Rawhide (1959–1965): Season 3, Episode 18 - Incident of the Running Iron - full transcript

While herding strays, Quince comes across a man altering brands. Before Quince can pursue him a posse comes upon the site and charges Quince with rustling. Gil and Rowdy have only hours clear him before Quince faces a vigilante court.

Hyah!

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

Keep movin', movin', movin'

Though they're disapprovin'

Keep them dogies movin'

Rawhide!

Don't try
To understand 'em

Just rope, throw
And brand 'em

Soon we'll be livin'
High and wide

My heart's calculatin'

My true love
Will be waitin'



Be waiting at the end
Of my ride

Move 'em on, head 'em up
Head 'em up, move 'em on

Move 'em on, head 'em up
Rawhide

Let 'em out, ride 'em in
Ride 'em in, let 'em out

Cut 'em out
Ride 'em in

Rawhide!

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

Hyah!

Hyah!

Rawhide!

Hyah!

What're you tryi"
to do, Mushy?

Get that horse
to throw you?

I was trying to do what
you just did, Mr. Nolan.



What'd I just do?

Well, come to a halt

and get out of your saddle
before your horse stops.

Land on your feet.

Well, always remember
one thing, Mushy.

When you're ridin'
someplace,

don't get there ahead
of your horse.

Try it on that hill.

What? That slope?

Yeah. That way
you won't roll so far.

Well, I'll try,
Mr. Nolan.

Thank you.

Will you watch me?

I think I'd better.

Hold it, mister.

You're making a mistake, son.

You talk to Mr. Favor.

You with Mr. Favor's
herd, son?

Now, what counts is that
steer's with Mr. Favor's herd.

What's going on here?

Why'd you fire
the warning shot?

Well, he figures he's
caught himself a rustler.

Red-handed.

Put that gun away,
Mushy.

But Mr. Nolan.
Put it away.

You wanna give him
a chance to draw on it.

Mushy, can you tell me which
way our herd is from here?

That's right.

Now, which way was this rustler
hazing the steer?

Did you ever hear
of a rustler

hazing a steer
back into a herd?

For all I know
he was hazing that steer,

and he ain't
got no right to.

He's got every right, Mushy.
This is Frank Miller.

He's a herd cutter.

You know what
a herd cutter is.

Yeah, a herd cutter.

Hey, he's a man hired
by the ranchers.

Uh, he stops the herd...

and he cuts out other people's
strays that get mixed up in it.

I think.

That's right,
Mushy.

Now about all that's left
is for you to apologize

to Mr. Miller,
and we'll get goin'.

I guess I'm sorry,
Mr. Miller.

I think.

Well, if you want to show him
how sorry you are,

how about hazing that steer
back to the herd.

Ha-ha.
Your cook's louse?

Yeah. How could you
tell?

Yeah, the red one. The red one
is from the Running A.

There's a special
Circle G.

Uh, that black one
there.

He's a Diamond Bar.

There's a Easy E.

There's
a Easy E. Go.

There's
a Diamond Bar.

There, that
black fella.

Spot's got
a J on 'em.

There's a Easy E.

There's an
Easy E. Go.

Watch, got
an R on him.

There's
one.

Here's
a Diamond B.

There's a Circle J.

There's a Circle J.

Watch, got
an R on him.

That white one's
all right. It's yours.

Boy, he sure can spot
them brands.

He's the best. He's been
doing it a lot of years.

Cutting for all
the ranchers in the valley,

he's calling maybe
28 brands at once.

He just missed one there.

Yeah.
Get it, Joe.

That ain't
the first one either.

I saw you cut out
a couple he missed.

Well, when I first knew him,
he ain't never missed a one.

Well, it's a big herd.
He's probably getting tired.

Oh, he's getting
a few years on him.

Maybe his eyes aren't
what they were.

You never noticed
anything though.

Oh, well, sure
I do. Well... Oh.

That'd do it,
Frank?

You're cleaner now.
It's true.

You can take 'em on up
the trail tomorrow mornin'.

Good. We'll bed 'em
down then.

You got quite a haul,
didn't you, Mr. Miller?

Yeah. Better than
a hundred head, I guess.

Hey, you'd a cost us
a pretty penny.

How many years has it been
that you've been workin' cattle?

Well, now, there's
a question. You know,

I never did keep track.

But this young
whippersnapper here,

he oughta be able
to tell you.

Who, Mr. Favor?

Yeah, I was cuttin' 'fore
he could set a horse.

No, I ain't kept
track neither.

And how long it's been since you
come up north here, Frank?

Why, it's going on
seven years now.

That long?

Say, Rowdy.
You seen Jim Quince?

Yeah, I sent him out
brush-beating for strays

about an hour ago.

Ain't he back yet?
Don't see him nowheres.

He oughta
be back by now.

You better take
a look then.

Son, you better take
a couple men with you.

Yeah, what for?

Well, uh, he might have
run into somethin'.

We've been having a little
trouble around here lately.

Trouble? What kind?

Been
losing beef.
Indians?

No, not around here.
We don't know who it is,

but, uh, your man might just
have run into something.

See to it,
Rowdy.

Yeah.

Funny thing, you know?

Ain't never noticed
these losses till just lately.

Oh, it couldn't have
been too much then.

Not all at one time, but just
sort of a steady drain.

You know, more than you could
account for by natural causes,

like weather and disease.

But there's just
no trace of 'em.

All the stockmen
in the valley

are gettin'
up in arms.

Oh, everybody losing?

Some more than others.
But everybody.

Including me.

Coffee's ready.

Good. I can use
some of that.

Hey, you!

Put up your hands.

You heard me.
Put up your hands.

Uh, now, hold on, mister.

You got me wrong.
This ain't my fire.

No, of course not.
But it'll do.

How do you mean?

We'll show you.

Wait a minute, mister.
You gotta listen to me.

I'm with a trail herd.

I'm just gathering
strays.

Sure. But that ain't
one of your strays.

He's got the brand of one of
the ranchers in this valley.

It ain't my fire either.
Nor my runnin' iron.

I came up and surprised him,
whoever he was.

Thought he had one of
our strays. I yelled.

He ran up that draw.

Well, you can find his tracks.

There's tracks
all over the place.

What'd he look like?

Well... it was hard to see.

He was ridin' a bay horse
with a blaze.

More than a hundred
in this valley

answer that description.

Don't I at least
get a trial?

You've had it.

We're tired of you drovers
coming through this valley

and fattening your herds
at our expense.

We're just gonna make
an example of you.

Look, mister. At least give me
a chance to prove what I say.

My boss'll vouch for me.

I gotta tell somebody.

I don't want to die
out here alone.

You ain't gonna die, Jim.

Now,
let him go.

You his boss?

One of 'em.

Now, did you hear
what I said?

You, uh... You don't know who
you're talkin' to, boy.

I'm deputy sheriff
of this county.

You're sure acting
like one, mister.

Well, it's your own fault.

You drovers, it's the only
way to fight you.

Uh, not with vigilante law.

We'll abide by real law.

But you ain't gonna
hang one of our men,

deputy sheriff or no.

And I tell you,
he's under arrest.

Now, you say you abide
by the law.

You try to take him,
and you're going against it.

What kind of law is putti"
a rope around a man's neck?

If he's under arrest, why
didn't you take him to jail,

give him a trial?

All right, we'll
take him in.

But he'll hang anyway,
don't worry.

Rowdy... you gonna
let him take me in?

Yeah, well, maybe
that's best for now, Jim.

He has got some authority.

We'll find out about this
and get you out in no time.

In the meanwhile,
we'll, uh...

We'll ride along with you
just to make sure you get there.

Safe.

Pretty valley, ain't it?

Kinda like it
here, huh?

You know, I never thought
I'd come to love a place,

but this valley
sorta grows on you.

Havin' your own spread makes
a difference too, Gil.

I recommend it.

Yeah. Maybe
someday.

Now, don't wait too long.
I almost did.

Might never have had it at all
if it hadn't been for my boy.

Yeah, well, it's different
for you. You've got a son.

Yeah, Andy.
Nineteen already.

Ah, that's right.

Suppose it sounds
kinda foolish, but, well...

he's what all
this is for.

You know, couple more years,
he'll be able to take over.

And we built it up
pretty good for him.

Then I can cash my checks
anytime, and it won't matter.

Say, where is that son
of yours, anyway?

Why, he's taking care of
the ranch while I'm gone.

He's a nice boy, Gil, uh...
I'd like you to meet him.

Maybe we'll just
ride down

before you get away
in the mornin'.

Ah, I'd like that.

Looks like your boys
comin' in.

Yeah, but too fast.

Something's wrong.

What is it?
Quince, he's in jail.

They had him strung to a tree
when we come across him.

For what?!

For rustling,
I guess.

He evidently came across
the fella who they were after,

and he got stuck
with the evidence.
Evidence?

Yeah. A downed calf,
a fire and a running iron.

No wonder.
The mood they're in,

just a running iron
would be enough.

Uh, Quince tried to tell 'em
they were making a mistake.

He'd have been dead if I hadn't
gotten there when I did.

Uh, they had the law
on their side.

That's why I couldn't talk
him free or anything.

Think he's safe
in this town, Frank?

Well, for a spell.

But they're probably have
a pretty speedy trial.

I left Bailey
in there.

Told him to send word
if anything went wrong.

Gil, you figure this fella
of yours is telling the truth?

Quince. He's one of
the best men I got.

I'd trust him as far as
I would Rowdy or you.

He's no rustler.

Mr. Favor, look.

Looks like a whole
delegation.

More like
a posse to me.

Frank.
The whole kit and caboodle.

Town fathers.
Major stockmen.

Who's the boss,
Frank?

This is Mr. Gil Favor,
gentlemen,

one of the best trail bosses
in the business.

And I oughta know. I had
a hand in his training.

Gil, this is
Morgan Shaw, our sheriff.

This is John Rye,
mayor of the town.

That's, uh,
Marsh Cox.

Yeah, I understand you're
holding one of my men.

That's right. But he won't be
held long, I can assure you.

I'm glad to hear that.

'Cause I can assure you that
he's innocent of the charge.

How can you be sure of that?

Well, I know the man,
that's all.

Well, I don't.

And I don't know you.

For all I know, he could have
been acting under your orders.

What do you mean
by that?

I mean you trail herders
always manage

to leave with more stock
than you come with.

Now, wait
a minute, Morgan.

Now, Frank... you stay
outta this.

Why should I? I just told you
this man's a friend of mine.

Maybe that don't make it
any better, Frank.

Now, wait a minute.
What are you trying to do?

Accuse me of being
in some illegal deal

with Mr. Favor here?

No, Frank. You know
better than that.

We're not trying to
accuse you of anything.

Well, then what do you mean?

Well... you know as well as
we do

that we're losing
stock some way.

You yourself are.

Only thing we can figure
is these trail herds

are picking it up
as they go through.

Then you are
accusing me.

You're accusing me
of not doing my job.

Well, no. No, Frank.
Not that exactly.

But it is possible
that one time or another

you do miss a few sometimes.

Yes, I do. 'Cause my eyes
aren't what they once were.

Maybe I should have admitted it
and asked for help.

But I wanna tell you this:

I didn't let through all
the stock that we've lost.

Take a look in that holding
corral over there.

That's what I cut out of
Mr. Favor's herd.

Over a hundred head.

Well, that's partly
what we mean, Frank.

Seems like a lot of cattle
for them to have picked up

just passing through.

We can't help picking up strays

going across a range.
You know that.

And I cut 'em all out,
that's my job.

Now you take a look
at the main herd.

You won't find one,
maybe two, without brands.

Maybe not. How many
would we find

if we could
turn 'em inside out?

Yeah, and after all,
we find one of his men

with a hot fire
and a running iron.

Now, how many other irons
are there in this crew?

I know a row of blotched
brand when I see one.

Yes, but maybe you weren't
watching for 'em, Frank.

You were reading our herds.

Well, we're holding
this herd until

we can check it thoroughly.

It's all right,
Frank.

You go ahead, check the herd.
Satisfy yourselves.

We will, first thing
in the morning.

It's getting too dark
tonight.

But we'll leave a guard here

to see that you don't
move anything.

All right.

And if you've
satisfied yourselves

there's nothing
here,

then you'll let
my men go.

No, I didn't
say that.

You're not having stolen cattle
wouldn't prove him innocent.

And anyway, that's
for a jury to decide.

What jury?
You and your friends?

I'll tell you
something, mister.

You'd better
let him go,

or you're gonna be
in for trouble.

Well, now, you just
try that, sonny.

We're not afraid of trouble.

We'll be ready for you, and...

maybe you'll join your friend.

Frank. You coming?

No. I'll stay here.

Suit yourself.

Sorry, Gil.

So am I.

What are we
gonna do?

I don't know yet.

Is there any chance Jim will get
a fair trial in town?

Fair, yes. But who's
gonna prove him innocent?

Guess that's up to us somehow.

Yeah, but how?

Just gonna have to flush out

the man who really did it.

Well, what happens if we can't?

I don't know.

You ready
for 'em, Gil?

Any time.
How about Quince?

He's all right. I just
checked at the jail.

Now, you don't have to
worry about Morgan Shaw.

He's an honest sheriff.

And he'll keep him safe
until the trial.

When's that?

They got it set
for 3.

They're not waitin'
for the circuit judge.

They're forming
a county committee.

Vigilantes?

Well, it's better than
no trial at all.

Oh, Gil, this is Andy.
Andy, this is Gil Favor.

Howdy, Andy.
Glad to meet you, Mr. Favor.

My father says
you're a great man.

I'm just
another cowhand.

There's a few things
greater than that.

Not to my father.

Well, now, they don't come
any greater than he is.

Yeah, I know.

Uh, sorry about
all this.

Puttin' you to all
this trouble, Mr. Favor.

We're not being
very hospitable, are we?

Ah, I guess it
can't be helped.

Are you ready,
Favor?

We'll get 'em over there.
My men'll squeeze 'em through,

your men will hold
and ride after 'em.

That satisfactory?

Let's get it
over with.

Hey, hey.

Well?

We didn't see
anything.

What about blotched
brands?

Nope.
You wouldn't take my word.

Look, Frank...

all I know is we're
losing stock somehow.

Maybe that drover
hasn't got any.

And maybe he has.
What do you mean?

Maybe he's got some way
of gettin' 'em past us.

Maybe he sent 'em around
and through the pass

down to the valley.

You think he could have done
that without me findin' it out?

I don't know, Frank.

Now, wait a minute.

I don't care what
you think about me,

but nobody in 40 years

has questioned Frank Miller's
integrity.

And you've got no call to now.

You're doing an injustice
to a friend and a neighbor.

Nobody's questionin'
Frank's integrity.

Personally, I'm convinced
you had nothing

to do with it, Favor.

Sorry we didn't take
Frank's word for it.

I hope you'll
forgive us for that.

Anyway, you're free to
take your herd on.

Not without my man,
Quince.

He has to
stand trial.

Before a vigilante court?

I assure you he'll be
treated fairly.

If you want to testify
for him, you may do so.

If you have any evidence in
his behalf, you can present it.

Well, you know I haven't
got any evidence.

How could I?

But I know the man is innocent.

If you can prove it,
he'll go free.

I promise you.

It's up to you.

I'm warning you.

I'm not gonna let
any vigilante court

hang any men of mine.

Especially when I know
he's innocent.

Like our sheriff told you,
we don't want trouble.

But if it comes,
we can take care of it.

If he's sentenced to hang...

he'll hang.

What are we
gonna do?

First of all,

show me where
that brandin' iron was.

It's not much to go on.

Not enough to
prove anything.

And not enough to
convince anybody

Quince was
tellin' the truth.

I was convinced
when you vouched for him.

Let's see where
those tracks lead.

See anything
over there?!

No.

Afraid it's
no use, Mr. Favor.

Looks like
we lost 'em.

That fella sure knew
what he's doing.

Well, now where
do we stand?

Well, if we can't track him out,

we're gonna have to
think him out.

You people must have
talked this over.

Aren't there some suspects?

Well, first we thought
it might be Indians.

But they would have
left signs.

So would any outside bunch
of rustlers.

And we found
no sign at all.

Well, then it must have
occurred to you

that it might be somebody
from here in the valley.

Yeah, we talked about that.

But that's just
a blank wall.

You see, every stockman,
he's a solid citizen.

And every one of 'em
has been losing stock.

Now, there's
nobody in the town

that could be
doin' it.

Why not?

Well, it's too big
an operation.

First off, where would
they hold the stock?

Then where would
they sell it?

Except a passin' herd.

Now that's why
the suspicions finally got

to rest on you fellas.

Yeah, I see.

Isn't there any local market?

Oh, sure. Town butcher.

Ha-ha. He couldn't sell
that much meat in 10 years.

Of course, the tannery
buys hides,

but, uh...

well, what would they do
with the carcasses?

Where do they get
their hides?

They buy 'em
from all around.

'Course most of 'em come
from Fort Hawkes.

That's a Army post
over in Warm Creek.

How far's that?

Oh,
20 miles.

Less,
over the hill.

Are where do they get
their beef?

Oh, they buy from
all of us, all around.

It's a matter of policy they say
to spread out their buyin',

so nobody will accuse them
of playing favorites.

Why, some of
their stock's driven in

from three, four counties
away, I'm told.

Well, then nobody but them would
know exactly how much beef

they're buying from this valley.
No, I suppose not.

And it's the biggest
local market?

Oh,
by far.

Well, then that's where
we'll check in first.

Who's in charge there?

A Colonel Cook.

Of course, you'd want to see
the supply officer. Uh...

Andy, what's that
fella's name?

Uh... Uh, Lieutenant Hill,
I think.
Oh, yeah.

Andy took over the last
stock we sold 'em,

but it was quite
a while ago.

Anyhow, he'll tell you
who you wanna see.

All right.
Now, wait a minute.

Don't you want us
to go with you?

No, Rowdy and I
can handle it.

Say, would you
go back to town,

keep an eye
on Quince?

Maybe you can delay
the trial

until we get back
with what we can find.

Uh, which way
do we go?

Why, right over
the hills,

follow this wash up
to the side.

You'll see it down in the canyon
down the valley there.

Right. We'll be back
as soon as we can.

Well, I'll do
what I can.

Good luck to you.

Ah, say... could you tell me

where I might find
the supply officer?

Lieutenant Hill. Uh,
I just saw him down there

in the Sutler
Store.

Uh, thanks,
corporal.

This is the third time
you run out of tobacco.

I'm sorry,
lieutenant.

What's the most
important item

in the Sutler
Store?

Tobacco.

Next time you run out,

you lose your franchise
right then and there.

Lieutenant
Hill?

Yes. What can I do
for you, gentlemen?

Howdy. My name's
Favor.

I'm boss of a trail herd
that's going through.

Little short on men,
little long on cattle.

I was just wondering if
I could sell you some beef.

I'm afraid not.

We're pretty well stocked
right now.

I see. You, uh, buy all
your beef around here?

From the ranchers
around here, yes.

Yeah, well, you get a better
price that way.

But, um, I'd be willing
to give a good price too.

No, thanks.

You're not even gonna
ask me my price?

Say, you must be
getting a good one.

I'm busy.

Uh, you, uh, buy all from
the same source, huh?

Look, Mr. Favor. Let's
drop the pretense.

I've heard about you
and your trouble in town.

Military intelligence,
huh?

Something like that.

Now, why did you come here?
What do you want from me?

Just some
information.

What information?

Somebody's rustling
some cattle.

I think they're
selling 'em to you.

That's absurd.

Is it?

Then you won't mind
telling me

who you're buying
your stock from.

I've already told you.

We buy it
from many sources.

I just want to know
who they are.

You don't
believe me, huh?

I'd just like to see
the records.

They're government property,
Mr. Favor.

I couldn't show them to you
if I wanted to.

I haven't
the authority.

Well, who has?
Colonel Cook?

No. Nobody this side
of Washington.

Look, this means a man's life.
An innocent man's.

His innocence or guilt
doesn't concern me, Mr. Favor.

I simply haven't the authority
to show you those records.

Now, you're gonna
have to take my word

that the charge
is absurd.

I have nothing to hide about
the way I conduct my office.

Nobody's accusing you
of anything.

You're suggesting I knowingly
bought stolen cattle.

No, I'm suggesting somebody's
selling you stolen cattle,

which is a much
different thing.

You could be buying
in good faith.

Now, all I need
to know

is who you been buying
the most stock from

over in the valley lately.

And I cannot
tell you.

Or won't.

Let's put it this way,
Mr. Favor,

I wouldn't if I could.

All right. That's
all I need to know.

You know he's lying?

He's in it
all right.

He's probably buying at cut
prices and pocketing the rest.

Jasper like that
will leave the Army rich.

Won't be the first.

Well, what are we gonna do?

How are we gonna
prove anything?

Let's look over
their beef.

Not that way, gentlemen.

You can leave
the way you came.

Just looking around.

This is government property.
I'll have to ask you to leave.

Did you see anything?

Kind of looked like several
brands.

Only one I could make out was
Circle A though.

I don't think
there's any other way

we could get back to those pens
without getting shot.

Not before dark.

I got another idea
though.

Cattle make tracks.

They must have brought
'em in some way.

So let's see if we can
cut a trail on 'em.

Well...

I don't know what
to tell you.

This looks like a regular
Santa Fe Trail for critters,

the way these tracks
go every which way.

I don't know. l...

Looks like it's
hopeless, you know?

Maybe.

Let's try a little
bit further.

That jasper
nearly got me.

Yeah. This is better.

Look.

We got 'em on the run.

Yeah!

Hold it.

Hold it?

Yeah, we'd never catch
up to 'em now anyway.

Something tells me we don't
have to chase him though.

All we gotta do is
look around here.

Rowdy. Come on
up here.

They're all brands.
All of them.

Some are older than others,
but they're all blotched.

Yeah, and they're
all Circle A's.

Just holds 'em up here in
this backcountry box canyon

'til their brands heal.

And then drives 'em up the wash,
over the hill to the fort.

Pretty simple.

Now, all we gotta do is

find out whose brand
is the Circle A.

And I guess they'll know
that in town, huh?

Let's go.

Quince is gonna
be a happy man.

James Quince, the jury
finds you guilty.

The sentence
is hanging.

Get up.

Well, we might as well
get it over with.

Now, wait a minute.
You can't do this.

Favor may show up at any time
with some new evidence.

You don't want to
hang an innocent man.

The verdict's been
reached, Frank.

And I think
they're right.

But you don't have to rush
right out to the nearest tree.

You can wait a little,
can't you?

We've waited
long enough.

We might have done it yesterday,
and save all this trouble.

Well, I'm not
sorry about that.

But it's legal now. There's
no sense putting it off.

No, Frank. This ain't
the kind of a thing

you want to sit around
and think about.

No, you might lose
your nerve, huh, Jim?

Morgan,
I'm pleading.

Get out of
my way, Frank.

Go on.

I'm sorry, Quince.

Hm. You did everything
you could, Mr. Miller. l...

Sure do thank you.

Go on, Quince.

Come on, let's go.

Find
anything, Gil?

Yes, I did.

I know who's doing
your rustling.

Who?
I don't know his name,

but I know his brand.

I know where he holds the stock
until the brands heal.

And I know where
he's selling 'em.

All right, who?
What's the brand?

The Circle A.

You know what you're saying?

Yours, Frank?

Show me.

Just show me.

And you better be right.

All right.

Put him back
in jail.

We'll have to
see about this.

All right.
Where are they?

They're gone.

This is a man you called
your friend, Frank.

It's no lie.

Look at all those tracks
down there.

So? There's cattle
all over this range.

They'll go anywhere
there's grass and water.

Now, what we wanna see

are those blotched brands
you were talking about.

Where are
they?

Well, they couldn't
have been taken far.

All we have to do is look up
one of these washes here.

And waste
more time?

Ah, we're sick
of your lies.

That's right.

For the evidence, you're
just stalling for time.

Could be a trick, and their men
trying something back in town.

We'd better get back
and finish it.

Great friends.

Using a man
like Frank this way.

What are we
gonna do?

Better get back
to town.

Frank...

Get on back to the herd,
bring every available man.

I'll stick with them.

We didn't find
a thing.

What are you
doing here, Favor?

You might as well
move on.

Unless you want to stay
for the hanging.

Now, wait a minute, Marsh.

That's all I'm
asking you to do

is wait a minute
and listen to me.

Now, I didn't know
the Circle A

was Frank Miller's
brand.

But even if I did,

why would I pick
that particular brand

if I hadn't really
seen it on those cattle.

Go on.

I don't believe
Frank is involved in this

any more than you do.

Besides knowing what kind
of a man he is...

saw how it hit him.

I'm sorry for that.

But it does
point up the fact

that there is
a logical suspect.

Who?

I should think that'd be pretty
easy to figure out.

It'd have to be somebody
who could sell the brand.

Somebody who had the power
to sign Frank Miller's name

on a bill of sale
over at Fort Hawkes.

Andy?

Now, I don't know anything
about the boy,

and I only saw him yesterday.

And he seemed all right
as far as I could see.

But he does own a bay horse
with a blaze,

just like Quince said he saw.

Well isn't it
possible?

He has free reign handling
his father's stock.

He has taken cattle
over to Fort Hawkes for sale,

alone.

Well, what about
the boy?

Well, he's only been here
a couple of years.

Not very much like his father,
we know that.

Uh, I guess
he grew up with

his mother in towns,
you know,

while Frank was out
working cattle somewhere.

But that don't
convict him of rustling.

You're letting this man
throw dust in your eyes.

Turn you away
from the verdict

the court's
already brought in.

We're not turning away
from anything, Marsh.

I don't take Favor's word
any more than you do, but...

he has got a point,
and it is possible.

Yes, it is.

He may be stalling.

He may be making
wild guesses, but...

he has
got a point.

Only you'll have to
prove it.

That's all I ask is
a chance to do that.

And the promise that
you won't try hanging Quince

while I'm away.

I'll give you an hour.
No more.

Hour?

All right.

I'll be
back, Jim.

Pa.

Uh... I thought
you were in town.

l... I was just
coming in myself.

I wanna talk
to you, Andy.

Well, c-can't it wait?

No, it can't wait.

Andy, for two years, I tried
to get close to you,

like I figured a father and
a son ought to be, but...

some reason,
I just can't do it.

I guess maybe it's
my fault, but...

Well, uh,
the time has come

when you and me gotta
understand each other.

Whatever you say, Pa.

Andy, all my life
I tried to live

the way my dad
taught me.

Honest,
straightforward.

Give full measure
to every man.

Double deal
no man.

Do a good day's
work.

And lay your head
on a pillow at night

with no sense
of guilt.

Now, that's the way
I've lived.

And that's what the name
Frank Miller has stood for

all over the West for
better than 40 years.

Yeah, I know, Pa.

Uh, wait.

Son, if there's anything
you ought to tell me, uh...

why don't you
tell me now.

What things, Pa?

Well, if you've made
any mistakes,

it's a good time to
get 'em off your chest.

No. No, there's nothing.

Well, take your medicine,
wipe the slate clean.

There's nothing, I tell you.

Look, son,
if you've got

a man's life
on your conscience...

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Andy, look.

Look, you know how I feel
about your being here.

And how I feel
about your future.

This is
your place, Andy.

The Circle A.
A is for Andy.

I don't want it.
I never wanted it.

I hate it here. I'm
going back to St. Louis.

What?

I'm not like you, Pa!
Can't you understand that?

I wanna get out of here,
and I'm going to.

Get out of my way, Pa.

I'm through.

We get here in time?

Wish, you
and the boys

stick over by
the sheriff's office.

Rowdy, you
come on with me.

Right.

Find Andy Miller yet?

No, I doubt
he's even in town.

He's probably still
out at the ranch.

We haven't got time
to go out there now.

I got another idea though.

Yeah, what's that?

The tannery.

The third link
in the chain.

We should find the evidence
we need there.

Hey.

Army saddle.

Our friend Lieutenant Hill
may be here.

Could be.

That was him
all right.

The other fellow was
probably the tanner.

The third link
in the chain.

Andy steals the cattle,
Hill buys 'em,

and the tanner
turns the hides

without examining
the brands too close.

A very neat
operation.

Hmm. Um, maybe
it's too neat.

Maybe we can't
prove nothing.

We can try. Come on.

Watch your step there.
That's a lime pit.

Over here.

This must
be them.

Circle A.

Now, let's see if it's the same
on the other side.

Looks like
a Rafter D.

Wasn't hard to
blotch that one.

Phew.

I guess this is what
we've been looking for.

Go on back, get
the sheriff. Bring him here.

I'll see what else
I can find.

All right.

Nope. Don't touch it.

Put your hands up slow.

Got quite a little
business here, Andy.

Better than
ranching, huh?

Guess you're just not a cowman
like your father, huh?

No, and I don't
wanna be either.

Well, you'd rather
steal from him

and his friends, and shoot
at 'em from ambush.

Mr. Favor, this is a gun
I'm holding.

I can use it, and I will.

You clear out now.

Take your herd
and go.

Tomorrow morning, I'll meet you
on the other side of the pass

with 30 head of prime beef.

No questions, no problems.

You're forgetting one thing,
aren't you?

Man named Quince.

Yeah, well, you can manage
without him.

Yeah. But can he manage
without me?

I don't think so.

I don't think I like
your proposition either.

Take it or leave it.

I don't think I have
to do that either.

Don't you?

They'd never find a trace
of you in that lime pit.

They'd never know
what happened to you.

I think they would.

See, Rowdy's already gone
for the sheriff.

They'll know the whole
thing by now.

And I don't think
you could

get rid of all
the evidence

quick enough.

Grant!

He knows!

We gotta get rid of
these hides.

Help me throw 'em
in the lime pit.

No, Andy!

Don't blame
yourself, Frank.

Well, I had my dreams
of the future.

I guess I forgot he might
have had his own.

Circle A.

Still a good
ranch, Frank.

And you still have plenty
of good friends.

I'm sorry, Frank.

Well...

Gil, there's one thing
you might remember,

if you ever have
a boy, it's...

It is pretty hard
for the son

when he figures his dad
is such a great man.

I sure didn't help any.

What I said to him.

Aw, it wasn't your fault.
None of it.

Mr. Favor. I guess you know
what I'm gonna say.

Forget it.
No.

No, I'll
never do that.

But there's one thing
I'd like to ask you.

Yeah?

Could you relieve me

of cutting and branding
duty for a spell?

What for?

I've had my bellyful
of rope.

Yeah.

Head 'em up!

Move 'em out!

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

Rollin', rollin'
Rollin'

Keep rollin', rollin'
Rollin'

Though the streams
Are swollen

Keep them dogies rollin'

Rawhide!

Through rain and wind
And weather

Hell-bent for leather

Wishin' my gal
Was by my side

All the things I'm missin'

Good vittles
Love and kissin'

Are waiting at the end
Of my ride

Move 'em on, head 'em up
Head 'em up, move 'em on

Move 'em on, head 'em up
Rawhide

Let 'em out, ride 'em in
Ride 'em in, let 'em out

Cut 'em out
Ride 'em in

Rawhide!

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

Hyah!

Hyah!

Rawhide!

Hyah!

Hyah!

Rollin', rollin', rollin'