Luke Slaughter - Wagon Train

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Luke Slaughter – Wagon Train
Date: June 16, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Format: Golden Age of Radio drama with commentary

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Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners back to the dusty trails of the Old West with a dramatized story from the "Luke Slaughter of Tombstone" radio series. The central theme of this episode, "Wagon Train," revolves around a cold-blooded murder, missing gold, and a mysterious wagon train passing through Tombstone. Luke Slaughter, former Civil War cavalryman turned Arizona cattleman, takes center stage as he unravels the crime, confronts outlaws, and restores order using wit and courage.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting Up the Tale – Tombstone and Its Lawmen

• [00:42-01:32] Introduction to Luke Slaughter’s character and backstory, painting him as a force to be reckoned with in the Southwest.
• "Slaughter's my name. Luke Slaughter, cattle's my business. It's a tough business. It's big business." (Luke Slaughter, 00:42)

2. The Crime – Carl Justice’s Murder and Stolen Gold

• [01:51-02:30] News of Carl Justice’s murder spreads throughout Tombstone, catalyzing the episode’s main investigation.
• Luke Slaughter leads a posse in pursuit of the killer and the missing $10,000, but turns up empty-handed after a long day in the saddle.

3. Suspicion Falls on the Wagon Train

• [03:02-03:36] Returning to town, Luke and his sidekick, Wichita, notice a peculiar wagon train—surprisingly small and lacking children, which is uncommon for such outfits. This detail sows the seeds of suspicion.
• "It's a funny thing about that outfit..." "No Kids?...That is peculiar." (Luke Slaughter & Wichita, 03:22–03:25)

4. A Tangle at the Cattlemen’s Association Office

• [04:18–06:16]
  • An altercation occurs as an armed stranger (Lanigan), mistakenly believing he is catching Luke off guard, pistol-whips Wichita and leaves.
  • A ruse distracts townspeople with a staged bank window break, muddying the real investigation.
  • Luke grows suspicious: "Now why did those bank robbers break a window? That's noise. The last thing a thief wants." (Luke Slaughter, 07:11)

5. Under Cover of Night – Investigating the Wagon Train

• [07:47–11:05]
  • Luke follows his hunch and visits the wagon train’s campsite, questioning its members about their journey and connections to the crimes.
  • The train’s boss, Burwell, offers only vague alibis, while the woman posed as his wife, Molly, acts suspiciously.
  • Notable exchange:
    • "I've never seen a wagon train without children." (Luke Slaughter, 13:09)
    • "Some people don't have children, I guess." (Molly, 13:16)

6. Piecing Together the Conspiracy

• [15:11–19:50]
  • On returning, Luke reveals to Wichita that he suspects the entire wagon train is the nerve center for the crimes.
  • A trap is set as they prepare for retaliation from Burwell’s gang.
  • Confrontation with Lanigan:
    • "Tell me the real story about that wagon train, Lanigan." (Luke Slaughter, 16:54)
    • Lanigan confesses under duress that Burwell was the mastermind and orchestrated both murder and fake bank robbery to mislead townsfolk.

7. Showdown and Justice

• [19:44–24:38]
  • Luke confronts Molly and the women at the wagon camp, outsmarts a seduction ploy, secures the stolen gold, and ties up the criminals.
  • He returns to town, sets a trap for Burwell and the remaining men, and orchestrates their capture with the help of the posse.
  • Notable moment:
    • "Before you say anything else, I think you ought to know you're covered by 18 guns… Drop your guns and step forward, all of you." (Luke Slaughter, 23:29)

8. Restoring Order

• [24:38–25:06]
  • No shots are fired—an uncommon outcome in a Wild West drama.
  • "Got every single one of them and didn't smoke up the town a bit." (Wichita, 24:48)
  • Luke offers practical wisdom:
    • "Don't fool around with a red hot branding iron until you're ready for the roundup." (Luke Slaughter, 24:48)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "A killer's gotta leave a sign." "This one didn't." (Wichita & Luke Slaughter, 02:41–02:45)
• "You just ain't gonna leave them out there and let them go on?" "No. Unless I'm dead wrong, they're gonna send a man gunning for me." (Wichita & Luke Slaughter, 15:35–15:48)
• "You might need your head before the night's out." (Luke Slaughter to Wichita, 06:19)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:42 – Introduction to Luke Slaughter
• 01:51 – Carl Justice’s murder revealed
• 03:02 – Suspicion of wagon train begins
• 04:18 – Armed confrontation at the office
• 07:47 – Luke rides out to wagon train at night
• 11:05 – Burwell questioned about wagon train
• 15:11 – Luke plans a showdown
• 16:54 – Lanigan coerced into confession
• 19:44 – Luke confronts Molly at the camp
• 23:29 – Final standoff and outlaws’ capture
• 24:48 – Conclusion and lessons learned

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Episode’s Tone

The episode maintains a gritty, suspenseful, and period-authentic tone throughout, peppered with dry humor and classic frontier wisdom. Luke Slaughter is portrayed as perceptive, tough, and no-nonsense but fair—a true Western hero. The banter between Luke and Wichita provides levity and camaraderie.

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Conclusion

"Wagon Train" stands as a quintessential example of Golden Age radio drama, showcasing sharp dialogue, clever plotting, and the lasting appeal of the American Western. Without unnecessary violence, Luke Slaughter outwits an organized band of criminals, secures justice, and restores order to Tombstone—all while keeping his signature cool under pressure.

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For fans of old-time radio or newcomers to Westerns, this episode offers both nostalgia and narrative punch, embodying the timeless allure of the lawman-versus-outlaw tale.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Luke Slaughter]

Slaughter's my name. Luke Slaughter cattle's my business. It's a tough business. It's big business. I've got a big stake in it. 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.

[Luke Slaughter]

Or feared, depending on which side of

[Narrator]

the law you were on. Man of vision. Man of legend. Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.

[Luke Slaughter]

Carl justice was dead. Bushwhacked in the chiricahuas for the $10,000 he was was carrying. But justice wasn't dead. The posse from the Cattlemen's association would see to that. If we had to cover every half section between the Petrified Forest and the Mexican border. And it looked like we might, at least the first day in the saddle. We didn't find a trace of Justice's killer or the gold. We were a tired bunch of ranahans when we came back to town that afternoon. All right, boys. Get yourselves a good night's rest. Be ready to ride again at sun up.

[Burwell]

Come on.

[Wichita]

Well, howdy, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

Hello, Wichita.

[Wichita]

You look like you've been eating a lot of dust.

[Luke Slaughter]

I have.

[Wichita]

You turn up anything?

[Luke Slaughter]

Nothing. Not a single sign.

[Wichita]

A killer's gotta leave a sign.

[Luke Slaughter]

This one didn't.

[Wichita]

Sure is a shame. Carl oughta knowed better than to try carrying all that money over to Bisbee by hisself.

[Luke Slaughter]

But he didn't. Oh, man. Man, I'm tired.

[Wichita]

You gonna go out to the ranch tonight?

[Luke Slaughter]

No, I'll grab some shut eye over at the office. Let's go.

[Wichita]

Hold up a minute. You can't get by this outfit.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, wagons. It's a pretty small train to be traveling alone.

[Burwell]

Keep it moving.

[Wichita]

Real driving boss, ain't he? Bet he wasn't raised on prunes and proverbs.

[Luke Slaughter]

You know, it's a funny thing about that outfit.

[Wichita]

What's that?

[Narrator]

No Kids?

[Luke Slaughter]

Not a single one.

[Wichita]

Yeah, that is peculiar. Usually they got young UN's festooned all over from the driver's box to the tailgate.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, I'm gonna spread out in the cut back there.

[Wichita]

Yeah, yeah, you do that, Luke. And you better unlimber your guns. You ain't had them off since you rode out of here before dawn.

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah, I'll drop them here on the desk.

[Wichita]

Pull your hat down over your eyes, Luke. Anybody come around asking fool questions, I'll take care of them.

[Luke Slaughter]

Thanks, Wichita. I sure wish I could find some trace of that killing.

[Wichita]

Oh, forget it. Now, Luke, I want to hear you snoring inside of two minutes. Carl justice can't get no deader in the ears right now. Evening, stranger. What can I do for you?

[Lanigan]

You can reach Mr.

[Wichita]

This is the office of the Cattlemen's association, stranger. Why the six gun?

[Lanigan]

I'm asking the questions. Who's the hombre on the bed?

[Wichita]

Why?

[Lanigan]

Answer me.

[Wichita]

Oh, him drunk, sleeping it off.

[Lanigan]

So you're a famous Luke Slaughter. A tombstone.

[Wichita]

What do you want, stranger?

[Lanigan]

That's what I wanted. Slaughter put you to sleep for a while.

[Luke Slaughter]

Wintertime. Winter time. I shouldn't have taken my guns off you. Get your wits back. I'll take over now.

[Wichita]

Hey.

[Lanigan]

Hey, Slaughter. Slaughter.

[Burwell]

They broke a window and I was fixing to rob a bank.

[Luke Slaughter]

Who was?

[Burwell]

There was two of them and now they're riding east out of town. Oh, well, ain't you gonna follow em?

[Luke Slaughter]

Why should I?

[Burwell]

Well, you're head of the posse for the cattlemen.

[Lanigan]

You're supposed to.

[Luke Slaughter]

What about that other rider headed west?

[Burwell]

He weren't nowhere near the bank. He come out of your office?

[Luke Slaughter]

That's right.

[Burwell]

Well, Slaughter, now look, we standing here yammering them thieves is getting that much farther.

[Luke Slaughter]

Did they get anything?

[Burwell]

No, but I told you they broke a window.

[Luke Slaughter]

I've got bigger problems than a broken window. Go chase them yourself.

[Burwell]

You. Well, the high handed cloud in the trail ways to wink at a plain case of lawbreak.

[Wichita]

What's going on anyway, Luke?

[Luke Slaughter]

I don't know, Wichita. I wish I did.

[Wichita]

Umbrella had no call to pistol whip me.

[Luke Slaughter]

He wouldn't have gotten away with it if I'd had my guns. But remember, he thought he was pistol whipping me. Wichita.

[Wichita]

Gee, that's right. Well, ain't you gonna try to chase him down?

[Luke Slaughter]

No, it's almost dark. Besides, who would you chase? The two riding east who broke the window in the bank or the one riding west who dented your skull?

[Wichita]

Clean getaway on all counts, huh?

[Luke Slaughter]

No, Wichita. I don't think so. I've got an idea right now. Let's get over to the old docks and get a plaster for your scalp. You might need your head before the night's out.

[Wichita]

Luke, you ain't told me one blame thing about where we're going or what you're up to.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'm not sure myself.

[Wichita]

Well, just riding in the moonlight won't get us nowhere. Besides, I'd think you'd. You'd had yourself enough riding for one day.

[Luke Slaughter]

I have. I don't cotton to a stranger cracking you over the side of the head with a pistol.

[Wichita]

Yeah, I appreciate that, Lou.

[Luke Slaughter]

But there are some other things that just don't fit.

[Wichita]

Such as?

[Luke Slaughter]

Now why did those bank robbers break a window? That's noise. The last thing a thief wants.

[Wichita]

Why? Dogies. That's right. But that still don't explain why we're night riding out here a mile west of town, headed for California.

[Luke Slaughter]

We're not going that far. Witcher Town rain up.

[Wichita]

Stand still. Yeah. Now what?

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, I figure the wagon train that came through town just before sundown couldn't have gotten any further than mule crossing before it bedded down.

[Wichita]

What of it?

[Luke Slaughter]

I'm going to pay him a visit.

[Wichita]

Luke, this ain't no time for being social.

[Luke Slaughter]

This isn't social, Wichita. This is business.

[Wichita]

You think that wagon trade had something to do with all these things been going on?

[Luke Slaughter]

Maybe. You wait here behind these rocks and don't move out for anybody. I'll whistle when I come back.

[Wichita]

Why you want me to stay here?

[Luke Slaughter]

Because I think I'm gonna need you later.

[Wichita]

Hope you know what you're doing.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'll know better in a half hour.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Luke Slaughter]

So long.

[Wichita]

So long. Dead bling. Tight mout.

[Lanigan]

Hold up and don't you turn around.

[Luke Slaughter]

Evening.

[Lanigan]

What's your business, stranger?

[Luke Slaughter]

I want to talk to the boss of this wagon train.

[Lanigan]

Why?

[Luke Slaughter]

Are you the boss?

[Lanigan]

No.

[Luke Slaughter]

Then I'm talking to the wrong man. Where's your boss?

[Lanigan]

Put up your hands and move on slow.

[Wichita]

Hey, Bur.

[Lanigan]

Yeah, this is Lanigan. I'm coming in.

[Wichita]

Come on in. Don't sit out there and yell about it.

[Lanigan]

I got me a snooper.

[Wichita]

Well, that's different.

[Lanigan]

Here he is, Burwell, riding in like he owned the camp.

[Burwell]

Yeah, we ain't much for visitors when they come at us in the dark, Mister. What you want?

[Luke Slaughter]

Some information.

[Burwell]

What kind?

[Luke Slaughter]

How many people in your train, where you're headed, where you camped last night, and where you were on the trail the day before.

[Lanigan]

That nosy, ain't he?

[Luke Slaughter]

Maybe you gents ought to know my name.

[Burwell]

Well, what is it?

[Luke Slaughter]

Slaughter. Luke Slaughter.

[Lanigan]

He ain't Luke Slaughter.

[Burwell]

Shut up, mannequin. I'll handle this.

[Luke Slaughter]

Just who did you think I was, Lanigan?

[Lanigan]

Why, I, I.

[Burwell]

We're pleased to make your acquaintance, Lauder. My name is Burwell. Why don't you light and enjoy the fire?

[Luke Slaughter]

Thanks. Burwell.

[Burwell]

About those questions of yours. Why do you want to know about us?

[Luke Slaughter]

For your own protection. It was a murder 10 miles east of Tombstone early last night. We haven't found the killer yet.

[Burwell]

A bushwhacking, huh?

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah. And whoever did it got away with several thousand dollars in gold.

[Burwell]

Oh, say, that's too bad.

[Luke Slaughter]

There's a couple of other things, too. Just after you passed through town before sunset, there was an attempt to rob the bank.

[Burwell]

You don't say.

[Luke Slaughter]

And a good friend of mine named Wichita got pistol whipped while that was happening. What the hell?

[Burwell]

Things are kind of active in Tombstone, ain't they? Well, now, you don't think that my little outfit.

[Luke Slaughter]

I think that your outfit might be in for trouble if it met up with any of these lawbreakers. I see those questions, Burwell.

[Burwell]

Oh, sure, sure, slaughter. Well, there's 11 of us. There's eight men, three women. We left Dodge City several weeks ago, headed for the ocean. Camped on the trail last night. No special place.

[Luke Slaughter]

Have you seen anything or anybody unusual?

[Burwell]

No, no. Can't say I have.

[Luke Slaughter]

Well, keep your eyes open, Burwell. I wouldn't want to see an innocent wagon Train get dry gulched.

[Burwell]

Oh, we'll do that, Slaughter. Mighty nice of you to ride out to Dallas.

[Luke Slaughter]

Friendly thing to do, I figure.

[Burwell]

Now, we ain't got much by way of hospitality, but I could lay the dust a little for you.

[Luke Slaughter]

Now, that'd go down real good on

[Burwell]

a night like this, Molly. Yeah, Hank, Bring the whiskey. A man's gonna have to forget his manners out on the trail, Slaughter.

[Molly]

Here's the jug, Hank.

[Burwell]

Well, this here is Luke Slaughter. Molly, she is my wife.

[Luke Slaughter]

Howdy, ma'.

[Burwell]

Am.

[Molly]

Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Slaughter.

[Burwell]

Why don't you try this for size?

[Luke Slaughter]

Thanks. Just right.

[Burwell]

Well, it's turning into a cold night. Have another.

[Luke Slaughter]

No, thanks. That does it. It's time I got back to town. Oh, by the way, Mrs. Burwell, one thing has me curious.

[Molly]

What's that, Mr. Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

Every wagon train I've ever seen carried at least half a dozen kids. You don't seem to have any.

[Molly]

Some people don't have children, I guess.

[Burwell]

That's right.

[Luke Slaughter]

It was just a thought.

[Burwell]

You're being pretty personal, ain't you, Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

I didn't mean to be so long, Lanigan. Maybe we'll meet up again sometime.

[Lanigan]

Yeah. Yeah, sure.

[Luke Slaughter]

Like I said, Burwell, be careful. Adios.

[Narrator]

In a moment, Luke's Slaughter of Tombstone returns on CBS Radio's Gunsmoke. Today, a colorful character named Livy learns that arson is a crime, no matter what the motive. Livy doesn't want her son to grow up like his alcoholic father. Her notion of how to keep the boy from drinking is set afire to every saloon in Dodge City. When she threatens to act on her idea, however, she lights the fuse on an explosive situation for Marshal Matt Dillon as well as for herself. For adventure in the west as our pioneers knew it. Hear this thrilling episode of Gunsmoke later today on CBS radio. And now, Act 2 of William N. Robeson's production of Luke Slaughter of Tombstone.

[Wichita]

About time you was getting back, Luke. I was beginning to know all the coyotes by name.

[Luke Slaughter]

It was worth it with your tongue. I've been talking to the man that pistol whipped you a few hours ago.

[Wichita]

He was.

[Luke Slaughter]

And after that bunch has had a chance to think it over, I think we'll both be talking to him.

[Wichita]

It makes sense. Will you, Luke?

[Luke Slaughter]

That wagon train, Wichita. It's the headquarters for everything that's been happening around here lately.

[Wichita]

It is? Well, you just ain't gonna leave them out there and let him go on.

[Luke Slaughter]

No. Unless I'm dead wrong, they're gonna send a man gunning for me. And I think I know who it'll be.

[Wichita]

That pistol whipper.

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah. Listen. That's one horse, Luke, and one rider. He's gotta slow down to get through these rucks. When he does, jump him.

[Wichita]

That will be a pleasure. Hey.

[Molly]

Hey.

[Luke Slaughter]

Don't reach or I'll drop you.

[Lanigan]

What is this?

[Luke Slaughter]

Get his guns, Wichita.

[Wichita]

Already got him, Luke.

[Lanigan]

Slaughter.

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah, Lanigan. Slaughter.

[Wichita]

Can't a man ride into town for

[Lanigan]

a peaceful drink without being ambushed?

[Luke Slaughter]

Light.

[Lanigan]

But I don't see why.

[Luke Slaughter]

Get off that horse.

[Lanigan]

Yeah, sure, sure.

[Luke Slaughter]

Lanigan, I want you to meet a friend of mine. Wichita, this is the man who laid that gun barrel alongside your ear this evening.

[Wichita]

I ought to kill you same as I would a skunk.

[Lanigan]

Ah, wait a minute boys.

[Luke Slaughter]

It's against my nature to fight an unarmed man. Lanigan. Any one of his guns, Wichita. Barrel first, Luke. Now put it in your holster, Lanigan. And you're welcome to use it anytime you want to.

[Lanigan]

Slaughter, I, I.

[Luke Slaughter]

Tell me the real story about that wagon train, Lanigan.

[Lanigan]

Why, I don't know what you're talking about.

[Luke Slaughter]

Have you ever been pistol whipped?

[Burwell]

No.

[Molly]

No.

[Luke Slaughter]

You're about to learn what it feels like. Unless you care to draw.

[Lanigan]

Slaughter. For the love of heaven, don't.

[Luke Slaughter]

You killed Carl Justice.

[Lanigan]

But I never heard of no Carl justice.

[Luke Slaughter]

He had 10,000 dol and gold yesterday.

[Lanigan]

What's that?

[Luke Slaughter]

Who killed him? You tell me or I'm going to rake a gun sight through your left ear. Talk or draw. An. Who killed him? You want another one?

[Lanigan]

No, no. It was Burwell. He told me not to but he, he put up a fight and, and, and Burwell.

[Luke Slaughter]

A man doesn't fight with his back. Where did you pistol whip Wichita?

[Lanigan]

Well, it was Burwell's idea. He heard about you and he thought that if you was laid low for a while people would want to go after whoever.

[Luke Slaughter]

That's what I figured.

[Lanigan]

Yeah. Then a couple of the boys broke that window in the bank to make it look like.

[Luke Slaughter]

Burwell's a pretty smart man, isn't he?

[Lanigan]

Oh yeah, he sure is.

[Luke Slaughter]

But he made the mistake of getting feather headed yellow gunslingers like you to work for him.

[Lanigan]

Look, you can't call me.

[Luke Slaughter]

I am calling you. If it isn't true, draw. Take his gun, Wichita. He won't use it.

[Lanigan]

Or Slaughter. Please give me a chance. Just let me go and I'll go back to Dodge and I'll never come out this way again.

[Luke Slaughter]

Witcher. Time. Head his horse back toward camp and give it a slap.

[Wichita]

Sure, Luke.

[Lanigan]

Whatcha gonna do, Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

I'm gonna use you for bait. Wichita. You walk him back into town.

[Wichita]

Where are you going?

[Luke Slaughter]

I'm not through here yet. Oh, and get a message to Sutton. Tell him to wake up the posse and spread him around the cattleman's office ready to shoot.

[Wichita]

You can't face that whole wagon train by yourself.

[Luke Slaughter]

I won't have to, Wichita. When Lanigan's horse gets back to camp, they'll know something went wrong. And most of them will go to town looking for me. That's why I want that posse standing by.

[Wichita]

Well, what do you want me to do with this here tail dragon specimen when I get him back to town?

[Luke Slaughter]

Tie him up in the back room of the cattleman's office and wait for me. Oh, and don't light any lanterns.

[Wichita]

You don't have no objections if I have to ruffle this waddy up some, do you?

[Luke Slaughter]

None at all.

[Wichita]

They come on, you walk.

[Luke Slaughter]

Get your hands up, all of you.

[Molly]

Who's out there, Luke?

[Luke Slaughter]

Slaughter, man. Now do as I tell you.

[Molly]

What you holding a gun for Slaughter?

[Luke Slaughter]

Are there any guards out?

[Molly]

No. All the men folk rode into town a while back.

[Luke Slaughter]

I liked your hospitality so well, Mrs. Burwell, I came back for some more of it.

[Molly]

Didn't Put that gun away. You don't need that.

[Luke Slaughter]

I think I might. You see, Mrs. Burwell, I know the whole story.

[Molly]

What do you mean?

[Luke Slaughter]

Lanigan talked, that's what I mean.

[Molly]

Well now that puts a different light on things.

[Luke Slaughter]

How so?

[Molly]

Burwell lied to you about me.

[Luke Slaughter]

He lied about everything.

[Molly]

But this is important. I'm not his wife.

[Luke Slaughter]

What of it?

[Molly]

You're a good looking man, Mr. Slaughter. Makes some woman a fine husband. A rich woman, Luke.

[Luke Slaughter]

Meaning?

[Molly]

I know where there's a sack of gold big enough to last a man and a woman like you and me for the rest of our lives.

[Luke Slaughter]

I'll bet you do.

[Molly]

Why don't you call me Molly?

[Luke Slaughter]

All right, Molly.

[Molly]

Have you ever kissed a high spirited woman, Luke?

[Luke Slaughter]

Why don't we get rid of the company first?

[Molly]

What do you want to do with them?

[Luke Slaughter]

Tie him up spread eagled on a wagon wheel.

[Molly]

You sure are smart. We're gonna get along fine.

[Luke Slaughter]

Now, about that gold, Molly.

[Molly]

Ah, no hurry, is there?

[Luke Slaughter]

You might as well tell me.

[Molly]

No, I don't know as I can trust you yet.

[Luke Slaughter]

No, no you don't.

[Molly]

But I want to. It's in a chest in the lead wagon.

[Luke Slaughter]

Thanks. Now stand over there with the rest of them.

[Molly]

What?

[Luke Slaughter]

I'm gonna tie you up, too? Molly Slaughter. If I had a gun, I know I'd be dead. Just like Carl Justice.

[Wichita]

Is that you, Luke?

[Luke Slaughter]

Yeah.

[Wichita]

What's that sack you're carrying?

[Luke Slaughter]

The gold that belonged to Karl Justice. Burwell show up?

[Wichita]

Yeah, with six of his partners. Come up on the boardwalk out front. Thought they was gonna break in for a minute, but they decided against it. Heard one of them say it'd make too much commotion.

[Luke Slaughter]

Where'd they go?

[Wichita]

Right across the street there to the Oriental.

[Luke Slaughter]

That means when we fire up some lanterns, we'll have visitors. Is the posse spread out?

[Wichita]

Just like you said. On the roof of the Oriental. On top of the bank. The dry goods store and express company.

[Luke Slaughter]

Good. How's Lanigan?

[Wichita]

Well, he's gonna have a sore head before he hangs. I had to persuade him just a little before he'd go to sleep.

[Luke Slaughter]

Too bad. Yeah. Well, let's get this over with. I'm going out the front door. You light the lamps in the office.

[Wichita]

By jogies. This does my old heart good.

[Luke Slaughter]

There he is now, boys.

[Burwell]

Come on.

[Luke Slaughter]

Stay where you are, Burwell.

[Burwell]

Now, Slaughter boys and me just want to talk to you.

[Luke Slaughter]

Do you? Talking from right there?

[Burwell]

I don't like to shout up and down the street.

[Luke Slaughter]

I do. Before you say anything else, I think you ought to know that you're covered by 18 guns. 20, including mine. And in case you think I'm not telling the truth. I'll ask the men on the top of the bank to speak up. Now, just what did you want to talk about, Burwell?

[Burwell]

Let's forget it, Slaughter. Me and the boys will be moseying along now.

[Luke Slaughter]

No, you won't. I've got some talking to do. Your women folk are tied up to the wagons out at your camp. One of your gunslingers is tied up in the office behind me. And he talked. And this, burwell, this is $10,000 in gold that I got out of your lead wagon. It belonged to Carl justice before you killed him. You got anything to say now, Burwell? I reckon you said it all then. Drop your guns and step forward, all of you. All right, men, close in and take them.

[Wichita]

Luke, that is the dangest thing I ever seen. Got every single one of them and didn't smoke up the town a bit.

[Luke Slaughter]

Sometimes you're lucky. Wichita. Don't fool around with a red hot branding iron until you're ready for the roundup.

[Narrator]

Looks Slaughter of Tombstone starring Sam Buffington. Was written by Alan Botzer and directed by William N. Robeson. Editorial supervision by Tom Handley. Supporting Mr. Buffington were Gene Carson, Junius Matthews, Lawrence Dobkin and Chet Stratton, with music composed and conducted by Amerigo Marino. Next week at this time we return

[Luke Slaughter]

with Slaughter's the Name Luke Slaughter when we meet up again. You can call me that Luke Slaughter.

[Narrator]

This is the cbs radio network.

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