Have Gun - Will Travel (1957–1963): Season 2, Episode 11 - A Snare for Murder - full transcript
Paladin becomes entangled with two paranoid miners and a missing Sharps Buffalo rifle.
GENTLEMEN, THIS IS THE LAST TIME I
WILL STOP YOU FROM KILLING EACH OTHER.
THE NEXT TIME YOU TRY IT, I SHALL
BE PLEASED TO HELP BOTH OF YOU.
[GUNSHOTS]
HELP!
HELP!
ALL RIGHT, I GOT IT.
GET HIM OUT OF THERE.
HE'S STILL ALIVE. BREATHING
SEEMS TO BE ALL RIGHT.
HOW LONG WERE YOU HOLDING
UP THAT ROCK? I DON'T KNOW.
10, MAYBE 15 MINUTES.
THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT
IT, YOU SAVED HIS LIFE. HERE.
THAT'S FUNNY?
YEAH, THAT'S REAL FUNNY.
YOU GOT IT ALL TWISTED 'ROUND.
YOU SAVED MY LIFE.
HOW'S THAT?
WELL, IT DON'T MATTER.
HIM AND ME GOT A SHACK COUPLE
OF HUNDRED YARDS DOWN THAT ROAD.
YOU MIND HELPING
ME PACK HIM THAT FAR?
ALL RIGHT, LET'S PUT
HIM ON THE HORSE.
HEADACHE?
EVERY LOOSE ROCK
IN THAT CLAIM OF OURS
COULD FALL ON HIM, HE'D
STILL COME UP IN ONE PIECE.
YOU ALMOST DONE IT,
DIDN'T YOU, BRAUS? AH.
DID YOU SEE THAT? HE
WAS TRYING TO KILL ME.
WELL, I THINK YOU BETTER
TAKE IT EASY FOR A WHILE.
WHO THE DAG-NAB ARE
YOU ANYWAY? PALADIN.
HE HIRE YOU TO COME
IN AND GUN ME DOWN?
BRAUS? HE WAS TRYING
TO SAVE YOUR LIFE.
HE WHAT?
THERE WAS A ROCK JUST
ABOUT TO CRUSH YOU.
WHEN I ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, HE
WAS DOING HIS BEST TO HOLD IT OFF YOU.
YOU REMEMBER THE ROCK FALLING?
YEAH, I WAS DIGGING IN THAT NEW
HOLE OUTSIDE THE SHAFT, AND...
DANG FUNNY IT SHOULD
FALL WHEN I WAS IN THERE.
WOULD HAVE LOOKED JUST LIKE
AN ACCIDENT, WOULDN'T BRAUS?
YOU HEARD PALADIN!
GENTLEMEN, I DON'T
KNOW WHAT THIS IS ABOUT,
BUT IT WILL REALLY BE A
PLEASURE TO LEAVE YOU
TWO TO WORK OUT YOUR
OWN DESTINIES. GOOD DAY.
HOLD ON A MINUTE.
YOU'RE RIGHT,
I HAD BETTER TAKE
IT EASY FOR A WHILE.
YOU STICK AROUND UNTIL
I GET MY STRENGTH BACK,
JUST TO BE SURE THAT
NOTHING HAPPENS TO ME,
I'LL PAY YOU A $100 DOLLARS.
I'M AFRAID NOT,
MR. TALBOT. ALL RIGHT...
$300 DOLLARS, IN GOLD.
YOU HAVE $300 DOLLARS IN GOLD?
WE GOT $300 DOLLARS IN GOLD.
WHY WE'VE GOT... SHUT
UP, YOU LOOSE MOUTH!
YOU TALK TOO MUCH.
JUST WHERE YOU FROM, PALADIN?
MY HOME'S IN SAN FRANCISCO.
YOU'RE A LONG WAY FROM HOME.
BUSINESS TRIP. GOOD
DAY, GENTLEMEN.
WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS TRIP?
NOW I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S
ANY CONCERN OF YOURS.
THIS SAYS IT IS.
HOLD IT!
GET HIS GUN, NICK.
YOU KEEP HIM COVERED. IF
HE MOVES, BLOW HIM APART.
NOW WHERE'S HE GOING?
CHECKING ON OUR PAYDIRT.
WE COLLECT A HEFTY LOAD
OF DUST AROUND HERE.
BEFORE WE TAKE IT TO TOWN.
WHY ARE YOU AFRAID OF BRAUS?
LIKE I SAID, WE
GOT A RICH CLAIM.
WE TAKE OUT A COUPLE
OF THOUSAND A MONTH.
SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ONE OF US, THE
OTHER ONE BECOMES SOLE OWNER, RIGHT?
RIGHT.
[GUNSHOT]
WAIT A MINUTE, I'M
NOT YOUR ENEMY.
YOU STEP OUT THAT DOOR LIKE THAT,
THEY'LL PICK YOU OFF LIKE A TURKEY.
THAT WAS A PISTOL SHOT.
SO?
SO, THE FIRST ONE
CAME FROM A RIFLE,
A VERY POWERFUL
RIFLE. WHO EVER IS DOING
THAT SHOOTING OUT THERE
HAS A WHOLE ARSENAL.
DIVE FOR THE WATER TROUGH.
WE'RE PINNED DOWN IN HERE.
I'LL GO FIRST, YOU COUNT
THREE AND FOLLOW ME.
TRY BUSHWACKIN' ME
YOU SNEAKING SKUNKS!
I'LL BLOW YOU BOTH
TO KINGDOM COME.
THAT FIRST SHOT MUST'VE BEEN
AT HIM. HE THINKS WE DONE IT.
THAT'S ENOUGH. HE'S
TRYING TO KILL US.
BRAUS, LISTEN TO ME!
YEAH, LISTEN...
I'VE GOT IT FIGURED
NOW, PALADIN.
TALBOT SENT FOR YOU,
DIDN'T HE? TO KILL ME!
IT'S TOO BAD YOU MISSED.
BRAUS, WE DIDN'T
FIRE THAT SHOT AT YOU!
I HAVEN'T GOT A
RIFLE, YOU SAW THAT!
I'M COMING OUT!
HANDS UP, AND NO GUN!
SATISFIED, BRAUS? NO!
WHERE'S TALBOT?
HE WON'T FIRE NOW.
COME ON, GET UP.
ALL RIGHT, BRAUS?
HERE'S SOMETHING I
FOUND BY THE UPRIGHT.
JUST OUTSIDE THE
MINE SHAFT ENTRANCE.
.50 CALIBER SLUG.
FROM A BUFFALO RIFLE.
FIRST SHOT WAS AIMED AT YOU.
DID YA THINK I WAS MAKING IT UP?
WHAT WE'VE GOT IS
THAT OLD SHOTGUN.
WE AIN'T GOT NO RIFLE AT ALL.
WELL, SOMEBODY HAS.
ALL RIGHT...
LOOK...
ME AND BRAUS HAVE BEEN
PARTNERS FOR 10, 12 YEARS.
THIS IS OUR FIRST
REAL PAYING CLAIM.
EVERYTHING WAS ALL
RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING.
THEN I CAUGHT HIM SALTING
AWAY DUST AND NOT...
THAT'S A BLASTED LIE! STOP IT!
NOW JUST TELL ME
WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.
ALL RIGHT, LET ME
FINISH TELLING IT.
AFTER HE LIED ABOUT ME STEALING,
THINGS GOT WORSE AND WORSE.
WE'D GO INTO COPPER CITY, GET
LIQUORED UP, AND START FIGHTING.
THE WE'D START SHOOTING. WHAT?
THAT'S HOW WE GOT INTO TROUBLE.
WE ACCIDENTALLY HIT A
BARTENDER IN THE LEG.
AFTER THAT, THE CIRCUIT JUDGE
GAVE THE SHERIFF AN ORDER,
MAKING US KEEP
THE PEACE, OR ELSE.
IF ONE OF US IS FOUND DEAD,
THE OTHER ONE GETS HUNG.
THOSE TOWNSPEOPLE
LIKE TO SEE US STRUNG UP.
GENTLEMEN, IT'S VERY FUNNY...
EXCEPT FOR ONE THING.
YOU TWO HAVE MADE YOURSELVES
A PERFECT TARGET FOR MURDER.
WHOEVER FIRED THAT BULLET,
KNOWS THAT IF ONE OF YOU IS KILLED,
THE OTHER ONE IS HUNG.
YOU SAID SO YOURSELVES.
THE MINE WILL BE HERE
JUST FOR THE TAKING.
YOU ALWAYS TALK
TOO MUCH, TALBOT.
LIKE THIS AFTERNOON IN
FRONT OF PALADIN HERE.
AND LIKE THIS MORNING.
NOW I PLUM FORGOT ABOUT THEM.
NOW WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
OLD MAN MARTIN, AND HIS
SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW.
THEY COME BY ON THE
TRAIL THIS MORNING.
SAID THEY WAS TAKING OVER THE OLD PARKER
DIGGING ABOUT FOUR MILES NORTH OF HERE.
THEY ACTED MIGHTY SUSPICIOUS TOO.
KEPT LOOKING AROUND ALL THE TIME,
ASKING QUESTIONS
ABOUT DIGGING GOLD. YEAH.
THEY EVEN TOOK A
LOOK AT OUR SLEUCE.
HAD A LOT TO LEARN THE
OLD MAN SAID. THAT'S RIGHT.
WELL, THEY LEARNED ENOUGH
FROM "OLD LOOSE-MOUTH" HERE.
ANSWERING SUGAR-SWEET EVERY BIG-EYED
QUESTION THAT LITTLE GAL PUT TO HIM.
YES, SIR!
THAT'S THE ONLY ANSWER.
WOULD THEY KNOW
ABOUT THE COURT'S ORDER?
THEY'RE FROM COPPER CITY,
EVERYBODY THERE KNOWS IT.
NOW WAIT A MINUTE! YOU'RE
JUST GUESSING, YOU DON'T KNOW.
I KNOW THIS...
THEY HAD A LOT OF JUNK IN
THE BACK OF THAT WAGON,
INCLUDING A RIFLE.
A BUFFALO GUN.
NOW YOU EXPLAIN
THIS TO ME, MR. PALADIN.
YOU AIN'T GOT A RIFLE,
AND WE AIN'T GOT A RIFLE,
BUT THEY GOT A RIFLE.
WHO DONE THE SHOOTING?
HEY, WHAT'S THE IDEA?
I'M TRYING TO PREVENT
A POSSIBLE MISTAKE.
I'LL ACCEPT YOUR
OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT,
PROVIDED YOU MAKE THE
FEE $500 DOLLARS IN GOLD.
ALL RIGHT, I THINK YOU TWO OLD
PARTNERS WILL BE SAFE HERE TOGETHER
WHILE I RIDE UP AND TRY
AND TALK TO THESE PEOPLE.
SO FAR, NOBODY'S BEEN KILLED.
LET'S TRY AND KEEP
IT THAT WAY, EH?
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR
ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR, MISTER?
POSSIBLY.
JOE, DAD!
HE'S BEEN NOSING AROUND.
[JOE:] WHAT ARE YOU
DOING HERE, MISTER?
THAT GUN ISN'T REALLY
NECESSARY, COULD YOU
POINT THAT IN ANOTHER
DIRECTION WHILE WE TALK?
PLEASE?
THANK YOU. NOW, WHY AM I HERE?
BECAUSE SOMEONE TRIED TO
GUN DOWN YOUR NEIGHBOR, BRAUS.
FORTUNATELY FOR
HIM, THEY MISSED.
BRAUS? WHAT'S HE GOT
TO DO WITH US ANYWAY?
HE THINKS ONE OF
YOU DID THE SHOOTING.
IF I HAD DONE ANY SHOOTING,
I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED.
WHAT ARE YOU PESTERING US FOR?
BRAUS WAS ON HIS WAY HERE
HIMSELF, WITH A SHOTGUN.
I PREVAILED UPON HIM
TO LET ME COME INSTEAD.
WELL, YOU JUST PREVAIL
YOURSELF RIGHT BACK TO MR. BRAUS.
TELL HIM ANYTIME HE WANTS
TO COME LOOKING FOR TROUBLE,
HE'S WELCOME.
THAT'S ENOUGH, JOE.
LOOK...
WE DON'T WANT NO TROUBLE.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN COMING
HERE AND QUESTIONING US ANYWAY?
GET OUT, LEAVE US ALONE.
I'M TRYING TO PREVENT
TROUBLE, NOT CAUSE IT.
I GOT NOTHING MORE TO SAY.
NOBODY'S BEEN HURT YET,
AND I'D LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
BUT IF YOU WON'T COOPERATE, I'LL
TURN THIS OVER TO THE AUTHORITIES.
ATTEMPTED MURDER IS A
SERIOUS CRIME, EVEN OUT HERE.
JOE'S MY BOY... HOTHEADED
LIKE MOST YOUNGSTERS.
GOT IN A SCRAPE IN COPPER
CITY, WOUNDED A MAN.
GOT SOME MONEY TO PAY BACK.
ME AND AMY GOT HIM
TO COME OUT HERE.
PRETTY POOR DIGGINGS, BUT WE WAS
HOPING TO TAKE OUT ENOUGH TO SQUARE JOE,
AND... DON'T YOU HAVE A RIFFLE?
WE AIN'T GOT NOTHING TO HIDE.
AMY!
BRING ME JOE'S RIFLE.
IT AIN'T HERE.
I AIN'T MUCH FOR FOOLIN'
RIGHT NOW, AMY. FETCH IT!
I TELL YOU IT AIN'T
HERE. WHERE IS IT?
I HID IT.
YES, I HID IT.
GUNS HAVE BROUGHT JOE AND ME NOTHING
BUT TROUBLE EVER SINCE WE'VE BEEN MARRIED.
SO I TOOK IT, AND THREW
IT DOWN AN OLD MINE SHAFT,
WHERE NOBODY WILL
EVER FIND IT. AMY!
WHAT MINE SHAFT?
I DON'T REMEMBER.
DO YOU HEAR, I DON'T REMEMBER!
MISTER...
NO MATTER HOW IT
LOOKS TO YOU, I KNOW JOE.
DRY-GULCHING A MAN
JUST AIN'T HIS STYLE.
STYLES CHANGE, EVEN IN MURDER.
[GUNSHOT]
YOU'VE BEEN OUT ALMOST
AN HOUR. YOU HIT VERY HARD.
JUST TAKE IT EASY NOW.
AS A MATTER OF
FACT, I DIDN'T HIT YOU.
I WAS STASHED UP IN THOSE
ROCKS BEHIND YOUR FRIENDS' CABIN.
I HEARD A SHOT
FROM OVER THIS WAY.
THE BULLET TOOK THE GLASS
OUT OF ONE OF THE CABIN WINDOWS.
SO I CAME OVER TO SEE WHY YOUR
FRIENDS WERE SHOOTING UP THEIR OWN PLACE,
AND I FOUND YOU. YOU
EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE THAT?
I MUST SAY, YOU
AIN'T VERY GRATEFUL.
BUT THEN YOU'RE NOT TOO PARTICULAR
WHO YOU WORK FOR EITHER, ARE YOU?
NO, I GUESS I'M NOT.
NOW LET'S SEE WHICH SIDE OF
YOUR MOUTH YOU TALK OUT OF.
WAIT, I'M TELLING YOU THE TRUTH.
YOU HAVEN'T GOT YOUR WIFE TO COVER
FOR YOU NOW. WHERE'S THAT RIFLE?
I CAME UP LOOKING FOR THE RIFLE.
AMY THOUGHT I WAS TRYING TO KILL
BRAUS AND TALBOT TO GET THEIR GOLD.
BUT I WASN'T!
I WAS... I COULDN'T FIND THE
RIFLE WITH OUR DIGGINGS.
I THOUGHT PA HID IT FROM ME.
I DON'T THINK SO, I THINK
BRAUS OR TALBOT STOLE IT.
LOOK, I'M SHOOTING
STRAIGHT WITH YOU, MISTER.
WHY WOULD I BE HANGIN'
AROUND HERE IF I WASN'T?
WHEN WOULD BRAUS OR TALBOT
HAVE HAD TIME TO STEAL THAT RIFLE?
WHEN, WHEN?
WAIT!
WHEN WE WENT TO THEIR DIGGINGS THIS
MORNING, PA WANTED TO SEE THEIR SLEUCE.
EITHER ONE OF THEM HAD PLENTY OF
CHANCE TO SNEAK IT OUT OF THE WAGON.
ALL RIGHT...
ALL RIGHT.
IT COULD'VE HAPPENED THAT WAY.
IF YOU'RE TELLING ME THE TRUTH, I'LL DO
ANYTHING I CAN TO KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE,
BUT IF YOU'RE LYING TO ME...
NOW YOU GO ON BACK TO YOUR
PLACE, AND YOU STAY THERE.
GET YOUR HAT, AND GO ON.
WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? I
RAN INTO A LITTLE TROUBLE.
WHAT HAPPENED?
WELL, UNKNOWINGLY, I ALMOST TRAPPED
THE KILLER AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE MINE.
HE DID HIS BEST TO KNOCK
THE BACK OF MY HEAD OFF.
YOU MEAN, HE'S STILL
LOOSE OUT THERE?
I MEAN HE'S STILL LOOSE OUT THERE
WITH A VERY DANGEROUS WEAPON.
THEN IT WASN'T YOU.
I SAID IT WASN'T, BUT
YOU'RE TOO BONEHEADED
TO PAY ANY ATTENTION TO ANYBODY.
IT WASN'T YOU WHAT?
I WAS OUT OF THE
CABIN FOR A WHILE,
AND THAT BUSHWHACKER
TOOK THAT PARTICULAR TIME
TO TAKE ANOTHER SHOT AT BRAUS.
BEING IGNORANT,
HE SWORE I DID IT.
WELL BRAUS, IT LOOKS LIKE THE
KILLER IS INTENT ON MAKING YOU
THE DECEASED HALF
OF THIS PARTNERSHIP.
THAT STUPID KID.
TAKE A LOT BETTER
MAN THAN HIM TO GET ME.
KID? WHO ELSE COULD IT
BE BUT THAT JOE MARTIN.
HE CAN'T THINK OF BUT
ONE WAY TO GET RICH.
OFF'N SOMEONE ELSE'S HIDE.
ESPECIALLY AFTER HIS LITTLE
WIFE PASSED ON TO HIM EVERYTHING
TALBOT SPILLED TO HER.
JUST CAN'T GET THAT PRETTY
LITTLE GAL OUT OF MY MIND.
DON'T SEEM RIGHT, HER
TIED TO A NO-GOOD LIKE THAT.
I ALWAYS THOUGHT
IF I HAD A DAUGHTER...
DAUGHTER... YOU'VE BEEN
OUT IN THE SUN TOO MUCH.
LET'S GO IN. NO...
WE'D BE JUST LIKE
SITTING DUCKS IN THERE.
I'LL TAKE MY CHANCES
OUT HERE, OUTSIDE.
THAT WILD KID MIGHT SET FIRE
TO THE CABIN, KILL BOTH OF US.
YEAH, MIGHT AT THAT.
WELL, IF WE'RE GONNA
SPEND THE NIGHT OUTSIDE,
WE'LL HAVE TO TAKE
TURNS STANDING WATCH.
WHO WANTS THE FIRST HITCH?
WELL, I SURE AIN'T
SLEEPY. I'LL TAKE IT.
I'LL TAKE THE SECOND. ALL
RIGHT, IT'S AGREED THEN.
I'D SUGGEST YOU FIND A
PLACE HIGH UP IN THOSE ROCKS,
SO YOU CAN KEEP AN
EYE ON EVERYTHING.
PALADIN?
BRAUS?
IT'S BRAUS.
MURDERER SPRUNG A TRAP.
AT FIRST HE HAD
TO SAVE YOUR LIFE.
THEN WHEN JOE CAME ALONG WITH
A RIFLE, HE HAD A PERFECT SUSPECT,
IF YOU WERE KILLED.
WHEN I ARRIVED, HE HAD THE OTHER
INGREDIENT THAT HIS MURDER PLAN NEEDED.
A WITNESS TO PROVE
HIS INNOCENCE.
HE FAKED A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS ON
HIS OWN LIFE, JUST TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD.
THIS ATTEMPT ON YOUR LIFE
WAS NO FAKE. BUT HOW...?
I FOUND THE RIFLE.
YOU PUT IT BACK?
AFTER I PACKED THE BARREL
WITH MUD FROM THE STREAM BED.
TWO PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THAT GUN,
A MURDERER AND ME.
WITH THE BARREL JAMMED, THAT GUN
WOULD EXPLODE LIKE A BOMB IF IT WERE FIRED.
BRAUS WAS HIS OWN EXECUTIONER.
TRAPPED IN HIS OWN SNARE FOR MURDER.
I'LL RIDE THROUGH COPPER CITY AND
LEAVE A DEPOSITION WITH THE SHERIFF
ABOUT BRAUS'S DEATH.
NOW IT'S GOING TO SEEM FUNNY, AFTER
ALL THESE YEARS, WORKING BY MYSELF.
NOT GOOD FOR A
MAN TO WORK ALONE.
YOU THINKING OF BUYING IN?
NO, BUT I KNOW A PRETTY LITTLE
GAL NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE,
WHO'S FAMILY COULD
USE SOME HELP.
LIKE REGULAR WAGES WORKING
A GOOD PAYING MINE LIKE YOURS.
NAH, I COULDN'T.
SAY, I COULD...
BUT I WOULDN'T KNOW NOTHING
ABOUT HOW TO ASK THEM.
WHY DON'T YOU RIDE
UP THERE AND TRY?
I MIGHT JUST DO THAT.
OH, MR. TALBOT?
THE $500 DOLLARS.
OH...
♪ HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL
READS THE CARD OF A MAN ♪
♪ A KNIGHT WITHOUT
ARMOR IN A SAVAGE LAND ♪
♪ HIS FAST GUN FOR HIRE
HEEDS THE CALLING WIND ♪
♪ A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE IS
THE MAN CALLED PALADIN ♪
♪ PALADIN, PALADIN
WHERE DO YOU ROAM ♪
WILL STOP YOU FROM KILLING EACH OTHER.
THE NEXT TIME YOU TRY IT, I SHALL
BE PLEASED TO HELP BOTH OF YOU.
[GUNSHOTS]
HELP!
HELP!
ALL RIGHT, I GOT IT.
GET HIM OUT OF THERE.
HE'S STILL ALIVE. BREATHING
SEEMS TO BE ALL RIGHT.
HOW LONG WERE YOU HOLDING
UP THAT ROCK? I DON'T KNOW.
10, MAYBE 15 MINUTES.
THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT
IT, YOU SAVED HIS LIFE. HERE.
THAT'S FUNNY?
YEAH, THAT'S REAL FUNNY.
YOU GOT IT ALL TWISTED 'ROUND.
YOU SAVED MY LIFE.
HOW'S THAT?
WELL, IT DON'T MATTER.
HIM AND ME GOT A SHACK COUPLE
OF HUNDRED YARDS DOWN THAT ROAD.
YOU MIND HELPING
ME PACK HIM THAT FAR?
ALL RIGHT, LET'S PUT
HIM ON THE HORSE.
HEADACHE?
EVERY LOOSE ROCK
IN THAT CLAIM OF OURS
COULD FALL ON HIM, HE'D
STILL COME UP IN ONE PIECE.
YOU ALMOST DONE IT,
DIDN'T YOU, BRAUS? AH.
DID YOU SEE THAT? HE
WAS TRYING TO KILL ME.
WELL, I THINK YOU BETTER
TAKE IT EASY FOR A WHILE.
WHO THE DAG-NAB ARE
YOU ANYWAY? PALADIN.
HE HIRE YOU TO COME
IN AND GUN ME DOWN?
BRAUS? HE WAS TRYING
TO SAVE YOUR LIFE.
HE WHAT?
THERE WAS A ROCK JUST
ABOUT TO CRUSH YOU.
WHEN I ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, HE
WAS DOING HIS BEST TO HOLD IT OFF YOU.
YOU REMEMBER THE ROCK FALLING?
YEAH, I WAS DIGGING IN THAT NEW
HOLE OUTSIDE THE SHAFT, AND...
DANG FUNNY IT SHOULD
FALL WHEN I WAS IN THERE.
WOULD HAVE LOOKED JUST LIKE
AN ACCIDENT, WOULDN'T BRAUS?
YOU HEARD PALADIN!
GENTLEMEN, I DON'T
KNOW WHAT THIS IS ABOUT,
BUT IT WILL REALLY BE A
PLEASURE TO LEAVE YOU
TWO TO WORK OUT YOUR
OWN DESTINIES. GOOD DAY.
HOLD ON A MINUTE.
YOU'RE RIGHT,
I HAD BETTER TAKE
IT EASY FOR A WHILE.
YOU STICK AROUND UNTIL
I GET MY STRENGTH BACK,
JUST TO BE SURE THAT
NOTHING HAPPENS TO ME,
I'LL PAY YOU A $100 DOLLARS.
I'M AFRAID NOT,
MR. TALBOT. ALL RIGHT...
$300 DOLLARS, IN GOLD.
YOU HAVE $300 DOLLARS IN GOLD?
WE GOT $300 DOLLARS IN GOLD.
WHY WE'VE GOT... SHUT
UP, YOU LOOSE MOUTH!
YOU TALK TOO MUCH.
JUST WHERE YOU FROM, PALADIN?
MY HOME'S IN SAN FRANCISCO.
YOU'RE A LONG WAY FROM HOME.
BUSINESS TRIP. GOOD
DAY, GENTLEMEN.
WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS TRIP?
NOW I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S
ANY CONCERN OF YOURS.
THIS SAYS IT IS.
HOLD IT!
GET HIS GUN, NICK.
YOU KEEP HIM COVERED. IF
HE MOVES, BLOW HIM APART.
NOW WHERE'S HE GOING?
CHECKING ON OUR PAYDIRT.
WE COLLECT A HEFTY LOAD
OF DUST AROUND HERE.
BEFORE WE TAKE IT TO TOWN.
WHY ARE YOU AFRAID OF BRAUS?
LIKE I SAID, WE
GOT A RICH CLAIM.
WE TAKE OUT A COUPLE
OF THOUSAND A MONTH.
SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ONE OF US, THE
OTHER ONE BECOMES SOLE OWNER, RIGHT?
RIGHT.
[GUNSHOT]
WAIT A MINUTE, I'M
NOT YOUR ENEMY.
YOU STEP OUT THAT DOOR LIKE THAT,
THEY'LL PICK YOU OFF LIKE A TURKEY.
THAT WAS A PISTOL SHOT.
SO?
SO, THE FIRST ONE
CAME FROM A RIFLE,
A VERY POWERFUL
RIFLE. WHO EVER IS DOING
THAT SHOOTING OUT THERE
HAS A WHOLE ARSENAL.
DIVE FOR THE WATER TROUGH.
WE'RE PINNED DOWN IN HERE.
I'LL GO FIRST, YOU COUNT
THREE AND FOLLOW ME.
TRY BUSHWACKIN' ME
YOU SNEAKING SKUNKS!
I'LL BLOW YOU BOTH
TO KINGDOM COME.
THAT FIRST SHOT MUST'VE BEEN
AT HIM. HE THINKS WE DONE IT.
THAT'S ENOUGH. HE'S
TRYING TO KILL US.
BRAUS, LISTEN TO ME!
YEAH, LISTEN...
I'VE GOT IT FIGURED
NOW, PALADIN.
TALBOT SENT FOR YOU,
DIDN'T HE? TO KILL ME!
IT'S TOO BAD YOU MISSED.
BRAUS, WE DIDN'T
FIRE THAT SHOT AT YOU!
I HAVEN'T GOT A
RIFLE, YOU SAW THAT!
I'M COMING OUT!
HANDS UP, AND NO GUN!
SATISFIED, BRAUS? NO!
WHERE'S TALBOT?
HE WON'T FIRE NOW.
COME ON, GET UP.
ALL RIGHT, BRAUS?
HERE'S SOMETHING I
FOUND BY THE UPRIGHT.
JUST OUTSIDE THE
MINE SHAFT ENTRANCE.
.50 CALIBER SLUG.
FROM A BUFFALO RIFLE.
FIRST SHOT WAS AIMED AT YOU.
DID YA THINK I WAS MAKING IT UP?
WHAT WE'VE GOT IS
THAT OLD SHOTGUN.
WE AIN'T GOT NO RIFLE AT ALL.
WELL, SOMEBODY HAS.
ALL RIGHT...
LOOK...
ME AND BRAUS HAVE BEEN
PARTNERS FOR 10, 12 YEARS.
THIS IS OUR FIRST
REAL PAYING CLAIM.
EVERYTHING WAS ALL
RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING.
THEN I CAUGHT HIM SALTING
AWAY DUST AND NOT...
THAT'S A BLASTED LIE! STOP IT!
NOW JUST TELL ME
WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.
ALL RIGHT, LET ME
FINISH TELLING IT.
AFTER HE LIED ABOUT ME STEALING,
THINGS GOT WORSE AND WORSE.
WE'D GO INTO COPPER CITY, GET
LIQUORED UP, AND START FIGHTING.
THE WE'D START SHOOTING. WHAT?
THAT'S HOW WE GOT INTO TROUBLE.
WE ACCIDENTALLY HIT A
BARTENDER IN THE LEG.
AFTER THAT, THE CIRCUIT JUDGE
GAVE THE SHERIFF AN ORDER,
MAKING US KEEP
THE PEACE, OR ELSE.
IF ONE OF US IS FOUND DEAD,
THE OTHER ONE GETS HUNG.
THOSE TOWNSPEOPLE
LIKE TO SEE US STRUNG UP.
GENTLEMEN, IT'S VERY FUNNY...
EXCEPT FOR ONE THING.
YOU TWO HAVE MADE YOURSELVES
A PERFECT TARGET FOR MURDER.
WHOEVER FIRED THAT BULLET,
KNOWS THAT IF ONE OF YOU IS KILLED,
THE OTHER ONE IS HUNG.
YOU SAID SO YOURSELVES.
THE MINE WILL BE HERE
JUST FOR THE TAKING.
YOU ALWAYS TALK
TOO MUCH, TALBOT.
LIKE THIS AFTERNOON IN
FRONT OF PALADIN HERE.
AND LIKE THIS MORNING.
NOW I PLUM FORGOT ABOUT THEM.
NOW WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
OLD MAN MARTIN, AND HIS
SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW.
THEY COME BY ON THE
TRAIL THIS MORNING.
SAID THEY WAS TAKING OVER THE OLD PARKER
DIGGING ABOUT FOUR MILES NORTH OF HERE.
THEY ACTED MIGHTY SUSPICIOUS TOO.
KEPT LOOKING AROUND ALL THE TIME,
ASKING QUESTIONS
ABOUT DIGGING GOLD. YEAH.
THEY EVEN TOOK A
LOOK AT OUR SLEUCE.
HAD A LOT TO LEARN THE
OLD MAN SAID. THAT'S RIGHT.
WELL, THEY LEARNED ENOUGH
FROM "OLD LOOSE-MOUTH" HERE.
ANSWERING SUGAR-SWEET EVERY BIG-EYED
QUESTION THAT LITTLE GAL PUT TO HIM.
YES, SIR!
THAT'S THE ONLY ANSWER.
WOULD THEY KNOW
ABOUT THE COURT'S ORDER?
THEY'RE FROM COPPER CITY,
EVERYBODY THERE KNOWS IT.
NOW WAIT A MINUTE! YOU'RE
JUST GUESSING, YOU DON'T KNOW.
I KNOW THIS...
THEY HAD A LOT OF JUNK IN
THE BACK OF THAT WAGON,
INCLUDING A RIFLE.
A BUFFALO GUN.
NOW YOU EXPLAIN
THIS TO ME, MR. PALADIN.
YOU AIN'T GOT A RIFLE,
AND WE AIN'T GOT A RIFLE,
BUT THEY GOT A RIFLE.
WHO DONE THE SHOOTING?
HEY, WHAT'S THE IDEA?
I'M TRYING TO PREVENT
A POSSIBLE MISTAKE.
I'LL ACCEPT YOUR
OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT,
PROVIDED YOU MAKE THE
FEE $500 DOLLARS IN GOLD.
ALL RIGHT, I THINK YOU TWO OLD
PARTNERS WILL BE SAFE HERE TOGETHER
WHILE I RIDE UP AND TRY
AND TALK TO THESE PEOPLE.
SO FAR, NOBODY'S BEEN KILLED.
LET'S TRY AND KEEP
IT THAT WAY, EH?
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR
ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR, MISTER?
POSSIBLY.
JOE, DAD!
HE'S BEEN NOSING AROUND.
[JOE:] WHAT ARE YOU
DOING HERE, MISTER?
THAT GUN ISN'T REALLY
NECESSARY, COULD YOU
POINT THAT IN ANOTHER
DIRECTION WHILE WE TALK?
PLEASE?
THANK YOU. NOW, WHY AM I HERE?
BECAUSE SOMEONE TRIED TO
GUN DOWN YOUR NEIGHBOR, BRAUS.
FORTUNATELY FOR
HIM, THEY MISSED.
BRAUS? WHAT'S HE GOT
TO DO WITH US ANYWAY?
HE THINKS ONE OF
YOU DID THE SHOOTING.
IF I HAD DONE ANY SHOOTING,
I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED.
WHAT ARE YOU PESTERING US FOR?
BRAUS WAS ON HIS WAY HERE
HIMSELF, WITH A SHOTGUN.
I PREVAILED UPON HIM
TO LET ME COME INSTEAD.
WELL, YOU JUST PREVAIL
YOURSELF RIGHT BACK TO MR. BRAUS.
TELL HIM ANYTIME HE WANTS
TO COME LOOKING FOR TROUBLE,
HE'S WELCOME.
THAT'S ENOUGH, JOE.
LOOK...
WE DON'T WANT NO TROUBLE.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN COMING
HERE AND QUESTIONING US ANYWAY?
GET OUT, LEAVE US ALONE.
I'M TRYING TO PREVENT
TROUBLE, NOT CAUSE IT.
I GOT NOTHING MORE TO SAY.
NOBODY'S BEEN HURT YET,
AND I'D LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
BUT IF YOU WON'T COOPERATE, I'LL
TURN THIS OVER TO THE AUTHORITIES.
ATTEMPTED MURDER IS A
SERIOUS CRIME, EVEN OUT HERE.
JOE'S MY BOY... HOTHEADED
LIKE MOST YOUNGSTERS.
GOT IN A SCRAPE IN COPPER
CITY, WOUNDED A MAN.
GOT SOME MONEY TO PAY BACK.
ME AND AMY GOT HIM
TO COME OUT HERE.
PRETTY POOR DIGGINGS, BUT WE WAS
HOPING TO TAKE OUT ENOUGH TO SQUARE JOE,
AND... DON'T YOU HAVE A RIFFLE?
WE AIN'T GOT NOTHING TO HIDE.
AMY!
BRING ME JOE'S RIFLE.
IT AIN'T HERE.
I AIN'T MUCH FOR FOOLIN'
RIGHT NOW, AMY. FETCH IT!
I TELL YOU IT AIN'T
HERE. WHERE IS IT?
I HID IT.
YES, I HID IT.
GUNS HAVE BROUGHT JOE AND ME NOTHING
BUT TROUBLE EVER SINCE WE'VE BEEN MARRIED.
SO I TOOK IT, AND THREW
IT DOWN AN OLD MINE SHAFT,
WHERE NOBODY WILL
EVER FIND IT. AMY!
WHAT MINE SHAFT?
I DON'T REMEMBER.
DO YOU HEAR, I DON'T REMEMBER!
MISTER...
NO MATTER HOW IT
LOOKS TO YOU, I KNOW JOE.
DRY-GULCHING A MAN
JUST AIN'T HIS STYLE.
STYLES CHANGE, EVEN IN MURDER.
[GUNSHOT]
YOU'VE BEEN OUT ALMOST
AN HOUR. YOU HIT VERY HARD.
JUST TAKE IT EASY NOW.
AS A MATTER OF
FACT, I DIDN'T HIT YOU.
I WAS STASHED UP IN THOSE
ROCKS BEHIND YOUR FRIENDS' CABIN.
I HEARD A SHOT
FROM OVER THIS WAY.
THE BULLET TOOK THE GLASS
OUT OF ONE OF THE CABIN WINDOWS.
SO I CAME OVER TO SEE WHY YOUR
FRIENDS WERE SHOOTING UP THEIR OWN PLACE,
AND I FOUND YOU. YOU
EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE THAT?
I MUST SAY, YOU
AIN'T VERY GRATEFUL.
BUT THEN YOU'RE NOT TOO PARTICULAR
WHO YOU WORK FOR EITHER, ARE YOU?
NO, I GUESS I'M NOT.
NOW LET'S SEE WHICH SIDE OF
YOUR MOUTH YOU TALK OUT OF.
WAIT, I'M TELLING YOU THE TRUTH.
YOU HAVEN'T GOT YOUR WIFE TO COVER
FOR YOU NOW. WHERE'S THAT RIFLE?
I CAME UP LOOKING FOR THE RIFLE.
AMY THOUGHT I WAS TRYING TO KILL
BRAUS AND TALBOT TO GET THEIR GOLD.
BUT I WASN'T!
I WAS... I COULDN'T FIND THE
RIFLE WITH OUR DIGGINGS.
I THOUGHT PA HID IT FROM ME.
I DON'T THINK SO, I THINK
BRAUS OR TALBOT STOLE IT.
LOOK, I'M SHOOTING
STRAIGHT WITH YOU, MISTER.
WHY WOULD I BE HANGIN'
AROUND HERE IF I WASN'T?
WHEN WOULD BRAUS OR TALBOT
HAVE HAD TIME TO STEAL THAT RIFLE?
WHEN, WHEN?
WAIT!
WHEN WE WENT TO THEIR DIGGINGS THIS
MORNING, PA WANTED TO SEE THEIR SLEUCE.
EITHER ONE OF THEM HAD PLENTY OF
CHANCE TO SNEAK IT OUT OF THE WAGON.
ALL RIGHT...
ALL RIGHT.
IT COULD'VE HAPPENED THAT WAY.
IF YOU'RE TELLING ME THE TRUTH, I'LL DO
ANYTHING I CAN TO KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE,
BUT IF YOU'RE LYING TO ME...
NOW YOU GO ON BACK TO YOUR
PLACE, AND YOU STAY THERE.
GET YOUR HAT, AND GO ON.
WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? I
RAN INTO A LITTLE TROUBLE.
WHAT HAPPENED?
WELL, UNKNOWINGLY, I ALMOST TRAPPED
THE KILLER AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE MINE.
HE DID HIS BEST TO KNOCK
THE BACK OF MY HEAD OFF.
YOU MEAN, HE'S STILL
LOOSE OUT THERE?
I MEAN HE'S STILL LOOSE OUT THERE
WITH A VERY DANGEROUS WEAPON.
THEN IT WASN'T YOU.
I SAID IT WASN'T, BUT
YOU'RE TOO BONEHEADED
TO PAY ANY ATTENTION TO ANYBODY.
IT WASN'T YOU WHAT?
I WAS OUT OF THE
CABIN FOR A WHILE,
AND THAT BUSHWHACKER
TOOK THAT PARTICULAR TIME
TO TAKE ANOTHER SHOT AT BRAUS.
BEING IGNORANT,
HE SWORE I DID IT.
WELL BRAUS, IT LOOKS LIKE THE
KILLER IS INTENT ON MAKING YOU
THE DECEASED HALF
OF THIS PARTNERSHIP.
THAT STUPID KID.
TAKE A LOT BETTER
MAN THAN HIM TO GET ME.
KID? WHO ELSE COULD IT
BE BUT THAT JOE MARTIN.
HE CAN'T THINK OF BUT
ONE WAY TO GET RICH.
OFF'N SOMEONE ELSE'S HIDE.
ESPECIALLY AFTER HIS LITTLE
WIFE PASSED ON TO HIM EVERYTHING
TALBOT SPILLED TO HER.
JUST CAN'T GET THAT PRETTY
LITTLE GAL OUT OF MY MIND.
DON'T SEEM RIGHT, HER
TIED TO A NO-GOOD LIKE THAT.
I ALWAYS THOUGHT
IF I HAD A DAUGHTER...
DAUGHTER... YOU'VE BEEN
OUT IN THE SUN TOO MUCH.
LET'S GO IN. NO...
WE'D BE JUST LIKE
SITTING DUCKS IN THERE.
I'LL TAKE MY CHANCES
OUT HERE, OUTSIDE.
THAT WILD KID MIGHT SET FIRE
TO THE CABIN, KILL BOTH OF US.
YEAH, MIGHT AT THAT.
WELL, IF WE'RE GONNA
SPEND THE NIGHT OUTSIDE,
WE'LL HAVE TO TAKE
TURNS STANDING WATCH.
WHO WANTS THE FIRST HITCH?
WELL, I SURE AIN'T
SLEEPY. I'LL TAKE IT.
I'LL TAKE THE SECOND. ALL
RIGHT, IT'S AGREED THEN.
I'D SUGGEST YOU FIND A
PLACE HIGH UP IN THOSE ROCKS,
SO YOU CAN KEEP AN
EYE ON EVERYTHING.
PALADIN?
BRAUS?
IT'S BRAUS.
MURDERER SPRUNG A TRAP.
AT FIRST HE HAD
TO SAVE YOUR LIFE.
THEN WHEN JOE CAME ALONG WITH
A RIFLE, HE HAD A PERFECT SUSPECT,
IF YOU WERE KILLED.
WHEN I ARRIVED, HE HAD THE OTHER
INGREDIENT THAT HIS MURDER PLAN NEEDED.
A WITNESS TO PROVE
HIS INNOCENCE.
HE FAKED A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS ON
HIS OWN LIFE, JUST TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD.
THIS ATTEMPT ON YOUR LIFE
WAS NO FAKE. BUT HOW...?
I FOUND THE RIFLE.
YOU PUT IT BACK?
AFTER I PACKED THE BARREL
WITH MUD FROM THE STREAM BED.
TWO PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THAT GUN,
A MURDERER AND ME.
WITH THE BARREL JAMMED, THAT GUN
WOULD EXPLODE LIKE A BOMB IF IT WERE FIRED.
BRAUS WAS HIS OWN EXECUTIONER.
TRAPPED IN HIS OWN SNARE FOR MURDER.
I'LL RIDE THROUGH COPPER CITY AND
LEAVE A DEPOSITION WITH THE SHERIFF
ABOUT BRAUS'S DEATH.
NOW IT'S GOING TO SEEM FUNNY, AFTER
ALL THESE YEARS, WORKING BY MYSELF.
NOT GOOD FOR A
MAN TO WORK ALONE.
YOU THINKING OF BUYING IN?
NO, BUT I KNOW A PRETTY LITTLE
GAL NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE,
WHO'S FAMILY COULD
USE SOME HELP.
LIKE REGULAR WAGES WORKING
A GOOD PAYING MINE LIKE YOURS.
NAH, I COULDN'T.
SAY, I COULD...
BUT I WOULDN'T KNOW NOTHING
ABOUT HOW TO ASK THEM.
WHY DON'T YOU RIDE
UP THERE AND TRY?
I MIGHT JUST DO THAT.
OH, MR. TALBOT?
THE $500 DOLLARS.
OH...
♪ HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL
READS THE CARD OF A MAN ♪
♪ A KNIGHT WITHOUT
ARMOR IN A SAVAGE LAND ♪
♪ HIS FAST GUN FOR HIRE
HEEDS THE CALLING WIND ♪
♪ A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE IS
THE MAN CALLED PALADIN ♪
♪ PALADIN, PALADIN
WHERE DO YOU ROAM ♪