How the West Was Won Page #4

by the morning.

Grimes, you don't mean that.

- You're gonna kill off the golden goose.

- Call it what you want, mister.

We'll be waiting.

Independence, Missouri, was the jump-off

point for emigrants from everywhere.

Solid, God-fearing families

bound for the farmlands of Oregon...

... and get-rich-quick adventurers

racing for the gold of California.

Try it.

- You got a wagon, I suppose?

- I can get one.

And a team to pull it?

I can get everything I need.

- You got a husband?

- I'm single, Mr. Morgan.

No traveling companion?

- No, I'm traveling alone.

- Not on my wagon train.

Alone and single brings out

the deviltry in a man.

Gets them all worked up

and they're wild enough already.

I intend to keep to myself, Mr. Morgan.

Oh, woman of your sort?

One day you'd find yourself in trouble, and

there'd be hell to pay just figuring out who.

What did you say, Mr. Morgan?

Well, now, ain't you the feisty one.

I like spirit in a woman.

Hey, you got a pretty face

under that powder too.

And a fine, sturdy body

under them clothes, I wager.

There's a woman named Clegg,

Aggie Clegg.

Why don't you go see her?

Thanks.

I told you, no.

I was hoping to make this trip

with a husband.

Nearly got one last week.

Look, I hear there's 40 men

to every woman in California.

- Miss Clegg, I'd be willing to pay you.

- I don't need money.

I need a man.

Any man.

Morning, ladies.

Beautiful morning.

Would you, by any chance,

happen to be Miss Lily Prescott?

Not unless you got a big imagination.

Then you must be the lady in question.

Cleve Van Valen, Miss Prescott,

at your service.

At your every command

from here to California.

Well, thank you.

But whatever you're offering,

I don't need.

Perhaps you don't understand.

Yes, I do.

I know a tinhorn when I see one.

Miss Prescott.

I'm offering you an honest day's work

for an honest day's pay.

Goodbye, Mr. Van Valen. Goodbye.

Well, it's been a pleasure to meet you,

Miss Clegg.

May I say I have never seen a woman

with more beautiful hair.

What a prize catch it'll make...

...hanging from the waist of an Indian.

Beauty alone in the wilderness,

and who's to protect you?

No one.

Not one person

won't be looking after himself.

Well...

Good day, ladies. Good day.

Nobody ever said that to me before.

What?

That I had such... Such beautiful hair.

You know something?

I got a hunch you're gonna draw men

like fish to the bait.

Maybe I can catch one of them

while they swim by.

You got yourself a partner.

Thank you.

How's it, men?

It's all clear through here. Look for

a little mudhole up through the next pocket.

How far?

Oh, maybe half a quarter.

Well, thanks.

Looks a little higher up on that ridge.

There's a water hole up there

about half a mile. Let's head for it.

Water hole about a half a mile ahead.

Hey, you're driving.

I was raised on a farm.

Water hole about a half a mile ahead.

Hey, Aggie?

- Can you use these?

Yeah, sure.

Thanks.

Ladies.

At your service.

I thought we'd gotten rid of you.

Well, I just couldn't bear to think of

you two making this trip without my help.

If I was to hear later on that something

happened to you, I'd never forgive myself.

You came 100 miles alone?

Well, I had no way of counting the miles,

Mr. Morgan, but I'll take your word for it.

Well, you've got another 100, mister.

Going back.

I told you, when a wagon breaks down,

I want men who can fix it...

...not bet how long it'll take.

You don't mean you'll turn me out?

Pass me adrift at the mercy

of savage Indians?

If you don't get moving,

I'll cast you adrift...

Uh-uh-uh.

I appeal to your sporting instinct, sir.

I'm prepared to wager you

that I stay with this train.

- Well, you got a wager.

- Wait a minute, wait a minute.

The fact is, I hired this man.

We'll put up his stake.

Is that right, Miss Prescott?

If Miss Clegg says so.

Ma'am...

...I'll be forever grateful.

Now, I'll unpack my gear.

Agatha, have you gone crazy?

He says he's a man

wanting to do an honest day's work.

And he'll do it. I can promise you that.

Hey, you men on that last wagon,

keep up that slack.

Keep it up.

Get that team moving.

Keep them moving there.

Don't let those lines sag.

Keep them up. Keep them up.

Keep those teams moving.

Keep them moving.

Don't let those lines sag.

You, on that middle team,

keep them moving.

Get in there.

Over here, Pa.

Get in there.

Get in there. Get in there, mule.

I'm just overwhelmed by all this attention,

Miss Prescott.

I want to confess...

...I have lied about

why I wanted to work for you.

I know.

The real reason is, of course,

that I'm in love with you.

No.

It's the truth.

From the first moment I saw you,

I've known that I couldn't live without you.

Well, I'd hate to be the cause

of your death, Mr. Van Valen.

I don't speak lightly, Miss Prescott.

I'm prepared to assume

the responsibilities of a faithful husband.

Oh, and are you ready to assume

the responsibilities...

...of my property too, Mr. Van Valen?

Really?

What kind of property?

Gold, Mr. Van Valen.

Gold by the ton, from what I understand.

Bright, yellow, shiny gold.

Why, I had no idea.

- I'm sure you hadn't.

- Miss Prescott, I really mean...

Here comes Agatha.

If you must propose to somebody...

...I suggest you get on your knees to her.

Besides, she has beautiful hair.

Look at them.

Think they was getting ready

to bury somebody.

Ain't we worn down enough as it is?

Well, let's wake them up.

Listen, everybody.

That's the spirit! That's the way to feel!

Oh, hiya, Mr. Morgan!

Aggie. For lunch.

Thanks. Nice nest of fish.

What is it, Mr. Morgan?

Miss Prescott, I've been thinking.

Oh?

Wet or dry, you're the handsomest woman

I ever did see.

Spirit and a fine, sturdy body.

It's a noble combination, Miss Prescott.

Why, for you, childbearing would

come as easy as rolling off a log.

Well, I think I'd rather roll off a log,

Mr. Morgan.

Ma'am, I'm telling you,

you got the build for it.

I want you for my wife.

I've got a cattle ranch

just below the Merced.

I'll be settling down there, fit and proper.

I'm sure you're very fit and proper,

Mr. Morgan.

Well, then...

...you just couldn't do no better

than marrying me.

Why, we'd have ourselves a fine family

in no time at all.

I believe that.

I'm sorry, Mr. Morgan...

...but I can't accept your proposal.

Why not?

Well, a woman likes to hear something

a little more inviting.

Well, ain't that what I've been doing?

Inviting you?

Inviting you to share my life,

Miss Prescott.

I'm sorry, Mr. Morgan.

It's something else, ain't it?

Must be something else nagging at you.

Well...

...I don't aim to let it stop me,

Miss Prescott.

You can count on that.

What did he want?

Children.

Children?

Well, I'll be...

Why didn't he come shopping

at the right store?

- I'll take a look.

- Well.

Now, gentlemen, are we pikers?

I'm gonna see

and I'm gonna raise this fine pistol...

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes