Bonanza (1959–1973): Season 9, Episode 12 - Check Rein - full transcript
The Cartwrights become unwitting pawns in a battle between wealthy rancher Gabriel Bingham and his penniless nephew Jayce Fredericks over the ownership of the valuable black horse Jayce needs to restart his herd and reclaim his ranch.
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Timber!
It sure is beautiful, isn't it?
Look at a view like this, it
makes you feel a mite insignificant.
Yep. It's almost a shame to cut a
logging road through there, ain't it?
Yeah. They sure aren't breaking
any records doing it, are they?
What's been happening?
"Back to nature," he tells me.
"Get away from them
smelly cows," he tells me.
"Cook up a mess of trout every
night for supper," he tells me.
Why didn't you tell me you were
wrestling boulders and four-foot stumps?
Well, look, I'm just as
surprised about it as you are.
I only told you what Pa told me.
Hey, you know, if that... that
silver dollar had come up heads,
you know where I'd be right now?
San Francisco. Barbary Coast.
Well, you're a lot better
off right where you are.
The things you're
rassling don't rassle back
and you don't have
to buy 'em champagne.
Whoo.
The boss.
Whoo! How you doing, Pa?
All right. Things
going a bit slow?
Yeah, we hit a lot more...
more stumps than boulders.
Had to do a lot more
blasting than we figured on.
Oh. You got enough
warnings posted?
Yeah, I think so.
That fella didn't see 'em.
Get three or four more
up around there, huh?
- Right away.
- I'll help you.
Hey, Pa, we... we got an extra shovel
here, Pa, if you wanna give me a hand.
Well, Joe, that's a mighty
good-looking shovel.
You should be doing a
lot of work with that one.
I got things to do up there.
Bye, Pa.
Who was that? One
of your cowboys?
I don't know. He was
too far away. I couldn't tell.
Easy, boy.
Easy, now. Come on.
Come on.
Come on.
Easy, boy.
- Honey.
- Jace.
You ought to know better
than to try to rope the Caballado.
I was just trying. You know
what a stubborn woman I am.
No, I don't know about that.
I just know you're a woman.
Got some bad news.
- They said no, didn't they?
- They were nice and polite.
The bank has its
obligations too, they said.
You know that ever
since your father died,
they've wanted to
take this ranch over.
Well, said they're
gonna call the loan today.
The sheriff's on his way to post
the property and take all the animals.
There'll be a court auction
at Rimville tomorrow.
Caballado! Bring 'em back!
Caballado!
That Caballado was
just having some fun.
They have to be
sold? All of them?
Yes.
Don't you worry about
the Caballado, honey.
See, nobody else knows what he can
do, how your father and I trained him.
I know where I can get
enough money to bid him back.
He's... He's a devil to
rope, impossible to ride.
But he can gather us
up enough wild horses
to have one of the biggest
remudas in the territory.
The way you say it, I... I
almost think it's possible.
With the Caballado,
it is possible.
You and me, we can...
we can get married,
have the ranch, everything.
I'll see you in
Rimville tomorrow.
Jace. What about your uncle?
If he tries to stop
me, I'll kill him.
Wonder if them clipper ship fellas
appreciate the trouble we go to
to harvest this Ponderosa pine.
I don't know.
You reckon us cowboys
appreciate all the effort it takes
to get our pants and clothes all the
way from Boston to San Francisco?
- It's a good point.
- Come on, will you, powder man?
We're waiting. I'll have this thing
dug up before you have it blown up.
You boys take cover up there!
We're gonna blow this stump!
- Give me a shovelful of dirt.
- Giddyap. Go on.
Easy does it. I
got a date tonight.
Fire in the hole!
Get back! Dynamite!
- He's alive.
- Oh, yeah.
The others turn pale right off.
Hey, Hoss! Get down
here with that wagon!
Gotta tie that off so we can slow up
the bleeding before I take that stake out.
- Whoa.
- Hey, Pa!
Pa, get out here!
We got a man hurt bad.
Didn't pay any attention
to all those warning signs.
- Get his shoulder. Get his shoulder.
- I got him.
Buy him back... Get away...
Now, just take it
easy, now. Easy.
We're taking care of you.
What happened?
- I gotta get to Rimville.
- Just lie back, now. You're hurt.
I don't care if I'm hurt. I...
- Who are you?
- Ben Cartwright.
You're in a logging camp at
the edge of the Ponderosa.
Now, your leg's hurt real bad,
so lie back, would you? Come on.
I've got to get to Rimville
before noon tomorrow.
Buddy, you might as
well make up your mind,
you ain't gonna be riding
with that leg for some time.
There's a horse auction
over there tomorrow.
There's a black, the only one in
the string, and I got to have him.
This leg's more important
than any horse I know of.
Where's my kick? I have money.
Here. Take it easy.
Mr. Cartwright.
I don't have any blasting
to do for a couple of days.
I'd be delighted to go to
Rimville and take care of it for him.
Rimville is not just over the
next hill. It's a long ride overnight.
Well, you know, Pa, I... I could go
along with Candy, keep an eye on him.
Well, he could keep
an eye on me too.
First time you've volunteered
for anything in over a month.
Well, that's the reason I'm doing
it. I... I feel kind of guilty about...
Well, I got plenty to do here.
There's 500 dollars in there.
500 dollars for one horse?
What's he made of, pure gold?
I got to have that horse.
He's the only black in the
string and I gotta have him.
Don't worry, we'll get him for
you. You just take care of that leg.
Sorry you got into this mess,
but that land was posted
for blasting, Mr. Fredericks.
How'd you know my name?
Looked in your wallet.
Wanted to notify your family.
I got no family, but
thanks for trying.
All right, folks, gather round.
Auction's about to begin.
Gather round.
All righty, you
all, it's high noon.
We gotta get this selection of
horseflesh bought and paid for.
Bring out the first one.
All righty, here we are. May not be
too broke, but a worker, a good animal.
What do I hear for a starter?
Hear 20? Hear 25?
Do I hear 30? 30, anybody?
Good workhorse. Can't
go wrong on this one.
Good workhorse. Do I hear 30?
Looks like we
made it just in time.
Mm-hm. I'll take
care of the horses.
Good enough.
Good animal here.
You're missing a chance.
I got 30. I got 30.
Do I hear 35? 35.
35, going once,
twice, three times,
and sold to the bowlegged
cowboy for 35 dollars.
Tommy, let's get that
good-looking black one in here.
You can see for yourself
how full of spirits he is.
You mean halter-shy,
don't you, Asa?
A good animal. Fine animal
for the man that can tame him.
I like him as is,
five dollars' worth.
As is, 50 dollars.
There's a man that knows
horseflesh and knows what he wants.
50 dollars. Looking for 100.100?
You got it.
150.
Exactly 200 dollars
and no cents.
If he's worth two hundred, he's
worth three. I hear three, don't I?
You just heard it. 300.
You just bought
yourself a horse, friend.
I got 300. Do I hear more? 350?
Going once, twice, three
times, and sold for 300.
Pay the tally and
collect your bill of sale.
300.
I'll try to get a halter on him.
Why anybody wants to
buy him, I'll never know.
Good luck.
I'll try to get a rope on him.
Stay here.
Now, that next
horse, let's see...
The next animal is
one you can lasso.
Here you go.
Bartender, when does
it liven up around here?
Mister, this here's Rimville.
Yeah, they call it Rimville because
it's right on the edge of nothing.
That place I saw coming in, that
hotel, is that the only place to stay?
Across the street there.
That's what I was afraid of.
Sometimes things
liven up about sundown.
Whee!
Can hardly wait.
Flat.
Rimville.
If things pick up any more, I just
don't think I'm gonna be able to stand it.
We'll rest up from all the
excitement over at the hotel.
You know, I'll bet the
chambermaid'll be 72.
As a matter of fact, he is.
400. Hundred-dollar profit.
I'll take the bill of
sale for the black.
Well, that's sure a nice profit,
mister, but, sorry, I'm not interested.
All right. Double your profit.
I'm Gabriel Bingham,
and I want that horse.
I don't remember you inviting
anybody over here, Joe.
- Did you invite anyone over here?
- No, I didn't invite anybody.
- Did you invite somebody?
- I didn't invite anyone over here.
Hey, look, I'm sorry,
Mr... Mr. Bingham,
but I can't sell the
horse, it's not mine to sell.
See, it belongs to a fella who's
in bed hurt, and to hear him talk,
that's the greatest animal
in the world, so... sorry.
- Hey, cowboy, do you know who that was?
- Hmm?
Oh, yeah, that's Gabriel
Bingham. He likes black horses.
I got a strange feeling
our exciting night in Rimville
has just come and gone.
Joe, give me another
look at that bill of sale.
Well, it's just a bill of sale.
They got me curious. I must have missed
something when I looked at that horse.
No, I counted four
legs and a head.
Hey, bartender, what do we
owe you for the... the champagne,
the pheasant under
glass and the dancing girl?
- Huh?
- The bill, please.
Oh, oh, uh... uh...
- Two dollars and six bits.
- Mm-hm.
I'm going back over to the stable
and take another look at that horse.
All righty.
I'll be up in the room figuring out
exciting stories to tell brother Hoss
when we get back.
- You say that was two and six bits?
- That's right.
Hey... buy a beer for the lady.
Hold it right there.
Put that horse right back
where you found him.
You hold it right there,
mister. Drop your gun.
Go ahead.
Get your hands up and
turn around real slow.
All right, boys. Get the...
I'm all right.
Get the horse out of here.
Come in and close the door.
Uh...
Ma'am, I... I think maybe
you have the wrong room.
Just come in and close the door.
You can't expect
me to believe you.
I know Jace wouldn't let
anybody buy that horse for him.
Look, lady, if you
would just try telling me
half as much as I'm trying to
tell you, I think we'd get along fine.
I explained to you, he had no choice.
He gave us 500 dollars to buy a horse.
We spent 300 dollars and
I've got 200 dollars left over.
Now I know you're lying. Jace
never had 500 dollars in his whole life.
What's the use?
Why don't you just admit
you work for Bingham?
Work... Lady, I wouldn't
work for Bingham if...
What the heck happened to you?
- You said he was 70.
- I was wrong again. What happened?
Well, about 35 very bad men
hit me on the head and
took that black away from me.
- Who's your friend?
- She hasn't said.
She's been too busy calling
me a liar. Come on, sit down.
- What are you lying about?
- I'm not lying. She just thinks I am.
She's got an idea we
bought that horse for Bingham.
Bingham? Well, now, that's
gonna be very easy to straighten out.
You give me a couple of
minutes to get cleaned up,
the night's young, there's wine
and music next door, with a lady...
Shut up.
- She's not very friendly, is she?
- Mm-hm.
Show her the bill
of sale, will you?
- They got that too.
- They got that. That figures.
Do you have any
idea where they went?
I didn't notice. I
was taking a nap.
But I did get a good
look at one of 'em.
It was that ramrod that was
bidding against us at the auction,
the one with the
scar on his face.
His name is Rio.
- He's Bingham's foreman.
- Oh. Bingham's foreman.
So Bingham's foreman steals a horse
from us that we paid 300 dollars for.
Now, you still think we're
working for Bingham,
or are you beginning to believe
what I've been telling you?
I guess I was wrong.
Please, take me to see Jace
right away. It's very important.
I'm sorry to say this, but you're
gonna have to go without me.
- I'm gonna be busy.
- Yeah, now, hold on.
You're going where I think
you're going, you need help.
The lady needs an escort.
I'll get that horse.
Please, take me to
see Jace right now.
All right, first thing in the morning.
If you'll do me one little favor.
- What?
- Put the gun away.
Morning. Where
can I find the sheriff?
That depends what
you wanna see him for.
Well, I'm gonna go try
to catch a horse thief.
Thought he might
wanna come along.
This stole horse, that
wouldn't be the black
you and your friend bought at
the auction yesterday, would it?
- Could be.
- That's too bad.
As I recollect, Mr. Bingham offered
you and your friend a fair price
for that piece of horseflesh.
Could be.
But that doesn't give him license
to send his foreman to steal it.
Son, you take my advice.
Don't accuse Mr. Bingham of anything
you can't prove beyond a shadow.
Don't need advice,
just directions.
Fair enough. No advice.
Where's the sheriff?
You know something?
Your beer's lousy too.
Took you long
enough to get him here.
Well, that ain't just a horse, Bingham.
He's half horse and half pure devil.
- Maybe.
- I took a few punches getting him too.
But you aren't done yet. I
told you to bring in Jace too.
How am I gonna do that? I
don't know where to look for him.
And you call yourself smart.
Took me one minute
with the hotel clerk
to find out it was Joe
Cartwright bid in that horse.
Cartwright, huh?
And Cartwright himself said he bought
him for a man who was hurt and in bed.
Well, the Cartwrights got that
logging camp up near Sawtooth.
So, start there. But find
him, Rio, and bring him in.
How do you want him,
Mr. Bingham? Dead or alive?
Yeah.
Dead or alive.
Go ahead, draw.
No?
Too bad.
Killing you here'd save the
time and trouble of hanging you.
For what? For coming after a
horse that I bought and paid for?
You got a bill of sale?
- Walk.
- Where?
Where I can keep an eye
on you till the law gets here.
Sure wish you'd go for that gun.
Man kills a horse thief,
he's doing the world a favor.
Well, he's hurt and in bed, so if
he's here, he'll be in the bunkhouse.
Get back in those saddles
and ride, while you still can!
Hold your fire, Jace.
We'll leave.
Hey, what's going on here?
Hah! How! Hah!
Kathy!
- Over here.
- Jace.
Now, Jace, your
troubles are your own
until they involve
the Ponderosa,
and then all of a sudden
they're my troubles.
I'm sorry.
One of my men goes off looking for a
stolen horse and doesn't come back.
Then three gunmen
shoot up my logging camp.
They were trying to kill Jace.
Yes, dear, that's what I
mean by becoming involved.
But one of those gunmen was
killed right out the door here,
and one of my men was wounded.
Now, I'm gonna have
to explain that to the law.
Before I can, you're gonna
have to explain it to me.
It started six years
ago. Pa broke his hip.
He was bedridden after that.
My uncle, Gabe
Bingham, ran the ranch.
He was supposed to
teach me how to run it,
but all I was ever allowed to do was
clean the stables and dig postholes.
I'm a fair hand with horses.
So I took to the high
country, chasing the wild ones.
I met Kathy...
and her father, and we
decided to throw in together
and build a horse ranch.
Needed money to get
started. I went to Pa.
He said chasing wild horses
was like chasing the rainbows.
Well, a lot of
men feel that way.
Then Kathy's father
and I started to train...
A black Caballado.
How did you know?
Well, Jace here was a little
feverish and he did a bit of talking.
A horse that can round up other
horses is worth a lot of money.
This is the best
one you ever saw.
Anyway, to make
it short, Pa died.
His will said that I didn't get
the ranch until I was married,
settled down, in a business
of my own making money.
That's why I needed the Caballado.
That's why Bingham stole him.
Tell him the rest.
If anything happens to
me, Bingham gets the ranch.
Mmm.
Jace... you gave
Joe 500 dollars, huh?
Where'd you get it?
Out of the ranch safe. Back
wages Bingham wouldn't give me.
He'll say I stole it.
It's Jace's money. He earned it.
You don't believe me.
Well, son, it's not a question
of believing or not believing.
I think I'd like to go
over and talk to Bingham.
I'll ride over there
with the boys.
No, no, no. You're staying right here.
You're in no condition to ride anywhere.
Kathy, you stay here with him.
You stay here till
your leg's better.
Thought you'd like some...
Jace, what are you
doing out of bed?
Wasted too much time
already. I'm all right.
Darling, you're just
not well enough yet.
I'm going, Kathy.
I got to be there when
Bingham talks to Cartwright.
I want my own rein
on that Caballado.
Hand me my gun, please.
I'll need my horse.
I'll saddle mine up too.
Kathy.
- Fancy place, ain't it?
- Yeah.
My name's Cartwright. I'm
looking for Mr. Bingham, please.
Well, Mr. Cartwright, I've
always wanted to meet you.
- Mr. Bingham.
- Won't you come in?
Well, we should have met
long before this, Cartwright.
Don't know why
we didn't. Sit down.
What do the three Cartwrights
prefer with their branch water?
I always think men can look
at things better through a glass.
Well, thank you, Mr. Bingham,
but I suppose your men told you
what happened over
at our logging camp.
No. Well, I didn't send
anybody over there.
I don't know what
this is all about.
Well, let me explain it to you.
You tried to buy a horse from me
for 600 dollars. I wouldn't sell him.
So you sent your
man Rio to steal him.
Now, you watch who
you're calling a thief, boy.
I saw you weren't
going to sell, so I passed.
Rio? Yeah, he's a thief.
But he doesn't work for me
anymore. I caught him stealing.
Threw him off the place
more than a month ago.
How come that he
and two of his friends
came over to try to get Jace
Fredericks out of our bunkhouse?
Jace? Oh, he's staying with you?
Yes, he is.
That loco nephew of mine.
What did he tell you?
That I don't treat him right?
That I'm trying to steal
this ranch from him?
First thing he tells everybody.
Did he mention that I took hold of
this ranch when his pa was crippled,
that I worked freeze and
drought, flood and dust,
and built it to
where it is today?
- Well, yes, he said you ran it.
- Without his help.
Oh, but he wouldn't
mention that.
That boy never did an honest lick
of work from the day his pa was hurt.
He run off every chance he got.
And he's a thief too,
and I can prove it.
Sheriff.
Yes, sir.
Why did I ask you
to ride over, Sheriff?
Well, to... to
investigate a robbery.
What did you find?
Oh, it's a pretty bald-face fact
that Mr. Bingham's
nephew, Jace Fredericks,
stole 500 dollars out
of the ranch strongbox.
Who told you it was Jace
Fredericks stole the money?
Well, uh...
Let me ask you a question.
How much did Jace
give you to buy that black?
500 dollars.
There you are. I'm having
that drink. Invitation's still open.
Mr. Bingham, how do you know it
was Jace that gave Joe that 500 dollars?
- The Caballado's not here.
- Yes, he is, someplace. Come on.
- You stay here.
- You're hurt, Jace.
- Let me come with you.
- Stay here.
Caballado.
Caballado.
Caballado.
Somebody shooting
rats around the barn.
Now, as I was
trying to explain...
We can't let them
leave this ranch.
We? Now, now, now,
here, just a minute.
I... I don't mind telling a
lie or two, but killing, that's...
Come on.
Bingham!
Touch that rifle, I'll kill you!
Whoa, whoa.
I sure understand you a
whole lot better now, Bingham.
Come on, let's go.
This has been a color production
of the NBC television network.
to you in living color on NBC.
Timber!
It sure is beautiful, isn't it?
Look at a view like this, it
makes you feel a mite insignificant.
Yep. It's almost a shame to cut a
logging road through there, ain't it?
Yeah. They sure aren't breaking
any records doing it, are they?
What's been happening?
"Back to nature," he tells me.
"Get away from them
smelly cows," he tells me.
"Cook up a mess of trout every
night for supper," he tells me.
Why didn't you tell me you were
wrestling boulders and four-foot stumps?
Well, look, I'm just as
surprised about it as you are.
I only told you what Pa told me.
Hey, you know, if that... that
silver dollar had come up heads,
you know where I'd be right now?
San Francisco. Barbary Coast.
Well, you're a lot better
off right where you are.
The things you're
rassling don't rassle back
and you don't have
to buy 'em champagne.
Whoo.
The boss.
Whoo! How you doing, Pa?
All right. Things
going a bit slow?
Yeah, we hit a lot more...
more stumps than boulders.
Had to do a lot more
blasting than we figured on.
Oh. You got enough
warnings posted?
Yeah, I think so.
That fella didn't see 'em.
Get three or four more
up around there, huh?
- Right away.
- I'll help you.
Hey, Pa, we... we got an extra shovel
here, Pa, if you wanna give me a hand.
Well, Joe, that's a mighty
good-looking shovel.
You should be doing a
lot of work with that one.
I got things to do up there.
Bye, Pa.
Who was that? One
of your cowboys?
I don't know. He was
too far away. I couldn't tell.
Easy, boy.
Easy, now. Come on.
Come on.
Come on.
Easy, boy.
- Honey.
- Jace.
You ought to know better
than to try to rope the Caballado.
I was just trying. You know
what a stubborn woman I am.
No, I don't know about that.
I just know you're a woman.
Got some bad news.
- They said no, didn't they?
- They were nice and polite.
The bank has its
obligations too, they said.
You know that ever
since your father died,
they've wanted to
take this ranch over.
Well, said they're
gonna call the loan today.
The sheriff's on his way to post
the property and take all the animals.
There'll be a court auction
at Rimville tomorrow.
Caballado! Bring 'em back!
Caballado!
That Caballado was
just having some fun.
They have to be
sold? All of them?
Yes.
Don't you worry about
the Caballado, honey.
See, nobody else knows what he can
do, how your father and I trained him.
I know where I can get
enough money to bid him back.
He's... He's a devil to
rope, impossible to ride.
But he can gather us
up enough wild horses
to have one of the biggest
remudas in the territory.
The way you say it, I... I
almost think it's possible.
With the Caballado,
it is possible.
You and me, we can...
we can get married,
have the ranch, everything.
I'll see you in
Rimville tomorrow.
Jace. What about your uncle?
If he tries to stop
me, I'll kill him.
Wonder if them clipper ship fellas
appreciate the trouble we go to
to harvest this Ponderosa pine.
I don't know.
You reckon us cowboys
appreciate all the effort it takes
to get our pants and clothes all the
way from Boston to San Francisco?
- It's a good point.
- Come on, will you, powder man?
We're waiting. I'll have this thing
dug up before you have it blown up.
You boys take cover up there!
We're gonna blow this stump!
- Give me a shovelful of dirt.
- Giddyap. Go on.
Easy does it. I
got a date tonight.
Fire in the hole!
Get back! Dynamite!
- He's alive.
- Oh, yeah.
The others turn pale right off.
Hey, Hoss! Get down
here with that wagon!
Gotta tie that off so we can slow up
the bleeding before I take that stake out.
- Whoa.
- Hey, Pa!
Pa, get out here!
We got a man hurt bad.
Didn't pay any attention
to all those warning signs.
- Get his shoulder. Get his shoulder.
- I got him.
Buy him back... Get away...
Now, just take it
easy, now. Easy.
We're taking care of you.
What happened?
- I gotta get to Rimville.
- Just lie back, now. You're hurt.
I don't care if I'm hurt. I...
- Who are you?
- Ben Cartwright.
You're in a logging camp at
the edge of the Ponderosa.
Now, your leg's hurt real bad,
so lie back, would you? Come on.
I've got to get to Rimville
before noon tomorrow.
Buddy, you might as
well make up your mind,
you ain't gonna be riding
with that leg for some time.
There's a horse auction
over there tomorrow.
There's a black, the only one in
the string, and I got to have him.
This leg's more important
than any horse I know of.
Where's my kick? I have money.
Here. Take it easy.
Mr. Cartwright.
I don't have any blasting
to do for a couple of days.
I'd be delighted to go to
Rimville and take care of it for him.
Rimville is not just over the
next hill. It's a long ride overnight.
Well, you know, Pa, I... I could go
along with Candy, keep an eye on him.
Well, he could keep
an eye on me too.
First time you've volunteered
for anything in over a month.
Well, that's the reason I'm doing
it. I... I feel kind of guilty about...
Well, I got plenty to do here.
There's 500 dollars in there.
500 dollars for one horse?
What's he made of, pure gold?
I got to have that horse.
He's the only black in the
string and I gotta have him.
Don't worry, we'll get him for
you. You just take care of that leg.
Sorry you got into this mess,
but that land was posted
for blasting, Mr. Fredericks.
How'd you know my name?
Looked in your wallet.
Wanted to notify your family.
I got no family, but
thanks for trying.
All right, folks, gather round.
Auction's about to begin.
Gather round.
All righty, you
all, it's high noon.
We gotta get this selection of
horseflesh bought and paid for.
Bring out the first one.
All righty, here we are. May not be
too broke, but a worker, a good animal.
What do I hear for a starter?
Hear 20? Hear 25?
Do I hear 30? 30, anybody?
Good workhorse. Can't
go wrong on this one.
Good workhorse. Do I hear 30?
Looks like we
made it just in time.
Mm-hm. I'll take
care of the horses.
Good enough.
Good animal here.
You're missing a chance.
I got 30. I got 30.
Do I hear 35? 35.
35, going once,
twice, three times,
and sold to the bowlegged
cowboy for 35 dollars.
Tommy, let's get that
good-looking black one in here.
You can see for yourself
how full of spirits he is.
You mean halter-shy,
don't you, Asa?
A good animal. Fine animal
for the man that can tame him.
I like him as is,
five dollars' worth.
As is, 50 dollars.
There's a man that knows
horseflesh and knows what he wants.
50 dollars. Looking for 100.100?
You got it.
150.
Exactly 200 dollars
and no cents.
If he's worth two hundred, he's
worth three. I hear three, don't I?
You just heard it. 300.
You just bought
yourself a horse, friend.
I got 300. Do I hear more? 350?
Going once, twice, three
times, and sold for 300.
Pay the tally and
collect your bill of sale.
300.
I'll try to get a halter on him.
Why anybody wants to
buy him, I'll never know.
Good luck.
I'll try to get a rope on him.
Stay here.
Now, that next
horse, let's see...
The next animal is
one you can lasso.
Here you go.
Bartender, when does
it liven up around here?
Mister, this here's Rimville.
Yeah, they call it Rimville because
it's right on the edge of nothing.
That place I saw coming in, that
hotel, is that the only place to stay?
Across the street there.
That's what I was afraid of.
Sometimes things
liven up about sundown.
Whee!
Can hardly wait.
Flat.
Rimville.
If things pick up any more, I just
don't think I'm gonna be able to stand it.
We'll rest up from all the
excitement over at the hotel.
You know, I'll bet the
chambermaid'll be 72.
As a matter of fact, he is.
400. Hundred-dollar profit.
I'll take the bill of
sale for the black.
Well, that's sure a nice profit,
mister, but, sorry, I'm not interested.
All right. Double your profit.
I'm Gabriel Bingham,
and I want that horse.
I don't remember you inviting
anybody over here, Joe.
- Did you invite anyone over here?
- No, I didn't invite anybody.
- Did you invite somebody?
- I didn't invite anyone over here.
Hey, look, I'm sorry,
Mr... Mr. Bingham,
but I can't sell the
horse, it's not mine to sell.
See, it belongs to a fella who's
in bed hurt, and to hear him talk,
that's the greatest animal
in the world, so... sorry.
- Hey, cowboy, do you know who that was?
- Hmm?
Oh, yeah, that's Gabriel
Bingham. He likes black horses.
I got a strange feeling
our exciting night in Rimville
has just come and gone.
Joe, give me another
look at that bill of sale.
Well, it's just a bill of sale.
They got me curious. I must have missed
something when I looked at that horse.
No, I counted four
legs and a head.
Hey, bartender, what do we
owe you for the... the champagne,
the pheasant under
glass and the dancing girl?
- Huh?
- The bill, please.
Oh, oh, uh... uh...
- Two dollars and six bits.
- Mm-hm.
I'm going back over to the stable
and take another look at that horse.
All righty.
I'll be up in the room figuring out
exciting stories to tell brother Hoss
when we get back.
- You say that was two and six bits?
- That's right.
Hey... buy a beer for the lady.
Hold it right there.
Put that horse right back
where you found him.
You hold it right there,
mister. Drop your gun.
Go ahead.
Get your hands up and
turn around real slow.
All right, boys. Get the...
I'm all right.
Get the horse out of here.
Come in and close the door.
Uh...
Ma'am, I... I think maybe
you have the wrong room.
Just come in and close the door.
You can't expect
me to believe you.
I know Jace wouldn't let
anybody buy that horse for him.
Look, lady, if you
would just try telling me
half as much as I'm trying to
tell you, I think we'd get along fine.
I explained to you, he had no choice.
He gave us 500 dollars to buy a horse.
We spent 300 dollars and
I've got 200 dollars left over.
Now I know you're lying. Jace
never had 500 dollars in his whole life.
What's the use?
Why don't you just admit
you work for Bingham?
Work... Lady, I wouldn't
work for Bingham if...
What the heck happened to you?
- You said he was 70.
- I was wrong again. What happened?
Well, about 35 very bad men
hit me on the head and
took that black away from me.
- Who's your friend?
- She hasn't said.
She's been too busy calling
me a liar. Come on, sit down.
- What are you lying about?
- I'm not lying. She just thinks I am.
She's got an idea we
bought that horse for Bingham.
Bingham? Well, now, that's
gonna be very easy to straighten out.
You give me a couple of
minutes to get cleaned up,
the night's young, there's wine
and music next door, with a lady...
Shut up.
- She's not very friendly, is she?
- Mm-hm.
Show her the bill
of sale, will you?
- They got that too.
- They got that. That figures.
Do you have any
idea where they went?
I didn't notice. I
was taking a nap.
But I did get a good
look at one of 'em.
It was that ramrod that was
bidding against us at the auction,
the one with the
scar on his face.
His name is Rio.
- He's Bingham's foreman.
- Oh. Bingham's foreman.
So Bingham's foreman steals a horse
from us that we paid 300 dollars for.
Now, you still think we're
working for Bingham,
or are you beginning to believe
what I've been telling you?
I guess I was wrong.
Please, take me to see Jace
right away. It's very important.
I'm sorry to say this, but you're
gonna have to go without me.
- I'm gonna be busy.
- Yeah, now, hold on.
You're going where I think
you're going, you need help.
The lady needs an escort.
I'll get that horse.
Please, take me to
see Jace right now.
All right, first thing in the morning.
If you'll do me one little favor.
- What?
- Put the gun away.
Morning. Where
can I find the sheriff?
That depends what
you wanna see him for.
Well, I'm gonna go try
to catch a horse thief.
Thought he might
wanna come along.
This stole horse, that
wouldn't be the black
you and your friend bought at
the auction yesterday, would it?
- Could be.
- That's too bad.
As I recollect, Mr. Bingham offered
you and your friend a fair price
for that piece of horseflesh.
Could be.
But that doesn't give him license
to send his foreman to steal it.
Son, you take my advice.
Don't accuse Mr. Bingham of anything
you can't prove beyond a shadow.
Don't need advice,
just directions.
Fair enough. No advice.
Where's the sheriff?
You know something?
Your beer's lousy too.
Took you long
enough to get him here.
Well, that ain't just a horse, Bingham.
He's half horse and half pure devil.
- Maybe.
- I took a few punches getting him too.
But you aren't done yet. I
told you to bring in Jace too.
How am I gonna do that? I
don't know where to look for him.
And you call yourself smart.
Took me one minute
with the hotel clerk
to find out it was Joe
Cartwright bid in that horse.
Cartwright, huh?
And Cartwright himself said he bought
him for a man who was hurt and in bed.
Well, the Cartwrights got that
logging camp up near Sawtooth.
So, start there. But find
him, Rio, and bring him in.
How do you want him,
Mr. Bingham? Dead or alive?
Yeah.
Dead or alive.
Go ahead, draw.
No?
Too bad.
Killing you here'd save the
time and trouble of hanging you.
For what? For coming after a
horse that I bought and paid for?
You got a bill of sale?
- Walk.
- Where?
Where I can keep an eye
on you till the law gets here.
Sure wish you'd go for that gun.
Man kills a horse thief,
he's doing the world a favor.
Well, he's hurt and in bed, so if
he's here, he'll be in the bunkhouse.
Get back in those saddles
and ride, while you still can!
Hold your fire, Jace.
We'll leave.
Hey, what's going on here?
Hah! How! Hah!
Kathy!
- Over here.
- Jace.
Now, Jace, your
troubles are your own
until they involve
the Ponderosa,
and then all of a sudden
they're my troubles.
I'm sorry.
One of my men goes off looking for a
stolen horse and doesn't come back.
Then three gunmen
shoot up my logging camp.
They were trying to kill Jace.
Yes, dear, that's what I
mean by becoming involved.
But one of those gunmen was
killed right out the door here,
and one of my men was wounded.
Now, I'm gonna have
to explain that to the law.
Before I can, you're gonna
have to explain it to me.
It started six years
ago. Pa broke his hip.
He was bedridden after that.
My uncle, Gabe
Bingham, ran the ranch.
He was supposed to
teach me how to run it,
but all I was ever allowed to do was
clean the stables and dig postholes.
I'm a fair hand with horses.
So I took to the high
country, chasing the wild ones.
I met Kathy...
and her father, and we
decided to throw in together
and build a horse ranch.
Needed money to get
started. I went to Pa.
He said chasing wild horses
was like chasing the rainbows.
Well, a lot of
men feel that way.
Then Kathy's father
and I started to train...
A black Caballado.
How did you know?
Well, Jace here was a little
feverish and he did a bit of talking.
A horse that can round up other
horses is worth a lot of money.
This is the best
one you ever saw.
Anyway, to make
it short, Pa died.
His will said that I didn't get
the ranch until I was married,
settled down, in a business
of my own making money.
That's why I needed the Caballado.
That's why Bingham stole him.
Tell him the rest.
If anything happens to
me, Bingham gets the ranch.
Mmm.
Jace... you gave
Joe 500 dollars, huh?
Where'd you get it?
Out of the ranch safe. Back
wages Bingham wouldn't give me.
He'll say I stole it.
It's Jace's money. He earned it.
You don't believe me.
Well, son, it's not a question
of believing or not believing.
I think I'd like to go
over and talk to Bingham.
I'll ride over there
with the boys.
No, no, no. You're staying right here.
You're in no condition to ride anywhere.
Kathy, you stay here with him.
You stay here till
your leg's better.
Thought you'd like some...
Jace, what are you
doing out of bed?
Wasted too much time
already. I'm all right.
Darling, you're just
not well enough yet.
I'm going, Kathy.
I got to be there when
Bingham talks to Cartwright.
I want my own rein
on that Caballado.
Hand me my gun, please.
I'll need my horse.
I'll saddle mine up too.
Kathy.
- Fancy place, ain't it?
- Yeah.
My name's Cartwright. I'm
looking for Mr. Bingham, please.
Well, Mr. Cartwright, I've
always wanted to meet you.
- Mr. Bingham.
- Won't you come in?
Well, we should have met
long before this, Cartwright.
Don't know why
we didn't. Sit down.
What do the three Cartwrights
prefer with their branch water?
I always think men can look
at things better through a glass.
Well, thank you, Mr. Bingham,
but I suppose your men told you
what happened over
at our logging camp.
No. Well, I didn't send
anybody over there.
I don't know what
this is all about.
Well, let me explain it to you.
You tried to buy a horse from me
for 600 dollars. I wouldn't sell him.
So you sent your
man Rio to steal him.
Now, you watch who
you're calling a thief, boy.
I saw you weren't
going to sell, so I passed.
Rio? Yeah, he's a thief.
But he doesn't work for me
anymore. I caught him stealing.
Threw him off the place
more than a month ago.
How come that he
and two of his friends
came over to try to get Jace
Fredericks out of our bunkhouse?
Jace? Oh, he's staying with you?
Yes, he is.
That loco nephew of mine.
What did he tell you?
That I don't treat him right?
That I'm trying to steal
this ranch from him?
First thing he tells everybody.
Did he mention that I took hold of
this ranch when his pa was crippled,
that I worked freeze and
drought, flood and dust,
and built it to
where it is today?
- Well, yes, he said you ran it.
- Without his help.
Oh, but he wouldn't
mention that.
That boy never did an honest lick
of work from the day his pa was hurt.
He run off every chance he got.
And he's a thief too,
and I can prove it.
Sheriff.
Yes, sir.
Why did I ask you
to ride over, Sheriff?
Well, to... to
investigate a robbery.
What did you find?
Oh, it's a pretty bald-face fact
that Mr. Bingham's
nephew, Jace Fredericks,
stole 500 dollars out
of the ranch strongbox.
Who told you it was Jace
Fredericks stole the money?
Well, uh...
Let me ask you a question.
How much did Jace
give you to buy that black?
500 dollars.
There you are. I'm having
that drink. Invitation's still open.
Mr. Bingham, how do you know it
was Jace that gave Joe that 500 dollars?
- The Caballado's not here.
- Yes, he is, someplace. Come on.
- You stay here.
- You're hurt, Jace.
- Let me come with you.
- Stay here.
Caballado.
Caballado.
Caballado.
Somebody shooting
rats around the barn.
Now, as I was
trying to explain...
We can't let them
leave this ranch.
We? Now, now, now,
here, just a minute.
I... I don't mind telling a
lie or two, but killing, that's...
Come on.
Bingham!
Touch that rifle, I'll kill you!
Whoa, whoa.
I sure understand you a
whole lot better now, Bingham.
Come on, let's go.
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