The Spikes Gang

God almighty.

That man's shot to death.

I wonder what he done.

Well, whatever it was, somebody didn't like it.

That's for sure.

Help me, boys.

Save me.

Hide me.

Don't take too damn long about it, 'cause I'm going fast.

We can get in terrible trouble.

He's right, you know. It ain't none of our business.

But if we don't do something, he's bound to die.

That's right, sonny.

I'm on my way to meet my maker.

And I ain't ready for him.

I don't want to touch him.

Is this your farm?

Yes, I own it.

Did you see anybody unfamiliar pass this way yesterday or today?

No, I've seen nobody.

You, boy?

No, sir.

We got a mean one loose. Watch out for him.

Kindly ride clear of my flower bed.

Watch the geraniums, boys.

One, two, three. All here and accounted for.

Good evening, boys.

Good evening.

Thank you.

It's nice to see you.

I've been sitting up here all day staring down that cow's behind till I'm sick.

What's in the pail tonight?

Rabbit.

Hey, that'll slip right down.

Your ma sure knows what to do with a rabbit.

My ma's dead.

I cooked it.

I got something for you, too.

Why, there must be a couple of dollars in here.

Did you save it, or did you lift it?

I saved it.

You're gonna need it, mister.

We went through your pockets, and you ain't got nothing in them.

I got a money belt, boys, underneath my pants.

With over a $1,000 of gold in them.

You better save this for a rainy day.

I noticed some lace on this bandage.

Who's petticoat did it come off of,

and was the lady still in it when you took it?

No, them's just curtains from my attic.

Well, what do I owe you boys?

How do you mean?

Food, keep, patchwork, how much?

We didn't figure to charge you, mister.

Well, you could get plenty.

There's a price on my head, boys.

$500 in Texas, $600 in Oklahoma,

and $1,000 in Arkansas.

Who are you, mister?

The name's Spikes, Harry Spikes.

I'm a bank robber, boys.

Bank robber?

That's right, sonny. That's how I got my ass shot up this time

and 20 times before.

If they caught you, would they hang you?

No.

They'd cut off my head and stick it on a telegraph pole as a warning.

Like they done to a couple friends of mine.

Well, then, how come you stick with it?

Well, I got five Mexican ladies waiting for me in five different towns.

And I got a dozen shirts all handmade out of pure silk.

Every color of the rainbow.

And the leather in my boots is as soft as butter.

That's 'cause Indian ladies chew them before they sew them.

And I got bonded bourbon whiskey

and a box of Havana cigars by my bed every time I lay my head down.

And that's only when things are slack.

But you're sleeping on a hay bale now.

Nothing's perfect.

Well, boys, come tomorrow, I'll be gone.

So it's time I made my manners.

You got my eternal and ever-lasting gratitude.

I know that ain't much in the light of what you done for me,

but you remember this.

Harry Spike's your man.

I owe you.

Anytime.

Any place.

In any way.

I didn't see your horse stabled.

I didn't put him in tonight.

No, why is that?

I forgot.

Your mind was on other things?

I guess.

That's your responsibility.

If you've finished your supper, we'll go look for him.

No, I can do it.

We'll go together.

It would seem he's wandered off.

- Did you tether him? - Yes.

Well, maybe he's slipped loose. Call to him.

Why don't you call?

There's no sign of him.

Is it possible he was stolen?

- I don't know. - I think you do know.

I'll ask you for a second time. Where is your horse?

He's mine.

I worked for him. I earned him.

I'm not questioning that.

You work to the limit of your strength, and you don't complain.

But there are other things in your character that grieve me.

You disobey. You resist me. You're not open with me.

Now where's your horse?

I gave him to somebody.

Was it that fugitive, that thief and murderer?

Yes. Yes, I did.

So you lied.

To the posse and to me.

And you stole clothing and food.

Do you understand what you've done? Do you see yourself as I see you?

Revealed in every sin of which you're capable.

You've tried my sufferance and God's.

Who comes first, Father?

You just up and left?

That's right.

I took the last licking I can take without killing him.

You got any back left?

No, he didn't leave much.

What'll you do?

I don't know. I'll turn up something or other.

You ain't never been any further than the next town.

The world don't end there.

I suppose it don't.

You know,

I wouldn't mind going with ya.

My daddy's mistook me for a mule for some time now.

Well, I'll write ya as soon as I light someplace.

It's gonna be kind of lonesome around here.

Don't back into any pitchforks.

Don't roll out of bed.

Goodbye.

You mean you're really going for good?

I won't be back this way again.

I wish I was coming.

No, you better not get mixed up in it.

You were gonna teach me to swim this summer.

Just hold your nose and jump off the bank.

We've always been together.

It's us.

Well, I can see it's you. What are you up to?

Why should you have all the fun?

I'd just as soon be where both of you are at.

Did you bring clean underwear?

No, gonna let this one set ripen.

Okay, we'll do it. We'll throw in together.

And by God, the one thing we won't ever do is kiss no man's boot!

You bet!

Let's go get lucky!

Wait a minute. Where are we going?

Hell, I don't know! Anywhere!

What do you want?

We was wondering if we could do you some chores in exchange for a dollar?

Swill your pigs, clean out your barn, whatever. You say.

You can scat. I don't hire saddle tramps.

Ain't you heard, lady?

Money's like manure. It's only good when you spread it around.

There's lunch.

No, I ain't come to that just yet.

You always was a finicky eater, Will.

What you're doing is a terrible sin.

You're eating the body and the blood of Christ.

Tod, tonight this ain't nothing but crackers and elderberry wine.

Is that gonna be breakfast?

It's breakfast, lunch and supper.

I sure am hungry.

Well, drink some more. It'll fill you up.

Haven't we got a dime between us?

- No, not a one. - Money don't even know we're alive.

You could sell your watch.

His daddy give him that watch.

Yeah, but it's solid gold. It'd bring a fistful of money.

Come on, don't you ever want to sit down in front of a plate again?

Don't you understand nothing? He don't want to let that go.

Hey, you.

Get up.

You ain't from around here.

I know you ain't, 'cause I know every man, dog and mule for 50 miles.

That's a wide acquaintance.

You're a pretty funny boy.

Where you from?

Down the road a piece.

"Down the road a piece," huh?

Boys, if there's one thing that riles my ass,

it's the sight of three high-smelling,

down at the heels egg-suckers on these quiet streets.

Now what's your business here? Don't get fresh answering.

We're just passing through.

You sure are.

I reckon five minutes would be about right.