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Denver and Rio Grande (1952)
This is the Denver
& Rio Grande Western, A modern railroad whose shining steel rails Wind through Colorado and Utah... Across the continental divide... Linking Denver and pueblo With salt lake city and ogden... Rocky Mountain empire of vast agricultural, Mining, industrial, and recreational resources. The Denver & Rio Grande Western flourishes today Because of the herculean struggles Of its builder and first president, General William j. Palmer, As depicted in the story we're about to unfold... A saga of the frontier, An epic of pioneer Western railroad builders And their fight for the route Through the royal gorge. Left. Left a little. A little more. Now right a little. A little to the right. That's fine. Hold it. Hey! There's a surveying party coming down Out of the gorge. What? They're driving stakes For the canyon city and San Juan. Their lines are South of here. I recognized McCabe, the boss contractor for the canyon city. This is d & rg property. They can't do it. I'll see what this is about. Stay with the men. You might need help. Less likely if I go alone. Well, like we was expecting. Here he comes... general Palmer's little hero. We was here first, and we're going to stick. Captain Jim vesser. Yeah. Saved the general's life at chickamauga, So that makes him a railroad construction boss. General Palmer knows he's a good engineer, too. He'll listen to reason. We got our rights, And no tin soldier's going to mess them up. McCabe, we soldiered in the same army. I know him. If you want me to finish this survey, Let me do the talking. Hello, Jim. They said in Denver you'd be up here. I haven't seen you since the big fuss. Hello, Nelson. You in charge here? Under McCabe. McCabe, vesser. You're a little off your survey, aren't you? Why, no. Your route's South over the silverton pass. We looked the pass over and came down through here. This way's shorter. There's no room for two roadbeds. That's how it looked to me. We have a franchise from the legislature To go through here. So's the canyon city and San Juan. Legislatures do some funny things sometimes. We've been surveying for three weeks. And so have we. Don't get hotheaded, Jim. It's for the courts to decide. Nothing says I have to wait for any courts. We're going through. Uh-uh. Not along our stakes. We'll throw them in the river. You throw one stake in the river, I'll throw you in right after it. Don't do that, Jim. If that's the way you want it, Jim. Now you're talking my language. Come on, men. We've got to stop them. Jim. Jim! Nelson. Why... Why, Jim? Jim, what... What happened? He... He threw in a gun. You... You pulled that gun. You knocked it out of my hand. That's right. I saw it. McCabe was trying to stop the fight. He clipped me pretty hard. I guess I was groggy. I... I didn't mean to shoot him. Well, it... It must have been an accident. Yeah, call it an accident. An accident on purpose. Get out of this country. He was trying to tell you It was for the courts to decide. But you don't want it that way. You started a fight, and you killed him. Well, what's good enough for you is good enough for us. If it's killing you want, You stay on the job and that's how it'll be. It's up to you. Pick him up, men. Take him back to camp. Come on, Jim. I guess he's ready, sheriff. No hurry, gil. Jim, you haven't eaten anything. How about some hot coffee before you go? No, thanks. Oh, come on, Jim. It's no use. It wasn't your fault. Nelson's dead. Well, nobody's blaming you. He's still dead. You saw a lot of men killed in the war. Killed some yourself. This is building a railroad, gil, not war. No place here for killing. Hello, Jim. Have a drink. You've been swimming in this stuff for a week. When are you going to Chuck it and come back? I don't know. Maybe never. That's ridiculous. You were cleared by the court. Pull yourself together. We're way behind, and you've got a job to do. I'm through. Through? What do you mean? The job's yours. Yeah, but, Jim, we're a team. I plan, you build. What do you suppose would happen If I tried to boss 300 tough construction workers? That's right. They'd laugh in my face. If you can plan a railroad, you can build it. All right, Jim. I didn't want to say it, But that's exactly what McCabe wants. He's got a record a mile long. Every job he handled wound up with violence, And you're playing right into his hands. McCabe doesn't matter. Give d & rg a chance. If I come back, it'll be a battle. Sure, and we'll win. No. Nobody will win it. A lot of men will get hurt for no good reason. Build your railroad as fast as you can... Without fighting. We have had more than our fair share of bad luck, But hazards are to be expected in work of this kind. True. Natural hazards, yes. General Palmer, I've planned this work About as well as any man could possibly plan it. Now, don't take this personally, harkness. Linda, may I have that list of accidents and delays? I've got a board of directors to face. They want answers for their money. That's why I'm making this trip. Now, look at this... "bridge collapsed, Loose rail, derailment, faulty coupling. " Looks like nature had plenty of help. There has been carelessness. I had to get rid of several foremen. Mm-hmm. This time last month, How far were we ahead of the canyon city? 5 Miles. 21/2 Miles now. Another 30 days like that and we'll be neck and neck. This has been going on for months, And we've got to stop it. Frankly, general, I'm just about stumped. I've spent days and nights figuring against every possibility. But as you know, I map out railroads. I do the engineering. I know absolutely nothing About handling a construction crew. That was Jim vesser's job. I've just got to admit that I'm lost without vesser. Why did vesser really quit? Why? For the good of the d & rg. Vesser ran away because he lost his nerve. Why, that's a lie. He started that fight, And he murdered Bob Nelson. He was cleared in the courts. Now, wait a minute. I know captain vesser very well. Don't talk nonsense about him losing his nerve. What's this about? You know him? No, I don't. It's just... I have reason to know That the true facts didn't come out at the inquest. People like vesser seem to be beyond the law. If he didn't lose his nerve, Then his conscience bothers him. Well, Linda, I'd say it's a good idea For captain vesser to keep out of your way. I'd like to meet him. This ought to do it. Now? No, wait. Wait till it's a little closer. All right, now. Landslide! Landslide! Jump! Jump! Go see what happened. I'm all right. Take care of him. Where's the engineer? He jumped. Get some shovels and start digging! Lively now! The rest of you men, come with me. Anybody hurt? The engineer jumped. The fireman's all right. Get the tools, clear that away. You, too. Hello, gil! Jim! It's good to see you, Even in a mess like this. That's all that's been happening since you left. You were right about McCabe. This is his work. Canyon city doesn't realize how he's operating. They're working through the courts. They got an injunction against you. An injunction? It stops you cold. Are you coming back with us? Yeah. What made you change your mind? I quit to avoid bloodshed. You got a dead engineer now. He's not the first McCabe victim. He won't be the last. McCabe's got to be handled. You stick with the blueprints. I'll handle the trouble. Let's go and see the general. Oh, here he is now. No, wait a minute. Come here. I want to look the camp over Before anyone knows I'm here. Don't tell the general about the injunction. Fine. I'll check with you both tonight. How bad is it? Well, I'm afraid we've lost our engineer. Anybody else? Let's go and see. Aah! Thank you. Better stay in the car. It's rocky down here. Well, suit yourself. I will. We've been running trains through this cut for weeks now. This is not an accident. It's obviously the work of McCabe, And we must do something to stop it. A few minutes ago, You thought these things were caused By the carelessness of our own workmen. As a matter of fact, I've changed my way of thinking. The engineer highballing this train Should have been driving mules. If I had been at the throttle... You an engineer? I am. Nine years on the allegheny run For the New York central. Moynahan's the name. When we get this mess cleared, Can you run us into railhead? If I can't, it can't be done. You're hired. Who, might I ask, is hiring me? That's general Palmer. General Palmer! Well... You're a fireman? That I am. Get firing. Get out the portable telegraph And cut into the wires. Have railhead send men on handcars. We should be able to clear this in a couple hours. Temporarily, at least. Well, what does it look like? I've never seen an injunction before. Uh-uh. I'll hold it. You look. Well, what's it for? Is it against the law to build a railroad? No, but you see... well, it's all very complicated. Ed Johnson, do you mean to tell me That you're actually going to give that thing to general Palmer? Now, do you? Jane, sometimes I wish I stayed a cowboy... But I got to serve it. If I don't, somebody else will. Well, thanks. Just a minute. That'll be 10 cents. 10 cents for a cup of coffee? For officers of the law, coffee's on the house. For them that does the canyon city dirty work, It's double. Howdy! Howdy! Good to see you back here again. Come on! Ed, why, hi. What are you doing up here? Say, how's your poker? You still drawing to an inside straight? No, but I think they dealt you out of this hand. I got bad news. Well, let's have it. Sorry, general. If they give it to you, You got to serve it. Let's go to my tent, and we'll talk it over. We'll fight them to a finish. They've used every unfair and dirty way to beat us. It don't mean that I like it, Mr. harkness. General, will you be needing me? Not till later, no. Yoo-hoo, Mr. moynahan! Oh, i... i thought... Yoo-hoo! Mr. moynahan! Oh! Come out of there, you. Hello, darling. What are you doing up there? Blowing off a bit of steam. I'm the new engineer. You've been drinking. Not a drop, so help me. It was all the doings of general Palmer himself. I knew he'd recognize a good man when he saw one. Wasn't that sweet of the general? I knew it all the time. I saw it in the cards. Did you see this? I brought you something. Oh, Mr. moynahan. What is it? A present for you, darling. All the way from Denver. It's big, isn't it? And the only one like it in camp. It's lovely, isn't it? And a washboard, too. That, uh, girl is here. All right. Ahem. Hello. How are you, Johnny buff? We were expecting you. We saw the train. Kind of late, weren't you? There was a landslide. No... Tsk, tsk, tsk. Hey, the train had a little accident. You shut up. Any trace of vesser? Not yet. I've tried for months to locate him. He'll come back. They always do. He's got railroading in his blood. I was afraid you might forget. When I get my hands on vesser, I'll give him the same chance he gave your brother When he shot him in the back. I believe you. Just let me know about everything. Yeah, keep us informed. What about the injunction? The sheriff served it when we arrived. I'd sure like to have seen Palmer's face. How's he expect to keep a crew together now, Especially with no pay? Did he bring the payroll? General Palmer's making this trip To check on the work and the accidents. Pay for the men don't count? They'll get it on the weekend trip. You talk too much. Well, she don't, unless you keep after her. I have no intention of betraying any confidences About general Palmer's private business. He's been very fair and kind to me. I'm only interested In seeing that the man that shot my brother Gets the punishment he deserves. To think of him walking around scot-free... You won't have to worry... Shut up, you. I'll take care of vesser. Thanks. Goodbye. Take it easy, especially in those accidents. What are you trying to do, make her suspicious? No, just mad. It's the only way to find out something. I'm running this job. Hey, this is Johnny buff, remember? I was there when vesser shot Nelson. Keep remembering it that way. As a matter of principle, you're probably right, Although there's very little actual evidence. I'll give the full report to my lawyers. General, we've got to fight fire with fire. If McCabe can use such tactics, It's up to us to go back... With fire, huh? Coming from you, harkness, it rather astounds me. You were saying we should come right back And what? Be specific. Well, uh... How are you, general? Well... How long has he been here? He was on the train this afternoon. That explains that fire-eating talk. Jim, it's good to see you. Sit down. Oh, excuse me. Jim here is quite an admirer of yours. Miss Prescott... I'm afraid we've already met... in a way. You see, he saved me from a bad fall today. If he hadn't been there At exactly the right time... Everybody but me knew Jim vesser was on that train. Let's make it official. Here's the man you said you'd like to meet, Captain Jim vesser, This is my secretary miss Linda Prescott. It was a pleasure to have been there At exactly the right time. Sit down, Jim. Well, you're back. That's good. Gil's still running the job. I'm digging up the reasons for the trouble. We thought that would be the best way. What have you unearthed so far? A lot of unrest, But nothing you could put your fingers on. Now the agitators are out telling the men They won't get their back pay. That's so close to the truth it's not comfortable. It'll be difficult to get the board to grant advances With us at a standstill. What are your plans? These leaders are paid by McCabe to stir up our men. We ought to run them out of camp on a pole. Well, we'll, uh, have to think that over very carefully. Linda, you disagree, evidently. How does captain vesser's suggestion strike you? What he proposes doesn't surprise me a bit. It's exactly what I'd expect him to think. If what he says about these men is true, Then the sheriff should arrest them. Jim, I think she's right. Ask her her opinion of all the accidents you've had. There are men like yourself That hold themselves above the law And take it into their own hands Without proof. They're more guilty than the ones they accuse. Anyone has the right to defend their property against thieves. Not outside the law! Thank you, Linda. You stated that as clearly as a Denver lawyer. The injunction must be based on false claims. If you get the train ready in the morning, We'll work to vacate it As soon as I get back to Denver. Good night, general. Good night, men. Jim. Good night. Miss Prescott. I'm afraid I don't understand. Have I said something to offend you? No. General Palmer seems to have a certain confidence in you. As long as I'm working for him, I'll force myself to be civil to you. Wait a minute. You sound as if it's something personal. I don't even know you. What have I done to you? Ask yourself what you've done. What are you talking about? Ask yourself why you ran from the d & rg In the first place. You must have been awfully busy while I was away. You'll never know how busy. I never had time to wash anything. Yes. I guessed as much. Little did I think I'd be the first To break in me present to you. I could have told you that. Well, either way we're in for it. We can't afford to pay them if they don't work, And we can't fire them because we'd never get them back After the injunction's lifted. There's another way. Hey! All you men! Over by the saloon. We want to talk to you. Wait, Jim. We can't defy the courts. So they'll fine us. How much is it costing not to work? This is pioneer country. The cc & sj can take advantage of their smart lawyers And stretch out this injunction indefinitely. Meanwhile, McCabe lays track. Let Palmer handle the law. We're getting back on the job. You handle this. You're the boss. I'll string along in case. All right, men. We're going back to work. Come on. Let's build a railroad. You can't give orders in my place. I'm talking to men from the Denver-Rio Grande. That's all you got here. Talk to them on railroad property. I own this place. Your tent's on Denver & Rio Grande property. No, it's not. The front's 10 feet off the right-of-way. How about our pay? Pay was 10 days ago. You'll get your pay soon enough. There's talk the Denver & Rio Grande is busted. We'll get it before we start back to work. How about it, boys? Wait a minute. Who put you up to this? Nobody put us up to anything, have they? No! No! No! Well, you're fired. Who are you to fire me? You didn't hire me. No, but I did. And you're fired. You heard him. Clear out. Get out of here! Nobody's breaking up my place! Get out of here. Get out of here. All of you! Get out! Get out of here. I think they'll work now. All right, men. Back on the job. All right, men! Back to work. Everyone down here. Get your tools! Start working. Ready, pull. Ready, lift. Ready, go. How does it total up, tolliver? Barely enough, if that. It's been like pulling hen's teeth To get this much together. Minority stockholders are up in arms. They're even forcing a receivership hearing in Denver Day after tomorrow. If this injunction still holds for the next payroll, We may be out of business. What do the lawyers say? Full of high-sounding legal talk. Supposed to comfort you. It scares me. Like a doctor telling you You've got hay fever in Latin. General Palmer says to me, "Moynahan, you're the only man I'll trust Over the mountains to Denver and back. " Then I says, "general Palmer, "You've no more worries Than a newborn babe taking his first ride in a carriage. " Here she comes. What's the matter? Fellow waving, up the tracks. There's a landslide up ahead. I don't see anything. Now do you see something? Up! Take it easy, beautiful. Another wrong move and somebody gets hurt. All right, scoop it up, Charlie. You'll never get away with it. Keep your trap shut. Hurry up, Charlie. Never mind the nickels and quarters. All right. That does it. Let's go! Thank you for your generosity. Don't anybody move until the train starts up. Tolliver, don't do it! Tolliver! Come on. You men! Help carry him inside. Hello, general. Hey, give me a hand! Quick! We were robbed about 14 Miles down the way. The payroll? They got it all and killed tolliver. Where's vesser? He went up to... Where are all the men? The men, well... Did you order them back to work? We thought it was best... Stop them. Tell vesser I want to talk to him. Yes, general. We're fighting more than McCabe and the canyon city. Call it bad luck, jinx... Accidents, This robbery, all right... But let's not add to it with bad judgment. I'm sorry. There's no question of your good intentions. But starting work in the face of a stop-work order Could blow our case in the court sky-high. I know how much you've got invested And how much your friends have invested. I can't stand here and see you go down. But this has got to be done the right way. It's not only a question of me and my friends. It's the men who do the actual work. They're involved. They've got a stake, too... their jobs. Yeah. And no pay after the robbery. Say, wait a minute. Maybe this is a good thing. If we can prove that McCabe did it, We can throw some bad luck his way. For a change, that would be nice. See you tonight. Right. Yoo-hoo! Jane, darling. Oh! Mr. moynahan, is it true the train was robbed? Only at the back end where I had no control. But they didn't get this. Oh, Mr. moynahan, you shouldn't. For me? You can be sure of that! Oh! It's big, isn't it? A thing of beauty, if I say so meself. Well... Oh, Mr. moynahan. You really shouldn't. Here! Here! Try this for size. Oh. This... Well... Oh, it's lovely, isn't it? I think so, too. Yes, it's awful nice. Well, I better be getting back to me work. It's really not... I... Oh, Mr. moynahan! Mr. moynahan. Well... 10 wins. 7 loses. Queen wins. 9 loses. Place your bets, gentlemen. That's three times the 9 has lost. That's the way it is sometimes. I'm going to play that 7 once again. I'm betting $40 this time on a queen. That's a lot of money. Who asked you? Nobody. But it's a lot of money. You said it, and nobody asked you. Considering you haven't been paid, You're pretty well-heeled. Maybe you're not d & rg men. Maybe we're... Maybe we're just lucky, that's all. All right, gentlemen, if you're ready. Deuces wins. 4 loses. 7 wins. Queen loses. One of you gentlemen wins, The other loses. Mac, I need a gun. Sure, Jim. Here's one with a nice, smooth action. Fine. Where are the two men losing all the money? I told you to keep out. Some men held up general Palmer. They got $4,000. No skin off my nose. Everyone here is broke, Yet two men lost... How much did they drop? How much? You heard the boss. That was payroll money they stole and lost here. The rest of the men here won't get paid. What are you pulling? $4,000, and they lost half right here. Your money! Don't shoot. I give up. Come out with your hands up. I can't. I'm hit. You held up that train. I don't know what you're talking about. Who's the third man? You got me wrong. I never robbed no train. You're lying. Almost $1,000. I suppose you found it. Yeah, yeah. Me and him, We heard about a cache, $4,000. About $500. He dropped the rest at Sloan's tent. That's $1,000 for you, $1,000 for him. Who's got the other $2,000? You call this protecting your property, Shooting these men? The d & rg payroll was stolen. Tell him, miss. I didn't do it. He killed my partner... Shut up. He was one of the robbers. Here's the evidence. I can't identify this man. The other one? I never saw him before. They were masked. General Palmer might know. Get up. Ow. This is the man who scooped up the money. No doubt about it. The other I can't identify. The missing man shot tolliver. There were three of you. Who's the third? Mister, my leg has gone dead. Let me alone. When I get some answers. Have you ever seen this man? They never worked for us. Who were you working for, McCabe? I don't know any McCabe. I don't know about no robbery. You're lying. All I know is you shot me. I'm hurt bad. I saw him shoot these two men. Isn't that enough without torturing this one? And I suppose they weren't trying to kill me? What were you doing when you found us? Riding. Riding. I ride every afternoon. You wouldn't know more about this, would you? Why... Enough, Jim. Linda, you better go to your tent. Very well. Jim... You think McCabe is back of the robbery? I'm certain. They were headed for his camp. Somebody knew the payroll was on that train. Yeah. I've got to find out who it was. Oh, isn't that wonderful? There it is again. A wedding. You going to accept me proposal? Mr. moynahan, this is captain vesser's fortune. He's going to marry General Palmer's secretary. Is that a fact, now? Oh, yes. It's in the cards. See? They're just crazy about each other. Mightn't it be good to tell them, In case they don't know? Well, most people know when they're in love, Mr. moynahan. 'Tis a grand feeling, ain't it, darling? Yes. Yes, it is. What do you mean coming in here? I want to talk to you. Talk to me tomorrow. Where were you coming from this afternoon? What are you driving at? You were coming from the direction of McCabe's camp. What were you doing? You must've gathered I don't like you. That doesn't matter. I don't like killers. You've got three seconds to get out of my tent! You listen to me! Let go of me! Get out of here. Get out! Good evening, Mr. vesser. Hello, Jane. 'Tis a fine evening, is it not? Yeah, it is. Have you set the date yet? What? I mean, have you told her? Oh, dear. Anyway, she's a beautiful girl. Yeah. Yeah, she sure is. Why did I have to open my big mouth? It must have been in the cards, darling. The injunction's lifted! The message just came through. Now we can get to work. I'll tell the general. It'll be the first good news he's had in a long time. She is a beautiful girl. Read this. Linda! I'm sorry. Something very important. Right away. That'll give me time To survey the rest of the work And ample time to get back To the receivership hearing the next afternoon. The injunction's been lifted. That's wonderful. Get the records together in the morning. We'll leave after lunch. Yes, general. Good night. That is good news. Now let's get busy on this advance survey. Sit down, Jim. Uh, miss Nelson. McCabe's got to see you right away. I came as quickly as I could. What is it? We've heard the injunction's been lifted. The message came through tonight. What's Palmer going to do? What's that got to do with vesser? I'll fix him, But I've got to know what's going on. What's the matter with you? Don't you trust me? We have to go back tomorrow afternoon. The general has an important meeting the next day. Tomorrow afternoon, huh? Yes. But vesser's staying at camp. Sure. Sure. That gives us a chance. That's all I wanted to find out. Don't let anybody see you return. What are you going to do? Leave that to me. Good night. Good night. Get her mad, you'll find out something. Round up the men tonight. Have them ready to pick up In the morning at elk's bridge. General Palmer's going to have trouble getting to Denver. All right, men. Let's go! Come down with your hands up! Hurry up! Throw him in the caboose and tie him up. Get back there! I intend to cut through that point there. It'll save us 21/2 Miles to the gorge And cut down the grade considerably. Good idea. It'll save us crossing the river again. Yes, that's why I thought of it. We'll stop back this way. Get rid of those two. I think they're feeling just about right now. All right! Quiet! Quiet! Now listen to me. You said you could lick your weight in wildcats. Bring on your wildcats! You're going to get your chance right now. Let's get aboard. Come on, fellas. Let's go! Don't break that. We may need it. You've worked a telegraph? Yeah. For eight years. You take charge. Everybody else back on the train. Let's go! Here we go! Come on! All right, spikebuck next stop! Let's go! All right, men. Get aboard. Hey! None of that! O.K. Let's go! Get back on the train. All right. That's all of 'em. Let Palmer try to get to Denver now. We'll stand by at the other end. General Palmer! General Palmer! I just got a message from parkdale. Before he got cut off, The operator said a canyon city gang On a stolen train was attacking him. What's this about a train attacking? He said a trainload of men attacking. Go get our men. Bring them into camp. Now get Texas creek. No answer. Swallows. Try Denver. Wire's dead that far. Well, what is it? Parkdale! Well, what's the message? It's not for us. It's not our operator. They've taken every station along the line. McCabe's stolen a train. He's captured everything. Right after the injunction was lifted. I've got to be in Denver before tomorrow afternoon. They're keeping you here until it's too late So they can capture the d & rg. They've got our rails, nothing gets through. What's your plan, captain? We've got a train here. I'll take it through same as they did. Many people may get hurt. They'll hold it by force. This is a job for the sheriff. He can't do anything until we notify him. What are your orders, general? Take the train through. Tell the men I want to talk to them. All right. After that, you're in charge. All right, men. Everybody gather around. The general has something to tell you. Men, you have a right to know What's been going on. As you know, it's been a series Of one unfortunate thing after another. That's right. That's right. It's been a battle from the start With the canyon city and San Juan, But the d & rg has always fought it legally Through the courts. And last night we won part of that fight. We won it our way. The injunction was lifted. We're back at work! Hooray! But to clear up everything and settle it all, It's necessary that I get back to Denver. Somehow, someway, McCabe found out about this, And he's gone up our track... Track you men have laid... And he's captured every single depot Along the line. Now, unless I get back to Denver Before tomorrow afternoon, The d & rg Goes into the hands of the receiver. And I have reason to believe Those receivers are canyon city and San Juan! What are we going to do about it? Kill them! Kill them! We'll get them, won't we, moynahan? I'm mulling over the idea. All right, men. All right. We've got a train and tracks to run it on, And we'll run it right through to Denver! I want some men to go with me... 20 good fighting men. Are you with me? Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Come on, men. Go on! Come on! Let's get into the fight! There's not a good fight in the lot of them. What in heaven's name are you up to? Haven't you heard? There's going to be a fight. Indeed, but we needn't worry. Our boys will come through. Mr. moynahan, I just know I'm going to be so proud of you. Well, I... I read it in the cards. Tell me, darling. Do you believe in them there cards? They're always right. Give me that gun and let me... All right. All right. That's enough. Go ahead, gil. You volunteers get aboard the train. I'll take her out this time, moynahan. First time in six years. Sure. You never forget. And since it's crowded, I'll just be stepping down. No! There's plenty of room when I go to my side. Let's go! Parkdale, next stop! I'll go back and check with the men. Coming through, Mac. How'd you get aboard this train? Just climbed aboard, that's all. Coffee's almost ready. No telling what will happen. Yes, there's no telling. Even you might get hungry. Don't worry about me, captain vesser. Old Betsy will take care of me. And besides, somebody's got to chaperon her. I'm counting on surprising them, But in case there's shooting, Keep everybody down below the level of the windows. Right, captain. Follow my lead at the first station. No shooting without orders. Stand by and wait for my signal. Gil, don't advertise that we're coming. Oh, that's right, Jim. Get back! Take her ahead. Get going! They were expecting us. How'd they know we were coming? They knew like they had our timetable. They must have guessed it. Let's say it was a guess... This time. Men, I said there'd be a fight. We walked into a trap, But we'll be ready for them the next time. Train's coming! Get down! Murphy, get to your telegraph key. McCabe's always one step ahead of us. Somebody's tipped him off. He'd anticipate our trying to take back the depot. This was no last minute planning. He knew our intentions, Like he knew when you were returning with that payroll. Somebody's been giving him definite information For a long time. If you're trying to say I'm a spy, say it. I've known Mr. McCabe for a long time, But it has nothing to do with the d & rg. Something's up. All right, men. Come up here. Heave this stuff over there. Throw the rest over the side. Come on. Get moving, will you? Well, it's pretty solid. Yeah, it'll take too long to clear. There's another way to handle this. All right, men, back on the train. Come on! Get moving! Take her back. We're not licked yet. We got to use strategy Or McCabe will block off every station. Keep firing. We'll take that depot and take it quick, Before they use that telegraph again. I'll get the men ready. Give me a minute, then take her ahead. Get their guns. Who can pound a telegraph? I can. Tell the next station the Denver train's Gone back to railhead. You stay here. You, too. The rest of you men get aboard. Stick by that telegraph key until I send word. The code word will be "Palmer. " Go ahead! Full speed! They've come through the blockade. Texas creek's 22 Miles. They'll be here in half an hour. There's no time for a big blockade. There's another way to stop them. How? We got a train ain't much good on this track Unless they got it. Let's let them have it. With our men scattered, We don't have enough left to fight. You can play around with it, But my idea's the only one. General Palmer's on that train. So? Yeah. Yeah. Come on. Let's go. All right, give her plenty of speed. Slow down. All right, get ready to jump. Now open her up and jump. Hey, there's a train coming toward us! Stop it! I can't make it. We've got to protect those coaches back there. Open her wide, and we'll jump. Come on, jump! There's nobody aboard. You thought there would be? McCabe tried to kill us. Oh, Mr. moynahan! You're safe! We could have been in that. Thanks to you, captain. This stops us, general. Are they completely demolished? Completely. It'll take days to clear that track. I've still got to get to Denver. McCabe will be cautious about coming around here. That gives us a chance. Jeb! Luke! You know the trail Leading to Cooper's trading post? They'll be your guide. You can get horses there. Ride down the Mountain. Cut into the railroad at swallows. You'll make Denver in time for your receivership hearing. What about you? McCabe won't destroy the rails into the gorge. We'll barricade by the river. Notify the sheriff to get deputies back here. We'll hold off till they come. It's the only way to save the d & rg. All right, we'll try it. You're in full charge here. I'll try to get you some help. All right, men. Linda. If we'd been killed, it would have been your fault. Why did you give information to a murderer? I'll tell you why... You killed my brother. My real name's Linda Nelson. McCabe told me how you shot Bob in cold blood. And you believed him? He was there. He saw you. But after what's happened... I don't know what to believe. I've got to find out. Stop her. What more can she do? Let her go. That is an order, captain. We didn't finish this too soon. Bees have been buzzing around since dawn. Yeah, lead bees. Wonder what he's up to? I can't tell yet. They're all hiding behind a breastwork. McCabe knows he's got to act fast before help comes. We can't let down. I'm going out and take a better look. Be careful, Jim. Right. They're moving a flatcar towards our tracks. It's downgrade from their position. This will slow them up. All right, let's get going here. I've got to see McCabe. You'll see him soon enough. He's busy. I must talk with him. He has a little matter to attend to first Concerning a man named vesser. It should make you plenty happy. Take me to him. Take it easy... Beautiful. He's going to run a flatcar of dynamite in And blow your friends out of their hole. Why so anxious about McCabe when I'm here? Come here. You held up the train and killed tolliver! That don't make any difference with you and me. Buff. You blasted fool! You did steal the money And almost ruined everything for the canyon city and San Juan. All right, big boy. He shot your brother. It wasn't vesser, it was McCabe. He's so dumb I had to cook up his story. Ask him to deny it. I'll take care of you later. You're no better than the rest. Get out there and help. You killed Bob. Get in there! Stand clear over there. We ain't got all day. Now, put your shoulder into it. Let's go! Heave! All right. Jack her up. All right. Let's have those ties up here. Build me a barricade Just high enough to protect that powder. Where's the dynamite? Come on! Cast them ties up here. Make it fast, boys. Slide it in there. There goes the girl! She's running to vesser. It's Linda Nelson. They're shooting at her. Fire to cover, men. Never mind the girl. Get this car going. Come on! Hold it! Hold your fire, men. Vesser! Vesser! Let's go here. Take care of her, will you? Men, stand back and brace yourselves. That flatcar... That wall will hold. It's loaded with dynamite. What? Everybody back! Run, men! That flatcar's loaded with dynamite. Take shelter! Go on! Mr. moynahan! Mr. moynahan! Mr. moynahan! Mr. moynahan! Don't loiter. It's going to blow up. Oh... Oh! Captain vesser, you've got to be taught a lesson. Fighting a war in peacetime Is the business of peace officers, Not private citizens. We have law in this country. If a man breaks the law against you, You're as guilty as him If you break the law getting back at him. Sorry, Jim. I'll have to take you into custody again. You're going to arrest this nice man Just because McCabe blew himself up? No... well, yes. That's what I aim to do. Ed Johnson, you're a skunk! General, you understand it's my duty To get this all settled legal-like. You're right. Absolutely right, ed. Yes, sir. And, general, I'm surprised at you, too, Letting him talk you into it like that. I'm as guilty as the captain. I gave the orders. Arrest him, arrest me. Now, general, uh... Well, I don't think a jury's Going to find you too much to blame. Anyhow, you... You still got the railroad. Now, uh... Where is everybody? I'll be around if you want to arrest me, too, sheriff. Oh. Oh. Mr. moynahan, have you ever been a fireman? Why, yes. In me younger days on the allegheny run, I was the best fireman... Well, get firing. Oh, I didn't, uh... I just didn't... Oh, Mr. moynahan. Oh, no. Oh! Thanks. For what? For coming to tell us in time. I found out McCabe killed my brother. I wasn't sure. I was beginning to believe I'd done it. I'm so sorry for everything. It was hard hating you so much. That's all right. Forget it. We've still got a railroad to build. |
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