Are you ready to go back now, Durango?
All right, mister, I guess you win.
Oh!
You're pretty good, Marshal.
You want to try again?
No, I had enough.
Looks like the people around here are sort of hard to convince.
Some of them couldn't read.
You shoot them all?
Only those who didn't get hung.
It don't give a man much choice, does it?
Why didn't you shoot me when you had the chance?
I'm hired to keep the peace, not kill people.
It seems like the two of them sort of go hand in hand.
At least you got the satisfaction
of knowing you'll get hung legal.
That might be some satisfaction to you.
But I can't help thinking you'll wind up dead either way.
He's bringing him in!
Frame Johnson's bringing in the Durango Kid!
He's bringing him in!
Frame Johnson's bringing in the Durango Kid.
Hear that, Denver? Here comes some new business.
That comes under the heading of old business. I've been ready for days.
- What about my $2? - I ain't got time now. I'll be back.
Jeannie! Jeannie!
It's Frame. Frame's back and he's bringing in the Durango Kid.
Durango Kid?!
Come on, you kids, get off of there. Come on!
Hurry up!
Make sure he's got some money in his pocket, Denver.
Hi-yah!
Are you gonna bury him with his boots on?
Get him before he gets cold, Denver!
- Where's the Durango Kid? - That's him.
You mean to say you brought him back alive?
Well, for the time being.
Now, we've been friends for a long time, Frame.
But since you cleaned up this town, I can't hardly make a living.
How do you expect me to make any money off of him?
Don't worry about it, friend. You won't have to wait long.
How's the food in your jail?
We haven't kept anybody there long enough to die from it.
A man can't complain about treatment like that.
Come on.
Nice looking girl.
Yeah.
Yours?
I like to think so.
Big crowd out today.
We had a better one the day the governor came through.
Maybe I should've gone into politics.
Why didn't Frame kill him?
Seems to me you're old enough to understand your own brother.
Maybe I ought to do it for him.
Put that hog leg away before I make you eat it.
Have any trouble with him, Frame?
No more than with anybody else.
Take the cuffs off of him and lock him up.
Well, if it's all right with you
I'll lock him up first and then take the cuffs off.
Any way you like it, Allie. I'm going to get cleaned up.
You look about two shades lighter
than you did when you started washing.
There isn't enough water in that desert to drink,
let alone wash in.
Where's Jimmy, he isn't in trouble, is he?
Not any more than usual.
He's not like you and me, Frame.
He was sort of disappointed when you brought
Durango in alive instead of killing him.
I guess a lot of other people seem to feel the same way.
Maybe it's just because he's young.
Sure, give him time. He'll grow up.
Have you seen Jeannie yet?
I wanted to get some of the dirt off first.
When are you two getting married?
She seems to think I'd make a poor risk as a husband.
She could be right about that.
You've probably got more people gunning for you
than any other man in the territory.
Come in.
Come in, Allie.
You better get to the jail. They're forming a lynch mob!
They're coming to get Durango.
Get on down there. I'll be right along.
If you don't mind I'll go with you.
I'll walk down with you.
No, if one can't handle this, two won't do any good.
I'd sure hate to be in Durango's boots.
I thought you said I was gonna get hung legal?
- You are. - That mob don't sound legal to me.
They aren't going to hang you either.
String him up!
Come on, Marshal!
H... here they come! Maybe the best thing to do is to let them take him.
Never had a prisoner lynched yet and I don't intend to start now.
- Bring him out here! - Bring him out!
We ain't got a chance, Mr. Johnson!
Allie, why don't you slip out the back way and get the kid some meat and potatoes?
He hasn't had anything to eat since sunup.
Thanks.
Luck.
All right, boys, that'll be enough.
Hurley, you're the mayor of this town. Tell them to go home.
They won't pay any attention to me, Frame.
- All we want is Durango. - You're not going to get him.
- Who says we ain't? - I do.
He's my prisoner. I brought him in
to get a fair trial and he's going to get it.
You wanted law and order in this town, you've got it.
And you're going to keep on having it as long as I'm marshal.
I give you my word,
I'll shoot the first man who starts for those steps.
We've got your brother out here with us.
What are you going to do if he starts up?
What are you going to do about him?
I told you I'll shoot the first man
that starts for those steps.
He's bluffing, boys, let's get him.
The next one gets a load of buckshot.
Any takers?
Jimmy, get inside.
The rest of you go on home.
Have Doc Pollard take a look at that leg, Sam.
Tell him to put it on my bill.
Tell Lute to start packing our gear. We're pulling out.
What about your job?
I'm all through.
'Cause I was in that lynch mob?
That's part of it.
I've been at it too long. I'm tired of trying to give people something
they don't seem to want anyway.
- Frame. - Yeah.
Would you have shot me out there?
I don't know.
Jeannie: No more bets, boys.
Number 17, black and odd.
Nobody on it.
Your lucky night.
Could be at that.
- Don't press it too far. - Why not?
I can name you at least 20 people in the room
that wouldn't mind taking a shot at you.
They had a better chance a few hours ago.
When are you going to give up, Frame? Or do you want to die young?
If it comes up 13 I'll buy a wedding ring.
Not while you're still a marshal.
You'll find the badge down in the mayor's office.
I turned it in.
I bought a ranch up in Cottonwood.
I need some help with the plowing.
Do you need a horse or a driver?
I've got a horse.
Jeannie: Well, number 13,
the winner.
I always knew you ran a crooked game in this joint.
- You leaving town, Denver? - Yep.
I'm going to Cottonwood with the Johnsons.
Getting so in this town people only die of old age.
I should think with Frame leaving town, business might pick up.
Well, if it gets real good, maybe I'll come back...
if it gets real bad in Cottonwood.
You can always change your mind, Frame.
No, I'll send for you when I get settled.
I'll be here.
This is the hardest riding rig I've ever been on.
The customers I usually carry don't complain.
What kind of a spread did you buy up there?
I don't know. I've never seen it.
Bought a wife like that once.
She didn't turn out so good.
I understand this Cottonwood's sort of a wild town.
I don't aim to live in town.
Come on, try to miss some of the holes in the road.
Maybe you'd be more comfortable riding back there.
That's a ride I've been dodging for the past 10 years.
Yah, yah!
- Yes, sir. - Have you got room for them?
I don't know about stalls. We got a corral out in back.
That'll do. Give them some feed and water before you turn them loose.
Yes, sir.
What'll it be, gents...
Frame Johnson!
Don't you remember me, Mr. Johnson?
I'm Ben Wiley. I used to own
the Black Nugget in Dodge City.
Ben Wiley, sure I remember you.
The kind of a place you ran I never figured you'd live this long.
Quit drinking my own whiskey.
Courtesy of the house.
Frame: Any place we can bed down around here for the night?
Ben: I've got some fine beds upstairs.
Number 12, the best room in the house.
Deal me out.
Johnson...
remember me? Kurt Durling?
Sure, seven or eight years ago I ran you
and your whole tribe out of Abilene.
You left me with this, too.
Next time don't try to hide a gun up your sleeve.
- I won't forget it, Johnson. - Maybe you'd have been happier if I'd killed you.
Maybe some day you'll wish you had.
Whenever you two have your showdown,
you tell your relatives to get in touch with me.
I've got a card here that...
I run this town, Johnson.
You're not wanted here.
I've been not wanted in a lot of places.
That never kept me from staying.
So that's Frame Johnson.
He don't look so tough to me.
That's how he looked to a lot of people,
but they're not around anymore.
- What's he doing here? - I don't know.
Give me a hand.
Here's the man who can help us, Dixon.
Frame Johnson.
Did he say this was the best room in the house?
You heard him say it.
I hope I never have to sleep in the worst one.
Who was your friend downstairs?
- A business acquaintance from Kansas. - What kind of business?
He dealt in cattle... other people's cattle.
That gives a high margin of profit.
It's apt to give a high rate of mortality, too.
Oh, you can do better than that, Jed.
- You ain't even nicked him - Oh no, mister. Please!
What's the matter? What're you afraid of?
Afraid we can't shoot straight enough to miss you?
All right, Bart. That's enough.
Every time you get tanked up you pick on the poor kid.
You go peddle your beer.
You've had your fun. You leave Johnny alone.
I'm tired of you breaking up my place.
You get out of my way.
Jed.
Why don't you come up and get him?
Bart!
What do you want?
Sit down.
When you start a play, finish it.
I don't want any son of mine showing yellow.
He run you out of Abilene, didn't he?
Deal.
Yes, sir. It's a right lively little town...
for a man of my profession, of course.
I saw a couple of jokers down there
that'd make nice-looking corpses.
Just let me know when the mood comes over you, Lute.
You get me a job as marshal, Denver, and we'll drum up a little business.
Shut up.
All of you.
- Martin. - Oh, it's Mr. Durling.
There's an issue of your paper coming out today.
Yes, sir, I've just finished setting the type for it.
Here's an editorial.
Run it on the front page.
"It has been called to the attention of your editor
that a certain undesirable... "
I... I can't print this, Mr. Durling.
- I'd get sued. - You like running a paper in this town, don't you?
- Oh yes, Mr. Durling. - Print it!
- Hello, Frame. - Hi.
- See the paper? - No, I just got up.
It's got your name in it.
That's right thoughtful of somebody.
Well, it is and then again it ain't.
Here, read it.
"Notice to the citizens.
It has been called to the attention of your editor
that a certain undesirable character...
has come to Cottonwood.
He is Frame Johnson, notorious peace officer.
Under the protecting guise of the law,
this man has murdered over 40 men in cold blood. "
Ain't you going to finish it?
I've sort of got the general idea already.
I didn't know that you'd killed 40 of them.
Neither did I. Mind if I keep this?
I'm all through with it.
That's him.
Well, has anybody talked to him yet?
He just got in town last night.
Dixon and I thought Judge Williams was the one to talk to him.
Yeah.
Well, this is a real pleasure, Mr. Johnson.
Come in. Have a chair.
We've been expecting you for some time.
Here's the deed to your property,
if you'd care to take a look at it.
- Looks all right to me. - You've got a fine piece of property, Mr. Johnson.
Good grazing lands... got a good house on it.
When do you want to take possession?
Soon as I can find out where it is.
Reckon it is kind of important, isn't it?
Now, you're here
in the northwest sector, close to town.
Right next to the Durlings.
- Did you say the Durlings? - Yes, he's an important man in this community.
- Nothing like having important neighbors. - That's what I always say.
I'd be glad to introduce you to him at any time.
- Thanks, we've already met. - Oh, that makes it nice.
Now, you take the main road west out of town...
There he goes!
Hey, there's your killer!
Go get him!
- They're going to hang me. - What'd you do?
I killed him. I didn't know what else to do.
- I've been hiding all night. - Get him inside, Jimmy.
- It's none of our business, you know?
- We want Johnny! - He killed Bart!
- He murdered him. - Now wait a minute.
You ain't stopping us, mister. We're going to take him.
- The boy's entitled to a trial. - Get out of the way, Johnson, I want Johnny Benton.
- Haven't you got any law in this town? - I don't need any law.
- It was my boy that was killed. - If he was the one
that was bothering the kid last night, he deserved to be killed.
- Come on. - Don't come closer, anybody.
What's all the trouble? What's going on here?
Oh howdy, Kurt. What's all the ruckus?
Johnny Benton killed Bart. Johnson's holding him in there.
All right, boys, I'll take over.
You got any reason for protecting him, mister?
I'm not protecting him. I'm holding him for the law.
You can let him go then. I'm Fin Elder, Sheriff.
- Bring him out, Jimmy. - You were a little late getting here, Fin.
I can't be everywhere at once.
- What are you going to do with him? - Throw him in jail.
Isn't that inviting a lynching? Why don't you take him
to Elderville? Wouldn't he be safe there?
That sounds like a good suggestion, Sheriff.
It's all right with me, but it seems like a lot of trouble to go to.
You ain't going to let him take me?
Nothing I can do, Johnny.
Mr. Johnson, I'm Judge Williams.
- I'd like to talk to you. - Well, what about?
I think that's something we should discuss in private.
Let's go inside.
Get the horses, Jimmy.
Here's the situation, Mr. Johnson.
This town is a sinkhole of violence and evil.
The Durlings control it completely.
They elected Fin Elder sheriff.
They select the juries in my court.
Why, it's reached such a state now
that a decent, honest citizen doesn't open his mouth.
- I've already seen it. - Does During own the newspaper, too?
No, but what he can't buy he gets through intimidation.
This is a perfect example of what we're up against.
If things are that bad, why don't you form a vigilance committee?
Except for a few of us, we aren't sure whom we can trust.
There's another drawback. If we group as an organization,
the result would be open warfare.
Many innocent people might suffer.
Looks like you're already suffering.
We want a man who's big enough
to oppose their organization.
We've decided you're that man.
I'm sorry, Judge, I've got other plans.
But we're prepared to pay any price you ask.
- Money isn't important. - Aren't people's lives important?
Mine's important to me.
That's why I'm turning down your offer.
But, Mr. Johnson.
Don't waste your time, Judge.
He's not going to change his mind.
Looks like it needs a little fixing, don't it?
You're pretty handy with tools, aren't you, Denver?
Well, I hate to brag but I probably build
the best pine box west of the Mississippi.
Ever tried your hand at building a house?
- Not that I can recall. - Due for a new experience.
Now look here, Frame.
The barn and the corral seem to be in pretty good shape.
I hadn't counted on living in the barn.
Let's get back to town. We can't do anything here
till we get something to work with.
- It's Johnny Benton. - Cut him down.
Looks like you got some business, Denver.
That's the kind of business I ain't looking for.
I'd enjoy working on that sheriff real good though.
Here's your prisoner.
He escaped from me.
I was just going to round up a posse to go after him.
If he starts to run this time, maybe you ought to shoot him.
It'll look better.
- Where'd you find him? - Right where you left him.
What happened to him?
He got away from me on the way to Elderville.
Johnson here found him hanging in an oak tree.
I didn't say anything about an oak tree, Sheriff.
I just said I found him where you left him.
I'm going over to the land office.
You two give Denver a hand with the supplies.
Uh, Mr. Johnson, you can see for yourself what it's like in this town.
This sort of thing takes place entirely too often.
- I'm still not interested. - But he was just a boy, a poor harmless boy.
If this sort of thing isn't stopped, nobody will be safe.
- He killed a man, didn't he? - He was entitled to a trial.
Why don't you speak plain to him, Judge?
Everybody knows who killed Johnny.
If you know who did it, why don't you have him arrested?
- You've got a sheriff. - We need somebody here to arrest this sheriff.
When I heard you were coming here, Mr. Johnson,
I felt sure you would be an asset to the community.
It seems I was mistaken.
I may not be an asset to the community, but I figure I'll live longer this way.
Then we can only conclude that you're afraid to take the job.
You conclude anything you want.
Too bad, Judge.
Next time pick a candidate with a little guts.
Jimmy, take it easy. We don't want any trouble.
You got trouble already.
Keep that wet-nosed kid out of town
or he'll wind up like Johnny Benton did.
You still want a marshal in this town?
- Yes. - You've got one.
- Where do I go to get sworn in? - Let's go into the office.
What happened to Lute and Jimmy?
They're over at the marshal's office.
I thought this town didn't have a marshal.
They have now. Lute just took the job.
You want me to wait here or go on ahead?
Well, I guess one Johnson's as good as another.
- Congratulations. - I'll do my best.
Maybe we'll get this town fit to live in yet.
You can depend on us backing you all the way.
I'm going to need it. Oh, excuse me.
- Why'd you do it, Lute? - I got sort of annoyed with the sheriff.
- Not on account of me? - Naw, this is a private matter.
Our personalities just seemed to clash.
Congratulations, Marshal. Take care of yourself.
Don't worry, I learned from an expert.
Well, Jim, it looks like we lost a good ranch hand.
Come on, we've got a lot of work to do.
All right, Denver.
Coming, Jimmy?
- Hello, Ben. - Congratulations, Marshal.
Drinks on the house.
Thanks.
Maybe someday you'll learn to keep that big mouth of yours shut.
Now we've got a marshal to put up with.
What are you worried about? I'll take care of him.
Congratulations. If we can ever do anything
to help you, Marshal, be sure and let us know.
Yeah, you can call on us anytime.
Real thoughtful characters, aren't they?
Yeah, if you like that sort of thinking.
- Have another drink. - No.
Don't let them get under your hide, Lute.
That's what they want you to do.
- Maybe I'll have that other drink after all. - Sure.
Denver!
Hey, them look pretty good!
Got them for a good price, too.
All right, Clem, run them in.
Yo, hey, yah!
You've got the start of a good herd there.
Wait till you see them a year from now. How's the house coming?
You're making an awful mistake, Frame, fixing up this place so good.
- Why? - Jeannie ain't gonna have nothing to complain about.
I'm wondering if she's gonna like living on a ranch.
Oh, I reckon she'd like it anyplace...
as long as you was around.
Where's Jimmy?
He went out riding fence like you told him.
Hey!
Hey, wait!
What are you running from?
- Who are you? - My name is Johnson, who are you?
- I live near here. - You've got a name, haven't you?
- Well, what is it? - Man: Maria!
Get back to the house!
Stay on your own side of the fence, Johnson,
and keep away from my sister!
Oh, Lute,
Samuels was in town last night looking for you.
- Samuels? - Yeah, he's got a little spread south of here.
Rustlers came last night... drove off most of his herd.
That so?
Well, Marshal, I see you got the mules back.
Why'd you tell me these mules were stolen?
Well, I'll tell you.
I went down to the barn one morning and they wasn't there.
So I just figured somebody stole 'em.
Lopez says you loaned them to him.
By golly, Marshal, I did. I plum forgot about it.
Say, that's a good joke on me, ain't it?
- Where's the marshal? - Right here. What do you want?
Rustlers in Black Mesa Canyon! They're running off the Davis herd.
It might be another wild mule chase, Marshal.
You'd have all that riding for nothing.
Don't press your luck too far. I don't like to get shoved around.
I don't know what you're talking about, Marshal.
Keep pushing me, maybe you'll find out.
Hey, you want us to ride with you?
You might need some help.
Well, I guess that'll take care of him for the rest of the day.
Better start that herd moving north.
- See Lute? - Yeah, I saw him.
Well, how was he?
They're giving him a bad time.
That Durling outfit's ganging up on him.
Ah, Lute will handle it all right.
I figured maybe you'd want to help him. After all, he is your brother.
I didn't ask him to take the job.
You know what they're saying about you in town?
Yeah. That I'm afraid... gunshy.
Well, what are you gonna do about it?
Live to be an old man I hope.
He just isn't man enough for it. That's the size of it.
Maybe so.
We didn't ask him to take the job. It was his own idea.
Oh, Lute, we were just having a little discussion about you.
- I heard it. - No luck this time either, huh?
There hasn't been a cow stolen in Black Mesa in over a year.
Well, who was robbed this time while I was gone?
McKesson. Lost about 100 head.
That's the third herd run off this week.
I can only be one place at a time.
You're beginning to sound like our sheriff.
Listen, mister, when I took this job
I wasn't told I had to take any talk from you.
That's enough, Dixon. Let's not fight among ourselves.
We all know how the Durlings operate...
confuse you, run you ragged, send you off in every direction.
While you're chasing rainbows, they're rustling cattle.
I've worn out six horses in three days
and I wasn't riding for my health.
There's your badge. You can have your money back if you want it.
Mr. Johnson,
I want to apologize for Mr. Dixon.
We appreciate all you've tried to accomplish and I want to assure you
that this meeting was not called to ask for your resignation.
- What do you want then? - We want you to persuade your brother to help.
Well, you've already talked to him, Judge.
That's why I'm asking you to do it this time.
If you could only convince him of the good he could accomplish.
I don't think it'll help any,
but I'll try.
I'm sorry you're in trouble, Lute,
but it's your play and I don't want in on it.
I thought between the two of us we could clean it up in a couple of weeks.
Clean it up in one day.
All you have to do is kill five or six people.
Just let me know when the shooting starts.
- I'll help you, Lute. - Oh thanks, Kid, but I don't think they'd deputize you.
What difference does that make? I can still play dog for you.
- No, Jimmy. - Just because you quit on him is no reason I have to.
Shut up. Frame knows what he's doing.
Yeah, he always knows. I guess what they're saying
about him in town is true. He's gunshy.
Why you impudent young whipper-snapper!
Let it go, Denver. Kid just doesn't understand.
I'm sorry. I didn't know this was going to happen.
There's nothing to be sorry about.
Take care of him, will you?
Sure.
He'll be all right.
You want to go back, Jimmy?
No, I'll see you in town in about an hour.
- Stay out of trouble, Kid. - You're beginning to sound like Frame.
# I have a true love #
# Over the mountain #
# I have a true love... #
# Over the hill... #
Hi.
Well, aren't you going to ask me in?
- What are you doing here? - I didn't come over to see you.
Hey, that's one of my favorite songs.
# I have a true love... #
It's mine, too.
You're pretty.
Am I?
I guess a lot of people have told you that.
Um-mmm. You're the only one.
I guess the rest of them around here
must have poor eyesight.
I don't know anybody else.
You know me.
# I have a true love #
# Over the mountain #
# Fooled by my true love... #
- You shouldn't have come here. - Why not?
Frank would kill you if he knew.
You let me worry about Frank.
- You better go. - I just got here.
Please, please go.
He'll be home in a minute.
Oh! Oh!
# I love my true love... #
Your family...
they're usually in town nights, aren't they?
Yes.
- Well, I'll be back. - You shouldn't.
I will.
Please, fellas, I had it shipped out here
all the way from Kansas City.
Give me your gun, Jed.
Nothing wrong in a man having some fun, is there?
Looks to me like you're overdoing it.
Would you rather sober up at home or in jail?
What are you going to throw me in for?
For... creating a disturbance.
Who am I disturbing?
Me. I've got a room upstairs
and I don't like loud noises.
Now do I get the gun or do I have to take it away from you?
You gotta take it away from me.
Well, that's all right, too.
Give it back to him when he sobers up.
Whatcha doing, Marshal,
making your own laws?
Any objections?
Yeah.
You know where to find me when you want to make them.
Hey!
I'm making 'em... right now.
Anytime you say, Frank.
Lute!
We'd better get him upstairs.
I'll take him. You get a doctor.
Get Doc Harley. I'm gonna get Frame.
You know what you've done, don't you?
You've flushed out Frame Johnson.
You're the one that kicked the chair over.
Think I want to see you get killed, too?
Deal.
It's Lute, Frame. Frank Durling shot him.
- He's at my place. - Is he hurt bad?
I'm afraid so.
Get the horses, Denver.
He's right outside.
It was fair and square. Ask any man in here.
They all saw it.
How is he, Doc?
I'm sorry, Frame.
I guess I just wasn't as good as you.
Don't talk crazy, Lute.
You're the best.
Lute!
Frame, do something!
Nothing to do, Jimmy.
Doesn't look like we got much to worry about
from the Johnsons.
Easy, Kid.
What are you going to do?
What Frame should have done.
Jimmy's out to get Frank Durling.
Crazy kid!
Put it on my bill!
- Jimmy! - What do you want?
Let Frame take care of it. He knows what he's doing.
Sure he knows. He always knows.
Now you stay out of this
'cause this is a family affair.
Well, right now I feel like family.
They murdered him... no matter what they call it.
Perhaps we're at fault, too,
thinking that one man could stand up alone
against a band of thieves and murderers.
Here's Lute's badge.
Have you got somebody for the job?
After this, I doubt if we could get anybody to take it.
I'll take it.
Providing I can do it my way.
Anything you say, Mr. Johnson.
- I want an ordinance passed. - An ordinance?
I want an ordinance making it illegal
to carry firearms inside the town limits of Cottonwood.
No guns? We'll be the laughing stock of the West.
Those are my terms, take it or leave it.
But how's a man going to protect himself or his family?
That's up to the law.
And you think you can handle it alone?
I think he can.
If that's what you want, I'll go along with it.
We've got a quorum here. How about it?
Well, it's worth a try.
All right, but I hope
we aren't making a mistake.
We'll pass your no-gun ordinance.
It may cause a lot of trouble.
I'll take care of the trouble.
But he'll have a gun, won't he?
Of course, how else is he going to enforce the peace?
That isn't what bothers me.
I just hope we haven't legalized a murder.
Cards are coming.
The gentleman wins and the gambler loses.
Place your bets, boys.
- What's the limit? - Anything you happen to be carrying around.
That could be a real interesting game.
You'd probably be disappointed.
Place your bet, mister.
Hit me.
I'll stand.
I'll take a hit.
Thought you was located up Cottonwood way.
I was, but the whole town blew up.
Somebody killed a marshal named Johnson.
Hit me.
I said "hit me," miss.
- That's good. - I'll take a card.
That's enough.
King and queen, 20. Paying 21.
That's enough for me.
Louie! Take over.
Buy you a drink, ma'am?
Thanks, but I make it a rule never to drink at my own bar.
Your health.
You wouldn't happen to know that marshal's first name, would you?
The one who got killed?
Yeah, it was Luther. His brother Frame took over the badge.
Says he's going to clean up the whole town.
Thanks. Give this gentleman a drink on the house.
Mr. Sterling?
You still want to buy the place?
- At my price? - At your price.
It's a deal.
I'll meet you at the bank in the morning.
Oh, Jeannie. I'm glad you're selling.
Your father wouldn't have liked to see you running a saloon.
It's the only thing he left me.
I can't teach school and I can't sew.
A girl has to make a living someway.
"The Town Council has met in solemn body
and decreed that starting at noon this date,
April 23rd, 1882,
carrying a gun in the township of Cottonwood
will be a misdemeanor,
punishable by a fine or jail sentence, or both.
Signed: Judge Williams. "
Well, that's real sporting of Mr. Johnson, ain't it?
First thing you know we'll have to shave every day.
- He won't get away with it. - Nobody's going to take my gun.
What's Johnson trying to do, run this town?
Looks like your sign's not very popular.
No guns, huh, Marshal?
Well, in that case, I guess I'll just have to get rid of my bullets.
You're under arrest.
- Me? What for? - Breaking the law.
Your law don't go into effect until noon. It says so right there.
I'm arresting him anyway. All right, Durling, let's go.
Somebody get Kurt!
You can't hold me. You're just wasting your time.
- I got lots of time. - What's the charge?
- What was he doing? - Defacing public property.
Since when is there a law against that?
Since the inception of the Town Charter, Local Ordinance 27,
which our sheriff has seen fit to ignore.
You're getting awful law-minded all of a sudden, Judge?
I've always been conscious of the law, Mr. Elder.
It so happens that at long last
we have found someone who is willing to enforce it.
That's what I'm talking about.
I don't like having someone appointed over me in my jurisdiction.
As Chairman of the Cottonwood Town Council,
I have the right to appoint a marshal.
If you don't like that law,
call the council together and have it changed.
In the meantime, I find you guilty
of violating Ordinance 27
and I fine you $50 or 10 days in jail.
- I won't pay it! - Be reasonable, Judge.
You know no one pays any attention to that old ordinance.
This time you've got a choice: Pay the fine or go to jail.
- He's got it in for us... - Shut up!
A law is a law. If you break it, you pay the penalty.
Go on.
Is Jimmy cooled off yet?
He's so mad he wouldn't eat any of his food.
Good, too.
- Changed your mind, Kid? - You know of any reason why I should?
He was my brother, too.
Gunning for Frank Durling isn't going to help matters.
That's not the way I see it, and if you let me out...
That's just why you're in there.
And that's why you're going to stay there
until you get some sense through your head.
Craziest darn fool thing I've ever heard of!
Charlie Walsh!
This the place that takes the guns?
That's right, miss. Right over there.
You know, this ain't a bad law at that!
What's the matter with you?
I never knew she carried a gun.
Thank you, Miss... Miss...
Clarissa. What's the matter, honey?
Got a short memory?
And I'll be seeing you, too, Judge.
Better turn those guns in.
We're only waiting for the stage, Marshal.
You can get them back when the stage leaves.
He'll take them right in there.
But we're leaving town in a little while!
That's all right! How about you?
Shirts is my line, mister!
I don't even know how to shoot a gun.
We'll be gone as soon as the stage comes in!
- What name do I put on these? - He was too drunk to know.
Anybody cause any trouble?
No, but we're going to have to hire somebody for this job.
- We've been swamped all morning. - I'll give you a hand.
I'm trying to keep them filed alphabetically.
It'll simplify these when we go to give them back.
- What name do I put on it? - Martin Kohler.
Martin Kohler. Colt 45.
All right, what name on this one?
Oh, just Jeannie.
- Jeannie! - Hello, Frame!
- What are you doing here? - I got tired of waiting.
Let's get out of here!
I'll be back!
Nice place, isn't it?
How did you wind up in a fleabag like this?
Oh, I had a choice!
I could either stay here or at the livery stable.
Well, I'm going to take you out to the ranch!
It isn't fixed up quite the way I wanted it,
but it's a big improvement on this!
You might at least kiss me first.
I might at that.
Jeannie, I have to tell you something.
I heard about Lute, if that's what you mean.
I took over his job as marshal.
Why do you think I came up here?
Oh, but you said once...
I know.
I said I wouldn't marry you because every time
you went out into the street I'd be afraid you'd never come back.
The odds haven't improved any.
The odds never will.
You're big and you're ugly and you're stupid,
and I happen to be in love with you.
So, if you insist on being a walking target
for every gunman in Arizona,
I guess I'll have to put up with it.
Took you a while to find that out.
I've known it for a long time.
But I kept hoping it was something like measles
and maybe I'd get over it.
You're going to make a beautiful bride.
Hey, Denver!
Denver!
You want something, Jimmy?
Yeah! I want to get out of here.
You know what Frame said.
He said he'd turn me loose if I promised
not to go gunning for Frank Durling!
I ain't heard you say anything yet!
Well, I'm promising, right now.
I don't know, Jimmy.
Frame's gone on out to the ranch.
Look, how can I go gunning for anybody?
I haven't even got a gun.
By golly, you're right!
All right, Jimmy!
Now, if I was you, I'd head right on out to the ranch.
That's just what I figured on doing!
- You made me a promise, Jimmy. - And I'll keep it!
I'm not going looking for Frank Durling.
But I have a call to make and I need a gun,
just in case anything happens.
All right, you get on back in the cell.
See you, Denver.
Jimmy!
I didn't think you were coming back!
I didn't have a chance. There was some trouble in town.
I know. I heard them talk about it.
Frank killed my brother, Lute.
You have to leave! They'll kill you, too!
That's the reason I came out here! You're going with me!
You want me to come with you?
We could find a preacher in the next town.
I wouldn't care, Jimmy.
Get your stuff together and let's get out of here.
It won't take me long.
That's young Johnson's horse.
Looks like he moved in on your sister.
The young squirt!
Johnson! I told you to keep away from her!
- I asked him to come! - Shut up!
Drop your guns!
I said drop them.
Maria, get to the horses!
Go ahead! I'll catch up with you!
All right, now, back up to the wall!
You gonna let him get away?!
This time I'm going to let the law work for me!
Do you think it would help if I talked to Jimmy?
I don't know.
He's got a right to feel the way he does.
I wouldn't help Lute when he asked me to.
If you want to blame somebody, blame me.
I'm the one that made you quit.
No. I quit because I wanted to.
'Cause I was tired of being a hired killer.
My only mistake was in thinking
I could run away from a reputation.
Maybe you didn't run far enough.
Maybe I didn't. I'm going in town.
I'll send Denver back to stay with you.
I'm not afraid to stay alone.
I've been alone most of my life.
You won't be much longer.
I don't mind waiting, Frame.
Just hurry back, huh?
I came to tell you, Frame, I just killed Frank Durling.
- You young fool! - It wasn't his fault!
- Frank was going to kill him! I saw it! - Who's she?
- Maria Durling. - Durling?!
I wanted you to know, I didn't go gunning for him deliberately.
- Come on, Maria. - Where are you going?
- We're headed for the border. - No, you don't!
You're going to stay here and stand trial.
What chance have I got of getting a fair trial in this town?
I'll see that you get it.
You keep your law and order. I'll take my chances in Mexico.
Don't start running, Kid.
I'll just have to come after you.
Well, in that case, maybe I'd better give myself a head start!
I'm taking him into town. You two better come along.
It might not be safe out here.
I've got a warrant for the arrest of James Johnson
for the murder of Frank Durling.
Who says it was murder?
He killed him in cold blood! Never gave him
a chance to draw! We all saw it!
That's a lie! Frank would've killed him! I was there!
Were you, Maria?
There are three of us who say you weren't!
Don't let them take him!
Who're you going to believe, Marshal?
A girl that's in love with a killer,
- or three eyewitnesses? - I'll take the prisoner.
So we can find him hanging from a tree?
- He's got to be held for trial. - When's the trial?
First thing in the morning, it'll be a quick one!
- I'll have the prisoner there. - Oh, no, you don't!
- You'll turn him over to me right now! - Fin!
Let him keep him!
I knew you hated Frank, Maria,
but I didn't think you'd lie to save his killer!
You don't think he'll bring the kid up for trial, do you?
Probably would, but I don't want him to.
- You got the keys to the jail, Fin? - Sure. Why?
Jed, tonight you go over and let the kid out.
What are you talking about?
If the Judge thinks Johnson turned his brother loose,
he won't be marshal much longer.
- Who's there? - Don't ask questions, Kid.
If you don't want to hang, get out of town.
I got a horse waiting for you outside.
Say, Marshal,
arresting your brother certainly convinced the people
that you mean business about law and order.
It's a great day for Cottonwood.
I take it that ordinance of yours doesn't include me.
After all, I am an officer of the law.
That's a matter of opinion.
Almost time for the trial.
- I suppose the prisoner's here. - He'll be here.
- What happened? - Somebody probably let Jimmy out.
Go over to the jail and get him, Fin.
- We can't stand around here all day. - I said he'd be here.
He's your brother. For all we know,
you could've turned him loose last night. Go get him, Fin.
I wouldn't go if I were you, Sheriff.
He might try to escape and then you'd have to shoot him.
Denver: Frame!
- Where's Jimmy? - I don't know.
Somebody came in last night, slugged me over the head and let him out.
Man: Do you hear that? The Johnson kid's escaped.
That's convenient, Johnson.
All right, round up a posse.
We'll get our guns back and go get him.
Don't go any further, Kurt.
Denver, I'm deputizing you to keep peace while I'm away.
Shoot the first man that gets through that door.
You're gonna defend your brother all the way.
I said I was responsible for the prisoner.
- I'm bringing him in. - You expect us to believe that?
You see what he did?
Fixed it so his brother could escape after he took our guns away
so we couldn't do anything about it.
You've still got your gun, Sheriff.
Why don't you do something about it?
I got no personal quarrel with you, Johnson.
I have. You've been riding pretty high, Marshal.
It's about time somebody cut you down to size.
I'm kind of looking forward to it, Kurt.
Let's both of us stay out of this.
- Frame! - I'm all right.
- Get my horse. - You're not going after Jimmy now!
What're you trying to prove, Frame? Durling's dead.
- There's nothing to be gained. - I said get my horse.
Let him go. We know he's innocent.
Let him go his own way in peace.
I said I'd bring him in for trial.
Oh please, Frame!
Must you always think like a marshal?
Can't you think like a human being? Just this once?
I'm going alone.
Why?
It's the way he is.
You can't ask a man to change.
It is finished.
Well, it took you long enough.
I am not a good blacksmith.
The shoe had to be forged.
I'll take a bottle of this stuff with me.
Sí, senor.
But... but, senor! You forgot to pay.
Senor! Oh.
Listen, men, let's stop this talking.
Get your guns and go after him!
The sheriff's right. What're we waiting for?
Nobody gets their guns till Frame gets back.
He's not coming back. Why should he?
We want our guns, Judge. Give us our guns.
Just a minute, men.
Don't you see what the Sheriff's trying to do?
He's afraid Johnson will come back.
That's what he's trying to prevent.
That's not true. I'm just trying to do my duty as a law officer.
Don't listen to Elder. Now that Durling's dead,
he wants the town for himself. Give Johnson a chance.
What do you say, miss? Is your man coming back or ain't he?
He'll be back.
I say give Johnson a chance.
Give him until sundown tomorrow.
Sí, senor, there was such a man here.
Two, three hours he stay.
His horse lost a shoe. I had to make a new one.
He bought also a bottle of tequila
which he forgot to pay for.
Gracias, senor. Muchas gracias. Gracias.
Jimmy!
Don't come any closer, Frame.
I'm warning you!
We're going back, Jimmy.
No we're not!
You're gonna make me do it, Frame!
It's no life, Jimmy.
Running all the time. Hiding.
You got to stand up and face it
if there's ever going to be anything ahead for you.
Don't come any closer, Frame, or I'll shoot!
I'm not drawing, Jimmy.
I'll never pull a gun on you.
I mean it, Frame. I'll kill you!
Frame!
Frame, I didn't mean it.
Put the guns back, men! Put them back!
You shouldn't do this, men!
It's against the law!
Hey look!
He's your prisoner, Judge. Call off the dogs.
I'll get Doc Harley.
He's lost a lot of blood, but it ain't going to kill him.
I'm still not riding in back.
You think any jury will convict him now?
I'm not sticking around to find out. I'm heading for California.
It's a long ride to make alone. You got company.
Frame!
It's all right, Jeannie.
Everything is all right now.
I'm taking it off for good this time.
We got a lot of ranching to do.
Doesn't look like he's going to be much help to us.
Denver! We could use a good ranch hand.
Sorry, ranching's not my line.
Besides I figure business ought to be picking up
back in Tombstone along about now.
Hya!