Well, Cora seems a lot better.
How 'bout makin' us some coffee, hm?
Hon, I've been tendin' beds for 18 hours straight.
All right.
Frank, will you get some wood, I'll make a little somethin' to eat.
Preacher Dan, you haven't left here since early last night.
Now that you bring it to mind, I am starved.
You know, I can't figure it.
I didn't think Cora'd last the night.
I'd like to think my prayers helped some.
Well, I know for sure it wasn't my medicine.
Fuller girl died an hour ago.
I've poured over every medical book I can get my hands on.
I can't find a thing about an epidemic affecting only young girls.
If I were superstitious, I'd say it was more like a curse.
Well, at the expense of my professional pride,
I'll have to admit it was your medicine that did the trick.
Her pulse is normal, and she's sleeping peacefully.
I'm almost tempted to throw away my black bag, come over to your side.
You've always been on my side.
- Frank, will you pour it, please? - Sure.
It's so heavy.
Ah!
Oh!
What is it?
What?
Ah!
Oh, God, Frank, no, let me go!
- Oh, Cora! - No, no.
Cora!
No!
Oh, Cora, no, please!
Pa, Pa!
Look what Buffer done to me.
That dirty, stinkin' son of a shake.
- I'm gonna kill him, Pa. - Put your gun down, son.
- Now, you heard Pa. - Now quiet down, try and talk like a man should.
Buffer's gone and blocked the stream up.
I tried to bust the dam so's we could get some water, but they caught me.
Pa, he had his men hold me down and give me a body beatin'.
And then after they had their fun, why, Buffer tried to kill me.
Well, look, he fired four shots
- while I was runnin'. - I told you not to go near Buff's place.
You know he's aching for a fight between us.
I know what you told me, but the water ain't his, it belongs to everybody.
He had no right to block it up.
- Here, Tim. - Will you leave me alone?
I know what he's up to.
He's tr yin' to dry us out so's he can buy our ranch.
Our ranch?
Why that fat, old scrounger.
He'll never live to see that day.
Now, look Tim, his bein' wrong doesn't give you any right to bust in on him like that.
Why didn't you go over to his house and talk to him first, like a gentlemen?
- You and me had the same Ma and Pa. - Here!
I wasn't born in no pasture.
I did talk to him.
I went to him and...
and after talkin' did no good, why...
I even begged.
All he did was stand there and laugh.
And then he spit at me and told me to get.
Well, I wasn't gonna take that, and you wouldn't either.
- So, I sneaked up on the dam, and... - Well, that's all, that's all son,
I don't need to hear anymore.
I know what Buff is, but I'm not gonna fight him his way.
- Now look, Tim, you are not... - And you don't go advisin' your brother.
- But, Pal - I don't care what Buffer does.
The both of you stay clear of him, you hear me?
Pa, he said he'd shoot you dead
- if he caught you takin' one step on his land. - I just dare him to raise his gun to Pa.
Now look, I'm sick and tired of his threatening us.
- I'm going over there right now. - You're goin' no place
except take him into the house, and tend to him.
I'm goin' back to see the sheriff.
A lot a man like Buffer cares about the law.
That's not the point.
The law cares about us.
I don't wanna jump ya, Bill,
but seein' my boy beat up like that was too much.
You don't never have to apologize to nobody in this town, Doc.
We all know what you've been doin" for us.
Seen Buffer go into the saloon a while back, I'm gonna straighten him out right now.
Now you go on home and rest easy, you got my word that I'll take care of everything.
Thanks, Bill.
Now, I don't want nobody laughing at the sheriff.
Ain't fittin' for a man of his position.
- Ain't that right, sheriff? - I don't mind you pokin' fun at me, Buffer,
but I'm gonna put you away if you don't stop tormentin' Doc Carter and his family.
What's the charge, law man?
You better find a good one 'cause if you're wrong,
I'm gonna take your badge away,
and you know what I'm gonna do with it.
Now this is a law-abidin' town, ain't many law breakers here,
so you're lucky to be workin'.
You're fancy trimmin', no more no less.
You blow real hard as long as you got these laughin' hyenas around you.
Just don't pay 'em one month,
they'll tear you apart out of love and loyalty.
The sheriff speakin' the truth?
Well, if he is, I've been a big fool for pa yin' a pack of animals.
Come next payday, instead of money, I'm gonna feed you to each other,
'less you can prove different.
That's swill comin' outta you.
I work for Buffer 'cause I like him.
Now you take back what you said.
Never pull that gun unless you intend to use it.
I got a right to protect me and my men.
You got no cause comin' in a public place and pushin' us around.
I came here to talk to ya, nothin' more.
But you had to show what a big man you are,
brought all this on yourself.
Just remember, I work for this town.
You block my duties, I got two choices:
Arrest ya, or shoot ya.
Either one would suit me fine.
Now draw your gun, or shut your mouth.
Oh, what's chewin' you, Bill, I thought we was friends?
I ain't done nothin', I got witnesses to say I ain't.
Doc Carter's boy moves into my land, starts breakin' things up.
What am I supposed to do, hold him in my arms and kiss him?
He threatened me, that's what he did.
- I got a right to muss him up a bit. - You got no right to dam up the water.
I'm not gonna waste words with you, you know what you been doin', and I want you to stop it.
I was only tr yin' to make a small lake for my stock.
I admit I dammed the water.
It was only for a few days, and it's back flowin' the way it was meant to.
All that talk about the fence and scattering the cattle, that's a lie.
I like Doc Carter.
Everybody here knows I do, ain't that right?
- That's right. - Sure it is.
I don't know about you likin' Doc Carter, but I know you like his land.
You wanna spread just like your mouth has been doin'.
Well, I ain't gonna let you do it, and don't you forget it!
You threatenin' me in front of all of my friends?
I sure am.
Bill, I like you, you got what it takes.
Somebody get me a bottle.
- Come on, let's drink to the law. - Never mind drinkin', George, just respect it.
He's bleedin', let's get him into the house.
Pa, Papa!
Papa.
Papa!
Who would wanna kill Pa?
I'll tell ya who.
Buffer!
That's who, Buffer!
I'll kill him.
- I'll kill him! - Tim!
Tim!
Tim, whoever killed your father will pay.
I give you my word, he'll pay.
Oh, Timmy.
Oh Lord,
it is with heavy hearts that we stand before you,
and place in your keeping the soul of John Carter.
We pray that you will help lighten our burden.
We embrace your memory with a blanket of tears.
Eternal sleep, good friend.
I'd like to speak to Timmy, ma'am.
- Is it important? - Yeah, it's very important.
- Well, wait just a moment. - Okay.
Timmy, there's someone at the door to see you.
What is it, Charlie?
The whole fence is torn down on the back 40.
'Bout 80 head of cattle are gone.
Did you see who did it?
No, it's the same ole story, lots of hoof prints,
'bout ten men on a horse, it's just like it happened before.
Slimy Buffer.
Pa just put away, and he's started already.
Get some men, and get that fence fixed.
I'm goin' into town.
If my sister or Dan come lookin' for me,
you don't know where I am.
Just let me get a couple of men, and we'll ride in with ya.
No.
I don't need nobody for what I gotta do.
Boy, you've poured enough out of that bottle to give you man-sized trouble.
Now, you bring me another!
You heard what I said, bring me another!
Evening, Tim.
Give me a glass, Jay.
Hey, you sure got a mess here, why don't you clean it up?
Tim has had enough sadness without gettin' himself all cut up.
Be nice if he had some feelings for me.
Certain people have been rustling me around from side to side all the time.
It's the way it's gotta be.
Bartender's like a free gal,
she's bait for whoever's got a free buck!
Right?
Have another on me, then I'll take you home.
I ain't goin' no place 'till I finish what I came here to do.
And I ain't gonna let you get yourself all shot up.
Maybe you're scared somebody else might get hurt.
There's only two things I'm scared for,
you and your Pa's good name.
Pa's dead.
That's his good name, dead.
And somebody's gonna pay for it.
You think that somebody is Buffer?
You know it just like I do,
and you ain't lifted a finger.
You call yourself my Pa's friend, I'll tell you what you are.
Hold your tongue.
The night your Pa was killed,
Buffer was right in here with me takin' a word beatin'.
Well, if it ain't Buffer, it was one of his friends.
And I say you're a liar.
Your Pa and me might have had differences,
but whatever they was, they wasn't killin' differences.
Now you take that look outta your eyes.
So that look of mine bothers you, huh?
Well, nothing you can do bothers me because I know you're talkin' out of a bottle,
- SO you just run along home. - I will,
right after I put you away.
I don't want no trouble with you.
Gunnin' a man ain't my way,
least of all shootin' a boy.
Bill, you got a big mouth with me, why don't you use it on him,
slap him down, throw him out?
- Tim. - Don't you move.
This gun don't care who it shoots.
You couldn't wait for my Pa to get cold
before you moved in and busted our fences down tonight.
You gonna deny that?
'Cause if you do, you're a liar!
Did you move in on their ranch again?
- Boy's talkin' out of his mind! - Why don't you two stop this manure spreadin'?
For all I know, you're workin' for him too.
You ain't got it comin',
but I'm gonna give you a better chance than you gave my Pa.
Now, you get ready to draw.
Buffer, get outta here.
If Tim ain't got any sense, at least you help me, start walkin'.
Go on, walk out, you yellow-belly!
- Don't let him bait ya. - You're so scared, you stink out loud!
Keep goin', Buffer!
That's right, you gutless hunk of coward.
You no good son of a saloon gal.
You cheap...
As fast as you tack 'em up, I'm gonna tear 'em down.
Then you'd better get ready for a long haul
because I'm gonna keep puttin' these posters up
until I get somebody to give Carter what's really coming to him.
If you wasn't Doc Carter's daughter, I'd do a lot more than just stand here and talk to ya.
I'm tendin' the peace here, now you get on home.
Sherriff, I can't hear you.
You go ahead about your peaceful way shieldin' murderers,
but I'm gonna do what's gotta be done.
Bill, why would you wanna tear that down
after Ms. Dolores went to all the trouble and money of having it printed?
"Gun Wanted: $100 for the Death of a Murderer.”
Mighty big money.
Maybe one of my hands might like to make it.
How 'bout it boys?
Well?
Any of you wanna give Ms. Dolores a helpin' hand?
I wouldn't go temptin' folks, if I was you.
A full hundred can make a man do a lot of things that ain't in his line.
Bill, you talk like that poster's meant for me.
Is it?
Someday when you hear a big noise,
and you feel something hot rippin' through your belly,
then you'll know exactly who that poster's for.
Whiskey.
Imagine what this world's comin' to, when a nice young gal can offer $100 for a Killin'.
She must wanna see somebody dead real bad.
From the looks of this, she sure does.
What's the matter with the law around here?
- Can't he take care of things? - Oh, we got a good sheriff,
but you know how some folks are, the law ain't never enough.
No, sometimes it isn't.
That's good for me.
Oh, you interested in this sort of work?
Could be.
Why do you ask?
I got the best reason in the world.
This poster's me.
Sure thought I was worth more than a hundred.
Just goes to show you how little a man knows about himself.
Now, where you goin'?
To see the nice young lady about the hundred dollars.
Now, I wouldn't do that.
You're lucky I was shootin' for nothin'.
If money was on my gun, I'd have drilled a deep, bloody hole right between your eyes.
For a man who was late with his draw, you sure came out on top.
That's the idea.
If you're lookin' to make some money, I could put you to work.
I got some good pay and easy jobs on my ranch.
Thanks, but I'll stick with my own profession.
I've been at it a long time.
You declarin' in front of all of us you're gonna gun me down?
If I'm hired, I'll complete the job.
I always do.
Nothing personal.
Mister, you just gave me the right to kill you.
You have the right to do anything you want if you can do it.
I'm warnin' you, you're gonna start something you won't be able to finish.
Could be.
Only time will tell which one of us speaks the truth.
Good luck, you'll need it.
Pick up your pay and get.
Now what did I do?
Nothin', that's what!
You had first draw, and you left him standing there like a statue in the park.
I had him dead center, I know I did.
- He was so close, a blind man couldn't miss. - Then you're blind
'cause a dead man ain't never walked outta this saloon.
Now, get out.
Get out!
I don't care if you burn them all, I'll only have others printed.
I'm gonna tack a poster on every tree leading into town, and nobody's gonna stop me.
Don't you realize hiring a killer is just as sinful as committing the murder yourself?
I'm not in the mood for any of your sermons,
not unless it's delivered at Buffer's funeral.
You're a big man with words, but talkin's not gonna bring Tim and Pa back.
And killing Buffer won't bring them back either.
All this raving about killing and revenge is as blasphemous as praying to the devil.
If the devil can stop some of this pain in me, then I'll even pray to him.
- Miss Carter? - Yes?
I'm Drake Robey.
I'm here to see you about this.
Won't you come in?
Mr. Robey, this is Dan Young.
That's an unusual button you're wearing, preacher, I've never seen one like it.
It was given to me when I was ordained.
I'm told the cross was carved from a thorn found at the site of the crucifixion.
I'm deeply impressed.
You like me to come back later, when you are not so busy?
No, we can talk now.
Since you're so set against me, I think you'd better go.
I think I'll stay, if you don't mind.
I'd like to see how a professional killer earns his blood money.
My poster invited Mr. Robey here.
As long as he's in my home at my request, I'm asking you to stop your insults,
- or leave. - He doesn't bother me.
Preacher, you've been readin' the Good Book too long.
You should look at life as it really is.
Miss Carter's in trouble.
Land's been invaded, cattle damaged,
her brother and her father gave their lives in defense of that land.
If governments were involved, we'd call it war.
Now why don't you think of me as a professional soldier come to help Miss Carter?
At war when a life is taken, it's not considered murder.
It's called a deed of heroism, an act to preserve the peace.
Are you comparing a soldier's obligation to your way of making a living?
You don't kill an enemy, you deliberately set out to murder a man.
I'm not going to ask you to turn this man out,
I'm telling you to.
You keep your telling for the pulpit.
I know what I want.
I want Mr. Robey to help me do a job that should have been done long ago.
The man owns the Bar Double T ranch next to mine.
- His name is... - Buffer.
Yeah, I've met him.
You seem to know an awful lot about Miss Carter's problems.
Before I take a job, I investigate thoroughly.
You know, money's not enough.
I must carry my client's anger in me.
That's the way it helps me to justify my actions.
Mister, you go ahead with this, and I'll do everything I can to stop you.
May take me a few days to finish this job, you can pay me then.
Now, is there a hotel or a boarding house you can recommend?
Since you're gonna be working for me, I don't see why you don't stay here.
This is a big house, and if anybody's worried about a chaperone,
the ghost of my brother and father will watch out for me.
Now, I'll take you to your room.
Good night, preacher.
Very good night.
You better think of something fast before I wind up dead.
Now you know how Doc Carter felt when he came to me for help,
- and all I could give him was talk. - That's a lot of hogwash.
You're the sheriff, and it's your duty to run a killer out of this town.
You've got a nerve blabbing about duty when you don't even know the meaning of the word.
You've brought nothing to this town but trouble,
and if you couldn't do it, you paid to have it done.
I had nothin' to do with Doc Carter's killin'.
You give me your Bible, and I'll swear on it.
You saw how Tim forced me into a shootin'.
- I had the law on my side. - Tim never would have come at you
if you hadn't tormented and degraded him.
You forced a young man with a good life before him to become a killer.
You made him raise that gun to you.
If you hadn't been so greedy to grab everything you could get your hands on,
Tim would be alive today,
and a fine young woman like Dolores wouldn't hire a professional killer to take your life.
You've made all this possible.
As much as it's against my calling, I hate you.
I hate you because you and your kind turn everything good into everything evil.
He wants you to run this hired gun out of town.
Well, I've got a better idea.
Why don't you run him out?
You're worse than Drake Robey.
At least he'll kill ya fast.
If you can't buy what you want, you torture slow,
SO you can get the full pleasure of your victim suffering.
I guess you've covered everything.
Except how to keep Buffer from getting killed.
Now matter how we feel about you, if we didn't' try to help, we'd be as bad as you.
Well, I'll go see Dolores, I'll run that gun outta town.
There's nothing you can do until he breaks the law,
but I think I've got another idea that may save Buffer's hide.
You can count on me!
Well, first of all, I want you to stay inside your boundaries.
You got my word.
And I give it right back to you for what it's worth.
You're going to put up $5,000 in gold with the sheriff,
and if one nail falls out of a single fence post belonging to Dolores,
it's going to cost you a thousand.
And every time anything goes wrong on her ranch, it's going to cost you another thousand.
Since gold is your religion, that's where we're going to hit you.
You willing?
Five, that's a lot of money!
Not to dead man.
- I'll put up the gold tomorrow. - As soon as it's in my hands,
I'll go see Dolores.
No, she's soured on you.
I'll talk to her, and tell her what we've decided on.
I just hope she'll listen to reason,
get rid of Robey.
Why don't you ride out there now and tell her?
It's too late, I'll see her in the morning.
Suppose Robey shows up tonight?
I'll tuck you into bed, and one of your men can hold your hand.
After you've seen Dolores, let me know what she said.
Right.
Good night, Dan.
Come in.
Well, I'm glad to see you're in a better mood than you were last night.
Say, you just get up?
Glad you're here, Dan, she won't eat her breakfast.
And on a hot day like this, she has me light the fire.
Now she wants her shawl.
I think she's sick and should be in bed.
I'm not sick, really, I'm just a little chilly.
Now, may I have my shawl, Dora?
Thank you.
Sure you're all right?
You're so cold.
You're worse than Dora.
Please, sit down, and stop fussing over me.
After the way you acted last night, I...
I thought I'd lost my girl for sure.
Oh, last night seems so far away.
Dan, I don't wanna bicker, not ever.
I just want peace and quiet.
No more than I do.
And if you'll listen to me, that's the way it'll be.
After I left here, the sheriff and I really pinned Buffer down.
We squeezed him until he hollered like a stuck pig.
I don't wanna ever hear about Buffer.
And you never will
if you promise me to get rid of Drake Robey.
That's what you want.
Tell him.
Why do you look at me like that?
Well, you seem so different.
I expected to come out here today, and have a real go at it with you.
Here you sit like all the life is out of you.
I think I'd better take you to Dorset, and have the doctor look you over.
Isn't that just like a man?
Give him what he wants, and he won't take it because he suspects something's wrong.
Really, I'm not sick.
I've just thought this out very carefully, and I agree with you, Drake must go.
Miss Carter,
- I'd like to talk to you. - No sense talking to Miss Carter.
She's decided not to use your services.
You can pack and go right now.
Is that the way you want it?
I'm sorry.
But I did take your time, and I will pay your for it.
No, thanks.
I don't take money for something I didn't do.
I didn't realize that your ranch was part of a Spanish land grant.
Belonged to the Robles family.
Pa told me they had some kind of tragedy,
that's why they sold out.
You sure your father left a will?
I can't find anything here.
He must have.
Maybe it's in the old box, I don't have a key, you have to break it open.
I'll take it home with me.
When I get everything in order, I'll record it at the county seat.
Dan, why do you put up with me?
For a good old-fashioned reason,
because I love you.
And, now that you're a woman of means, a poor preacher would be an idiot
not to make a play for a rich, beautiful young girl.
Oh, Dan.
You'd better go inside before the night air chills you.
Oh, I will in a little while.
It's so beautiful out tonight.
See you tomorrow.
Good night, darling.
Love you.
Miss Carter.
What are you doing here?
I thought you'd left.
I did, but I came back to talk to you, I had to.
Now, please, listen to me.
Ooh.
Please don't be afraid.
I couldn't harm you.
I'm not afraid of you.
You really mean that?
Of course I do.
What do you want to tell me?
It's not easy for me to speak up. I'm not used to a lot of talk.
I've been alone for so many years wandering from town to town.
The kind of work I do separates me from the rest of the world.
You're the first person that showed me a little kindness.
That's why I have to talk to you.
Nothing could seem as serious as you sound.
But it is.
About six months ago, my eyes started to act up.
I can't stand bright sunlight.
They're getting worse.
If I'm gonna stay in my profession, I'm gonna finish up face-down on some street.
I've tried to get other work, but my reputation stands in my way.
Have you been to a doctor?
That's where most of my money has gone.
Nothing they can do.
It's not that I'm going blind.
At night, my vision's good and I have no pain.
It's just when the sun...
How can I help?
I know you're shorthanded at the ranch.
If you could give me a job, I could ride the range at night.
I could keep an eye on Buffer and his men while your hands are sleeping.
Well, Buffer's promised not to bother me anymore.
That's good. Me being around will help him keep that promise.
Mr. Robey, you've got yourself a job,
only this time, you can keep it as long as you want.
Thanks.
What's the matter?
We forgot about the preacher. He doesn't like me around.
Might make trouble between you two.
Oh, don't you worry about Dan.
Once I explain things, he'll go along.
There's a... little cottage down by the old cemetery.
Caretaker used to live in it.
I'll have it cleaned up and you can stay there,
unless... being so close to a cemetery would upset you.
No, the dead don't bother me.
It's the living who give me trouble.
Blessed Virgin, I beg you to help us.
What we all feared was a plague taking our loved ones
was in reality an evil created by the devil,
and my eldest son, Drago Robles, was the instrument of the damned.
It all began when I sent Drago to Madrid on business.
He wanted to take his bride, Isabella, with him,
but I persisted the journey would be too hazardous for her.
It was only natural a young bride should seek companionship,
but most unnatural she should fall in love with my other son, Roberto.
When Drago returned and found his wife in the arms of his brother,
he committed the unforgivable sin of fratricide.
With the blood of his brother on his hands, Drago's grief was unbearable.
Night and day he prayed before the crypt, begging for forgiveness.
I should never have left him alone.
Maddened by his act of violence, he took his life.
I realize now it was with my son's suicide that the curse started.
Soon, the countryside was plagued by the mysterious deaths
of the youngest daughter of many families.
The good priest warned me to watch over Isabella,
but he did not say why.
When I asked him if he knew what was happening to the people of the village,
he avoided my question.
He only insisted I keep constant vigil over Isabella.
Had he told me what he suspected, I would never have left her side.
I was in the corridor that night when I heard Isabella scream.
What I saw when I entered the room was like a living nightmare.
I ran to help Isabella.
His hands were steel vises as we struggled;
His touch burned my flesh; I was helpless.
Then, I saw his face.
It was Drago who, six months before, had died by his own hand.
Then he mercifully released me and disappeared into the night.
Isabella was dead, her blood drained from her body
to satisfy the lust of this creature from hell,
this creature who once was my son.
I had learned from an old woman in the village that the destruction of a vampire
could only be accomplished by pinning the heart of the accursed one to his coffin.
When I confessed my sin to our priest, he told me my act was futile.
Only a wooden stake driven through the heart could destroy a creature of this kind.
When I returned to my son's coffin, his body was no longer there.
Only my dagger remained.
God forgive me.
No, no.
I love you.
Dolores?
What's the matter?
Are you all right?
What am I doing?
Oh, I must've been walking in my sleep.
You'd better get back inside, it's cold out here.
Thank you. Ooh!
What I've got to say can wait until tomorrow.
It must've been something pretty important to bring you out here this time of night.
- What's wrong? - You.
Dan told me that fellow Drake you hired was leaving this afternoon,
but one of Buffer's men said he saw him hanging around early this evening.
Was he leaving or ain't he?
He's staying.
I hired him as an extra hand.
You'll get nothing but trouble.
Once a man makes a living with a gun, he never changes.
I'll take that responsibility.
I've got a bigger responsibility. I want him outta here.
And this is my place, and I say he's staying.
Then you better keep him behind your fences because if he takes one step into town,
I'll run him out so fast he won't know what hit him.
And you can tell him what I said!
Preacher Dan.
Preacher Dan!
You better come quick.
The sheriff's dead.
What do you think did it?
I don't know.
Could've been his heart.
Well, if it was his heart, where'd that blood come from?
I'll bet it's that sickness that's been going around.
You don't know what it is, so don't start spreading rumors.
It could've been a lot of things he died from.
You want me to ride to Dorset and bring the doctor back?
I want you to keep your mouth shut.
Now, look, any wild talk could panic every family for miles around.
You two go on home, I'll take care of what has to be done.
Just keep it quiet.
Remarkable likeness, isn't it? Too bad you found it.
- Bad for you. - You know better than that.
If I were a bettin' man, I'd stake all I had
that you were gonna take that diary and this portrait to Miss Dolores.
You'd win that bet, because that's just what I'm going to do.
I can't let you do that. It would spoil everything for me.
After you left, Dolores and I had a long, interesting talk.
- She asked me to stay on and help her. - I don't believe you.
- Dolores promised me that she... - I know she did,
but it's amazing how little influence you have when you're not around.
Tonight in the garden, we confirmed our agreement with a Kiss.
Unfortunately, the sheriff chose the wrong moment to make an appearance.
He told her to get rid of me.
His attitude was extremely unfriendly.
So that's why you killed him.
And now you create another problem, a most serious problem for you.
If that's a threat, it has no sting.
I'm not afraid of dying.
Most religious fanatics aren't,
but how they struggle when that last moment arrives.
A while ago I saw a man on the street.
He looked just like you.
He reminded me of a jackrabbit with a coyote on his tail.
If that wasn't fright, I wish you'd explain what it was.
That was instinct, fear of the unknown.
I'll admit I've got all of man's weaknesses,
but now that I know what I'm up against, I'm no longer afraid.
Having faith strengthens the weaknesses of man.
Those words sound familiar.
A long time ago, the priest of this village said the same thing to me.
It's like bridging the past, as if I'd never left my own tomb.
It's good for a man to come home and hear words he's heard before.
Yes, it is good for a man to come home, but you can hardly call yourself a man.
What I am is not my own choice!
You should pity me, not judge me in my torment!
You think I wanted this?
All I ever wanted of life was to live in love.
I never had it, but I'm gonna have it now.
How can you speak of love when all you do is kill?
I kill to exist! Death is my life! It's a force I can't control!
Why don't you call that force by its right name?
Your force is the devil.
He's so much a part of this world, he must be in me too.
Now remember, without the devil, you have no profession.
You should be grateful.
I'm only grateful to God for His mercy.
- What mercy did He show me? - You deserve none.
You committed a mortal sin when you took your life.
Now don't look to Him. You denied Him,
but you can't deny His power and you do fear Him.
I saw that tonight.
A man who does not fear his enemy is a fool,
and a man who does not respect worthy competition is an idiot!
I like you.
I like your challenge.
But you haven't got a chance.
You're an honest man.
You don't know how to lie or deceive.
These weapons are my defense.
You can't win.
Shall we drink to that?
I won't drink with you, but I will pray for you.
Oh!
- Mr. Dan. - Be careful.
Are you all right, Mr. Dan?
No.
This is as fantastic as what you've been telling me.
- You expect me to believe it? - Of course I do.
If I had that portrait, I'd make you eat that look.
Do you really think I'd invent something as horrible as all this just to get rid of a ranch hand?
I don't know what to think.
I only know that I can't accept such a thing as a... a vampire.
It's crazy!
If it is, then I'm the one who's insane.
I didn't say that.
Look, you've been under a terrible strain.
You've been running yourself into the ground with overwork.
No, it's not the work that bothers me.
What galls me is you're not believing a word I've been telling you.
You've known Drake Robey for three days, yet you defend him against me.
I should walk out right now, but I'm not doing this for you alone.
Robey has got to be stopped!
All right, we'll go down to the cottage and talk to him.
- He won't be there! - Of course he will.
I told you about his eyes.
If he isn't in the cottage, will you go to the mausoleum?
Yes, I'll do anything to show you how wrong you are.
Look at this!
"Drago Robles."
See the similarity?
Drake Robey. Drago Robles.
You're not gonna open that.
How else can I prove to you what I've been saying?
Look.
Is that your proof?
A silver dagger in an empty coffin.
When I returned to my son's coffin, his body was no longer there.
Only my dagger remained.
God forgive me.
Don't torment yourself. Drake Robey is not here.
But the dagger, the empty coffin, it's just like the diary said.
I tell you, Drake Robey's got to be here somewhere.
You're insane! Why, there's no other reason for you to act this way.
I don't care what you think about me. I have to open them.
Don't you see how safe it'd be for Drake?
No one would ever dare look in your father's or Tim's coffins.
You let the dead be.
- No! - If I can't do it now with your consent,
I'll go into Banning and get a court order, but I'm going to open those coffins.
I'll see you dead first!
Now get out!
One of the hands said you wanted to see me.
Aren't you feeling well?
I don't know what's wrong, I'm tired.
I'm so tired I can't think straight.
This afternoon I went down to the mausoleum.
The next thing I knew, I was... I was back home in my own bed.
I don't remember walking back, I...
Well, that isn't why I called you.
- I went down to the cottage today. - I'm sorry I wasn't there.
I was so sure you'd be. It would've solved everything.
Dan, it would've stopped Dan from...
From what?
I... I don't want to talk about it.
Please, Drake, tell me.
Where were you today?
First let me show you something really important.
What is it?
It's an old map of this ranch showing the original boundary lines.
You're in luck.
That stream Buffer's been dammin' up is right on your property.
- Where'd you get this? - I found it in the cottage last night.
I couldn't sleep, so I picked up a book. The map was between the pages.
I heard a different story. Dan told me that you stole this from him.
If I stole a map, why should I show it to you?
I could benefit a great deal more by selling it to Buffer.
It's worth a lot of money to a man as land-hungry as he is.
And if you found it, how would Dan know about it?
I don't know! Maybe one of the hands showed it to the preacher.
I was down there earlier this morning at the bunkhouse, I showed it to them.
I had to get some help to find out the lay of the land.
First decent thing I do in a long time, and I get slapped down.
I'll tell you where I was when you and the preacher went to the cottage.
I was out checking the boundary lines against the map.
I didn't want to tell you until I was sure, I just wanted to surprise you.
In return for my good deed, all I've got to show
is a hurt in my eyes and the reputation of being a thief.
- Good night, Miss Carter. - Drake, please!
Don't go.
I...
I need your help.
And I need your money.
We're gonna have to buy some wire and fence posts to mark off the new boundaries.
I'll get the money right away.
But Buffer.
He'll not let us move in on him without a fight.
Oh, you leave him to me.
I'm gonna ride into town tonight and show him this map.
If he accepts it, all our troubles are over.
And if he doesn't?
Then his just begin.
I'd like to think that worried look's for me.
It is.
I'll take three big ones.
I don't like strangers lookin' at my cards.
Seein' I'm no stranger, I think a little politeness is due me.
Beat it.
Game's over. You boys can leave.
I want no trouble with you.
What makes you think you're gonna have any?
You got no cause to be climbing all over me.
I ain't been near the Carter ranch.
I know. You're smart.
I hope you stay smart because that's the way to stay alive.
Now, if you'll give me a little of your time,
I'd like to show you something that's interesting.
Well, evening, Preacher.
I hear you and Miss Dolores was looking for me today.
I'm sorry I didn't find you in.
Maybe I'll have better luck next time.
I hope so, and I'm sure glad to see you tonight.
I got a feeling that Mr. Buffer here is gonna kick up a row about this map.
You might be able to help me.
Take a good look at it.
Well, it's a map. What's it got to do with me?
Plenty, since it proves that you've been sitting on 500 acres of Miss Dolores's land,
land you're gonna return.
I ain't givin' nobody one blade of my grass.
Miss Dolores doesn't want what's yours.
She's only gonna take back what's rightfully hers.
You think you can lay any old map on me and I'll just bow my head and say amen?
How do I know it ain't been rigged? It's been done before.
You're squirming like a confidence man with his pants down.
If you thought this map was a fraud, you'd sit back and laugh at me.
You're sweatin' because you've got a bad feeling.
Right, Preacher?
The only feeling I got is you're talking out of the barrel of your gun.
With the sheriff dead, you're trying to pressure me into something that ain't legal.
Well, you can't. I'll take it to the courts.
That land is mine!
Never fails.
The bigger the crook, the louder he hollers for the law to protect him.
Now you listen to me, I'll save you some money.
Those lawyers'll cost you and give you nothing.
Ask the preacher about the map. After all, he's the one who found it.
Is the gun with the mouth just shootin' off steam?
I did find the map with Doc Carter's papers.
I'll have to square to that,
but how much it cuts into your land, I don't really know.
I didn't have time enough to look it over.
Well, I never thought I'd live to see the day when a preacher and a hired gun would get married.
And you snakin' around and making me put up a bond to keep the peace,
and all the time, the three of you were making plans to shove me off my own land!
That's a load of nonsense.
I give you my word.
I'm against everything Drake Robey stands for.
You promised to get him outta here. Your word don't mean nothin".
Now, that's no way to talk to your preacher. You show him some respect.
And I'll give you exactly one minute to apologize to me for your insults
in front of all these nice folks.
That'll be the longest minute you ever lived.
Will you get out of here before you're carried out?
You start anything with Drake and he'll finish you off.
Can't you see he's baiting you?
This is just what he wants. He wants you to draw first.
Well, listen to the preacher. He's speaking the truth.
See, nobody wants to hear the truth.
And nobody wants to hear you shoot off your mouth.
I must've been outta my mind backing away from you and running to the sheriff.
What makes you a gun? Because you say so?
You was just lucky the other night when my man missed you.
If that was me, you'd be pushin' dirt.
Don't reach for your gun! Will you get out of here?
You call the time.
Drake.
And you put your irons away, boys. I got no cause to kill you.
I shot him first.
I hit him.
I know I hit him.
I wouldn't blame you if you said you didn't believe me.
It was hard for me to believe.
Everybody heard the preacher say he was against me and everything I stood for.
All I was trying to do was reason with Buffer about your 500 acres.
I had the feeling that that preacher would've been glad if I'd have been killed.
I was sick about Buffer.
I didn't want to shoot him.
When he insulted me in front of all those people, I just stood there and I let him.
I did something I'd never done before, I... I even turned my back on him.
It was suicide, but I was thinking about you.
I knew you didn't want any more trouble, but I couldn't help what happened.
He fired the first shot and I had to defend myself.
I was lucky.
It's right over your heart.
Well, it could've been right through my heart if it hadn't been for this.
It's a miracle you're alive.
What am I gonna do about Dan?
It seems that all your trouble started with me.
- Maybe if I left. - No.
That won't stop him from opening Pa and Tim's coffins.
Why would he want to do that?
I don't dare tell you. If I did, you'd kill him.
Drake, we've gotta do something.
Dan says he's going into Banning to get a court order.
He's gonna force me to have those coffins opened.
He must be out of his mind!
You leave Dan to me.
I'll stop him.
- You won't use your gun. - Why not?
I won't have it.
I won't have you take a gun to Dan no matter what he does.
I won't use it that way, I'll just use it to scare him off.
When's he, uh, leaving for Banning?
The stage coach won't be here for two days.
- Then I'll see him tomorrow night. - I'd better go with you.
Why?
Don't you trust me?
Oh, you know I do, it's just that...
Well, Dan's been acting strange lately.
He may force a fight.
Then you'd better come along.
With you there to back me up, he might listen to reason.
I hope so.
And then he took Dolores in his arms.
They both said terrible things.
I could never tell you. I'd be too ashamed.
Well, when I heard him say he was gonna use his gun against you, I had to warn you.
I... I just don't understand what's come over Dolores.
What are you gonna do, Dan?
I don't know.
Where are you going?
What's the matter with you?
When you can turn against Preacher Dan, there's no room here for me.
How can you pick flowers when you know what that terrible Drake Robey will do to him?
So, you've been listening behind doors again, hm?
Yes, I have.
Well, then, you should've stayed and heard everything we said.
You know I wouldn't let anything happen to Dan.
That's why I'm going with Drake tonight when he goes in to talk to Dan.
Well, that's one conversation you'll never hear.
Your Drake took the road into town 20 minutes ago.
I'm not lying!
He rode past here like the devil was sharing his saddle.
But he's not gonna have it so easy.
I went to Dan last night and I told him everything just so he could at least be prepared.
Wait.
Look, you stay here until I get back from town.
I don't believe that... that Drake would go to Dan without me,
but if he did, I'm going to find out soon enough.
Hyah, come on.
Drake?
You were looking for me?
Preacher.
I understand you're going into Banning to get a court order.
That's right.
Don't think you oughta do that.
I'd like for you to change your mind.
I know you would.
That's just why I'm going ahead with my plans.
I don't know what you hope to gain by opening those coffins,
especially when Miss Dolores doesn't want you to.
That's why she sent me here today, hoping to stop you with words.
Now, if you'll promise me you'll forget about opening those coffins,
I'll be on my way and let you be.
You know I'll never do that.
If I have to open every box in that mausoleum, I'll do it.
Nothing's going to stop me, least of all you.
Preacher, you give me no choice.
I don't intend to.
You mean you want to shoot it out with me?
If I have to.
You know you haven't got a chance.
My boss will decide that.
Good enough.
Since I have the edge with a gun, I'll give you the advantage,
let you call the turn.
Now!
Dan!