Around Dodge City and in the territory on West, there is just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with a U.S. Marshal and the smell of gun smoke.
Gun Smoke, starring William Conrad, the story of the violence that moved west with young America, and the story of a man who moved with it.
I'm that man, Matt Dillon, the United States Marshal, the first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancey job, and it makes a man watchful and a little lonely.
More coffee, Doc?
Oh, no thanks, Kitty.
You mind if I have some?
No, not if you can stand it.
I can.
Another game of checkers?
I'll be crowning kings in my sleep, as it is. Why don't we just call it a night?
Yeah, might as well, I guess.
Doesn't look like Matt and Chester will be back tonight, anyways. No use waiting up.
You worried about them, Doc?
What do you mean, about them? Yeah, of course not. I didn't really expect them before tomorrow, anyway, or even the day after.
That's a long ride to Hays City, and if they had to stay over to testify or something...
I guess they can take care of themselves.
Yeah, but there has been some Indian trouble up that way again.
Huh?
Yeah, I heard a patrol went out from Fort Dodge last week to ransom that Mary Taber, who got captured by the Arapahos.
Well, anyway, it's not Indians I'm worried about. It's those Hays City females.
Oh, yes, I heard about them myself. You think that's what's holding them up?
Better not, they.
Oh, here we are, worrying about them. They're probably enjoying themselves in some honky-tonk saloon.
Girls and liquor, singing and dancing. Oh, my, won't say they're having fun, all right.
Mr. Dillon, you reckon that's a coyote singing?
That sounds like a coyote, Chester.
I mean, it might be an Indian.
Yeah, it might be.
What's the matter? Are you worried?
No, sir. Just kindly dry.
We ought to be back to the river, don't you think?
Any minute now.
I sure will be glad to get there. Oh, I ain't complaining, you understand. And you was perfectly right not to camp back there at them rocks.
Oh, the horses need water.
Yes, sir, I said I ain't complaining. You was right to come on to the river, even if it is pitch dark.
The only thing I declare I could eat me a buffalo hide, hoof, and horn. But I'll settle for bacon and biscuits and-
Wait a minute, Chester.
It looks like we're going to have company at the river.
Sure enough. They got a campfire going. Reckon it might be Indians?
No Indian ever built a fire that big, Chester.
Yeah. Well, you think it could be way out here.
Only one way to find out.
Hey in there, hold your fire!
That thing can be recognized.
All right.
Why, it's a cavalry outfit.
Yeah. Come on, let's go on in.
They got guards posted out. Must be expecting trouble.
Ain't very many of them.
Must be transport crew. Look, they got a wagon over there. Mr. Dillon, look!
What?
Ain't that a lady over there with that wagon?
Hell if it isn't, the cavalry's got a new uniform.
Marshal Dillon. Chester. Sergeant Cromwell.
Hello, Sergeant.
Howdy.
Sorry about that shot, Marshal.
As long as you didn't hit us. Who's in charge, Sergeant?
I am, Marshal.
Lieutenant Dick.
Lieutenant, I'm Matt Dillon. This is Chester Proudfoot.
And you.
I don't remember seeing you around Dodge, Lieutenant.
I only been at the fort about a month, Marshal.
I see.
Well, we've got to know the sergeant here pretty well. He's been our border, you might say, a few times.
I sure can't recommend accommodations.
Oh, now there.
What's that cooking?
Oh, buffalo steaks. You hungry?
Well, now.
We got our own food, Sergeant.
There's plenty for everybody, isn't there, Lieutenant?
Yes. Yes, of course. Join us, Marshal. Glad to have you.
I'll just go tend the horses, Mr. Dillon.
All right, Chester.
You're long way from Dodge, aren't you, Marshal?
Yeah, we delivered a prisoner to Hayes City, and we're on our way back.
I don't have to ask you why you're out here.
That's Mary Taber over there, isn't it?
So you know the story.
Yeah, I heard of the touch when it got out to ransom her from the Arapahos.
Yeah. We had that wagon loaded with trade goods to buy her back.
Guns and ammunition included.
Oh.
And they took it, of course.
You got the girl.
Only because I insisted the exchange be simultaneous.
They brought the girl, we rode away, and left the goods.
Otherwise, we'd all been dead.
Oh, what?
Boy, they'd have turned on us the minute they got the hands on them guns, Marshal.
I've always heard the Arapaho deal fairly.
I wouldn't trust any Indian.
Or anybody else, huh?
What do you mean?
That shot you had thrown at us.
Just ordinary riders coming in with enough noise for a regiment.
It was only a warning.
We've got reason to be cautious, Marshal.
Those Arapaho you trust so much have been following us ever since we made the exchange.
How do you know?
Same sign.
Even caught a glimpse of a scout on the horizon a couple of times.
You're out there all right, just waiting a chance to take her back.
Why would they wait until you're only a day's ride out of Fort Dodge?
Why wouldn't they jump you right there in their own country when they had the advantage?
You're only a small detachment.
Small is right. Eight men, that's all they'd allow me.
Uh-huh. That makes you nervous, doesn't it?
Marshal, I know there's somebody out there in the dark right now.
Have you escorted since making camp?
Certainly.
Do you mind if I go out and take a look around?
I've got guards mounted.
I'll handle them.
Suit yourself, Marshal.
Thank you.
You're new out here, aren't you, Lieutenant Dick?
I've been commissioned over two years.
This is your first tour on the plains, though, huh?
What are you insinuating, Marshal?
Nothing, Lieutenant. Nothing.
It's always better to know what you're facing.
Sometimes you find you have nothing to be afraid of.
Uh, you mind if I take Sergeant Cromwell with me?
Go ahead.
Thank you.
There, Marshal.
Yeah. He brought his horse down the water.
I'd say that he stopped at that clump of willows over there.
Probably.
But only one Indian.
You know, come to think of it, it's always only one.
We've seen signs for three days, but always only one rider at a time.
Today I got a close look.
It's an Arapaho.
Now what do you think that means?
Maybe that there is only one Sergeant.
Well, then, well, what's he doing here?
I don't know.
But somebody might.
Who?
Mary Taber.
Oh, there, Mr. Jones.
I saved you some of this buffalo steak. It's mighty good.
Thanks, Duster. In a minute, huh?
Well, Marshal?
You were right, Lieutenant.
At least there's one Arapaho out there.
A scout, of course.
Maybe.
Anyway, I don't think one man will try to attack eight, now ten of us.
Nevertheless, I'll keep my guards posted.
Sure.
Uh, Lieutenant, I'd like to talk to Mary Taber, if you don't mind.
Go ahead. If she'll talk to you, she won't to any of us.
Of course, I suppose she's been through a lot.
Go ahead, try.
Thanks.
Hello, Miss Taber.
I'm Marshal Dillon.
I know.
I've seen you around Dodge, Marshal.
Well, folks back there will be mighty pleased that you're safe.
Will they, Marshal?
Well, sure. They thought you were killed like the rest of that wagon train.
When the word came that you were still alive, everybody's mighty happy about it.
Your father got together that wagonload of goods.
I noticed he didn't come out himself.
Well, it's a hard trip, ma'am, and he's not too young, you know.
Besides, only eight men were allowed to go into the Arapaho camp.
Look, Miss Taber, your father isn't wealthy.
It took almost everything he had to stock that wagon.
I'm sorry, Marshal. I don't know what's wrong.
They'll all be glad to have you back, Mary.
I didn't know.
I was afraid maybe they'd think...
You know what they think, how most women are treated.
It wasn't like that with me.
It wouldn't matter. Folks understand how it is.
Do they, Marshal?
They say so.
But I've seen how they look at women who've come back.
I did it myself, and I know what I was thinking.
But it wasn't like that with me.
I swear he didn't touch me.
He?
Two eagles.
The Arapaho brave who bought me.
Bought you?
But you were captured by the Arapaho, weren't you?
No. It was Cheyenne attacked the train.
Killed everybody but me and two little boys.
We rode all night, and then we came to the Arapaho village.
And they sold me there.
I guess they sold me because I was in so much trouble.
So worn out.
They took the little boys with them to raise as warriors, I guess.
And the Arapaho, two eagles, bought you?
For ten horses.
He must have valued you highly. That's a good price.
But he didn't touch me, Marshal.
I swear it, never in all the two months.
He treated me fine, just like the rest of his family.
Tell me, Miss Taber, would he have any reason to follow you?
Follow me?
No, here.
You think he's the one they've been seeing?
I don't know. I'm only asking if there might be a reason for him to do it.
I don't think so, Marshal. I don't think so.
Well, thanks, ma'am. And don't worry about the folks in Dodge or your father.
He's going to be mighty glad to see you.
Thanks, Marshal.
Sure.
Marshal?
Yes, sir?
That Indian out there, they won't hurt him.
No, ma'am, not if they don't see him.
Mr. Dillon, your buffalo steak's getting cold.
All right, Chester.
Sergeant Cromwell says you found a sign.
Well, one Indian can't make too much trouble, can he?
That depends on the Indians, Chester, and why he's here.
Wake up, Mr. Dillon.
What?
Something funny's going on.
You hear that?
It sounds like a dub, but it's still dark.
I'm just breaking dawn.
Only ones to notice it though is me and her.
Her? Me and Mary Taber?
She's only pretending to sleep.
Every time that cussing bird calls, she lifts her head and looks out.
See there?
Yeah, and I see why, Chester.
Look over at the edge of that brush there.
But that's an Indian.
Be quiet.
But Mr. Dillon...
Just wait and watch.
Yeah, she sees him.
Well, sure she does. He's right there playing his dame.
That fool guard must be sound asleep. Shouldn't we all go out and...
Shh.
Where'd that Indian go to?
He's gone again. Dispaired.
Be quiet, Chester.
Just look at Mary Taber.
Huh.
She's out of her blankets, crawling away.
But Mr. Dillon, that girl's sneaking away out into the brush.
She's going to that Indian. She's running away.
Yeah, it looks like it.
Well, we can just lay here.
If we tell them, Chester, they'll be shooting and somebody will get hurt, maybe the girl.
I'm gonna follow her.
And you follow me, maybe 20 or 30 paces, huh?
But be quiet.
Don't worry.
That guard's lab will start throwing lead at any sound he hears out there.
All right.
Let's go.
Mary?
Mary Taber.
White men move.
White men die.
No. No, Tweet. Stop. Don't kill him.
Thanks, Mary.
It's Marshal Dillon.
He's my friend. Friend.
Friend?
Hold it, mister. I'm right behind you. You let him go or you're a dead Indian.
No, please. Don't shoot.
I'm telling you to drop that knife and leave Mr. Dillon loose.
Two eagles. Let him go. Friend. Friend.
Friend.
All right. You just keep him covered, Chester.
Yes, sir.
Now, maybe you better explain this, Mary.
I just had to talk to him, Marshal. I had to see that nothing happened to him.
If those soldiers had seen him or if he tried to come into camp.
So this is two eagles, huh? This is the man who bought you?
Yes.
He's young.
Yes.
And he's handsome.
Yes.
And he's come to claim his property?
It's not like that. I told you it was never like that.
I know you probably won't believe it. I know the lieutenant never could, but...
He's a good man, Marshal. Gentle and kind and...
Good.
Do you believe that?
Maybe.
What do you mean?
He's an Arapaho.
An Indian.
No.
You mean he's only a savage?
I'm sorry, Marshal, and you're right.
There were times when I almost forgot it.
And then something would remind me.
Something that would turn my stomach.
That's why...
That's the only reason why...
He didn't become his wife?
Yes.
Any of the others would simply have taken me.
Especially after they paid ten horses.
That made me his to do with just as he liked.
But he courted me, Marshal.
Stood in his blanket outside the teepee and sang to me.
It was frightening, but...
It was lovely, too.
Do you understand, Marshal? It was lovely, and I listened.
I listened.
I understand, Mary.
And I'm not ashamed.
When you tell them back in Dodge, tell them that, too.
I'm not ashamed.
Mary, how much of what we're saying does he understand?
Not much.
I taught him a few words of English.
He taught me a few of Arapaho.
But it was mostly like animals that we understood each other.
By the way it was said, by the tone of voice.
You should have told Lieutenant Dake about him, Mary.
What for?
He'd have been all the more delighted to shoot him on sight.
What are you going to do?
Are you going to go back with two eagles?
You know I can't.
Then why did you come out here?
I told you to warn him.
Send him back before something happened.
Are you sure, Mary?
You must have known once he had his hands on you again,
he wouldn't let you go.
Didn't you know that?
I suppose I did, Marshal.
Then what are you going to do?
You mean you...
You'd let me go with him?
If that's what you really want.
If you're sure.
Mr. Dillon?
Yeah, I hear him, Chester.
Oh, they've discovered you're gone, Miss Tabor.
There's not much time.
Go.
How could I ever be sure, Marshal?
None of us can ever be sure about the future, Miss Tabor,
but you can't fear the future either.
You have to decide what you want and then stick to your decision.
But if I live to regret it...
If you have to question it, Mary, then you're not sure enough.
Squawk, come.
He's getting dirty, Mr. Dillon.
What are you going to do, Miss Tabor?
Two Eagles love. Come.
No, Two Eagles, I can't.
I can't. It would be wrong.
Oh, Marshal, how can I tell him?
I can't help you.
Goodbye, Two Eagles.
No.
Goodbye and thank you.
Love.
I'll never forget you.
No.
All right, come on.
Chester, hold him. I'll take her.
Now, now, go on, please.
Squawk, go.
Squawk!
Go that way, Pastor. I know it's good for you.
Now, go on back to your people.
I'm going to go on.
Hey, wait, stop.
He just ran right at us, man.
I know what he thought he could do against eight men, though.
It's almost like he wanted to die.
I understand, Sergeant.
He must have been crazy to follow you all this way.
But you never know about Indians.
Don't you worry, Miss.
There's nothing more to fear.
Your ordeal is over.
We'll be in Dodge by nightfall.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Here, let me help you on the wagon.
Thank you.
I'm sure once you're safely back in Dodge,
we'll be able to make you forget all this.
I'll make it my personal project to help.
Before long, the whole thing will be just an unpleasant nightmare.
Will it, Lieutenant?
Why, well, yes, of course.
Excuse me.
All right, men, ready to move out.
We're ready to move out in just a minute, Marshal.
All right.
Will, Marshal?
We buried him up on the hill overlooking the river, Mary.
I, uh, I brought this little medicine bag.
I thought, I thought you might like it for memento.
Maybe it all happened for the best, Mary, and someday it'll be forgotten.
Will it, Marshal?
Will I ever again find a man who loved me that much?
That I don't know, Mary.
That I really don't know.
Gunsmoke, produced and directed by Norman McDonald,
stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal.
The story was specially written for Gunsmoke by John Dunkle,
with editorial supervision by John Meskin.
Featured in the cast were Gene Bates, Jack Moyles, and Vic Perrin.
Harley Bear is Chester, Howard McNear is Doc, and Georgia Ellis is Kitty.
This is George Walsh inviting you to join us again next week
for another story on Gunsmoke.