Duel in the Sun Page #4

He's coming.

But he wasn't with you?

We just happened to meet up.

I see.

But why is your hair wet?

I was down to the sump.

You went in swimming?

Yes, ma'am.

With Lewton?

No, ma'am.

I didn't, ma'am.

Honest, I didn't.

I didn't, ma'am.

All right, Pearl. L...

Evening, ma.

Good evening, Lewton.

Sorry to be late.

We were down to the sump.

I think I'll take a ride

over to El Paso tomorrow...

and get me a little fun

and relaxation.

Anything I can bring you, ma?

No, thank you.

Pearl, I think

I'll try to get you one...

of them newfangled

bathing suits.

She swims real well, ma.

Where'd you learn?

Oh, my dear!

You... you varmint!

What you getting

your bristles up about?

Giddy!

Miss Pearl, wake up.

What is it?

What's the matter?

Well...

What time is it?

It must have been about 9:00...

when Mrs. McCanles

says to me, "Vashti...

"when Mr. Jubal Crabby

gets here..."

What is it? Who's Mr. Crabby?

Why did you wake me up?

I almost forgot.

Mrs. McCanles wants to see you

up in the sitting room.

Maybe you better hurry.

She's been a-waiting.

I didn't know where you was...

so I said,

"I'll go see Mr. Lewton."

And he said...

Why are you so slow?

I don't rightly know...

exceptin' I always have

so much to remember.

This is the child, Jubal.

Of course, she isn't dressed

quite properly, but...

Close the door, Pearl.

This is Mr. Crabby.

We have no minister

in these parts, but...

A man doesn't have to wear

the cloth to be a sinkiller.

I know that.

That's why I was so anxious...

to have you talk to the child.

Come here, girl.

You call her a child?

Under that heathen blanket...

there's

a full-blossomed woman...

built by the devil

to drive men crazy!

You mustn't frighten her.

I'm sure she only needs

a little guidance.

Guidance she needs,

and guidance she'll get...

or I ain't been the sinkiller...

from here to El Paso

for thirty years.

Sit down, girl.

You could be a woman of sin

or a woman of God.

Which is it to be?

I want to be a good girl.

Then remember that the devil's

always able to hog-tie you.

Sometimes he comes

ghosting over the plains...

in the shape

of a sneaking rustler...

and sometimes... begging

your pardon, Laura Belle...

he stakes out the home...

to the worthy

and the God-fearing.

You're curved

in the flesh of temptation.

Resisting is gonna be

a darn sight harder for you...

than for females protected

by the shape of sows.

Yes, sirree, bob, you've got to

sweeten yourself with prayer.

Pray till you sweat...

and you'll save yourself

eternal hellfire.

- Do you understand me, girl?

- Yes, sir.

Then on your knees.

Now I'm gonna start you

toward salvation.

O Lord, look upon this,

thy creature.

She's a weak vessel

and a pauper, as thou knowest.

But she wants to be

thy handmaiden.

Give her the horse sense

not to go wandering off...

in the tulies

with worthless cowpokes.

Amen.

Rise, girl.

Here. I want you to take this.

It's a hallowed medal,

and a good one.

I took it off

a thieving card sharper...

but first I shrived him...

and sent him

to the pearly gates...

as nice and pretty as any from

his own faith could have done.

You wear it, girl.

Thank you, sir.

Part Indian, ain't you?

Those ancestors of yours

will be spinning like tops...

when they know you got this on.

Just the same, it'll keep you...

sweet and clean

as the first milking.

Won't get you into heaven...

but it will comfort you

on the way there.

That is, if you use it right.

Laura Belle, don't you think...

we ought to be saying

a few words of prayer...

for them worthless cowpokes?

I got a feeling

they'll be needing...

consolation.

On your knees again, girl.

O Lord, have mercy on all men,

young and old alike...

who gaze upon this,

thy regained servant.

Amen.

Senator! Where's the Senator?

What's up?

- Senator McCanles!

- What's the stampede?

There's a great big railway gang

down close to the east fence.

How close?

They say they're coming across

Spanish Bit line this afternoon.

- What will we do?

- Get ahold of Lewt and Jesse.

Lewt's not back from El Paso.

Holleration.

I guess Jesse and me...

can handle it all right.

- Sid.

- Yes, Senator?

Listen carefully now.

Sound every bell

from here to Blue Hills ranch.

I want every wrangler,

every cowhand...

every man and boy

on Spanish Bit...

down there at the east fence,

and I want them there fast.

- Yes, sir.

- And Sid.

- Yes, sir?

- I want them there armed.

You betcha.

I don't like this, Mr. Langford.

It's your railroad,

and it's your headache...

but I still don't like it.

What do you mean,

you don't like it?

You told me we were legally

in the clear, didn't you?

Yeah, and I know you asked

the army for help, too.

And I hope they don't come.

And I hope we don't need them.

What do you mean?

I mean Jackson McCanles

don't scare so easy.

We roamed the plains together.

We fought at Vicksburg together.

And if he gives up

in this fight...

he ain't the man

I've known for fifty years.

I wish you wouldn't

try to ride, father.

You think I'm going

to sit in this house...

like some old woman?

Lift me on that horse.

If they want war,

they can have it.

- Ken.

- Yes, sir?

Strap me on here.

Come on.

I aim to defend

Spanish Bit with lead.

If there's any yellow-bellies

among you, get out now.

Are you with me?

All right, then.

Spread out in a line...

from the west marker

to Pinto Point.

Come on!

Kind of thought he wouldn't

take this lying down.

Looks like they mean business.

Smoot!

Lem Smoot, I thought you had

more sense than this.

Yeah? Since when did you

ever know me to dodge a fight?

You know I'm lawyer

for the railroad...

Never mind that stuff.

Who's the dude?

Langford is the high

mucky-muck on the railway.

Heard a lot about you, Senator.

Glad to make your acquaintance.

Can't say the same,

thank you kindly.

You better tell those

hired thieves of yours...

to pick up their tools...

and fast, if you know

what's good for you.

We have the law on our side.

If you had come into court

when I asked you to...

this land might not have been...

Never mind

that fancy legal talk.

There's my law right there.

Have you a copy

of the writ with you, Smoot?

What's the sense of...

All right. Are you our lawyer,

or aren't you?

- Now read it to him.

- Save your breath.

"From the people of

the sovereign state of Texas...

"to Jackson Tilt McCanles,

greetings."

"Greetings." Ain't that nice?

Jackson.

You and I fought to build

this state of Texas...

and I aim to see these men

perform their duties...

peacefully and as authorized.

Is that so?

I'm gonna shoot any trespasser

that comes on my property.

If you don't like that,

you can lump it...

you and the state of Texas.

Just a minute.

May I speak to you privately?

Say what you got to say

right here and now.

I'm sorry, father...

but I'm afraid

you're in the wrong.

I ain't aiming

to let you settle that.

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