Ride the high country Page #3

A fine craftsman, but he never did|understand the principle of ventilation.

I remember Juan. Always felt|the boot should cover the foot.

Short-sighted.

Remember old Doc Franklin, the fancy boots|he wore with the flaps over the toes?

Had them made in Boston.

- Old Doc. Know what happened to him?|- I heard he died.

That's right. Old Doc.

Gave 30 years of his life to make|the West safe for decent people.

You'd have wept to see the way they|turned out to pay tribute. Three of them.

The mortician,|the gravedigger and me.

Well, when I'm buried, I won't much care|who comes to the funeral.

I was commenting on the fairest flower that|grows within the human heart: Gratitude.

The only gratitude I expect|is my paycheck. Twenty dollars' worth.

- That satisfies you?|- Well, I guess that's all I can hope for.

Is it?

According to my contract, it is.|Come on, let's get moving.

You're wasting your breath.

- He don't know what you're talking about.|- He will, in time.

When we're ready, let's bend a gun|over his head and take the gold.

You couldn't get close enough|to Steve Judd to saddle his horse.

Well, you could.

Yes, I could, but I won't.

Unless I have to.

I hope heaven forgives us|for earning this easy money.

I seem to remember a man|hankering for some old-time activity.

I'd like to see some old-time mountains.

As I recall, they sure were|a lot easier to get around in.

You sure complain a lot in your old age.

Well, I got something to complain about.

You're earning twice the money|for taking the same risk.

Plus possessing all the other rewards|you've gathered...

...during your years of loyal service.

A bluegrass thoroughbred,|silver-mounted saddle...

...magnificent wardrobe. I'm envious.

What more could a man expect?|What more can a man hope for?

You forgot to mention my two-dollar watch.

Waste of breath.

What else could a man expect?

I got to thinking about that one time.

I keep records. When I became a lawman,|the world lost a first-class bookkeeper.

So to pass the time one day, I calculated|what it was worth getting shot at.

I figured it at about $100 a shot.

You'd have earned quite a sum by now.

Getting hit, I figure that's worth|anywhere from 1000 on up.

- That's 3000 I know you got coming.|- Four brings it up to date.

And when you tally up all those fights|and bushwhackings and cold camps...

...that time in Lincoln County,|five weeks in the hospital...

...six months out of work.|You add them all up...

...and I'd figure I was owed about all the|gold we could carry out of these mountains.

That's something to dream about.

It sure is.

Heck!

- Mind if I keep you company on the trip?|- I don't mind.

- I do.|- I'll second that.

My advice to you is turn the horse around|and ride back where you belong.

I'm not going back to my father. I'm going|to Coarse Gold to marry Billy Hammond.

Why do you wanna do|a foolish thing like that?

That's my affair.

She's right, Heck. Our business|is transporting gold, not girls.

Thanks for paying back our hospitality.

- Those ham hocks and everything.|- I'm a strong believer in love and gratitude...

...but not strong enough to bring|you along under these conditions.

I'll ride by myself.

We can make three miles|before it gets dark.

Right. Got to cover ground.

- Got a gun?|- No, I don't have a gun.

Too bad. This is certain|mountain-lion country.

It sure is.

Well, build a good fire.|It will scare them off.

You both go on ahead.

I couldn't sleep tonight|with the thought of Elsa by herself.

I'll stay with her and meet you|in Coarse Gold. Go on ahead.

Those mountain lions,|some don't scare so easy.

Come along, girl.

- Do you remember old man Teaford?|- Oh, yeah.

All night, Logan.

Way up, Logan.

You know, the way you do your hair|looks real nice.

You think so?

Pa had me cut it short.

It sort of fits the shape of your head,|when you see it from the side.

Yeah. Like that.

You know, most girls don't know|the first thing about their hair.

I guess you're an authority|on what most girls do.

Well, I've studied the subject.

Not just what they do, but why.

Now, you take this getting married.

Do you think that's such a good idea?

If I didn't, I wouldn't be here.

My guess is, you're doing it to get away|from your pa. To get even, maybe.

I guess your guess|is as good as anybody's.

Well, if it's wrong,|how come you ran away?

Because my father|doesn't want me to get married.

Always says he does.

If I can find a decent young man.

But nobody's decent, according to him.

You included.

He said you were no good.

He said the likes of you|don't stop at talking.

You know, he has a point there.

Don't move!

Don't move, Elsa.

No! Heck, no! Let me go! No! No!

Let me go!

My, oh, my.

When I questioned you about him...

...I should've gone more|into the subject of character.

I hope that's a mistake|I won't live to regret.

Good fight. I enjoyed it.

That old man?

That old man is about half rough.

- You learned a lesson, didn't you?|- I surely did.

Got room for another?

Let her fly.

We're not here for romance.|Understand me, son?

Yes, sir.

I hope Mr. Judd didn't hurt you too bad.

- I guess it's kind of my fault.|- What do you mean, "kind of"?

I acted silly. I'm sorry.

I do like you, Heck.

Save the sugar talk for your Billy boy|because I don't need it.

What you need's the kind of girl who'd go|away with you to San Francisco or Denver.

And there's plenty of them.

I changed my mind.|You got just what you deserve!

You got something to say?

No, I think she about covered everything.

Lovely place. A beauty spot of nature.

A Garden of Eden for the sore in heart|and short of cash.

We didn't come here|to enjoy the scenery.

The High Sierra Crochet and Garden Society|seem to be having their weekly meeting.

When we get located, pass the word around|that we're in camp and ready for business.

And you, find out where the Hammond|claim is and take her there.

Why me?

Because Steve and I|are gonna be busy collecting gold.

It's not too late to change your mind.

I came to Coarse Gold to be married.|And that's what I'm gonna be. Married.

- Well, good luck, then.|- All the happiness in the world.

Welcome to Coarse Gold.

This seems to be the place to find it.

You might be in for a big surprise.

How do you know Billy boy|still wants to marry you?

What do you care?

I don't.

This the Hammond claim?

- Who wants to know?|- I do. I'm looking for Billy Hammond.

You found him.

Billy!

Howdy, Elsa!

I can't believe it, honey.

Looks like the girl he's been|going down the mountain to see.

I'll say one thing,|she's sure worth the trip.

Wish I'd got there first.

Looks like a warm one.

- Hey, where's your pa at?|- Back home.

You mean you run off and come|all the way up here just to see me?

See you?

I brought my mother's wedding dress.

- Lf you still want to.|- Lf I want to?

If he don't, you got four others|to choose from.

Sweet thing like you|ought to have the pick of the litter.

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