♪ (music) ♪
General Lee Accepts Terms of Surrender at Appomattox
The caption's alright Joe,
read's plain enough.
They'll buy 'em like hotcakes!
Better get another pressman, the soldiers will be leaving.
Nah, they won't be leaving for over a week.
The army is parcelling off the horses and wagons
to the soldiers.
Anything they can use to work on the farms
when they get down home.
General Lee gaves his orders this morning.
Hup, hey, hey, hoy! Hey yippy, hup, hup!
Ah, come on, Hopalong, we never will get home!
What are you doing, Jeff?
Retreating or advancing on the enemy?
- We don't know! - Climb up here.
You'll never get home on that jack.
Thanks, Captain!
♪ (blows horn) ♪
Must've been full of corn liquor when you picked hiim out.
I just took what they handed me.
After straddling mules for four years,
I'll sure enjoy a steady seat.
Somehow, I can't get used to the war being over.
Whatever you think about it, we're going home.
Hope I never hear another shot fired,
as long as I live.
And you're going to Kentucky!
I married into a feuding family, but I'm not raising my children
to become targets for a lot of bushwhackers.
I'm going to move the family west.
- Just on account of the feuding? - Yes.
A man can have some respect for his neighbors out there.
And all the land you'll want, for the asking.
That's where I'm going to build a permanent home for my family.
You think you'll ever get Granny Spelvin and the old man to leave Kentucky?
How hard would you try if they were your in-laws?
It'll work out alright when I get home.
Granny Spelvin has been pretty good for my three children,
since my wife died.
How old is Lynn getting to be?
He's going on ten.
Let me pack it, will ya Granpy?
Well, be careful, now!
My Pop will be home from war in about five days, huh?
- Think you'll know him, Lynn? - Sure!
Right fine eye!
Easy to hit 'em, when I pretend they're Colbys.
Rabbits aint Colbys, Colbys fight back!
That's what makes 'em good huntin'.
Now, my Pappy can rest easy in his grave.
I got Chet Spelvin for him.
Gran-Pappy!
It's yours now, Lynn. Don't ever use it.
...except on a Colby!
♪ (crying) ♪
- Granny! - What's the matter?
Where's your Gran-Pappy?
- Where is he? - He's down in Pine Hollow.
He's layin' there... ...Jed Colby shot him.
Colby...Ann!
- Yes? - Run down to Weathersby's,
- ...and tell them what's happened. - Yes.
Your Pappy will take care of Jed Colby when he gets here.
I don't understand you, Mark Hayden.
You've been home two weeks, and Jeb Colby is trapsing
up and down these mountains, bragging how he killed Chet Spelvin.
And here you are...backin' up, runnin' away from him.
- The law will take care of Colby. - The law!
It aint honorable to take a family feud to court!
- It won't spill no blood, for ya. - I want no blood spilled for me.
Then you're puttin' yourself above the prophets...
"An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth."
It's in the Book.
Mark, it's your plain duty to take vengeance on Jed Colby!
And then his kin is bound to take vengeance on me.
And someday, one of my sons must kill another Colby.
No, I'm going to the law.
Of course, Mark, if you insist on preferring charges against Jed Colby,
there's nothing I can say. I know it's procedure in some places.
It's up to the court to punish a man who commits a murder.
That's a matter of opinion.
If you want him arrested, I'm bound to arrest him.
Jed Colby, you have been found guilty.
Although, on account of the peculiar feelings in this community,
the court has decided not to have a hanging.
But, you'll have to go to the State Penitentiary for 15 years.
- For the murder of Chet Spelvin. - Murder?
Why, it was feudin', pure and simple.
- I wish Lynn had come out with us. - He'll be comin' out...
...as soon as your Grandma is gone.
She's depending on him to do things for her and I couldn't take him away.
You and Bill's gonna be my family, now.
Get around there, boy!
Whoa!
- Good luck, Mark! - Alright, Raymond!
Those are mountains, Bill!
The Kentucky hills are like warts alongside of them, aint they Pa?
They are, Bill. Jeff, fetch me those stakes!
Comin' right up.
Stick 'em in the ground, son!
Mark Hayden claims this Property May 15, 1866
Fifteen years later.
- You're gettin' out Tuesday, Jed. - Yeah.
Your daugther is waiting for you. I'll send her in.
Alright, Miss.
You can't travel west lookin' that way.
That's all I've got. What do you want me to look like?
...sleeping in the commons!
That's the first time you ever put your arm around me, Dad.
- Did you find out where he's located? - I could go there with my eyes shut.
Oh, my daughter, Ellen.
Oh, I've never seen you before.
Your father and I have been friends for several years.
We had to be. We were in here together.
I got out a few months ahead of him.
- Going west with us? - Yes.
- How much money did you get? - 700 dollars.
- Good, that's enough to get an outfit with. - Sure, I'll have everything ready.
I'll get him.
A few month's later -- Jed Colby had taken up an abandoned homestead in Nevada --
a half day's ride from the Hayden Ranch.
We could have taken more than half that herd last night,
if you hadn't stopped us.
The wolves get more of Hayden's cattle than we do.
Yeah, we're taking enough.
Not to suit me.
A few hundred at a time aint my idea of cattle rustling.
We're going to strip Hayden of everything he's got,
before we get through.
But, we're going to do it my way.
You've had your way for a year.
The next time we rob that ranch, we run off enough stock to pay for it.
And keep on going until we've cleaned them out.
But, we won't be another year doing it.
No you won't, not until I'm ready.
And I'm stretching out his misery, the same as he did mine.
We're going to keep working on him until he comes gunning for me.
Ah, forget it!
- Let's get something out of this deal. - Not yet!
When I wipe out the Haydens, I'm going to get them all...
...to the last man.
- What do you think I've been talking about? - One of them aint out here yet.
- The oldest boy. - I'm not waiting for him.
I'm going to have that Hayden Ranch... ...oh, don't get your back up!
I'm not leaving you out, I'm going to marry your daugher.
Ha-ha! Finally made up your mind that's the only way you can get her, eh?
I'm gonna have her.
It's gonna take a lot better man than you to tie that gal, Daggs.
- You put them up to shoot off their guns! - What'd you let her get on that horse for?
- Oh, how's he going to stop me? - Well, you might have got killed.
Now, keep off of them broncs!
She bet Daggs a kiss against something or other that she could ride the horse.
Ugh!
Ha-ha!
- Where's Colby? - Why, what's up?
The Haydens shot Pete Garon.
It's no more than a powder burn.
- Molly, fetch me that salve. - Yes, Ann.
- Think ya killed him? - Yes, it was that fellow, Pete Garon.
That's Jed Colby's cousin.
Garon was with Colby the day Grandpa Spelvin was shot.
- 'member? - What did you do it for, Neil?
You know that Dad's been doing everything possible...
...to keep from fighting with the Colbys.
Ann, there's no use talking like that now. I told your father what happened.
He was sure enough upset, but he doesn't blame me.
Nobody's going to shoot bullets into me if I can get them first.
Well, that starts the old Kentucky feud boiling again.
You keep out of this, Bill Hayden!
I don't hanker to be a widow, my first year of marriage.
It's just fool's luck we're not turning a hand to bury you.
What do you expect us to do?
Sit around and let them move everything off the ranch.
I've been telling you all along, they've been stealing more cattle
than you'll ever admit.
Colby's been doing everything to get Dad fightin' mad.
Neil's right, we've got to face it sometime.
Neil, come on, Dad's up to something.
Where ya going, Dad?
To talk to Jed Colby.
- Not alone. - I don't need any help.
Bill and I are going with you.
This is between the Haydens and the Colbys, Neil.
My wife's a Hayden, isn't she?
What does it matter if you're a Hayden or a Colby...
...if a bullet gets you!
...to drive off every head of stock from his ranch.
By daybreak, there won't be a Hayden alive to stop you.
We're headin' for Grass Valley.
Well, if it aint my law-abiding friend from Kentucky!
I want to talk to you, Colby.
My son-in-law got one of your men for stealing cattle.
You can't accuse us of stealing cattle to cover up the killing of Pete Garon.
You've been stealing cattle off my ranch for almost a year.
Doing all you can to start up that Colby-Spelvin feud again.
I'm not going feuding with you, Colby, but I am protecting what's mine.
Hold it...put 'em on the table!
I've been after you.
Don't hurry, I've got plenty of time.
I'll scream for the bears.
- Come on out, then! - I won't! You get out of here!
Ha-ha-ha!
- What happened to you? - And where'd you drop from?
I was just riding through, and all of a sudden,
I head a sputtering and that dam tore loose.
And you were standing right in the way of it.
Daggs, the boys sent me up to tell you they're waiting.
For... for whatever you're going to do.
- Thanks, stranger!
Glad I happened by.
Wouldn't have made much difference.
I've never seen the man I couldn't handle.
Better put your hat on before that sun hits you any worse.
- Thanks, lady! - Lady.
- What are you staring at? - A lady.
- Now, you're making fun of me. - No, I'm not.
- Where are you heading for? - Grass Valley, how much further is it?
About seven hours with all them pack animals.
You can't make it before dark sets in.
You'll have to camp down in the meadows for the night.
Thanks, I will.
- Uh, glad you passed by, stranger. - You're welcome.
What ya thinkin' on, Ellen?
Just wonderin'... ...how ladies dress.
Eli, what did your mother look like?
Ah, she was beautiful.
I.. remember one dress she had. It had spangles all over it.
And feathers around the neck.
She used to always carry a red pocket book when she went out walkin'.
- Do ladies wear their fine dresses all days? - Oh no, only in the evening...
...when the gentlemen come to call.
- And what do they do? - Just sit around...
...talkin' and drinkin' and laughin' and having lots of fun in the big parlour.
- Did you live there? - Me, oh no...
...we had a room just around the corner.
But, my mother used to always see her friends in the big house.
They wouldn't let me in the parlour, I was too young.
But, I used to peek through the curtains.
And my, some of those ladies were lookers!
I'd still be there, if that sailor hadn't shot my Ma.
I wonder where we could get some shoes and stockings...
...and maybe a dress?
And one of them feathered "neck things".
Well, maybe you can get 'em down at the store in Grass Valley.
Ah no, besides, I want them for tonight.
Oh!
Guess I'll have to go walkin', just as I am.
Hello!
- I saw your fire. - Glad you did.
I'll be through in a minute.
Do you shave everyday?
- Every other day. - What for?
It's just a habit, I guess. Why?
I'd have thought you were kinda soft, if I didn't see the strength in your arms.
- Will ya have a cup of coffee? - You're being polite...
...or making fun of me. I aint used to being polite at.
I can get my own coffee without being waited on by men folks.
Must be sort of hard going barefoot through these mountains.
It's none of your business that I aint got shoes and stockings.
I didn't mean anything that way.
They write poems about barefoot girls like you.
- What's a poem? - Oh, a lot of words put together.
They don't mean anything, but they sound pretty good.
- Wanna hear one? - No, I guess I wouldn't care for it.
I could sing you a song...I know, a story about the indians.
If you're gonna keep on making fun of me, I'm going.
No... don't!
Now, will you let me get you a cup of coffee?
You're a disturbing sort of girl.
- It's gettin' late. - Don't go yet!
Oh, I wasn't going back tonight.
If I won't be any bother to you? But remember...
...you gotta treat me like a fella!
- Never knew bacon could taste so good. - Funny, aint it?
Only yesterday, there wasn't any you.
We aint said much to each other. Aint said anything, really.
Only, already yesterday, seemed way back there-
- Hey! Let's get acquainted. - Alright.
I'm Ellen Colby, and I hail from the mountains of Kentucky.
- Colby! - What's the matter?
Why do you look at me like that?
I'm from the mountains of Kentucky...
...I'm Lynn Hayden.
Ellen, listen Ellen, it isn't our fight. We didn't start it.
- Why should we hate each other? - My father went to jail.
15 years, he was there... ...a Hayden sent him.
A Hayden went square into the law.
- But, I didn't...! - Don't touch me!
I don't want to see you or any Hayden...
...excepting a dead one.
Get off before I-
(crying)
♪ (music) ♪
♪ There was a farmer, had two sons ♪ ♪ and these two sons were brothers♪
Gotta give me a kiss first! He-he, there you are.
I did have one for you, Ted, but I guess it's gone.
It's beautiful, and real silver too.
♪ (singing) ♪
I thought they were lost years ago.
- Where did you find them, Lynn? - Up in the attic, after Granny Spelvin died.
I remember seeing you had them when I was a kid.
My father gave me them when I left the old country and came to America.
I was fifteen years old then. And now, I have grandchildren.
Uncle Bill! Lookit, Uncle Bill!
- Oh, can she talk? - She's not old enough yet.
- Did he bring you a present too? - Sure did, look at this!
- Isn't that pretty! - Is he your Uncle Lynn, too?
No, he's my brother. Just like Teddy there is your brother.
Uncle Bill, want me to kick you with my new boots?
You kick me again, and you'll get hurt.
Uncle Lynn told me I could kick anything I wanted with them.
And it wouldn't hurt 'em.
Hey Lynn, you better take this boots away from your nephew before he gets hurt.
Right there!
Must have taken every dollar you had to buy all these presents, Lynn.
I figured I might land a job when I got here.
There's one been waiting for you a long time.
Hope you're planning to settle down to it.
And get married. Lots of fine girls raised on the ranches out here.
I think I've got one all picked out, Dad.
What do you think of my big brother, Molly?
This is very nice, Lynn, and I thank you.
You're welcome, Molly!
I'm glad you're back in the family, Lynn.
Uncle Lynn, who's this for?
Now you leave things alone that don't belong to you.
- Who is it for? - Nevermind.
Ann, how long have the Colby's been out here?
Why, about a year, how'd you know?
I ran across Ellen Colby.
She's white trash, runs around with anyone that will go with her.
How do you know? She's some wild, she's young yet.
- Colby bothering Dad? - Stealing cattle, that's all.
- Why, last year- - Don't!
Well, might as well know it sometime. Things are headin' for a showdown.
- Dad still trying to sidestep a feud? - Yes, if he can.
And, you and I don't feel that way about it.
(crying) My dolly!
Too far, can't reach him with this gun.
Let's go after him!
That ought to stir 'em up enough to suit Colby.
Hayden will think I shot to kill that kid.
Ha-ha!
Dad, you can't hold back on the Colbys this way!
And you might as well know it now,
the rest of the family can't understand it either
You're not going to feud to oblige Colby.
They just shot at your own grandchild, didn't they?
How are you going to answer that?
When the time comes, I'll deal with Colby as a cattle thief.
They didn't mean to hit Mary.
Colby had that shot fired so we'd all fall into a trap.
And he could wipe us out in "self defense".
I'll settle this my way.
- What do you think of them, Lynn? - Great!
- Well... - Well, what?
Take your pic! That's what I brought 'em in for.
You're not the only Santa Claus around this ranch.
- That white one over there. - Just as I thought.
White Cloud!
- What'd ya call him? - White Cloud.
That's what he looks like running against the side of a hill.
I certainly appreciate him, Bill.
You know, if it wasn't so near supper time,
White Cloud and I would take a look at Dad's ranch.
You better save that until morning, Lynn.
It's an all day ride.
- Where ya ridin', Lynn? - Oh, just looking around.
Be gone all day, won't ya?
Ellen Colby's alright.
T''aint her fault she's got a killing father.
- How'd you know I was going there? - I saw you were missing her yesterday.
- I can't forget her, Molly. - You shouldn't.
It's more important than anything
the Haydens or the Colbys could be fighting about.
- You won't be telling on me, will ya? - No.
The last I saw of you, you were riding out...that way.
For Ellen Colby
- Ha-ha! Ah... - What are you lauging at?
It struck me funny...
Mark Hayden chasing you out of Grass Valley.
Well, I didn't see you laughing last night when they chased you off his ranch.
- And we're going back tonight. - I figured something like that.
Well, I'll handle it myself. This time.
(shooting guns and yelling
Just before daybreak, they stole all your horses, Bill.
And took all the cattle out of the south pasture.
Get him up to the house!
- Colbys? - Yeah.
Don't say anything to Dad.
I'm going up in the Colby's neighborhood,
and try to locate that stock.
You have every hand on the ranch ready when I come back.
No matter what anybody says.
We're all going after what belongs to us.
You needn't say anything to Colby
about us planting gunpowder up here.
He doesn't want to handle the Haydens my way, huh?
We'll drive out the rest of their stock tonight.
That'll get every man of them coming after us up in this canyon.
One little match... ...and BAM!
Eh... I hope Colby aint in the canyon at the same time.
Hey, you want to see something interesting?
Come here!
Take care of her, White Cloud!
Why, I'm believing ya...
when you tell me that Lynn Hayden shot Fred.
And then he gave you and Joe the beating of your lives.
But, I'm not allowin' you to say that Ellen's been making up to him.
You get her this?
That your handwriting?
Have every man saddle up and meet me at the corrals.
Well, get going!
Have you been acceptin' favors from Lynn Hayden?
I'm gonna marry Lynn Hayden in that dress!
- Jeff! - Yeah?
If you want fried chicken for supper, you better get your hatchet.
I want the puppies!
Lynn, most of them are out in that barn.
We gotta drive 'em outta there.
If Jeff fetches the boys, we'll be alright.
Yeah, I hope Neil doesn't come riding home ahead of the rest.
- Where's Bill? - I don't know.
Hey, Colby!
It's young Hayden!
Alright, get him and drag him in here!
- Watch it! - Oh, I didn't know it was a kid.
(child crying)
Hey, there's a gang ridin' in.
Clear out, everybody!
Bill's just riding in.
Bill!
Bill's outside...
...on his horse...
...dead.
Well, you want me to bring him in while you run and tell the sheriff?
Cause it wouldn't be fair to the Colbys, lessen you know for certain.
Maybe you want to look and make sure, alright?
Go ahead...
It's Bill.
The same face...
...the same hands.
The same eyes that have been lookin' at ya since they first opened, only...
...only they're closed now.
And they're never going to open anymore.
- Never! - Molly, stop it!
- Calm yourself. - Oh, I'm calm.
I'm just telling you to do your duty.
It's your move, aint it?
The Colbys kill a Hayden, and the Haydens tell the law.
Aint that the game?
Aint that the rules we've been livin' up to?
Only you better hurry...
Better send quick for help.
Cause maybe they'll start shooting at children,
and the children aint old enough,
they wouldn't know enough to run.
Well, are you still gonna wait till we're all dead?
Then go to the like like you did,
when he killed old man Spelvin.
Are ya still gonna settle it your own way?
This is your family! That's your son!
Stay inside, now. Hey, Daggs, come here.
Hey, I just plugged Mark Hayden.
I'm figuring the rest of his outfit will be along any minute.
- We'd better be movin'. - Nah.
We wait for them at the end of the road.
Ah, they'll follow us.
Come on, fellas, let's go!
"BANG"
(GUNS SHOOTING)
(LARGE EXPLOSIONS)
(THUNDERING LANDSLIDE)
Lynn, Lynn! You've got to get up.
Hurry, Lynn! You've got to get out of here.
Lynn, come on!
- Dad with you? - No.
You'll have to depend on me from now on, Ellen.
Your father and the rest of them got caught in a landslide
up in the canyon.
- Lynn Hayden, too. - You sure Lynn Hayden was killed?
Yes.
I don't believe you.
It's just you and me left.
We're getting married.
- You aint serious about that? - Sure, sure, what'd ya think?
I didn't know you thought of me that way.
I've changed some lately.
Well, if you're proposin'...
do I have to answer, right away?
Why not? We'll get along.
We'll be the biggest ranchers in this state.
What do ya say?
(GUN DROPPING ON TABLE)
THE END