Hondo

Hey, Mama. Mom! Look at that.

Look, Mommy, look.

Johnny!

Now you let Mommy do the talking.

Remember.

Yes, Mom.

But he has no horse.

No talking.

Good morning.

- You look like you've had trouble.

- Yep.

l lost my horse a few days ago

getting away from some Indians.

Indians?

We made dry camp last night

above the llano.

Sam here smelt more Apaches,

nuzzled me up.

So l thought l'd put some miles

between us.

But why?

We're at peace with the Apache.

- We have a treaty.

- Yes, ma'am.

Now l got to get me a new horse,

borrow or buy one.

l can pay you in United States script.

I'm riding a dispatch for General Crook.

- My name's Lane.

- Im Mrs. Lowe.

Im Johnny.

- The water sure looks inviting.

- Well, help yourself.

Watch out for that dog, son.

Could you hire me or sell me a horse,

Mrs. Lowe?

Of course. I've only got plow horses,

and two that are only half-broken.

The hand that was breaking them

for me got hurt and had to go to town.

- You mean you're staying here alone?

- Oh, no.

No, my husband is up in the hills,

- working some cattle.

- Oh.

He would pick today to be away,

when we have a visitor.

l'd enjoy meeting him, ma'am.

l wouldn't touch that dog, son.

He don't take to petting.

And now if you'll allow, ma'am,

I'll take a look at those horses.

Of course.

You'll find a saddle over by the barn.

In the meantime, Ill fix you something

to eat. L imagine you're hungry.

l could eat. Thank you.

Im so sorry my husband had to pick

today to go hunting those lost calves.

He would have enjoyed

having a man to talk to.

We welcome visitors.

Must be right lonely around here.

Especially for a woman.

l don't mind. L was raised here.

- What can l feed your dog?

- Nothing, thanks.

He makes out by himself.

Can outrun any rabbit in the territory.

It's no trouble at all.

lf you don't mind, ma'am,

l'd rather you didn't feed him.

l see. You don't want him to get in the

habit of taking food from anyone else.

Well, you can hand it to him.

No, ma'am, l don't feed him, either.

Sam's independent.

He doesn't need anybody.

l want him to stay that way.

Its a good way.

- Everyone needs someone.

- Yes, ma'am. Most everyone.

Too bad, isn't it?

- You're a good cook, ma'am.

- Thank you.

A woman should be a good cook.

Good cook myself.

Why didn't you get on him

when he was stuck?

'Cause l didn't want him sitting on me

from a standing start.

Stay with him.

You chose the most savage one.

l won't give you an argument there.

He's always been a fighter.

l wouldn't give a plugged nickel

for a horse that wouldn't fight.

It lets you down

when the going gets tough.

Its a little dull.

Well, l can do almost everything

around a ranch, but l never could

put an edge on an ax.

Where is it?

- What?

- The grindstone.

This ranch looks like it's been here

a little while.

Yes, l was born here.

My husband was raised here, too.

He's an orphan. His parents got killed

in a wagon-train massacre,

so my father took him in.

- Handy.

- What do you mean?

Well, it seems the figures are against it.

Only young fellow

in 1,000 square miles,

only young girl in 1,000 square miles.

They get in a whirl over each other.

That's what l meant. Handy.

l guess it was quite a coincidence.

But they say that the right two people

are going to meet

by an arrangement of destiny.

You believe that, Mrs. Lowe?

- Yes, l do.

- lnteresting.

Always sink a blade into a log, son.

Keeps the edge clean.

Well, l guess l'd better quit stalling

and get back to that horse.

And can l play with Sam now?

Ive told you twice not to.

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