Luke Slaughter - Duel On The Trail

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Luke Slaughter - Duel On The Trail
Date: June 16, 2026
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode features "Duel On The Trail," an action-packed installment from the classic radio western Luke Slaughter of Tombstone. The story follows the tough and legendary cattleman Luke Slaughter as he takes on a dangerous drive from Mexico to Tombstone, Arizona, facing treachery, deceit, and a brewing rivalry as he attempts to bring a valuable herd of cattle to hungry miners. Classic Western themes run throughout—honor, betrayal, redemption, and the harsh realities of frontier life.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Introduction to Luke Slaughter and the Central Conflict (00:35–04:53)

• Luke Slaughter introduces himself as a tough cattleman who doesn’t back down from a fight.
  • Quote: “Slaughter’s my name. Luke Slaughter. Cattle’s my business... There’s no man west of the Rio Grande big enough to take it from me.” (00:35, Luke Slaughter)
• Luke interrupts a business deal in a cantina where Ben Wilkins, President of the Cattlemen’s Association, is discussing cattle drives with Jess Hancock, a seasoned but suspicious trail boss.
• Slaughter exposes Hancock's betrayal (selling off Wilkins’ cattle for personal gain), using evidence—a signed bill of sale.
  • Quote: “Take a look, Wilkins. That Hancock signature.” (03:52, Luke Slaughter)
• Wilkins hires Slaughter for the Tombstone drive, angering Hancock, who threatens retaliation.

2. Assembling the Trail Crew & Early Tensions (04:53–09:06)

• Slaughter selects a diverse group of trail hands, including some locals who know the territory and the cook.
• Notable are Rusty, Wichita (an old hand with keen insight), and Jim/Jimmy Carson, a brash young man eager to prove himself.
  • Quote: “You want to come along or don’t you?” (07:28, Luke Slaughter)
• Wichita warns Slaughter about Carson’s attitude: “He’ll probably want to find out how tough you are.” (08:04, Wichita)

3. Carlotta's Plea and Hancock's Interference (09:06–11:26)

• The crew prepares to depart. Carlota, a local woman, begs Slaughter to take her to Arizona so she can escape her association with Hancock.
  • Quote: “Take me with you... I want to get away from this place.” (10:48, Carlota)
• Hancock confronts Slaughter once more, accusing him of stealing both his job and his girl.
• Carlotta is denied at first but later sneaks along with the trail drive.

4. The Night Stampede and Suspicions of Sabotage (11:39–18:42)

• As the drive sets out, Slaughter avoids the well-known trails, predicting potential trouble from Hancock.
• In the night, gunshots spark a stampede, nearly destroying the drive. Slaughter and Rusty risk their lives to turn the herd.
  • Memorable moment: Slaughter’s daring ride into the herd to turn the stampede (15:17–15:56).
  • Quote: “You know a better way to turn ‘em?” (16:01, Luke Slaughter)
• Jimmy admits to firing the shots out of fear, prompting Slaughter to take away his gun for the safety of the group.
  • Quote: “You want two of those guns, but one’s too much for you. I’m taking your six gun, Jimmy.” (16:42, Luke Slaughter)
• Mystery emerges around the possibility of an inside informant helping Hancock, with a suspicious signal fire spotted on a ridge.

5. The Spy Revealed – Rusty’s Betrayal (18:59–21:17)

• Carlotta asserts her independence, protesting she’s not Hancock’s spy.
• The next morning, both Rusty and Carlotta are missing, confirming that there is betrayal in Slaughter’s outfit.
  • Quote: “Right now, Wichita, there’s only one person in the outfit I’m sure of.” (18:50, Luke Slaughter)
• Slaughter devises a two-pronged plan: split the herd and send them through both possible routes—river bottom and the pass—anticipating an ambush.

6. The Showdown: Slaughter vs. Hancock (21:18–24:47)

• Slaughter chases down Rusty and Carlotta; Rusty forcibly takes Carlotta with him before being confronted and captured by Slaughter.
  • Quote: “Rusty made me go with him. He was taking me back to Hancock.” (22:36, Carlota)
• Hancock ambushes from the rocks; Slaughter maneuvers behind him. The final gunfight: both men draw, but Slaughter prevails.
  • Quote: “It isn’t getting your gun out of your holster that’s the most important thing. It’s what you do with it. Once it’s out.” (24:48, Luke Slaughter)

7. Resolution and Lessons Learned (24:48–25:44)

• The crew reunites on the trail—herd still intact, though trust has been tested.
• Carlotta acknowledges Slaughter’s underlying decency:
  • Quote: “I was wrong about you, Slaughter. You do care about somebody beside yourself. Gracias.” (23:04, Carlotta)
• Slaughter imparts a final lesson to Jim (Jimmy) about maturity, the burden of responsibility, and what makes a real man in the West.

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Memorable Quotes

• “You can’t afford Jess Hancock anymore.” – Luke Slaughter (03:18)
• “Matter of fact, I’d be surprised if there wasn’t [trouble]. I guarantee just one thing. To bring that herd through. That you can count on.” – Luke Slaughter (07:45)
• “Maybe the trail will take some of the toughness out of him.” – Luke Slaughter, about Jim Carson (08:23)
• “There’s only one person in the outfit I’m sure of... Me.” – Luke Slaughter (18:50)
• “It’s what you do with [your gun] once it’s out.” – Luke Slaughter (24:48)

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Notable Characters

• Luke Slaughter — Rugged, honorable, decisive leader, former cavalryman
• Jess Hancock — Slippery, resentful former trail boss; antagonist
• Ben Wilkins — Trusting cattle association president
• Carlota — Spirited woman seeking new life, stuck between Slaughter and Hancock
• Wichita — Wise, wry old hand, Slaughter’s confidant
• Jim (Jimmy) Carson — Young, brash, learns valuable lesson about manhood
• Rusty — Turns traitor, collaborates with Hancock

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Important Scene Timestamps

• Luke exposes Hancock’s scheme: 02:54 (Hancock called out for selling stolen cattle)
• Carlota begs to join the trail: 10:48
• First major stampede & gun confiscation: 13:42–16:54
• Signal fire & spy suspicion: 18:11–18:50
• Split the herd, setup for showdown: 21:23
• Duel with Hancock: 23:47–24:47
• Closing lesson & resolution: 24:48–25:44

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Tone & Style

Stalwart, gritty, and packed with classic Western bravado, the dialogue is sharp and spare, fitting the frontier setting and radio drama tradition. The episode delivers suspense, moral lessons, and tough-as-nails character interplay, channeling both nostalgia and timeless storytelling.

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For further episodes of classic radio drama, check Harold’s Old Time Radio podcast or their partner channel Grandpa’s Old Time Radio.

Transcript

[Announcer]

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[Luke Slaughter]

Slaughter's my name. Luke Slaughter Cattle's my business. It's a tough business. It's a big business. I got a big stake in it. And there's no man west of the Rio Grande big enough to take it from.

[Narrator]

Luke slaughter of tombstone. Luke Slaughter of Tombstone. Civil War cavalryman turned Arizona cattleman. Across the territory from Yuma to Fort Defiance. From Flagstaff to the Huachucas. And below the border through Chihuahua and Sonora. His name was respected. Or feared, depending on which side of the law you were on. Man of vision. Man of legend. Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.

[Luke Slaughter]

It was a long, hot ride to Laredo the last day. I pushed it hard, eating dust all the way. I didn't know if I'd be in time or not. When I rode up to the cantina in town and went inside, I saw I was barely in time. The two of them were sitting at a corner table. From the sound of it, the deal was just about closed.

[Jess Hancock]

Me and my boys will bring that herd up across the border for you in good shape.

[Ben Wilkins]

Hell, I hope so, Hancock. The Association's pretty worried about all the trouble we've had on these drives before.

[Luke Slaughter]

Excuse me, gents. You Ben Wilkins?

[Ben Wilkins]

Why, yes.

[Luke Slaughter]

President of the Cattlemen's Association?

[Ben Wilkins]

Yes, that's right. I don't think I know you.

[Jess Hancock]

Look, mister, we're talking business.

[Luke Slaughter]

That's why I'm here, Hancock.

[Jess Hancock]

How come you know my name, Wilkins?

[Luke Slaughter]

I understand you're aiming to bring a herd of cattle up from Mexico into Texas.

[Ben Wilkins]

What's that to you?

[Luke Slaughter]

You're missing a good bet. Why don't you drive him west to Arizona?

[Ben Wilkins]

Arizona?

[Luke Slaughter]

That's right. Haven't you heard about the new mines opening up around Tombstone? Everybody and his brother's headed out there and they all gotta eat. That means a good market for beef. A lot better price than you get around here.

[Jess Hancock]

He's crazy, Wilkins. That's too far to drive a herd.

[Ben Wilkins]

Hell, it's sure too dangerous anyway. Why, there's banditos, rustlers, even Indians, maybe.

[Luke Slaughter]

I took a Herd out there. Last month there wasn't near enough to take care of all those beef eaten miners. I'll drive your herd out there for you for a percentage.

[Jess Hancock]

Now you just shut that big mouth of yours, mister. Whoever you are. I'm the one drives Wilkins herds wherever they go.

[Luke Slaughter]

Oh, Wilkins. You can't afford Jess Hancock anymore.

[Ben Wilkins]

What do you mean?

[Luke Slaughter]

The last turd he brought across the border for you. How many did he lose along the way?

[Ben Wilkins]

Why, 43 head.

[Jess Hancock]

Could have happened to anyone. Banditos, that's what it was.

[Luke Slaughter]

Mexican bandits, huh? Isabela SEO might interest you, Wilkinson. Seems last week a rancher named Hollister bought 43 head in good faith. Paid for him proper. Man who sold him was Jess Hancock.

[Jess Hancock]

That's a lie.

[Luke Slaughter]

Take a look, Wilkins. That Hancock signature.

[Ben Wilkins]

Wow. It sure is.

[Jess Hancock]

Nobody's gonna accuse me of wrestling.

[Luke Slaughter]

Don't try it, Hancock. I can kick that gun out of your hand before you get it loose from the holster.

[Jess Hancock]

You just try it.

[Luke Slaughter]

You convinced, Hancock?

[Ben Wilkins]

Who are you? Mr.

[Luke Slaughter]

Slaughter. Luke Slaughter.

[Ben Wilkins]

Slaughter? I've heard of you, Mr. Slaughter, but I didn't know you was in these parts.

[Luke Slaughter]

You don't have to Mr. Me, Wilkins. Just Slaughter is good enough.

[Ben Wilkins]

Hancock. The association's gonna hear about this. If Those are the same.

[Jess Hancock]

43, you got no proof.

[Ben Wilkins]

We'll see about that, Slaughter. You said Arizona, huh?

[Luke Slaughter]

A lot of hungry miners in Tombstone.

[Ben Wilkins]

Bigger price, huh?

[Luke Slaughter]

Half again as much.

[Ben Wilkins]

Meet me back here in an hour. You got yourself a job.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'll be here, Wilkins. Ah.

[Jess Hancock]

You hear me, Slaughter. I don't care what your reputation is. You ain't gonna beat me out of this. I'll stop you.

[Luke Slaughter]

Here I am, Hancock. And now's as good a time as any. Go ahead.

[Jess Hancock]

Yeah, you can talk mighty tall with my gun laying there on the floor.

[Luke Slaughter]

Oh yeah, Your gun. There it is, Hancock. And I'm just as far from that table it's sitting on as you are now. Go ahead.

[Jess Hancock]

These. These other ways, Slaughter. There's other ways.

[Ben Wilkins]

Alex Slaughter, when you sign for this job, you guaranteed me six good trail hands. I didn't know you were just going to pick them cold out of the bar here.

[Luke Slaughter]

That's the difference, Wilkins. If they're not good hands now, they will be by the time we get to Tombstone. I'll see to that.

[Ben Wilkins]

I guess you will. How many you got so far?

[Luke Slaughter]

Two Mexican boys who know the country pretty well. And a cook.

[Ben Wilkins]

Still leaves you three shy.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'll get em.

[Jess Hancock]

Say, mister, your name's Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah.

[Jess Hancock]

Mine's Rusty. I hear you're looking for trail hands?

[Luke Slaughter]

Maybe. You ever been to Tombstone?

[Jess Hancock]

Not with a herd. Didn't know anybody had.

[Luke Slaughter]

This'll be the second.

[Jess Hancock]

I've been almost every place else. You can take a herd, I guess. Dodge City, Cheyenne, the Panhandle, you name it.

[Luke Slaughter]

All right, I'll take you.

[Wichita]

You the one that's hiring, mister?

[Luke Slaughter]

That's right. But you look a little old for the drive I've got in mind. Tombstone's a long way.

[Wichita]

Don't worry about that none. I'll keep up.

[Luke Slaughter]

What's your name?

[Wichita]

They call me Wichita.

[Luke Slaughter]

All right, Wichita, you're on.

[Jess Hancock]

Got room for one more, Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

Who are you, son?

[Jess Hancock]

Name's Carson. Jim Carson.

[Luke Slaughter]

Ever ridden trail before?

[Jess Hancock]

No, but I don't figure it'd be too tough. Besides, Slaughter, I come in handy when there's trouble.

[Ben Wilkins]

Oh?

[Luke Slaughter]

How about when there's work?

[Jess Hancock]

I'll work. I need the money. I want to buy me a gun.

[Luke Slaughter]

You already got a gun.

[Jess Hancock]

I want to get me another one.

[Luke Slaughter]

All right, I'll put you on. You say your name was Jimmy?

[Jess Hancock]

It's not Jimmy. It's Jim. I don't like being called Jimmy.

[Luke Slaughter]

Go get your stuff together, Jimmy.

[Jess Hancock]

I guess you didn't hear me, Slaughter. I said I don't like being.

[Luke Slaughter]

You want to come along or don't you?

[Jess Hancock]

I want to come.

[Luke Slaughter]

Then get moving, Jimmy.

[Ben Wilkins]

I don't like that one, Slaughter. He's on the prod.

[Luke Slaughter]

Good day, Wilkins.

[Ben Wilkins]

Why take a chance with them then? I don't want any trouble with this herd.

[Luke Slaughter]

Now, just a minute, Wilkins. I didn't guarantee no trouble. Matter of fact, I'd be surprised if there wasn't. I guarantee just one thing. To bring that herd through. That you can count on.

[Wichita]

I have seen young punks like him before, Slaughter. They go around with a chip on their shoulder, trying to show how tough they are. He probably heard about you.

[Luke Slaughter]

What about me? What'd you tell?

[Wichita]

Well, no offense. You got a kind of reputation, that's all. Punk like that, sooner or later he'll probably want to find out how tough you are.

[Jess Hancock]

Maybe I heard him shooting off his mouth at the bar earlier. About how he'd gunned down a couple of men here and there. Oh, I bet he's awful green on the trail, though.

[Luke Slaughter]

You can show him the ropes, Rusty. Maybe the trail will take some of the toughness out of him. Anyway, I need what men we can get. He goes with us.

[Jess Hancock]

You're the boss. Where are we heading from here?

[Luke Slaughter]

Delgada. Little town below the border. That's where we pick up the herd.

[Wichita]

When we leaving?

[Luke Slaughter]

Soon as we saddle up.

[Jess Hancock]

Tonight.

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah, we should be able to hit the trail with the cattle tomorrow afternoon. Make a few miles toward Tombstone before dark.

[Jess Hancock]

What's a hurry?

[Luke Slaughter]

There's a man named Jess Hancock wouldn't mind making a little trouble for me. I want that herd all in one piece to start with.

[Wichita]

Pretty good looking herd, Rusty.

[Jess Hancock]

Yeah, but no herd's worth pounding leather like we did all the way down here to Delgado.

[Wichita]

Slaughter said he wanted to make it, but this afternoon he did.

[Jess Hancock]

Where is he anyway?

[Wichita]

Sign the papers over there at the pens.

[Jess Hancock]

I don't see why we can't hang around town tonight. Leave in the morning.

[Wichita]

Well, why not take it up with the boss? Here he comes.

[Jess Hancock]

You think you're pretty funny, don't you, Wichita?

[Wichita]

Just once in a while, son.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, I guess we're all ready, Rusty. How about the cook?

[Jess Hancock]

Oh, he's got all the grub loaded in the chuck wagon ready to roll.

[Luke Slaughter]

Good.

[Carlota]

Senor. Senor.

[Luke Slaughter]

What?

[Carlota]

You're Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah. Who are you?

[Announcer]

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[Jess Hancock]

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[Announcer]

Where's that dang paper boy?

[Luke Slaughter]

I need my news outdated and rolled

[Announcer]

up like a burrito.

[Luke Slaughter]

Finally.

[Narrator]

Now I can read all about what happened forever ago.

[Jess Hancock]

Get the most important news delivered reliably at the best price. Sling lets you do that? Visit sling.comnews to see your offer.

[Carlota]

I'm Carlota. You are going to Arizona?

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah, Tombstone. Why?

[Carlota]

Take me with you.

[Narrator]

What?

[Carlota]

I want to get away from this place. I want to go to Arizona. Please take me with you.

[Luke Slaughter]

Sorry.

[Jess Hancock]

What are you doing here? Carlotta? Come on back to the cantina where you belong.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, well, Jess. Hancock. How come you're down here?

[Jess Hancock]

This is my stampin ground, Slaughter. Or was. I ain't forgot.

[Luke Slaughter]

I didn't figure you had.

[Jess Hancock]

First you take my job, now you try to take my girl.

[Luke Slaughter]

Just a minute. Hancock don't get things any More twisted up than you can help.

[Jess Hancock]

Get moving, Carlotta.

[Carlota]

You leave me alone. Get.

[Jess Hancock]

I hope you have a real pleasant trip to Tombstone, Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

I better have.

[Wichita]

Getting pretty dark, Slaughter. Don't you reckon we'd better get that herd bedded down for the night?

[Luke Slaughter]

Little further.

[Wichita]

You've been avoiding the regular trail, expecting trouble.

[Luke Slaughter]

I usually do, Wichita.

[Wichita]

I've been watching you around horses, Slaughter. Been thinking you was in the cavalry. Oh, I heard about a man named Slaughter once. Commanded a regiment from Illinois in the war. Yeah, Raiders, they was. Used to raid across the line. This Slaughter I heard about, he always used to come back leading a string of Confederate horses with their saddles empty. I've been thinking you're the same, Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

And I've been thinking you're a pretty nosy old man.

[Wichita]

Yep, that's me.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, this is far enough.

[Jess Hancock]

Rusty.

[Luke Slaughter]

Go bet down here.

[Jess Hancock]

Right.

[Luke Slaughter]

Where'd you tie that chuck wagon of ours? I just saw the tarp move. There's somebody inside.

[Wichita]

Yeah, I saw two.

[Ben Wilkins]

All right.

[Luke Slaughter]

Carlotta, get out of there.

[Carlota]

Please, senor. I want to go to Tombstone.

[Luke Slaughter]

You picked the wrong way.

[Carlota]

But you don't send him back now. It's night. It's wild country. You wouldn't do that, would you?

[Luke Slaughter]

You counted on that, didn't you? All right, you'll go with us.

[Carlota]

Gracias.

[Luke Slaughter]

But you'll earn your way. You'll help the cook. You'll clean up after him. You'll wash the dishes.

[Carlota]

Work me like a horse, huh? Or worse. Maybe you like the horses better.

[Luke Slaughter]

There's one big difference. I invited the horses. After we bedded down the herd, the cook wrestled up some grub. Carlotta was plenty sullen, but she worked. Jimmy kept eyeing her, so I figured I'd better put him on night herd. I turned in around midnight. Everything was peaceful, but it didn't stay that way very long.

[Wichita]

Slaughter, you hear that?

[Jess Hancock]

Yeah.

[Luke Slaughter]

Where'd they come from?

[Wichita]

Well, I don't know, but it's got the herd riled up. There they go. They stampedin, Slaughter. They stampedin.

[Narrator]

In a moment, Luke Slaughter of Tombstone returns. Somebody ought to set Jack Benny straight about how to make a movie. Because he's at it again when you join him. Later on today, CBS Radio's misguided matinee idol Will attempt his own version of a famous movie. To make it even better, Hollywood producer Stanley Kramer, who made the movie, will be right there when he does. For a hilarious example of how not to make a motion picture, hear the Jack Benny show later today. On most of these Same stations. Henry Morgan and Mitch Miller will be around following Jack Benny. Henry Morgan is host on the fast and funny guessing game. Says who? His star studded panel of experts spark one laugh after another as they try to identify memory teasing mystery voices. And speaking of stars, you'll find an hour of fast and funny conversation with the biggest name stars of Hollywood and Broadway waiting for you on CBS Radio's Mitch Miller show tonight. And now, Act 2 of William N. Robeson's production of Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.

[Luke Slaughter]

Wichita.

[Carlota]

Turn him in.

[Luke Slaughter]

We gotta get him turned to melon.

[Wichita]

You're getting too close, Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

J. Rusty, over there. I can't turn the bunch in the lead.

[Carlota]

Slaughter.

[Wichita]

Watch out. He'll run you down.

[Luke Slaughter]

Ah, yeah. Get around, Rusty.

[Announcer]

Head up.

[Luke Slaughter]

That leads dinner.

[Carlota]

Right.

[Luke Slaughter]

I got him, Big Millet.

[Wichita]

That's it.

[Luke Slaughter]

Let's get him.

[Ben Wilkins]

Slow.

[Luke Slaughter]

Whoa. Whoa.

[Wichita]

Whoa.

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah, that was close. Wichita. Ty.

[Wichita]

Yeah. I thought I'd seen everything, Slaughter. But I guess I was wrong.

[Luke Slaughter]

What do you mean?

[Wichita]

Riding into that herd the way you did.

[Luke Slaughter]

You know a better way to turn him?

[Wichita]

You could have been run down.

[Luke Slaughter]

Killed maybe. Jimmy. Come on over here.

[Wichita]

Look. Look, Slaughter. Up on the ridge.

[Luke Slaughter]

Small fire.

[Wichita]

Could be Indians.

[Luke Slaughter]

We'll go up and take a look in a minute.

[Jess Hancock]

What do you want, Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

Those two shots that started the stampede sounded like they came from over near where you were. You fire those shots, Jimmy? I said, did you fire those shots?

[Jess Hancock]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Why?

[Jess Hancock]

I thought I saw something moving in the dark near me. Figured it could be trouble.

[Luke Slaughter]

So you just hauled up and blasted away, huh? Pretty spooky with that six gun of yours, aren't you?

[Jess Hancock]

I tell you, I thought someone was coming at me.

[Luke Slaughter]

You almost cost us the whole herd. You want two of those guns, but one's too much for you. I'm taking your six gun, Jimmy.

[Jess Hancock]

No, you ain't, Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'll leave you your rifle in case you run into trouble on the way to Tombstone. But I can't take any more chances on that itchy trigger finger of yours. I'll hand it over.

[Jess Hancock]

Ain't nobody gonna take my gun away from me. I'll. I'll draw on you before I let you.

[Luke Slaughter]

No, you won't.

[Wichita]

I.

[Jess Hancock]

Maybe you ain't heard about them two men I gun.

[Wichita]

Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

I hear you were shooting off your mouth about it in the saloon. But I don't believe it. Jimmy, you never gunned a man and you're not gonna start now. Now hand it over. But first, let's have it. All right, now get back to the herd.

[Wichita]

Yeah, you've taken a lot away from that kid, Slaughter. First calling him Jimmy and now taking his gun.

[Luke Slaughter]

Had no choice.

[Wichita]

Even so, you cut him up and he won't forget it.

[Luke Slaughter]

You're trying to be my conscience or something.

[Wichita]

W Like you say, I'm just a nosy old man.

[Luke Slaughter]

Then let's go. Nose around that fire up on the ridge. Throw some dirt on that fire. Witcher time. Get it out.

[Carlota]

Right.

[Wichita]

Nobody around here. You know, this could be a signal fire. Think it was Indians that lit it?

[Luke Slaughter]

I doubt it. I think it was intended as a signal for Jess Hancock so we could locate the herd.

[Wichita]

You suggesting somebody in our outfit set off the fire?

[Luke Slaughter]

Could be.

[Wichita]

With the stampede. We was all there.

[Luke Slaughter]

Fire could have been lit just before the stampede.

[Wichita]

You see, somebody in the outfit added include me.

[Jess Hancock]

Yeah.

[Luke Slaughter]

Right now, Wichita. There's only one person in the outfit I'm sure of.

[Wichita]

Who's that?

[Luke Slaughter]

Me.

[Carlota]

I tell you, I didn't start the fire, Slaughter. I wouldn't help Hancock. I told you, I want to get away from him.

[Luke Slaughter]

I know that's what you told me, Carlotta.

[Carlota]

But you don't believe me. You think I'm still Hancock's girl. Why don't you trust me? Why don't you be nice to me? Maybe I could be your muchacha.

[Luke Slaughter]

Sorry. Right now my job's riding herd on cattle, not women.

[Carlota]

Oh, would you make me sick? You don't care about nobody but yourself.

[Wichita]

Is she right, Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

What? Oh, Wichita. I might have known you'd be listening.

[Wichita]

Yep.

[Jess Hancock]

Well, Slaughter, the herd's quieted down. Two Mexican boys are keeping an eye on it. Did Carlotta admit anything?

[Luke Slaughter]

No.

[Jess Hancock]

I wouldn't trust her any.

[Luke Slaughter]

I don't.

[Jess Hancock]

Rusty, you want us for anything more or can we turn in?

[Luke Slaughter]

In a minute. I want to lay out the plans for tomorrow. I think we're in for some trouble.

[Jess Hancock]

How so?

[Luke Slaughter]

We've got two possible routes through the country ahead, Rusty. Through a narrow pass or along the river bottom. The question is which way to take the herd?

[Jess Hancock]

You expecting to be dry gulched?

[Luke Slaughter]

I wouldn't be surprised.

[Jess Hancock]

You mean that narrow pass would be the logical place for a bushwhacking? Why not take the herd through along the river bottom?

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, there's one thing wrong with that, Rusty.

[Wichita]

It could be just what Hancock wants you to do.

[Luke Slaughter]

Right? You might be trying to out figure me. There's a lot of willows and underbrush along that river bottom. He could be holed up there. That's why we're going to take the herd through the pass. We'll start right after sunup. I didn't know if my bluff would work or not. It was the only way I could find out who Hancock's spy was. I rode away from camp toward the herd. Whoever it was, I had to give him a chance to make a move. And it didn't take long. Pretty soon I heard muffled hooves moving away. I rode back to camp and took a look. It was Rusty. He was gone.

[Jess Hancock]

Carlotta's gone too, Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

I guess she wasn't so anxious to get away from Hancock as she let on.

[Wichita]

So Rusty's going to tell him that we're bringing the herd through the pass.

[Luke Slaughter]

It's just what I wanted him to do. Unless he knows his country a lot better than I do he's going to lead me right to Hancock.

[Jess Hancock]

You're going after them?

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah. They should give me the slip. We're gonna be in for some trouble.

[Wichita]

What do you want us to do?

[Luke Slaughter]

Split the outfit in two. Wichita, take half the herd through the pass, the other half through the river bottom. Be ready for trouble. Especially in the pass.

[Jess Hancock]

Let me take the pass, Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

You? You sure you want to?

[Jess Hancock]

Yeah, real sure. And I think I can handle it.

[Luke Slaughter]

I think you can too. Oh, and you might be needing that six gun of yours. Here it is, Jim.

[Jess Hancock]

Thanks, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

Slaughter'll do. Get moving. At sun up, join up on the other side and wait for me. I picked up Rusty's trail. He was headed for the ridge between the pass and the river bottom. It was getting light when I reached a shortcut where I could gain some ground on him. But I gained too much. Just as I got back to the trail again a horse came pounding around the bend carrying Rusty and Carlotta. He pulled up when he spotted me and shoved Carlotta off.

[Ben Wilkins]

Get off.

[Luke Slaughter]

Then I saw I'd been holding a gun on her. His slug burned my shirt as I dove at him.

[Jess Hancock]

Slaughter, you.

[Luke Slaughter]

You all right, Carlotta?

[Carlota]

I think so. Rusty made me go with him. He was taking me back to Hancock. Florida.

[Luke Slaughter]

Just came from those rocks up above there. Take cover. I can't walk.

[Carlota]

My ankle is twisted.

[Ben Wilkins]

All right.

[Luke Slaughter]

All right.

[Ben Wilkins]

I'll carry him.

[Luke Slaughter]

Get her up behind this rock. You'll be all right there. Sit here. You'll be safe now.

[Carlota]

I was wrong about you, Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

What do you mean?

[Carlota]

You do care about somebody beside yourself. Gracias.

[Luke Slaughter]

It's gotta be Hancock up there in those rocks. Here, take my rifle and stay put. I'm gonna try and circle around behind him. There was a big shoulder of rock above me and to my left. If I could get around that, I might be able to get behind Hancock. If he didn't hear me coming. There he was, 20 yards away, his back to me, his gun in the holster so he could get a better hand hold as he edged his way along the rocks. I holstered my own gun and stepped out into the clear. Hancock.

[Ben Wilkins]

Slaughter.

[Jess Hancock]

Yeah.

[Luke Slaughter]

Here I am, Hancock. Now go ahead, draw.

[Jess Hancock]

I don't like it, Wichita. Slaughter should have been here by now.

[Wichita]

He'll be long, Jim.

[Jess Hancock]

Well, maybe we ought to head up there and see if we can find him. He could be in trouble.

[Wichita]

He said wait for him here. Even so, maybe here he is coming up the draw. Carlotta's with him. Ain't that Rusty's horse that she's riding?

[Jess Hancock]

Yeah, and Slaughter's leading another one.

[Wichita]

Uh huh. With an empty saddle.

[Jess Hancock]

Heard all right?

[Wichita]

Yeah. All in one piece. No trouble. But looks like you had some.

[Luke Slaughter]

A little.

[Wichita]

That horse you're leading, is it Hancock's?

[Luke Slaughter]

It was.

[Jess Hancock]

I knew you could outdraw him.

[Luke Slaughter]

Matter of fact, the draw was about even.

[Jess Hancock]

But how come you, Jim?

[Luke Slaughter]

You got a couple of things to learn. It isn't getting your gun out of your holster that's the most important thing. It's what you do with it. Once it's out.

[Wichita]

You figure Hancock was after the herd or after Carlotta?

[Luke Slaughter]

I didn't take time to ask him what you're telling.

[Narrator]

Luke Slaughter of Tombstone. Starring Sam Buffington. Written by Robert Stanley with editorial supervision by Tom Hanley and directed by William n. Robeson. Supporting Mr. Buffington in the first of this new series were Lillian Byeff, Eddie Marr, Herb Vigren, Sam Edwards, Junius Matthews and Vic Perrin. Next week at this time we return with Slaughter's.

[Luke Slaughter]

The name Luke Slaughter when we meet up again. You can call me that. Luke Slaughter. Sam,

[Announcer]

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[Luke Slaughter]

What is that?

[Jess Hancock]

Oh yeah, it's a World cup holder.

[Wichita]

Like the soccer tournament.

[Luke Slaughter]

World cup holder for the world.

[Jess Hancock]

Fits every car holds every cup.

[Wichita]

It has a Carvana logo.

[Luke Slaughter]

Carvana made it they buy and sell

[Jess Hancock]

cars, so they made a car cup holder. So.

[Narrator]

Got any good cups lately?

[Jess Hancock]

I used to.

[Wichita]

I just couldn't figure out where in the world to put them.

[Luke Slaughter]

The World Cup Holder, brought to you by Carvana.

[Jess Hancock]

Proud sponsors of the World Cup Holder,

[Narrator]

sign up today to win yours@cup holder2026.com.

[Luke Slaughter]

Not authorized or endorsed by FIFA.

[Narrator]

Not a real product for parody and

[Luke Slaughter]

fair use purposes only.