Old Man Hastings | Dr. Sixgun (Unknown)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns – Dr. Sixgun: “Old Man Hastings”

Episode Date: March 20, 2026
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Featured Cast: Carl Weber (Dr. Sixgun), William Griffiths (Pablo the Gypsy Peddler), William Keene (Clint Travers), Kenny Delmar (Old Man Hastings)
Podcast Theme: Digitally Restored Classic Western Radio Drama

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Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns presents a digitally restored broadcast of “Old Man Hastings” from the classic series Dr. Sixgun. Journey back to the cattle trails of the 1870s West, where Dr. Gray Matson—known as Dr. Sixgun—joins a rugged drive north to Abilene, tasked with both medical duties and surveying safe watering places for the Army. The story centers around Old Man Hastings, a stubborn, legendary cattle boss with a failing heart, determined to ride the trail one last time. Themes include pride, mortality, loyalty, changing times, and the fading glory of the old West.

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Key Discussion Points and Narrative Highlights

Setting the Scene: Frenchman’s Ford and the Call to Adventure

• Pablo’s Opening Reflection (03:10):
  • Pablo, the gypsy peddler, draws a parallel between the dusty towns of the West and ancient caravan stops, introducing himself and Dr. Sixgun as itinerant wanderers.
  • Memorable quote:

    “Who am I? I, Pablo the Gypsy Peddler. And this is my friend Midnight, just passing through...” (Pablo, 03:20)

• The pair joins Clint Travers in a sun-soaked saloon, where Clint floats an unusual proposition.

The Protagonist’s Motivation & Old Man Hastings’ Stubbornness

• Clint Travers proposes (05:35): Dr. Sixgun join their cattle drive, not as a cowhand but as their physician—prompted by the failing health of Old Man Hastings.
• Old Man Hastings’ fiery refusal (07:31):
  • The old trail boss rebuffs any suggestion he’s unfit or requires medical attention.
  • Notable outburst:

    “Ain't nothing wrong with me. I'm as strong as I ever was. I cannot wrasse out, drink out, gun any man south of the Brazos river!” (Hastings, 07:43)

Undertaking the Cattle Drive North

• Doc’s army orders sway him (08:50):
  • He’s tasked to scout water and safe camps for future troop movements.
  • Pablo narrates their journey up the old beef trail, alongside colorful punchers and heated rivers.
• The dangers of the trail (10:11–13:00):
  • Old stories of outlaw attacks; Hastings insists on being armed and vigilant.

Crossing the Brazos: Life and Death on the Trail

• Crossing the Brazos River (12:07):
  • The most perilous river stirs apprehension; most notably, old man Hastings defies caution, nearly drowning.
• Dramatic rescue (14:00):
  • Doc pulls Hastings from the water—an event that leaves Hastings unconscious for five hours.
  • Aftermath:

    “You’re lucky he did follow you. He pulled you out of the Braces like you was a drowned puppy.” (Clint Travers to Hastings, 14:46)

• The emotional toll: They lose “Jose”, a skilled Mexican cowhand, to the treacherous river.

The Long Hard Trail: Disillusion and Changing Times

• Nighttime campfire philosophy (18:13–19:47):
  • Clint and Doc discuss the shifting fortunes of cowhands, dependence on the cattle market, and the creeping advance of the railroad.
  • Clint laments:

    “Ain’t that way no more... Most all big men. Hastings is about the last of the small outfit.” (Clint, 18:59)

The Encounter with the Comanche

• Approaching the Red River (21:00–24:35):
  • The drive faces a tense moment as a lone Comanche approaches, believed at first to be a threat.
  • Instead, the warrior is starving, his people betrayed by bad government rations.
  • Dr. Sixgun interprets:

    “Says he put on his war paint to ride out to die. But he kept thinking of the women and the children. Hungry. So he’s begging for a cow.” (Dr. Sixgun, 24:03)

  • Hastings quietly orders the hands to give the Comanche a steer—compassion overriding pride.

The Final Leg and Old Man Hastings’ Truth

• Fatigue and revelation (26:28–28:50):
  • Hastings confides in Doc, admitting he knew his condition was serious.
  • Poignant confession:

    “I wanted to see it again... I pushed the first herd up this trail. I might as well get one more look at it before I quit.” (Hastings, 26:44–27:10)

  • The trail, for Hastings, is not a way of life but the sum of his life—a last connection to his glory days.

The End of the Trail: Hastings’ Passing

• Abilene at last and heartbreak (28:39–30:50):
  • As they crest a rise and see Abilene, Clint and Doc discover Hastings dead in his saddle—his dream achieved but at great cost.
  • Haunting final image:

    “There, sitting straight in the saddle, his hands resting lightly on the horn, the old man rode the end of the long cattle trail toward Abilene...” (Pablo, 29:49)

  • Doc reflects:

    “Funny. Swam the Brazos river, rode through rain and storms. And then it comes, just quiet like this.” (Dr. Sixgun, 30:19)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the futility and dignity of age:
  • “I opened up that trail. I drove the first herd of cows north of St. Joe, Missouri, right after the war... You asking me do I realize?” (Hastings, 07:46)
• On the vanishing West:
  • “To them, the Chisholm Trail is just a long drink of dust between paydays. Well, I reckon it's something different to me. I suppose it is. Well, it's about over, and I seen it once again.” (Hastings & Dr. Sixgun, 28:33)

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Important Segments with Timestamps

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Pablo sets the scene | Caravan towns, parallels to the West | 03:10 | | Clint asks Doc to join the herd | Doc learns of Hastings' failing heart | 05:35–07:31| | Doc persuaded by the Army order | Motivation for Doc’s ride with the drive | 08:50 | | Crossing the Brazos—The rescue | Hastings nearly dies; Jose is lost | 13:00–15:38| | Fireside reflections | The hard life, cattle wars, the railroad’s advance | 18:13–19:47| | Comanche encounter | The lone warrior, starvation, and mercy | 21:00–24:35| | Hastings confides to Doc | Mortality, pride, the trail’s meaning | 26:28–28:50| | Hastings dies at trail’s end | Reaching Abilene, poignant death | 29:14–30:50|

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Tone & Style

• Language: Rugged, plainspoken, laced with the poetry of the Western frontier; touches of dark humor and world-weariness.
• Atmosphere: Tense and bittersweet, balancing harsh realities with moments of dignity and compassion.

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Conclusion

Old Man Hastings is a meditative Western, blending adventure with melancholic reflection on obsolescence, pride, and the inexorable march of time. The digitally restored audio brings new vividness to both the physical landscape—howling rivers, dusty trails—and the emotional journey of its characters. This episode is a must for fans of classic radio drama and those who appreciate timeless, character-driven storytelling from the American frontier.

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Transcript

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

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[Howie Mandel]

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Across the rugged Indian territory rides a tall young man on a mission of mercy. His medical bag strapped on one hip, his six shooter on the other. This is Dr. Six Gun. The National Broadcasting Company brings you another episode in the exciting adventure series Dr. Six Gun. Gray Matson MD Was the gun toting frontier doctor who roamed the length and breadth of the old Indian territory. Friend and physician to white man and Indian alike, the symbol of justice and mercy in the lawless west of the 1870s, this legendary figure was known to all as Dr. Six Gun.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

In the old country. There are many places which are famous not for being themselves, but for being on the Road to somewhere else. Nijni Novgorod, Samarkand, Marseille. All of these are merely places to change horses, to fill water skins or to catch a boat for somewhere else. The wells with the desert concrete, the shallow places and the vast rivers, these become the cities of the world. It is the same way here in the territory. I suppose I am the only one who ever thought of comparing the town of Frenchman's Ford to Nijda Novgorod. But then, I am a very unusual person. Who am I? I, Pablo the gypsy peddler. And this is my friend Midnight, just passing through. You see, he is a raven, but he too is a traveler from here to there. The similarity between the towns of the territory and the ancient caravan stops first occurred to me when I rode the great cattle trail from Texas north to the railroads. I had traveled down to the Rio Grande with my friend Dak6 gone. And now together we sat in a small adobe saloon and tried to pretend that the sun outside was not frying our brains. Right through the roof with us was Clint Travers, a lean, sad looking man burnt by the sun to the color of an old saddle.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Figuring on heading north soon, Doc?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

I suppose I came down on an army order. As soon as that's finished, I can head back.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

What for? Is the army bringing the sawbones clear down to Texas? We got a couple of medicos between here and the Panhandle.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Well, I had some experience up in the territory with a water fever. Ran across an herb medicine that seems to work. The army wondered if it'd do any good down here along the border.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Ain't nothing to do no good with the drinking water in this part of the state, Doc. There ain't a well in this here county that don't let you know right off that we make our living raisin beef.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

You may be right.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Although it looks like this draft of

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

mine does some good. Anyway, I'll be able to head home in about a week.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

How'd you like company on a trip, Doc?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Oh, I've got company.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

That's right. I'm riding north with Doc. We'll make a happy caravan, Doc, me and of course, Midnight.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Doc, I got a proposition to put to you. We got a herd of long horns rounded up about 10 miles out of town. And in just about a week we were going to point them north up the Chisholm Trail. Doc, how'd you rock? I'd like to ride along with us

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

on a cattle drive. You'll be traveling pretty slow.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well, I know, but it's a long ride up north. And there's Comanches on the trail between here and Arkansas. Now, wouldn't you feel a might safer riding with us?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

What's on your mind, Clint?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well, just ask him, that's all.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Now come on. Riding north with a herd of longhorns isn't exactly the fastest way to get home.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I could make it worth your while.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

You must be real short of hands, Clint, if you want me to join your outfit.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well now, Doc, you know I didn't take you for an ordinary cow puncher. I meant come along with the outfit as a doctor.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

What are you talking about? Who ever heard of a Texas outfit on the long trail carrying a doctor?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well, I'll tell you the truth, Doc. We ain't exactly an ordinary outfit. The boss is old man Hastings.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

I still don't see why I need a doctor.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well, I tell you, Doc Schmidt over in Austin told him if he laid off, quit climbing on half broke broncos and wrestling yearlings for Brandon, he might live to be a hundred.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

What's wrong with him?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

His heart.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Well, a lot of heart cases live

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

for years if they take care of themselves. Sure, but they ain't men bound and determined to push a herd of longhorns up the Chisholm Trail to Abilene.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Hey, Clint, you don't mean old man Hastings wants to go with the outfit?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well, that ain't exactly it, Doc. He's just plain convinced that there ain't a steer going to get north of the Red River. Lesson he boots it over personal. And he swore up and down the Doc Smith was a lily livered carpenter who made a living taking splinters out of shirt tailed kids and holding ladies hands while they complained of a headache.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

He's going, Doc.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Come hell or high water, he is going. And that trail ain't no picnic. There's more rivers to cross than you can shake a stick at. And most every one of them like to drown a man. What do you say, Doc? Will you take the trail north with us?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Tell you what it will do, Clinton. I'll ride out with you and talk to the old man. Maybe I can persuade him to stay home. You get off my place, you all the same confounded pill porcelain. Ain't nothing wrong with me. I'm as strong as I ever was. I cannot wrasse out drinking out gun any man south of the Brazos river. Look, look, Mr. Hastings, Dr. Smith. Don't mention his name to me. I wouldn't trust that shoemaker to pull a thorn out of a dog's paw. He couldn't doctor a Sick pussycat. You realize what it'll be like for you on that trail? What do you mean, do I realize, you young lollygagger. I opened up that trail. I drove the first herd of cows north of St. Joe, Missouri, right after the war. $5 a head they was down here in Texas and $50 in the north. Just rounded me up a herd and lined them up with their tails pointed to Missouri and they're horns headed for Canada. You asking me do I realize? Go on, get out of here, Mr. Hasting. That's the trouble with these young woods colts these days. Ain't gon enough guts to take the trail. Ain't got enough guts to say boo to a goose. Now go on, get back to your physics and snake oil. Let a good cattle man go about his business.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

I do not think it was this strong opinion held by Mr. Hastings on the medical profession that finally made up Doc's mind. Actually, it was the United States army that swung the balance. There was a telegram from the Surgeon General's office asking Doc to survey the route north for safe watering places and fever free campsites in order to plan the route for transfer of troops the following spring. And so when the cowhands in the Hastings outfit rolled their blankets and slickers and climbed on their trail ponies, Doc and I were riding with them. They're all ready, Mr. Hastings.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

All right, then, point them.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Now get going.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

The first part of the route had the unromantic, though descriptive name of the old beef trail up from the Rio Grande to Austin. The cowhands on their wise and learned ponies dashed back and forth at the edge of the herd, shouting and whooping, riding 10 miles for everyone that the herd moved north. At San Antonio, we paused for a day as Clint Travers rode into town for supplies.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

All right, now you make sure you get enough rounds of ammunition this time.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

Sure.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Mr. Hastings.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Ain't got no notion of waking up some night to find a gang of cutthroat horse thieves making off with the Remuda and me fresh out of shells for my six shooter. Run into many outlaws on the trail, Mr. Hastings. Well, it wasn't but two years ago that some pack of miserable varmints shot Jess Allen clean out of the saddle while he was on night herd. What happened? Rest of the punchers come out of their blankets with their guns in their hands. Sounded like Antietam all over again. Well, sir, when it was all done, we buried Jess. Chucked six dead polecats under a bush at the side of the trail. Say, Clint?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Yeah?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Mr. Hasty, come to think of it, you better. Better bring back a couple of them new carbine rifles.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

North of Austin, we picked up the Chisholm Trail itself. The cattle pushed on along the dusty route that would bring them from the grasslands of Texas to an eventual final appearance in the slaughter Yards of St. Louis or Chicago.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Hey, Clint. Clank.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa there. Whoa. Hey, you all right, Doc?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Cook said you were looking for me.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

How is he, Doc? Oh, man. Think he's all right?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Now, look here, Clint.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I'm no Indian shaman.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

If he's got a bad heart, it can kick him over anytime.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I can't guess just when.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Say, why is the herd stopped?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Colorado River.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

I suppose we cross it.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

If we don't, Doc, we'll be driving these cattle clear up into the Rocky Mountains.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Sounds like quite a job. Swimming this herd across all the Colorado

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

ain't nothing at all. It's like taking a bath on a Saturday night. Wait till we hit the Brazos. Now there is a river.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

Clint was right. The Colorado was easy, as was the San Gabriel and the Lampasas. And then finally, we arrived one morning at the edge of a red, muddy Brazos River.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

What do you think, Clint?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

She's running mighty fast this year, Mr. Hastings.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Well, those longhorns ain't gonna fly across.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I reckon not.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Get the chuck wagon over and get a couple of fires. Going to be wet work getting over. Ms. Hastings. What do you want, pill pusher? I wanted to speak to you before you crossed the river. Well, I wondered if you'd take my satchel with you on the chuck wagon. What do you mean, with me? Well, you'll go over on the wagon, won't you? What intonation do you think I am, the cook? I'm the trail boss of this outfit. I got work to do. Well, now, you're not gonna swim that river. Now, look here, Doctor. I got to get my cows across that river. I'm freehand short as it is. If you think I figured a float across in the cook wagon like some confounded Moses in the bulrushes, you got another think. Now get out of my way. I'm a busy man.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

The cook and supply wagons were floated across the river with their teams. And then finally, the first of the cattle, wild eyed and bellowing with fear, were pushed into the rushing broad boat. The cow ponies dashed in and out of the shallow rapids, and the punchers waved their hats and screamed themselves hoarse to keep the line of steers moving into the rushing water.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Look out, George.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

Watch that big one there.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

To get it back alive.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

There was a vast, plaintive groaning from the cows as they felt the solid ground fall away from beneath their feet. And with only their horns and noses above the surface, they battled the churning brazos.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Keep them moving, Clint. Keep moving there. Look out. Tell that crazy Mexican to keep his horse out of the herd. He'll go under.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Hey, Homie, look out.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

The first of the cattle had scrambled out on the opposite shore when old man Hastings suddenly turned his Tony, tore the water and shouted, go, go, go.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

It's Hastings. It's Hasting. Great. Get up, people.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

Into the maelstrom of muddy water and grazed cattle. The old man drove his ponies, and Doc followed afterwards.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Over there is Jose. He's under. Throw him a rope. He. He didn't come out. He didn't. I told him to keep out of the mill. I told him. Out.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

Mr. Hastings.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Mr. Hastings, you all right? What are you doing here? I told you to quit following me.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well, you shouldn't talk like that to Doc, Mr. Hastings. You're lucky he did follow you. He pulled you out of the braces like you was a drowned puppy.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

What do you mean? Where am I? Five miles north of the river. What do you mean? How. How can we be. How come it's night? You've been unconscious for five hours, Mr. Hasting.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

You just peeled off that saddle into the river, Mr. Hasting. Doc grabbed a hold of you and swam it to the shore. He's been taking good care of you here ever since.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Well, I'm all right now. No call for you to force over me. Where are my boots? Oh, no, you. You better rest a while. What do you mean, rest? I got night herders to get out and pickets on the horse line.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I took care of that, Buff.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

You did all right. I guess I got kind of shook up in that river. Could happen to anybody. That's right, could. What happened to that fool Mexican riding his horse in the middle of the swimming herd?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I. I don't know, Mr. Hastings. We never found him. His horse got over all right.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Oh, he was a good cow puncher. Best hand with a rope I ever saw.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

He had a woman back on the Rio Grande.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Well, when we hit Abilene, we'll send his pay down.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Seems mighty hard. Couple of weeks paying gonna be much use for long.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

What do you mean, a couple of weeks? He signed on for the whole trip, didn't he? That's what he's got coming to him. Now, get out of my way. I gotta look at the herd. I thought you were Gonna rest. Oh, yeah, yeah. Now, mind you, there ain't nothing wrong with me. Of course not. Just tired, that's all. Don't you forget it. All right, Doc. Yeah, thanks. A mean fool fishing me out of the Bray roof. Oh, that's all right.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

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[Howie Mandel]

The Global Gaming League is presented by Atlas Earth, the fun cashback app. Hey, it's Howie Mandel and I am inviting you to witness history as me and my Howie do it Gaming team take on Gilly the King and Wallow267's million dollars gaming in an epic Global Gaming League video game showdown. Plus a halft performance by multi platinum artist Travy McCoy. Watch all the action and see who wins and advances to the championship match right [e-mail] that's globalgamingleague.com in partnership with Level Up Expo.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time, scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

We drove the herd around the edge of Fort Worth and pointed the long herd north again toward the valley of the Red River. The Knights were still on the prairie with only the grunting and coughing of the herd and the small sounds of animals in the night to break the stillness.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

More coffee, Doc? Here's a whole pot sitting on the coast.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Yeah, I've had enough.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

How do you like it, Doc? Riding the long trail, I can think

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

of easier ways to travel.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Yeah, I reckon someday they'll have the railroad clear down into Texas from the north. And then fellows like me will be clean out of a job.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

I Don't suppose that'll be for a while yet.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I reckon not. You know, it ain't much pushing them cows north. It's dust and sun and maybe washing away in the river like that, Jose. And all you got to look forward to is Abilene and payday.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

You ever thought of getting a spread of your own?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I don't reckon I hear tell right after the war you could do that. Fellas come back from the army found the whole state of Texas full of longhorns going wild. You could just go around and round them up and find yourself a stretch of free grasslands. And you were in business. Ain't that way no more. Most all big men. Hastings is about the last of the small outfit. No, I don't suppose there's anything for a fellow like me except punching cows

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

till one of them punches me. Suppose the cattle market breaks? Hard prices this year aren't what they were.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I don't even like to think about it.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Document.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

A couple years back there was a big drought and all outfits laid off hands. A lot of them just took to the badlands and turned to outlawing. They was perfectly good trow hands, but they got nothing left but their britches and six gun to get on with. So they just did the best they could. A lot of them hired out to the cattle wars up in the Panhandle.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Well, then, let's hope the Chisholm Trail outlives us all.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Amen to that, Doc. Oh, that reminds me. The old man got throwed this morning when he climbed on a fresh horse. I never see him get thrown off a bronc before. He got up, kind of holding onto his chest like a herd.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Yeah, I saw that.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

You reckon he'll make it, Doc?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

I don't know. The human heart's a very funny thing. Can take more punishment than a cast iron pot. One day just go snap. Hope I can be there to pick up the pieces.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

The Red river was another rushing graveyard for cattle and men. We lost a few head of stock, but no cowhands. Although one cutting horse slipped his hackamore rope and was washed downstream and drowned. But after the Red river fell behind the tower of dust from our herd, the drive became a little easier. Beaver Creek, Frost Creek and the Little Warshipel behind. And then one afternoon over a ridge, we saw suddenly silhouetted against the sky the figure of a man on horseback.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Whoa ho there. Whoa.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Mr. Hastings. I see him sitting in there. And isn't it? Yeah, looks like Pomasi.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

He's seen us.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Well, with the dust we're kicking up. He'd have to be deep, dumb and blind to miss us.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

What do you think? Captain Miles back at the Beaver Creek post didn't say anything about any Comanches on the war pack.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

I don't reckon every Comanche war party checks in with Captain Miles first. What are you gonna do, turn back? You know, sawbones, sometimes you just ask plain, foolish questions. Lint, tell the wrangler to keep the horses pushed up close together. And have all the hands make sure they got a full cartridge under the hammer. Think there'll be trouble? I don't rightly know, Doc. I'll tell you one thing. About 10 miles north of here, there's a hunk of board shoved into the ground. I set it there myself after we buried Bowleg Thomas. Now, I didn't want to put bow legging on a grave marker, so I just carved it out with my knife and wrote, killed by Indians. Well, we'll find out soon enough. He's riding down this way.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

As the Indian pony rode down on the herd from the ridge, we could see the feathered lance and the stretched buffalo hide shield painted in red and yellow. And across his back, the Comanche carried a modern breech loading rifle.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Here it comes. At least it's only one man. Well, maybe only one of them. But chances are behind that ridge is the whole war party.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I don't like the look of that rifle. Ain't much we could do against a couple dozen of those. Not with a herd of cattle to look after.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Here he comes. Keep your hand away from your gun, Doc. I'll talk to him. Peace, brother.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Friend.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

I ain't getting very far this way.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Maybe you don't speak no English. Well, he must want something.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

One lone Indian wouldn't ride in here to attack a whole outfit. Well, we ain't going to get nowhere. Just the both of us sitting on our horses, staring at each other. Hey, there, you. Oh, what do you want? What do you want from us?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Hey, he's talking, Mike.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Here, let me talk to him. I can speak some Spanish. He must have run into one of them Spanish missions out in the west there. Go ahead, Doc. See what he wants. I can't get anywhere shouting across 50ft of prairie.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I'll go over and talk to him.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Yes,

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

we got them carbine rifles broke out in the chain.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Good. Now, as soon as you see them, command. She's riding over the ridge. Get the herd into a mill. Get them going around into a circle so if they stampede, they won't get far. Send one of the hands. Back to Beaver Creek.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Shall I send him that?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

No, no. Hold on. He wouldn't get far when they attack. Somebody might get through in the confusion.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Hey, wait a minute. Here comes Doc back.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

What does he want? Doc? How many in the war party? One. And it isn't the war party. What do you mean? He's all alone. Says he's hungry. Hungry? Says they can't find any more game. Haven't seen a herd of buffalo in a year. I was supposed to get a shipment of beef from the government on the last treaty, but turned out rotten and they couldn't eat it. Oh, what does he want from us? A cow. He said his women are hungry and children. He said he put on his war paint to ride out to die. But he kept thinking of the women and the children. Hungry. So he's begging for a cow.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well, I'll be doggone. I never thought I'd see a Comanche come skulking up begging like a tame town Indian.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Shut up, Clint.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

What do you mean, Mr. Hastings?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

I said shut up. Ride back to the herd and tell one of the hands to cut out of steer. Drive it over here. What do you mean? You heard me, didn't you? Now get going. We got distance to cover.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well, yes, sir.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Yes, and don't bring me back one of them straggly tough ones, neither.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Yeah, all right, boss. Come on, get up.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Well, Fomancy. Well, I guess we're lucky. I guess we are.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

The rivers came on like squares on a chessboard, one after the other. The North Canadian Kingfisher Creek, the Cimarron, and creeks and streams without number. Day after day and night after night, the long herd pushed northward. It was a lonely journey with only an occasional rider or homesteader to see us go by Nine Mile Creek, Bullcat Creek, Slate Creek, and dance the Arkansas River.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

There you are, Doc. That's about the last river. Ain't but a week or so and we'll hit Abilene, get our throat wet with a little better than boiled out coffee or creek water.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

In the look of that last creek, you're better off if you boil the water as well as the coffee.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

How's that?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Well, Clint, there's kind of a new idea about drinking water. You see, bad water's got little. Well, sort of animals in it. So small that you can't see them. That isn't good.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well, I don't worry nothing about that, Doc. Any animal that size ain't gonna get very far against a cowpuncher. Come all the way up from Texas.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Well, maybe you're right.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

So you reckon that might be what bothering old man today?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Hastings?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Yeah. I never thought I'd see the day. He's sitting up there riding a chuck wagon right next to Cook.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Hey, maybe I better go see him.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Ain't but a short while the trail's end, Doc. Be a rotten shame if he corked out now.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

All right, now, don't you come pestering me, sawbones. Ain't nothing wrong with me. Just to saddle saw, that all saddle s things. I don't think you've walked more than 10ft since you were 8 years old. Saddle sore. Well, I'll tell you the truth. I do feel a little poorly. Well, I told you to be careful, Doc. I'll tell you a secret. Remember back in Austin when Doc Schmidt told me I wasn't too well? Yeah. Didn't want to tell nobody, but I reckon I believed him. I ain't felt right here for a long time. Why, you stubborn old fool. Why'd you come on the train? Well, I'll tell you the truth, Doc. I wanted to see it again. I ain't got no kin. Ain't nobody cares much what happens to me. It don't even matter who I leave my spread to. Them big outfits will gobble it up, no matter who it was. So I figured I pushed the first herd up this trail. I might as well get one more look at it before I quit. You're crazy. You could have dropped a dozen times swimming those rivers, taking your turn on night herd with the rest of the hand. Yeah, I know. Kind of disappointing, ain't it? Disappointing? I figured it'd be that way. What would you want me to do, Doc? Sit down there in the Rio Grande country and watch the longhorns pointing north? Set on the front porch of a house, watching the dust dwindling off in the distance? Figured I'd go right in the middle of things. Right on the trail somewheres. I've been thinking about that so much, it almost seems like a shame. It didn't happen that way. Yeah. I'll tell you the truth. I just didn't figure to see Abilene this trip. No way at all. Ah, you'll see it. And if you take care of yourself, you'll see Texas again for a good long time, I reckon. Oh, Doc. Don't mention nothing of this to Clint. None of the hands just seem wild and foolish to them. To them, the Chisholm Trail is just a long drink of dust between paydays. Well, I reckon it's Something different to me. I suppose it is. Well, it's about over and I seen it once again. From Texas north to Abilene. It's quite a ride, doc. Quite a ride.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

Then one day, just before sunset, Tim Travers rode back to us waving his hand.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

What is it now?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

I seen it. I seen it over the rise. Them ever loving, sweet smelling stockyard pen. Abilene. Abilene. And my fingers are itching to start heaving them silver dollars across the bar.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Hey, the trail's over there now.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Yeah, it's over all right. Come on, doc. We'll ride back and tell Mr. Hasting. Come, you beautiful hunky town.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Oh, there he is.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

Oh.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Oh, boy. Mr. Hastings. Mr. Hastings. Mr. Hastings. He don't hear me.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Wait a minute. Mr. Hastings. Clint, get off your horse.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

What's the matter? He's dead. Well, it can't be. Mr. Hastings. Oh, you're crazy, Doc. He's sitting on that horse as straight as a die.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Mr. Hastings is dead.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Get the horse.

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

There. Sitting straight in the saddle, his hands resting lightly on the horn, the old man rode the end of the long cattle trail toward Abilene. Propped straight by the high cantle of his stock saddle and the stiff leather of his shanks, he rode easily. The cow pony walked along as Clint Travers took hold of the reins and pulled the pony to a stop.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

The old man wavered and then fell

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

slowly from the saddle into doc's arms.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Funny. Swam the Brazos river, rode through rain and storms. And then it comes, just quiet like this.

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Look, dock, would you mind if we just don't tell the rest of the hands right now?

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Why not?

[Clint Travers (William Keene)]

Well, I. I don't know if it's respectful or not, but whether the old man's alive or dead, Doc, we got a herd of longhorns to get into the yards. They come a long way.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Yep, it's a long trail. But it's over now. You have been listening to Dr. Six Gun.

[Howie Mandel]

The Global Gaming league is presented by atlas Earth, the fun cashback app. Hey, it's Howie Mandel and I am inviting you to witness history as me and my Howie do it gaming team take on gilly the King and Wallow $267 million gaming in an epic global gaming league video game showdown. Plus a halftime performance by multi platinum artist Travy McCoy. Watch all the action and see who wins and advances to the championship match. Right [e-mail] that's globalgamingleague.com, in partnership with

[Megan McCardell]

level up expo has the news been getting you down. I'm Megan McCardell and I'm here to help. I'm the host of a new show from Washington Post Opinion called Reasonably Optimistic and it's an antidote to the pessimism that's riddling America right now. Every Wednesday I'm going to talk to people who see a path forward.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

It does seem to me that there is some awakening of a desire to act together to solve problems where they are.

[Howie Mandel]

You know, I am a believer believer in America and it's worth fighting for.

[Megan McCardell]

Join me Wednesdays on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Howie Mandel]

The Global Gaming League is presented by Atlas Earth, the fun cashback app. Hey, it's Howie Mandel and I am inviting you to witness history as me and my Howie Do It Gaming team take on Gilly the King and Wallow $267 million gaming in an epic Global Gaming League video game showdown plus a halftime performance by multi platinum artist Travy McCoy. Watch all the action and see who wins and advances to the championship match right now at global gaming league.com that's globalgamingleague.com in partnership with Level Up Expo.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Doc. Six Gun is played by Carl Weber and Pablo by William Griffiths. Tonight's script was written by Ernest Kanoy. Heard in the cast were Kenny Delmar as Hastina and William keene is Clint. Dr. Six Gun is a radio production

[Pablo the Gypsy Peddler (William Griffiths)]

of the National Broadcasting Company and directed by Harry Frazee.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Sam. Doctor 6 Gun, starring Carl Weber as the frontier doctor with William Griffith as Pablo. The Wandering Gypsy has come to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Ron W. Who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739 this episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

Sam,

[Megan McCardell]

Has the news been getting you down. I'm Megan McCardell and I'm here to help. I'm the host of a new show from Washington Post Opinion called Reasonably Optimistic and it's an antidote to the pessimism that's riddling America right now. Every Wednesday I'm going to talk to people who see a path forward.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

It does seem to me that there is some awakening of a desire to act together to solve problems where they are.

[Howie Mandel]

You know, I am a believer in America and that's worth fighting for.

[Megan McCardell]

Join me Wednesdays on your YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

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[Megan McCardell]

Has the news been getting you down? I'm Megan McCardell and I'm here to help. I'm the host of a new show from Washington Post Opinion called Reasonably Optimistic and it's an antidote to the pessimism that's riddling America right now. Every Wednesday I'm going to talk to people who see a path forward.

[Narrator / Dr. Six Gun (Carl Weber)]

It does seem to me that there is some awakening of a desire to act together to solve problems where they are.

[Howie Mandel]

You know, I am a believer in America and it's worth fighting for.

[Megan McCardell]

Join me Wednesdays on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.