Pursued Page #5

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It don't hurt anything.

- Good night.

- Good night, partner.

And take good care of that money.

Ss I walked out on the streets

of Laredo

I walked out on Laredo one day

I spied a cow puncher

wrapped up in white linen

wrapped in white linen

as cold as the clay

beat the drum slowly

and play the fife lowly

play the dead March

as you carry me along

take me out to the prairie

and lay the sod over me

for I'm a poor cowboy

and I know I've done wrong

and lay the sod over me

Adam.

Now, let us continue.

I disagree with the learned

corner. I still maintain...

we're a legal body,

properly impaneled.

Sit down, Grant. This is my hearin'.

I don't need no county prosecutor

to tell me how to run it.

Furthermore, since it so happens...

Said prosecutor's name is Callum,

I wouldn't want to say he's prejudiced

'cause I'm clean-minded, I am.

It's my duty to see

the law administered...

Regardless of family or anything else.

Gentlemen, I swear from

the bottom of my heart...

I never felt more like

quitting my job than right now.

Because I well know what

this case may cost a family-

A sorrowing mother and sister-

Who have already lost

one son, one brother...

And, if my guess is right,

may lose another to the law.

Miss Callum,

On the night in question,

Did you witness a quarrel

between your brother and Jeb Rand?

Yes, I did.

And did you hear the accused utter

any threat with regard to Adam?

Yes.

You may repeat what you heard.

Jeb said he was comin'

back next day to get me...

To take me with him and marry me.

He said if Adam tried to

stop him, he'd kill him.

Perhaps you fellers

might like a spot of tea.

Now, here's the size of it.

Here's two men that had

no use want for each other.

All that's been testified, but that

ain't what we're here to decide.

It looks like Jeb shot

him down like Grant said.

Hold your horses. It's Grant's

word against Jeb's, he way I see it.

- Jeb never was no murderer.

- I figure there's plenty of doubt on both sides.

- The heck you say.

- Nobody can get along with Ad Callum.

Let's get somethin' done. I gotta

get home and look after my stall.

Shut up!

You fellows saw the

general pin a medal on Jeb.

Ah, he weren't

decoratin' no ambusher...

But a man that fought fair

and square for his country.

It don't stand to reason that a man that

shot down a dozen fellows in battle...

Would shoot down his own brother

without givin' him a chance.

If he had to drill

him, he'd do it right.

Uh-uh-uh! And if he done it

right, then it ain't no killin',

But a lawful fight.

And hereabouts we ain't

so danged uncivilized...

A man can't win a lawful fight without

gettin' his neck in a noose for it.

Pass the tea.

Thank you.

May I speak to you before

you go, mrs. Callum?

I know you don't hold with the

verdict of the jury, but it was fair.

I never murdered Adam.

You'll be shorthanded at the ranch.

If you'll permit me, I'd be happy

to come back and help you out.

I make this offer most sincerely.

Get away from me, Jeb Rand.

I know how you must feel about me,

But I was hoping that in

time I could change that.

It's too late to change anything.

Mother, let's go.

No. I'll have my say.

You may have cleared

yourself in there,

But not with me.

With me you're walkin'

up the gallows steps.

I built that gallows.

I tied the noose.

All the love I had for you is dead.

Stay out of my sight.

If you cross my section line,

I'll set the dogs on you.

Is that the way you feel?

You'd made pretty clear how you felt,

So that fall I put in with Jake.

I found out how dull gambling could be

when I stood on the other side of the table.

Once or twice we got some news about you

- come on, baby!

How you'd been sick,

How you were living out at the

ranch and not seeing anyone.

I watched for you to come

into town, but you never did.

It was fall again before I heard

young Prentice, the storekeeper's son,

Was taking you and your

mother to the dance.

Do-si your daughters

and do-si your old men

Do-si your brothers to the

ball and do-si back home

allemande left and the old left hand

meet your partner and promenade

it's on fire and I don't care

and park your gal in an easy chair

- Would you like a glass of punch?

- I'd love it.

- Excuse me a minute.

- Thanks.

And now, ladies and gentlemen,

the next will be La Varsouviana.

- May I have the pleasure?

- Please go away.

Better dance, or

people will look at you.

I'd rather have people look at me

than dance with somebody I hate.

What a coward you are.

A coward wouldn't have

come here to dance with you.

Hold it. All right, folks,

that's enough of our slow dance.

Here's a chance to swing your ladies,

So get your partners

for a chicken reel.

Uh... You saw Thor dancin'

with Jeb, didn't you?

- Why, yes.

- Come on, son. Let's you and I have a little talk.

Now, you forced her. Jeb Rand, the

man she hates most in the world,

- Forced her to dance with him.

- I was getting her some punch.

- You're escorting her this evening, aren't you?

- Yes.

- Did you bring her here so she could be insulted?

- No. I wouldn't let that happen.

Well, it's happened. What

are you gonna do about it?

Pardon us, gentlemen.

Mr. Callum, all this started long ago.

- It isn't my fight.

- Then you're not the man I took you for.

I'll do what's right.

If you let him get away with it,

she'll never speak to you again.

- Did she say that?

- If she didn't, she's thinking it.

And there's something

else she's thinking of.

It's the death of her brother.

Mr. Callum, sir... I'm

not much good with a gun.

Maybe you'll have some help.

Go up to the alley.

If he's an honest wheel, you'll

find him in the back room.

Shoot him through the window.

No, sir, I

- I can't do that.

But I'll make him come out to me.

What's the matter, Jake?

Couldn't you find any partner?

You found one you shouldn't have

- Thor.

- Young Prentice is comin' over after you for it.

- Prentice?

He's on his way over here now. Get

the drop on him, Jeb. Go on out front.

First Adam, now Prentice.

Man, you gotta get going.

I don't wanna get

the drop on him, Jake.

What are you gonna do?

Step out in the alley

and make myself scarce.

Mr. Rand. What do you want?

I've come because of

what you did to Thorley.

Go on home, Prentice. I

don't want to hurt you.

Defend yourself, Mr. Rand.

I wouldn't try that

if I were you, Grant.

Let's get him in the office.

I did it for Thorley.

I'm sorry, Prentice.

It was self-defense

just as they said,

Yet he was one more part of

the mystery of people hating me.

How I saw the boots

of the pallbearers,

The flashes of light.

I had that feeling some lost and

awful thing come over me again.

I wasn't sure whether

killing Prentice was my fault,

Whether it was due to some

badness locked up in me.

But I was sure of my love for you.

That was the only hope

and the only answer.

If love could come out of all this,

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