Bonanza (1959–1973): Season 4, Episode 33 - The Boss - full transcript

The following program

is brought to you in
living color on NBC.

Ah, tell your pa I sure
thank him, Little Joe.

Well, he would have
liked to come out here

and say good-bye
himself, Mr. Durra,

but he had to go into town.

Some kind of a big
meeting at Mr. Oliver's.

It's not gonna seem
the same around here

without you running the place.

Well, maybe the
fella I sold out to

will get along better than me.



Maybe he'll be willing
to knuckle under.

Knuckle under? To who?

Slayden. Boss Slayden,

and his bullyboy, Gus Hanna.

Me? I'm, uh, I'm not
the knuckling kind.

Slayden? Has he
been bothering you?

Yeah. He's been giving
me plenty of bother.

Seems Slayden has taken
us businessmen one at a time.

You pay what he asks or else.

I can hardly believe that.

Well, my pa started Slayden
in the freighting business.

Slayden and his daughter
are real good friends of ours.

Yeah, real good friends
of yours, Little Joe.

You'd be surprised how
much that's helped Slayden



in what he's trying to do.

Hold it, Cartwright!

You can just take the load
right back where you got it.

What are you talking about, Gus?

Why, you know better
than to try any hauling.

Your old man's got a
contract with Washoe Freight.

I'm not hauling freight.

I'm doing ranch chores.

This ain't Ponderosa land.

It's a public road, and that
makes it Slayden's territory.

Slayden's territory?

You must be out of your mind.

You can't stop me
from using a public road.

Well, we're doing it, ain't we?

You're gonna get out of my way.

Cartwright!

Hope little Myrtle
feels better real soon.

Thanks again.

What'd you do that for?

We want to talk
about Tom Slayden.

Is that the only way we can
talk, behind closed doors?

Just how well do you
know Slayden, Ben?

How well do I know him?

Well, I know what things
were like before he got here.

We had three freight lines
that were broken down.

Half our supplies
never got through

and the road agents
were stealing us blind.

And now Slayden
is stealing us blind!

You know the way
he's jacked up his rates.

If this keeps up,
we'll all go bankrupt.

Well, didn't anyone talk to
him, try to reason with him?

Yeah, Bill Haney
did, and the next night,

his store was burned
down real mysterious-like.

Now, hold on.

You're not saying
Tom Slayden did that?

It's the same thing.

He got Gus Hanna and his
bullyboys to do the job for him.

Slayden sits back while
they do the rough stuff.

Now, like we said,

you're the one that
brought him here,

so we want you to talk to him.

We don't want the same
thing to happen to us

that happened to Bill Haney.

Yeah, sure.

Of course I'll talk to him.

Only one thing. Uh...

just leave our names out of it.

Yeah.

Well, hello, Ben.

Sorry to keep you waiting,
but I just heard you were here.

Tom.

Guess who just
got off the stage?

Who's that?

My daughter, Karen.

She finished school
in San Francisco?

No, she quit.

Yeah, I finally managed

to get her into the
best school in the West

and then she decides
she'd rather be here with me.

I don't know whether
to be mad or flattered.

Oh, I imagine you're more
flattered than you are mad.

Well, maybe.

You know how it
is. You've got sons.

Ah, could be three years
of school is enough for a girl.

Maybe she ought to learn how
life is outside the books, eh?

That depends on how
life is outside the books.

What'd you want to
see me about, Ben?

Tom...

what are you trying
to do to this town?

Somebody complaining?

Maybe.

I raised my rates to
meet rising costs, Ben.

Tom, you didn't raise my rates.

Well, you're a friend of mine.

Besides, you're responsible
for my being here.

Anyway, Sam Durra
was talking about

bringing in
another freight line.

And you wouldn't let him?

I couldn't let him.

If I allowed him to do that,

others would want
to do the same.

There'd be a lot of
little freight companies

cutting each other's throats.

You can't have that.

Oh, I see.

No competition, is that it?

Well, come on now, my friend,

you understand
it perfectly well.

How did you build the Ponderosa?

A lot of hard work
and sweat, Tom.

And you didn't have to
worry about competition. I do!

Well, of course I had to worry
about competition. I still do!

Oh, Ben, what's the
sense of arguing?

Ranching is an entirely
different business.

Look at this. Let me
show you something.

This is the greatest invention
since the world began.

The wheel. This is my business.

Over here, Ben, is
Washoe's operation.

Right here.

It's a scratch on the
surface at the moment,

but transportation's going to
be the lifeblood of this country,

and I'm gonna control it.

And how many more
places like Bill Haney's

are gonna have to burn
down before you control it?

I don't understand
your question, Ben.

Don't you?

Now, look, I've
got one daughter,

and I want to do for her just
what you're doing for your sons,

and I want her to
have a heritage.

A heritage?

It's a funny thing, Tom.

We use the same words,

but we mean different things.

Oh, Pa... Hoss.

I'm glad you're here.

I was just coming in after you.

What's the matter? Who's inside?

It's the doc.

You better come on
in. Little Joe's been hurt.

What happened?

He got shot in the shoulder.

How is he?

Not as bad as he could've been.

The wound is clean, but he's
lost a lot of blood. He's weak.

Well, young fella.

Howdy, Pa.

What happened?

I was bringing that wagonload
of lumber back from Durra's.

Some of Slayden's
men tried to stop me.

There was a shot...

Next thing I
remember, I was here.

Doc, what do you think?

A few days and he'll
begin to recover nicely.

Could you, uh,

could you help
Hoss get him upstairs

and make him comfortable?

Certainly.

Pa, where you goin'?

I'm going into town
to see Slayden.

Don't you want
me to go with you?

No, with Adam away, you'd better
stay here and take care of Joe.

Is he here?

Yeah, he's coming in now.

Well, hello, Ben!

Been expecting you. Come on in.

Can I give you a drink?

You can give me
an explanation, Tom.

I'll explain.

The kid asked for it.

We stopped to talk and he
made a stupid move for his gun.

That's funny.

My son never mentioned
anything about that.

Well, he probably
just forgot about it.

That's understandable.

How is the boy?

Now what was it you
wanted to talk about?

He was hauling stuff.

The boss gave orders that
nobody's allowed to do that.

I gave public notice

that Washoe was going
to protect its own interests.

It was like I told
you this morning,

no competition, Ben.

Your kid was hauling timber

in direct violation of
your contract with me.

We no longer have
a contract, Tom.

It's cancelled...
as of right now.

Well, of course...

that's your privilege, Ben,

but if you do that,
you better know

that not a wheel is gonna
move onto the Ponderosa,

or off of it.

And if you want to
make a fight over this,

I think our freighters can
match your cowboys anytime.

You want to make a
fight over this, don't you?

Don't you?!

I'm not avoiding it!

Now, I told you that
shooting was an accident,

but if you want to make
something more of it,

you do so, at your own risk.

Mm-hmm.

Beat me, beat 'em all.

No, Ben.

Give in to you,
give in to 'em all.

You admit he was
acting under your orders?

I'm the boss.

I guess that makes
you responsible

for his actions, then.

I guess it does, Ben.

Mr. Cartwright! Goodness,
it's good to see you.

How are you, Karen?

How are the boys?

How's Little Joe?

Maybe you'd better
ask your father.

What's wrong, Dad?

What did he mean by that?

Oh, nothing. It's just a...

small business disagreement
between Ben and me, that's all.

I want you to know my
foreman, Karen... Gus Hanna.

- How do you do, miss?
- Hello.

Well, I'd better
check the warehouse.

I, uh, hope you
like it here, miss.

Thank you.

Well... Those
are pretty flowers.

- Picked 'em for me, I hope, huh?
- Yes, Daddy, I did.

Daddy, about Mr. Cartwright...

Oh, no, no, that's just
a misunderstanding.

That's all that is, just...

Well, as a matter of
fact, uh, this fella Hanna,

he accidentally shot
Little Joe this morning.

- Shot him?
- Now, don't get excited.

It was just an accident;
he's gonna be all right.

Uh, Ben, got a little
upset about it, naturally.

I should imagine he would be.

I'll go out to the Ponderosa
right away and see Little Joe.

Oh, now, wait a minute, Karen.

I wish you wouldn't do that.

Why not?

Well, just let him calm
down for a few days.

I mean, Ben'll realize that this
thing's just an accident, but...

in the meantime, you know...

I'll tell you what,
come on with me.

I'll take you over to the hotel

and buy you the
finest dinner in town.

You know, they stock
my own private kitchen

over there nowadays.

Obstructing a public
road, invasion of privacy,

assault with a deadly
weapon... That's quite a list, Ben.

I hope you're not
questioning any part of it.

I'm only questioning how
you're gonna make out.

You know, with
all his toughness,

Slayden is a careful,
smooth operator.

Is it the first time

anyone has made a
complaint against him?

Oh, I've had words...

words here and words there.

But this is the first official
complaint I've had up till now.

I'm a lawman, and
I can't go around

arresting people like
Slayden and Gus Hanna

simply because they talk tough.

And I can't protect people
who are afraid of words.

Well, Bill Haney
got more than words.

When Bill Haney's
place burned down,

there were no witnesses.

I might add, I can't
keep a man in jail

indefinitely on
suspicion, either.

Well, you got more
than just suspicion.

Just fill out that
complaint now, Ed,

and I'll serve it on Tom
Slayden personally.

Serving warrants is my job, Ben.

All right.

Slayden.

Oh, hello, Sheriff.
Get him a glass, Gus.

No, thanks.

I've, uh... got a
warrant for your arrest.

Well, what's the charge?

Cartwright?

Yeah.

So he went
bellyachin' to the law.

I thought he had
more fight in him.

He's passing the buck to you.

Ben Cartwright never ran
away from trouble in his life.

I just don't need him
to help me do my job.

Well...

the prospect of my
being thrown into jail

seems to please everybody.

Now, we didn't say
that, Mr. Slayden.

Yeah.

But you all kind of like
the idea anyway, don't you?

Uh...

Cartwright was only
exercising his legal rights.

You shouldn't
condemn a man for that.

After all, his son was shot.

Well, at least I know
how you all feel.

Yeah, all right,
Sheriff, here you are.

You can post bond as soon
as I telegraph Judge Meisner

in Carson City and
find out how much.

Well, don't bother
about the bond.

The next session
of the circuit court

- is six weeks off.
- Yeah, I know it.

You don't figure on staying
in jail till then, do you?

Sure. Why not?

It might do me some
good... I'd get a little rest.

You just tell Karen where I am,
but, uh, don't scare her, hear?

Sure, boss, I'll
take care of it.

Well, come on, let's go.

All right, gents...

I got a hundred dollars here

that says Washoe
over the Ponderosa.

Any takers?

I didn't think so.

Slayden can't do
that, can he, Sheriff?

How are you gonna stop
him? A man's got a right to do

what he wants to do
with his own business.

I haven't laid in my
winter goods yet.

If snow comes before I
get stocked up, I'm ruined.

And so am I, and so are
all these other men here.

You're the sheriff... can't you
force him to open up again?

How? But I'll tell
you what, Mr. Oliver,

you figure out a
legal way to do it,

and we'll talk about it.

Sheriff?

I've got to see my father.

Can you take me to him?

Sure enough.

You should see
them out there, Father.

They're all gathered
in little groups.

They stopped talking
when I came by.

They seem awfully unhappy.

Well, that's fine, that's just
the way I want them to be.

But why? I don't understand.

Well...

you chose to leave school
and come home here to me.

Now, you've got to understand

that life here doesn't always
work according to the books.

But I thought these
people were your friends.

I've got customers,
Karen; I can't afford friends.

Does that include
the Cartwrights?

It was Mr. Cartwright who
helped you get started here.

He's always been fine, decent.

Don't talk to me
about fine and decent!

Just think of those
fine, decent people

I worked for in Omaha.

Superintendent for
Overland Freight,

working 18 hours a
day making them rich

and scraping a living
for you and your mother.

Your mother.

When she died, I had to
borrow the money to bury her.

We've been happy here, Father.

I'd hate to see
anything change it.

Well, you won't.

That I promise you.

I'm building
something here for you

just the way Cartwright
is for his sons.

And he better
not try to stop me.

I... I think you better, uh,

go on back to the hotel.

Tell Gus I said to give you
whatever money you need

for, you know...

I'm going out to the Ponderosa.

I think that both you
and Mr. Cartwright

lost your tempers, and...

well, maybe a third party
can help straighten things out.

I don't want you
to do that, Karen.

Please don't say that, Daddy.

Because I'm going to go.

I'm gonna talk to Little
Joe and to Mr. Cartwright.

I don't want to give them
the chance to knife me

when they've got you out
there alone, do you understand?

You're wrong... and
I'll prove it to you.

Well, I can hardly
hog-tie you here, can I?

♪♪

Come in.

- Karen!
- Little Joe!

Pa told me you were back.

- Oh, it's sure good to see you.
- It's good to see you, too.

Hey, come on in.

It's been a long time.

I'm sorry about that.

My father told me
how it happened.

He did?

That's really why I came
out today to see you,

and... to talk to your father
about this whole mess.

Karen, you said your
father told you about this.

Just what did he say?

He said that he and your
father had had a disagreement

about a freight-hauling contract
and rate schedules and things.

And what about this?

Well, I think he said
that Gus had shot you,

but that it was an accident.

And you believe that?

Isn't it true?

No.

No, it's not true; he
shot me deliberately.

That isn't what my father said.

Karen, I know you
love your father, but...

Hi, Karen.

Saw your rig outside; I
thought it might be you.

Mr. Cartwright, I came over
here to ask you to withdraw

your charges against my
father and let him out of jail.

Well, Karen... I can't do that.

Karen, listen to me.

I don't want to hurt you... we've
been too good friends for that...

But as far as your
father is concerned...

Joseph, that'll be enough.

I think it is.

Daddy said you'd
probably try to knife him

as soon as you got me alone.

Pa, you should've let
me tell her the truth.

Joe... she loves her father.

Anyway... our
quarrel isn't with her.

- Whoa.
- Well, Oliver.

- How are you, Tom?
- Ben.

- Hello, Ben.
- Well...

Ben, we've just
got to talk to you

about this new
situation in town.

And what situation is that?

Slayden shut down
operations drum-tight.

Yeah, nothing's
coming in or out.

When that word got around,
you can guess what happened...

Panic buying.

Our shelves are almost bare.

Yeah, Slayden's trying to get
me to withdraw my complaint, huh?

You got to do it, Ben.

Now, wait a minute.

You boys asked me
to try to stop Slayden.

Yeah, I know, Ben, but
we can't hold out a week,

let alone till his
trial comes up.

If the snows come
early, Ben, we're finished.

What about, what
about Carson City?

There are freighters there
that can haul in your supplies.

Wouldn't none of 'em
dare come in here, Ben.

They wouldn't dare buck Washoe.

We got horses and
wagons here, all you need.

You can haul in the
supplies yourselves.

That's no solution.

Hanna and his men
would cut us to ribbons.

You've got to
give in to him, Ben.

Sure, then the next time
he'll want more and still more.

All right, Ben.

♪♪

♪♪

Ed.

Hello, Ben.

I'd like to, uh, like to see
Tom Slayden if I could.

Sure.

He's sitting in there,

grinning like the tomcat that
swallowed the dickey bird.

Oh?

Ben, I've seen that grin before

on fellas that thought
they had the drop on me.

Well, hello, Ben,
nice of you to visit me.

Why are you taking it
out on the town, Tom?

That's a funny question
with me here in the town jail.

You knew very well, didn't you,

that when you
suspended operations,

you'd set off a buying panic?

I do what I have to do.

Just as long as
it goes your way.

All right, what are your terms?

You think a lot of
this town, don't you?

What are your terms?

All right, I'll tell you.

You're gonna help me, Ben.

You're going to withdraw
your complaint against me

and resign your
contract with me publicly.

Who do you think you are?

I thought that was pretty plain.

I'm the boss.

Ben.

Just got a telegram.

Seems that Oliver and
some of the merchants

got a little impatient.

What does that mean?

They appealed to the governor.

He's sending Judge
Meisner down here

to hold a special
session of court.

He'll hear the case tomorrow.

Well, maybe the judge's
trip won't be necessary.

You've got something to say
to the sheriff, haven't you, Ben?

Sheriff... I'll be with
you to meet the judge

in the morning when
he arrives on the stage.

Ben... don't be foolish.

You're not going to get any help

from those chicken-livered
friends of yours.

You fight me, you fight alone.

Well, it's all up
to the jury now.

Yeah, wonder how
long it'll take 'em.

I don't know, could
be quite a while.

Karen.

Karen, wait a minute.

Just wanted to say
I'm sorry about all this.

Sorry?

How can you say that after
the way you just testified?

You and Durra and your father

are trying to put
my father in prison.

All we're doing
is telling the truth.

The boss won it!

He won it, he won it so easy,
the jury wasn't out two minutes.

- I knew he'd win.
- You know there's gonna be a party

tonight.

There was never any doubt
in my mind that he'd win.

- Let's go.
- About time.

Yeah.

What do you think about that?

The jury couldn't have been out
over, over a couple of minutes.

The Washoe men are really
going to be feeling their oats now.

And then we'll go on from there.

Oliver, that was a fast
verdict and a surprising one.

Well, we, we tried to do

what was best for the town, Ben.

Besides, it could have
happened like Gus said...

All he did was
shoot in self-defense.

Hey, another toast
to the boss's acquittal.

He sure showed 'em all
where to head in, didn't he?

Mmm... look who's here.

Why, it's Mr. Oliver,
the foreman of the jury.

Have a drink, Mr. Oliver.

Mr. Slayden, the other merchants
have asked me to speak to you.

Naturally... they want to know

when the wheels are going
to start rolling again, huh?

That's right, we'd like to know

when you're going
to renew operations.

Yeah.

Gus, take the boys over to the
saloon, keep the party rolling.

Mr. Oliver and I have
some business to discuss.

Okay, fellas,
over to the saloon.

The boss is buying.

Well, Oliver, to
answer your question,

the wheels are
gonna start rolling

as soon as you sign
your new contracts.

New contracts?

That's right.

During my recent incarceration
I took the time to work out

a new contract with
Sierra Freighting Company.

I'm now going to be able to
provide a freighting service

from Omaha clear to the coast.

Well, that's fine, Mr. Slayden.

But the rates...
They'll be the same?

No.

There'll be a slight increase.

We can't stand another increase.

It'll drive us out of business.

Oh, come on, Oliver,
keep your voice down.

Let's discuss this thing
like businessmen, huh?

Go on, boys.

Howdy, Miss Karen.

The boys are celebrating
your daddy's acquittal.

Where is my father, Gus?

Oh, he's over at the office.

Uh... but I wouldn't interrupt
him right now, honey.

You see, he's talking
important business,

and you know your daddy...

There's nothing more
important than business.

Well, I'm going to take
him away from his business.

We're going to celebrate.

Well, honey, look, why
don't you and I celebrate?

You see, we ought to get to
know each other better anyway.

Come on, we'll have
something to drink.

Besides, your daddy is
busy with Mr. Oliver anyway.

No, thanks, Gus, I don't drink.

Besides, I want
to see Mr. Oliver.

I haven't even thanked him

for voting for my
father's acquittal.

Thanked him?

He didn't do it for thanks.

What did you mean,
he didn't do it for thanks?

Oh, now, you just forget it.

Don't you worry your
pretty little head about that.

Are you trying to tell me
there was something wrong

with the way my
father was acquitted?

Oh, now, look, honey,

Oliver is just like
everybody else in this town.

They want to live.

Then, what the
Cartwrights said in court...

and Mr. Durra...

what they said is true.

This town is
afraid of my father.

Aw, now, honey,
you shouldn't worry

your pretty head
about things like that.

When your daddy and I
get through, we're gonna...

Hey.

Now, what's the sense
of arguing, Oliver?

Do what I tell you...

Take the increases and
pass 'em on to your customers.

They wouldn't hold still
for it any more than we will!

Well, they have no
say in the matter,

you or any of 'em!

Ben was right, you'll
never be satisfied.

You want more and more!

I want everything
the market will bear.

Well, this time,
you've gone too far.

Oh, really?

Who do you think
you're talking to?

I could break you the
way I break that match!

I'm running this town,
and don't you forget it!

If we need to,

we'll appeal to the
territorial governor for help.

Well, go ahead and
appeal. What's he gonna do?

Send a lot of troops
down here to smash

perfectly valid contracts

between you and Washoe
Freight Lines? Now use your head.

Go over there and sign those
contracts on the dotted line.

We'll open this town

if we have to draw
our freight ourselves.

Don't you try anything
like that, Oliver.

Didn't you learn anything

from what happened to Somner
and Haney and Durra, huh?!

Like what happened
to Little Joe Cartwright.

Is that what you mean?

I mean, Gus Hanna's
a pretty fair shot!

And the next time
somebody gets it,

it's not gonna be
in the shoulder.

Hello, Karen.

Well, come in, come in, come in.

I was just going over
to the hotel to get you.

I promised you a little
celebration, didn't I?

I heard what you
said about Little Joe.

Is murder part of
you business, too?

Now you listen to me.

Little Joe wasn't killed.

I had to teach
this town a lesson.

If it could happen
to the Cartwrights,

it could happen to
anybody, you understand?

Who do you think you
are, a master with slaves?

Don't you talk to me that way!

Don't you criticize me!

Criticize?

Do you know why I
really quit school, Father?

Because all the
other girls were saying

the very things I just said.

Oh, yes,

they call you Boss
Slayden there, too.

Only I wouldn't believe them.

I said it wasn't true.

I defended you.

And then I came home
to find out it was all true.

You go back over to that hotel.

You never should've left
school in San Francisco.

You're wrong, Father.

No school in the world

could've taught me what
I just learned from you.

Ben, open up, it's Oliver.

Can I see you for a minute?

Just a minute.

Hello, Oliver.

Karen.

Ben, it's Slayden.

He's raised his rates 50%.

- What?
- 50%.

And if we don't give in to
him he's gonna starve us out.

The sheriff has gone
to the territorial capital

to try to get help
from the governor,

but in the meantime,
panic has already started.

- Panic?
- There's not enough food.

What do you mean? There
was a run on the shops.

I thought everybody stocked up.

Some did and
some weren't able to.

It's big trouble, Ben.

You know how long it takes
to get help in from the territory.

Yes, I know, I know.
Let's not us panic.

Well, the Ponderosa could
supply enough food for the town.

Slayden won't let
us get away with it.

It could mean a fight.

All right.

Oliver, you go back into town.

Quietly round up some men.

Meanwhile, I'll have my
boys butcher some beeves,

and by tomorrow noon,
we should have a wagonload

ready to roll into town.

Now do you think you could
be back with your men by then?

Right.

Ben, I'm sorry about
the trial this morning.

We were a bunch
of frightened men.

Oh, that was this morning.

You coming, Miss Karen?

May I stay here, Mr. Cartwright?

I have no place else to go.

Well, of course, of course.

Karen, have a look,

see if Mr. Oliver's coming in.

He said he'd be here by noon.

Yeah.

Pa, what if he can't
get the townfolks

to come out with him,
then what are we gonna do?

Well, if we go alone, Slayden
will have us outnumbered.

Yeah, well, I don't
know about you,

but I vote we go.

If we don't go, Slayden's
gonna win without even tryin',

ain't he?

- That's the way I feel, too.
- Not you, Joe,

you ain't got but one good arm.

I shoot with my left, and
that one's fine, big brother.

I'm going.

Anybody interested in my vote?

Well, frankly, we didn't
think it was necessary, Pa.

Your right. Let's go.

Here he comes.

Well, where are the others?

Slayden knows your plans, Ben.

Gus Hanna and his men
have been all over town

threatening people.

And they all backed down?

Most of 'em did,

but there's a few beside
me that are with you.

Where are they?

They had to sneak
out of town one by one.

We figured it was
better that way.

They're gonna meet
us at Wildhorse Canyon.

Hmm.

Well, we'll see what happens.

Let's go.

Take care of things here now.

Hyah, hyah.

♪♪

Adam.

Good to see you, son.

Hi. Guess you could
use another hand, huh?

Didn't expect you
back till tonight.

We're having kind
of an interesting time.

Yeah, I heard what was going
on. Got back as soon as I could.

Ride back of the wagon.

Whoa, ho. Pa.

We really have to give
this team a little breather.

This grade's pretty
steep for this heavy a load.

Cartwright!

Hold your fire.

Cartwright!

You hear me?

Hey, Mike, go up
around those rocks

and cover 'em
from the other side.

Right.

Adam, keep your eye
on that rock overhang.

Hoss, that clump of trees.

We're not gonna let
you get through, Ben.

Turn back.

They got Mike.

It's no use, Ben.

We've got you
outnumbered up here.

Now I want you to
go back, that's all.

Now will you do it, yes or no?

Ben, listen to me, Ben.

I don't want to kill you,

but if you force me to
do it, I'm gonna do it.

As far as this town's concerned,

it could've been
done by anybody,

Indians, or
marauders, or anybody.

There would be no witnesses.

I'll be a witness!

Karen, come over here.

No, Father.

I want to watch
you commit murder.

She's throwing in with them.

She thinks more
of the Cartwrights

than she does of you.

Karen, this is your
father talking to you.

No, it isn't.

It's Boss Slayden.

Karen, get down
and stay undercover.

No, Mr. Cartwright.

If he kills any of you,
he'll have to kill me, too.

I'm coming down to you.

Stay down!

Karen.

You ain't going nowhere.

Here's your chance, Tom.

Go ahead, use your gun.

Here's your chance to kill
every one of us, Karen, too.

Anyone who stands in your way.

♪♪

Well, Karen, I...

I never know what
to say to you...

That's all right, Father.

You don't have to say anything.

You go back to school
and finish what you started.

I got a lot of things
left to learn, you know?

Well, I, uh,

I guess that's true
of everybody, isn't it?

Karen.

Came to say good-bye.

I almost wish I hadn't
agreed to go back to school.

Why, the year will be
over before you know it.

And you'll be Virginia City's
first woman college graduate.

Well, they're waiting.

Better get aboard.

Good-bye.

- Bye.
- Bye, ma'am.

Have a nice trip.

Well, Tom.

Well, Ben.

I guess I got a
lot of things to do.

A lot of things
to straighten out.

I don't know where to start.

I guess the best place

might be down at the
sheriff's office, huh?

I'll walk down with you.

This has been a
color presentation

of the NBC Television Network.