Rawhide (1959–1965): Season 6, Episode 6 - Incident at Farragut Pass - full transcript
Favor is stopped at a pass by Mrs. Elizabeth Farragut until he agrees to a contract. Favor is take her son on as a drover to teach him to become a man and act responsibly. If Billy is fired, it costs Favor a dollar a head and if Billy stays with the drive, Favor earns a dollar a head. She has made sure Favor has no choice by salting water holes else where. Billy attacks Rowdy in a bar before learning he will be his new boss. Besides starting on the wrong foot with Rowdy, Billy's antics make him no friends with the drovers. Favor assigns him to work with Wishbone and Mushy. He ignores Wishbone but his attention to Mushy creates a friend when Billy teaches Mushy to play the guitar. On the drive, the nephew befriends and insults Mushy at the same time. Dimwitted Mushy doesn't realize the insults and the way he is being used. However, Billy's irresponsibility during a storm concocting a timed booby trap to generate enough noise to stampede the herd costs him dearly. Mrs. Farragut admits she couldn't expect Favor to do what she was never able to do herself.
[MEN CHATTERING]
SCARLET: Mr. Favor.
Hold them up, Scarlet.
Hold them up!
We're carrying a restraint order,
not a license to shoot drovers.
You remember that.
You men with that herd?
FAVOR: Yeah. What's the problem?
No problem yet.
This is private property,
like the sign says.
Sorry, I got orders to stop you.
You've got what?
But we've been through
this pass a half a dozen times.
I'd say that was before
the owner posted it.
We've got 3000 thirsty
steers in back of us.
They've been saving
that thirst all day
just waiting for the chance to
get through this pass into water.
Are we supposed to take
them 20 miles out of the way
and let the sun bake
them into the ground?
Look, trail boss.
Now, this is Farragut land as far as
the eye can see in three directions.
Till you get permission to cross
it, the law says the fence stays up.
Well, all right, all right,
we'll do it your way.
Now, uh, where's this place we're
supposed to get the permission?
Farragut City, about two
miles right down that road.
And, uh, who are we supposed
to see in Farragut City?
Well, you go to the Farragut
Hotel and, uh, ask for E.J. Farragut.
- Don't it get kind of tiresome, sheriff?
- What's that?
Never saying nothing
but "Farragut"?
- Ah, yes, uh, may I help you?
- Yeah, looking for E.J. Farragut.
I see. Um, are you expected?
- Supposing we find out.
- Just a minute, gentlemen.
You just can't go right
in there. You... You...
Got a little bit of paperwork
you could be doing there, fella?
You can't go in there
without an appointment.
Nobody... Nobody...
Sorry, ma'am, I'm
looking for a Mr. Farragut.
You're looking for me.
I'm Elizabeth Farragut.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Farragut,
they just barged right in.
It's all right, Mr. Buzby,
I'll handle this.
Really.
Well, you look like
drovers, that's for sure.
- Which one of you is Favor?
- That's me, ma'am.
This is Rowdy Yates, my ramrod.
Sit down.
Not you, sonny.
My business is with Favor.
BUZBY: Sonny?
[LAUGHING]
Sit or stand, we won't waste
time with a lot of nonsense.
I already know why you're here.
I expected you two days ago.
Well, if I had known, I
would've run all the way.
You'll find I've planned this
meeting quite thoroughly.
You have a herd which needs
access through Farragut land.
Well, I have a paper here
which will give you that privilege.
Plus a guarantee of
a dollar a head bonus
when you get that
herd to the railhead.
Does it interest you?
You, uh, intend
giving me something?
Trade. You happen to
have something that I need.
Specifically, a reputation
for being a good trail boss.
You work your men hard
and you make them like it.
I know, I've taken
the trouble to find out.
Look, it ain't that I don't
appreciate the compliments,
but this isn't getting my
herd through the pass.
Yes, to the point.
I want you to hire my
grandson as one of your drovers.
- Oh? What?
- It's really quite simple.
Billy will one day inherit an estate
which I assure you is quite sizable.
At the present time, he's a
wild, selfish, irresponsible boy
who isn't capable of handling
any such responsibility.
What he needs is
discipline, strong discipline.
The kind that a tough
trail boss can give him.
Uh, I'm a drover,
not a wet nurse.
So much the better.
Two months on the trail under what
we could call enforced supervision
might do more for Billy
than I've been able to do
in the 12 years
since his father died.
I ain't got time to take
care of a green-horned kid.
Perhaps not, but it could
still be very profitable for you.
An extra man and a
dollar a head bonus.
You haven't anything to
lose but a little patience.
I'm not too sure about that. I,
um, haven't read the fine print.
There is a clause in there.
A protection clause just to make
sure you honor your part of the bargain.
In so many words, you will turn
over the herd to my representative
at a dollar a head
below market value
if for any reason you should fire
Billy before the end of the drive.
That's a bonus for
me, you might say.
No, thanks.
We'll take out the two days
to go around Farragut land.
That's your
privilege, trail boss.
Only don't try to use any of
water holes along the way.
They've all been salted.
Should we talk
about it some more?
BILLY: Ben.
- Who's the cowboy?
- Ah, just a drover.
His herd's out in Farragut pass.
Tell him to come over here.
Guy over there wants to see you.
You were told to come
over to my table, drover.
No, thanks, some other time.
Maybe now.
You hear me, drover?
[ALL GRUNTING]
BEN: On the house.
No need working out a sweat
just for a drover, is there?
Here, Cass, you worked
up the sweat, not me.
That kid ought to be locked up. He
sure gave you a good one, mister.
Thanks. Thanks, I'm all right.
Hey, uh, what's the matter?
Sarsaparilla in here too much for you?
Hey, you're real funny.
No, some kid dented my head.
Oh, that clears everything up.
Ten minutes on your own
and you get your skull cracked.
Let's go.
No, I got some business
I gotta clear up here.
You've got a job ramrodding, not
settling saloon squabbles. Let's see.
Yeah, you're
all right. Let's go.
So that's my new
boss, huh, Granny?
ELIZABETH: You'll do
well to remember it, Billy.
Because that boss might
have considerably less patience.
FAVOR: Ma'am.
Mr. Favor, this is my
grandson, Billy Farragut.
We've had a long
talk, Billy and I,
and he understands the
agreement thoroughly.
Now, he's been told
that he'll be treated fairly
and I expect you to
make sure that he is.
You have the name of my
representative in Denver
and he'll contact you. Does
that take care of everything?
Everything except getting the herd
through the pass and down to water.
All right, Sam, tear it down!
Thank you, ma'am.
All right, stow your gear in the supply
wagon and check in with the ramrod.
Whatever you say, boss.
Billy, when you were a little
boy and you skinned your knee,
I had to put medicine on it.
And you cried because it hurt.
Well, I want you to know it hurt
me too, but it made you better.
And that's what this is
now, it's a kind of medicine.
I promise not to cry, Granny.
[MEN SHOUTING]
Mr. Buzby, there are two things I
can do without: cows and goodbyes.
Take me back to town.
[BUZBY WHISTLES]
[MEN CHATTERING]
Quince, let's get that
lead steer moving.
Yes, sir.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
[MEN SHOUTING]
Whatever happened to that
new kid you were talking about?
I told him to check in with you.
Yeah, well, he never did.
Well, uh, seeing as
how you're ramrod,
don't you think, uh, you
ought to check it out?
Yeah, I'll see to it.
And Rowdy, don't forget,
we got an agreement with Mrs.
Farragut about her boy, Billy.
Don't let it slip your mind.
I'll treat him just like
he's my one of own.
Hey, kid.
Well, well.
You know something? There
ain't nobody in this whole world
I'd rather see than
you right now, boy.
Oh, no, no. There ain't
gonna be no guns either.
I don't need a gun.
Come on, big boy, let me
see what you're gonna do.
You're like a big hunk of
wood that needs chopping.
What's the struggle for, boy?
I'm just giving you a
bath, doing you a favor.
Hey, Rowdy!
- Yeah?
- What you doing there?
Oh, nothing.
I thought I told you
not to play with that boy.
Look, this is a personal
matter, Mr. Favor, stay out of it.
- Why don't you let him up now, huh?
- This has nothing to do with the herd.
Now.
Farragut, you were told
to report in to the ramrod.
Now, until you
learn to obey orders,
you'll have to earn
your keep peeling spuds.
You turn your horse in to the
remuda and report to the cook.
- Right now.
- Sure.
Whatever you say, boss.
And as for you, you got a
reason, it better be a good one.
Well, that's the kid who tried
to dent my skull in back in town.
Oh, he was, was he?
Yeah, so you thought
you'd just settle up things
in a nice, quiet,
friendly little way, huh?
That's right.
Well, let me spell it
out for you, sonny.
We either deliver
that boy in one piece
or we stand to lose a dollar a
head on every cow in the herd.
Now, it ain't that I'm
especially money-hungry,
but I do not intend to donate
any of my share of the profits
to pay for your hurt feelings.
- Clear?
- Yeah.
Good.
[ALL SHOUTING]
Give, you jackrabbit, or
I'll rub your face to dirt.
I ain't heard nothing
but a bunch of talk so far.
Hey.
Mr. Farragut, if you don't mind,
the firewood goes by the fire.
Oh. I'll remember
that next time.
A whole hat full of drovers
and I gotta be the one
to ride herd on a punk kid.
Mr. Scarlet's the champion.
He told me he once Indian-wrestled a
whole Cheyenne tribe to save his scalp.
SCARLET: All right, who's
next? I'm just getting warmed up.
Come on, boys. Right hand,
left hand, just take your pick.
Purebred grizzly
and twice as mean.
Come on, you biscuit-eaters.
Who's gonna prove he's a man?
How about me, drover?
It's getting kind of late,
boys. I think I'll bed down.
Not unless you're
afraid you might lose.
It ain't too late at that.
Any time you're ready, kid.
[MEN SHOUTING]
Think he can do
it, Mr. Wishbone?
He's got about as much chance
as I have of growing a billy-goat tail.
Let's take a look at that.
You had a ring on, kid.
Where? Anybody see a ring?
I said, you had a ring on.
Now, all you've got to
do is prove it, drover.
Forget it, Jim.
[PLAYING GUITAR]
[SINGING] Granny, oh, Granny
Listen while I sing
Of a big ugly drover
And a tiny little ring
He swore he would make
me Lie down in the dirt
But when it was over
The drover was hurt
Want some coffee, Mr. Farragut?
I just made it fresh
for the night guard.
No, thanks.
I bet that guitar
sure cost a lot.
I never seen such a
pretty one anywhere.
You play it real good too.
Well, wishing don't do
it, you gotta work at it.
Tell you what.
You pour me some of that coffee
and I'll show you how to make
this box stand up and sing.
Yes, sir.
Put it down.
Well, you can't learn by
squatting there, sit down.
Now, easy.
Give me this hand. Here.
Put this finger up here.
This one here.
- And this one here.
- Oh.
Now, with that
hand, easy, strum it.
Thanks, Mr. Farragut.
Wish, how's the
new kid working out?
- Working isn't one of his
specialties. BILLY: Mushy.
WISHBONE: Look at him. He's got
Mushy waiting on him hand and foot
just like he was
the king of England.
Next thing you know,
he'll be expecting me
to tuck him in every night
and tell him a bedtime story.
Well, nobody told
you to play mother hen.
I want him working
just like everybody else.
Especially right
now breaking camp.
That is, if, uh, you're
through having a good cry.
- Mushy. MUSHY: Yes, sir?
I'm going down to the river and
picking me some mustard for a poultice.
- What's that?
- Never mind.
Now, do you think that
you and Mr. Farragut
can interrupt your little social
soirée long enough to get packed?
- Yes, sir.
- All right.
What are you jumping for?
The old coot just likes
to hear himself squawk.
Finish your coffee, Mr. Farragut.
I can pack up real easy.
You know something, Mushy,
that's the difference
between you and me.
You see, you ain't learned
how to stand up for yourself.
Now, you take me.
Somebody tries to push me
around, I do something about it.
Well, you gotta take
orders if you got a job.
Sure, but it's how
you take them.
I say if you're a man,
you gotta act like one.
Don't let people step on you.
See what I mean?
Phew.
Sure was fast, Mr. Farragut.
Wish you'd show
me how you did it.
Thought you wanted to
learn how to play the guitar.
I can't spend all my time
giving you lessons on everything.
Well, I guess there's so much I
want to do, I don't where to start.
But I'm mighty glad you
joined up with us, Mr. Farragut.
I never had such a good friend
who was willing to learn me things.
You're learning.
Whoa. Pardon me,
Mr. Farragut. I forgot the fire spit.
Hey, Mushy.
Think fast!
[BILLY LAUGHS]
I've seen them jump before,
Mushy, but you beat them all!
Mushy!
What in thundering
tarnation happened to you?
Me and Mr. Farragut, he
was showing me how to draw.
He was having a kind
of joke. I fell in the fire.
Did you burn yourself?
No, sir. It sure got
hot for a minute.
Well, it's gonna get hotter.
Now, pick up those spits
and put them in the wagon.
Yes, sir.
No, sir, I ain't gonna do it.
What?
You ain't gonna talk to me
like that no more, Mr. Wishbone.
I been doing my job same
as every man on the drive.
Well, it's time you
quit stepping on me.
[CATTLE MOOING AND MEN SHOUTING]
[GUITAR PLAYS]
You'd think Mushy
had never seen a guitar
the way he's mooning
around that Farragut kid.
Well, ain't you
got the drift of that?
You know, Mushy's done
got himself one of them heroes.
He ain't got very
much if you ask me.
Well, maybe we
ought to point that out.
Like how?
Ever since that
Farragut kid rolled in,
he's just been aching to
get cut down a notch or two.
Maybe we ought
to do the cutting.
What are we waiting for?
How's the music lessons, Mushy?
Real good, Mr. Scarlet.
Didn't you hear?
Mr. Farragut is showing
me all about them chords.
He's gonna let me try
it by myself next week.
Sounds like you got a real
smart teacher there, Mushy.
Smart enough to know
you ain't interested in music.
Now, what's on your mind?
Oh, now, Scarlet and me, we got
to feeling sorry for you, Farragut.
You know, riding in that wagon and
all, not being able to stretch your legs.
We thought maybe you'd
like to play a little chin dusting
just to take out the kinks.
Any game you got,
drover, I can play.
How'd you like to
make a bet on that?
Say about $5? Unless
you're hard-pressed?
I got enough.
Well, how do you
play chin dusting?
Well, uh, suppose you just
watch and, uh, hold the sticks,
if that's all right
with you, Farragut.
It's your game, drover.
It looks awful small, Farragut,
when you're reaching for it.
Sure you don't wanna back down?
Maybe you better, Mr. Farragut.
I don't wanna see
you get yourself hurt.
Like I said, that's the
difference between you and me.
Help yourself.
[LAUGHING]
Mr. Farragut!
What do you think of your
fancy friend now, Mushy?
Mr. Farragut.
Mr. Farragut, are you hurt?
Get away from me.
I don't need your help.
You sure came off
flying, didn't you, kid?
But I guess you proved
you got plenty of scratch.
How about shaking
and we'll start clean?
I don't shake hands with a
stinking drover now or any time!
Why, you little...
Come on, try it.
Give me a reason.
A man don't need a
gun to prove his size.
I already have.
Come on, Jim.
I think we're disturbing
Mushy and his friend.
Should've took a
board to both of them.
You fight for me?
Well, sure. Ain't that
what friends are for?
Yeah.
Well, what are you standing there
for? Come on, let's get this wagon rolling.
Yes, sir.
Where you been, Mr. Rowdy?
Supper's been done almost an hour.
[THUNDER RUMBLES]
That answer your
question, Mushy?
I tell you, more of that, and it's gonna
take an army to hold this herd down.
Are you trying to
help the lightning out?
Sorry, it slipped, Mr. Rowdy.
So will your head if you
make any more noise.
All you gotta do is blink and this
herd is gonna be off like a shot.
Try me, ramrod.
It slipped, just like Mushy.
Maybe if you chew on those pots a
while, they won't slip quite so easy.
You forgot what
the big boss said?
I'm a special guest.
No trouble, remember?
This ain't gonna
be no trouble, boy.
What are you two doing,
throwing pans at each other?
I can hear you all the
way out to the herd.
Your boy here, he likes noise.
Farragut, just because
you're part of a bargain
don't make you
part of this drive.
That's something
you're gonna earn.
Till you do, somebody tells you
to jump, you just ask how high.
- You got that?
- Look, Mr. Favor...
For the last time, get your
horse and get out to the herd.
Be a real clever idea to be
there next time I make my circle.
Anything else, trail boss?
How high, Farragut.
Just remember that. How high.
I guess we should be more careful
about that noise, Mr. Farragut,
with this being such a
good time for a stampede.
You ever see a stampede before?
Sure can tear up a camp.
Cows get pretty jumpy
during a storm, don't they?
Just like they're
sitting on a cactus.
Here, uh, better
finish up the pots.
- You heard what Wishbone said.
- I sure did.
You know, I remember
hearing about one herd
that stampeded across the
Pecos about two years ago.
They said them cows was bunched
up down that river for two miles.
Did you ever hear about
that one, Mr. Farragut?
Mr. Farragut?
[CATTLE MOOING]
Settle down, you
slap-sided moss-backs.
Just old Quince. Easy.
Mr. Farragut, I thought you
was riding the night guard.
I was, uh... I was
over at the remuda.
My horse picked up a limp,
in case anybody gets curious.
Sure glad you come by. It
was getting kind of lonely.
I'll get you some coffee.
Your horse probably
stubbed a gopher hole.
Yeah.
Mr. Favor said they named
Farragut City after your kinfolk.
Must be nice having a town
called after your own name.
Everybody knowing who you are.
There's some cold biscuits in the
wagon. Want me to get you some?
Oh, shut up.
All you do is talk, and
you don't say nothing.
I was just trying to be
friendly, Mr. Farragut.
What for?
Why? Because I
thought we were friends.
Well, why pick on me?
I don't know exactly.
I guess because you've
been real good to me.
Learned me something
about playing the guitar.
And fast drawing.
How I shouldn't let
the people step on me.
Up till now, nobody cared whether
I learned any of these things or not.
And you think I do?
Sure, why would
you take my part?
I don't know, Mushy.
Unless...
Unless maybe I
need a friend too.
[CATTLE MOOING]
[CLANGING]
[MEN SHOUTING]
Stampede!
Hold them! Hold them up!
They're heading
toward camp! Turn them!
Go back! Get out of here!
Get out of here!
[GRUNTS]
Mushy!
Mushy! It's my
leg! I can't get up!
Come on, get under
here. Get under the wagon.
Stay down in here.
Mr. Farragut.
He's dead.
The wagon fell on him and it...
He's dead.
- Mushy?
- Yes, sir?
You know, there never does
seem to be any good reason
why a man has to
go get himself killed.
What I mean is, we all
got our own special time
when God says we gotta die.
This just happened
to be his time.
We all gotta face
whatever grief comes to us.
We can't just give up.
No, sir, Mr. Wishbone.
Mr. Favor.
He just sits there
staring off into nowhere.
I can't do a thing.
Just leave him be.
Nothing anybody can do.
You gonna be able to put
this mess back together?
Well, I suppose, if you don't
mind having dirt in your cornmeal
for the next two months.
- Do what you can.
QUINCE: Mr. Favor!
- Look what I found out by the herd.
FAVOR: Well, give it to Wishbone.
No, sir, this is something
you've gotta see.
This knife, I found it stuck in
a tree right over a pile of rocks.
This pot was hung so
that when the wind blew:
Like that.
I thought I heard something
before those beeves lit out.
I decided to nose around.
Doesn't take much to see
what that initial belongs to either.
Mr. Billy Farragut.
I wonder what Mushy
thinks of his friend now.
No, Quince.
It ain't gonna help
Mushy any to tell.
Well, the kid got
what he deserved.
Mr. Favor, Rowdy's coming in.
ELIZABETH: Oh.
I'd forgotten what a
stampede could do.
Was Billy a good drover?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, he was fine.
Just fine.
When he was 13 years old,
he made a whip out of a piece
of leather he found in the barn.
I remember how hard he practiced
to make that crack
through the air like a rifle.
He was so proud of that whip.
And then one day,
I found some bloodstains
in the back of his closet
where the whip had smeared
against the wall when he tried to hide it.
You know, he could never give
me any reason why he killed it.
The dog wasn't
even barking at him.
It was just walking by.
You're not a very
convincing liar, Mr. Favor.
How could I expect you to change
the sickness that was inside of Billy
when I couldn't do it?
I'll take my grandson home now.
Mr. Favor, about our agreement.
It will be honored as specified
when you get to Denver.
Something good
should come from bad.
- Mr. Buzby. MUSHY:
Mrs. Farragut, wait!
This was Mr. Farragut's, ma'am.
He was teaching
me how to play it.
We was friends.
You were his friend?
Yes, ma'am.
Friendships should
always be remembered,
don't you think so, young man?
Yes, ma'am.
Well, then you keep that.
I'm glad Billy has someone
like you to remember him.
Yes, ma'am.
Mr. Buzby.
Mushy, you're gonna rub
the paint right off of that thing.
Go get me some wood.
We got cooking to do.
Yes, sir, I'll do it.
Head them up!
Move them out!
[MEN SHOUTING]
SCARLET: Mr. Favor.
Hold them up, Scarlet.
Hold them up!
We're carrying a restraint order,
not a license to shoot drovers.
You remember that.
You men with that herd?
FAVOR: Yeah. What's the problem?
No problem yet.
This is private property,
like the sign says.
Sorry, I got orders to stop you.
You've got what?
But we've been through
this pass a half a dozen times.
I'd say that was before
the owner posted it.
We've got 3000 thirsty
steers in back of us.
They've been saving
that thirst all day
just waiting for the chance to
get through this pass into water.
Are we supposed to take
them 20 miles out of the way
and let the sun bake
them into the ground?
Look, trail boss.
Now, this is Farragut land as far as
the eye can see in three directions.
Till you get permission to cross
it, the law says the fence stays up.
Well, all right, all right,
we'll do it your way.
Now, uh, where's this place we're
supposed to get the permission?
Farragut City, about two
miles right down that road.
And, uh, who are we supposed
to see in Farragut City?
Well, you go to the Farragut
Hotel and, uh, ask for E.J. Farragut.
- Don't it get kind of tiresome, sheriff?
- What's that?
Never saying nothing
but "Farragut"?
- Ah, yes, uh, may I help you?
- Yeah, looking for E.J. Farragut.
I see. Um, are you expected?
- Supposing we find out.
- Just a minute, gentlemen.
You just can't go right
in there. You... You...
Got a little bit of paperwork
you could be doing there, fella?
You can't go in there
without an appointment.
Nobody... Nobody...
Sorry, ma'am, I'm
looking for a Mr. Farragut.
You're looking for me.
I'm Elizabeth Farragut.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Farragut,
they just barged right in.
It's all right, Mr. Buzby,
I'll handle this.
Really.
Well, you look like
drovers, that's for sure.
- Which one of you is Favor?
- That's me, ma'am.
This is Rowdy Yates, my ramrod.
Sit down.
Not you, sonny.
My business is with Favor.
BUZBY: Sonny?
[LAUGHING]
Sit or stand, we won't waste
time with a lot of nonsense.
I already know why you're here.
I expected you two days ago.
Well, if I had known, I
would've run all the way.
You'll find I've planned this
meeting quite thoroughly.
You have a herd which needs
access through Farragut land.
Well, I have a paper here
which will give you that privilege.
Plus a guarantee of
a dollar a head bonus
when you get that
herd to the railhead.
Does it interest you?
You, uh, intend
giving me something?
Trade. You happen to
have something that I need.
Specifically, a reputation
for being a good trail boss.
You work your men hard
and you make them like it.
I know, I've taken
the trouble to find out.
Look, it ain't that I don't
appreciate the compliments,
but this isn't getting my
herd through the pass.
Yes, to the point.
I want you to hire my
grandson as one of your drovers.
- Oh? What?
- It's really quite simple.
Billy will one day inherit an estate
which I assure you is quite sizable.
At the present time, he's a
wild, selfish, irresponsible boy
who isn't capable of handling
any such responsibility.
What he needs is
discipline, strong discipline.
The kind that a tough
trail boss can give him.
Uh, I'm a drover,
not a wet nurse.
So much the better.
Two months on the trail under what
we could call enforced supervision
might do more for Billy
than I've been able to do
in the 12 years
since his father died.
I ain't got time to take
care of a green-horned kid.
Perhaps not, but it could
still be very profitable for you.
An extra man and a
dollar a head bonus.
You haven't anything to
lose but a little patience.
I'm not too sure about that. I,
um, haven't read the fine print.
There is a clause in there.
A protection clause just to make
sure you honor your part of the bargain.
In so many words, you will turn
over the herd to my representative
at a dollar a head
below market value
if for any reason you should fire
Billy before the end of the drive.
That's a bonus for
me, you might say.
No, thanks.
We'll take out the two days
to go around Farragut land.
That's your
privilege, trail boss.
Only don't try to use any of
water holes along the way.
They've all been salted.
Should we talk
about it some more?
BILLY: Ben.
- Who's the cowboy?
- Ah, just a drover.
His herd's out in Farragut pass.
Tell him to come over here.
Guy over there wants to see you.
You were told to come
over to my table, drover.
No, thanks, some other time.
Maybe now.
You hear me, drover?
[ALL GRUNTING]
BEN: On the house.
No need working out a sweat
just for a drover, is there?
Here, Cass, you worked
up the sweat, not me.
That kid ought to be locked up. He
sure gave you a good one, mister.
Thanks. Thanks, I'm all right.
Hey, uh, what's the matter?
Sarsaparilla in here too much for you?
Hey, you're real funny.
No, some kid dented my head.
Oh, that clears everything up.
Ten minutes on your own
and you get your skull cracked.
Let's go.
No, I got some business
I gotta clear up here.
You've got a job ramrodding, not
settling saloon squabbles. Let's see.
Yeah, you're
all right. Let's go.
So that's my new
boss, huh, Granny?
ELIZABETH: You'll do
well to remember it, Billy.
Because that boss might
have considerably less patience.
FAVOR: Ma'am.
Mr. Favor, this is my
grandson, Billy Farragut.
We've had a long
talk, Billy and I,
and he understands the
agreement thoroughly.
Now, he's been told
that he'll be treated fairly
and I expect you to
make sure that he is.
You have the name of my
representative in Denver
and he'll contact you. Does
that take care of everything?
Everything except getting the herd
through the pass and down to water.
All right, Sam, tear it down!
Thank you, ma'am.
All right, stow your gear in the supply
wagon and check in with the ramrod.
Whatever you say, boss.
Billy, when you were a little
boy and you skinned your knee,
I had to put medicine on it.
And you cried because it hurt.
Well, I want you to know it hurt
me too, but it made you better.
And that's what this is
now, it's a kind of medicine.
I promise not to cry, Granny.
[MEN SHOUTING]
Mr. Buzby, there are two things I
can do without: cows and goodbyes.
Take me back to town.
[BUZBY WHISTLES]
[MEN CHATTERING]
Quince, let's get that
lead steer moving.
Yes, sir.
[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]
[MEN SHOUTING]
Whatever happened to that
new kid you were talking about?
I told him to check in with you.
Yeah, well, he never did.
Well, uh, seeing as
how you're ramrod,
don't you think, uh, you
ought to check it out?
Yeah, I'll see to it.
And Rowdy, don't forget,
we got an agreement with Mrs.
Farragut about her boy, Billy.
Don't let it slip your mind.
I'll treat him just like
he's my one of own.
Hey, kid.
Well, well.
You know something? There
ain't nobody in this whole world
I'd rather see than
you right now, boy.
Oh, no, no. There ain't
gonna be no guns either.
I don't need a gun.
Come on, big boy, let me
see what you're gonna do.
You're like a big hunk of
wood that needs chopping.
What's the struggle for, boy?
I'm just giving you a
bath, doing you a favor.
Hey, Rowdy!
- Yeah?
- What you doing there?
Oh, nothing.
I thought I told you
not to play with that boy.
Look, this is a personal
matter, Mr. Favor, stay out of it.
- Why don't you let him up now, huh?
- This has nothing to do with the herd.
Now.
Farragut, you were told
to report in to the ramrod.
Now, until you
learn to obey orders,
you'll have to earn
your keep peeling spuds.
You turn your horse in to the
remuda and report to the cook.
- Right now.
- Sure.
Whatever you say, boss.
And as for you, you got a
reason, it better be a good one.
Well, that's the kid who tried
to dent my skull in back in town.
Oh, he was, was he?
Yeah, so you thought
you'd just settle up things
in a nice, quiet,
friendly little way, huh?
That's right.
Well, let me spell it
out for you, sonny.
We either deliver
that boy in one piece
or we stand to lose a dollar a
head on every cow in the herd.
Now, it ain't that I'm
especially money-hungry,
but I do not intend to donate
any of my share of the profits
to pay for your hurt feelings.
- Clear?
- Yeah.
Good.
[ALL SHOUTING]
Give, you jackrabbit, or
I'll rub your face to dirt.
I ain't heard nothing
but a bunch of talk so far.
Hey.
Mr. Farragut, if you don't mind,
the firewood goes by the fire.
Oh. I'll remember
that next time.
A whole hat full of drovers
and I gotta be the one
to ride herd on a punk kid.
Mr. Scarlet's the champion.
He told me he once Indian-wrestled a
whole Cheyenne tribe to save his scalp.
SCARLET: All right, who's
next? I'm just getting warmed up.
Come on, boys. Right hand,
left hand, just take your pick.
Purebred grizzly
and twice as mean.
Come on, you biscuit-eaters.
Who's gonna prove he's a man?
How about me, drover?
It's getting kind of late,
boys. I think I'll bed down.
Not unless you're
afraid you might lose.
It ain't too late at that.
Any time you're ready, kid.
[MEN SHOUTING]
Think he can do
it, Mr. Wishbone?
He's got about as much chance
as I have of growing a billy-goat tail.
Let's take a look at that.
You had a ring on, kid.
Where? Anybody see a ring?
I said, you had a ring on.
Now, all you've got to
do is prove it, drover.
Forget it, Jim.
[PLAYING GUITAR]
[SINGING] Granny, oh, Granny
Listen while I sing
Of a big ugly drover
And a tiny little ring
He swore he would make
me Lie down in the dirt
But when it was over
The drover was hurt
Want some coffee, Mr. Farragut?
I just made it fresh
for the night guard.
No, thanks.
I bet that guitar
sure cost a lot.
I never seen such a
pretty one anywhere.
You play it real good too.
Well, wishing don't do
it, you gotta work at it.
Tell you what.
You pour me some of that coffee
and I'll show you how to make
this box stand up and sing.
Yes, sir.
Put it down.
Well, you can't learn by
squatting there, sit down.
Now, easy.
Give me this hand. Here.
Put this finger up here.
This one here.
- And this one here.
- Oh.
Now, with that
hand, easy, strum it.
Thanks, Mr. Farragut.
Wish, how's the
new kid working out?
- Working isn't one of his
specialties. BILLY: Mushy.
WISHBONE: Look at him. He's got
Mushy waiting on him hand and foot
just like he was
the king of England.
Next thing you know,
he'll be expecting me
to tuck him in every night
and tell him a bedtime story.
Well, nobody told
you to play mother hen.
I want him working
just like everybody else.
Especially right
now breaking camp.
That is, if, uh, you're
through having a good cry.
- Mushy. MUSHY: Yes, sir?
I'm going down to the river and
picking me some mustard for a poultice.
- What's that?
- Never mind.
Now, do you think that
you and Mr. Farragut
can interrupt your little social
soirée long enough to get packed?
- Yes, sir.
- All right.
What are you jumping for?
The old coot just likes
to hear himself squawk.
Finish your coffee, Mr. Farragut.
I can pack up real easy.
You know something, Mushy,
that's the difference
between you and me.
You see, you ain't learned
how to stand up for yourself.
Now, you take me.
Somebody tries to push me
around, I do something about it.
Well, you gotta take
orders if you got a job.
Sure, but it's how
you take them.
I say if you're a man,
you gotta act like one.
Don't let people step on you.
See what I mean?
Phew.
Sure was fast, Mr. Farragut.
Wish you'd show
me how you did it.
Thought you wanted to
learn how to play the guitar.
I can't spend all my time
giving you lessons on everything.
Well, I guess there's so much I
want to do, I don't where to start.
But I'm mighty glad you
joined up with us, Mr. Farragut.
I never had such a good friend
who was willing to learn me things.
You're learning.
Whoa. Pardon me,
Mr. Farragut. I forgot the fire spit.
Hey, Mushy.
Think fast!
[BILLY LAUGHS]
I've seen them jump before,
Mushy, but you beat them all!
Mushy!
What in thundering
tarnation happened to you?
Me and Mr. Farragut, he
was showing me how to draw.
He was having a kind
of joke. I fell in the fire.
Did you burn yourself?
No, sir. It sure got
hot for a minute.
Well, it's gonna get hotter.
Now, pick up those spits
and put them in the wagon.
Yes, sir.
No, sir, I ain't gonna do it.
What?
You ain't gonna talk to me
like that no more, Mr. Wishbone.
I been doing my job same
as every man on the drive.
Well, it's time you
quit stepping on me.
[CATTLE MOOING AND MEN SHOUTING]
[GUITAR PLAYS]
You'd think Mushy
had never seen a guitar
the way he's mooning
around that Farragut kid.
Well, ain't you
got the drift of that?
You know, Mushy's done
got himself one of them heroes.
He ain't got very
much if you ask me.
Well, maybe we
ought to point that out.
Like how?
Ever since that
Farragut kid rolled in,
he's just been aching to
get cut down a notch or two.
Maybe we ought
to do the cutting.
What are we waiting for?
How's the music lessons, Mushy?
Real good, Mr. Scarlet.
Didn't you hear?
Mr. Farragut is showing
me all about them chords.
He's gonna let me try
it by myself next week.
Sounds like you got a real
smart teacher there, Mushy.
Smart enough to know
you ain't interested in music.
Now, what's on your mind?
Oh, now, Scarlet and me, we got
to feeling sorry for you, Farragut.
You know, riding in that wagon and
all, not being able to stretch your legs.
We thought maybe you'd
like to play a little chin dusting
just to take out the kinks.
Any game you got,
drover, I can play.
How'd you like to
make a bet on that?
Say about $5? Unless
you're hard-pressed?
I got enough.
Well, how do you
play chin dusting?
Well, uh, suppose you just
watch and, uh, hold the sticks,
if that's all right
with you, Farragut.
It's your game, drover.
It looks awful small, Farragut,
when you're reaching for it.
Sure you don't wanna back down?
Maybe you better, Mr. Farragut.
I don't wanna see
you get yourself hurt.
Like I said, that's the
difference between you and me.
Help yourself.
[LAUGHING]
Mr. Farragut!
What do you think of your
fancy friend now, Mushy?
Mr. Farragut.
Mr. Farragut, are you hurt?
Get away from me.
I don't need your help.
You sure came off
flying, didn't you, kid?
But I guess you proved
you got plenty of scratch.
How about shaking
and we'll start clean?
I don't shake hands with a
stinking drover now or any time!
Why, you little...
Come on, try it.
Give me a reason.
A man don't need a
gun to prove his size.
I already have.
Come on, Jim.
I think we're disturbing
Mushy and his friend.
Should've took a
board to both of them.
You fight for me?
Well, sure. Ain't that
what friends are for?
Yeah.
Well, what are you standing there
for? Come on, let's get this wagon rolling.
Yes, sir.
Where you been, Mr. Rowdy?
Supper's been done almost an hour.
[THUNDER RUMBLES]
That answer your
question, Mushy?
I tell you, more of that, and it's gonna
take an army to hold this herd down.
Are you trying to
help the lightning out?
Sorry, it slipped, Mr. Rowdy.
So will your head if you
make any more noise.
All you gotta do is blink and this
herd is gonna be off like a shot.
Try me, ramrod.
It slipped, just like Mushy.
Maybe if you chew on those pots a
while, they won't slip quite so easy.
You forgot what
the big boss said?
I'm a special guest.
No trouble, remember?
This ain't gonna
be no trouble, boy.
What are you two doing,
throwing pans at each other?
I can hear you all the
way out to the herd.
Your boy here, he likes noise.
Farragut, just because
you're part of a bargain
don't make you
part of this drive.
That's something
you're gonna earn.
Till you do, somebody tells you
to jump, you just ask how high.
- You got that?
- Look, Mr. Favor...
For the last time, get your
horse and get out to the herd.
Be a real clever idea to be
there next time I make my circle.
Anything else, trail boss?
How high, Farragut.
Just remember that. How high.
I guess we should be more careful
about that noise, Mr. Farragut,
with this being such a
good time for a stampede.
You ever see a stampede before?
Sure can tear up a camp.
Cows get pretty jumpy
during a storm, don't they?
Just like they're
sitting on a cactus.
Here, uh, better
finish up the pots.
- You heard what Wishbone said.
- I sure did.
You know, I remember
hearing about one herd
that stampeded across the
Pecos about two years ago.
They said them cows was bunched
up down that river for two miles.
Did you ever hear about
that one, Mr. Farragut?
Mr. Farragut?
[CATTLE MOOING]
Settle down, you
slap-sided moss-backs.
Just old Quince. Easy.
Mr. Farragut, I thought you
was riding the night guard.
I was, uh... I was
over at the remuda.
My horse picked up a limp,
in case anybody gets curious.
Sure glad you come by. It
was getting kind of lonely.
I'll get you some coffee.
Your horse probably
stubbed a gopher hole.
Yeah.
Mr. Favor said they named
Farragut City after your kinfolk.
Must be nice having a town
called after your own name.
Everybody knowing who you are.
There's some cold biscuits in the
wagon. Want me to get you some?
Oh, shut up.
All you do is talk, and
you don't say nothing.
I was just trying to be
friendly, Mr. Farragut.
What for?
Why? Because I
thought we were friends.
Well, why pick on me?
I don't know exactly.
I guess because you've
been real good to me.
Learned me something
about playing the guitar.
And fast drawing.
How I shouldn't let
the people step on me.
Up till now, nobody cared whether
I learned any of these things or not.
And you think I do?
Sure, why would
you take my part?
I don't know, Mushy.
Unless...
Unless maybe I
need a friend too.
[CATTLE MOOING]
[CLANGING]
[MEN SHOUTING]
Stampede!
Hold them! Hold them up!
They're heading
toward camp! Turn them!
Go back! Get out of here!
Get out of here!
[GRUNTS]
Mushy!
Mushy! It's my
leg! I can't get up!
Come on, get under
here. Get under the wagon.
Stay down in here.
Mr. Farragut.
He's dead.
The wagon fell on him and it...
He's dead.
- Mushy?
- Yes, sir?
You know, there never does
seem to be any good reason
why a man has to
go get himself killed.
What I mean is, we all
got our own special time
when God says we gotta die.
This just happened
to be his time.
We all gotta face
whatever grief comes to us.
We can't just give up.
No, sir, Mr. Wishbone.
Mr. Favor.
He just sits there
staring off into nowhere.
I can't do a thing.
Just leave him be.
Nothing anybody can do.
You gonna be able to put
this mess back together?
Well, I suppose, if you don't
mind having dirt in your cornmeal
for the next two months.
- Do what you can.
QUINCE: Mr. Favor!
- Look what I found out by the herd.
FAVOR: Well, give it to Wishbone.
No, sir, this is something
you've gotta see.
This knife, I found it stuck in
a tree right over a pile of rocks.
This pot was hung so
that when the wind blew:
Like that.
I thought I heard something
before those beeves lit out.
I decided to nose around.
Doesn't take much to see
what that initial belongs to either.
Mr. Billy Farragut.
I wonder what Mushy
thinks of his friend now.
No, Quince.
It ain't gonna help
Mushy any to tell.
Well, the kid got
what he deserved.
Mr. Favor, Rowdy's coming in.
ELIZABETH: Oh.
I'd forgotten what a
stampede could do.
Was Billy a good drover?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, he was fine.
Just fine.
When he was 13 years old,
he made a whip out of a piece
of leather he found in the barn.
I remember how hard he practiced
to make that crack
through the air like a rifle.
He was so proud of that whip.
And then one day,
I found some bloodstains
in the back of his closet
where the whip had smeared
against the wall when he tried to hide it.
You know, he could never give
me any reason why he killed it.
The dog wasn't
even barking at him.
It was just walking by.
You're not a very
convincing liar, Mr. Favor.
How could I expect you to change
the sickness that was inside of Billy
when I couldn't do it?
I'll take my grandson home now.
Mr. Favor, about our agreement.
It will be honored as specified
when you get to Denver.
Something good
should come from bad.
- Mr. Buzby. MUSHY:
Mrs. Farragut, wait!
This was Mr. Farragut's, ma'am.
He was teaching
me how to play it.
We was friends.
You were his friend?
Yes, ma'am.
Friendships should
always be remembered,
don't you think so, young man?
Yes, ma'am.
Well, then you keep that.
I'm glad Billy has someone
like you to remember him.
Yes, ma'am.
Mr. Buzby.
Mushy, you're gonna rub
the paint right off of that thing.
Go get me some wood.
We got cooking to do.
Yes, sir, I'll do it.
Head them up!
Move them out!
[MEN SHOUTING]