West of the Divide

Does that look familiar, son?

I remember that ridge over there.

Yeah. Cowhands ride over there in that big gap.

You know, it was right around here where I picked you up, twelve years ago.

You was more dead than alive.

I'll never forget that night, Dusty.

Flash o' guns, shouts o' murdering men...

And the courage of my dad.

Shielding me and fighting a hopeless fight.

Riddled with bullets, he fell across me, whispering...

'Lay still, Ted boy. They'll think you're dead.'

He didn't know I had a slug through my lung.

Well, when they rode up, somebody lit a match.

And I laid still.

And I heard somebody say, 'They got 'em both.'

And the match died out.

And then somebody laughed.

I'll never forget that laugh, Dusty. The laugh of a crazy man.

A killer.

Well, the next thing I knew, it was morning.

I was in your arms.

Yep, and I carried you all the way to Big Bend.

For two years, I didn't know whether you was gonna live or die.

But you sure pulled through alright.

If we could just find some trace of my kid brother...

Well, it's doubtful.

We did learn, however, that your dad had a hired man and his wife.

I remember... a woman did the cooking and took care of Jim.

you see, Dusty, my mother died when Jim was born.

And he's the only relative I have.

If he's alive.

That hired man and his wife disappeared.

We couldn't find hide nor hair of 'em.

Finally, there was a feller that moved on the ranch by the name of...

Let's see... What was his name?

Gentry, that's it! Gentry.

But he didn't know nothing.

Anyway, it ain't gonna do you no good living this all over again.

We'll be in town tomorrow and we'll start our investigating.

Hey, Dusty.

Poison!

Water hole.

I didn't know.

I wonder who he is.

We better open it.

'Hello, Gentry.

This'll introduce Gat Ganns.

He's just the man for the job you mentioned.

Sorry I can't do it, but I got a couple of star trackers on my tail.

Gat's plenty tough, as this enclosed poster will prove.

Good luck, Bill.'

Gentry.

Gentry!

He's evidently planning to kill him.

Well, that's the fella that's got your dad's ranch!

Certainly is funny, but you sure do resemble this bozo.

Maybe fate's kinda taken a hand in this deal, Dusty.

Maybe so.

We don't know what this Gentry's up to, but...

We're gonna find out.

What do you mean?

I mean that from now on, I'm Gat Ganns.

Murderer.

Gentry, my daughter and I have considered your offer for the ranch.

And have decided not to sell.

We've developed the best spring in the country.

And someday I hope to make this a fine ranch.

I'll admit it's dry wire, Mr. Winters, and I don't blame you for holding onto it.

However, this country is still wild, and rustlers are pretty numerous.

That's why I have sold half the herd.

And we're going to sell the other half next week.

- Excuse me just a moment, Mr. Gentry. - Go ahead.

- Everything check up alright, Mr. Hornsby? - Everything's right.

They're on their way.

I think you'll find that's right, Ms. Winters.

That's quite right. Thank you so much, Mr. Hornsby.

Too late for the bank now, Dad. I'll have to deposit this first thing in the morning.

I've got some two-year-olds I'd like to have you take a look at.

Alright!

- How do you do, Mr. Gentry? - Fine. Very happy to see you, Ms. Winters.

Your father told me that you decided not to sell.

That's right. We're quite happy here, and it's the kind of a ranch that Dad's always wanted.

So why shouldn't we keep it?

Well, if you're happy here, that's all that matters.

As your neighbor, may I be permitted to call sometime?

Why, of course. Dad and I will be delighted to have you.

- Thank you. Goodbye. - Goodbye.

- Good morning. - Hello, chief.

- Hello. - Hi, boys.

Well, Winters refuses to sell.

- Oh, yeah? - Yeah, but I'm going to force him.

I'll ruin him.

The Winters girl's leaving the ranch in the morning with a large sum of money.

Now, Joe and Hank, I want you to get it.

But remember, no harm must come to her.

I'll own that ranch no matter what it costs!

- There you are, honey. - Alright, Dad. Now, I'll be right back.

Be careful!

If you hadn't have missed her, I'd have got her.

Well, it ain't too late yet.

- Can't get her now. - Why didn't you keep her when you had her?

We never had her, you lassoed fool!

Drop that gun! Are you going crazy?

Cool down, now, before I go try it, you pink-eyed weasel.

Come on, get in your saddle. We gotta go tell the chief.

Them fellers is sure in a hurry.

Well, I reckon it's deserted.

We can camp here temporarily.

Dusty, come here.

Blood.

Hey, son. Get up here, quick!

Hey, son.

Bullet holes.

Fay Winters. It's mighty curious, Dusty.

We've gotta hurry and get her to town.

Let's take it easy now, son.

Got her here just in time.

A small artery's been severed.

However, I don't think it's very serious.

How did this happen?

Don't know. We found her just outside of town.

A horse must have thrown her.

We left our pack running loose.

I reckon we better get going.

- Yeah, we may be back later. - Alright, boys.

I know the young lady'll be very grateful.

You've probably saved her life.

Now, listen, I hadn't better be seen around here, so you take this money down and deposit it for her.

- And I'll meet you at the shack. - Alright.

I'll tell you, boss, we couldn't catch her.

She just outrode us, that's all.

Well, I got another plan.

Get back to the hideout. I'll see you tonight.

Hello, Winters? This is Dr. Silsby.

Your daughter wanted me to tell you she may be late getting home.

She's met with a slight accident.

No, not serious. I'll bring her out to the ranch a little later.

Thank you.

Who were the men that brought me in, Dr. Silsby?

They said they were prospectors.

It's lucky they found you.

A small artery has been severed.

And eventually, you may have bled to death.

As it is, the way you are, nobody'll ever know that you have a scratch.

I certainly am grateful, but did they say anything about money?

Not a word.

I had three thousand dollars on me to deposit.

And it's gone.

Three thousand!

Your name Gentry?

Yeah, I'm Gentry.

We're from the border. Bill said to give you this.

He'd have come himself but he had a couple of star packers on his trail.

So, you're Gat Ganns, eh?

That's what they call me.

- And this is my friend, Dusty. - Hi.

- Howdy. - We always work together.

Bill tell you what I wanted?

No, he just said there was gonna be some gun-throwing.

How much do you want for the job?

What's the job?

There's a fella I wanna have disappear.

Well, whatever you're gonna give Bill'll be okay with us.

- Eh, Dusty? - Yeah.

Alright.

I'll take you over to meet the boys.

- Hello, Mr. Gentry! - Hello, Spuds.

- Where's your dad? - He's gettin' himself ready for dinner.

- Where are the boys? - They're over at the corral.

Hey! Spuds! Spuds, get in here and get to work!

Hey, Spuds!

Oh, hello, boss.

Hey, Butch. I want you to meet Gat Ganns, and his friend Dusty.

- Hiya, boys. - Hi.

These boys have joined up with us for a while.

Come on, I want you to meet the rest of the boys.

Get in there! Get in there and get to work!

Hey, boys.

This is Gat Ganns, and his friend Dusty.

They're gonna be with us for a while.

I've got a little job to do tomorrow night.

You boys are taking all of Winters' cattle.

Taking 'em through the passe into Round Valley.

There's plenty of feed there. We'll dispose o' them later.

You boys can watch the house.

Winters'll be sure to come out when he hears the racket.

Now, he's the man you want and you know what to do.

Be sure it isn't the girl.

We're leaving about midnight.

Hank, show the boys to the sleeping quarters.

We're out of provisions, chief.

Yeah, well, here's fifty bucks.

And by the way, Butch. We're taking Winters' cattle tomorrow night. You better get in on the drive.

- I'll be there, chief. - Okay.

- I'm riding back with you, Gentry, to get my pack. - Okay.

Hey, Spuds!

Come out here.

Tell the boys to hitch up the horses. You're driving to town for provisions.

- Thanks. - Is that Winters a tough hombre?

Just stubborn. I've tried to buy the ranch for two years. Now I'm taking it.