Copper Canyon Page #7

You'll like it,

it's real peaceful.

It's easy enough.

I can ride to the fort,

secure a federal warrant

and have you out of here

before dark,

if you'll just admit

you're Colonel Desmond.

I don't see the percentage

in that, Lieutenant.

Well, it's better

than being killed.

In here?

You wouldn't be

the first prisoner

that's been shot

trying to escape.

Can't you just say

you're Tom's brother,

even if you're not?

No, afraid I can't.

Besides, I'd kind of like

to see that $1,600

get back to its original owners.

It's odd a man

would worry about that

and not worry

about the $20,000

that was taken

from a federal safe.

Well, it might be that

the man who took the 20,000

was just getting back

what was taken from him

when he was captured.

That could be.

As far as our money goes,

Mr. Carter, you can't touch it.

Travis has impounded it...

says it might be a year

before it's released,

and even tomorrow

would be too late.

Everybody's packing,

getting ready

to leave this afternoon,

even Grandfather.

Does Balfour know

you're leaving?

I don't know.

Will you do something for me?

Have him come down here

and see me.

I can try.

I believe I can

persuade him, Mr. Carter.

Will you do it right away?

Yes, sir.

I'd like to escort

you home, ma'am,

but you understand,

I'd best ride up

to the smelter.

If you could help in any way,

I... I'd be eternally grateful.

That's what

I'm counting on, ma'am.

I'm not quitting, now or later.

The stake's too big

and I'm in too deep.

And so are you, Lisa.

Whether you like it or not,

we're in this thing together.

And I've got an idea

you're going to like it,

once Carter's taken care of.

You're not doing

anything more to him.

No?

Remember what I told you once

about never having to dodge

bullets from a dead man?

Well, that still goes.

We'll see.

It's no use

going to Henderson.

As of last night,

I'm in charge here,

and if I have to prove it,

I will.

Who's that?

It's me.

What do you want?

The Desmond girl

and her lieutenant's

been talkin' to Carter.

Yeah?

Now the lieutenant's

on the way to Balfour.

Have Bart round up the boys,

then you and I'll ride up

to the smelter...

just in case.

Don't get in my way, Lisa.

It says it plain

in the Book, Mr. Carter.

It says, "I will take all

the families of the North

"and bring them

against this land

and the inhabitants thereof."

It said that about two nations,

Mr. Balfour.

Now, these people

are no different

than the people of the North.

They worship the same God,

read the same Bible.

They killed my son.

But they lost sons, too,

and husbands and brothers.

Oh, I know you feel unhappy

about the Bassetts being killed,

but I'm sure that in some way

you must feel responsible.

How could not buying their ore

make me responsible?

But if you'd buy,

there'd be no more trouble.

I swore I'd never

deal with them.

Suppose I quote a little, too...

from a man on your side...

Mr. Lincoln:

"Let us strive to bind up

the nation's wounds,

"to do all

which may achieve

"a just and lasting peace

among ourselves,

with malice towards none,

with charity for all."

What are you doing here?

Visiting.

Get out...

both of you!

Who's going to protect you

from the Rebs if we get out?

I won't need any protection.

From now on, I'm going

to buy from them

just the same as anybody else!

Don't think so, Balfour,

on account we've

closed the smelter.

On what grounds?

We'll think of some.

I'm beginning to see

how blind I've been.

I'll appeal to

the governor, Mr. Travis,

and in the meantime, I'll offer

the Southerners financial aid!

Johnny.

Johnny!

What are you doing here?

Open the door.

You've got to leave.

But I hadn't thought

of leaving.

You've got to!

You've got to get out of town!

Get out of town?

Let's not go into that again.

It's gettin' monotonous.

Listen to me.

This is your last chance!

Your interest in me, ma'am,

is positively touching.

How stubborn can you be?

Tonight they are planning

to kill you!

You know, you sound

mighty convincing, ma'am,

but I guess I'll stay here.

They have too many people being

killed escapin' from jails.

Mr. Carter, Mr. Carter!

What's the matter?

Trouble!

Balfour's dead... shot

in the back by Travis.

And now they're buying up our

claims at ten dollars apiece.

Where are they doin' that?

At the Rainbow... Travis and some

fellow from Denver.

Meet me around in front.

Yes, sir.

I guess I'll have to reconsider

that escape, ma'am.

Johnny!

There's a horse outside,

with money and provisions

in the saddle bag.

Head for California.

I'm sorry I can't

oblige, ma'am,

but I've got some business

with some friends of yours.

Scamper!

Yes, sir.

The night the Bassetts

were killed,

you offered me your gun.

I'll take it now.

That's what I've been

waitin' to hear!

Oh, no, Johnny, don't!

What can I say?

What can I do to make

you believe me?

Look at me!

Can't you trust me?

Frankly, no.

Sign here.

Next.

Right on this line.

Next.

Just a second!

Sorry to spoil your fun,

my friend.

What do you mean?

Stay where you are,

Sheriff.

I mean the sale

has been called off.

Well, you're

a little late, Carter.

Yes, I already have more

than two-thirds of the claims.

Not anymore!

I don't know who you are,

but I'm quite sure you'll regret

this... this illegality!

There's nothing illegal

about changing your mind.

Well, that's debatable,

and I doubt

if these people

have changed their minds.

They know it will be months,

perhaps years,

before they can sell their ore.

Oh, why?

The smelter's been closed,

pending investigation

of Mr. Balfour's death.

Well, look who broke out

of the jailhouse.

Carryin' a gun, too.

Hear you've been using

yours today, Travis.

Must be a specialty

of yours...

shootin' people in the back.

So I'm going to give you

a chance at mine.

Joe, give me a beer.

Coming up.

What are you going to do now,

Carter?

No more tricks, huh?

That's good, because I'm going

to call your play.

Kick that gun over here.

Come on, kick it over!

Now get against the wall.

You see Travis?

He just passed me

at a gallop.

He's probably

gone to the smelter.

Yeah, that's where his gang is.

Well, looks like a job

for Roberts' Raiders.

There's a pack of men

out there.

Be like attacking a fort.

Mr. Carter?

If my men go,

will you take command?

Gladly, sir.

How many men will ride?

Somewhere around 40, I think.

That's enough for two troops.

- Newton!

- Yes, sir.

You take command of

the first troop, and...

Sir, I request permission

to lead the second.

In that uniform, Lieutenant?

I just gave myself

24 hours' leave, sir.

Permission granted.

Gentlemen, I suggest

we all meet

at Mr. Roberts' house.

You'll be wantin' a bugler!

That we will.

Lisa, would you allow me

to apologize?

Of course, Johnny.

I'd like to express

my gratitude.

When I come back,

if I can find the words,

there are a lot of things

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