Horizons West Page #2

Ex-army deserters,

renegades of every stripe.

- Is that where they live?

- Yep.

They're a pretty tough lot.

I doubt even the Texas Rangers,

even if they hadn't been disbanded,

would relish tackling them.

Dregs of the war.

What more could a man want?

Fine home, good food,

this year, plenty of cattle.

1600 heads in the extreme

south section

and 950 in the big meadows.

When the Eastern markets open up

and the drives to Kansas begin

with a little luck,

we ought to be in pretty fair shape.

Meanwhile you're short of money.

Yeah. Meanwhile.

And in city's like Austin

men are making money hand over fist.

That kind of money is no good.

- What's wrong with it?

- It doesn't build solid land.

That's false prosperity.

I'd like to have a little of it.

What are you trying to say son?

Maybe I can't be satisfied

with ranching.

Trying to make ends meet year

after year like you been doing.

But we're happy.

We have everything we want.

Part of the joy was

not having to hurry it.

Let's face the facts Dad.

You're 65 years old and the ranch

isn't even paid for yet.

I haven't got that kind of patience.

I'm sorry, Dad.

Excuse me, Mother.

I suppose an ordinary citizen

doesn't have the right to bother

- a public official.

- You can.

After all these years...

Let's have it Dan.

- I want to make money.

- Is that all?

- It's about everything to me.

- I had you figured for ranching.

A chip off the old block.

- No, sir.

- What changed you?

- The war I guess.

- You're not the only one.

I've seen it in others too.

How do you figure I can help you?

- You know people.

- I know a lot of them.

What kind of people

do you want to know?

The rich ones.

Are you still a fervid southerner?

Naturally, but I could

forget that for money.

- No grudges.

- Same answer.

If I introduced you to a Yankee,

I wouldn't want to see you start

trading punches right off.

No. I'll be careful.

I'm serious, Dan.

It's a new world.

The old one ended when

the Confederacy went to war.

The new one started the same day.

We...

Come in Cord.

I'm glad to see you.

- I'm delighted you could drop in.

- Thanks.

I want you to know my old friend,

Major Hammond.

- This is Cord Hardin.

- Major.

- Mr. Hardin.

- May I Frank?

Oh yes. Help yourself.

How about a little poker tonight?

Something special?

In a way, yes.

Some of us are getting a pool

together to buy 50,000 acres

cotton land in the Brazos.

Can you check on the legal details?

I can't tonight Cord. How about

bringing the papers tomorrow?

I can do that.

Are Osborne and Kenny

going to be in the game tonight?

They're both in the pool.

I'd like to have Maj. Hammond

meet them.

Perhaps you could get him in

on some business venture.

Frank has put it rather bluntly.

- You play poker, Major?

- Fair game.

I'll see you tomorrow Frank.

8:
00?

- That'll be fine.

- I'll expect you then.

- Goodbye Frank.

- Bye.

- I'm very grateful.

- That's alright Dan.

But they play a rough game of poker.

So if you value your money

look out for yourself.

- Thanks for the warning.

- Good luck.

- Hello, Sam.

- Hello, Dan.

- What are you doing in town?

- Thought I'd say hello.

Sit down.

- How are things at the ranch?

- The same.

I'd like to ask you a favor

but I won't blame you if you say no.

Money?

I can't tell you when

I'll be able to pay you back.

I can spare 1000.

I wish it could be more

but it's from my own

private kitty.

- No questions?

- Why should there be?

- Jacks and nines.

- Beats me.

- Too much for me.

- I'm out.

Queens and tens.

Up until now the nice part

about this game is no matter

how much you win or lose,

we always kept it in the same crowd.

You looking for an opportunity

to start in a business?

I'd like nothing better.

For 25,000

you can start a cotton mill.

I got a little deal I can fix up

for you for only 50,000.

Col. Grayson was telling me

the fastest way to make money...

The fastest way to make money

is right here in this game.

Who's gonna open?

- 100.

- I'll stay.

- And I.

- See you and up you 5.

Hello, dear.

Please don't get up gentlemen.

- I believe you know everyone but...

- Hello Major?

You've met before?

Yes. As a matter of fact the Major

insulted me in a very nice way.

That's a new kind of technique.

I'll have to try it sometime.

I'll see your raise Major.

Excuse me Mrs. Hardin.

How much have you got there?

2400 even.

You look beautiful tonight darling.

And raise you 5000.

That's too good for me.

- I'm out.

- Me too.

I don't have that much with me.

Cards?

I'll play these.

I'll take two.

Full.

Full house, kings high.

Aces high.

I'll expect the 5000 tomorrow.

5:
00.

I'm afraid that's too fast.

When can I have it?

You'll have to give me

a little more time.

I don't like that answer.

I'll get it as quickly as possible.

That's the best I can do.

I have a couple of ranches.

Paradise can use

an extra cow hand.

You can work it out.

Report to my foreman tomorrow.

If you don't mind I'd like

to work it out in my own way.

You've stepped out

of your class tonight.

You're a farmboy.

You were born a farmboy

and you'll end up as one.

On top of that you're a welcher

and a smart alec.

Now get out of here.

I had that coming

this time.

Gentlemen.

Lorna.

Fix me a drink.

- Somebody's coming.

- Scatter.

Keep riding Mister,

right into the light.

Get off your horse.

Drop your gunbelt.

Start walking.

- Who are you?

- A friend.

- Where are you from?

- Austin.

What makes you think

you're wanted around here?

Whatever you want, say it fast.

Who's the spokesman for all you men?

We all do the talking here.

Let's see what the gentleman

from Austin looks like.

Look what we found.

A dude from Austin.

You two are awful tough

with all that artillery.

Better not hit him

with your right hand, Sy.

You want to go first?

Go get him Sy!

That a way!

Hit him Sy!

Give it to him!

Sy!

Come on Sy, let's keep it clean.

Major, I always enjoy

seeing a good man in action.

- How are you?

- Dandy Taylor.

I thought I left you doing

guard duty in Chickamauga.

I want you to meet

the finest major, crackest shot

the toughest soldier

that ever lost a war.

Major Dan Hammond.

What are you doing here?

I heard about you men

being down here.

I came to talk to you

about making a living.

- A living for all of us.

- And he means all of you.

War's over you know.

Yeah?

You wouldn't think so.

I see soldiers here from the North.

And from the South.

But none of us are

soldiers any longer.

Also among you

there are men who are

deserters from the Army

for one personal reason or another.

Others among you may be wanted

by the law on various charges

and are now facing

an uncertain future.

I came here to tell you

that we can all make it

a little more certain.

For you and for me.

I need men who can ride hard,

shoot hard

- and live hard.

- That ought to be easy.

What are the wages

for this kind of work?

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