Gunsmoke

Well, looks like we finally shook the little boys in blue.

How do you like that governor calling out the cavalry to interfere in a private war?

That's his privelige.

All I know is, though, I'm glad to be out of Johnson County.

You know, I got the feelin' those folks didn't like us very much.

They did act sorta mean, didn't they?

- Let's get outta here. - Yeah.

Guess this is where we split the blankets, Johnny.

There's the trail to Billings.

Sure you don't wanna come along?

No, I think I'll slope along up into the Marias River country.

- What's up there? - Sheep.

Sounds like trouble.

Well, that's the way you make a living, isn't it?

Wouldn't know. I'm the peace lovin' type.

Say, what about that job in Billings?

Man didn't say. I...

expect he wants me to help him with the hayin'.

Uh-huh, well, that's good, healthy work.

You gotta be careful of sunstroke, though.

Did you ever think of settlin' down in one place, Johnny?

Yeah, I did settle down once.

What happened?

They forgot to lock the cell one night.

No, I'm serious.

You better stop thinkin' about that ranch, kid.

You'll never make it.

Why not?

You've been hirin' out that gun too long.

I can forget all that.

Well, maybe you can, but there's a lot of people that can't.

Well, I'll be seein' you, Reb.

So long, Johnny.

Lose your horse?

No.

Just got a little tired. Let him rest.

Go back later and carry him in.

Same thing happened to me last week.

Hit a stretch of gumbo mud, and my team played out on me.

You may not believe it,

but I had to push them four horses inside

and pull the stage myself.

I believe you.

Well, you're one of the few people I ever met who did.

- This the stage for Billings? - Yeah.

Well, that's exactly where I'm goin'.

Get in back. I'm overdue now.

Sorry, miss.

I hope you're not hurt.

If you'll get off my lap, I'll let you know.

I kinda like it here.

Well, I don't.

I didn't get your name.

Didn't give it to you.

Ran into a little trouble this morning...

Say, haven't I seen you someplace before?

I've been a lot of places.

Now, just give me time. I'll remember.

I never forget a face.

- Ran into a little trouble this morning... - I know, you're...

No, no.

That's not it.

I ran into a little...

Ran into a little trouble this morning.

I had to leave my horse back up the trail.

If I close my eyes and yake a deep breath,

I'd say you still had him with you.

Now, what's the matter? Don't you like horses?

- I don't like... - I've got it!

You're Reb Kittredge!

I remember now.

I saw your picture in the Cheyenne paper

when you hired out to the ranchers in the Johnson County War.

You know, I knew a man once that got himself into a lot of trouble

because he remembered things too good.

I-I'm sorry, stranger.

I didn't mean any offense.

You know, on second thought I...

I must've been thinking about somebody else.

Hi, Luke!

I saw your...

Thanks. Like somebody threw a scare into him.

You didn't have no trouble, did you, Charlie?

Nope.

Probably your driving that spooked him.

Enough to scare anybody. Throw me down that luggage.

Thanks, mister.

What do you want done with these bags, Miss Saxon?

I'd be glad to help with 'em.

You don't learn very fast, do you?

Just learned what your name is.

Send 'em up to the hotel, will you, Cal?

Sure.

Nice girl.

She don't seem to like you very much.

She hasn't known me very long.

I grow on people.

How soon do you think we can deliver those cattle, Curly?

Two weeks to bunch 'em,

another week to make the drive.

When does your note to Telford come due?

Thirty days.

That gives us enough time, providin'...

Go ahead and say it: providing I live that long.

You know Telford.

Yeah, I know him.

If it was me, I'd lay for him in a dark alley some night.

I don't operate that way, Curly.

If anything should happen to me, though...

Come in.

Hello, Curly.

- Kitten. - Hi, Dad.

We didn't expect you back till tomorrow.

There wasn't much object in staying.

Sheridan Bank won't make a loan, Dad.

I didn't think they would.

Is this a closed game, or can anyone sit in?

One seat's open.

I missed you, honey.

I missed you too, but I'll tell you about it later.

Phew, I'm beat to death.

Can we go on out to the ranch tonight, Dad?

Seems to me you've done enough travelin' for one day.

Got a special reason for it.

What is it?

Red Kittredge is in town.

I rode in on the stage with him.

I see.

Begins to look like a showdown, doesn't it?

That's what you've got to stay away from, Dad.

That's the reason we have to leave.

I'm gettin' a little too old to start runnin'.

But you've gotta listen to me, Dad. He's a gunman!

You know he was brought here to kill you.

Please, Dad!

Don't do it, for my sake.

There's just one thing on earth I wouldn't do for you, Kitten.

This is it.

I built up that ranch with my own two hands.

You were born there.

Your mother died there.

I fought Indians and snowstorms

and dry years and floods to make it what it is.

And I'm not gonna give it up just because

some two-bit gunslinger happens to come to town.

Curly, stop him!

Stay out of it, Curly.

It's not your fight.

That's the fella I was telling you about.

That's Reb Kittredge.

Somethin' I can do for you?

Do you ever reload any ammunition?

Oh, that depends on the caliber. I got a few molds.

Buffalo gun.

You don't see many of these around anymore.

You hear one once in a while.

Matter of fact, there's only one man around here

that owns one, that I know of.

- Who's he? - Curly Mather.

- Curly Mather... - Foreman for Dan Saxon.

He wouldn't happen to have a daughter, would he?

Curly? No, he ain't even married.

I'm talking about Saxon.

Oh, sure, he got a daughter, Rita.

Gonna marry Curly.

That's interesting.

Uh, you and Curly oughta get together.

Seems you got somethin' in common.

Yeah.

I'm lookin' forward to meetin' him.

H-Hey!

You don't want me to reload only one cartridge, do you?

No, I was just lookin' for information, pop.

Well, what you want to know?

I already found out.

Kittredge!

I'm Dan Saxon,

the man you were brought here to kill.

So?

Might as well be here and now.

You're a fool.

I got no fight with you.

At least not yet.

There's a stage leaving town in an hour or so.

Be on it.

I just got here.

You heard what I said.

We don't like hired gunmen in this town.

Be on that stage.

If I'm not?

Then make your play now.

That's up to you, mister.

Wanna try again?

I'm convinced.

Dad!

Dad!

I'm all right, kitten.

You're a real brave man with that gun in your hand!

Curly.

He could've killed you.