Three Violent People Page #4

Well-mannered people burn up

with curiosity, but don't ask.

I am curious.

How did you lose your arm?

Ask Colt.

I stopped by the bunkhouse for you,

but you'd gone.

I see you've already

introduced yourselves.

- Yes, we did.

- And drank a toast to the wedding.

- You married above you, Colt.

- I surely did.

Darling, I've got to pay a call

on a ranch nearby.

I hate to ask you to travel

the minute you get here...

but it'll give you a chance

to see something of Bar S.

- All right?

- Of course, dear.

- Just pack enough for overnight.

- Going to Uncle Hoyt's?

More relatives I haven't heard about?

No, Cinch is all there is.

Vance Hoyt. We've called him uncle

since we were children.

Since Granddad died, Uncle Hoyt's

been unofficial advisor to half of Texas.

He'll advise you to fight.

We'll leave just as soon as you're ready.

Look, play down that talk about fighting,

will you?

I don't want to scare Lorna.

It's my guess we'll both be white

around the gills...

before Lorna's frightened.

You can't be fool enough to think

a few armed ranchers...

can hold off the United States Army.

Catch up a couple of horses

for the buckboard, will you, Cinch?

We can take this one.

I just started to unpack it.

What did you think of him?

I like him.

Of course, I was surprised...

- and a little frightened.

- Frightened?

Colt, what's wrong?

Why didn't you tell me about him?

I should have told you.

I didn't expect he'd...

I should have told you.

We were just kids when it happened.

Just kids horsing around

on the windmill platform...

out on the south range.

Cinch got his arm caught

in the gears of the windmill.

I had to amputate his arm...

and carry him back.

People made quite a fuss about it,

as if I'd been a hero.

How terrible, for both of you.

You know, you're the first person

who ever realised I got hurt that day.

You've got an instinct

that makes you understand.

That's very important.

- Seor Colt.

- Let me hold it, seor.

- Our hearts are happy, seor.

- Gracias.

I took the long way around.

I wanted you to see the horse herd.

Colt, look at that little one.

It's a nice-looking filly, sired by that

flax-manned stallion over there.

She's got his markings.

- Could I go closer?

- No.

The mare would start for the hills.

They're skittish around anyone on foot.

Besides, I don't think she's ever seen

an outfit like that before.

- He's a stubborn little fellow.

- Beautiful filly, huh?

She's darling. All legs.

I'll take this off

and let her go to her mama.

Seora, may I present my five sons?

Luis, Asuncion, Rafael,

Pedro, and Juan.

How do you do?

They have prepared

a little speech of welcome for you.

Address the seora

the way you were instructed.

Seora, welcome to the Bar S.

- Papa, I forget.

- You forget?

You donkey's head. You shame

your father. You behave like a peasant.

Where are your manners, muchacho?

And after all I taught you.

Now you pay attention. Watch.

I do it again for you.

Most gracious lady,

now that you have come here...

the sun will break every morning across

the verdant slopes of the cordilleras.

The grass will grow greener.

The golden grain will tassel earlier.

And the rising moon will paint

the mountains with more silver...

because of your presence here.

And so, seora...

welcome to the Bar S Ranch...

and to a place in our hearts.

Thank you. Thank you, all of you.

All right, muchachos, now go to work.

Goodbye.

It's not much of a place to look at,

but Uncle Hoyt's quite a man.

- Where's Vance?

- Who?

Vance Hoyt.

He ain't here. Who are you?

- I'm Colt Saunders.

- Yes, of the Bar S.

Back from the war at last?

- Are you Mrs. Saunders?

- Yes.

I'm Deputy Commissioner Cable.

When a gentleman's introduced

to my wife...

even when the gentleman

does his own introducing, he stands up.

Beg your pardon, Mrs. Saunders.

Out here in the hills,

we sometimes forget our manners.

One thing about Texas, there'll always

be someone around to remind you.

Commissioner Harrison.

Commissioner, Capt.

And Mrs. Saunders of the Bar S.

Mrs. Saunders.

Won't you sit down, please?

No, thank you.

- Captain, I'm glad you're back.

- Commissioner.

There are some things we've been

hard put to delay until your return.

- Where's Vance Hoyt?

- I don't know.

To be blunt about it, Mr. Hoyt took

the most irrational attitude...

about a tax law that was levied on him

by the Provisional Government.

Mr. Cable, could I have

one of those pamphlets, please?

We were forced to order a writ served.

Hoyt disappeared,

a most annoying situation.

It's not like Uncle Hoyt to disappear

because of a legal paper.

- He was your uncle? I didn't know...

- No, everybody called him that.

Let's hope everything works out fine.

Captain, as to your personal matters

as regard to our Commission...

I've been dealing with your foreman

and your brother, who is...

let's say, a most outspoken young man.

Now that you're back,

I think everything will work out better.

Work out better about what?

Captain...

I suggest you read this carefully.

It's the Tax Act of

the Provisional Government of Texas...

of which I am District Commissioner.

As a soldier, you know that wars

are expensive and must be paid for.

But please don't take the attitude

of so many Texans...

that we're land-grabbers. We're not.

We simply have to carry out

the orders given us.

Now, if you and Mrs. Saunders

will share our hospitality...

I think it's about time for supper.

No, thanks, Commissioner.

- Good day.

- Good day.

That's Uncle Hoyt's buffalo gun.

He claimed this gun settled Texas

and many a Comanche.

Always said he wanted me to have it

after he was gone.

Might as well let him have the old thing

if he wants it.

It ain't much good to anybody anymore.

Thanks.

Captain, Mrs. Saunders.

Captain.

Will you wait in the buckboard, Lorna?

Hard to believe,

way out here in the wilderness.

You have the advantage of me, sir.

I'm sorry, but I could have sworn...

I'm really exceeding my authority

in showing you this...

but take it as a gesture of friendship.

It's the assessment upon which

your next tax payment is based.

I realise the amount is absurd

and unrealistic...

but I'm merely the servant

of the Provisional Government.

$16,000?

As I said, I am aware

that the amount is unrealistic.

You've already taken the Bar S cattle.

As I also said, I am merely the servant

of the Provisional Government.

I guess I can expect to see you,

Commissioner.

You can.

You sure took your time

getting back from Austin.

- Hello, Cable.

- You got a girl over there, I reckon?

Well, I came without killing no horses,

if that's what you mean.

- Say, who was that in the buckboard?

- Capt. And Mrs. Saunders.

Flower of the old South, chivalry.

Saunders of Bar S?

Man, I almost made

the mistake of the century.

I mistook Mrs. Saunders for a gal...

I used skip around with

back in St. Louis.

One of Ruby LaSalle's gals,

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