 James Stewart as the six-shooter. The man in the saddle is angular and long-legged. His skin is sun-dyed brown. The gun in his holster is grey steel and rainbow mother of pearl. Its handle unmarked. People call them both, the six-shooter. The NBC radio network presents James Stewart as the six-shooter. A transcribed series of radio dramas based on the life of Britt Ponsett. The Texas Plainsman, who wandered through the western territories, weaving behind a trail of still-remembered legends. Now, in just a moment, immediately following this important announcement, you'll hear Act One of the Six-Shooter. Meet the safe driver. If you know what makes him stay alive on the highways, you may be able to follow his good example. He always keeps his car in A1 mechanical condition. He shows courtesy for other drivers. He knows that speed is his greatest enemy, and most important, he knows and obeys the laws. Remember, few accidents happen with safe drivers. Are you one of them? Now, Act One of the Six-Shooter, starring James Stewart. I sure couldn't figure it. I'd written down the whole main street all the way from Seth Tully's bank to Ma Benson's roomy house, and I hadn't seen a single solitary person. The doors were closed shut tight. There wasn't even a wagon or a horse out in front of them. They looked like the town of Elk Point had just stopped and gone to sleep, but that didn't make sense either. It's another five o'clock in the afternoon. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Ma Benson didn't know what the trouble was. She always had pretty good notion about everything that went on in Jackson County. Folks always used to say that's why the Elk Point Gazette kept going broke. Old Sadie Benson was too much competition. Well, opening the door might be one way of finding out. Oh, come on now, come on, Ma. Open up the door. Six, so I can lock up again. Oh, sure, sure. I didn't imagine what a fright she gave me when I heard you knocking out there. Oh, but I must say there ain't anybody I'd rather see today. Well, now that's a very flattering greeting, Ma, but what's behind that? Oh, now stop joshing me, Brit. At a time like this when we all might be murdered any minute. Stacy Galt has headed this way. Don't tell me you didn't know. Galt? That's what I said. Stacy Galt. Stacy Galt? I hadn't heard he was in these parts. You hadn't heard? No. Then what on earth brought you to Elk Point? Oh, I'm just passing through on the way to White River. I thought I might stop off long enough to have one of those fine home-cooked meals yours. Isn't that reason enough? Well, you're heaven sent, Brit. That's what you are. Heaven sent. Come on out in the kitchen with me while I give you the news. Sure. I was fixed on a batch of cornbread. I had to do something to keep myself from thinking about what might happen. Oh, you can drop that stool there if you like. Oh, thanks. Before you set down, hand me them eggs, will you? Eggs? Oh, here they are. There you are. Well, now the first sign of trouble was when Galt held up the Fargo Station over at Fort Shafter. That was ten days, maybe two weeks ago. Well, Shafter's 200 miles melt point. Well, that's why folks didn't get too excited. Not then, anyhow. We never figured he'd come this far west. He never had before. Yeah, I guess that's all. But last Monday, he was in White River. Robbed the White River first national, got away with over $50,000. Marshall Andrews, he's the district marshal over at the White River. He trailed Galt five or six miles out of town, and then he lost him. There wasn't no doubt which way Galt was fixing to go. Oh, now where to put that? This morning, Ed Scott came barreling into town. He's got the old McBride ranch out in Easter Canyon, you know. Yeah, yeah, I remember that. Well, Ed seen him last night riding through the canyon. Galt, huh? Couldn't have been nobody else. Ed recognized him right off he did. He did, huh? I thought you said Galt had never been around out point four. Well, there's pictures of him, ain't there? On them wanted posters? Yeah, yeah. Now I know I've left something out of this batter, but can only think what? Oh, my star's bacon powder. You know, when you use sweet milk, you got to put in bacon powder, or the bread just don't raise up at all. That covered right behind your bread, please. Right here? Yeah, that door, there, right there, there. That's on the second shelf. Little red can. Red can. That's the one. Well, now like I say, Ed rung the news of town this morning. Well, that's when everybody took cover, huh? What else was we to do without a single able-bodied man to defend us? Oh. Eddie Scott rounded him all up, formed a posse, and went out putting Galt. Oh, now, what about Sheriff Henry? It sounds like that'd be his job, wouldn't it? Sheriff Henry ain't here. Oh, I see. Just when we need him most, he's delivering a prisoner over to county jail adjacent. I see. And that gave Ed Scott his chance to take charge. He's always been the push and type, wanting to run everything. I guess he figures that he can capture Galt. It'll be a real feather in his cap. Not to mention the $10,000 reward the White River First National is offering. Yeah, that's a lot of money, isn't it? It sure is. $10,000. Oh, can you open it for me? Oh, yes, sure. Now be careful, Britt. Now don't you burn yourself. You better use that dish towel there on the right. I don't know why I bothered making cornbread. Won't be anybody here to eat it. Except maybe you, Britt. You'll stay for suffering anyway, won't you, in spite of this Galt business? Well, it would take more than Stacy Galt to do me out of some of your cornbread. Gee whiz, I'd ride 20 miles just to get a whiff of it. Oh, no. I would, yes, I would. Well, the cooking's all right, but it ain't nothing exceptional. No, it's... Oh, you always was one to hand out the blood. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, lads, don't stop it. The heavies of mustard won't know whether I'm coming or going. Yeah, well, I think I'll go out and put a scar on the barn. Well, you're welcome to feed them. There's plenty of hay. Thanks. Ma, you weren't serious about there only being two of us for supper, were you? Well, I sure was. Well, but they used to have plenty of boarders more, and you could take care of them. Oh, oh, I've still got my boarders, Brit, but they're all out with Ed Scott's posse. Oh, I see. I told you, there ain't a male between the ages of 10 and 60 left in town, besides you, of course. Why, even old man Fletcher went along with that posse. No. Huh? They had to help him onto his horse, but he went. Well, you'd better hurry now, Brit. I'll have supper on the table by the time you get back from the barn. It was quite a supper, too. Baked ham with brown sugar dripping down the sides, and mashed potatoes swimming in gravy. Enough green lime of beans to feed the whole population of Elk Point. And that cornbread, gee, where is it? Just light, yellow, and fluffy with homemade maple syrup to pour over it, I tell ya. When I started eating it, I figured I'd have a hard time making a dent in the plate more put before me, but the next thing I knew, I was asking for a second. No, no, not just a thin slice, ma'am. No, no, no, no, no, that's too much. That's too much. Now, I'll only have to throw it away. It'll just go easy on it. No, I don't know, though. There. A few more potatoes? No, I don't want any more potatoes. All right. There's just a few. No, I don't want any more beans, ma'am. Now, you can't eat ham with nothing to go with it. No, I don't want to eat it. Oh, my goodness. Here you are. Well, how about you, ma'am? You've already touched any of your food, ma'am. Oh, what you cook yourself don't taste as good somehow. You're not still worrying about Stacy Gall. Oh, certainly I'm not. That's not since you showed up. If he'd come into town now, you'd take care of him. I don't imagine he'll get past that Scott Posse. And you don't know where Scott's very good. Why, he'll have that Posse running around in circles. I'll bet you you could drive a herd of cattle right through the middle of them men, and they wouldn't even notice. Oh. You know, you want me to answer it? No, no. I'll see who it is. You might keep your right hand free, though, just in case. I ain't caught gold, have ya? No, no, no. He ain't caught it. He's been past it in town. My wife thought she'd seen him going into your place a second. Yeah, he's here. Oh, I've got to talk to Britt. Britt, he's in Elk Point. Stacy Gall is in Elk Point. Oh. Yes, he is. I saw him not five minutes ago, riding over the South Creek Bridge. He means to rob my bank. I know he does. That's the only thing he could've come up for. Well, you've got more than enough men to take care of him, haven't you, Sam? The Posse's still out combing the hills, away out in the hills. What? Well, my rheumatism started backing up. It was paining me something terrible. I had to drop out and come back alone. That rheumatism of yours is sure a convenient sickness sometimes, Seth. Well, you can be mighty thankful for it tonight. Otherwise, Galt might have got by unnoticed. Oh, we've got to move fast, Britt, before he reaches the bank. I brought him 44. I figured the two of us together, couldn't you? No, just hold on, Seth. What makes you so sure of the man you saw with Galt? Oh, it's got to be him. Fits his description to a T, to a T. Pretty dark out there, you know. He was on the trail from White River. There's no words else could come from. Britt, we all know Galt was headed this way. What did I tell you? He got through Ed Scott's posse just like I said he would. Yeah, he might have at that. There was a couple of times when we sort of lost our whereabouts. Well, come on, Britt. You ain't going to leave me to take care of Galt all alone, are you? Not that I'd be afraid to try it, of course. All right, all right, Seth. I'm coming. I wasn't quite finished my supper, but I... Well, now who on earth... Wait a minute, wait, wait. Well, Andrew, Ma. Why, that might be Stacy Galt. Oh, now, why would Galt be coming here to Ma's place? I'll see who it is. Well, I'll cover you, Britt. While you're roving the door, you ain't got a thing to worry about. I'll cover you. Howdy. Sign out front to the rooms. I'm looking for a place to stay. It's him. It's him, Ma. It's him. Well, come on in. This is Ma Benson. This is her room and house. Evening, ma'am. I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm full up. That's too bad. I was only going to be here one night. Is there any place else that might stop us? No, that is not to the know of. Well... Before you go, mister, we don't mean to be nosy or anything like that, but would you mind telling us what you're doing here in Elk Point? I got some business at the bank tomorrow. The bank? Oh. That's right. What are you doing with that gun, mister? What? Yeah, you opened it. Yeah. Let me pick it up for you. No, no, no. Never mind. Just leave it there. Just leave it. Lay it on the floor? Yeah. Well, it ain't loaded anyway. A man's a fool to carry an unloaded gun. Say, what time does the bank open up in the morning? It ain't open tomorrow. Tomorrow's a holiday. That's so funny. I didn't know. Well, it's kind of a special holiday just here in Elk Point. Oh. You, uh... You came from White River, didn't you, mister? That's right. And how did you... Oh, you heard about me. I was on my way, huh? News should travel fast, don't it? Yes. Yes, it sure does. Well, we haven't got a vacant room. You sure you can't squeeze them in somewhere? Yes. You know, since some of your regulars won't be back tonight anyway, you could... How about it, ma? Well, uh... I guess I could find a place for them, if you really think... I'd appreciate it, ma. Well, just, uh, just follow me upstairs, and I'll see what I can do. Thanks, mister. No trouble. Well, what's the matter with you, Brit? Get Ma and let him stay here. Well, if he's galled, this way we'll be able to keep an eye on him, don't you think? If he's... if he's... You've seen that sattel he was carrying, didn't you? Yeah. Well, don't you see? That's where he's got the stolen money. You can bet your bottom dollar on it. Mm-hmm. No. And, Brit, you heard what he said about my bank. He was telling us plain as day that he means to rob it. That's the way gall is. Everybody says so. You better stop that eating and listen to me. Get out and announce what he aims to do. Don't make no bones about it. That's a fact. Mm-hmm. Well, I didn't... I didn't hear him mention anything about robbing you, Seth. You didn't. But how much cleaner could he make it? Mm-hmm. Yeah, well... And you, Brit, I'm surprised at you. He was standing there wide open. Why, you could have outlawed him without even half crying. Mm-hmm. Well, I guess either of us could have done that, Seth. Seeing as how he wasn't wearing a gun. What? You could have made that cornbread, wouldn't you? We'll return to James Stewart as the six-shooter in just a moment. When it's entertainment you're after, you'll find the very best on this station of the NBC Radio Network. Thursday night, for example, Robert Young portrays Jim Anderson on Father Knows Best, a program which is based on the assumption that the man of the family can put one over on the wife and youngsters. The same night you can enjoy the zany stunts on Truth or Consequences with Ralph Edwards. When Ralph sends a contestant off on a consequence, it usually ends up as one of radio's funniest. And if you like Western songs and adventures, hear the Roy Rogers Show. Then, to top it all off, hear the little-known stories of show business that Eddie Cantor tells on his show business show. Yes, Thursday is packed with stellar entertainment on the NBC Radio Network. Now, act two of the six-shooter, starring James Stewart as Britt Ponsett. Seth Tully just stood there watching me finish up supper, and the expression on his face didn't help my digestion. My sheets sure did look disgusting. But I just wasn't convinced that this new fella and Stacey Galt were the same man. I'd never seen Galt before, of course. The fella Ma took upstairs did look something like the wanted posters, and he had come from White River. That's all true, but no done. The poster pictures and the satchel and where a man comes from just don't prove he's an outlaw, at least not for certain. You gonna sit there eating all night with Ponsett? No, no, I'm done now. Well? Well, he's not robbing your back, Seth. Well, what do you want me to do? Now look, now we're not sheriffs or deputies, and we can't arrest somebody just on suspicion. And besides, I don't think he's Galt. Oh, you don't? I just don't stand a reason. Now, why would Galt come riding in the town here? He knows everybody's on the lookout for him. Well, with that posse out in the hills, he's a lot safer here in town than he would be anywhere else. And don't think he don't know that, too. Oh, yeah. Now, it's about time to turn in. Now look, Seth, when Sheriff Henry comes back, he can arrest his fellow if he wants to. He's, uh, I think he'd make a mistake. I think he'd be arresting the wrong man, but... Well... But, Ponsett, I'll never forgive you for this. Not if I live to be seventy. Uh, ninety. No, no, no. Leave me at the mercy of a killer. Why, we'd have been better off if you never showed up at Elk Point at all. This is terrible. Oh, just take it easy, ma'am. Take it easy? With Stacy Galt staying right under my old roof? Now, you could be jumping to conclusions. I'm as sad here. Oh, am I? Do you know what's in that satchel? Nope. Money. Stacks and stacks of it. Oh, now, ma'am. I watched him through the keyhole. He took it out and started counting it. And there's slips of paper fastened around the bills. And the printing on that paper says White River First National Bank. There you see. You sure this, ma'am? Well, I'm sure of own eyes, ain't I? Mmm... All right. And that ain't all he's got. You remember what it said on the wanted poster about about how Galt always wears yellow leather gloves? Yes, I remember. Well, he's got the gloves, too. Right there in the satchel with the money. Ha! Ha! You satisfied now, Brit? Mmm... Seth, you gotta find the posse and bring him back here as soon as you can. All right, ma'am. You'll see that he don't get away, Brit. Well, well, yep, I'll see to it. Well, for heaven's sake, Seth, hurry! Be me sure, ma'am. Sure, ma'am, hurry. Gee, I'm sorry if I got into something, ma'am, but I just can't believe... You can't believe what, Brit? Uh, nothing, ma'am, nothing. Well, ma'am cleared off the table and took the dishes out in the kitchen. I had to dry, but she said she'd rather do them herself, so I went into the parlor to wait. The fellow upstairs was moving around, getting ready for bed. At least that's what I hoped he was doing. His room was right over my head, and when the bed springs gave out a little creek, I thought a little better about a thing. About 20 minutes later, Ma came out and sat down in a rocker beside the fireplace. She was crocheting one of those doodads you put in the arm of a chair, you know. We didn't do much talking. Not for the next couple of hours, we didn't. Then, about 11 o'clock, the posse came riding on. Well, it must be them, ma'am. Oh, it's about time. Well? Uh, maybe you'd better wait in the kitchen in case there's any trouble. There won't be no trouble now, thanks to Seth Foley. Uh, yeah. Well, anyway... Oh, all right, Brit, all right. He's still here, Brit. Yeah. Yeah, he's asleep. You know Brit Ponson, don't you, Ann? Yeah, sure. Now, now, here's the plan. The rest of the boys have got the house surrounded. The whole house surrounded. Gold couldn't get out no matter what happened. Uh-huh. All right now, the three of us will go upstairs. Then come on. Now, as soon as we get to his room, I'll kick the door open, then we all blaze away at the bed. No, no, no, no. Just hold on here, ma'am. Just hold on. Yeah? Well, what's the matter, ma'am? Now, what you're talking about is cold blood murder. Oh, just giving him a dose of his own medicine, that's all. That's all? Yeah, yeah. Now, Ed... Now, don't tell me you still ain't satisfied that he's gone. Maybe he is. Maybe he is. That doesn't matter. He's entitled to a trial just like everybody else. Oh, use your head, Brit. If we try taking him alive, he's bound to get one or two of us first. Uh-huh. Well, that's the way we're going to take him, anyway. Now, Brit, Brit... Now, you wait here, both of you. I'll bring him down to you. And I want your word that he goes to jail in one piece, huh? I can't promise nothing like that. The boys outside are pretty mad about it. Maybe the boys would like to shoot it out with both the gall of me. Brit, you don't... What do you say, Scott? Well, all right, Brit. He goes to jail. But so help me. Seth, how about it? Sure, Brit. Sure. But if anything happens to you, you've got nobody but yourself to blame. Only yourself. Upstairs hall is pitch dark. I moved on quiet. Quiet as I got. I tried to remember where the doors were. Been a couple of years since I'd stayed at Benson's. I wasn't just sure which room. I pressed my air against the door and listened. I couldn't hear anybody breathing inside, so I headed for the next door. I poked my leg on the hall table, and I reached out to hide. He'd be awake now, so I had to move fast. I swung the door open and brought up my gun. Who's there? What do you want? I stay where you are, and I don't reach for anything. What? Huh? The lamp, right beside his bed, gave off enough light so I could see him. I leaned over and turned it up. He hadn't moved. He just sat there, eyes wide open, licking. What's going on here, Mr. I think you'd better put your clothes on. Oh, sure. Sure. Whatever you say. But why? What's all this about? Well, there's some boys downstairs who want to talk to you. That's right. I don't know anybody in these parts. Well, they know you. At least they think they do. Yeah, they, uh, they claim you're Stacey Galt. Galt? That's right. Why, they're crazy, plum crazy. They are? Ain't they heard? How could I be Galt? Galt's in jail, White River. He was captured, locked up, the day before yesterday. You sure that? I ought to be. I captured him. You? The proof's right there in the satchel. Reward money. White River First National paid it to me yesterday. No. Marshall Andrews gave me Galt's shell of gloves as a sort of a matter of the occasion. Along with a letter of congratulations. Judge Stacey Galt? Well, he was kind of accidental. You see, I'm a drummer. Travel around selling gadgets and things. I didn't know the cabin was Galt's hideout. It looked like any other cabin to me. But there might be some kids living there. So I was getting up the sample when the door opened. Guess he thought the sex shooter I was holding was a real thing. Of course, it did look mighty genuine for an imitation. It sure make realistic looking toys these days. He didn't try to shoot it out with you? No, no, no. All he said was, okay, you got the drop on me. I didn't know what he was talking about, but I was too surprised to say so. Next thing he handed me his gun, well, it was about then Marshall Andrews come riding up. Marshall was real nice about giving me all the credit. Want to see the letter he read? No, no, no, no, no. But you bring that down along with you, will you? I... What I want to see is Ed Scott's face when you show him that letter. That's what I want to see. So when he got finished putting his clothes on, I took Amos Foster, that was his name. I took him downstairs. Ed and Seth, they were standing at the bottom covering us with their guns. The letter from Marshall Andrews finally convinced him. They put their guns away and marched outside. And that was just about the unhappiest posse I ever saw considering that they'd caught their man. Marl Benson, she came out of the kitchen in time to hear the tale and Amos' explanation. She didn't say anything, just shook her head and then offered to make some coffee and heat up what was left of the cornbread. That sounded real good to Amos and sounded good to me, too, except for one thing. I knew there wasn't any cornbread left to heat up. I sort of finished it off at supper. Defense is one job we can't put off because if we want security for our home and country tomorrow, we've got to do something about it today. How? By investing in United States savings bonds. You'll get a return of $4 for every $3 you put in and in less than 10 years. In addition, you can hold your beyonds beyond maturity and earn further interest. 3% interest compounded semi-annually for as long as 10 additional years. Sign up today for freedom. Join the payroll savings plan or the bond a month plan. You'll feel more secure tomorrow if you buy United States savings bonds today. The six-shooter is an NBC radio network production in association with review productions. It is based on a character created by Frank Burt and the transcribed story is written by him. Mr. Stewart may currently be seen in the Universal International Picture Thunder Bay. Others in the cast were Eleanor Audley, Barney Phillips, Forrest Lewis, and Seth Tully was played by Farley Bayer. Special music for this program was by Basil Adlam and the entire production is under the direction of Jack Johnstone. All characters and incidents were fictitious and any resemblance to actual characters or incidents is purely coincidental. Hell, give me speaking. Here, exciting stroke of fate tonight on the NBC radio network.