texas.
...to render loyal
service to the State of Texas.
Danny.
Hi, Buff.
Johnny, gee, you could have
knocked me over with a broom straw
when I saw you and Buff ride in.
How'd you do it? Your
name is Danny Bonner, eh?
What's the idea, kid?
Ashamed to be known
as my brother?
That wasn't it, Johnny,
you know it wasn't.
I never have been
ashamed of you.
I told you that in my letters.
They don't give you any
mail in that prison, Danny.
What about the
packages I sent you?
I expect our keepers enjoy them.
Oh, no wonder you thought
I'd turned on you.
No, I only took Uncle
Bonner's name because...
Well because I was afraid
they wouldn't let me in
the Rangers
if they knew about...
Well, that's the only
reason. That was all.
Oh, look, Johnny, how could
I have been ashamed of you?
I've carried
this medal of yours,
haven't I, ever since
you came back from the war?
Now I can show it to everybody
and let 'em know we're brothers.
No, not yet, kid.
Why not? Your being in the
Rangers makes everything just fine.
We can go to the Major and...
No, nothing doing.
Let things ride as they are.
I get it. You want to prove
yourself first, that's it.
Sure. That's it.
Well, look, if you'll go to the Major
and put in a good word for me,
he'll let me string along with
you and Buff on my first field job.
Oh, not a chance, Danny.
This is special,
just for Buff and me.
Take care of yourself.
When he was born, Buff, he weighed
four and a half pounds on a hook.
Well, he's a grownup
Texas longhorn now.
Gosh, Aunt Helen.
Johnny Carver's
the only man in Texas
who'll slap leather
faster than Sam Bass.
Oh, Sam Bass is faster
than him with both hands.
Yeah?
Yeah!
Hey, hey, we've enough bandit killers
in Texas without you two joining up.
Now get these papers delivered.
Yes, ma'am.
But I'd still like to be around when
Johnny Carver and Sam Bass meet up.
Miss Helen.
Sam Bass and a bunch of
gunfighters just rode into town.
They set themselves up in the Frontier
Palace, just as cool as you please.
Where's the Marshal
and his deputy?
When last seen,
he was heading south.
Coward!
No wonder our boys make
heroes of these murderers.
Miss Helen, you ain't
going to the Palace.
Where else?
I run a newspaper, Pete.
It's my job to interview
celebrities when they come to town.
Leave it to me,
Mr. Bass.
Supper for 9:00 and
everything the best.
And everything on the house.
Oh, of course.
It's a great pleasure, sir.
Bill, Charlie,
set the big table.
Nice fella, huh?
Real hospitable town, Waco.
We should come here more often.
Oh, boys. Wes,
that Belton Bank job is ripe
and ready for us
to pluck off the limb.
Ah, that penny-ante piggy
bank isn't worth the trip, Sam.
She will be by the
time we get there.
I got news from the
boys down south today.
Wells Fargo is coming in with a big
bundle of cash and we're really gonna...
You're Sam Bass, aren't you?
That's right, ma'am, but you
have the advantage of me.
I'm Helen Fenton,
publisher of the Waco Star.
Pleased to know you, ma'am.
What can I do for you?
Just one thing.
You and these hyenas of yours
can climb right back on those horses
outside and let the people of
Waco breathe clean air again.
My name ain't "hyena" sister,
it's Dave Rudabaugh.
I know.
I have all your photographs
back at the office.
You're John Wesley Hardin and
you're Duke Fisher
and you're Butch Cassidy.
And who am I, sister?
You're the Sundance Kid.
Easy, Sundance. I don't
go for beating women.
What was I gonna do?
Let her shoot me?
Where did you get this talk
about Johnny Carver?
What talk is that?
Read it.
Says there that Johnny Carver is
out of prison and joined the Rangers.
Him and Buff Smith.
Maybe that's the best
way out for Texas after all.
Make Rangers out of half the outlaws
and you can fight it out among yourselves
till you're all killed off.
Ah, you talk too much, sister.
See the lady to the door, Wes.
I can find the door
without assistance.
Boys, this is a deeper
creek than we think
and full of quicksand.
The gal says here,
the Major told her
that Buff and Johnny were gonna
help the Rangers round us up.
That means they should
be riding north.
Hmm, I can't figure
them two turning Ranger.
I can.
You know 'em?
Raised in the same town.
They was both in
Major Jones' cavalry.
Always bragging about what
a great fellow Jones was.
That explains things, Butch.
I know those hombres,too.
They're bad medicine.
We don't want them
north of the Lampasas.
Leave them to me, Sam.
I got a special hate
on them two sidewinders
for that double cross they gave
me here in Waco two years back.
Oh, that's not the way
I heard it, Sundance.
Then you heard it wrong.
Would like to wade into
it any deeper, huh, Wes?
None of that, there'll be no
gunplay among ourselves.
Wes, get over to
the telegraph office.
Jeff and Bart are down in
Belton casing that bank job for us.
Wire them and tell them to
look out for Carver and Smith
at Pecos Palmer's
place in Granger.
That's a good idea, Sam.
Sundance, take a couple of the
boys and head south right now.
I want those two
stopped below Belton,
so they won't interfere
with that bank job tomorrow.
It's a pleasure, Sam.
But I won't need any help.
I know a spot where I can
Winchester the both of them
right out of their saddles.
Suit yourself, Kid.
On the way down, stop in
on the telegraph operator.
He might have some news
from Pecos Palmer.
Boys, who's pouring?
You know, Johnny,
I keep remembering all
them pretty words to that oath
the Major gave us
back in Austin.
"I do solemnly swear to render
faithful service to the State of Texas."
Now, that's the first time I
ever swore without cussing.
Pecos Palmer's place
is just up ahead.
We got to pick up the
Sundance Kid's trail there.
We ain't going gunning
for that snake first, are we?
We are if I can smoke him out.
But the Major's orders
was for us to locate...
Look, let me do the figuring.
Sundance is our
personal business.
You owe him as much
as I do, don't you?
Oh, sure, Johnny, but
we swore by the good book.
And Sundance is first in my book,
tonight, tomorrow, or the day after.
Nobody I know,
except Pecos the barkeep.
Uh, them two at the bar.
Appears like to me I've
seen 'em before someplace,
in Sam Bass' gang.
Trail's heating up.
Well, well, Rangers Johnny
Carver and Buff Smith.
Be careful of your language,
boys, the law is with us.
How'd you hear about us
so soon, Pecos?
Sundance Kid send
you a telegram?
Sundance Kid?
Never heard of him.
What'll it be, Rangers?
Reckon this ought to be safe.
Your whiskey is bad
enough, Pecos, without
a shot of rat poison.
Who belongs to that
straw pony outside?
How do I know?
I ain't been outside.
I reckon that's my pony
you're asking about, Ranger.
What's it to you?
Mighty nice-looking pony.
Boys must have been
in a big hurry,
getting here the same day
you crossed the Lampasas.
We like to ride fast.
Any objections?
No. Just wondering,
that's all.
Who sent you down to meet us?
Sam Bass or the Sundance Kid?
Talk fast.
Where's Sundance?
Just keep heading north, he'll
be watching for you, Ranger.
Let's ride.
So long, Pecos,
you better not be
here on our return trip.
You won't like that water
cure up at the state prison.
He'll wire somewhere
up the line.
Sundance will know
we're after him.
Doggone it, Johnny, he'll hole
up some place then, won't he?
No, not him, he won't run.
We'll have to do more looking
behind us than in front of us.
Howdy, Sundance.
Wait till I sign off.
Man, this line's been hot.
Anything I ought to know?
Yeah, Pecos Palmer
wired up to Marshal Gorey
at Belton about a
shooting down at his place.
Is that for me?
At my usual rate, Sundance.
Much obliged.
Pecos said a couple of Rangers,
Carver and Smith by name, had a
set-to with Jeff Barton and Bart Howard.
Yeah?
Who won?
The Rangers.
Still riding north, looking
for you, Pecos said.
Hmm, that's funny,
I'm looking for them.
You know, I'm getting to like this
Ranger business more and more.
That was the first time I ever used
the gun with a clear conscience.
Man, last time I rode
through this part of the country,
I had old Marshal Gorey in
a posse riding herd on me.
How'd you shake 'em off? Hmm?
Oh, I holed up in some
of them trees over yonder.
He rode right on by me.
Show me, we'll see
what's following.
Somebody following us?
Yeah, they have been
ever since the morning.
What's the big idea, kid?
The Major sent me.
He got word that Sam Bass
and his gang are in Waco and...
...they're coming south.
- Why'd he pick you?
- I don't know.
Guess he figured wasn't a better man
I could work with on my first field job.
He's stalling.
He knows who you are
and sent you out
because he don't trust me
to go through with the job.
Oh, no, Johnny,
you got him all wrong.
He knows you wouldn't back
out once you've started something.
Yeah, once...
You know, I sure have been getting
out of practice with this thing lately.
You know I took a shot
last night at 10 feet
and it was over an
inch and a half high? Ha!
Hey, the fella what put up that
sign over there forgot to dot the "I's."
Oh, it's still an inch high.
Hey, now that's pretty
good shooting, Johnny.
Well, nail me up to
a barn door to dry.
Say, where'd you learn
to shoot like that?
I had a pretty good teacher.
That'll be Sundance.
And just as itchy-fingered
as ever. Hold it.
You two stay here.
Johnny, he ain't
likely to be alone.
That's something I'll
have to find out for myself.
I'd feel pretty good with not
taking you into an ambush.
Buff, you keep him here if you
have to throw and hog-tie him.
See what you've done
by tagging after us?
Turned a doggone good
Ranger into a doggone nursemaid!
Lie real quiet, Sundance.
Let go of that Winchester.
I could let you have it in
the back, like you did me,
but that would be
too easy on you.
Rise and reach.
Higher.
All right, Ranger, what's next?
Take one hand down slowly to
that belt buckle and open her up.
Slowly, I said.
Major Jones is sure gonna
be happy to see you.
I want you to get a taste of
that waterhole at the state pen.
I'd like to see you
after the warden's boys
get through playing with
you for a month or so.
Somebody got it!
Yeah, but which one?
Can't wait here to find out.
Johnny, you got him!
Man, oh, man, that last
shot had us both worried.
Where'd you leave
the Major's outfit?
Down at Round Rock.
They should be making
Pecos Palmer's by sundown.
Take this load of buzzard
meat and deliver it to them.
But if we push on fast, we
got a chance to get our job done
while the gang's still
north of the river.
That's the Major's job.
I've finished mine.
I don't get it.
Give the Major my thanks.
Tell him not to worry
about Buff and me anymore.
We're leaving Texas for good.
But you gave him your word,
your solemn oath.
It's the promises I make to
myself that count with me,
and I kept that one.
Johnny, wait.
There's nothing to
argue about, kid.
One Ranger in
the family's enough.
Come on, Buff.
You're not going anywhere.
Get your hands up.
You know you couldn't shoot.
If you don't think so,
just try for your gun.
Buff, I could give this fool kid a
one-shot edge and still get him.
But I don't want to hurt him.
Take his gun away for me.
I'm sorry, Johnny.
I'm stringing with Danny.
And you know you can't
give me no one-shot edge.
Get his gun belt, Danny.
Belton's the next town north.
I'm turning you over to
the Marshal there, and then
I'm gonna do the job that
you were sent out to do,
locate Sam Bass' hideout.
Why, you don't know
one trail from another.
But I do.
Hot news from down
the line, boss.
Johnny Carver, Buff Smith, and
another Ranger just rode into Little River
with the Sundance Kid,
dead and tied to his saddle.
How long ago?
Not more than an hour.
The operator at Little
River wired up to Belton.
They left Sundance's body
and rode on north.
Guess Sundance wasn't as handy
with that Winchester as he figured.
Butch, Dave, take three
of the boys and see
that Carver outfit
stopped south of Belton.
We can't have them riding in on
that bank job tomorrow morning.
Luke, Connor, Hilton.
Come on, Dave, let's go.
From here, boys, we drift
on into Belton easy-like.
Meet up at the
Rancher Hotel tonight.
Get 'em started, John.
You two have everything it
takes to be Rangers except brains.
If Sam Bass is riding
south like the Major told you,
he ought to be pretty
near here by now.
I don't like to riding into his
reception committee empty-handed.
It's a good try, but no deal.
Let's take cover here.
It'll be easy pickings
when they stop for water.
Yeah.
Tie 'em up to the trees, boys.
Luke, take that rock over there.
All right. Go.
Over there.
I'll take Carver.
All right.
I'll nail the kid.
Johnny!
Why didn't you keep going?
Hit bad?
Nah, just a scratch.
In the back.
That slug was meant for you.
Get one of the canteens.
Thanks.
I'm all right.
Reckon we better
take you back south to the Major
instead of going on to Belton.
Give Buff your gun.
It's all right, Danny.
I'm gonna take you
back to the Major.
I knew you couldn't
run out on us.
No more then you could
have pulled that trigger
on me, Danny.
Buff, get my pony, will you?
Be ready to travel in a minute.
As soon as I catch breath.
Sure, kid.
Right away.
It's 4:00 now.
We can be at
the Lampasas by 8:00.
It's kind of...
It's kind of dark for 4:00,
ain't it, Johnny?
It's clouding up a bit, Danny.
Seems like an northern's
coming on.
We'll telegraph the Major
a report from Little River.
Only...
Only we'll sign it John
and Daniel Carver.
No more of this Bonner
stuff for me.
Oh...
Uh...
Next chance I get...
Can you get me
one of them fancy...
Fancy watch fobs
that dudes wear?
I'm gonna hang
this medal in plain sight,
where everybody can see it.
I'll get one for
you myself, Danny.
Folks'll ask me, they'll say,
"Son, where did
you get that medal?"
And I'll say...
Say, "My brother Johnny
"won it fighting at Shiloh.
"Fighting for Texas."
You're talking
too much now, Danny.
Take it easy a bit.
Yeah.
You're right, Ranger.
Johnny...
Johnny, I can't see.
Johnny.
Danny.
Danny.
Bet you never knowed he was
Johnny's brother, huh, Major?
I knew who he was all along.
In fact, it was something
he said about
being men in prison who would make
good Rangers if they had the chance
that started me working on
getting you and Johnny out.
Johnny wanted me to ask you to
have him buried under his right name.
Of course.
I'll take him back
to Austin with us.
He'll rest in the state cemetery,
along with a lot of other good Texans.
You're going back
to Austin, Major?
We've been ordered back.
But what about Johnny?
He'll be working up there,
trailing Sam Bass
and figuring you're
right behind him.
You know how to
make contact with him?
Well, we figured out a place about
four miles this side of Waco to meet.
You better get ready
to start north again, Buff.
I'll give you your final
instructions before you go.
Yes, sir.
There it is.
50,000 cash and
new Yankee folding money.
Good as gold
and easier to carry.
Wells Fargo's smartening up.
Look at all them guards.
Yeah, but they'll
be pulling out soon.
Their responsibility
ends with delivery.
They put in, we take out.
So long, Marshal.
Howdy, Dave.
Man, you look all beat.
Where's Butch and the others?
Is Sam inside?
Yeah.
Room 22. Second floor.
I don't get it, Dave.
Five of you against three,
and you still couldn't pull it off.
Sam, it was just
one of those things.
Carver got Cassidy and the rest
of the boys with a few lucky shots.
I was the only one left
and had to get out of there.
Looks like I'll have to make
Carver my own personal business.
Here's your opportunity, Sam.
Johnny Carver.
Hold it, Dave.
You'll have them Wells
Fargo men back on our hands.
Howdy, Marshal.
Howdy, Johnny.
From the telegrams I got, seems like I can
welcome you to the side of law and order.
I'm mighty glad to hear
it, young fellow. Thanks.
How many deputies you got?
Oh, nary a one.
Nothing ever happens
in this one-horse town.
Well, you better hold
your hat, Marshal.
There's a lot more than one horse
back of the hotel, and men to ride them.
Sam Bass outfit.
Sam Bass?
Why, man, Wells Fargo's just
brought in $50,000 of county money.
So that's what they're after.
Ain't there no more
Rangers around?
Not within a day's ride.
Well, Johnny, it looks like
it's just you and me.
Yeah, reckon it is
whether we like it or not.
That makes the setup
even more interesting.
You all know the cards
I dealt you.
Let's go play them.
What kind of cards
you gonna deal Carver?
Aces and eights.
Dead man's hand.
Get in the cage, quick.
Take cover behind the desk.
Eddie, Tom, flat on the floor.
Looks bad, Marshal.
There's always a chance, son,
you'll get the one with your name on it.
Take the money out of the
safe and put it in the bag.
But why?
Don't ask questions, do it.
Grab that tie rail,
break in the door.
It's all there, Ranger.
Much obliged.
But that's the bank's funds
you've got in that...
Drop that gun, Marshal.
Johnny!
Drop it, I tell you,
or this one will
have your name on it.
What's the deal, Marshal?
You're too late to rob
this bank, Sam Bass.
That renegade Ranger Johnny
Carver's just beat you to it.
Did you check on this wire?
Yes, sir, came
direct from Belton.
Old Marshal Gorey
sent it himself.
"John Carver robbed
Belton bank."
I'd have bet my bottom
dollar on that man.
So would I, sir.
Even though I'd
only seen him once.
This is going to be an
awful blow to the Rangers
when the papers
get through with it.
It's going to be
worse than that.
I sent Buff Smith
north to meet Carver
with a message
of vital importance.
Oh, so we better send out
some "wanted" notices.
There's nothing else to do.
Wire every Ranger outpost,
every sheriff in the state,
John Carver wanted,
dead or alive.
Right, sir.
Johnny Carver, you are a worse
double-crosser than the Sundance Kid.
I'm taking you in.
You must have heard
about the Belton bank job.
Heard about it,
you ornery critter.
They've got "wanted" notices out
on you all over the state of Texas.
Oh, take it easy, Buff.
I only pulled that job to save that
money from the Sam Bass gang
and to keep old Marshal
Gorey from getting shot.
Money's in a safe place, Buff.
All but what I'm holding on to buy
myself a seat at Sam Bass' table.
Are you fixing to join
up with that outfit?
That's the only way I can do
a job for the Major and Danny.
I've got to join them to
find out how to trap them.
Well, tie me tail to tail
with a wildcat.
But, Johnny,
the Major wants us both
back in Austin right away.
What for?
To help guard
the Yankee gold loan.
Yankee gold loan?
Oh, man, where you have been?
They're loaning Texas
a million dollars cash.
It's coming down Friday.
On the Texas Central?
They're running
a special train for it.
Buff, that's our chance
to lay the Sam Bass outfit
right in the Major's lap.
I'm going into Waco.
No, Johnny, they'll blast
you out of your saddle.
Oh, stop worrying, Buff.
Just bore yourself a hole in
that clump of trees over there,
and I'll come back
soon to dig you out.
Just a minute, please.
Speaking to me, ma'am?
It is surprising, isn't it?
But, you see, that's part of
my job, interviewing celebrities.
In your case, I'm anxious to
get some facts for your obituary.
Reckon I was playing hooky from
school when that word came up.
It means "death notice."
Oh.
Ain't you a mite
previous, ma'am?
I'm feeling fine.
From what I hear, there will be
a sudden change for the worse
when Sam Bass
learns you're in town.
So, how about a few last
words for my next edition?
Why, sure, ma'am.
What about?
I'd like to print, straight
from your own mouth,
just how it feels to
take a solemn oath
of allegiance to your
native state and break it.
See you later.
And then to double-cross
your own thieving pals
till you wind up without
a friend in the world,
hunted by the law
and the lawless alike,
every man's hand against you.
How does it feel,
convict John Carver?
Sister, you wouldn't
be a bad looker
if you'd wipe some of that
printer's ink off your face and hands.
Sure got a nerve.
I wish he'd go before
Sam Bass finds him.
Too late now.
Look who's coming.
Have some chicken, Sam.
It's mighty tasty.
Before I drop you, Johnny, why
did you pull that Belton job on me?
I figured it was the only way I could
talk to you and not start shooting.
You and me has gone
beyond talking, Johnny.
Maybe.
There's a certain deal coming up
only you and your men
can handle.
Such as what?
It's about a train
and a million dollars
in cold cash.
Come to think of it, that
chicken does look pretty good.
Set them up, Rico.
Tell Wes to stop poking
his gun through those doors.
Makes me nervous.
Okay, boys.
Come on in.
Send the drinks
into the back room,
and bring another
platter of chicken.
After two years
in the state prison,
I'd have joined
any outfit to get out.
Even the Yankee cavalry.
Especially when I met a chance
to tie the score with Sundance.
Was it a fair fight?
As fair as you could
get with Sundance.
He's strictly
a percentage player.
This time, it was his
Winchester against my six-gun.
What became of that pal
of yours, Buff Smith?
Pals once, but no more.
Buff got religion, I reckon.
He wanted to stay in with
the Rangers, so we split up.
If you ain't a Ranger,
what did you do
with that Belton loot?
It's in a safe spot, Sam.
I'll take you to it someday.
All I want is my cut of it.
That's an easy promise, Johnny,
but money talks.
Well, here's some
with a few words to say.
Two thousand I held out for
expenses on this money train job.
You handle it, Sam.
I'll put you in.
Now, uh, tell us about
that treasure train.
Is that,
that Yankee loan to Texas
I've been reading in the
papers about? That's right.
Why, that shipment will carry a whole
train-load of Pinkerton men and Rangers.
Not from the orders I saw
on Major Jones' desk.
It's coming down secret
on the Texas Central
branch from Dallas.
What day?
What train number?
Sam, I need you and the men.
But if I told you everything I
know, maybe you wouldn't need me.
You win, Johnny.
I figure we all better be in the vicinity
of Round Rock by Friday morning.
That's my pick of towns
for the job.
Round Rock suits me fine.
Depot's right in town, plenty
of cover and easy getaway.
It's a deal then?
It's a deal.
Okay, boys, let's clear the
table and play a little draw.
Not me, Sam.
Dude smells so sweet,
I think I'll run over to Sing
Wong's and get me a bath.
See you later.
So long, partners.
Better see that he gets
over to Sing Wong's safe.
I wouldn't want anything
to happen to him.
Uh, yeah.
Come on.
Paper, Mr. Carver?
No, thanks, I've seen it.
Ain't you and Sam Bass
going to shoot it out?
Well, not today, I reckon.
Oh, gee!
Will you do me a favor?
Sure.
Can you keep a secret?
Anything.
Here's a cartwheel for you.
Just lead my pony up the
street to the livery stable.
Why sure, and thanks, Johnny.
Want me to unsaddle
and feed him? No.
Just lead him straight through
the stable to the back alley,
and then bring him down the
alley behind Sing Wong's place.
I'll be waiting for you
there. Understand?
You ain't letting old Sam Bass
run you out of town, are you?
You worry too much, kid.
Now get going.
Got it straight, Buff?
Yeah, sure, Johnny.
I catch the next train for
Austin and I tell the Major that
you got the Sam Bass outfit
fixing to rob the gold train
at Round Rock next Friday.
That's right.
Hey, you can square me with
him on that Belton Bank job, too.
Oh, he'll sure be glad to know
what you've been doing, too.
Let me get well up the road
before you show yourself.
Move right on in, Johnny.
Get yourself a couple
for the road.
I could use a couple.
Hey, you look slicker
than a wet muskrat.
Enjoyed your bath
over at Wong's?
Yeah, and caught up
on some lost sleep.
Hot tub sure is wonderful.
I take one every month,
whether I need it or not.
Where did you pick him up?
Over near Dal's, Johnny.
We picked him up
after you left him.
What about it, Johnny?
Sure I met him.
I wanted to give him a last
chance to quit the Rangers
and throw in with us.
Throw in with you?
A man that would rat out
on a friend like the Major
after he got you
out of a prison?
I told you he got religion.
I don't need no religion
to hate polecats like you.
This Rudabaugh,
he shot my pal Danny Bonner
in the back.
Bragged about it to me.
What do you say, Sam?
Let me shut his yap for good.
Wait a minute, Dave.
You're sure he didn't have a
chance to send any messages?
Well, he never got out
of that patch of woods.
We've been working
on him all afternoon.
Trying to break down that sad
story of your busted friendship.
- And no break?
- Not a crack out of him.
I'll have to admit, it looks
like a real split-up, all right.
Okay, Johnny, I guess that
puts you in solid with all of us.
What do you want done with him?
Let him go.
What he don't know
can't hurt us.
Oh, it's too late
for that now, Johnny.
I couldn't trust him
out of my sight.
Give him another chance, Sam.
After all he was
a friend of mine once.
No friend of mine.
Nor mine.
Sorry, Johnny.
I know how you feel, Johnny.
But with a million
in gold at stake,
we couldn't take any chances.
All right, Sam.
Let's start south.
Now you're talking.
Hit the street, boys.
We'll split up and
head for Little River.
Just a minute, Sam.
I've got a little unfinished
business with that girl in there.
All right, so I was wrong.
You still have some friends,
and a fine crew they are, too.
Sit down and listen to me.
I've got to make this look rough,
lady, they're watching every move.
So if you want to help round up
Sam Bass and his whole outfit,
just sit there
and listen a minute.
Stop it!
Now get this,
I only pulled that bank job
to get in with
the Sam Bass outfit.
I had to use part of the money.
The rest of it is on its way
back to the bank.
I don't believe a word
you're saying! Listen, lady,
we're riding south right now.
There's very little time.
You take the night train to Austin,
tell Major Jones I'm still working for him.
Tell him I've got Sam Bass
and his whole outfit
set to rob the Yankee gold
train at Round Rock, Friday.
Got that?
Round Rock, Friday.
Now sit down.
They killed Buff Smith before he
got away to take word to the Major.
I can't use the telegraph.
Bass has friends
listening in on the line.
You're the only chance left.
Please, Aunt Helen, he's telling
the truth. You've got to believe!
Nice going, kid.
If she doesn't go,
you take that train.
Here's some money for you.
I wish I could believe you.
You'd better believe me.
Maybe this will help
convince you.
Mmm...
Don't worry, Johnny,
she'll go, all right.
Now, lady, leave my
name out of your paper,
or I'll come back
and do that again.
Was Buff Smith really
killed, Miss Fenton?
Yes. In the Frontier Palace,
I saw the body.
Major, that would seem
to lend some conviction to
the story Carver told you.
Yes, but it could be a trick.
Get our men in one place,
and then rob the train in another.
Johnny Carver wouldn't
do that, Major.
Honest, he wouldn't.
Jimmy's his champion.
In fact, if it hadn't
been for Jimmy,
I don't think I would have
bothered to come down to Austin.
And yet there was a
desperate sort of sincerity
about that man
that you couldn't deny.
Especially that kiss
he give you.
Oh?
Yes, Major, but by force.
I think it was intended
to amuse the men
looking on from outside
and help put them
off their guard.
Well, my dear,
I've already risked too much
on Carver to back down now.
We'll see it through,
sink or swim.
When that gold train
rolls into Round Rock,
my men and I will be there
to give Sam Bass a welcome.
And so will the Waco
Star. Me, too. Oh, boy!
Johnny, my hat's off to you.
Ah, boys, there's no doubt
about it, number 44 is our baby.
She's highballing all the way
to Waco up to Round Rock.
Everything else on the side
track to give her right away.
Any idea how heavy
she's guarded?
Yeah, she's got three
men with the money
and the rest Pinkertons
riding as passengers.
Well, hadn't we better
hightail it for Round Rock, Sam,
with 44 running free, she'll
be an hour ahead of schedule.
That's right, Johnny. Only
we ain't going to Round Rock.
I don't get it, Sam.
If she's free and makes the first
stop there... Why wait till she stops?
Dave, you remember that horseshoe
bend a couple of miles north of Round Rock?
Why sure. I run it many a
time when I was railroading.
44 will be slowed down to a
walk when she goes through there.
You and Duke get on,
take over the engine,
uncouple that express car,
leave the rest of the train
and the Pinkertons behind, and
we'll meet you at Cooper's water tank.
Ah, you're making history, Sam.
No one's ever stolen
a moving train before.
Oh, Dave, as soon as you've
shaken lose that express car,
give us one long and one
short blast on the whistle,
so we know
everything's all set. Right.
One long and one short.
And be sure you don't forget.
Because if we don't hear that
whistle, we'll think you messed up
and we'll throw the switch and ditch
the whole train by the water tower.
Well, give me a third man for
the uncoupling, and I can't miss.
I reckon that's me, Sam.
I'm a railroader from way back.
Now ain't that swell.
No wonder I took
such a fancy to you.
Same here.
You three better get up
the top of the hill,
find a good spot to
get on that engine.
Hey, Sam,
aren't we about ready to
get rid of that counterfeit?
Sure. As soon as
he uncouples the train.
Much obliged.
44 just cleared Temple,
Major. Thanks, Joe.
Less than an hour more, Captain.
Any sign of any Bass men
in town yet?
No, sir, not so far.
They should have
been drifting in long ago,
if they're really
coming here. Yes, sir.
It doesn't look good.
No.
Well, Miss Fenton,
you take Jimmy
into the waiting room,
and when that train rolls in,
be sure you keep him
inside till it's all over. Yes, sir.
But I think I'd better
find a piece of rope first.
Ah, Aunt Helen,
I'm going to miss all the show.
Let's get the boys headed south.
Mr. Bass,
I just got a flash from Round Rock.
The whole town is full of Rangers.
Have a cigar.
Have a cigar and remember, son,
don't ever trust nobody's
brains but your own.
I'll see you, and
raise you seven cents.
I reckon this is the
first game of penny ante
ever played on
a million-dollar table.
I'll raise you a nickel.
Hurry up with that pin, Johnny.
Okay, Johnny, join
us up at the engine.
Something's wrong, boys.
She's slowing down.
Hold it, Bill,
they're on the car.
I had Carver figured right,
he made a move
to warn the Pinkerton man.
Well, that closes him
up, don't it? On sight.
Now, Duke, now.
There's the signal, Wes.
They made it all right.
Call the men off that switch.
Get ready to blast
that car open.
Why don't they slow it down?
Get away from that truck.
And let you run her
straight through to Austin?
Nothing doing, Ranger.
Dave and Johnny in a tangle.
We got to stop that train.
Trouble signal.
Carver is trying to
signal the Rangers.
Get the men mounted.
Yes, sir.
Hurry up, men!
This is for my
kid brother and Buff.
Here come the Rangers.
What do you say, Sam? We shoot
it out? Yeah, this is a showdown.
I'll get Carver and
keep that engine running.
Meet you up the line.
For me?
Gee, Johnny, thanks.
Shh.
That's 30 for now. Charge it to
the Waco Star account. Yes, miss.
Well, there'll be an
extra on Waco streets
within a half an hour,
and what a story.
Thanks to you, Johnny.
Remember what I said
I'd do to you if you put
my name in your paper again?
Well...
Turn around, son.