Shane

Somebody's coming, Pa.

Well, let him come.

Hope you don't mind my cutting through your place.

- No, I guess not. - I'm heading north.

Didn't expect to find any fences around here.

Hello, boy.

- You were watching me, weren't you? - Yes, I was.

I like a man who watches things going around.

It means he'll make his mark some day.

Long time since I've seen a Jersey cow.

You'll see a lot more. Jerseys and Holsteins...

...and the like.

- Can I offer you some water? - Thanks.

You're a little touchy, aren't you?

Joey.

- You know not to point guns at people. - I wasn't pointing at anybody, Mother.

Sure had me snorting, son.

I just wanted you to see my rifle.

Bet you can shoot.

- Can't you? - Little bit.

Looks like your friends are a little late.

What are the Ryker boys up to this time?

- Rykers? - That's what I said.

I wouldn't know a Ryker from your Jersey cow.

Don't forget to close the gate on your way out.

Would you put down that gun? Then I'll leave.

What's the difference? You're leaving anyway.

I'd like it to be my idea.

Howdy, Starrett.

Expecting trouble? Ha ha.

I don't want no trouble, Starrett. I came to inform you.

I got that reservation beef contract.

- So many to tell me that? - I mean business.

- Then tend to your own. - That's just what I'm doing.

I'm gonna need all my range.

Now that you've warned me, get off my place.

Your place?

You'll have to get out before the snow.

- Supposing I don't? - You and the other squatters.

- Homesteaders, you mean. - I could blast you out of here right now.

You and the others.

Listen to me. The time for gun-blasting a man off his place is passed.

- They're building a penitentiary to take care of... - Joe, that's enough.

Who are you, stranger?

I'm a friend of Starrett's.

Well, Starrett, you can't say I didn't warn you.

All right, you've told me. Now get off my claim.

Supper'll be ready in a little while, Joe. Won't be very long.

Wait, mister, I...

I swear, I... Wait a minute, please.

I take that back, what I...

Look, this thing ain't even loaded.

- Not loaded? - No, no, Joey's too young to go loaded.

That's his gun.

If this don't beat all.

My name is Starrett, Joe Starrett, and, uh, this here's Joey.

You heard what my little woman said. Come on in, I feel like eating.

- You can call me Shane. - Guess I spook kind of easy these days.

Hello, Joe.

My place ain't very much yet, but my wife sure can cook.

It won't belong till supper. You can wash up right here.

In case you wanted to know, that's Ryker's spread all over there.

He thinks the whole world belongs to him.

The old-timers can't see it yet...

...but running cattle on an open range can't go on.

It takes too much space for too little results.

Those herds aren't any good, they're all horns and bone.

Cattle that is bred for meat and fenced in and fed right, that's the thing.

You gotta pick your spot, get your land, your own land.

A homesteader can't run but a few beef, but he can grow grain...

...and then with his garden and hogs and milk, he'll be all right.

We make out, don't we, Marian?

Of course.

It's that calf again. Joey, chase her out of there.

Joey. Run on, son.

Don't forget to shut that gate.

Joey.

Come on, shoo!

I wouldn't ask you where you're bound.

One place or another. Some place I've never been.

Hmm.

- The only way I'll leave is in a pine box. - What do you mean, Pa?

I mean they'll have to shoot me and carry me out. Heh.

- You shouldn't talk like that. - It's the truth.

You love this place. We've got our roots down.

- I wish you wouldn't talk that way. - Our first real home.

- What did you mean...? - Joey, be quiet. The men want to talk.

There's just more work here than I can do.

If I could hire me a man that... ahem.

I had one once, but the Rykers roughed him up...

...so he lit out, cussing me.

They knocked his teeth out.

Ready for pie?

If nobody else is gonna eat this biscuit, I guess I'll have to.

- We're kind of fancy, aren't we? - What is, Pa?

Good plates, an extra fork.

What about me, Ma?

- What's the matter, Marian? - Nothing.

That was an elegant dinner, Mrs Starrett.

Excuse me.

Where's Mr Shane going? He didn't even say goodbye.

He's not going, Joey. He wouldn't go without taking that.

I'm going outside with him.

- Did you ask him to stay the night? - I'll do that right now.

Well, I'll be doggone. Come here a minute.

Joe, why don't you hitch up the team?

Marian, I've been fighting this stump off and on for two years.

Use the team now, this stump could say it beat us.

Sometimes nothing will do but your own sweat and muscle.

All right.

Bang! Bang!

I wish they'd give me some bullets for this gun.

- Good morning, Joey. - How did you know it was me?

Well, I figured the cow couldn't work that latch.

- Why are you up so early? - You're to stay for breakfast.

Oh?

Well, thank you.

- Then where will you go? - Where would you say, Joey?

I...

I wish you'd stay here.

- Would you teach me to shoot? - You'd like to learn to shoot?

Pa wishes you'd stay too. I heard him tell Mother.

Oh?

He said he didn't want you to fight his fights for him...

...just help with the work.

I bet you wouldn't leave just because it's dangerous.

Joey. Joey.

Joey, come here this minute.

I hope you'll stay, Mr Shane. Coming, Mother.

Close the gate, Joey.

What are you doing in your nightshirt? Come in and put your clothes on.

Would you like to hitch up the team and haul that wire from Grafton's?

- Anything you say. - Get off the bed. Go on.

He's holding it for me at the store.

While you're there, you might as well get yourself some work clothes.

- What can I bring Joey? - Soda-pop.

You don't need anything, Joey.

Be careful. I don't want my troubles to be none of yours.

Aren't you wearing your six-shooter?

I didn't know there was any wild game in town, Joey.

Come on, son.

Joey, come back here.

Bang!

Bang!

- Who are you shooting at? - Rykers. Bang! Bang!

- Did you get many? - Missed one.

Well, can't stand for that.

Pa, do you guess Shane will teach me to shoot?

I'll teach you myself once I get the time, Joey.

- Can you shoot as good as Shane? - I've never seen him shoot.

But I doubt it.

He didn't wear his gun today. Why's that, Pa?

Well, he's trading at the store, not holding it up.

But why, Pa? Honest, why didn't he?

- I don't wear one myself. - It goes with him, though.

- Somebody's coming, Joe. - I know. It's Ernie Wright.

Could you whip him, Pa? Could you whip Shane?

- Can't you ask nothing but questions? - But could you?

Oh, maybe.

No call for that though, Joey. Shane's on our side.

Howdy, Joe.

How are you, Ernie?

- No good. - What's the matter?

I'm pulling stakes. No use of your talking.

- Now what's the matter? - My wheat. Them Rykers raided it.

Fence cut, steers drove in. It's just stubs now.

- When? - Last night.

I'm leaving, and don't try to talk me out of it.

- You can't. - Just don't try, that's all.

- I listened to you too much already. - Go ahead, nobody's holding you.

Oh, Ernie. You wouldn't leave your home and land, and...

Oh, Ernie, you...

I'm wore down and out. Tired of being insulted by them fellas.

Called a pig farmer. Who knows what comes next?

Well, don't throw your tail up.

Tell you what, we'll all get together here tonight and figure out something.

I don't know about me.

I'll get the word around. You tell Shipstead and Torrey.

All right, but if we're having a meeting...

...it'd better be more than poking holes in the air with your finger.

- Anything I can do you for? - I came to get wire for Joe Starrett.

I've been holding wire for Starrett for quite a spell.

- Are you new? - Yes, I'm working for Starrett.

- Got ready-made pants to fit me? - Farm rig?

- Mm-hm. - I outfit all these farmers.

- Step right in back and try them on. - Thanks.

Will.

Hey, Will.

You're thirsty, ain't you, Chris?

- Will. Who's tending bar around here? - Coming right in.

- How is it? - Good enough.

- How much do I owe you? - Now, let's see.

Pants, a dollar. Two shirts, 6O cents.

Belt.

Young man, you owe me two dollars and two bits.

What's the matter, son? You look kind of pale.

Been along time since I got store-bought clothes.

Money don't go very far these days.

A new sodbuster, huh?

Thought I smelled pigs.