Fury at Furnace Creek Page #6

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they'll blow your head off.

Confession?

I don't know what you're talking about.

You know exactly what I'm talking about.

The statement Walsh wrote before he was shot.

I thought you'd get around to that

sooner or later.

Well, if you want it, you'll have to take it.

The rest of you cover the back of the hotel.

You boys come with me.

- What's all the excitement?

- We thought you might need some help.

I'll let you know when I do.

- You know who he is, don't you?

- Sure. His name's Blackwell. General Blackwell's son.

You're right. I am.

But I'm not the only son-

What did you do that for?

He might have said something we ought to know.

He can talk all he wants in court

when the army gets here.

You're new around here, Cameron.

A man shoots somebody in the back,

he don't get a trial. He just gets hung.

- Come on, boys.

- Take it easy.

Leverett hired me

to look out for his interests.

I don't think a necktie party would give

the syndicate or the town a very good name.

But if you want one, go ahead. It's your

responsibility, not mine. Yours and the rest of you.

- Maybe we ought to let it ride.

- Yeah, he ain't goin' nowhere.

Give me a hand.

I want this to be a popular verdict...

one that the army

or nobody else can question.

Bring in the judge.

Come in, Your Honor.

Something, uh, you want me to do,

Mr. Leverett?

Yes, come in here.

Shut the door.

A fine figure of judicial authority.

Now listen to me,

and get this straight.

- Do you still remember how to run a court?

- Why, yes. I guess so. Why?

Be at Miners' Hall tomorrow morning

at 10:
00, shaved and sober.

You're going to preside

at a murder trial.

- Me?

- Yes, you.

I'll see you before the trial,

tell you just what to say and when.

- Now get him out of here and clean him up.

- Come on, Your Honor.

- All right. You two know your story.

- Yes, sir.

Well, spread it around

and stir up the town.

And remember,

I want this to be a popular verdict.

Now get out of here.

- Molly, I've gotta talk to you.

- I don't think we have anything to discuss.

Molly, it's important, please.

Here. Let me carry this.

- You've gotta do something for me.

- Yes?

When you testify today,

I'd rather you didn't mention...

that Captain Walsh was writing something

when he was shot.

- Why shouldn't I? - I can't tell you

the reason yet. I'm only asking you-

What was he writing

that was so important?

I can't tell you that.

It wouldn't be safe for you to know.

- I'll have to be the judge of that.

- Look, Molly.

There's only one chance

to save Blackwell's life.

- Why are you so anxious to save him?

- Because he didn't kill Walsh.

I'm afraid that's not

the right answer, Cash.

- So you know?

- Yes, Mr. Blackwell.

The same papers that told about the court-martial

had quite a bit to say about your family.

I was looking them over again last night

and I put quite a few things together.

Molly, my father had no more to do

with the massacre than you did.

He was framed, pure and simple.

You've got to believe me and trust me.

My pa used to say that when a man

asked you to trust him...

it's time to get out

of his firing range.

And if you're counting

on me to help you...

all I can say is you better clear out of Furnace

Creek fast, before there's a double hanging.

Whoa! Hiya, Tex!

Hiya, Peaceful.

Can I give you a lift?

It's slower than walking.

Giddap, come on.

- You got troubles?

- Yeah.

- Big troubles?

- Big as they come.

There's a lot goes on around here

I ain't in on.

That's all right with me.

I got a feelin'...

the less I know about what's goin' on in this town,

the better I like livin' here.

Pretty good philosophy.

Comes a time in every man's life, though,

when he's either gotta be an ostrich or a man.

I'm thinkin' this is it.

I ain't the smartest man in town,

but they don't come no bigger.

I'd take it unfriendly if you didn't cut me in

on anything I could do for you.

Thanks, Peaceful.

I'll remember that.

I want to talk to you

and explain about last night.

Don't bother.

What happened last night speaks for itself.

Have you got the rope all ready

and the tree picked out?

I had to do what I did, Rufe.

They would've hung you on the spot if I hadn't.

- Yeah, sure. You did it for my own good.

- And now I'll tell you why.

Look, do we have to go on playing games?

I know all I want to know.

Now get out of here

and leave me alone.

I was doing all right my way

until you came along.

I had Walsh softened up,

beginning to break.

- And I gummed up the works. Is that it?

- That's about the size of it.

You're no good, Cash.

You've never been any good.

You can talk from now to doomsday,

and I'll believe only one thing:

I'm here, and you put me here.

Look.

Up to now, they don't know

that we're related.

You can go ahead and tell them if you like,

but if you don't...

- there may still be a chance to get you out of here.

- Don't worry.

I'm just as anxious as you are not to have

anybody know we have the same name.

Now get out of here.

- Morning, Mr. Leverett.

- Mr. Leverett.

Ralph.

This here court

will now come to order.

We are here to try

the defendant, uh- uh...

"Rufe Blackwell"...

with the murder of our esteemed townsman,

Captain Walsh.

Let's get going.

First witness.

Jose Artego.

You swear to tell the truth, the whole truth

and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Yes, sir.

Suppose you tell us

Just what you seen last night.

Well, I was walkin' up the street

towards Pop's place...

when I see this fella here

start shootin' at somebody inside.

There were three bullet holes in his back,

as neat a pattern as you ever saw.

Walsh wasn't carrying' no gun.

At least he didn't have no holster on him.

I was just going to close up

when Captain Walsh came in.

His face and hands were cut,

so I went to get some bandages.

I was in my room

when I heard the shots...

and when I came back,

Captain Walsh was just sliding off the stool.

I ran to get Pop,

and when we got to the doorway...

a man in a dark blue shirt

was running out.

That's him.

Order! Order! Order in the court! Go on.

Thank you.

Next witness.

I haven't finished yet.

There's something else.

Just before Captain Walsh was shot,

he was writing something.

I asked him what it was.

And he said the whole world could see it

when he was finished.

What became of what he was writing?

I don't know.

It was in his hand when I went to get Pop.

And when I came back...

- it was gone.

- Is that all?

That's all.

Well, folks,

that's the size of it.

This man come here under an assumed name

to kill Captain Walsh...

who testifiied

at the court-martial ofhis father.

I guess most everybody around here

remembers General Blackwell-

The man responsible for the massacre at the fort!

Order! Order!

Order in the court! Order!

The only question

we have to decide is:

Can a man come to this here town...

shoot one of our citizens in the back

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