Return of the Seven Page #2

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And woulda got around to the rest of 'em

if I hadn't pulled a leg muscle.

I was buckin' horses this side of the line

and sellin' 'em tame up in Deming.

Now, a good amount of 'em

was no more than hoorah girls,...

.. but the way I look at it,

a woman's a woman.

Ain't that right, Frank?

You talk too much, Colbee.

Since when can a man

talk too much about a woman?

- Since when?

- Colbee!

- You take the first watch.

- But you said Vin was a'gonna.

I changed my mind. Go on.

You didn't have to do that, Chris.

I wouldn't push him into a fight,

if that's what you think.

If you had, you might have

been in trouble. He's fast.

Fast as you are?

I'd hate to have to live on the difference.

I'll remember that.

Do that.

I wonder why the hell

they took Chico and them others off.

Damned if I know.

Time we get to the village, blowsand will

have covered up any tracks.

If we strike out blind,

we don't stand a chance of findin' 'em.

Petra said there were

two other villages raided.

That means they took

close to 300 prisoners.

Only one way to move

that many men on foot in the desert.

Like cattle.

From one water hole to the other.

Well, that don't

narrow it down too awful much.

Lotta cow trails

between here and the Sierra Madre.

Herds moving on them every day.

Word gets round.

What do we do in the meantime?

Drop Petra and the boy off at the village

and start riding a wide circle.

- See if we can cut their trail.

- That could take one hell of a long time.

I know. I haven't been

goin' anywhere for ten years.

Vin, if you have to

worry about something,...

.. worry about what happens after we find

Chico and the others, not if we find them.

I never thought I'd come back.

Vin, Colbee. Cut him down.

- Get 'em out of here.

- Llvatelos de aqui.

He escaped -

and see what they did.

My poor little one.

The Devil's Spine.

It ranges from the headwaters

of the Concho, north to the border.

According to the woman, her husband

escaped from a village about here.

That's where they're holding

Chico and the others.

- Did he say why?

- He wasn't there long enough to find out.

But there ain't no village between

the Devil's Spine and the Concho.

- That's what the man said.

- He was a long time in the desert, Chris.

He coulda been out of his head,

got turned around.

- He found his way here, didn't he?

- I'll catch up the horses.

We'll leave in the morning.

Ride out tonight, we could save time.

Use up our animals, we'll be on foot.

We'll leave in the morning.

Better get some sleep.

You too, Colbee.

I wish to hell I knew for sure.

Knew what?

If I'm here because Chico's a friend, or if

I'm just on the prod for a fight like Frank.

Killin' can get inside of you.

And you think that's happened to you.

Why else would I be here?

Sure, Chico's a friend of mine, but...

Hell, I don't even know his last name.

Neither do I.

Don't it make you wonder?

No.

How the hell come, Chris?

Because in all the years

I've made my way with a gun,...

.. I never once shot a man

just to see him fall.

That time ever comes,...

.. I throw my guns

in the water bucket and ride out.

So will you.

- Who does he belong to?

- His parents are dead.

Chico looks after him like he was his own.

Chris, why would they take

Chico and the others away?

- I don't know.

- Maybe...

.. if you went to the Rurales,

asked for help.

- It wouldn't do any good.

- But they are supposed to protect us.

- Have they ever?

- No.

They never will.

Because we are poor.

Because we cannot pay them.

That's true, isn't it?

- Maybe someday it'll be different.

- And in the meantime?

We do what we can.

And die.

There's always that.

Chris.

No matter what happens,...

.. we will never forget you, and the others.

That's all a man can ask.

If you ask me, we ought've stayed on back

there and given them women a hand.

They're gonna fall behind

in their plantin' and ploughin'.

So will you, Colbee. So will you.

How come you're still along, Luis?

Thought once you got clear of that

firing squad, you'd head for the hills.

- So did I.

- What changed your mind?

Well, I had a long talk with myself.

I said "Luis, in all the years

that I've known you,...

.. you've not done one thing

for anyone but yourself. "

"Not one. And it's

about time that you did. "

"Where would you be if it was not for

the poor farmers you've stolen from?"

"You would be nothing.

Help these poor people,...

.. and you'll be able to ride proud,

with your head high up. "

If somebody don't blow it off.

Then I would die in good company.

Hell... Chris there,

he's been killin' for ten years.

Vin, about half that time.

Colbee, he hunts other men's wives

between gun jobs.

Manuel's nothin' but a chicken thief.

And you?

- I'm no better than they are.

- But you're still along.

You coulda run for the hills, same as me.

I got my reason for stayin'.

And it don't have one damn thing

to do with friendship,...

.. or helpin' poor farmers.

- Buenas tardes, compadre Lorca.

- Buenas tardes, compadre.

Have you seen the priest?

He was looking for you.

- Again?

- He heard about the killings.

He said we should have

tried to reason with them.

Reason?

Did I build an empire upon reason?

Did we reason with renegades,

bandits, corrupt officials?

But these are not renegades, nor bandits.

- Nor are they corrupt.

- You never tire of being my conscience.

"The strong must be

generous to the weak. "

You know who made up

that rule? The weak!

Francisco, I have to talk to you.

Two workers were killed last night.

- They were trying to escape.

- But you have no right.

Look, Father. I know

your feelings for these people.

But would it be a more honourable death

if they fell pulling a plough?

- The Church cannot sanction...

- Sanction? You wanted a church.

You couldn't pray it into existence

so you came to me.

- You chose this place, these methods.

- For a reason.

What reason can there be

for killing in cold blood, Francisco?

- You wouldn't understand.

- I understand murder, slavery.

Look, Father. I set out

to rebuild this church, this village,...

.. and that is what I'm going to do,

with or without your blessing.

I cannot stand by

and let this go on, Francisco.

- Nothing says you have to stay.

- Everything says I have to stay.

He is right, Father.

You should leave this place.

- I can't.

- You mean you won't.

I mean I can't.

- Buenas tardes, seor.

- Buenas tardes.

What can we do for you?

A friend of mine.

You're holding him prisoner.

I want him. And all the others.

- Just like that.

- Just like that.

You are either a very stupid

or a very brave man, seor.

One word from me

and you would be dead.

That'll make two of us.

There are five Winchesters

pointed at your head.

Professionals.

- Professionals.

- Perhaps we should have a little talk.

We just did.

- Father, you'd better get Francisco.

- Don't move, Father.

- You would kill a priest?

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