Copper Canyon Page #4

to take me downstairs.

What's that?

Let's see.

Six less pipes

in the world.

And now, to assist me in my

final and most prodigious feat,

I need the services

of a volunteer.

Volunteer.

Professor?

Volunteer.

Professor,

would you oblige?

Yeah.

Volun... Who, me?

I guarantee you won't get hurt.

I hope his eyes are

in good shape.

I... I won't get killed, will I?

Not this time.

Just stand there.

Take this ball

in your right hand

and hold it up.

Who're you waving at?

I... I'm nervous.

Just hold it there.

Now, with this small

caliber pistol...

and with the aid of this mirror,

I shall endeavor

to smash the globe.

Professor?

Yeah?

I shall count three,

and on the word "three,"

I shall fire.

You... you'll count to three?

Yes.

Are you ready?

Oh... uh, yes.

One, two...

Quite a shot.

Kinda evens the score,

doesn't it, Carter?

It does indeed.

My compliments.

And my compliments

to you, ma'am.

Thank you.

Thank you, Professor.

By the way, would you like

to become a permanent

member of the troupe?

I, uh...

I see your point.

Ladies and gentlemen,

it seems that my performance

this evening

has been concluded for me.

Miss Roselle, may I have

the honor of joining you?

If you like.

Thank you.

Suppose one of

those toy guns of yours

could sting a man a little.

Oh, kill him in the right place.

Think so?

I do.

Ma'am, you look as if

you'd just stepped

from a Mardi Gras cotillion.

You've been in New Orleans?

My favorite city.

I was there once.

Never liked it myself.

Well, perhaps you didn't go

to the right places.

Do you remember those

wonderful restaurants,

charming people, the Comus Ball?

How does a vaudeville performer

happen to attend a Comus Ball?

Oh, vaudeville performers enjoy

such things, ma'am.

They enjoy good food,

pleasant surroundings,

dancing and... beautiful ladies.

If that's the case,

what are you doing here?

Talking to a beautiful lady.

Well, that I grant.

But if you can perform

in such fancy places,

why Coppertown?

As I told Miss Roselle,

I was persuaded to come.

A while ago,

I was talking to Bixby.

He was wondering how you

happened to be so handy

when his Italian singer

walked out.

Says it wasn't five minutes

later that you showed up.

Travis?

Yeah?

They're comin',

just down the street.

Maybe we can talk

some more later.

Your friend

doesn't seem to like me.

No, he doesn't.

That's odd.

But then, you're odd, too.

You wondered how I happened

to attend a Comus Ball.

I might ask you the same thing.

I never have.

Travis...

Keep away from me.

Is there going to be

any trouble?

You heard what I said...

keep away from me.

We'd better stay out of this.

Come on.

Now's the time to make

your play, Colonel,

with that fancy

shootin' of yours...

while they ain't expectin' it.

My gun's right by your hand.

No, I don't hold

with violence, Sergeant.

I reckon I got the wrong man.

Where's Travis?

Right over here, Bassett.

I come to give you warnin',

Travis.

Do you hear me?

I've come to give you warnin'.

Go ahead.

If you ain't

out of town by sunup,

I aim to hunt you down

and shoot you with this...

Professor, play some music,

and play it loud and fast.

Calm down.

Lisa.

You saw what happened...

strictly self-defense.

I saw three men

shot in the back.

She's right.

Like as not

the governor'll

send someone down here

to investigate.

Then where'll you and Lisa be

with your copper mines?

I wish I could change your mind.

But what have I to stay for now?

They're all gone,

all of them except

the youngest here.

I'm takin' him back home,

where he'll have a chance

to learn how people

can live together

without killin' each other.

But Mrs. Bassett,

I've got a plan

for getting the ore

through to Mesa City.

Now, if you and the others

will only wait a few days.

We've waited too long

already, Mr. Roberts.

Good-bye.

Good-bye,

Mrs. Bassett.

Good-bye, Rufe.

Good-bye.

Sergeant, take charge.

All right, son.

I'm, uh...

I'm deeply obliged

to you, Lieutenant,

for giving them escort.

Well, I'm glad to be

of some assistance, sir.

Good day, ma'am.

Good day, Lieutenant,

and thank you.

Unless my plan works,

the others are going

to be leaving, too.

Scamper, I want you

to get to town.

Take a message to Mr. Carter.

I'll get it there

just as fast as I can, sir.

You see, it's less than 30 miles

to Mesa City.

Not much of a haul, provided

nobody tries to stop the ore.

I was going to have the men

start at daybreak.

By nightfall they'd be there.

Then as soon as it was dark,

they were to double back

and cut off

onto the Old Red Creek Trail.

Yes, but look, Red Creek Trail

runs mostly in a canyon.

There's a dozen places

for an ambush.

A scout could bring the men

over from the main road

in plenty of time

to catch the wagons.

What would you do?

I'd go the regular way.

Look at the terrain...

there's only one place

for an attack, right here.

But an attack is what

we're trying to avoid.

Sure, but if one comes,

you'll be fighting it

on ground of your

own choosing.

Still, leaving at daybreak

would get them there after dark

and that's no time

to be ambushed.

Well, let everyone think

you're leaving at daybreak,

then leave at midnight.

Might even get through

without a fight.

If we follow your plan,

Mr. Carter,

will you consent to come along?

Well, I... I'll

be wishing you success.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I've got to get

back to the Rainbow.

You're leaving us now?

Yes, I have some work to do.

He's got some work to do.

Good-bye and good luck.

It was a mistake

asking him here.

His plan doesn't sound so bad,

but after all...

By golly, I got it.

What?

Know how Colonel Desmond won

- the Battle of Maple Ridge?

- No.

Let it be known

he'd attack at daybreak

and then hit 'em at midnight.

The same thing.

Just about time.

Well, hello, Travis.

Hello.

It couldn't be the 31st

of February, could it?

Do you think it ever will be?

What do you think?

I'll tell you what I think:

She's no good for you.

You two don't belong together.

You're different...

like whiskey and champagne.

I'll be seeing you.

Cora... any day of the month

is all right with me.

Still set for midnight?

Yeah.

They're still figurin'

on him goin' along.

All right, get going.

Do you want your dress

now, Miss Lisa?

Yes, please.

Lisa?

I thought I told you

not to come up here.

Just wanted to talk to you

about your elegant friend.

Seems he's got

the Rebs convinced

he's Colonel Desmond.

What do you mean?

He's taking charge

of their ore train.

Changed their plans

so they're leaving at midnight,

and told them

he'd ride with them.

Where'd you find that out?

Oh, I got friends around.

Thought you'd be interested

in how he pulled

the wool over your eyes.

But don't worry...

I'm meeting them with a dozen

men instead of three.

This is supposed to be

a business, not a war.

Mr. Henderson's orders were

only to watch and to report.

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