1
John!
Here I am!
Look... look up here!
Oh.
- I'd like to see Mrs. Devlin.
- Would that be Miss Sandra?
- She's Mrs. Devlin now.
- Your name, Sir?
- I'm...
- Mr. Devlin?
Yes... Mr. Poli?
Yes.
So you are the man who
married my daughter.
Well, we, uh...
Sorta got the idea in a hurry.
Throw him out!!
Ornery cuss, that Poli.
He don't fiddle with nobody.
He used to run a
stagecoach line,
before he went in for railroadin'.
Huh?
Wait!
Papa is just as
crazy as you are.
He'll get his gun,
and what about me?
Papa's kind of high
strung, isn't he?
Papa says you are
a gun-totin',
highbindin', tinhorn gambler.
Well, papa shouldn't talk like
that in front of the children.
But you are.
Sandra! How'd you get out
when I locked the door!?
Get him, men!
Heya!
You'd better come back,
or from between the ears
I'll shoot you!
Wait... my bags!
We hadn't better make
any stops now, Sandy.
All right, then.
If I can't look pretty,
you can't either.
We're cleaned out for sure now.
- Who said so?
- Lunch?
No...
Twenty thousand dollars.
That cinches it...
Sandy, I love ya.
Who wouldn't?
You couldn't win that
much in a poker game.
You mean, unless I was dealing.
That's papa...
He's shooting at us!
Hurry up!
Ah, that's nothing.
All I want to know is do you
take after papa or mama?
Papa always wants to
shoot things out.
He has no more sense
than you have.
I do hope he doesn't kill us.
He'd never get over it.
Well, I'd feel kind of
regretful about it myself.
He's got himself another gun!
Can't you go quicker?!
Do you suppose it
could be, Sandy,
that we weren't meant for
each other after all?
I don't like to butt in,
but I thought maybe I oughta
ask if you wouldn't prefer
another carriage?
Heya!
Sit tight, Sandy! We're
headin' for California!
Well, do we have to
go to California?
Know a better place?!
How about Dakota?
Did you say Dakota?
Yes, Dakota.
Oh, I thought you said Dakota.
We'll make it California.
Heya!
Turn left at the next crossing.
Oh!
What's the matter?
You all right, sir?
Are you all right?
Yes, sir.
You're fired!
Get your horses!
What are you doing here?
He's only angry now.
Wait till he finds out I sold the
Gainsborough from his library.
What's wrong with Dakota?
It has lots of people
in it, hundreds,
and it's a great wheat country.
What does a man do
in a wheat country,
open a bakery?
There are lots of
things we could do.
Once we've established
ourselves...
Let's talk it over in California.
But some day,
when Dakota is admitted
into the union,
you could go into politics.
Oh, our money!
Speaking of politics,
where we're going there
are only two parties--
- The quick and the dead.
- All aboooaard!
That's our train. How
much do we owe ya?
Oh, forget about it, my friend.
It's on the house.
Maybe you hadn't better
draw up any plans until...
Until what?
I was gonna say until
your money runs out.
All aboooaaard!
- Did you say this is our train?
- Yes.
That lady is Sandra
Poli, Bigtree.
Her father owns this railroad.
That so?
Well, guess maybe she's
somebody we oughta know, huh?
Mm-hmm.
Hurry up... don't let
them get away!!
Quick, send a telegraph
to Bells Crossing!
Yes, Mr. Poli.
To Jake Bonzo on train 67...
Say, "hold my daughter!
"Take from her the big tin horn
and knock out
his teeth!"
No, wait...
It's too much.
Just his front teeth,
that's enough.
And uh, wait...
No... no... no.
Maybe it would break her heart.
Maybe she would be mad...
it's no good. No... no.
Uh... say, "don't knock
out his front teeth."
Say... oh, what's
the matter with you?
Are you crazy... How can you
send such a telegraph?!
Huh? She's my own little girl.
Maybe she loves him,
that big no-good.
And you will break
her heart, huh?!
Me?
Send another one.
"To my daughter,
Mrs... Uh...
Mrs... Uh...
Now what's his name?
Devlin... no...
Yes, Devlin!
"Have a good time,
"and remember your papa
if you need money
or something."
Oh, she's a sweet girl...
Oh, something else!
"If maybe you get tired of your
wonderful, big, lovely man,
"don't worry, we'll
put him in jail,
"that no-good rat!
I myself will
take him and..."
He's bigger than I,
that's the trouble.
But there's nothing in
California but flowers,
and everyone knows flowers
give you hay fever.
I got it myself, right now.
Look, Sandy, with $20,000,
we can open a little place
in the gold fields...
A saloon and gambling palace
with dance hall girls...
- Wouldn't you just love that?
- Tickets, please.
I brought the tickets,
like you told me.
When do we get to St.
Louis, conductor?
St. Louis!? Can't do it
and stay on the tracks.
We're headed
for St. Paul.
Why... why, you
see, John,
I had to do it.
I couldn't do anything else.
You couldn't, eh?
I just couldn't...
I couldn't.
I love you and it was
for you, so I did it.
But why St. Paul?
Because from St. Paul,
we'll go to Dakota.
Wait.
Last night papa had some of his
business friends to dinner,
and I heard them say
they're going to extend
the railroad into Dakota.
In a few weeks, papa
will send agents
to Fargo to buy up all the land
and the right of way,
so what we'll do...
Is beat him to it,
option everything in sight,
make him pay through the nose.
But the catch is to make the
profit, we have to go to Fargo.
But it's a wonderful place!
Sure.
There's probably nothing
there but a trading post.
We'll be stuck up there
with nothing to do but...
Make love.
Hmm, what's wrong with that?
What's the matter?
Stop it!
Bells crossing!
Get rid of them.
Thanks for pitchin' in.
It's all right.
Looked like you could
use some help.
He's a good man.
Bigtree?
Telegram for Mr. Bonzo!
He'll do... my name is
Bender, Jim Bender.
I'm Devlin...
This is Mrs. Devlin.
How do you do, Mrs. Devlin?
Mrs. Devlin?
Yes...
Thank you.
May I?
Surely.
It's from papa...
Everything is all right.
He says if we need more
money or anything,
we just let him know.
Isn't he wonderful?
Nice guy to do business
with, by letter.
Going to St. Paul, Mr. Bender?
I'm going to Fargo.
So are we.
Really... that's fine.
We'll probably be seeing
a lot of each other.
Heya!
We've passed the fort. Should be
in Abercrombie in a few minutes.
And you look just as fresh as
when we started, Mrs. Devlin.
Thank you... We bought
some things in St. Paul.
Oh, aren't they soldiers?
Huh? Probably an
escort from the fort.
Must be some hostile
Indians around.
Indians... oh!
John, now that we know
something about it,
do you really think we
should go to Fargo?
Well, we've come this far.
Maybe we oughta stop
off and, uh,
take a look around.
What do you expect to do
in Fargo, Mr. Devlin?
We are going to invest
some money in land.
Farmland...
We thought we'd
pick up a few acres
and grow some wheat.
You wouldn't want us to believe you
was a farmer, would ya, Mr. Devlin?
Maybe I oughta
sprout a beard, eh?
I can't imagine why you'd
want to buck a proposition
as uncertain as you may
find in the wheat country.
Wha... what's
uncertain about it?
You don't think nobody's gonna
let you walk into Fargo
and jump any claims,
do ya, ma'am?
Bigtree means, you might
have a little trouble
getting hold of a decent
piece of land--
Good acreage is scarce.
Tryin' to tell us that
they don't take kindly to
strangers in Fargo, Mr. Bender?
I don't imagine they'd
welcome strangers
who come to farm, uh, without
implements, Mr. Devlin.
Whoa!
Everybody out...
We done it again!
Fort Abercrombie, folk.
Mr. Bender?
I'm Bender.
Compliments of
colonel Worden, sir.
He'd like you to ride over to
the fort when you're rested.
Well, I was gonna sail
on the Sioux Princess.
Have you got any idea what
he wants to see me about?
There's been some
killings at Fargo.
They've burned the homes of
most of the Bonanza farmers.
- Indians?
- Well, according to Mr. Stowe,
it was made to look like the
Sioux were mixed up in it,
but he doesn't believe it.
Stowe wasn't burned out, was he?
Yes, sir.
It seems only the little fellas
are left now, the homesteaders.
Mr. Stowe's at
the fort now.
He and colonel Worden have been
waiting for you to get back.
For me?
I think Mr. Stowe has
some idea of organizing
a law enforcement
agency at Fargo.
Oh... well, you tell 'em I'll
wash up and be over after supper.
Well, the Sioux Princess
sails at six, sir.
Well, I'll arrange to miss that
and go with captain
Bounce on the river bird.
My compliments to
colonel Worden.
There ya are, Devlin,
that's Fargo for ya.
What's Fargo? Didn't you hear
what the lieutenant said?
Mentioned a colonel
somebody or other,
fort... somethin'
goin' on?
No, nothin' much, nothing
very interesting.
Bigtree, get our bags out of
the Sioux Princess, will ya?
I'll see you and the Mrs.
Down at the boat, huh?
Yeah, sure.
That, uh, Fargo boat,
Sioux Princess?
That's one of 'em.
T'other's the river bird,
that's ol' cap'n Bounce's tub.
She's a huff er and a puffer.
But if I was a makin' the trip,
- she's the one I'd take.
- Better boat?
Nope, but if ya sail
on the river bird,
you'd have it practically
to yourself,
and if the moon happens to
be ridin' along with ya,
and you're travelin' with
live baggage, wow!
Come on now, you slab-sided
puddle snipe.
Kick her off from back there!
Come on, now.
Now just ease yourself ta port,
ya sweet little lovin' lamb.
Swing it ta port, ya ol'
wing-tailed mudhen!
There now.
Now just sneak up on
that there landin'.
Now if that flat-footed swipe ain't
fell overboard or somethin'...
Blast ya, Nicodemus,
where ya at!!
Nicodemus, if you're sleepin',
I'll knock ya out from the
back o' your teeth, by juppy!!
Oh, back line, ya pretty
little river swan.
Shake your hips.
Shake your hips ya potbellied...
I'll tiptoe up to that
Abercrombie levee.
Nicodemus!!!
Nicodemus, if'n you're
still aboard,
you better start
runnin' up river!!
Yes, sir... coming, cap'n.
Hurry, hurry, hurry
all the time.
Wow!!
Comin' cap'n...
Nicodemus'll get it goin'!
We'll show them Abercrombie
folks how it's done,
ya pussyfootin' little moonbeam.
Hey, on shore there, somebody!
Hop aboard and throw off'n rope!
I done lost my Bosun!
What the...
Shut off them engines!
Cap'n! Cap'n Bounce, the
bell is busted!
It won't stop ringin'! Just
keep ringin' and ringin!
It's ringin' because
I was ringing it!!
Like I'm gonna ring
that neck of yours
if you don't obey orders!!
Did you want some'in, cap'n?
What do ya think them
lights is back there?!
Oh, uh.
You mean them lights way
back there in the dark?
That, you river happy
jaybird, is Abercrombie!
If you ever get me to eat
saddle of venison again,
you're going to have
to unsaddle it first.
Contrary animal, the deer,
gentle on the hoof,
tough on the plate.
Sailin' north to Fargo,
Grand Forks and Pembina!
All passengers for
the river bird,
castin' off in 20
minutes... all aboard!
River bird, mister? Nicodemus! My
Bosun'll take care of your baggage.
Pembina?
Fargo.
How 'bout you, lady?
Oh, we're married.
Well, now!
Sure good to meet
nice, clean folks.
I'm gonna puts it in my log...
I'm captain Bounce.
Nicodemus, take the folks'
baggage, and get it down there
afore we shove off, or by juppy,
off comes your bosun's ratin'
and back ta wipin' ya go!
Well, cap'n, I ain't
never stop wipin'.
I just wipes, 'n... Does
you wanna wipe as a bosun
or a low-down seaman?
Man never knows when
he's well off, he don't.
What do we owe ya?
Well, uh...
Uh, two fares ta Fargo,
that's seven dollars...
Each, and, uh, the staterooms
'll be, uh, two dollars,
for one, and then there's, uh...
The meals are extra, a
dollar each for meals.
What do we owe ya all together?
Well, let's see, that's, uh...
Seven and seven and two and two,
and two times three that's, uh,
thirty-four dollars...
I mean, thirty seven!
Wouldn't take 24, would ya?
Is we gonna argue over a coupla pennies?
Road folks, ain't we?
Glad to have seen you
again, Mr. Stowe.
Thank you, colonel.
I wish you could've talked
to Bender in my presence.
Well, we'll try to arrange
a little parley later.
I'm terribly shorthanded and
have plenty to handle down here,
but if you need us badly, I'll
try to get a company up to ya.
- Good-bye, Mr. Stowe, and pleasant trip.
- Thank you, colonel.
Good night.
Good night.
You better get aboard
and claim your stateroom.
It's number one... The
one with the door on it!
Mr. Stowe,
I'm glad ta see ya.
Here we go.
Calm yourself, Sandy.
Nothing's gonna happen to us.
We won't turn up the
well-known toes
until ol' man time
catches up with us.
It didn't take old man time
long to catch up with us.
Ooh, you're hurt!
A little.
Please...
Tell Mrs. Stowe...
Not to sell to Bender.
John, do you think there'll
be any more trouble?
- No.
- Why wouldn't Mr. Stowe
want his wife to sell to Bender?
That's the question.
This is the boiler room.
Mr. Bender sailed on
the Sioux Princess,
so he couldn't have
done any shooting.
This must be it... It's the
only one with a door on it.
Lookin' for me, folks?
I think this is our
stateroom, Collins.
Only, uh, what counts
around these parts is...
Who gets there first.
Let's take the other room, John.
I think Collins wants
us to have this room.
Well, I guess a man
traveling with his wife
should have a room
with a door on it.
Didn't hurt your gun
hand, did ya, Devlin?
I can still...
Write with it.
A man's got ta watch hisself.
An accident like that could
put him out of business, huh?
See ya.
Look out now, you sweet
little hunk a misery.
Look out... she's right
up ahead there.
Port ta helm, Nicodemus!
Comin', cap'n.
Now here she comes... Look out now.
Look... drop.
Drop, you sneakin' cousin
of a sneakin' catfish!
Pop your innards!
Bust is coming!!
Get over there!!
There, see how easy it is
when you wanna do it?
Got her over that one, didn't ya, cap'n?
Oh, she's scared.
She's been hangin' herself up on
them river warts for five years,
and she knows if she just sets
herself down just one more,
I'll blow her higher than the
cost of livin' in Fargo!
- John?
- Yes?
You know what happened in Abercrombie
was not a fault of yours.
It was Mr. Stowe
they were after.
And you might have been killed
simply because you drew a gun,
which you couldn't have drawn
if you hadn't been carrying it.
When I see a gun pointed
in my direction,
so far as I'm concerned, I'm
part and parcel to that deal,
and I'm gonna act accordingly.
What's that for?
Must be takin' on passengers.
John? If I did something
that would make you angry,
what would you do to me?
What a fella should
do to a little girl
that's done something
she shouldn't a done.
You wouldn't? I'd be
embarrassed to death.
Well, what brought this on?
Well, as I was saying,
if you hadn't reached
for your gun,
they wouldn't have shot at you.
Don't scare me like that.
What you fellas want?!
We'd like to come aboard, cap'n.
Injuns snuck up on us last
night and stole our horses.
We started to leg it but
got off the trail.
Give me a hand, will
ya, big fella?
You know what this means?
I ain't gonna take much
of your time, mister.
Hey, what's goin' on down there!
Get your head back
in there, pop.
Which pocket's that money in?
Who told you I had any money?
An injun came to me in
a dream last night
and says as how you was loaded.
Get back there, flatfoot!
And you, mister, stay
right where you are.
Yeah, sure.
Oh, ain't I the lucky one?
Look what I found.
That's all we have!
Get back, lady.
Yellowtail!
Get back!
Wouldn't lend me your gun for a
coupla minutes, would ya, Collins?
Would ya lend me yours,
Devlin, if it was loaded?
No.
But those men, they're getting
away with our money!
Too bad, ma'am. But my momma told
me, when I was a little shaver,
if I never butted into
to nobody's business,
I'd never get hurt.
Good advice for anybody, ma'am.
Well, I can't do much
fightin' with an empty gun.
Then it only cost us 20,000
greenies to find that out.
Well...
How was I to know anything like
this was going to happen?
I'll never touch your
ol' gun again!
And if you're going to get
your silly head shot off,
I'm not going to care...
Much.
Funny part of it is if you
hadn't emptied my gun,
I mighta taken a few
slugs in the back.
What would you say, Sandy,
if I were to tell ya
that you look as good
to me without money
as you did with it?
Oh, John.
Take that, dag blast ya!
Come back here and I'll blow it
through your thievin' bones!!
Boardin' a man's ship
for illegal purposes!
Hold on. Look out for
them sand bars, you...!!
Nicodemus!
Nicodemus!
Get them engines started!
What are you doin' there?!
Well, cap'n,
if'n it's them oil-sweatin'
suckers y'all referrin' to,
right here is where I'm
turnin' 'em over ta y'all.
Get back in that engine room,
for I start takin' you apart!!
Look out, nicodemus!!
So ya went and done it!
Got yourself hung up!!
Hung up for keeps, just like
y'alls been tryin' ta do!
Well, folks, as cap'n of
this here now doomed ship,
I'm givin' my last
and final order!
Man the lifeboats
and abandon ship!!!
Beat your lifeboats
and ship your oars!
Poor captain Bounce,
wasn't he cute?
But where is he?
Well, he went down with his ship,
didn't he, like a good captain should.
Well, how's a man goin'
down with his ship.
What ain't never up?
But he won't be able
to stay aboard.
Why doesn't he come with us?
Ya got me.
Ya oughta be ashamed
of yourself,
sittin' on a sand bar like
a hen sittin' on a nest.
You're nothin' but a no-good
woman, that's all!
And when a woman two-times a man,
there's only one thing to do!
And that's put on the pressure!
You're goin' now, you
contrary female.
I'm gonna git you
off'n this sand bar
if I has ta blow ya off!
I shouldn'ta said it, honey.
I shouldn'ta said it.
Po' cap'n Bounce.
He did a powerful
lotta shoutin',
but it's been a whole
lot worse'n he was.
I hopes when they get
him where he's goin',
they don't put him to no wipin'.
Look.
We gotta get him outta there.
Give me a hand, Collins.
Where is he?
He's gone.
Come on, Nicodemus.
Yes, sir, this all
belong to Mr. Stowe,
more'n 10,000 acres of it.
It's what they call a...
A Bonanza farm.
Now over here's the Stowe home.
They... oh.
Don't look like there
is any Stowe home.
Accordin' to the way
them ashes piled around,
this musta been the jumpinest
fire what ever was.
Does Mrs. Stowe live
in that teepee?
Well, if'n it's the
same Mrs. Stowe
that come up with me on the
river bird three years ago,
she's probably there waitin'...
Waitin' for Mr. Stowe
ta come home.
That poor dear.
They came here ta settle
down and grow wheat,
her and Mr. Stowe,
and that's what they done.
Looks like that's about all
there is left for Mrs. Stowe...
Wheat.
Mr. Devlin?
Bein' as how I'm just
an ol' mud turtle
and ain't used to breakin'
bad news to fine ladies,
I thought maybe you could
spit it out for me, huh?
I mean about Mr. Stowe
gettin' plugged and all.
Well, uh...
I'll tell her.
Thank you, ma'am.
They're probably lost, Tonka.
Why, it's captain Bounce!
Oh, captain Bounce, you're
just about the last person
I'd expect to visit me here.
Tell me, you've been
at Abercrombie?
You saw Mr. Stowe?
Yes'm, he was there.
Mrs. Stowe, this is Mr. Devlin and Mrs.
Devlin...
How do you do? How do you do, Mr.
And Mrs. Devlin.
- And my bosun, Nicodemus.
- Nicodemus.
I hope you'll excuse me
for not getting up,
but we've had a fire,
as you can see, and my...
Well, I got burned a little
trying to save a few things.
Tonka, haven't we something
for our visitors to sit on?
No got.
Well, I'm sorry,
it doesn't seem we've
got very much left.
Poor Anson--
That's Mr. Stowe--
He works so hard.
They came and raided
and burned the place
the night he left.
Oh, but you must be very
tired and hungry.
Oh, no... we've just
come a couple of miles.
We wondered if we could
borrow some horses?
Well, there are four of you...
You may have four, of course.
Well, thank you very much.
We'll return them as
soon as we can.
But I think if you're
able to travel,
you should go with us to Fargo.
No... I'll be all right here
until Anson gets back.
Well, that's just it, uh...
Go on, get the horses.
This here's what they
call Fargo in the timber.
Over there's Fargo
on the prairie.
Why are they wearing
those foreign costumes?
Oh, I dunno, some kinda doin's.
She is what you call
a get-together.
Each year, once we have her.
We use the national costumes.
How are ya, Mike...
I'm glad ta see ya.
Hello, cap. I want you ta meet Mr.
And Mrs. Devlin.
My name is Mikhail
Pontelivonich Corino.
Herr Koffka, senior Baroni,
m'sieur Lafond.
Listen... they're
playing a waltz.
Lady, you like to dance?
Oh, I... I'd
love to but...
Oh, a nice place you have here.
Oh, yes... it belongs
to m'sieur Bender.
We make arrangement with him
for the homesteaders to
have it for one night.
Si... Mr. Bender's
a fine man, Si?
I hope they have room for us.
Did you ever see
anything so colorful?
It makes Dakota a
melting pot, doesn't it?
Ever try Kansas city in July?
Got here all right, eh, Devlin?
How did you get here,
Collins, as the crow flies?
Met up with a coupla
friends with horses.
Mr. Slagin...
Mr. Devlin.
Nice ta see ya again, Slagin.
You never met me before...
Musta been my brother.
Oh, a big fella?
Yeah, as handsome as they come.
About as handsome
as a prairie dog.
He's a bad man to mess
around with, Devlin.
Well, he sure got the job done.
And he's awfully
fast with a gun.
About as fast as you
are, I suppose?
Yeah.
Just how fast is that?
Oh, John, if you're not in...
Oh.
This is Mr. Slagin. You met
his brother on the boat.
Was that your brother?
I thought it was you.
I mean...
How do you do?
You know Collins, of course.
Yes.
I guess you'll be wantin' a
coupla rooms, eh, Devlin?
Yeah... one for us and
one for the cap'n.
What were you about to say?
I was going to say let's dance,
but it seems kind of silly now.
I mean, I don't feel
like it anymore.
Oh, sure you do.
Do us a little favor,
will ya, Slagin?
Yeah. Will ya step outside
and arrange for someone
to stable our horses?
When a lady wants to dance, we
gotta fix it so she can, right?
Yeah, sure.
I want ya ta have your fun
while ya can, Mrs. Devlin.
You never can tell how ya feel
about things come tomorra.
Here ya are, Devlin.
Any time we're not here, and
you want to see me or Bender,
look back in the office.
Take whichever room ya want,
but leave us one
with a bed in it.
Darling, why do you
take such chances?
After all, no one
here's on our side.
I learned one thing from
general Morgan, Sandy...
That's when you're surrounded
and haven't a chance...
Attack.
Hello.
Met your brother this morning.
Yeah... how's he doing?
Not bad, but it looks like
there's some sad days ahead.
John?
Yes?
Do you think I look
good in black?
There ain't no gol'
darned horse thieves
holdin' up no ship o' mine.
So I grabs my carbine, I gets the
pair of 'em in my sights and wham!
You wouldn't believe
this, but, eh...
Missed 'em, clean as a whistle.
This our key, cap'n? It
don't make no difference,
it fits all the doors.
I just stopped by to talk
to the ladies a minute.
They remind me of my
dear old aunt Minnie.
Oh, this is Mr. and
Mrs. Devlin, ladies.
They work here... They're
doin' a song and dance act.
Of course, they're off for tonight
on account of the big doin's.
- I'm Jersey Thomas.
- I always thought Jersey was a state.
Could be, on occasion.
That's New Jersey you're
thinking of, dear.
They certainly manage to attract
all the obvious types here,
haven't they?
Just one big happy
melting pot, eh?
But don't melt too
easily, will you, dear?
And you thinking all the time
that Jersey was a state.
Why you!
You open this door,
you big lady killer!
Well, glad I met'cha,
good-bye.
He must be one of those one-woman
men I've heard so much about.
Oh, I guess he just gone
down to git hisself a drink.
Suppose we leave it
unlocked, Devlin?
Some of the boys might
want to drop in.
How are ya?
For the moment,
short about $20,000.
Is that so...
How'd ya lose it?
Turning backflips.
That couldn't be it, could it?
You prove it's yours,
and you can have it.
When I walk out of here,
if it's in my pocket,
will that prove anything?
You wouldn't take advantage of a man
with a bad leg, would you, Devlin?
Well, you wouldn't
hide behind it
with my $20,000,
would you, Bender?
You talk like you might try to
take that money away from me,
and I don't think I like that.
You're not in Fargo to
stay, are you, Mr. Devlin?
Oh...
Bad character, eh?
Oughta move on.
Well, I don't like
to seem blunt,
but we've got a pretty nice
little community here,
and we don't exactly cotton
to sharp wits who come here
with the idea of trimming
the folks hereabouts.
Friend of yours or mine?
Better hand over
the money, Bender.
I got the place surrounded.
That's funny, so have I. Things ought
to start to break shortly, huh?
Right now...
Let's have it.
Go ahead and take it, if you
like that kind of a gamble.
There's an easier way to
get it, though, Devlin.
Leave on the first boat?
There's nothing personal
about it at all.
This country's my country, and
the people in it are my people,
and I'm gonna look after
their interests.
But it's not to their interest to let you
run around with your hands full of money,
buying up options on their land,
very cheaply, for the railroad.
You got all the facts right
on file, haven't you?
You're married to Poli's daughter...
far as I'm concerned,
that connects you
with the railroad.
And that provides me with a neat
little life insurance policy too.
- Does it?
- If you got me, she'd scream for help,
and papa Poli'd be up here
with the united states army
before you could saddle a horse,
which leaves you holdin'
the small cards, Bender.
So I'll take the money.
Look out!
Sweet little baby.
Now don't you get to flirtin'
with them sand bars,
and papa'll buy ya a
nice new ton a coal
when we git to Grand Forks.
I never see'd this river
kick up like this before...
Must be a storm a brewin'.
Hey!
Them windstorms come up without
givin' no advanced notice,
don't they?
I see'd your wife...
Hurt her hard.
Picked me up and slammed me down
like I was a old
spittoon or somethin'...
Allowed them to keep their doors
closed in hurricane season.
Which way'd she blow, from
the north or the south?
Sandy?
Here, use my key.
They're all alike...
It fits any door in the house.
Lookin' for your wife?
Don't guess she'd be in
that suitcase, do ya?
You ain't figurin' on
shootin' her, are ya?
Now wait a minute!
Maybe it weren't her fault.
For a woman, she
didn't look too bad.
The man don't show much sense,
shootin' a woman...
Especially in this country,
where they're so scarce.
Hold that light closer.
John.
It was an accident, John.
They didn't mean to hit me.
It was you they shot at.
This man know his
business, Bender?
If he doesn't,
your wife may die...
In which event I
also cash in, right?
Now if someone will
hold her other arm.
Take a deep breath,
Mrs. Devlin.
John, I'm frightened.
Not so much of a wound,
the doc says.
Trouble is that bullet's
pressing on an artery.
If he happens to make a slip and puncture
that artery, then she's gonna be in trouble.
Is that it, doc?
That's it.
Anything else you wanted
to see me about, Devlin?
She be all right, doc?
Her shoulder may be
stiff for a coupla days.
My guess is that
she'll out live you.
How long will it take ya to finish up?
A few minutes.
What's the matter,
Devlin, you in a hurry?
Yeah.
Get over there with Bender!
Let me remind you,
if I hadn't gotten Mrs. Devlin.
Over here to Dr. Judson,
she might've died.
I'm rememberin' it, and also
how she came to get hit.
Maybe I oughta fix it
so accidents like that
can't happen again. That
calls for killing two men
in cold blood, doesn't it? Yes.
It requires a
certain type of man
to kill without excuse, Devlin,
somebody more like myself. You
coulda killed her, Bender.
That's all the excuse I need.
John?
Is it...
Is it all over?
You seem to have
a sobering effect
upon your husband,
Mrs. Devlin.
You better take your wife
back to the hotel, Devlin.
Perhaps it'd be to the
benefit of all of us
if you pointed out
the advantages to him
of both of you
returning to Chicago.
Suppose you point 'em out.
An agent commissioned to
option land for the railroad
can't function very well
without money, can he?
I'll be over tomorrow
for the money.
Tomorrow may be too late
for it to do you any good.
Have it ready.
Nicodemus!
Comin', cap'n.
Get up outta there!
The town's done cleaned out!
Where's everybody at?
Cap'n, why... why does
you have ta wake me up
ta ask me that?
They're all goin' ta
Fargo on the som'dother,
on da other side of them trees.
Fargo on the prairie?
What's goin' on over there?
Why... why ya has ta
ask me that, cap'n?
Man goes someplace,
it's a visit.
A bunch of men go someplace,
it's a party.
Everybody goes someplace,
it's a meetin'.
Whatever's goin' on over there
has got to be a meetin', cap'n,
'cause that's where
they's all at.
Well, come on...
Let's go over.
Is you comin', or is I
gotta shove ya overboard!!
Comin', cap'n.
So as soon as I saw the crop was
gonna be too big for us to handle,
being President of the wheat
growers association,
I guess it was up to me
to figure out a way
to get the crops harvested
and off to the market.
So like I told ya,
I went to Mr. Bender
and made a deal for him
to lend us the money
to bring in a gang
of harvest hands,
and to take care of
shippin' costs.
But why you go
to Mr. Bender?!
The bank in Grand Fork, she's
got plenty of money to lend!
What's the matter
with Bender's money,
ain't it any good?
Mr. Bender's done plenty
for us around here.
He's give us credit at the
store and staked a few of us.
And I say here and now! If there's any
side money to be made around here,
he's the man who
ought to get it.
But this contract
we are to sign,
if something is
wrong with crops,
all our land will belong
to Mr. Bender?
Well, a man has to have
some kind of security
for the money he
puts up, ain't he?
It's dumb butts like you that keep
us smart folks from progressin'.
What you got to say about this?
You don't farm no lands!
Nobody can talk that way to me!
What he... what he don't
know is that I...
I got secret holdin's.
I got a piece of 10,000 acres,
and I aim to see that wheat
cut with Fargo money.
And if there's any
profit to be made,
I want my good friend, Mr.
Bender, to collect it, see?!
And another thing...
If anything happens to the crop,
Mr. Bender's gonna pay us
for what the land is worth,
accordin' to government
valuation--
A dollar an acre!
And why would anybody want to buy worthless
prairie acreage with nothin' growin' on it?
What Mr. Collins said
sounds logical enough.
All I know is this
deal is fixin' things
so there's a possibility
of Bender buying our land.
And another thing...
The whole blamed layout is so slick
and pretty I don't believe it.
There's gotta be a catch in it.
Exactly what I was thinking, Mr.
Plummer.
If anything happens
to the wheat crop,
looks to me like I'm
stuck with about
50 square miles of
worthless prairie.
So as a favor to me,
will you let out
a man-sized protest
about the whole deal,
and give me a chance
to squeeze out of it?
Don't guess it'd do me any good
for me to say anything, Bender,
a couple other men tried that
and got nowhere.
Seems like I have too many
friends, doesn't it?
It seems to me that
worthless prairie or not,
you're going to own all the
land around here, Mr. Bender.
Do you expect anything to happen
to your wheat, Mrs. Stowe?
Well, along with some
other bonanza farmers,
like Mrs. Stowe and Mr. waters,
I didn't expect to
get burned out.
Somebody come along
with a torch, eh?
What happened to our farm buildings
could happen to our wheat.
If anything happens to your
wheat, I'm the loser.
So I think we better take steps to
see that nothing does happen to it.
What kind of steps,
Mr. Bender?
When the peace of a
community is disturbed
by violence and acts of
vandalism, Mrs. Stowe,
there's only one thing
to do about it
and that's bring in the law,
so that's what we'll do.
Sounds honest enough, didn't he?
I'd never had suspected him,
if Anson hadn't said he
was just no good at all.
I probably wouldn't have myself,
if it wasn't for the fact that
everyone that was burned out
got an offer from him
for their land first.
Come on, Nicodemus,
this is no place for us.
Comin', cap'n.
So the one with all the
eyebrows says to me, he says...
"What makes you
so different?"
Of course, I could always
trim his eyebrows a little,
but even if I did,
what would I have?
A wheat farm.
I'll take a nice, dirty miner
with gold dust caked
under his fingernails.
If you can spare one.
Me, too.
There I was in California, up to my elbows
in hard-rock men, and I had to come here.
I could've married, settled down
and had myself a nice home.
And a native son.
Put it in a gilt frame,
and I'll buy it.
Look, girls, the bell of the
northwest gets in tonight,
and Collins wants you all there
at the landing when she ties up,
looking your best, so be there.
Oh, excuse me... I thought
this was the kitchen.
Well, it is the kitchen.
Looking for anyone
in particular?
I wanted to get
a couple of eggs.
Well, in that case, come on in.
We'll thank you to speak of us
with more respect, Mr. Devlin.
We usually take the
egg to the customer,
unless the customer insists
on coming to the egg.
We want you to be
happy, of course.
And you're just the little
girl that can do it, eh?
Well, these eggs
are for Mrs. Devlin,
and I thought I'd
take them up to her.
You see, she, uh...
She has a headache.
People get them in Fargo.
If you want to get back to
your crocheting, girls,
I'll look after
Mr. Devlin.
How about a couple of eggs for Mr.
Devlin, Nora?
Ain't got no eggs...
The girls ate 'em all up.
But we grow them right
outside the door,
if you've got to have them.
Well, I'm an old egg rustler.
No fun rustling alone.
Did I say rustling?
I meant rustling.
It's not locked!
Where on earth did
you go for the eggs?!
Mornin', ma'am.
Oh.
Where is Mr. Devlin?
He's getting me some breakfast
from St. Paul,
I think.
Is it something important?
No, ma'am, I don't guess it is.
But Bender is over in
Fargo on the prairie
gettin' them farmers
to sign contracts.
I thought maybe Mr. Devlin
would like to know about it.
Oh, I'm sure he would.
Run down to the kitchen.
Never mind, I'll go myself.
Look...
I don't know why, but
there's a man down there
who's been watching this window.
Keep an eye on him. He's
spyin' on someone, huh?
Well, we'll soon find
out about that.
Hey, go away!
Dagnabit, I gotta learn to keep my head
out'n them windows for I get all cut up.
For the record,
you were with Morgan's raiders...
First company...
Fast with a gun...
None faster...
A killer...
With both hands...
And you're an agent
for the railroad?
Uh, they know that.
Mm-hmm.
Well, that's for Collins.
Now what's for me?
Well, not much, honey.
Just married?
A coupla weeks.
Good, eh?
Swell.
Nice gal?
The best.
She'd have to be, of course,
or you'd have sent her
down for the eggs.
These hens seem to be a
little slow on delivery.
Think they're in the mood?
They've no excuse.
I just showed them
how it's done.
Well, I'd like to tell ya that I
think you're an all-right gal,
but you wouldn't want to
hear that, would you?
Mm-mm, nothing
secondhand.
And this may not be final...
Who can tell?
Anyway, I'll check with
ya from time to time.
Well, in the meantime,
don't pass up anything
that'll do just as
well, eh, Jersey?
See ya later.
Come to think of it,
you might as well wait.
I don't believe you'll
be going anyplace for...
A couple of hours.
Why not?
Why... I think...
Bender's men...
They've orders not to let
you out of the hotel.
Why?
What's up?
Why, I think...
Bender and Collins, they're
at Fargo on the prairie
signing a contract
with the wheat growers.
Don't be a fool. It's not only
them, they've got 20 men.
You haven't got a chance.
Yeah.
I know.
Have you seen
Mr. Devlin?
Please, have you
seen Mr. Devlin?
He's riding to Fargo
on the prairie...
On business, I think he said.
I just wanted to say, friends,
I'd like to thank Mr. Bender for
puttin' my name up for office
and all you boys for
gettin' in back of me.
But at the same time,
I want to warn ya,
friend and foe alike,
as long as I'm Marshall, there's
gonna be law and order in Fargo.
Looks like important things
happening in Fargo, Mrs. Stowe.
Yes, and all in one day too.
Oh, Mr. Devlin,
meet Mr. Plummer.
How do you do?
How are ya?
How is your very charming wife?
She's all right, thanks.
Is this a free expression
of the will of the people?
Eh, a little farmer who
didn't know very much,
opened his mouth
to say something
and found he was chewing
on Cobb's knuckles,
and the will of the people
curled up like a sick mackerel.
Then the deal's been made.
Yes, and if our
crops are harvested,
Mr. Bender takes
a profit.
If they're not
harvested, he takes us.
In other words, with
Collins as Marshall,
we'll be drawn and quartered.
Well, if you don't like it,
one other thing you can do...
Pack up and get out.
Or organize an opposing team.
Devlin, I believe I have
some money of yours.
Would you like it now?
No place to invest it
around Fargo, is there?
Might open up a popcorn stand,
the community's bound to grow
when the railroad comes through.
What railroad?
I see you made Collins Marshall.
Yeah, good man.
You ridin' my way?
Yeah.
Come on.
Now about that railroad, I...
On second thought, Bender,
maybe you better let me
have that money now.
It's safe at the hotel.
You found a use for it?
Yeah, I'm pullin' out tonight.
Chicago?
Nope, Grand Forks.
Dakota?
Yeah.
You're tryin' to run a
blazer on me, Devlin,
but you're bettin'
against a bad hand.
Think so?
Yep.
You see, I followed
the surveyors up here.
I happen to know the government's
granted the right of way
and plans have
already been drawn
for the railroad to
run through Fargo.
But they could change those
plans, run through grand forks.
Not after they've
spent all that money
runnin' a survey through here.
How much do you
think that'd cost?
Fifty thousand dollars. And
how much would it cost
to buy that contract you
made with the farmers?
One-half million dollars,
good American go...
Oh.
See, it'd still be cheaper
to run another survey
and bypass Fargo.
Yeah, I suppose
anything is possible.
Like consigning that contract
you have with the farmers
over to me...
For a consideration, of course?
Let's go in my office.
Why not?
There ya are...
Twenty thousand on account,
and eighty thousand
when the railroad comes through.
You're takin' me over, Devlin.
Maybe, but a sure
hundred thousand
is better than half a
million in the bush.
Well, there it is, consigned
to you personally, right?
Naturally.
Here she comes...
The boat's comin'!
Here she comes!
There's Nicodemus...
The horses must be ready.
But I still can't understand
why we're leaving.
You've got the contracts.
We're leaving
because we gotta stay away from
Bender until the wheat's harvested.
If he can't get his
hands on that contract,
he won't burn the wheat--
It won't do him any good.
What if someone sees us
taking our bags out?
They won't. After Bounce
arranges to have us picked up,
he's comin' back for 'em.
Then they'll see him.
Let's not make the worst of
it until we get it, Sandy.
We'll go down and see
the riverboat come in.
Do you think we should?
Why not?
They're watching us...
Let's let 'em see us.
Then they won't think
we're up to any tricks.
If you weren't trying to
be so fine and noble,
we wouldn't be in
this awful mess.
Sure... you can remember
me as a man who...
Gave his all for his fellow man.
I remember you as
a big so-and-so,
who I'll never be able
to live without.
Wait a minute...
Tears and everything.
What is this, good-bye?
I don't know, but... I just don't
want anything to happen to us.
Like things the
way they are, eh?
Where would I ever find another
handsome, easy-going...
No-good man like me?
Yes.
In any first-class jail
west of the Mississippi.
How'd you do with
them pesky sand bars?
Get yourself hung up
on ol' camelback?!
Sure, I did, and I got myself
off of'n 'em, too, by jucifer!
Get aboard, 'n come up here!
We had an escort from the hotel.
Yeah, Slagin and Cobb.
Looks like Bender's traveling.
He's probably leaving
on the boat, too.
That's right, check up on us.
Let's find out.
Good evening.
Good evening.
Devlin... Mrs. Devlin, how's
the shoulder this evening?
Better, thanks.
That's fine.
Not going away, are you?
Yes, I am, for a few days.
Grand Forks?
No, Chicago.
I made a little deal. I'm
going to check up on it.
John, look!
It's Mr. Geary.
Geary? Father must have sent
him here to buy the land
for the railroad.
Sandra.
I did it again.
Because you love me?
Your father told me that you skipped
off with a rascal named Devlin.
I didn't believe
it, of course...
I mean, about his
being a rascal.
Somehow I couldn't imagine
you marrying anyone
who wasn't made of
bone and muscle...
That makes you Devlin, right?
I can't get out from under it either.
I'm Geary, congratulations.
You married a great little girl.
I've known her all her life.
Been with her father
for 25 years.
I shouldn't talk so loud. I'm
here, more or less, incognito.
Speak right out, Mr.
Geary, we're friends here.
Nothing you say'll ever
be used against you.
I'm Jim Bender... This is Mr.
Collins, our Marshall.
Uh, Mr. Geary, I, uh... We
were just going to the hotel.
Yeah... see ya later, Bender.
I'll walk along with you.
It's always good to talk to
somebody from the outside.
It's supposed to be a
big secret, I know,
but, uh, we all know
that you're here
to buy a few pieces of
land for the railroad.
But don't you say a word about it,
unless you feel you're among friends.
Well, the biggest part of my job
is to keep my mouth closed,
but of course, you're privileged
to think what you please.
I'm pleased to think that you just
saved me a good piece of money.
By the way,
Mr. Devlin...
Slagin, you and
Cobb go after him.
Bring back that contract.
Collins, round up what men you've
got, and meet me at the store.
Something tells me I turned
up at the wrong moment.
Oh, you certainly did.
Got everything fixed up just
like you wanted, ma'am.
Cap'n sparks is gonna
slow down and pick ya up
right off'n where the
river bird went down.
But you know, it's just
like he was sayin'
when I was tellin' him what's goin'
on around here. You don't suppose
we're chasin' around,
duckin' our own shadows, do ya?
But captain, right now Bender's
men are looking for Mr. Devlin,
and we've got to help him.
Oh, I don't think that
much is gonna happen.
But it will... it is!
Look, captain, you know
most of the men in Fargo.
Please let them know what
Mr. Devlin's done for them,
and ask them to stand by.
Well, I'll talk to some of the
boys and see what they say,
but I don't think they're
gonna be interested.
What if he does manage
to find help, what then?
Oh, Mr. Geary, if anything
happens to that big so-and-so,
I'll just die, that's all.
A rider go by this way, partner?
Italian?
Ciano.
He seen one looked
just like Devlin.
Mr. Plummer? Oh, hello, Mr.
Devlin... How are ya?
Hello!
What'd you do to your foot?
Oh, sprained it, I guess...
makes it kinda awkward, too.
I wanted to go over to Stowes'.
I'd like to talk to ya a minute.
Well, come inside.
We're holding a meeting
to talk things over.
At the Stowes'?
Yes.
Hilda, this is Mr. Devlin.
Howdy, Mr. Devlin.
Mrs. Plummer. There's a
few of us might not like
the way the Bender/Collins
faction will handle things,
so we thought we'd get together and
sort of, uh... Count our guns.
We haven't much to offer
in the way of comforts.
We were burned out. Yeah, we
had to throw up a sod house--
Had to have some
kind of shelter.
Well, Bender's a little
careless with matches.
Well, I've got something here that
may make you feel a little better.
I got Bender to sign over that contract
he made with the farmers to me.
The railroad's
coming through here,
and this land's gonna be
worth a nice chunk of money.
This is wonderful.
And if you want to stay here and
kinda look this thing over,
I'll go over to the Stowes'
and bring the boys back here.
Well, wait a minute. What
do you get out of this?
Well, when the
railroad pays off,
you can take 20,000 out
of the kitty for me.
Call it a house cut.
Let's see now...
I'll say, "come on, boys, and
git your guns and come along.
"Things is gonna
bust wide open."
Then they'll say to
me, "what things?"
When I'm tryin' to think
of the answer to that one,
someone'll fetch me over the
head with a sack a meal,
and that's what I'll get for throwin'
in with this fool kinda business.
I said it before,
and I'll say it now...
Nothin's gonna happen
to nobodies... no time.
"To John Devlin,
I, James K. Bender,
relinquish all rights
and interests."
That's it...
All right, men.
You and I'll get things started
and head back to town.
Huh, don't look like the
Plummers is ta home neither.
Whoa.
Mr. Plummer!
Mr. Plummer!!
Guess I'll take a look.
Mr. Plummer!
You there, Mr. Plummer?!
Nope, nobody home.
Lookin' for people that ain't
around is a fool business.
If they ain't at the Stowe place, they ain't
no place, and that's as far as I'm goin'.
Giddyap, horse.
Our friend? Yes, he'll
suppose he's here too.
Oh, do you mind? The lady and I
have some things to talk about.
Could we have this table?
And where am I going
to sit, partner?
It's all right,
lady, I won't listen.
Uh, my name's Suede.
No... we can talk
some other time.
If'n you fellas hadn't
cut through the wheat,
I'da met ya comin' back
from the Stowe place.
Hey, you ain't headin'
into trouble
messin' around like
this, are ya?
How would you handle it, cap'n?
Well, Collins is the
Marshall here, ain't he?
If someone did shoot
the Plummers,
why, he's the one to do
somethin' about it...
I'm sayin' if, somebody
did shoot the Plummers.
I don't guess nobody did.
Understand I ain't agreein'
they was shot, mind you?
'Cause the way you
told it ta me,
it coulda been one of
them suicide deals
where one party says
to the other,
"close your eyes for a second
and I'll shoot your head off"...
Somethin' I'm figurin' on
doin' to myself after while.
Let's get outta here.
That's it. Get the boys, and don't
forget the white handkerchiefs.
Well, I'll do it, but don't forget what
I said. Ain't nothin' gonna happen!
There's John!
Give me that contract!
I'm lookin' for ya, Devlin!
You're a might too free and easy
with that gun of yours, Devlin.
I'm holdin' ya for murder.
I got a hunch that badge is
gonna get you in trouble.
How ya gonna hold him, Collins?
There ain't no jail in Fargo.
What's it to ya, friend? I'm the law around
here, and I'll be responsible for 'im.
There's been a killin' done, folks,
and there's no court of law here!
Who's gonna try him... How's he
gonna get what's comin' to him?
There's a way of takin' care of
killers here, ain't there, folks?
- Come on!
- Just a minute, fellas!
The man's entitled to a
fair trial around here!
Get back.
The wheat fields are burnin'!
The whole country's ablaze!
The wheat fields are on fire!
Come on, let's get out there!
We'll need all
the help we can get!
Bender, you killed
Mr. Geary.
I saw you do it. Don't let
it worry you, Mrs. Devlin.
The gentlemen on horseback
are not my friends.
Your husband's a...
Very lucky fellow.
Hey!
What's goin' on here?!
Hey!
Hang on to 'im.
Finish him off.
- Hey!
- Oh, there ya are.
Better be gettin' back ta
the boat, hey, Mr. Devlin?
Heyah! Wheat burnin', fellas
shootin' at each other--
Fargo ain't what she used to be!
Not goin' lookin' for
me, are ya, Bender?
I... I was just
comin' after ya.
I'm glad ya stopped in. I might
a had trouble findin' ya.
Yeah, I figured you
would, so I come over.
I know'd you wouldn't want to leave me
behind, and skin off with that 20,000.
Well, we can, uh, split
it up now, if you like.
Your pocket's on the other
side, ain't it, Bender?
There's his horse!
Yeha!
John!
Well, there it is.
Count it.
And if it isn't all there,
you'll have to collect
the rest of it yourself.
Stand by afore and aft!
She's ready to cast off!
Get on that spring
line over there!
I hope they get the
suitcases aboard,
but bags or no bags, we're
headin' for California.
You know, John, that
railroad money
isn't going to help everyone
that was burnt out.
That's right. They oughta
form some kind of a pool
and fix it so everybody'd have
enough till the next harvest.
That's wonderful...
Why don't you do it?
We're goin' to California.
But you're a hero now. We could
go into any business we like.
Maybe, um, riverboat.
Yeah?
With a railroad comin' through?
But it will be almost a
year before it's finished,
and in the meantime, we could
handle all the shipping.
Cut it out, Sandy, before
you have me in tears.
I did it because I love
you, that's why I did it.
- What?
- Order in the gangplank!
Bounce!
What are you doin' there?!
Sure good to feel a ship
under my feet again!
Much obliged to ya, Mr. Devlin!
Much obliged?
What for?
I bought the Bell
of the Northwest...
You what!? And put captain
Bounce in charge.