Cheyenne (1955–1963): Season 1, Episode 3 - The Argonauts - full transcript

Hey, if there is any gold
in those mountains,

then how long's
it been there?

What?

Well, millions and millions
of years, hasn't it?

So, what's our hurry?

Another day, more or less,

ain't gonna make
much difference.

Ah, we've lost
more than two days already.

Cramer will
be gettin' anxious.

Yeah, I'm gettin'
kinda anxious myself.

What,
he still back there?



I don't see him,
but he's still back there.

Aw, what if he is?

Don't mean
he's followin' us.

No? Well, look, it was
no secret in town

when we bought
this outfit.

And any idiot
could have guessed why.

Ah, maybe
you're right, Dunc.

How much further is it
we gotta go?

Well, we can make Cramer's camp
in a few hours...

if we keep on movin'.

Then how far?

Four days.

If I had known
what it was like minin',

I woulda kept right on
tendin' bar.



Any sign of him?

Aw, he's around
someplace.

Maybe he went huntin'.

I never figured
why Cramer stayed here

while you came into town.

Hm? His horse went lame.

It was faster
if I came in alone

for the burros
in the outfit.

Listen, take the stock
over there

where there's
more grass, Dunc.

I'll start fixin' supper.

Hey, Clancy!

Clancy, come here.

It's Cramer.

I don't like this
a bit.

That fella followin' us
and now this.

Come on,
let's get outta here.

This Cramer's wife?

Yeah.

It's not here.

What's not here?

The map.
He hasn't got it.

The way to the mine?

Well, I thought you knew
how to get there.

Look, you were there
when you found the gold.

Well, I wasn't trying
to remember the way

Cramer was writin' it down
on paper.

Well, it's gotta
be here someplace.

He wouldn't
have thrown it away.

That's what
he must have done.

Studied it,
learned it by heart and-

And got rid of it.

Hey.

What'd I tell ya?

Now, suppose you tell us
what you're after.

I was about to ask you that.

We got the idea
you might be following us.

Reckon we're just headed
the same direction.

Well, just keep
travelin'.

We'll follow you
for a while.

Sorry, but there's
no more water

till you reach
the Blade Mountains.

Afraid I'll have
to stay a while.

Where ya headed?

North.

You know that country up there
pretty well?

Pretty well.

You look pretty funny
standin' there

with that gun
in your hand.

We was, um,
just about to cook some grub.

Glad to have you join us.

Thanks.

Find grass for your horse
over there a ways.

Oh, I hope you had a reason
for not runnin' him off.

I did.

Besides, Dunc,
I don't think he'd run.

Well, now with Cramer dead,

we're two-thirds of the way
to a big strike

and no way to find it.

Right now, it's either
turn around or get some help.

So, we- We figured maybe you
could help us find the spot.

Ever do any minin'?

Once, for wages,
about three years ago.

You soundin' better to me
by the minute.

But I'm not lookin' for a job.

Oh, well, it's not a job.

We'll cut ya in,
share and share alike.

We're talkin'
about a big bonanza.

I don't know.

Gold can play
some funny tricks on men.

I've seen it.

Well, it wouldn't be like that
with Dunc and me.

He's my best friend.

We came west together.

You mean you ain't interested?

Any man's interested in gold.

But I'm a little doubtful too.

What'd this place look like
where you found these?

Well...

the mountain
was steep and rough

like all the rest of 'em,
except this one had a creek.

A little creek.

And- And the mountain
across the way

was shaped like a-
Like a saddle.

You were on Blackfoot Creek.

You know where it is?
Ya- Ya can get us there?

We'll be there
in three and a half days.

Hey, gents!

This calls
for a drink, huh?

Well, here's to...

Hey, I don't
even know your name.

Cheyenne Bodie.

Here's to
Cheyenne Bodie.

Here's to-
To friendship and gold.

Hey, this is it!

This is where Cramer
found the gold!

Along in this wash!

Where Clancy, where?

Here it is.
Take a look at it.

So that's what this stuff
looks like, huh?

Why, that ain't much different
than sand. Just plain sand.

But it's real rich dirt.

Just show me
where to start diggin'!

Hold it.
We don't dig here.

The rains
washed this down.

That's where we gotta go.

Up there.

Well, what
are we waitin' for?

Come on, Dunc.

Flume leaks some at first
till the boards swell

and close the seams.

All right Clancy.
Let 'er go.

Right!

There she comes.
Let her rip!

Yahoo!

I sure had
some blockheaded ideas

about prospectin'
for gold.

All in the findin',
I thought.

You just picked it up,
put it in sacks

and carried it to the bank.

Pull! Pull!

There's your share,
Duncan.

It's all yours.

What are you gonna do
with your money

when you go back and cash in?

Oh, I figure I'll keep on
roamin' and lookin'.

Lookin'?
Lookin' for what?

Wish I knew.

I've been fiddle-footed
all my life.

Guess that comes
from livin' with Indians

for eight years
when I was a kid.

Except, that that
don't seem right somehow.

I figure there's a place
for every man

where he can kinda settle down
and feel like he's come home.

If he can only find it.
What about yourself?

I figure on buying some land
and growing some fruit.

Apples, maybe.

How'd you come
to settle on apples?

Oh, I can remember
my granddad's farm

when I was kid
back in New York State.

He had an orchard.

I-I can remember the smell
of the blossoms and the fruit.

The cider press.

What's all that about?

We were talkin' about what
we aim to do when we get back.

Never no question
in my mind about that.

Yeah?
Tell us about it, Dunc.

I'm gonna have me a saloon.

And not one of them
sawdust-on-the-floor joints

like I've been
workin' in, neither.

This is gonna be a saloon
with class.

Bartenders in white coats...

orchestra, girls.

Think of that.
Eight beautiful girls.

Hm.

I'm thinkin'.

How long do you reckon
we're gonna be here?

Six months or so.

We ought to put some kinda
limit on our take.

Agreed between ourselves

that when we get exactly
so much, we'll pull up stakes.

Mm-hm.

How much you think
the limit ought to be?

Ten thousand apiece?

Ten thousand?

With all the gold
we're sittin' on?

How much do you say?

Well, 50,000, anyway.

Seventy-five's more like it.

Ten thousand in one piece

is more than I ever expected
to get my hands on.

That's small change.

No use making a hog of yourself.

Hog, am I?

Why, I'd be within my rights

to ask twice
what you're gettin'.

How come?

There's no denyin', is there?

I put up all the cash
for the outfit.

That's right, Dunc.

I always meant
to pay ya back.

The next time you go
callin' me a hog,

just remember what I could
have done if I wanted to.

There you are, Dunc.

What I owe ya...
with interest.

I just don't like bein' told
I'm a hog, that's all.

You oughtn't go jumping out
at a man like that.

Could be dangerous.

You out
for a midnight stroll?

Wanted to make sure
that mountain lion

didn't spook the burros.

Yeah?

What's the matter,
Dunc?

I just think I'll go
and make sure

them burros are all right.

Help yourself.

What's up?

Nothing's up.

Where's Duncan?

Pokin' around
out in the dark.

He's sure takin'
a long time.

I'm gonna take a look-see.

Where's Clancy?

Outside someplace.

Looks like it's come around
to me again.

But I won't take my turn
if you two will quit worryin'

and go back to sleep.

We got work to do
in the morning.

Just like I thought!

What's the idea?

Put your hands up.

Mind tellin' me first
what this is all about?

You know what this is about
without my tellin' ya.

Well, so this is where
you cast your dust.

What's all the gunplay for?

Seems like I accidentally
stumbled on Dunc's bank.

"Accidentally."

What were you trying to pry
that rock up for, tell me that?

I saw a Gila monster
crawl under it.

I gotta hand it to you.

You can sure think
of a good story when you got to.

You don't need that gun.
No.

All right,
I'm a liar.

There's no Gila monster
under there.

Let's see ya stick your hand in.

Go on, go ahead.

Sure, I will.

One move outta you and I'll-

Don't worry,
I'm gonna stand right here.

I wanna see this.

Reach right in,
Dunc.

Show us
you're not yellow.

They never let go do they,
Cheyenne?

Them Gila monsters,
once they grab a hold of ya.

You can cut 'em in half
at the neck,

but their heads will still hang
on till sundown, I hear.

But by then, the victim
don't usually care anymore

because he's dead.
Ain't that right, Cheyenne?

It's near enough.

Well, what's the matter, Dunc.

Why don't you reach your hand
right in and get your dust.

It couldn't be you're
scared to, could it?

After ya shot off
your mouth.

Come on, Dunc!
Show us you're not yellow.

I'll kill you,
you dirty, thievin'-

Now, one more bad move
outta you, Dunc,

and I'll blow you
to kingdom come.

Cheyenne, just turn
that rock over, will ya?

Come on, boy.

Come on there.
Come on.

Whoa.

Any more outta you,

I'll haul off
and let ya have it.

You know what's good for ya,
ya won't monkey around with me.

Cheyenne!

Take it easy till you
get your wind back.

You were lucky, Dunc.

Yeah.
Who pulled me out?

Clancy did.

I guess I owe you
my life, partner.

Forget it.

Cheyenne!

Shut the water off, Dunc.

Look at this. We got company
comin' up the trail.

More than likely,
it's a bunch of renegades

headed for the hills.

We'd better
get ready for 'em.

What's the matter?

Indians.

Well, what are we
gonna do?

Can't get down to the horses.
They're lost.

But we can save the burros
and the food.

Well, if we have to
fight, let's fight.

Well, let's get the water
and the grub up there.

We may be there
for a day or two.

I'll take it.
Get the guns. Quick!

Come on.
Come on.

You don't seem
the least bit worried, partner.

Well, that's funny.
I am.

That's what you say.
I'm on to your stinkin' game.

You made a mistake when you told
us you lived with the Indians.

Now you're gonna take
what's comin' to ya.

Dunc, you gone crazy?

I know what I'm doin'.

How do we know what he does
when he's away from camp?

He signaled
them Indians.

Why?

So he wouldn't
have to split with us.

You know any prayers,
you start sayin' 'em.

Better think it over, Duncan.

Sound of that gun will
bring the Indians right to us.

And you'll wish you had me back.

Why don't you save that
for the Indians.

Here they come.

Mescaleros.

Ranging way north
of their territory.

Must have the Army
on their tail.

That's far enough!

This is my camp.
What do you want here?

Guns, food, bullets.

We have your horses.

Good horses.

You give us gun,
bullets, we go.

Get out.

You reckon
they've had enough?

Just don't stand
up there.

You mean
they ain't gone?

Far enough to try
to throw us off our guard.

Well...

Well, maybe we can
buy them off.

If each one of us puts up
a third of his share.

You're really scared,
aren't ya.

Offerin' to give away
your gold.

It's better
than gettin' killed.

Yeah,
I guess it is.

Well, the Indians don't know
or care about gold.

Give 'em a load
of buffalo hides,

you might make a deal.

Something's happened.

Wait a minute.

Maybe that's just a trick
to lure us out and then get us.

I don't think so.

The spot they got us in,
they don't need tricks.

Hey, partners!
Come on up here!

There's a sight
if there ever was one.

Soldiers. Look at 'em.

That's why they wanted guns
and ammunition.

They had that patrol
on their tail.

After the war, I said I hoped
I never see a uniform again.

I take it all back.

They still know
where to find us.

Maybe it's time we pulled out.

Yeah, I guess there's no sense
in pushin' our luck.

How much you figure
we've made up to date?

Oh, maybe 30,000 apiece.

Well, there's still
a lot more up here.

If we stay,
we may be wintered in.

I vote with you,
Cheyenne.

Let's call it quits
and leave, huh?

Well, if it's settled,
it's settled.

Well, good.
Come on, let's pack.

She sounds
like a real nice girl.

Who?

Cramer's wife.

I mean, widow.

You read that.

I ain't read it.
What's it say?

"Dear Lou.

"It was such a relief
to get word

"after so many months
of silence.

"Little Jimmy is fine,

"but he misses his daddy
almost as much as I do.

"I've never thought
any material treasure,

"no matter how great,

"is worth the pain
of these long separations.

"The fruit trees
are all in bloom,

"and everybody looks forward
to big crops.

"Of course,
I'm hoping that you...

"will, at last,
strike it rich.

"It is high time for luck
to start smiling upon you.

"But just in case
she doesn't,

"remember, we've already found
life's real treasure.

Forever yours, Helen."

Somebody ought to write
and let her know.

Yeah, I'm gonna do that
as soon as we get back.

But...

I-I-I been thinkin'.

That we ought to share
some of our gold with her?

That's right.

You mean,
give her some of our gold?

Yeah.

You're crazy.

We've had all the luck.
He didn't have any.

Seems to me, it wouldn't hurt
if we shared ours.

You sound like a preacher.

Now, what's wrong
with that?

You tell me one good reason
why we should get rich

and he gets killed.

I figure
helping out his wife

might be one way of showing
we appreciate it.

I'll go along
with that.

Not me.

I worked hard for what I got.
I aim to keep it.

Aw, you can do what ya like
as far as I'm concerned, you-

Leave those guns alone.

If they meant harm,
we'd all be dead by now.

If this is one
of your tricks-

They're carrying their guns
butt-first.

That means they come in peace.

You two wait here.

Welcome to our fire.

There's only
four of 'em.

Why take chances?

You heard
what Cheyenne said.

Let him do it his way.
He knows Indians.

Yeah, maybe he knows 'em
too well.

What did they want?

They've got a white woman
in their camp.

One of the chief's wives.
She's sick.

They want us to help.

Tell 'em we'll send a doctor
out from town.

It's not a laughing matter.

They ask us once.
Next time they'll be telling us.

There's only four of them.

Look, we'll pretend to go

and then let 'em have it
soon as we get the chance.

No, whether I can help or not,
I've got to try.

You don't
owe them anything.

Maybe not.
Either way, I'm goin'.

Well, go ahead.
Clancy and I can't help.

We'll wait for ya in Big Fork.

Mind taking my gold along?

You can handle
three burros all right.

I-if you want us to.

I'd be glad to do it for you,
Cheyenne.

You sure can't take it
into their camp.

I guess I'd better
get started.

We'll be in Big Fork.
Good luck.

Watch out for them squaws.

One of 'em might wanna marry ya
for your money.

I might just do that.

Livin' around white men,

sometimes Indians
look real good to me.

So long.

See ya.

See ya in Big Fork.

Come on, boys.

Whoa.

What's the matter?

I'm stoppin' here
for the night.

You wanna go ahead,
it suits me fine,

only leave Cheyenne's gold
with me.

Now, why should I
leave it with you?

It's part of my responsibility,
ain't it?

I don't care what you do.
The burro stays here.

Now, listen,
it's still early.

We can make four
or five miles before dark.

I didn't order ya
to camp here.

You can go twenty miles more
for all I care.

Ordered me?

Who's orderin' who
to do anything around here?

Ya talk like you were the boss
of this outfit.

Oh? Maybe you think you are.

Go on, let's hear ya say it.

All right, if this is far
as you can go.

Who says it is? I just don't
wanna go no further, that's all.

I could, but I don't wanna, see.

What's the use
of hollerin'?

Let's camp here.

Man.

That was my idea
in the first place.

What's the joke?

Just come to me
what a bonehead move

that Cheyenne made when he left
his burrow in our keepin'.

How do you mean?

Figured we do his sweatin'
for him, huh?

Herd this pack train along

so he comes along free and easy
just behind us.

What are you gettin' at?

Don't you see?
It all belongs to us now.

We don't go back
to Big Fork, savvy.

Not at all.

You're not serious.

You don't really mean
what you're sayin'.

You and Cheyenne was the ones
that got scared

and wanted to leave the mine.
Not me.

Listen, Duncan.

While I can stand
on my two legs,

you won't touch a single grain
of Cheyenne's gold.

You understand that?

Sure, partner.
Sure I do.

I see just what ya mean.

You wanna keep all for yourself,
cut me out, huh?

Well, if that's the way
you feel about it,

we'll split up right now.

You go your way,
and I'll go mine.

That'd suit you just fine,
wouldn't it?

Why me more than you?

So you could shoot me
in the back.

Sneak up on me,
get me from behind.

Well, if you feel that way,
I'll go ahead.

So you could ambush me
on the trail, my pal.

One move out of you brother,
I pull this trigger.

Drop that wood
and get your hands up.

Get 'em up.

Higher.

Higher!

They won't go any higher.

Was I right or was I?

You and your
Sunday-school talk

about other people's
possessions.

You.

All right, stand up
and take it like a man.

So you're gonna
murder me?

Not murder, brother.

I'm doing this to save my life,
which you would take

the first time I stop lookin'.

Now, start walkin'.

Where to?

To your funeral.

Keep goin'.

Go on.

Hold it.

No...Duncan!

Maybe I didn't kill him.

Maybe he just dropped
without bein' hit.

Buzzards.

Maybe I better bury him.

I don't want no buzzards
givin' me away.

Clancy!

Clancy!

Clancy.

Partner.

Then, when I came to
in the middle of the night,

I could see Duncan by the fire.

I was too weak
to do anything about it.

Take it easy.
You're talkin' too much.

Don't you worry about me.

I'm not gonna die,
not till I get Duncan.

All right, let's go.

You're not going anywhere.

Who says so?
Well, you can't travel.

Not shot up
the way you are.

You're not
leavin' me behind.

Look at you,
weak as a newborn kitten.

Don't worry.
I'll catch up with him.

I'm goin'.

Now, look Clancy,
you're gonna have to-

I'm goin', Cheyenne.

All right,
I reckon you're goin'.

How you holding up?

Shoulder's stinging some,
but I'm all right.

Looks like another northern
coming on.

We use all bullets
fighting soldiers.

Now we take yours.

I ain't got none.

Get away from them burros!

Get away
from them burros!

Get away from them burros!

What are ya
laughin' at?

The Indians poured it out
on the ground.

By now, it's blown clear back
to where it came from.

Looks like
the joke's on us.

Yeah. Yeah, I guess
the joke's on us.

Well, Dunc, for all I know,

you may get buried
under six feet of gold dust.

You finally wound up
with everybody's share.

Well, what now?

I was headed north before.

I don't see any reason
for makin' any change in plans.

What about you?

I don't know.

You could always
try your luck again.

Might hold up next time.

No, once is enough.

I'm no worst off
than I was before,

come to think about it.

All I'm out is time.

It's not much
compared with what Dunc lost.

Too bad
about Cramer's wife, though.

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm real sorry
we couldn't do like we planned.

The equipment you bought's
still here.

It ought to bring enough
to get you where you're goin'.

Seein' her in person
and tellin' her what happened

would be a lot better
than writin' a letter.

Besides, maybe you could
help her with the orchard.

Yeah. I'd kinda like to see some
apple trees in bloom again.

I-I think I'll do it.

Good luck to you.

Same to you.