Rooster Cogburn Page #7

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My God!

Marshal, look!

It's a showdown.

- We did the best we could.

Sister, I've finished every fight

standin' up.

We'll finish this one, maybe not

standing up, but we'll finish it.

Wolf, get those lines loose.

Have a care with that nitro.

Easy does it.

Ease them boxes into the water.

Remember, it's nitroglycerin.

Well,

we'll see.

They never made it, Hawk.

Yeah, but the nitro did.

Now.

Hold your fire

Marshal Cogburn is injured

and dying.

Take your dynamite,

but give us safe passage.

Sure, lady, we'll do that.

We'll just take our load,

then we'll send you and your hero on.

Straight to Hell. Come on.

Now, Reuben.

Payday. Come and get it, boys.

Payday.

Well, we won the battle,

but I lost my job.

Maybe not.

You see, Judge, the Lord

could have struck down the Midianites

and Amalekites easily.

But He didn't do that.

He raised up Gideon to smite them.

An ordinary man like the Marshal.

It's in the Book of Judges, Judge.

- I know where it is, Madam.

Very ingenious defense.

It takes one's breath away.

But I do not believe the Lord has

raised up Gideon at Fort Smith. No.

If he's raised up anything,

I fear it's Rooster.

A willful, strutting old bird,

who paid no attention to the US law.

But he did. I killed that

criminal trash. Not Marshal Cogburn.

He wanted him hung, according to law,

but I couldn't do that. - Silence.

My father's honor was at stake.

Will you take Reuben's word, or mine?

Reuben?

Well, in view of my past experience,

with Reuben, I'll take yours.

Get back on the rails.

This man may pull a cork now and then,

but he's as straight as a string.

He's the best Marshal you have,

worth more than you pay. - Reuben.

You are reinstated, and this court

is recessed and dismissed.

Reinstated.

Congratulations, Marshal.

Damn Chinaman.

One thing I'd like to get straight.

We both know

the Lord brands lyin' a sin.

Do you think He'll smile on you

after them whoppers you told?

"And if thy words stray from truth

for the good of God's own,

if thy intent be pure,

thou shalt not be judged sinful."

Beautiful quotation.

What book? What chapter?

I confess, Reuben, it is my invention.

I just made it up.

Hallelujah and jubilee!

That is one quotation I'll remember.

And will you remember us, too?

Longer than that quotation, Miss Eula.

We found 5 families

who will homestead at Fort Ruby

and help us re-settle it.

Will you see us off at Texas Road?

We join the wagon train there.

I will consider it a privilege, Ma'am.

Well, Ma'am,

this is where our trails part.

Maybe they'll cross again.

That's something I'd like to drink to.

After that vow you took on the river?

- "When a soul needs reviving,

thou shalt reach for help."

Book and chapter?

- Rooster Cogburn, 1880.

Will you join me, Ma'am?

Maybe I will try just a little sip.

To someday.

Someday.

Goodbye, Marshal.

Goodbye, son.

Goodbye, Reuben.

Watch your drinkin', Ma'am.

If you ever need

of a one-eyed peace officer.

Reuben, I have to say it:

living with you has been an adventure

any woman would relish for all time.

I look at you, with your

burnt-out face, your big belly,

your bear-like paws

and shining eyes.

You're a credit to the male sex

and I'm proud you're my friend.

Damned if she didn't get

the last word in again. Well...

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