The Rawhide Years

What do you make of it?

Well, it could be anything.

Hard to tell.

A ship would be showing lights.

River pirates wouldn't. I'm not taking any chances.

Alert the crew and break out the guns. Pull out everything.

Yes, sir.

Gentlemen. Gentlemen, please.

This is just a precaution.

Keep clear of the windows. There may be shooting.

Stewards, secure the blinds.

What is this, a raid? River plrates.

Sure. This ls the same place they stopped us the last time.

I could use some men with guns up on ggck.

Come on, Jack.

Might be it. Might be.

It's dark enough.

Uh, gentlemen, I suggest we let the cards cool off.

Hold it! Hold it!

That's no boat. It's trees and dead logs, marshal.

The river's full of 'em. And full of pirates too.

False alarm.

Well, good practice for the crew anyhow.

They could use it.

Two boats raided this month and nobody caught.

You know, Matt, there's only one way to stop 'em.

Arrest everybody between St. Louis and fort Benton that isn't honest.

That should relieve you, Mr. Porter.

Sorry thing if some pirate took the pot.

Not so sure one didn't.

It's, uh, your deal, I believe, sir.

You know, I think there's a setup between that young man and the gambler.

Cards, please.

I'll have three, please.

Three.

Dealer takes three.

What's the opener say?

100.

200.

Well, I'll...

I'll raise you 300.

Well,

suppose we make it an even thousand, Mr. Porter?

Ifold.

Well, I'll-I'll... I'll call you for the thousand and...

Three aces.

Sorry. Not quite good enough. Full house.

I'm cleaned.

Well, you could arrange credit.

I don't have any credit.

Well, I've had enough.

Anyone care to fill in?

Sure.

That was a pretty rotten thing you did.

What was?

Cheating the old man. Easy, Matt.

Porter was playing with other people's money.

He's got to account for that money to the man he works for.

That's usually the case with four-flushers, isn't it?

That's not the point. I saw you dealing from the bottom of the dgck.

Matt.

I think you owe me an apology, sir.

Don't push your iuck, boy.

If you were cheating... and I have no doubt you were...

You'll slip up one of these days.

When you do, the law will be on the side of the man wno kills you.

Now move along.

Simmer down, Matt. There's nothing you can do about it.

Mister, you forgot something.

The apology, but that can wait.

I didn't know your friend was playing with someone else's wad.

He was throwing it around like he owned the bank.

I don't think that changes the situation as far as you're concerned.

Tell me something, sir. Do you ever gamble?

Not with stra ngers.

Or with other people's money. That's right.

Well, why don't you try it?

That ought a get you in the game.

What does the opener say?

200.

Ifold. Lcall.

I'd, uh, like to break your iuck, Mr. Comfort.

How about flavoring it up, say, 500?

Let's make it a thousand.

Not sweet enough.

That's too tall for me.

Looks like all three of us have something this hand.

Let's play for, uh, 2,000.

The last raise did it. You lost me.

Well, you didn't lose me. I call. What do you got?

Very little, I'm afraid.

Well, a pair of fives.

That makes my three nines mighty powerfui.

You seem to have lost heavily, stranger.

Guess it's not my night. They've been running bad for me too.

Isn't it customary to give a man a chance to get even?

Why, I wouldn't know. I'm not familiar with the niceties of the game.

I figured you for a man of high ideals. Seems I was wrong.

You did. I figured you for a bad loser.

I was right.

I trust you sleep well, sir.

I shall... with this beside me.

Good evening.

Come in and shut the door.

If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a cheat.

Especially if he's working against me.

And that's what you were doing, Ben, my lad, wasn't it?

Me that dredged you out of a St. Louis sewer,

raised you like a father and even taught you a gentleman's trade.

For this you sell me out to a clumsy Mark...

Who wouldn't know a flush from a fish.

What kind of a split did he give you? He didn't give me anything.

How much? Nothing.

Don't tell me you're going soft.

Maybe, but tonight I got so fed up, I gave this sucker a break.

At my expense? You're even. You took it from the other Mark.

That's for selling me out, you dirty little sneak.

I could've overlooked it if you'd taken a cut,

but just to give a sucker a break, to see his big, happy smile...

That's the most dishonest thing I ever heard of.

I can never trust you again. We're through, Ben.

I was gonna qult anyway.

Who is it?

That little jizzv with the big brown eyes in galena?

She's part of it.

What a criminal waste of talent.

Uh, some... someday, I'll pay you back what I owe you.

Just leave me those clothes you're wearing. I'll need 'em for another shill.

Good iuck, carrico.

Luck?

What makes you think I ever needed that, boy?

You're out of a iob, aren't vou?

What's the difference? Well, I feel it's partly my fault.

I gave Porter back his money.

Here's yours.

Thanks.

Step in here a minute, will you?

I think we ought a have a little look at that lip of yours.

Yeah, yeah. He's got a cut lip too. A little paint fix that.

There you are. Sit down.

You know, this lip will heal all right by itself. You don't owe me anything.

Well, I owe you an apology, and I thought I might make it over a drink.

I don't drink unless it's business.

Oh. Well, cigar? Uh, likewise.

What's on your mind?

Business.

Any plans?

Well, I'm through with gamblers, if that's what you mean.

I've been getting around to offering you a job, but I'd like to feel sure.

I'd like to know I made the right move.

How can you be sure of any move before you make it?

Well, you can't, but there's less risk in buying proven merchandise,

which you are not.

What do you know about horses?

I like 'em.

They don't ask any questions.

Well, like that wooden Indian friend of yours.

Say, what are you doing with that thing anyway?

My brother, brand, asked me to dick one up for him.

It's a hobby of his, collecting odd trophies.

Our real business is ranching.

If that idea appeals to you, l00k me up.

Thanks. I'm going to have to talk to someone about this.

Not the gambler. Oh, no, no.

It's a girl. On.

She wants to get married.

Then you're going to nee a iob.

Say, you try pretty hard to be fair, don't you, mister?

Well, I just find it's the easiest way.

You've been doing things the hard way, son.

Good night. Good night.

Hey, son.

I saw you going into Matt comfort's cabin.

That's right. And now I'm going into mine.

Let me give you a tip.

Keep away from Mr. Comfort.

Why should I? He offered me a iob.

What kind of a job? You ask him.

Look, Mr. Comfort and I are all squared away, marshal. What are you worrying about?

I just wouldn't want to see him clipped.

Neither would the folks in galena.

They think a lot of him.

Galena? I didn't know his ranch was there.

It's a small town packed full of Matt's friends.

Anyone who isn't is sort of in the minority,

if you get the point.

I'll keep it in mind.

And I'll be keeping you in mind.

Oh, my...

Mr. Com...

There's been a murder on the Montana queen. Matt comfort.

Matt comfort? Murdered?

Who did it? Did they catch him?

Got one of 'em, all right. Some gambler. I'd better get Graham back.

Did I hear you right about my brother?

That's what it says, Mr. Comfort.

Gambler's name is carrico. Still looking for his shill.

Some kid. Boat's due in half an hour.

Don't worry, Mr. Comfort. We'll take care of this.

Cast the line!