WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:07.680 I doubt that there's a red-blooded American boy who hasn't at one time or other said he'd 00:07.680 --> 00:13.880 like to have lived back in the days of the frontier. Now, whether we would really do it 00:13.880 --> 00:19.280 if we had a chance is another matter. But at least we'd enjoy dreaming of a great part of 00:19.280 --> 00:27.300 our heritage, the Old West. Colorful, fantastic, sinister, deadly, all of this was part of the 00:27.300 --> 00:33.520 good old days. In our story today, I'm going to take you back part way to the days of the frontier 00:33.520 --> 00:39.240 where we have a man living near Naughty Pine that's as much a part of those adventurous times as 00:39.240 --> 00:48.920 Buffalo Bill or General Custer. Let's say we'd better get into our story. Its name, Skinner Raises 00:48.920 --> 01:02.960 a Storm. There go twelve mules pulling two large wagons full of a special sand used by the Mountain 01:02.960 --> 01:08.600 Refining Company to make a particular kind of glass. Twelve fine mules driven by their burly 01:08.600 --> 01:15.560 master, Skinner McNeil. Skinner is a picture of the Old West. He's a medium-sized stocky man in his 01:15.560 --> 01:22.520 retiring years. His clothes are typical mule Skinner duds and he wears big hobnail boots so 01:22.520 --> 01:28.800 he can anchor himself on the wood footrest of the lead wagon to drive his beloved mules. Let's join 01:28.800 --> 01:48.440 Skinner as he pulls up to the unloading chutes at the refinery. Hey Skinner, the boss wants to see you. 01:48.440 --> 01:53.960 Okay Barney, after I get the mules bedded down for the night. The boss wants to see you right now, 01:53.960 --> 02:02.720 Skinner. Okay, okay. Keep a hold of your suspenders. What's he want? I don't. What's all this being 02:02.720 --> 02:10.760 fired up and hurry about? I'll go see him. Watch my mules, will you? Sure. They ain't going no place 02:10.760 --> 02:17.080 after the work they done all day. You talk like an Injun too long in the sun and critters of mine are 02:17.080 --> 02:22.040 just getting warmed up that their perspiration is just like oil to them fellows. Make some work 02:22.040 --> 02:38.520 better. You better stop jawing and go see the boss. Okay, okay. Got something to say to me, 02:38.520 --> 02:44.920 huh? Yeah, Skinner. I'm a-waiting. Skinner, you see these figures here on this sheet of paper? Sure, 02:44.920 --> 02:52.720 I ain't blind. You know what they mean. Me? You know I ain't had much learning. All I can do with money 02:52.720 --> 03:00.280 is counting. These figures mean that the the mules gotta go. What? You heard me, Skinner. The mules 03:00.280 --> 03:05.560 are through right now. Well, I'll be a cross-eyed sidewinder. You mean to tell me you're gonna 03:05.560 --> 03:10.640 fire my mules just like that? Yep. Unhitch them, bed them down for the night. I've got a man coming 03:10.640 --> 03:16.360 to buy them in the morning. You ain't gonna do no such thing, boss. Them's my mules too. You paid 03:16.360 --> 03:21.960 for them, but I've driven them for nigh on the 15 years. Your dad gave me his word that I'd ever 03:21.960 --> 03:28.600 say so when time came to stop using them. I've heard about pole cats like you, but Skinner McNeil 03:28.600 --> 03:34.240 ever thought he worked for one. Why, every load of sand has their sweat and muscle in it. They worked 03:34.240 --> 03:39.280 for your heart and never said a better word. This is like sneaking up on them and scalping them. 03:39.280 --> 03:49.800 Are you finished? What are you gonna haul sand with? Buckets? Two diesel trucks. I don't see anything 03:49.800 --> 03:55.360 funny. Those two trucks will be less expensive than the mules by far. Yeah, well, let me tell you 03:55.360 --> 03:59.880 something. The mules hauled sand for your dad when you was knee-high to a fence post. And he made 03:59.880 --> 04:06.360 money. You've got a lot to learn, boss. Too bad your dad didn't live long enough to teach you. 04:06.360 --> 04:12.360 Besides that, he gave me his word I could take care of these mules. He may have said that. Seems 04:12.360 --> 04:17.240 like he did, but it wasn't in writing. I'm the boss now and I'm trying hard to respect your years 04:17.240 --> 04:23.120 of service, but don't push me too far. I'm ramrodding this outfit and don't you forget it for one minute. 04:23.120 --> 04:29.040 I can't. You won't let me. I'll tell you another thing. Anybody who'd sell them critters after they 04:29.040 --> 04:35.000 work so hard ain't human. Skinner, don't push me too far. I'm warning you. Ha! You ain't got what it 04:35.000 --> 04:42.120 takes to fire me, but you can fire poor, helpless animals that have done fine for you. Why, your poor 04:42.120 --> 04:51.680 dad would turn over in his grave if he knew this. You're fired! Now get out! Men and mules are in the same class of 04:51.680 --> 04:57.080 varmints as far as you're thinking. Well, you can't fire me, because I quit and I'm taking the mules with me. 04:57.080 --> 05:14.600 Don't you dare touch those mules. Hey, get up in there! Brownlee, hit that collar! Skinner, stop that wagon! 05:14.600 --> 05:21.560 So, now you got yourself a shooting iron, eh? Well, that ain't gonna stop me no how. You try to drive those mules and I'll 05:21.560 --> 05:26.640 show you how this gun will stop you. I ain't gonna let no young whelp like you sell my mules to the glue 05:26.640 --> 05:40.480 factory. Hey, hey! Stay away from that gun or I'll give you more of the same. We'll see about that. You're getting what you should have had done to you a long time ago. You're gonna get the whipping of your life. 05:40.480 --> 06:00.640 I'm not through with you's yet, Skinner. Come on, you long-eared varmints, get moving! 06:00.640 --> 06:09.600 Maybe I'm seeing things, but do you see what I see coming down the street? You see plenty fine stuff, Dumpney. There are 12 mules and two wagons coming down Main Street. 06:09.600 --> 06:16.080 That must be Skinner. What's he doing in town this time of day? It's getting dark. 06:16.080 --> 06:24.960 It's Skinner, all right. Must be hiding under the collar the way he's cracking that pole whip over the heads of his mules. 06:24.960 --> 06:30.880 Hey there, Skinner! This ain't Sunday afternoon. How come you took a ride this time of day? 06:30.880 --> 06:36.080 For a good reason, Stompy. I got fired for my job and I took the mules with me. 06:36.080 --> 06:43.040 Well, them ain't your mules. Maybe they ain't, but I was going to sell them at the glue factory because they ain't gonna use mules no more. 06:43.040 --> 06:50.080 I mean, the critters got thrown out together. You don't say! You're joking, are you, Skinner? 06:50.080 --> 06:56.000 No, Henry, I sure ain't. What you plan to do in town with mules? Put them up over the stable, that's what. 06:56.000 --> 07:03.920 What's Hal gonna do about this? I don't know, I don't care. First, he's gotta lick his wounds and then he can try what he's a mind of. 07:03.920 --> 07:08.720 What do you mean, he has to lick his wounds? You don't look like you'd been in a fight. 07:08.720 --> 07:16.080 Well, Hal threw down on me with a shooting iron, so I took it out of his hands with my whip and then gave him the tenon of his life. 07:16.080 --> 07:18.320 With the whip? Why, I show him. 07:18.320 --> 07:22.560 I don't think he should have done that, Skinner. He can get into a lot of trouble now. 07:22.560 --> 07:24.400 And here it comes, right now. 07:24.400 --> 07:28.240 Skinner, Skinner, don't you try to get near that whip or I'll shoot your hands. You're under arrest. 07:28.240 --> 07:29.040 What for? 07:29.040 --> 07:36.160 Stealing twelve mules and two wagons, assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and I have the warrant right here in my pocket so don't start nothing funny. 07:36.160 --> 07:39.040 I've handled tougher mules, Skinner, than you or the likes of you. 07:39.040 --> 07:42.000 Uh, and what about my mules? 07:42.000 --> 07:48.000 Well, I'll go along with you over to the stables and then take you in. Climb aboard and let's get going. Ben, leave that whip alone. 07:48.000 --> 08:00.320 Climb aboard the wagon, fellas. We'll see what this is all about. 08:00.320 --> 08:03.760 So, you couldn't take the beating you had coming like a man, eh? 08:03.760 --> 08:05.600 Be sorry you used your whip on me. 08:05.600 --> 08:14.400 Why, you ornery polecat. Pat, you know what he told me? Said two of them there trunks do more hauling than my mules. 08:14.400 --> 08:18.560 He's just going to throw us all out after we worked hard all these years. 08:18.560 --> 08:22.560 Any man that would treat mules the way he's going to, ain't he one? 08:22.560 --> 08:27.840 He showed ought to be tarred and feathered and rid of a ton on a rail. 08:27.840 --> 08:33.520 Sell them to the glue factory over my dead body. His dad gave me work. 08:33.520 --> 08:36.240 I didn't say we were going to take them to the glue factory. 08:36.240 --> 08:41.280 Who are you trying to fool? Those mules are too old to sell as work critters. 08:41.280 --> 08:45.760 They got lots of work left in them, but nobody'd want to buy them at their age. 08:45.760 --> 08:49.600 Besides, they need to be well took care of. They got feelings too, you know. 08:49.600 --> 08:50.400 Your dad said... 08:50.400 --> 08:55.600 Skinner, why don't you admit it? You're about ready for the glue factory yourself. 08:55.600 --> 08:58.400 Get him out of here before I tear him to pieces. Get him out of here. 08:58.400 --> 09:00.080 You better go, young feller. 09:00.080 --> 09:14.000 Be at the judge's chambers in the morning. He wants to have a pre-trial conference on this thing. 09:14.000 --> 09:14.960 Hal. 09:14.960 --> 09:15.520 Yes, Bill. 09:16.240 --> 09:18.960 Don't you think you're being a little harsh on the old feller? 09:18.960 --> 09:20.560 I don't see that it's any of your business. 09:20.560 --> 09:25.600 Hey, here, you young maverick. Don't go running off at the mouth like a cheap faucet. 09:25.600 --> 09:30.320 It certainly is our business. I've known Skinner for many a year. 09:30.960 --> 09:34.080 Just don't kick old employees around like an old sack. 09:34.800 --> 09:39.360 As for selling the mules to the butcher, well, I ain't proud of what I think of you for that. 09:39.360 --> 09:41.600 I still say it's none of your business. 09:41.600 --> 09:46.080 I'm in business, and if something isn't making money for me, out it goes. 09:46.080 --> 09:48.720 Mr. Skinner's right. You aren't human. 09:48.720 --> 09:49.520 Henry, watch your tongue. 09:50.240 --> 09:52.160 Not sorry, Bill. It's the truth. 09:52.160 --> 09:55.600 Why, you have Skinner arrested. You're not able to talk to him? 09:55.600 --> 09:59.040 You ask him about that. I haven't got time to stand around and make idle talk. 09:59.040 --> 10:00.240 Go on. 10:00.240 --> 10:02.720 What? He sure is a cold cake of ice. 10:02.720 --> 10:08.560 You said it, sonny. But one of these days, somebody's gonna throw him out with a blowtorch. 10:19.760 --> 10:21.840 Pat, you're the arresting officer, I presume? 10:21.840 --> 10:24.080 Yes, Imel. I mean, Your Honor, I am. 10:24.080 --> 10:26.560 Ah, did the defendant give you any trouble? 10:26.560 --> 10:29.680 No, sir, not in the least. He acted like a gentleman. 10:29.680 --> 10:32.320 Why didn't you try to resist arrest, Skinner? 10:32.320 --> 10:35.520 Why should I, Judge? He's a peace officer doing his duty. 10:36.480 --> 10:39.360 Besides, I wasn't mad at him, no how. 10:39.360 --> 10:42.720 Just at that miserable young pole can over there that had me thrown... 10:42.720 --> 10:44.160 That'll be enough, Skinner. 10:44.160 --> 10:48.240 Your graphic description of Hell's personality is your own personal opinion 10:48.240 --> 10:49.680 and has no bearing on the case. 10:49.680 --> 10:51.040 Yes, Judge. 10:51.040 --> 10:54.240 Now, what do you have to say to Hell's accusations? 10:54.880 --> 10:55.840 How's that? 10:55.840 --> 10:59.840 Hell charges you with stealing his mules and beating him with a bullwhip. 10:59.840 --> 11:00.560 Is that true? 11:01.600 --> 11:04.160 About stealing the mules, I'm not so sure, Judge. 11:04.960 --> 11:07.920 I was whipping him, yes, sir, within an inch of his life, just like I promised. 11:08.720 --> 11:11.680 Why don't you think he's right in charging you with stealing the mules? 11:12.480 --> 11:16.240 Well, first of all, his dad gave me his promise I could stay with the mules 11:16.240 --> 11:17.760 even after they was too old. 11:17.760 --> 11:20.960 And second, because he wants to sell them to the butcher 11:20.960 --> 11:22.560 after all the years they've worked for him. 11:23.360 --> 11:25.680 Those long-eared critters are all I got. 11:26.240 --> 11:28.240 We've worked together for 12 years. 11:28.960 --> 11:32.160 I ain't about to let this money-hungry man do away with them 11:32.160 --> 11:33.360 just like they was old junk. 11:34.080 --> 11:34.880 I see. 11:34.880 --> 11:38.400 Hell, I've sat in these chambers for many years 11:38.400 --> 11:40.800 and I have listened to many cases similar to this. 11:41.360 --> 11:44.800 It's my opinion that you provoked the attack upon yourself 11:44.800 --> 11:46.800 by inconsiderate action on your part. 11:46.800 --> 11:49.600 Evidently, there was a verbal agreement of some kind. 11:49.600 --> 11:51.600 You should have taken care to honor it. 11:52.000 --> 11:55.040 You, Riles Skinner, be on self-control until all he could think of 11:55.040 --> 11:57.040 was to stop you in the only way he knew how. 11:57.680 --> 12:00.080 Because you were going to destroy his beloved mules 12:00.080 --> 12:03.600 who have so faithfully worked for him and you all these years. 12:04.320 --> 12:07.280 If the animals were sick, I'd agree that they'd be destroyed 12:07.280 --> 12:08.800 as the only humane thing to do. 12:09.520 --> 12:11.600 But to sell good animals to the butcher 12:11.600 --> 12:13.600 because you can't afford to keep them around 12:13.600 --> 12:15.120 isn't the answer, my dear fellow. 12:15.120 --> 12:16.960 That agreement wasn't in writing. 12:17.360 --> 12:19.520 I say the law says Skinner's to be punished 12:19.520 --> 12:23.120 for stealing what he doesn't own and for assault with a deadly weapon. 12:23.920 --> 12:27.360 Since he's an expert with that bull whip, it is a deadly weapon. 12:28.160 --> 12:29.680 Isn't that correct, Your Honor? 12:29.680 --> 12:33.040 Yes, the law distinctly states it as you've cited it. 12:33.040 --> 12:35.600 Well, then I don't see what the delay is, Your Honor. 12:36.080 --> 12:39.440 Send the man to jail and I'll be off with my stolen property. 12:39.440 --> 12:41.520 Are you telling this court how to meet out justice? 12:41.520 --> 12:44.720 Well, no, sir, I... Well, but it seems to me... 12:44.720 --> 12:47.360 Now let me tell you something for your own good, young man. 12:47.920 --> 12:50.320 We have judges just for cases like this. 12:50.880 --> 12:52.400 Skinner wasn't trying to steal the mules. 12:52.400 --> 12:53.680 He tried to protect them. 12:54.080 --> 12:55.840 Skinner was wrong in beating you. 12:56.240 --> 12:58.240 You were equally wrong or perhaps more so 12:58.240 --> 13:01.040 for provoking him to such violent and hasty action. 13:02.320 --> 13:05.680 Skinner, I'm afraid, and you're going to have to realize 13:05.680 --> 13:08.160 that trucks can do more work than mules. 13:08.160 --> 13:10.160 That ain't so, Your Honor. You're a lawyer. 13:10.160 --> 13:11.760 That ain't so, Your Honor, and you know it. 13:12.720 --> 13:15.440 How can you say things like that about mules? 13:15.440 --> 13:18.720 I know, Skinner, I've watched you work those mules 13:18.720 --> 13:21.600 and it thrilled me to see the power and the strength they have. 13:22.320 --> 13:24.080 But they still can't beat trucks. 13:24.800 --> 13:26.880 And hell, that's a good business point. 13:26.880 --> 13:29.520 The mules cost more money for upkeep than the trucks 13:29.520 --> 13:31.360 and they can't do as much work. 13:31.360 --> 13:33.120 That ain't true, Judge, and I can prove it. 13:33.120 --> 13:36.240 All right, I'm going to give you the chance to prove it. 13:36.240 --> 13:39.440 And if you do, I'll reduce sentence on the charges. 13:39.440 --> 13:42.560 If you can't prove that your mules are better than trucks, 13:42.560 --> 13:45.840 then I'll have to pronounce the regular sentence. 13:45.840 --> 13:46.480 What do you say? 13:47.600 --> 13:49.600 Well, that's okay with me. 13:50.480 --> 13:53.440 And thank you for being so sensible. 13:53.440 --> 13:55.200 What about the steel in charge, Your Honor? 13:55.200 --> 13:56.800 Well, that we'll have to investigate. 13:56.800 --> 13:59.280 And if your father did make a promise of some sort, 13:59.280 --> 14:01.760 we'll have to consider it at the trial itself. 14:02.560 --> 14:04.160 But Skinner wouldn't have taken the mules 14:04.160 --> 14:06.720 if you hadn't told him they would come to harm. 14:06.720 --> 14:07.680 You know that. 14:07.680 --> 14:09.600 Well, I suppose I do. 14:10.160 --> 14:13.120 But regarding the charge of assault with a deadly weapon, 14:13.120 --> 14:14.800 you have to learn, Skinner, 14:14.800 --> 14:16.880 that you can't take the law into your own hands, 14:16.880 --> 14:18.400 no matter how angry you get. 14:18.960 --> 14:20.720 That's what we have Judge and jury for. 14:21.440 --> 14:23.840 I can understand why you whipped Hal, 14:23.840 --> 14:25.520 and I hold that he drove you to it. 14:25.520 --> 14:28.160 But I cannot allow you to be Judge and jury, 14:28.160 --> 14:29.040 or we'd have chaos. 14:30.160 --> 14:30.880 Bill. 14:30.880 --> 14:32.000 Yes, Your Honor? 14:32.000 --> 14:32.480 Stumpy. 14:33.040 --> 14:34.000 Yes, Judge? 14:34.000 --> 14:35.280 I am appointing you two gentlemen 14:35.280 --> 14:37.200 as referees in this contest. 14:37.200 --> 14:40.080 And it'll run for two weeks after the trucks arrive. 14:40.080 --> 14:41.360 Is that agreeable with you? 14:41.360 --> 14:43.360 Oh, yes, Judge Wilson, it is. 14:43.360 --> 14:44.640 I'll be glad to do it. 14:44.640 --> 14:45.920 So will I, Your Honor. 14:45.920 --> 14:46.720 Thank you. 14:46.720 --> 14:48.880 Skinner, you're free to go. 14:48.880 --> 14:51.360 And we'll meet here two weeks after the trucks arrive. 14:51.360 --> 14:52.880 Yes, Judge, I'll be there. 14:53.760 --> 14:56.560 But where will I keep the mules now? 14:57.200 --> 14:58.400 Well, that's a good question. 14:59.600 --> 15:01.520 Hal, will you allow Skinner 15:01.520 --> 15:04.320 to keep the mules in your company stable? 15:04.320 --> 15:05.920 Or will it be necessary for me 15:05.920 --> 15:08.480 to issue a court order putting the animals 15:08.480 --> 15:10.000 in temporary custody of the court 15:10.000 --> 15:11.600 and stable them here in town? 15:13.280 --> 15:14.080 It'll be all right with me 15:14.080 --> 15:15.680 to keep them in the company stables. 15:15.680 --> 15:16.400 Thank you. 15:27.040 --> 15:29.040 Skinner, you jumped off a cliff. 15:30.080 --> 15:31.600 How's those, Stumpy? 15:31.600 --> 15:35.360 Why, anybody knows that trucks cannot work your mules. 15:35.360 --> 15:36.640 Trucks don't get tired. 15:37.360 --> 15:39.360 I don't agree with that, you old walrus. 15:39.920 --> 15:42.080 You don't know the road to the sand pits like I do. 15:42.960 --> 15:46.160 One of them smelly trucks is going to have it pretty rough. 15:46.960 --> 15:49.360 You've been with them mules years so long, 15:49.360 --> 15:51.120 you're just as stubborn as they are. 15:52.880 --> 15:55.840 How's about you fellows coming over to the stable with me? 15:55.840 --> 15:57.760 I want to show you my mules. 15:57.760 --> 15:59.920 Best long years you ever saw. 15:59.920 --> 16:00.800 I'd like to go. 16:00.800 --> 16:01.600 Oh, me too. 16:01.600 --> 16:02.640 Now, what are we waiting for? 16:02.640 --> 16:05.440 Aye, let's get them mules hitched up and going. 16:17.600 --> 16:19.600 That there is a Big Jim. 16:19.600 --> 16:22.400 He's the finest mule in the West. 16:22.400 --> 16:24.320 Big Jim sure is fine looking. 16:25.040 --> 16:28.000 You must spend hours curing and rubbing them down. 16:28.000 --> 16:29.440 Yeah, sure do, Henry. 16:30.080 --> 16:32.000 These are my boys, all of them. 16:32.000 --> 16:34.400 Boy, they sure look like a million dollars. 16:34.400 --> 16:35.120 I'll say they do. 16:35.760 --> 16:37.840 They're in the thinker condition all right. 16:37.840 --> 16:39.760 Anybody can see they've had good care. 16:39.760 --> 16:43.840 You know, I can walk right in next to any one of these big long-eared rascals 16:43.840 --> 16:46.480 and they won't even try to kick or crowd me. 16:46.480 --> 16:49.760 Well, that tells me you handled them gently and they trust you. 16:49.760 --> 16:52.080 Aye, you ever hit them with a bullwhip? 16:52.080 --> 16:53.920 No, never have, Gray Wolf. 16:54.480 --> 16:57.360 Comes close but never touches. 16:57.360 --> 16:58.960 Which one is the lead mule? 17:00.320 --> 17:01.680 Sandy here. 17:01.680 --> 17:05.440 I team him with dynamite but Sandy's the boss of the whole team. 17:06.080 --> 17:09.360 They follow him like a hound dog after a pork chop. 17:10.240 --> 17:12.320 Yep, Sandy keeps the ball rolling. 17:13.200 --> 17:16.880 He better hit the ball in this contest or you'll be up a tree. 17:18.080 --> 17:19.360 Don't worry about that, Stumpy. 17:19.360 --> 17:31.680 These mules will show the whole world what real power is. 17:34.560 --> 17:37.760 I'm telling you, Fred, this is going to be something to see. 17:37.760 --> 17:38.960 It sure sounds like it. 17:38.960 --> 17:40.880 Gotta make front page for the paper. 17:40.880 --> 17:45.200 Maybe you ought to sort of announce the time of the contest beforehand 17:45.200 --> 17:47.600 so folks can be there to give Skinner a send-off. 17:47.600 --> 17:49.040 That's a good idea. 17:49.040 --> 17:50.720 Don't you worry, old-timer. 17:50.720 --> 17:53.680 I'll give your old friend Skinner plenty of spread on the sheet. 17:53.680 --> 17:55.440 Thank you, Fred. I appreciate that. 17:55.440 --> 17:56.160 Don't mention it. 17:56.960 --> 17:59.680 You know, of course, that he doesn't stand a ghost of a chance 17:59.680 --> 18:01.440 against those two diesel trucks. 18:01.440 --> 18:04.000 Sure, I know he can't beat the trucks. 18:04.000 --> 18:05.280 But I'll tell you one thing. 18:05.280 --> 18:06.160 What's that? 18:06.160 --> 18:08.640 Them trucks are going to know they're in a fight. 18:08.640 --> 18:09.680 And I don't mean maybe. 18:09.680 --> 18:10.400 Well, how so? 18:10.960 --> 18:14.640 Have you ever seen Skinner and his mules hauling sand? 18:14.640 --> 18:14.960 No. 18:14.960 --> 18:19.360 Well, then you'd better be there with your glasses on, sonny, 18:19.360 --> 18:24.240 because you're going to see something that'll leave you a thrilling memory for years. 18:38.080 --> 18:40.720 I don't know if folks find out about this. 18:40.720 --> 18:42.400 Little bird must have told them. 18:43.120 --> 18:44.240 You ready, Skinner? 18:44.240 --> 18:46.320 Yep. They're ready for a long time. 18:46.320 --> 18:47.840 You understand the rules? 18:47.840 --> 18:48.560 Yep. 18:48.560 --> 18:51.440 All right. Quiet down, folks. 18:52.480 --> 18:56.160 Now, men, the mules and the truck will start together. 18:56.800 --> 18:59.360 The first one to the road to the sand pits takes the lead. 19:00.160 --> 19:01.280 Are you ready, driver? 19:01.280 --> 19:02.320 Yeah, I'm ready. 19:02.320 --> 19:03.280 All set, Skinner? 19:03.280 --> 19:03.780 Yep. 19:08.960 --> 19:10.480 Skinner's got the edge of the truck. 19:10.480 --> 19:13.440 Look at that fuel. Let's go. 19:16.000 --> 19:17.440 Skinner's taking the lead. 19:17.440 --> 19:18.800 He'll be first in the road. 19:19.840 --> 19:21.920 Hey, look. Skinner first in the road. 19:21.920 --> 19:23.440 That a boy, Skinner. 19:23.440 --> 19:24.240 Yippee! 19:24.240 --> 19:25.200 Woohoo! 19:39.920 --> 19:41.760 Boy, look at that crowd. 19:42.400 --> 19:44.480 There must be several hundred people here. 19:44.480 --> 19:45.600 More than that, pal. 19:45.600 --> 19:47.360 Look down the road all the way to the turn. 19:48.080 --> 19:49.600 You're right. I didn't notice them. 19:50.240 --> 19:53.040 Look at the news photographers and the reporters running around here. 19:53.040 --> 19:55.120 Ah, this big story, human interest. 19:55.120 --> 19:56.800 This put Hal's company on map. 19:56.800 --> 19:57.760 I'll say it will. 19:58.400 --> 20:01.920 Looks like the crowd's gonna stick around for the first load to come back. 20:14.160 --> 20:16.640 Here comes Skinner, and he's in the lead. 20:16.640 --> 20:18.720 Look at that mule's pull. 20:18.720 --> 20:23.760 Sort of makes me eyes water to watch them beautiful animals work so fine in a team. 20:23.760 --> 20:26.320 Hey, look at them, look at their colors. 20:26.320 --> 20:29.120 Every last one of them is pulling with all he's got. 20:29.120 --> 20:30.560 Why, it's slight for sore eyes. 20:30.560 --> 20:32.160 I not forget this for a long time. 20:32.160 --> 20:33.600 They're magnificent, all right. 20:34.160 --> 20:36.400 The tide will change when the unloading comes. 20:37.040 --> 20:39.040 Man, look at that teamwork, would you? 20:39.040 --> 20:49.040 Look at Skinner handle them. 20:49.040 --> 21:09.520 Oh, Skinner looks pretty silly right now. 21:09.520 --> 21:13.360 That truck came up and dumped his load before Skinner had the mules on hitch so they could 21:13.360 --> 21:14.640 dump the wagons. 21:14.640 --> 21:19.200 Well, the truck will be almost to the pits by the time the mules get moving. 21:19.200 --> 21:21.120 I think this contest is a lot of foolishness. 21:21.120 --> 21:21.920 You do, huh? 21:21.920 --> 21:23.200 I sure do. 21:23.200 --> 21:25.280 And don't tell me Skinner didn't know it. 21:25.280 --> 21:29.360 Well, there isn't a drop of love or consideration in you. 21:30.320 --> 21:34.320 If there was, you'd realize that Skinner's so fond of those mules that he'd never lose 21:34.320 --> 21:37.280 the contest as long as the animals did their best for him. 21:37.280 --> 21:39.200 A lot you know about business. 21:39.200 --> 21:41.440 You've got to be hard and tough to make a profit. 21:41.440 --> 21:42.240 That's where you're wrong. 21:42.240 --> 21:46.560 I have a hundred men under my command, sometimes as many as a thousand or more when we're 21:46.560 --> 21:47.520 fighting a fire. 21:47.520 --> 21:52.800 Let me tell you that I wouldn't have held my job without showing love and consideration 21:52.800 --> 21:53.520 from my men. 21:54.400 --> 21:59.920 Yes, I've got a sharp pencil to figure expenses and I have a budget to run my district on. 21:59.920 --> 22:02.240 But I learned one thing a long time ago. 22:03.120 --> 22:08.480 If I hit the ball for my men, they'll more than pay me back, and I can prove that. 22:08.480 --> 22:15.040 And I don't know how you can get anybody to work for you when you look at them with dollar 22:15.040 --> 22:16.000 signs in your eyes. 22:16.000 --> 22:19.280 Again, I say it's none of your affair how I run my business. 22:19.280 --> 22:20.560 That's true in some respect. 22:21.520 --> 22:25.600 But you happen to be stepping on our toes right now by hurting one of the finest of 22:25.600 --> 22:26.880 the old timers around here. 22:27.840 --> 22:32.000 You'd have so much business, you wouldn't know what to do with it if you'd mix in a 22:32.000 --> 22:34.400 strong helping of human understanding and sympathy. 22:34.400 --> 22:39.200 Do you know why the newspapers picked this up and so many people came here today? 22:39.200 --> 22:40.640 Eh, just nosy, I guess. 22:40.640 --> 22:41.600 Not on your life. 22:42.480 --> 22:46.160 They came here because they realized that Skinner is fighting for more than just to 22:46.160 --> 22:47.120 win the contest. 22:47.680 --> 22:52.160 He's fighting for decency and understanding that rightfully belongs to these men of the 22:52.160 --> 22:52.720 old west. 22:53.440 --> 22:56.320 He's the fading light and courage of the old west. 22:56.640 --> 23:00.960 He represents the passing of an era that helped build this great country on democratic 23:00.960 --> 23:01.600 principles. 23:01.600 --> 23:04.160 Now he's fighting for all that the best way he knows how. 23:04.640 --> 23:05.760 And he's fighting to win. 23:07.760 --> 23:08.720 That's rich. 23:09.200 --> 23:10.720 He'll never win and you know it. 23:10.720 --> 23:12.880 He'll win this contest, Hal, and he'll win it good. 23:13.120 --> 23:14.400 You must be nuts. 23:14.400 --> 23:15.680 Well, you know he won't win. 23:15.680 --> 23:16.960 He can't beat the trucks. 23:16.960 --> 23:18.640 Nevertheless, he's going to win. 23:19.360 --> 23:21.120 Well, I guess I'm awful dumb. 23:21.600 --> 23:24.640 Suppose you tell me, Mr. Genius, how he's going to win. 23:25.440 --> 23:28.960 Did you hear the crowd boo the truck when it came in? 23:28.960 --> 23:36.560 Yeah. 23:42.320 --> 23:44.240 Well, Skinner, the contest is over. 23:45.040 --> 23:45.680 Did you win? 23:46.720 --> 23:49.120 No, but it ain't the mule's fault. 23:49.120 --> 23:51.360 They're good critters and they gave all they had. 23:52.400 --> 23:53.520 It's his fault. 23:53.520 --> 23:56.000 He wouldn't have won if it weren't for them smelly trucks. 23:56.000 --> 23:59.040 Them trucks, you know, don't get tired like my mules do. 23:59.040 --> 24:01.840 They're just noisy, smelly machines. 24:01.840 --> 24:03.040 You tell them, Skinner. 24:03.040 --> 24:06.080 Another outburst like that, Mr. Jenkins, and I'll ask you to leave this chamber. 24:06.080 --> 24:08.160 I apologize, your honor. 24:08.160 --> 24:08.720 Very well. 24:10.000 --> 24:13.920 Skinner, I gave you your chance to escape punishment for the bull whipping you gave Hal. 24:14.560 --> 24:15.840 You lost the contest. 24:16.480 --> 24:19.840 So now in the trial, I'm going to send you to jail for a while. 24:20.800 --> 24:22.960 I agree to that, Judge. 24:22.960 --> 24:24.320 You can send me to jail. 24:24.320 --> 24:28.480 Just promise me that my mules will get well took care of while I'm in the calaboos. 24:28.480 --> 24:31.440 I'll take that under consideration, your honor. 24:32.160 --> 24:33.920 May I say a few words? 24:33.920 --> 24:35.600 Yes, go right ahead. 24:36.240 --> 24:41.440 If Skinner will apologize before the court, I'll withdraw the charges. 24:42.160 --> 24:44.560 Maybe sending him to jail would be too harsh. 24:44.560 --> 24:47.840 It seems well, I guess I did provoke him to do what he did. 24:48.560 --> 24:50.080 Oh, I'd apologize. 24:51.120 --> 24:52.240 But I'll do more than that. 24:52.240 --> 24:54.560 Me and the mules will make money for you. 24:54.560 --> 24:56.080 How do you figure that, Skinner? 24:56.080 --> 24:59.440 Well, did you notice all those people who came to see the mules? 24:59.440 --> 25:00.160 Yes. 25:00.160 --> 25:04.480 Well, there's one of them 100 year shindigs coming up pretty soon. 25:04.480 --> 25:05.760 Yeah, the centennial. 25:05.760 --> 25:10.720 Well, I figured I could fix the wagons up like it was fresh bought and polish the harnesses 25:10.720 --> 25:12.320 and drive them in the shindig. 25:12.880 --> 25:18.080 We could put a great big sign on them wagons showing the name Mountain Refining Company. 25:18.080 --> 25:22.000 I think it would sure make folks sit up and take notice of the company, 25:22.000 --> 25:24.880 like that big crowd that was out to the contest. 25:24.880 --> 25:30.480 You mean we should use the mules and the wagons as an advertising and publicity stunt? 25:30.480 --> 25:31.920 Yep, that's what I said. 25:32.800 --> 25:36.560 Of course, Stumpy, give me the idea. 25:36.560 --> 25:39.520 Now, Skinner, you promised not to say that. 25:40.160 --> 25:41.920 I never gave that a thought. 25:42.560 --> 25:44.480 I think it's a good idea. 25:44.480 --> 25:48.960 And it would work fine. 25:48.960 --> 25:50.880 And Skinner, I like the idea too. 25:50.880 --> 25:51.840 I think it's excellent. 25:52.400 --> 25:55.120 You're one of the last of the fighters of the Old West. 25:55.120 --> 25:59.360 You don't know when you're licked and you keep on fighting just the same regardless of the odds 25:59.360 --> 26:01.120 and eventually you come out on top. 26:01.120 --> 26:03.280 That's the kind of spirit that built this country. 26:04.080 --> 26:08.240 I have a mind to dismiss this case and throw it out the door when it comes up for trial. 26:09.440 --> 26:11.200 Thank you, Judge Wilson. 26:11.200 --> 26:13.360 You're a man after my own eyes. 26:13.360 --> 26:14.720 You won't have to do that, Judge. 26:15.440 --> 26:17.200 I withdraw all charges. 26:17.920 --> 26:21.120 You know, this worked out just as Bill told me it would. 26:21.120 --> 26:23.200 Oh, then what did he tell you? 26:23.200 --> 26:27.920 Well, he said Skinner would lose the contest but win the fight. 26:38.720 --> 26:39.920 And that's just what happened. 26:39.920 --> 26:45.440 Skinner and his mules became the trademark and traveling symbol of the Mountain Refining Company. 26:46.080 --> 26:51.200 Skinner raised quite a storm and after the storm blew over, the sun came out 26:51.680 --> 26:53.200 and it was a beautiful day. 26:53.680 --> 26:56.400 Well, see you next week for more Adventure with... 26:56.400 --> 27:10.960 Ranger Bill!