Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1993) s01e07 Episode Script

Previously on Snowy River: The McGregor Saga.
The truth about the past could set Luke free.
You've got to tell him the truth.
He'll find out one day what his father did.
Well he won't hear it from me.
Not while I'm still alive.
Well that's how long you and the boy will be enemies.
When Danni's thrown from her horse, it's a race against time to save her.
Danni! Throw us a rope, and hurry.
What Matt must tell Anita could destroy her.
It was foolish of me to think it could've been like it was.
I'm sorry.
Why didn't you tell me? And Anita takes an interest in Luke for all the wrong reasons.
Herbert! Herbert! Herbert! Why didn't you ask him to dinner? Why would I want to invite Surely you're not considering What Herbert? Making Matt jealous.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness, mate.
And how close to God do you feel, aye? You're on my land, Mister.
What do you want? He's a yankee.
Your land, sunshine? Your land? I don't see no sign post, boys.
Do you? I don't like visitors, mate.
Now get out the way you came in.
Found a bit of gold, did ya? Lucky you.
But your luck has just run out.
You pick it up again, Mister, and you can stake a claim all your own right next to the church of Paterson's Ridge.
Now get off my land.
Like to stop and chat awhile but I have a prior engagement.
Thank you very much Nice timing, Chen.
Words out that you're hiring guys for the mine.
Don't start waving your money at my men.
I don't need any help to look after what's mine.
But I hear you're short handed already.
Well, you heard right.
A few if the men have gone prospecting.
And you blame me? Nah.
But I've seen whole towns ruined through this kind of thing.
I hope your gold brings you luck.
It's brought none to Paterson's Ridge.
I don't believe in luck.
I believe in myself.
Oliver, you've put in a rose garden.
Yes.
There have been a lot of changes.
I'm pleased you could come.
My pleasure, I assure you.
One gets so little opportunity for civilized conversation here in Paterson's Ridge.
Surely you've been invited to Langara.
Yes, but Langara is hardly Balmoral.
Victoria, you do the honors.
I don't know how you managed to be here at all.
Milk? Yes, thank you.
Not when you could be in Paris or San Francisco.
I have offered to send her to Switzerland, to finishing school.
It's not quite what I meant.
What did you mean? Perhaps you should send her to Paris.
A young, beautiful girl will get bored here.
I can't see she's got a lot of time to be bored.
She's got every young buck in the place at her feet.
Is there someone in particular you favor? You've met Rob McGregor? Yes.
And there's Luke, his American cousin.
Neither is exactly what I had in mind, but I suppose young ladies must amuse themselves.
Both of them want to escort me to the Mountain Ball, of course.
And who will be the lucky man? I think it's a good idea to let them both fret a little.
Don't you? Most definitely.
Mom! Mom! What, what is it? Men, they killed our cow.
What? How many men? Three.
I've seen them before.
They're from the tents down by the river.
Miners.
I reckon we should ride over to Langara, get Matt, he'll lend a hand.
We can look after ourselves, Jack.
You're the boss, Miss.
That's my brand.
And I assume that's my heifer.
Somebody here owes me.
You looking for trouble, Missus.
No, but you found it.
You send the old man home.
You can stay for supper, that's the best I can do.
The nearest trooper is 90 miles away so I'm just going to have to settle this myself.
You wouldn't shoot a man in cold blood.
You can take that chance if you like.
Give her something.
This ain't over.
Just stay away from my cattle.
All of you.
I've only got a moment, the children are waiting.
Look, I heard what happened yesterday.
I was just protecting what was mine.
You should've come to me.
It's my farm, Matt.
How long could you call Langara yours if you had to go running for help every time trouble came your way? You could've been killed.
I have to look after myself.
Jack was with me.
Well, I just worry about you, that's all.
So next time you need me, don't even hesitate.
It's not a weakness to turn to somebody you trust.
Matt, thank you.
There's been more than enough crime and violence already, Matt.
Look, we cannot just take the law into our own hands.
We are the law.
Morning, gentlemen.
Morning.
With the right men, I'll burn those tents and drive that mining scum into the river.
You try and raise vigilantes, Oliver, I'm against ya.
You set aside the law and no one's safe.
Who's safe now? How safe was Kathleen O'Neil? How safe was Luke McGregor? How long before we're talking murder, not just cattle thieving? This trouble isn't going to go away, Matt.
Especially if we deal with them as vigilantes.
I mean, no one knows better than me, there is a certain rough element amongst the miners.
That's certainly an understatement I would say.
Now, wherever there's gold or wherever there's a chance of gold, it's going to attract the lawless, the violent, but most of those people are decent law-abiding men.
And there's families in those tents, women and children.
You going to burn them too? Your concern for these people is really very touching.
But who's going to look after our women and children? Tell us that.
We do what we've always done.
What we've all done since we carved a place out of this bush.
We look after our own.
Which is exactly what I said at the outset.
We are the law.
Hello, Luke.
Hello, Ms.
Hargraves.
Do you mind if I water my horse? I've been riding her quite hard.
You look like you enjoyed it.
I love it.
Mind if I have a drink? Sure.
I had no idea I was so thirsty.
Are you hungry? Yes.
So, I hear you and Matt McGregor are good friends, Ms.
Hargraves.
I think you might call me Anita.
- It's quite lovely- - It's getting It's getting cold, don't you think? No.
Yes, would you like to go back? No, no not yet.
It's so lovely.
Perhaps I should put this on your shoulders.
Really, I'm fine.
Let me help you.
No, it's all right.
I'm trying to take it off.
I'm sorry.
I thought you were trying to put it back on.
No.
It's just Emily.
Emily! I'm sorry.
What do you want me to do? I want you to marry me.
Hey, there's a couple of love birds down by the river.
We're surveyors, not peeping toms.
Four days in the saddle.
We've been rough.
Too old for this sort of thing.
Well, when they put the line through, you can say that you're the man that brought the railway to Paterson's Ridge.
Shut up, you fool.
You want the whole world to know? So for once you were in the right place at the right time, Frank.
And it'll happen.
It happened in Ballarat, it happened in Bendigo.
It happened in California.
It costs a fortune to put a railway over these mountains.
They couldn't do it.
There are thousands of Chinese in this country.
A few have struck it rich.
The rest are living hand to mouth trying to keep body and soul together.
What do they want with a railway then? They can't catch a train back to China.
They will build it, Frank.
They will provide the labor.
They will cut the timber.
They will do the cuttings.
They will build the bridges, cheaply.
Even so It will be built for gold but it will carry out cattle.
Straight from here to Melbourne.
From Melbourne, they'll be shipped to Great Britain, Europe, and Asia.
Beef from Balmoral to feed the world.
We'll make a fortune.
It doesn't take an engineer to see the easiest route through the mountains.
But when it gets here within sight of Paterson's Ridge is when it becomes a problem.
That's Kathleen O'Neil's place.
That's ideal for us, right next door.
It will be perfect.
If that land were to become ours.
It's a long time since we've had a little chat, Frank.
Just the two of us.
Father to son.
Thank you for your hospitality, Luke.
It was a pleasure.
Did Herbert ask you to dinner? No.
Well, I would like to return the favor.
Would you come to dinner tonight? Nothing formal, just a home meal.
I'd like that, very much.
Good.
Here, let me.
Thank you.
I'll see you tonight.
Bye.
We've got a visitor.
Yeah, who? Young Mr.
Blackwood.
Yeah, well you can deal with him.
Mr.
Blackwood, Sir.
Good to see you.
Why don't you join us, Sir.
I've got another job for you.
Well, now.
That sort of work's very dangerous.
We might have to reconsider our fees.
Even you might be game enough for this one, Rogers.
The women in town don't carry guns.
Unfortunately, you've all been seen.
Can you get someone else? There's a lot of good hardworking boys looking for an honest dollar around the digs, Mr.
Blackwood.
We can arrange it for ya.
For the right money.
Let's hope they can earn it.
You just tell us what you want.
You can depend on us.
In the tent.
Just you, Cullen.
You others can stay here.
Yes, Mr.
Blackwood.
Yes, Sir.
And it will be very full and very white and very You don't think white will make me look too young, do you, Robbie? I think you look like an angel.
I wouldn't want that.
I want to look a little devilish.
Just a little.
I'll have it trimmed with roses, big roses.
So long as you promise you won't crush them.
Victoria, about the ball, I really have to know- Excuse me.
Bring me a kiss, love.
You should be arrested.
Well, boys, I think she's trying to tell us her price just went up.
Rob, the man just insulted me.
Rob, aren't you going to do anything? I had a feeling you were going to say that.
I think you should apologize to the lady.
She might be your tart, but that don't mean you own her.
Colin, help him! You cowards, let him go.
What's happening here? Rob's defending my honor.
Yeah? Come on, let's get out of here.
You're hurt.
Well, no one insults you and gets away with it.
How'd they insult you? I can't even say the word.
If it wasn't for you and your gold rush, a lady could walk in safety.
If you'll excuse me, Victoria, I've been invited to Ms.
Hargraves for dinner.
Why would she invite you? And why would you accept? Come on, Rob.
If you told me earlier, I could have canceled my arrangements.
It was a spontaneous invitation, Herbert, don't make such a fuss.
It is most inadvisable, you having dinner with this young man alone.
This is not the dark ages.
But it is Paterson's Ridge, not your sophisticated San Francisco.
And, you have an obligation to me and to the bank.
I don't understand.
Luke has every intention of taking Langara away from Matt McGregor.
Common gossip.
He's being backed by Oliver Blackwood, our biggest and wealthiest client.
While Luke's mine continues to produce gold, they are a formidable alliance.
And who are you supporting? I support my wealthiest, most influential clients.
However, we must always be seen to be neutral.
Matt McGregor will never stop fighting, and neither will Luke or Blackwood.
It could be very dangerous to be caught in the middle.
Herbert, don't be so dramatic.
Luke.
The maid let me in.
We were just talking about you.
Those were the toughest guys I'd ever met.
I knew if they found me, I was dead, but I needed the two dollars.
So, I hunkered down in the river for most of the day and half the night.
Sometime around dawn, they took my horse and boots and rode off.
They left you there without a horse.
Sure.
And then it started to snow.
But what did you do? I walked 20 miles, barefoot, to the nearest town.
Almost lost a foot from frostbite.
How old were you? When I was 15, I was being tutored by Ms.
Carnegie on how to wear white gloves and pour tea.
I was bored to death.
I can't ever remember being bored, or ever being taught that much.
Well, you may not know much about etiquette, but you know about life.
But I'm starting to realize that etiquette and manners are important.
I'd be glad to teach you.
I wouldn't take kindly to being made a fool of.
Whatever I make of you, it won't be a fool.
Since when don't you like apple pie? I've already had three helpings.
Well, waste not, want not.
You you're off your tucker, Colin.
I've got something to say.
About time.
I'm getting married.
Who to? Congratulations.
Congratulations, son.
She's a wonderful girl.
I thought you really were expecting someone else.
Are you kidding? He's been like a lovesick cow for months.
We've been waiting forever.
Congratulations.
I'm sure you'll both be very very happy.
You'll make a wonderful wife and a wonderful daughter.
She's dead.
Was it those men again? No, son, this one wasn't killed by a bullet.
This one's sick, sick like I've never seen before.
Doc Stone's over at McGregor's.
Let's see what he's got to say about it.
What do you think it is, doc? Not sure, Matthew, but this heifer's been frothing at the mouth.
Any others showing similar symptoms? Not so far.
Well, we'll have to quarantine them.
It might not be contagious.
Maybe.
We can't take the risk.
One diseased cow could contaminate all the cattle in the district.
How can I fight this, Matt, Doctor Stone? Shift your herd up into hind paddock.
We'll wait 24 hours.
If there's no sign of sickness in the other cows then, well, maybe we can rule out anything contagious.
Thanks, doc.
When word of this gets out, we'll have trouble.
Jack, I've been working with cattle longer than I care to remember.
You ever seen a heifer drop dead like this before? She's got a heifer down of sickness, is it true, or is it not? She's quarantining the herd.
No one knows for sure what killed it.
It could be anthrax.
The herd should be destroyed and burnt.
It's our land sharing her fences.
And mine.
You may not care if you risk your herd, but you'll not risk mine.
You remember what the epidemic did eight years ago? And we've come a long way in eight years.
We don't go around slaughtering sick cattle until we know what we're dealing with.
You've gone soft, Matt.
If there's disease in the high country, we know who put it there, those miners.
You're too squeamish to see them on their way.
Well, the rest of us feel differently.
Now, you listen to me, men.
Until we know what's going on here, there'll be no cattle killed and no miners thrown out of town.
I think we should discuss this over a drink, gentlemen.
I'm buying.
Do you dance, Luke? I've done a bit of square dancing.
That's all right for a bush dance, but with the Grand Mountain Ball coming up, I think you should learn how to Waltz.
Come.
Feel the meter.
One, two, three.
One, two, three, one, two, three.
Now your feet.
One, two, three, step, two, three.
One, two, three, step, two, three.
Right, now your arms.
This arm like this, and here, around my waist.
Closer, and relax.
This is supposed to be a pleasant experience.
One, two, three, one, two, three, step.
Two, three, one, two, three, step, two, three.
There you are.
Now, imagine you hear music.
Victoria, Oliver, how nice.
You know Mr.
McGregor, of course.
Yes, Luke, we won't disturb you.
Please, come in.
Victoria and I were just in the vicinity and we were wondering if you would like to come to dinner on Friday night.
Why thank you.
Victoria.
Shall we say half past seven? Thank you.
I'd like that.
Well now, we look forward to it.
Thank you.
Goodnight, Oliver.
Dear, I hope Victoria didn't misunderstand your being here.
I don't think so.
Most of the herds in.
I'll get the mob from the south paddock in the morning.
There's coffee in the pot.
Any new signs of sickness, Jack? Not so far.
But you're expecting it.
I'm praying there won't be.
I'm grateful for your prayers, but what I need is your expertise.
If we had to destroy the stock, how long before I could build up a new herd.
Take a long time, years.
The pasture could be carrying the disease.
I couldn't afford to buy new stock and hand-feed them.
It would break us.
I'd hate to see you and the boy go back to England.
You'll never see that.
If you'll pardon me saying, Ms.
O'Neil, you're a good looking woman.
I'm sure there's a man around here somewhere that'd be more than willing to look after you.
Do you have someone special in mind, Jack? Someone established, help you get going again.
And my property would become his dowry.
No thank you.
I'm not frightened of starting again.
I don't think you're frightened of anything.
But I want you to know, if you have to start from nothing, I'll be here.
Then I won't be starting with nothing, will I? Three, one, two, three.
You're very good.
You've got it.
You reckon, ma'am? Well, maybe you still need a little coaching on how to take a compliment.
Your perfume, I like it.
There's a difference between paying a compliment and taking a liberty.
Just tell me if you want me to stop.
I'm home, Anita.
I can see that, Herbert.
Tomorrow night? I look forward to it.
Goodbye, Mr.
Elliot.
I hope you know what you're doing.
Victoria, good morning.
Hello, I was hoping I'd see you.
I thought it only fair to tell you that I may not be able to accept your invitation to the Mountain Ball.
I did ask you, did I? If you should, it's really becoming very difficult.
Lots of invitations.
I just don't know how long I can go holding off Rob McGregor.
Rob's asked you? Of course.
Well, maybe you should accept.
Luke, if you're using Anita Hargraves to make me jealous then- - Would I do that? Good, because I'm not.
I think everything's going to be all right.
There's no new sign of sickness yet.
God willing, there won't be, Danni.
Now, have Colin and Emily set a date for the wedding yet? It depends on when Colin can get another preacher to come and marry them.
Well, can't he do it himself? I mean, he's a preacher.
Well, I don't think that would be either legal or what Emily would want.
What about the coach driver.
Are you feeling all right, Michael? Well, if they were getting married on a ship, the captain would do it.
Let's just get these bottles finished so that Jack can feed the calves.
There will be five times that amount if you do a good job.
We will.
Come on, you mangy beast.
What do you think you're doing to me reputation? What the- Finish him off, Cullen.
We can't let him go, he recognized us.
We'll catch up with him later.
Mr.
Kelly, are you all right? He's bleeding.
Quick, let's get him inside.
Unconscious.
Danni, ride to your father for help, and we need a doctor, quickly.
Ms.
O'Neil.
Don't try to talk, Jack.
I saw them.
They'll be coming.
Do you hear me? Michael, keep watch from the window, but keep down.
Dad, dad! Emily, where's dad? They're all out in the far paddock checking the herd for sickness.
What's wrong, Danni? Jack Kelly's been shot.
We need a doctor, but I don't think there's time.
I've done a bit of nursing.
We'll have to look after ourselves, come on.
Anita, how long do you intend to play this game? Have a good day at the bank, Herbert.
Look, think about what you're doing.
You'll go back to San Francisco or New York, but I'll be left with the scandal you leave behind.
I have no intention of leaving.
They've almost got it, Jack.
They're coming, mom.
We've got two rifles.
We just want the old man.
We don't hurt women and kids.
Get the boy.
It's Michael! I shall have to go to Melbourne next week, father.
Why? You've only just come back with a trunk full of clothes.
I already have a perfect dress for the ball, but I'll need new shoes.
Naturally.
Who's your partner? I haven't yet made a decision.
You're looking very pleased with yourself.
The result of a good day's work.
Better than being a pretty parasite.
Apologize to your sister! I apologize.
Of course you can go.
Thank you.
Tell me, Frank.
Do you think this disease among Kathleen O'Neil's cattle is likely to spread.
I think by tomorrow, it might have spread enough for them to start destroying her herd.
Terrible thing, disease.
It will undoubtedly drive the poor woman off her land.
Undoubtedly.
Railways, Frank, it'll be the making of this country, and for the men who control them.
They're keeping undercover.
I can see two of them.
It's Matt and the boys.
Colin, you all right? Yeah, dad.
Danni, Kathleen, it's Matt.
You okay? Thank god you came.
Emily.
Are you hurt? Doc, how's Jack coming along? He'll pull through.
He's as tough as ironbark.
You can turn the herd out now, Ms.
O'Neil.
Jack was right, that heifer was poisoned.
Why would anyone do that? That's what I'd like to find out.
What do you reckon? I don't know.
We'll get to the bottom of it though.
Thanks, doctor.
See ya, doc.
Children, you can let the cattle out now.
I'll give you a hand.
Kathleen, I've had something on my mind and Yes, Matt? Well, you know that the Mountain Ball is coming up soon and.
With everything that's happened, you can still think about the Mountain Ball? Well, It'd be an honor and a pleasure to escort you there.
I'd be delighted to accept your offer.
I want you, Anita.
I'm crazy about you.
You're lucky I didn't shoot you.
I was only doing what you wanted.
Do you think cold-blooded murder is what I wanted? You're deranged! Why do you hate me? I don't hate you, Frank.
But as a son, you're a disappointment.