You ain't dead?
No.
No broken bones?
I don't think so.
Take off your glasses.
My what?
Your goggles.
That's for scaring me out of ten years of my life,
which I can't spare.
I had to be still.
I didn't know who was moving around up there.
You hurt?
No.
That's for risking my grandson's life.
You do that again and I'll break every bone in your body.
Father...
The next time...
Yeah?
The next time, I won't take off my goggles.
Whoa.
You all right?
Was.
For an old mule, he's got quite a kick, don't he?
I think he was using brass knuckles.
Better mount up before we lose him.
Wonder what the hell he has in store for us next.
You know, that's a dirty habit, if you ask me.
Nobody asked you.
Pa?
Yeah?
You need to wear glasses, do ya?
Just to see with.
Pa...
Mm-hmm.
They say that Ma booted you out
'cause you had a weakness for the ladies.
Is that true?
I mean, no offense, but I find that hard to believe.
What do you find hard to believe?
James, cut it out.
I mean, maybe before you got old
you was quite a ladies... ooh!
What's the matter with your leg?
Nothing.
You been favoring it all day. What's the matter with it?
I got hit by some buckshot, that's all.
Take down your pants.
Are you on the level?
You going to take down your pants
or do I have to do it for you?
You and who else?
Dog.
My, what a beautiful pattern.
He must've been real close to you.
Will you shut up?
That's a deep one.
Sam, you know what he did?
Forgot to duck?
He stuck his butt up, that's what he did.
Boy, when you're in that kind of a gunfight
keep your butt down.
That's the thing to remember.
There's always some bustard on the other side
that's got enough the sense of humor to shoot you there
instead of in the head, every time.
How about a shot of whiskey?
Yeah, where is it?
Is that them?
Yep.
Maybe, uh, eight hours ahead of us.
All of them?
Yep.
They're not trying to cover their tracks,
that's for sure.
Sam, I got a hunch we're being followed.
Near or far?
Well, far... I... I... I feel it more than I know it.
I'll go see.
Where'd you get those saddles?
Found 'em.
All right, you two,
grab yourself a saddle.
Hurry it up.
Wouldn't want to lose you children.
We're being followed.
You were right.
How many?
Three or four.
Did you see 'em?
No, but I got close enough to hear 'em.
They're still a couple hours behind.
A couple hours, huh?
You better cool off that horse, Sam.
We'll take a break here.
Give me a swig of that water.
See to your horses first.
I'll take him.
What kind of a gun is that
you got hanging around your belly, Michael?
It's a Bergman 1911.
1911? It's only 1909.
Preproduction model, Father.
We own some stock.
Why is it so funny-shaped?
The shells load into a magazine, Father,
the magazine into the handle of the gun.
It's gas operated, you see.
Gas operated?
It shoots real fast.
Well, Michael, can you shoot?
Proficiently, Father.
Well...
as many times as you can
before this hits the ground...
like maybe once?
Well, Michael, you were supposed to shoot.
With this?
It's a gun, isn't it?
Well, yes, of course.
Well, shoot it.
But, Father...
Boy, you need a keeper.
Pa, I wouldn't come out just yet.
Sam, I want to offer my personal apologies.
You can get up now.
I'm not coming out.
Not till you say I can shoot back.
He fired his six shots.
Pa!
Stop interrupting.
Put that thing away.
That damn mule!
If he busts up that box, Michael, you'll... ouch.
Till you're used to the safety on this...
Being dry, you better help your father.
Oh.
Father, I...
Proficient, eh?
Now, what was it you were trying to tell me?
That there were eight shots in that gun.
Oh, thanks.
Give me a hand here.
Father, there has been a misunderstanding.
When I said that I could shoot proficiently
I meant with this.
- With that? - Yes, sir.
Pick a target.
That tall tree there,
the edge of the small broken branch.
Son, that's over 400 yards.
Nearer five.
Well, if you can shoot that far,
quarter of a mile straight along the edge of my nose
is a mountain buck.
Shoot it.
I don't kill to make a point, Father.
Michael, there's two reasons to kill:
Survival and meat.
We need meat.
Oh, it's too late.
That's good shooting.
Not bad.
Father, you want to try a shot?
Scope's set for 500 yards.
Son, I couldn't see that far.
Sam?!
Give me a hand packing that mule.
Michael, let me see that hand gun.
That sure is something.
Damn.
Something wrong, Father?
Well, I can sleep cold, eat raw meat, even raw fish,
but, come evening, I sure miss my hot coffee.
Open me up a can of them peaches.
Hey... quite an improvement.
I'll bet you could almost get that fancy gun
out of that fancy holster
before some fast gentleman with an old-fashioned six gun
blew a hole in you.
Blew a hole in you.
- Oh... - You know what I think?
A spring... a spring at the bottom of the holster.
It might work.
Sure spending a lot of time with this thing.
Michael, do you really think
that Little Jake is still alive?
What did you call him?
He called him Little Jake, Father.
Mom insisted.
Well, I'll be damned.
You didn't know he was named after you, did you?
No, I didn't.
Well, I guess it's kind of hard to keep in touch.
I mean, you run out on your family that way.
You never hear that at home.
You're short on ears and long on mouth.
Will you ever learn to can it, James?
Well, you sure are respectful of his feelings,
I'll say that for you.
Me?
He was right.
Yeah.
That's the trouble.
Oh, thanks.
What's the boy like, Michael?
He's like you and James, Pa.
Like me and James?
Still four or five of them?
Yep, but they haven't closed in yet.
They're being real quiet.
How close?
Maybe another hour.
There's one closer, though, right behind your head.
I don't know whether he's with them or not.
He... sits his horse out there about 200 yards.
He waits. He listens.
Wonder what he wants.
I could kill him, Jacob.
Real easy.
In cold blood?
Oh, you're squeamish, are you?
Well, between your brother's love of pretty toys
and your high moral tone,
I hope you don't get killed before this thing's over.
We'll wait.
You won't have to.
He's coming in.
James, come on.
Hello to camp.
Can I come in?
Come on in and welcome.
Well...
I was hoping for a cup of coffee
but you're running a cold camp here.
Yep.
How about a peach?
No, that's hurts my teeth.
Well, I got hooked on these when I was a younker.
Could never get my fill.
Oh, hell, mister, you don't need that.
I'm not a damn fool.
I know you got three or four men
out there watching me.
Can I move my hand?
Go ahead.
That's my bona fides.
Well, I hope that boy don't catch a cold.
That would cause me great annoyance and displeasure.
Mister, that just scares the hell out of me...
the thought that you might be annoyed.
I'm glad to hear that.
Now, did you come here to give me a message
or just to pass the time of day?
From here you go to Escondero.
You wait there till you hear from us.
You've been following us two, maybe three days.
Why did you wait so long?
I haven't been following you.
I've been waiting right here
just like the map says.
Oh?
Hey... that the money?
Open her up.
I'd like to look at it.
Help yourself...
just as soon as you bring in the boy.
Who are you?
Just say I work for the McCandles.
The boy mean anything to you?
Never laid eyes on him.
But I'm being paid to bring him back alive or you dead.
Each and every one of you.
Now, I'd rather bring the boy back.
That's easier.
But when it comes right down to it,
don't matter to me.
I'll earn my pay one way or the other.
Now, how about you?
Are you the Big Chief or one of the little Indians?
Oh, just a little Indian. Just a messenger boy.
Well, you've delivered the message.
That's all.
There's more.
I'm in here alone.
You've been followed like you think.
You best stay right on your toes.
You be real tough, real loose.
What you got in that box is too big to keep a secret
and the thing is this:
You got to deliver that box to us.
You got to put it right in our hands.
You understand?
Good intentions won't buy you nothing but that boy's corpse.
It's just as simple as that.
Somebody takes that box away from you
we won't be understanding, we won't wait, we won't try again.
I'll just send that boy's body back to you in a basket.
You understand?
Mister, I said, do you understand me?
I understand.
Jacob...
What's the matter?
I make big mistake.
In that stand of trees,
there's two men.
They'll have heard where we're going.
Kill 'em.
Dog, go with him.
Bring in the horses and get that stuff packed.
Hyah!
Hyah! Hyah!
Well?
I'm gettin' old.
There were two men, I killed one.
Damn.
That means they'll get us at Escondero for sure.
Escondero.
Where have I heard that name before?
Boom town. Oil.
Well, that cuts it.
Yeah, must be a celebration.
Town will be loaded with strangers.
Ain't this a little showy, Pa?
I mean, that big red box and all the guns out?
I hate secrets.
Never knew one to be kept.
They've all heard what's in that red box
and they all want it.
What we're doin' by this ostentatious display
is telling them they can't have it.
Hell, we may... may be savin'
some poor miscreant soul's life by doing this.
Maybe even our own.
Go unpack that piggy bank and the rest of our gear.
Hey, Jamaco!
Lleba los caballos.
Si, Señor.
Man, when they fiesta in this town,
they really fiesta.
What's the matter with you?
He's the one got away, Jacob.
Want me to get 'im?
No.
But keep an eye on him.
Probably a lot more.
Dog.
Oh, this is heavy.
Feels like it's full of rocks.
I'm going to get me a big private room
with a big soft bed...
One big room
and one big bed for all of us.
Money doesn't grow on trees.
Give us a room.
The dog is all right, but, uh, we do not allow Indians.
He's with me.
No Indians.
No Indians?
I'll sleep in the barn.
The Jacob McCandles?
That's right.
My apologies, Mr. McCandles.
I thought you was dead, sir.
Dead?
Next man says that to me, I'm gonna shoot, so help me.
Dog.
Bring it up.
Put it over there in the corner.
Oh, don't tell me it's that heavy.
It sure is!
I never knew money could weigh so much.
What time is it?
I can't believe I got two sons
who don't own a watch.
Nor a window to throw it out of.
Pretty near dark.
Yep. 5:00.
Man! Take a look at Babylon.
They're going to have themselves a real party tonight.
I wish I could dance me a jig with a pretty lady.
Why not?
Oh, because of the box.
Yeah, and the men who followed us in.
We're walking into trouble.
What do you do when cockroaches
get in the woodwork, Michael?
Smoke 'em out?
That's right.
Why not wait until they make a move?
Because waitin's good for them and bad for us.
You get impatient, nervy,
careless, maybe dead.
I've seen it.
Besides, you two children
haven't had the experience
for that sort of thing
and I don't have the patience.
So we're gonna invite 'em here tonight.
Now, Father, I think that...
You think?
Michael, your thinking's
already cost us some lives.
I intend to hang on to mine.
Your father got us this far
'cause he knows what he's doin',
so for the next 24 hours,
why don't you both
just keep your mouths shut and listen to him?
That's more words than I spoke
since I know you.
Gentlemen, agreed?
All right, Sam.
I want you to go down
and take a look at the horses.
Make yourself seen around the stables
and tonight, James, you go out
and have yourself a real good time
and when I leave this room, Michael
you'll be the sittin' duck.
With only you
between them and that box
they'll think it's going to be
like taking candy away from a baby.
Tonight, Sam, there's going to be a...
disturbance out on the street.
I want you to come over the roof
and into the window.
But you tell him not to shoot me,
not even by accident.
Yeah, remind...
I heard him.
Father, you know what
you're letting yourself in for.
There's a little eight-year-old boy
somewhere out there
scared, lonely, and probably wondering
what's happened to his world.
We came here to find him and take him home,
alive, if possible.
That's what I intend to do.
He's right about one thing: You'll be all alone
down there.
No sweat.
All right, Sam, you better pick up another shotgun,
a Greener, if possible.
Well, I'm gonna take myself a nap.
You wake me up, 9:00, for sure.
Now, you two young fools be careful tonight
because if you get yourself killed
your mother'd never let me hear the end of it.
Por favor, amigo.
Whew.
Pardon me.
Are you with these oil-drillers?
Yep.
Well, could you tell me which one
is the orneriest in your outfit?
Oh, that's easy. Mr. Sweet!
That portly gentleman
right over there, with the beard.
Thank you.
Mr. Sweet?
Yes?
May I?
You shouldn't have done that.
You were right.
You're a little overmatched, aren't you?
Do you want some help?
No.
You better quit being unfriendly, mister.
Sam's made it, Pa.
Well, it's about time.
Hold it.
Just a minute, friend.
I think there's been a mistake.
Have you ever been to Nacogdoches?
Nacogdoches?
No.
Strange.
Pardon me.
But I ain't never been to Nacogdoches.
Damn it, mister, I believe you.
You're next.
Please sit down, sir.
Thank you.
Say, I was lookin' at... do I read right?
Oh, yes, sir.
Genuine hot showers
imported all the way from St. Louis.
The only one of its kind
between Dallas and Mexico City.
Ah.
I highly recommend it, Señor.
¿Donde?
Over there.
Muchicimas gracias.
Hey, how about let's get out of here?
After we finish this dance.
Yes, ma'am.
Oh, man!
They ought to have one of these
in every barbershop in the world.
Mas tante, maestro.
Be through in a minute, mister.
Take your time, mister.
Man, I smell as sweet
as lilies of the valley right now.
I'm in no hurry, friend.
You just take your time.
Muchacho.
Venga aqui.
Si, señor.
There's a cantina
at the far edge of town named Sanchez's.
You know it?
Si, señor.
You go there and buy me
a bottle of tequila.
Pero la cantina esta aqui cerca.
Nowhere else, mind you.
Now, they have a brand special for me.
Now, that's what I want.
Go fetch it.
Si, señor.
Well...
guess I'm finished.
You stay right where you are.
Unless you want to hurry things.
Take your choice.
No hurry.
No hurry at all.
But I could use those clothes over there.
I'm getting a little cold.
You don't shut up and stay where you are,
you'll be a lot colder.
Here.
Protect yourself with this.
Why don't you buy me a drink now?
Well, I thought we was leaving.
Later.
Hmm.
Am I too heavy?
No, not at all.
Hey, you...
with that fancy holster on.
Yeah, you. You got my woman.
Sorry.
That's my woman.
All right, friend.
Hey, don't turn your back on me
while I'm talking to you.
My apologies, sir, if I've o...
Shut up!
Yes, sir.
Well, you sure don't rile very easy, sonny.
You know, son,
you are a coward.
Yeah... yeah, you're a coward.
Yeah, a live coward.
Now let's hear you say it.
All right. I'm a coward.
Hey, I think I finally said something
to rile the boy.
You sure did.
Well, friend...
that's it.
No hard feelings.
The hell there ain't.
Sam!
Anybody hurt?
What's the matter?
Shotgun blast broke the lock, Jacob.
Newspaper clippings.
I killed a man for newspaper clippings.
Where's the money, Father?
Where is it, Daddy?
You think I stole it?
You think I stole it, Michael?
Tell the Indian to go for a walk.
Go for a walk, Sam.
You sure, Jacob?
Sure. Take the dog with you.
Go with him, dog.
Now what?
Where's the money, Daddy?
You go to hell.
James?
Now, boys, you know that's...
that's no way to treat your old daddy.
Jokes!
Can I come in now?
Come on in.
Well, there ain't no money.
There never has been.
That's right, never has been.
It was your mother's decision, and mine,
that we take the boy and not pay for him.
My mother's decision?
I don't believe you.
There were seven McCandles people killed, one crippled.
Your own brother shot...
maybe crippled, maybe even dead...
and my grandson kidnapped.
I ain't gonna pay 'em for that.
Neither is your mother.
I thought I knew her.
Not hardly.
It can't be done, Pa.
They'll kill Little Jake for sure.
Not if we kill them first.
There you are, Jacob.
Just like new.
Quiet, dog.
What are you snooping around for?
I ain't snoopin'.
I come to get ya.
Your horses are saddled out in back, so let's go.
Where to?
I'll take you there.
That's all you need to know.
'Ceptin' if you don't have the money...
or I ain't back within 18 minutes from now...
or if somebody tries to follow us
to the meetin' place...
or tries to keep us from leaving after
we get the money, we'll kill that little boy.
Well, I ain't gonna give you the money
till I get the little boy.
Now how you gonna do it?
We'll have a rifle on him.
With a real fine sharpshooter
behind it,
with one of them fancy new telescopic sights.
From the time you set eyes on him,
until one hour after we vamoose,
you won't know where our man is,
and we won't be able to tell him not to shoot
even if we was so inclined.
Something goes wrong, that little boy is dead,
sure as shootin'.
Well, uh... give us a couple of minutes
to pull ourselves together.
The front's being watched.
I'll be out in back myself.
18 minutes.
Means they're close by.
James, give me back my watch.
Don't you ever return things you borrow?
It's full of pictures.
Yeah.
Michael, the sharpshooter is yours.
Kill him.
How?
Well, get lucky.
Or better still, pray that I get lucky
and make him miss the first shot.
That'll give you about ten seconds
to see his powder flare, locate him,
and keep him from shooting again.
Nothin' to it.
Well, let's get go...
Where's the other one?
There's supposed to be four of you.
He's dead.
We had to pay a price to keep that box
for you and your friends.
I was told to bring in all of you or none of you,
so's we could keep an eye on you, understand?
No loose ends.
Well, he's dead.
I want to see his body.
All right.
He's laid out with the rest of 'em,
down at the jailhouse.
Jailhouse?
Right over there.
Jailhouse...
Come on, let's go see him.
We haven't got all night.
Never mind.
It ain't important.
You gents is gettin' a little nervous, ain't ya?
Let's go.
Sam...
wish it were a little later.
Uh-huh.
Pitchfork rain right now would be in our favor.
Lightning might help.
Might hurt, too.
Hey, what's that?!
Too late to do him any good.
There's another one inside.
He's dead, too.
The night watchman.
Say, you ain't a-lookin' too good.
Sight of blood bother you or something?
Only my own.
Oh.
Well, this is where
everybody stops, except you.
You take that box in alone.
You'll be met at the other end.
Well, Sam, they say the elk in Montana
are as big as buffalo this year.
We ought to go hunt 'em when this is over.
I look forward to that.
I wish they were buffalo.
Yeah.
Times change.
Gimme that mule.
James...
I see him.
Dog.
Good to see you made it.
Yeah, we've had a full day.
Guess he don't like anybody behind him.
Neither do I.
All right, that goes for you, too, Fatty.
Get out where I can see you.
You must figure I'm a real dangerous man.
Will, come on down.
I told you to move, Fatty.
Dog.
Get him off me!
Call your dog off!
Get him away!
Get him off of me!
Call that dog off!
Fain!
I wouldn't do that.
Call your dog off.
Get him off!
Dog.
Now call off yours.
The box.
Open it up.
The boy.
Will.
Stay.
Open it up.
Take that hood off.
Like to see what I'm buying.
I just saw something in your eyes
I don't like.
I saw a foolish thought.
You understand me.
Anything happens, anything at all,
your fault, my fault, nobody's fault...
my little brother
will blow that kid's head right off.
It's as simple as that.
No matter who else gets killed, that boy dies.
If the shotgun misses him, it don't matter.
You already know about the rifle on him.
That won't be as messy as a shotgun at three feet
but that boy will be just as dead.
You understand me?
Say it.
I understand.
Now, open it up.
That's the stuff that dreams are made of.
What's a million dollars look like, John?
Now you understand.
If anything goes wrong... anything at all...
your fault, my fault, nobody's fault, it don't matter.
I'm gonna blow your head off.
It's as simple as that.
What did he say?
I can't hear him.
No matter what else happens, no matter who gets killed,
I'm gonna blow your head off.
Something wrong, John?
Kill the boy!
Dog!
Come on, little Jake!
Run!
Gimme that shotgun!
Whoa!
Will.
Will!
He's dead.
I want his shotgun.
Hurt?
Yeah.
Put your finger there.
Are you hurt?
No, I'm scared.
So am I.
But don't let them know it.
Jake.
Yes, sir?
You ever fire a gun?
No, sir.
Well, use it if you have to.
Yes, sir.
Now, when I start firing
you hightail it out there and find James.
Yes, sir.
Ready?
Yes, sir.
Go!
Boy's outside! Kill him!
You hear that?
They got the boy.
The hell I did, that's my derringer.
James! Uncle James!
Oh!
Jake, get out of here!
Hide! The stables!
That sound like a derringer?
I wouldn't.
Holster it.
Raise your hands.
The other's broke.
That'll do just fine.
Now turn around.
Real slow.
I hear you killed two good men in a fair fight tonight.
Is that right?
No. Three, counting you.
Prove it.
That sound like a boy screaming?
Wonder how he's gonna get it?
With a bullet or a machete, like the Indian did.
I wouldn't.
You come close, Mister, but no cigar.
Who are you?
Jacob McCandles.
I thought you was dead.
Not hardly.
Michael, that's the second time
tonight you've saved my life.
The first time, I was a little slow.
You mean that? It was nothing.
Jacob, here, took care of that, didn't you?
Yes, sir.
Sir?
Yes, sir.
Are you my grandfather?
Yes, sir, I sure am.
James.
Dad.
Sounds better.
Let's go home.
Good idea.
Ripped by: SkyFury