 Down Dodge City and in the territory on West, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers, and that's with the U.S. Marshal and the smell of gun smoke. Move West, William, the story of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal. The first man they look for and the last they want to meet. It's a chancey job, but it makes a man watchful. And a little lonely. Sometimes it can be real nice, Mr. Dillon. Oh, what can be real nice? Dodge City can. Now, take a week like this last one with fine weather and the prairie all green before the June sun scorches it and people staying out of trouble. Well, that won't last long, Chester. The trail herds are starting to roll in. Oh, gone at all, Mr. Dillon. You just won't never let a person pleasure his self at all. I'm sorry, Chester. I didn't say it was always nice. I said right now, it's not... All right, Chester. I didn't mean to bust your balloon. Are you sure none of it? Well, look at there. There's young Pachy Sutter. Yeah, let's go see what it's all about. The slave's gonna twist that boy's arm right off if he ain't careful. We'll get no thanks for poking our noses into a family row. This road into town with him, Pa, I can't see nothing wrong in that. Yeah, maybe I'll learn you to see a little differently. What's the trouble? Oh, you, Marshal. That boy's getting pretty near as big as you are, Leif. You're not careful one of these days he's gonna turn on you. He left a hand to me just once. I'll take a horse whip and cut him to ribbons. But all done, Mr. Wright, into town with Mr. Rowe. You mean Jason Rowe, Pachy? Yes, sir. I met him on the trail south of the creek. Shut your mouth, boy. Now, get on over the livery's table and wait for me. And whenever I'm ready to go home, you better be setting that wagon seat. You hear me? Yes, sir. All right. Still wet behind the ears and back talking like you was grown up. Why are you so worked up against Jason Rowe, Leif? Because he's no good, that's why. I told that boy of mine two dozen times stay shy of him. He's gonna learn to do it if I have to beat him to death. And if that's what you're figuring on, you better do it outside of Dodge. You button into a man's right to teach his family discipline? Discipline's one thing, but a grown man beating a boy with his fist or something else and that's what you were doing when we walked out. He knows what to expect. He's been told enough. Told what? Jason Rowe's pretty well-liked as far as I've ever heard. Listen, I aim to raise Pachy up to be a cattleman to take over the ranch someday, to run it with his own two hands. I aim to be proud, all right, sir. I ain't raising him up to be no good book-readin' poet. Just enough sense to plant a bean patch and live off in a herd of scrawny sheep. And I told that boy to stop hanging around that no good role. So why, Mr. Sutter? It wasn't because I don't enjoy his company that I told him to stay away. But because I knew he was making trouble for him with you. I have no intention of trying to convince him by beating him to a pulp. I ain't sure you're a man enough. I am sure, though. That's why I don't have to go around proving it 24 hours a day. You trying to start something with me? I think it's already started, Sutter. As long as you can find your attack on me to talk, I wasn't greatly concerned. But I don't like being shot at from ambush. What do you mean, shot at? When was this? Last week, Marshal? Maybe Sutter can tell you more about it. You claiming I tried to shoot you in the back? As a matter of fact, my back was turned. Odd that you knew... I never even been near that shack of yours. I think you're a liar, Sutter. Too bad. You ain't wearing a gun when you say that. Suppose you take yours off? You outweigh me 20 pounds? That ought to be fair enough for you. Or maybe you're scared of guns. Is that it? You're right. I am scared of guns. I've seen too many of them, not the black guy. Like I said, Marshal, just a sheep herder that likes to read books. Roll. You keep away from my boy. You hear me? Any friend who comes to my door is welcome, and that includes packing. And another thing, Sutter, from tonight on, I'll be wearing a gun. I'm mighty glad to hear that. Mighty glad. I'll believe it when I see it. You better get somebody to learn you how to load it. Marshal, that boy ought to be taken away from him. Now, that'd be pretty hard to do, Jason. The law gives him out a lot of leeway where his own family's concerned. Paqui's a good youngster. But his father is killing the spirit in him. He may do more killing than that, Jason, if you give him a chance. By wearing a gun, you mean? No, Marshal. I'm afraid he's worked himself up to a point now where he'll try whether I'm armed or not. What started all this, anyway? Paqui happens to like me. I've talked to him, given him books to read. Life's a cattle man, and I run a few sheep. Maybe that's reason enough in itself. Yeah, maybe. Mostly, though, I think it's because he's scared. That's why he's always blustering and trying to cover up. And he knows I see it, so he hates me. And deep inside, he's scared of me, too. No, that's possible. The worst enemy you can have in the world is a man who's scared of you. Yeah. I know that, Jason, but I wasn't sure you knew it. But, hey, darling, is it? Mighty strange looking cadaver, all right? Oh, hand me that scalpel, will you, man, please? Uh, is this the one you mean, Doc? Huh? Oh, yes, of course. Thank you, thank you. You know, it's a fine way for a grown man to be spending his time and talk poking around on the inside of a dead prairie dog. A rare opportunity, Matt. Rare opportunity. The Hawkins kids brought me three of them this morning. Found them out south of town. Rare opportunity for what, Doc? Matt, how many dead prairie dogs did you ever see? Well, I've come to think of it. Ah, that's just what I mean. Now, prairie dogs are tough little animals. They get killed by hawks and snakes, coyotes and so forth, but they don't just up and die. No, I guess not. Yeah? Come on in. Door's unlocked. Hi, Doc. Oh, well, uh, Pachy... Come on in, Pachy. I was looking for you, Marshall. Chester said you might be up here. What can I do for you, son? Well, uh, nothing much, I reckon. I just wanted to talk, I guess. Yeah, go right ahead. I'm through here. Why don't you two talk out there in front of the room? I'll kind of clean up in here. All right, Doc. Come on back in. You know, Marshall, Paul just wailed the daylights out of me. He was maddering a wet hymn. Well, maybe there won't be much more of that back in here about growing up now. Paul keeps saying he aims to be proud of me, make a man out of me. Maybe he just wants you to be everything he missed being. Oh, Paul talks real loud, real bravo, but I don't think he is at all. Well... Why does he hate Mr. Roll so much? I don't see nothing wrong with him. I like him. So do I. He knows things, he... Most anything you think of Mr. Roll knows about, and he tells you, so you know too. Sure is a mighty big world the way he tells about it. Yeah, I guess it is. Well, Dodd City ain't all of it, or the prairie. It's bigger than that. And I aim to see for myself, learn all about it. I don't want you growing up. I guess you can do about anything you want to, Peggy. Growing up is kind of hard to do sometimes, Marshall. Yeah. Yeah, it's pretty hard. A lot of people never make it, Peggy. It just ain't nothing like a half dozen fried eggs to start a man off right in the morning. Yeah, I imagine a hog wakes up with pretty much the same feelings. A good appetite is a sign of good health. Then I'd say you're about the healthiest man west of St. Louis. Sticks and stones can break my bone, but word... Mind if I join you, Marshall? Jason, glad to have you, sure. Good morning, Chester. Hi, Mr. Roll. You're up and around early today, aren't you? I'm just going through town, as a matter of fact. I've got a timber cabin up into the Chirrawaz. The snow is during the winter, damaged at some. I'm going to spend a week putting it back in shape. You're wearing a gun. I meant what I said, Marshall. Well, now, Mr. Roll, wearing a gun is one thing, but knowing how to use it when the time comes is another. I'm familiar with guns. Just tell me something, Jason. You've led troops, haven't you? Why do you ask that? I'm not asking exactly. It's more a matter of guessing. Well, during the war, the rebellion, I served as a captain. 29th New York Volunteer is assigned to the 7th Cavalry. Uh-huh. Tell me a favor, would you, Jason? If I can, Marshall. Stay clear of this, Sutter. Let me talk to him, huh? Let me see if I can knock some sense into his head. I have no intention of looking him up and calling him, but I doubt that'll make any difference, Marshall. He's like a blind, mad bull, ready to charge anything that moves. Yeah, I'm afraid you're right. Marshall, I want to know what's happened to Patti. I ain't seen him... Morning, Sutter. You're behind this, you sneaking rat. It's just about time you... All right, hold it. Let me get you out of the way. All right, settle down now. I'll come out with you anyway. Patti. Patti's gone run away during the night. Well, last roll, he knows he put him up to it. Have you seen Patti, Jason? Not since yesterday out there in the street when Sutter was trying to beat him half to death. You're lying. You're hiding him out so much. Sutter. Sutter, since you seem determined to force this watch. Well, my goodness that... Well, that was the fastest draw I ever seen. My gracious. Marshall, I think I'll push on. I'll eat breakfast on the trail. I'll see you in about a week. Have a good trip, Jason. All right, life as your gun. If you know what's good for you, you'll keep it in its holster. You might as well keep a cell ready, Marshall. I'll kill him, no matter how fast he is. I don't think I'll bother with a cell life if you do try to what you're going to need's a grave. Shuffle up a picture, Bailey. Sure, Kate. Sit down, ma'am. Circle B bar heard came in about dark with 40 riders and they're current avert about an hour later. I guess we'll be open all night. You should be a kitty. Thanks, Sam. Thanks, Sam. Put it on my house tab, will you? Sure. They don't have to borrow money to eat until they head back to Texas. But I guess that's the way they like it. You found my boy yet, Marshall? No, not yet, Blake. Are you even trying? As much as I know how to. He hasn't been seen on any of the trails out of town. I checked with everybody I can. Why don't you check with Jason Rowe? That's who he's gone with. You heard what Jason said this morning. He's reminded of what Chura was, be gone a week or more. Then he took back you with him. I talked to the driver of the Pueblo stage this afternoon. He saw Jason Rowe at Rhyolite Pass and he was alone. He'll let your hate twist your thinking life. I wouldn't trust that Jason Rowe no further and I can see it. Well, that's up to you. It seems to me your main concern ought to be your son, not your feud with Jason. It is. If anything happens to that boy, you'll find Pac. You'll find him and fetch him back home. You hear me? I'll do what I can, life. You'll find him and fetch him back. Funny, Mac. A person will let a hate get hold of him without any real reason that it's riding that way. Yeah, and ride him right under the ground more than often. Matt, you think Jason did help Pac run away? No, I think the boy just got tired of being cuffed around. But still, Leif worships that kid. Yeah, I suppose he does lose all weight. It's like a jealousy, almost. Leif wants the boy to look up to him like he does to Jason. Well, we'll never get him to do it but slapping him in my head. Well, I guess we can't solve everybody's problems, Matt. Well, I gave that up a long time ago. Mr. Jones. Oh, what is it, Chester? It looks like maybe we kindly got took in, but Jason roll. Oh, what do you mean? It appears like he didn't go to the cheer was after all. I reckon he must have circled back. What? Well, a homesteader just came in from out that way and said there's a light in Jason's cabin. He's lied to us, Mr. Jones. Ah, we better go out and see him before center finds out. He already has. He heard about it same time I did. And he just this minute took out of here All right, let's go, Chester. We must have passed him some words on the way out. Chester, there's a light in the cabin there. I'm sure my God, the sure is. This ain't the first time I've been wrong about a man. Yeah, but Jason's not the kind of lie. Circled back, though. Even if you have seen it, Riley. I guess so. And you figure a man locked, shot him, setters shot him down in cold blood. Maybe he isn't dead. Let's go see. Hey, put down that rifle. I've given him an old chance at all. Somebody kidnapped his son. Life. I told you that hate was gonna twist your thinking. Jason Roller somewhere on a churro was. Huh? Are you telling me that this ain't you? Good shot, Life. One bullet right through the heart. Your son never knew what hit him. Frontier was a great half circle with one in Anchorage and the Cotas and the other in Texas. And through this ran a score of passageways to the west. Trails like the Santa Fe, the Overland, the Boseman, the Good Night. Well, next week, our story centers around a band of people traveling west on one of these trails. Our is William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshall. Featured in the cast were Parley Bear as Chester, Howard McNeer as Doc, and Georgia Ellis as Kitty. Join us again next week for another specially transcribed story on guns. The United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.