Hangman's Knot Page #3

I spoke my piece.

Start getting ready.

A gag isn't a very

pleasant thing, ma'am.

If you're to go out weighted down

like mules, you won't get far.

You can have my word to keep silent.

We plan to avoid them, ma'am,

not outrun them.

Do I have your word?

You have it.

I'll give you my word

because I believe you.

Thanks.

You still don't know the war is over.

None of you know it,

or you'd have left that gold behind.

Oh, stop it, Molly. They've known

it was over since the day it ended.

We're going now, ma'am.

I wish there was something I...

What the major told you was true.

You've gotta believe that, ma'am.

Jamie.

Well, goodbye.

We'll get to the horses in the corral.

Hey, they've gone out the back way!

The back way!

Inside!

We ain't as soft-horned

as you thought, are we?

We'll take care of him later.

- I'll count on that.

- Cover that window.

He's hurt bad.

We wanna get on home!

Come out with your hands up. We'll

take you to the sheriff in Carson City!

Yeah, in boxes!

- What'd you wanna say that for?

- Well...

Any cactus head would know they ain't

coming out till we go in and get them.

- You think so, huh?

- I know so.

I seen a nice, fat hay-rope

over in that corral.

How'd you like to go over and get it?

- Has he got a chance?

- I don't know.

We can keep him warm.

Hot compresses may

keep the infection down...

...but I can't get the bullets out.

Well, if he dies, there sits the reason.

What're you planning to do about it?

I didn't believe you, and I still don't.

- I did what I thought was right.

- Bring those rags here.

Gag him.

You ought to be grateful

I don't kill him.

He gave his word and broke it.

You like him for it?

Yes!

I hope you mean it.

You've got to live with him.

Somebody's gotta be

in there with Egan.

She'll be in there.

Hey, reb!

We got a friend of yours out here!

Have a look!

Did you ever see

a hangman's knot before?

Well, have a good look!

You've got about a half a minute

to come out.

Your boy here says you

didn't know the war was over.

Well, here's your chance

to come out and prove it.

Got 20 seconds,

then I'm gonna pot that horse!

- Stay in there!

- Wait!

Give us a half-minute to talk it over.

All right.

- Any dynamite left in your pouch?

- One or two sticks.

When I throw the first one, cover me.

I told you we should have

burned them out!

- Yeah, I guess you were right.

- It's smarter if you do it my way.

I've been in there,

I know what I'm talking about.

Here you are.

Hey.

I was hoping there'd be

some of them around here.

- I thought we'd give them to them.

- Well, go ahead.

Can't you tell when

a man's joking, boy?

After you clean up,

you and Jamie get some sleep.

You can relieve Rolph

and me in a few hours.

Yes, sir.

I guess I don't have to tell you that...

...them ain't deputies out there.

Just a bunch of drifters.

Do they know the gold's in here?

You got them confused.

If they ever find out, though,

and get their hands on it...

...there ain't gonna be nobody left

alive in here to tell.

You got any plans?

We go out shooting

sometime tomorrow.

Wish I hadn't asked.

We'll tunnel under here.

No! It's gotta be quiet.

Can I get you something?

Coffee? Something to eat?

It ain't no use, son.

There ain't nothing you nor

anybody else can do for her.

- I thought maybe if she...

- I know how you feel...

...but this ain't anything new

with Martha.

When her man was killed,

her boy joined up.

He never come home again.

And she's made herself

old and miserable...

...and sick with hating ever since.

I've learned to leave her be.

She's still gotta eat, and so do you.

It'd be simpler if you'd just

let me fix it, son.

You know, you don't look

much like a cook to me.

- Well, I don't know about...

- Look, son...

...that story your major tells

is pretty hard to get down.

But I reckon you've got your right

to try and prove it...

...which you won't get from that

gang of cutbacks out there.

So last night, I decided to be

neutral in this hickboo.

Meantime, I'm powerful hungry.

- Well, I'd like to untie you, but...

- Untie him, Jamie.

- Well, I'm much obliged to you.

- Don't mention it.

- You didn't ask for my word.

- Didn't I?

Well, you've got it,

and if you want proof...

...I keep a gun right

beneath this table.

And I could have got it

anytime last night.

You mean...

...this one?

Buckwheats and coffee on the way.

Jamie, ungag him

and give him some water.

I'd like to let you free too.

It's up to you.

I'll stay as I am.

He's out of his head.

Jamie.

Cup.

They've got enough wood

to light us up all month.

We've gotta leave in broad daylight.

It might as well be today.

The longer we're here,

the more danger to them.

We'll start out this rear door

to draw them away from the front.

Then cut back inside

and go out that door.

We take that shed,

we'll have a chance.

- The horses are behind it.

- Sounds like sure death to me.

Probably. Is there any other way?

All right, that's it.

We'll eat, wait an hour, and go.

Get your guns ready.

Jamie, give our friend here

a fresh gag.

Wait a minute. I wanna talk to you.

As long as we're here,

you'll be kept gagged and tied.

It's got nothing to do with that.

This is important for you.

Calm down. She's asleep.

What's on your mind?

You're planning to shoot your way

out of here sometime today.

Well, if you do, your lives won't be

worth a Confederate dollar.

Now, watch your talk there, boy.

You'll give us a better way,

for a price?

That's right.

How much would

two of those bars weigh?

- About 50 pounds.

- That's over $20,000.

See my coat over there?

It's got two inside pockets.

Put one bar in each pocket.

Now, when I leave here, no one

has to know there's anything in it.

No one at all.

If you can show us a way out

of here alive, you'll get your price.

No one's to know, now or later.

You have our word. Now, hurry it up.

Untie my hands.

I have something to give you.

What?

In my pocket.

I'm a beef contractor.

I know this country like a book.

Paiute Indians live in these hills

not 10 miles from here.

Their chief gave me that.

Show that to them.

Tell them you're from Lee Kemper.

The Indians were hostile

all during the war.

- How were you so friendly?

- My job was to buy beef.

The Army didn't ask where I got it.

I didn't ask the Indians.

Give them that. You'll get horses,

a guide, the food and water you need.

You'll be in Texas before you know it.

What's the matter?

We're in here, cutthroats out there,

you're just wasting our time.

Oh, I'm not through yet.

Sometime today or tonight,

this pass will be hit by a flash storm.

Rain so thick you can't see 10 feet.

- Does that interest you?

- I was told this was the dry season.

It is. The rain will only last

about 10 minutes.

Look out that window.

Those clouds only mean one thing

to a Nevadan.

Ask the old man there.

He'll tell you I'm right.

What's the matter?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes