 Brown Dodge City and in the territory out west, there's just one way to handle the killers in the spoilers, and that's with the U.S. Marshall and the smell of gun smoke. The transcribed story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it, Matt Dillon, United States Marshall. Peace officer of... My gracious, Mr. Dillon, there's old Lanky. And I'm sure you... I got his wife with him, too. And the wagon's filled with kids? Well, how'd you know Lanky brought the kids along? Well, he always does. Hey, look, there's a filter, boys. Pardon me. The way down there is Emma Gold. Is... I think she's heard in town for a spell either. In the area. Respectfully. U.S. How does it... Chester. Yes, sir? Well, you shut the door. You're letting in all the flies in Kansas. But, Mr. Dillon, I can't shut the door. Shut the door, Chester. You can go out or stay in, but shut the door. This town is just busting with people. All here for the races tomorrow again. Yeah. You going out the flats tomorrow? I don't know, Chester. You don't sound like you hanker after going too much. Well, I don't. I wish Colonel Benson's officers would forget about horse races. Well, I guess they figured their army graze about the best horses in country. Well, everybody knows the cavalry has good horses. They don't have to prove it ever four or five months. Do it. Mr. Dillon, I just plain don't understand. Ain't nobody likes a horse race better than you. I know, Chester. I like them fine, but that's not... Marshal Dillon? Yeah, that's right. Lieutenant Flagser, Fort Dodge. Well, sit down, Lieutenant. Colonel Benson's compliments, sir. And he requests your presence at the fort tomorrow. For the races. That's right, sir. The Colonel feels that a peace officer out there would be, uh, well, a steadying influence. I see. And, uh, I take it you don't. No, Marshal, I don't. We can police our own activities. I see. After all, we're certainly competent to handle a bunch of sod busters. Well, the last time there were races out at the fort, three men were shot. Is that how you would handle things, Lieutenant? I wasn't stationed at Fort Dodge then, Marshal. But I know this. If people around here want to bet their stock against Army Mouse, they shouldn't complain if they lose. Mm-hmm. Uh, how long have you been out here, Lieutenant? I was stationed in Virginia until two months ago. Yeah, I thought so. What do you mean? Look, Lieutenant, out here, when men have something to complain about, they sometimes do it with a six-gun. They don't all have the respect for the Army that you have. A word if I had to say of it. There may be, but, uh, you don't. It's like with the Indians. A lot of the junior officers feel as I do. We'd go after them, force them into the open. And bring on another Indian war? And we'd beat them. But it would cost more than you'd believe, Lieutenant. Not if the three I saw leaving Dodge a while back were any example. An old man on a shaggy gray pony and two young boys. That was a Kiowa, Lieutenant. He's a chief, and those two braves are his sons. His name's Harling Dog. You seem to know a good deal about Indians, Marshal. Lieutenant Flag, you're a young officer. You're ambitious and you're eager, but, uh, you talk too much, and you don't even know part of what you're talking about. Now, look here. Tell Colonel Benson I'll be out there tomorrow. Very good, Marshal. And, Lieutenant? Yes? Don't talk ever since I came to Kansas. He's old, but he isn't stupid. So, uh, don't guess wrong about him. His pa sure must have hated the world, Mr. Dillon. Ah, he's young, Chester, he'll learn. Yes, sir. But you know, sometimes fellas grow up and don't improve a bit. Oh, there you are. Well, hello, Matt and Chester. How are you, Doc? I, uh, passed a young Lieutenant on the way out. Chester enlisting in the Army, Matt? Oh, Chester in the Army. Oh, my gracious, Doc. What's on your mind, Doc? Oh, well, just thought you'd know. I won't be around town tomorrow. I'm taking the day off. Oh, is that so? Yep, I'm going out to the Fort for the races. Might even work up some business. Thought you was taking the day off? Uh, Chester. Matt, that fella Hunter out there, regimental surgeon, you know. Yeah? Well, he thinks he's the only good doctor around these parts. Well, ain't he? Oh, well. Now, Matt, if you were going to be out there, you might push a little practice my way. The last time, Hunter got six cases out of seven. The only man he let me have was dead. Well, look, Doc, I'll tell you, if Lieutenant Flag was running things, maybe we could arrange a whole massacre for you. Well, who's Lieutenant Flag? The Lieutenant, you seem leaving. Yeah, Colonel Benson sent him in, Doc. Seems I've got an official invitation just to make sure the civilian element don't get to shootin' each other. Oh, now, Matt, you don't think they'd do that again, do you? No, Doc. There's any trouble out there this time. It won't be the townspeople that started. It'll be Lieutenant Flag in his crowd. Well, that's her. Well, how's that, Matt? Well, he's got no use for anything, but army. And he just has to soon shoot an Indian to see one. Well? Holland Dog's in this part of the country again, Doc. Oh? And I wouldn't be too surprised by what he shows up at the races tomorrow. I think this was the first horse race ever run, Matt. Yeah. Seems like the Benton's running high. Just talking to the Pilcher boys. They're betting everything they own on a Missouri mare they brought out here. Well, I've seen her, Chester. She's a good mare. Well, I've never heard so much horse talk in my life as I have tonight. Pasturns, stifles, gaskins, four-quarters, hindquarters, short couples, long barrels. Well, I tell you, Matt, it kind of makes a grill wonder. Well, don't you worry, Kenny. There'll be other nights. Well, there better be. And Matt, look there, coming in the door. What? You know, it's that lieutenant flag and some other officers. Yeah. They're down here to find the fire, I guess. What do you mean? Now, the more they get this crowd worked up, the higher the bettin' will be. Oh. Jinkies, I wish I had some money to bet on. Well, I'll just be glad you haven't, Chester. You bettin' him, Marshawn. Well, it's on the flag. Uh, Miss Russell. How do you do? Miss Russell? Lieutenant Striden? Lawson? Mal? How do you do? Uh, well, gentlemen, is anyone drinkin'? I think we all are. Bye, Tender. Put out some glasses. You'll join us, won't you, Miss Russell? Oh, thank you, Lieutenant. You too, Marshawn? Well, I guess. I think I'll just walk down to the other end of the bar, Mr. Billen. It's crowded here. Hey, you, uh, fellas from Fort Dodge, ain't you? That's right. You own some of them army grays that are going to run tomorrow? We do. Hey, well, my name's Pilcher. Psy Pilcher. I got some money to bet on my mayor. I'll match her any way you say. Well, I'll take your bet, Mr. Pilcher. Name it. Uh, gentlemen? 500 dollars silver. Run three, four, 500 yards. That's a lot of money. You mean you ain't got it? I'll go with you, Flag. All right, it's a bet, then. Good. I'll see you tomorrow, then. That's the fort. Well, gentlemen, here's the... The easiest thing in a pig. That's all I would know. I was from a Missouri mule. Maybe that's what he's got. From his looks, he could be running himself. You dirty pigs. All right, hold it, Pilcher. There ain't no man can name me like that. Hold it, I said. You wearing a uniform calling yourself a soldier. I was found outside of Atlanta while you were still nursing. Listen, you all right. Now, that's enough. Now, Pilcher, you get down to the other end of the bar. This is for you, gentlemen. You better start back for the fort. Now, look, Marshal, we don't have to take it... Move. All of you. Come on, Flag. Let's go. At least they paid for the bottle before you ran them off. You want a drink? No, Kitty, not for me. Thank you. You go ahead. Look, Matt. You can't stop trouble every time before it starts. Now I can't, Kitty. But I wish tomorrow is done with it. We will return for the second act of gun smoke in just a moment. But first, three burglars lucky at theft prove unlucky at gambling. To make matters worse, authorities catch up with them on their theft rap as well, in the case of the cold dice on gangbusters later tonight. Here, how Lady Luck refused to smile at a gang of free and easy crooks, and how justice and the cops closed in on their escapades. Here, gangbusters presented by CBS Radio, later tonight on most of these stations. Now the second act of gun smoke. Ain't trouble yet. The whiskey isn't gone, though, and there's still a race to come. Flag's been holding it off. Yes, sir. Well, at least here on the finish line, we can see which way the money is going. Matt! Oh, Matt! Oh, hello, Doc. Well, we haven't seen you all afternoon, Doctor. Where are you, Ben? Oh, well, just playing peanuts with some of the boys. They've been dull, but they won't be in a minute. Oh, why? Flag and Pilcher are down there at the start now. You see them? The big races do any minute. Yeah, uh, Chester. Yes, sir? You keep your eyes open, and as soon as they cross the finish line, you get to Pilcher and I'll pick up Flag. All right, sir. Yeah, let's see any minute now. Any minute there'll be... I can get to here! Moving, Chester. I'll find Flag. Yes, sir. All right. Pardon me. Excuse me, please. Yeah, will you pardon me, please? Walk that horse good, Sergeant. Well, Lieutenant, you've got a fast horse there. Fastest on the post? Yeah. Now, the Pilcher boys lost about everything they had just now. You preaching in vain, Marshal? Now, Lieutenant, I've seen horse races before. Yeah, be one easy, Marshal. I guess he did, Lieutenant Mowell. And he could have won from any other horse just as easy. Maybe. Well, Flag, you beat my mare. Thought maybe I might have won, but you've got a good horse. Real good horse. You getting ready to talk me out of my money? You're not much of a man, but you've got a good mouth, and I'm paying you here. $500 silver. Come on, Tom, let's go home. Well, Marshal? The races are over. The army won, and no trouble. You sorry? I got no complaints, Lieutenant Flag. Looks like the Colonel was worried about nothing. Thinking there might be some hotheads out here. Matter of fact, I was kind of hoping for some fun along with the running. Maybe you are a steady influence, Marshal. Now, you look here, young fellow soldier boy. Chester, take it easy. Hey, Flag, look over there. Well, isn't that old Kyle a howling dog? Wow, do you want some fun? Why not, Flag? He's going to challenge him to a race, Marshal. He's an old man, Lieutenant. Come on, Mal, we'll go talk to him. What are you going to do, Mr. Dillon? Now, we'll go over to Flag's feeling mighty big right now and looking for trouble. All right. You look to me like folks were all weak a minute ago. Now they seem to be drifting back. Yeah. What do you think old howling dog is going to do? I don't know, Chester. This is Lieutenant Mal. I know army officers. You speak good English for an Indian? I am chief of tribe. Chief? I hear you, Kyle, will ride good horses. Horses help us hunt. And I hear they're fast. Now, you've been sitting here all afternoon. You saw the races. Yeah, I saw. You saw my horse run. You think any of your horses could beat him? Yes. Which one, howling dog? Your son's horses are the one you're riding. Anyone. Anyone of these three? One of them could run 400 yards and look. All right. All right, now stop deviling him, flag. I'm not doing anything, Marshal. He tells me his horses can beat mine. I don't think they can. If you want to race, set one up, but don't fund him. Will you race my horse, howling dog? I will race. Which horse? The one I ride. Hey, flag, you ever see a sorry or sheep? You want to bet on the race, howling dog? I got no money. You must have something. If I lose, I give you a horse. Wouldn't want it. But I'll take that little beaded sack you're wearing around you now. That's Indian medicine. You say you could beat me so there's nothing to worry about? If I lose, I give army man medicine sack. Good. Well, I'll get Sergeant Crockett to bring my horse over here with it. I'll be right back. Now, howling dog, what distance do we race? You say. All right. We'll race from here down to that wagon with the broken wheel and back again. It's about 500 yards. Marshal, you can mark the start and finish. All right. Now, howling dog, you understand from here to the wagon and then back again. The first man to pass me coming back wins. Yeah. There you are, Flag. Had a chance to blow. Good shape. Good. Lieutenant Mao, would you step over here a minute? I'd like to talk to you. Sure, Marshal. You ready, Chief? I am ready. You can ride dressed like that? Yes. Okay, Marshal. Fine with me. Hey, Flag, that Indian going to ride in his blanket? He can ride in a tent for all I care. Army man. Yes? What you give me when I win. When you... What do you want? Money? No. What then? Uniform. Yes. You mean what I'm wearing? Yes. Well... Why not, Flag? What difference does it make? He won't win anyway. All right. It's a bet, Chief. Just a minute, Lieutenant. What is it, Peltier? My horse couldn't do it. Maybe the chief's can. I ain't got any money left, but I'll bet my saddle's in wagon and four mules against 500. It's a bet. All right. Chester. Yes, Chief? Will you hold the money? Yes, Chief. And I might just take about five dollars on the Indian too, Lieutenant. It's a bet. Anybody else? I've done all right today. I'll take a hundred. You're a fool, but... Now it's a bet. As soon as I'm mounted, I'll be ready, Martin. All right. You ready, howlin' dog? Ready. All right now to that wagon and back across this line. You there, would you ride down and clear those people out of the way, please? All right, move up on the line. Now I'll fire one shot. All right, steady now. Looks like Flag's head. Now he's swingin' wide for the wagon. He's there, that ugly little pony can sure run. Yeah. Well, they're under the turn, Chester. Hey, whatcha doing? What happened? Well, the howlin' dog dropped his blanket. Well, he's naked as a daybird. Come on, you Indian. It's a sight, a sight. I tell you, old does nothing quite as ineffectual as a man in long jobs. Imagine Lieutenant Flag will have some explaining to do when Colonel Benson sees it. Oh, I wish I'd been there. Oh, my, oh, no place for a lady kitty. The howlin' dog just sat there while Flag cursed and begged. But then when the Lieutenant paid off, he just turned and rolled away. With most of the Lieutenant's uniform, draped around his shoulders. You know, Mr. Dillon, he sure seemed pretty calm about it all. Well, he was sure enough of his horse, Chester. Sure he'd win, you mean? Oh, sure, that's right. Well, why, Matt? Army horse is a pretty good stock. Well, sure they are, kitty, but there's always one around somewhere that's better, an howlin' dog has it. Well, if that horse is so good, Matt, why doesn't the howlin' dog clip him up some so he don't look like a goat? Doc, let me tell you something. Howlin' dog's been winning races with that horse for a long time now. He's been the half the army post on the frontier. What? He has? Well, that's right. Well, why don't people learn not to bet against him then? Well, Chester, because lots of them are like Lieutenant Flag, they gotta make fun of somebody that looks weaker or different than they do. Well, now, Matt, you said you knew about this before. Did you know old howlin' dog was gonna win today out there? Well, Doc, I was just sure enough to win a $50 bet from Lieutenant Mowell. Sam? Yeah, Mark? See what the gentleman will have. Gun smoke transcribed under the direction of Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal. Tonight's story was specially written for gun smoke by Mr. McDonald with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in the cast were Harry Bartell, Ralph Moody, Paul Savage and John Daener, Harley Bearish Chester, Howard McNair as Doc and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. Gun smoke has been selected by the Armed Forces Radio Service to be heard by our troops overseas. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the West in gun smoke. Tomorrow Night motion picture star Van Heflin plays Damon Runyon on the Radio Hall of Fame. Novelist Gene Fowler and Lionel Barrymore, both friends of the late Damon Runyon, take part in the dramatized tribute. Remember, over CBS Radio Tomorrow Night, listen to a tribute to the beloved writer of short stories. It's on the Radio Hall of Fame on most of these stations of the stars' address. George Walsh speaking. Coming, going, staying at home, enjoy music and song on a Sunday afternoon on the CBS Radio Network.