The River Part 1 and 2 Full Episode – Gunsmoke, Season #18, Episode #1 and #2

Gunsmoke is an American Western series that ran from 1955 to 1975. The show’s stories follow Marshal Matt Dillon’s adventures as he fought to maintain peace and order around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The River is a two-part episode from season 18 of Gunsmoke.

Produced by Leonard Katzman, directed by Herb Wallerstein, and written by Jack Miller, the episode aired on September 11 and 18, 1972, respectively.

In The River’s first part, Matt Dillon flees in the Oregon wilderness with a prisoner, both running away from a gang of robbers that Charlie Utter led. The group managed to kill the prisoner in their pursuit. Meanwhile, they continue to chase after Matt, who has their bank loot worth $24,000. Later, Matt comes across two runaway orphans, Tuttle and Hannah Kincaid, drifting down the Rogue River. They eventually reach a mining town where they encounter a thief named Pierre and his partner, Paulette.

Part two continues to detail Matt’s escape from the gang of outlaws. The group succeeds in tracking Matt at the mining town. Together with the children, Matt and the pair of thieves escape on a raft. The group continues their rafting journey on the river as the gang of outlaws follow along the Rouge River bank.

Read the plot and behind-the-scenes trivia of the two-part episode, The River, or watch it below.

Watch the Full Gunsmoke Episode, The River Part 1

Watch the full episode of The River Part 1:

Watch the Full Gunsmoke Episode, The River Part 2

Watch the full episode of The River Part 2:

Gunsmoke The River Part 1 and 2 Cast

The following cast members acted in both parts of the Gunsmoke episode, The River:

• James Arness as Matt Dillon
• Milburn Stone as Doc (credit only)
• Amanda Blake as Kitty (credit only)
• Ken Curtis as Festus (credit only)
• Buck Taylor as Newly (credit only)
• Jack Elam as Pierre Audubon
• Miriam Colon as Paulette Duvalier
• Slim Pickens as Charlie Utter
• Patti Cohoon-Friedman as Hannah Kincaid (as Patti Cohoon)
• Clay O’Brien as Tuttle Kincaid
• Roger Torrey as Finn MacCool
• Jerry Gatlin as Lapin
• Boyd ‘Red’ Morgan as Suggs (as Red Morgan)
• Pete Kellett as Hodad
• Jack Perkins as Drunk
• Lloyd Nelson as Cardsharp
• Don Megowan as Lolo Grimes
• Gene Tyburn as Poe
• Chanin Hale as Apple Pie Lady
• Pete Logan as Addis
• Ron Manning as Stinson (as Ronald Manning)
• Dan Flynn as Store Clerk (as Daniel J. Flynn)

Full Story Line for Gunsmoke The River Part 1

Marshal Matt Dillon and a prisoner named Stinson run off to the Oregon wilderness along a river gorge. A group of outlaws is chasing them as Stinson is one of their members, and they have their $24,000 loot. A shooting ensues at some point, killing Stinson. After collecting the saddlebags containing the money, Dillon jumps off the river to escape. Assuming Dillon won’t get through the rapids alive, the gang returns to their horses to keep track of Dillon’s body somewhere along the river.

Meanwhile, two children, Hannah and Tuttle Kincaid, found Dillon on the river and assisted him to their raft. The gang finds them floating on the river, then starts shooting. Hannah and Tut paddle away, leaving the group to ride their horses to get across the river.

The children introduce themselves to Dillon as soon as he wakes up. Shortly after, they face the river rapids, which could have drowned them if it wasn’t for Dillon. The kids asked Dillon why the gang of outlaws was going after him. Dillon tells them it has something to do with Charlie Utter, which the children recognize.

Later, Hannah confesses that they were heading to Mississippi to meet with Joe Sang, the river pirate. She also tells Dillon that they lied about coming from Osceola so Dillon wouldn’t know where to return them. It appears the raft wasn’t from their father but something they found floating down the river. Lastly, Hannah reveals that they’re orphans who run away from the workhouse.

Dillon and the children stop by Jacob’s Crossing, where they’ve come across their rafting journey, to get a rifle and some supplies. Dillon asked the kids to stay at the raft and guard it. However, after Dillon left, Tut paid a local to watch their raft as they explored the town.

The kids come across a wheel of fortune. While watching, Tut finds the dealer cheating so that the players won’t win any game. He tells Hannah to place a bet loud enough for him to hear while he controls the dealer’s cheating machine. Hannah wins one round and goes for another as his brother does the work.

Meanwhile, several people in town watch as a trap robber gets tied to a tree. Dillon introduces himself as a United States Marshal in Dodge City. Still, Finn MacCool, a local, insists they got their law in Jacob’s Crossing. Finn and Dillon fight as Hannah and Tut continue to gamble. Finn and Dillon’s scuffle goes on the tent where Hannah and Tut are betting, knocking out the wheel and revealing Tut’s cheating.

To escape the crowd and the gang of outlaws who have caught up with them, Matt and the children head to their raft, where they find the thief and his wife, Paulette (the dealer from earlier’s game), riding with them.

Full Story Line for Gunsmoke The River Part 2

The group of outlaws succeeds in tracking Matt at Jacob’s Crossing. Together with Hannah and Tut, Matt and the pair of thieves, Pierre and Paulette, escape on a raft. They continue rafting through the river while the gang follows along the river bank.

A bullet from the shooting grazed Tut, so Paulette tended to his wound. Tut apologizes for cheating. Paulette tells her that regardless of the circumstances, cheating is cheating and will only cause him trouble. Paulette asks Tut why the kids are with Dillon. Tut explains how they saved his life, then lied about his father owning the raft.

Later, they find themselves on the Hell Gate Whirlpool. With Dillon’s paddling, they managed to get through the whirlpool safely.

Pierre asked Dillon to drop them off before Piety Hill as they disagreed with the authorities in that area. Pierre also wondered why Charlie Utter was tracking Dillon. Dillon tells him that he followed Charlie’s camp. When Pierre figured Dillon had the money the gang of outlaws robbed, Dillon changed the subject of their discussion to the river rapids.

The group took a break by the riverside to eat supper and spend the night there. Pierre brings Paulette her food as she sits from a distance. Paulette insists they leave before Dillon arrests them and puts them in jail. Pierre thinks otherwise, then assures Paulette that he’ll protect her.

Meanwhile, Hannah tells Dillon they don’t want to stop by Piety Hill as they wouldn’t want to stay with their mean aunt.

The following day, the group continued their trip down the river. After Paulette’s talk with Tut the previous night, she revealed to Pierra that she was happy to hear Tut call her “Mrs. Pierre.” Although their happiness is cut short because of their son’s death, Paulette tells Pierre that she wants another son once they are officially married. Pierre assures her they’ll marry when the time is right, sealing his promise with a kiss on her cheek.

They eventually reach the rapids, and even if Pierre fell from the raft, Dillon managed to pull him back. On the other hand, Charlie and his men were waiting on the Narrows for an ambush. A shooting ensues between Dillon and the outlaws. Dillon throws $5000 on the river to get Pierre and his Frenchmen to help him deal with Charlie and his gang, to which he agrees. The money thrown on the river lured a few of Charlie’s men who wanted to get the loot for themselves. Dillon, Pierre, and his Frenchmen successfully got Charlie and his men.

The group continues their journey and arrives at Piety Hill, where Pierre and Paulette are finally married. Meanwhile, Hannah and Tuttle flee from their aunt and continue rafting to meet Joe Snag.

Full Script and Dialogue of The River 1

There he goes!

Get him! Shoot him! Kill him!

After him, boys!

Don't let him get away.

There he is, there he is.

I can't go no further, Dillon.

Get up, Stinson,
get on your feet.




They've run into ground.

Masters, you work your way on
around yonder and get up above him.

Hodad, you go
back down that way.

Don't let him work
out that direction.

All right, the rest of you boys
kind of scatter around here,

and see if you can't
get a clear shot.

Wave when you're ready.

All right, Dillon.

Let's talk.

We got you cornered.

You can't get away.

Utter, I want you to
think of Stinson here.

Oh, I think a whole lot of him,

but I think a whole lot
more of that $24,000




you got stuffed in
them saddlebags, Dillon.

Charlie, don't let him kill me.

It ain't that much money.

It ain't that much money?

$24,000.

Get him, Masters.

He's gonna jump!

I think I see him.

There he is!

Hey, he's heading
around the bend.

Get him, men!

Shoot him! Kill him!

Don't let him get away!

He got away.

Oh, no, he ain't.

He'll never get through
them rapids alive.

- Suggs!
- Yeah?

Oh. Go get the horses and
meet us down around the bend.

- All right.
- Come on, men.

Let's keep track of his carcass.

♪♪

Look, his head's bleeding.

He's a sheriff!

No, he ain't. He's
a U.S. Marshal.

That's worse.

You ain't going through
his personal property.

He's a U.S. Marshal!

Tut.

Tut.

Lookie here!

What is it?

Well, would you look at that.

Kids on a raft.

That marshal's got
more lives than a tomcat,

but we got him this time.

Shoot to kill, boys.

Somebody's shooting at us.

Let's get out of here!
Get going, Hannah.

Stay down!

Shoot him! Don't let
him get away, boys!

They out of range!
They out of range!

All right, keep
pulling! Let's go!

What are you gonna
do now, Charlie?

We're gonna go after him.

Charlie, we ain't got a snowball's
chance in hell of catching him.

We'll get him.

Are you crazy, Charlie?

The onliest way we can
get down to down river

is on the other side.

And the only place we can
cross that river is ten miles up.

What did you bring them for?

You told me to bring
the horses, Charlie.

I don't mean the horses,

I mean them, you bonehead.

Well I couldn't just leave
'em there for the birds and all.

You know I always did have
a hankering for that watch.

Charlie, you're
being unreasonable.

By the time we get
across that river,

that marshal will be
halfway to Jacob's Crossing.

You mean to tell me

that you're willing to forget
that Dillon killed Masters?

Not to mention poor
old Stinson here.

Two of my closest,
personal friends.

Are you boys going to forget

that he's packing
down the $24,000

in them saddlebags?

Money that we worked
hard for in the first place.

Well, you can forget
it if you want to,

but I need to go and
do, I'm going a-huntin'.

Get out of my way.

What about the boys, Charlie?

Rest in peace, boys.

I ain't got time to bury you.

Come on, let's get riding.

Hey, look, Hannah, it's a hat.

Hannah: Must be the marshal's.

Tuttle: We ought to be safe now.

There ain't no way they
can come down after us.

See if he's breathing.

I don't hear nothing.

What do we do with him, Tut?

Push him back over.

We can't do that,
that'd be murder.

Not if he ain't
breathing it won't be.

Shoot.

What are we gonna do, Tut?

Let me think on it.

Why do you figure they
were shooting at him?

Seeing as much as I did,

maybe we could put ashore and
dump him before he wakes up.

You mean just leave him in the
woods, all banged up like that?

He's the law.

You want to go to jail for the
rest of your natural born life?

No, but I ain't gonna leave
him here to die, neither.

I swear, Hannah.

Put your brains
in a jay birds head,

and he'd fly backwards.

And what if them bad bellies
that was a-shooting come after us?

I ain't gonna leave him to die.

- What about the money?
- Let's steal it.

Tut.

Too late.

Don't you tell him nothing.
Let me do the talking.

Marshal, are you all right?

I think so.

You was being shot at.

And you got slammed
up alongside a rock.

Me and Tut pulled
you on the raft here.

Yeah, I remember that.
I sure want to thank you.

Them that was a-shooting
at you, them be outlaws?

Yeah, they sure were.

What are you two doing out here?

Well, this here's my sister Hannah,
and my name's Tuttle Kincaid.

Who are you?

My name's Matt Dillon.

I'm from Dodge City, Kansas.

Where are you two from?

We come from upriver a ways.

Up around Wathena?

No, sir, it's a bit farther up.

Actually, we come from Osceola.

Our pa owns this here raft.

He told us to take
it downriver for him.

- That so?
- Yes, sir.

- This belongs to our pa.
- That's what I just told him.

Uh-huh, and where
are you headed?

Piety Hill.

Well, I appreciate what you did.

I won't forget it, either.

Heck, Marshal, you don't
owe us nothing, much.

How long you two
been on the river?

Don't rightly remember.
Four or five days, maybe.

This Piety Hill you were
talking about. How far is it?

About this far on the map.

We figure it'd take us about
four days from yesterday.

- Do you have the map?
- Hannah lost it over the side.

Did not. It blew away
when you wasn't looking.

Well, is there any other
towns between here

- and Piety Hill along the river?
- Never heard of none.

There's a small spot on the
map named Jacob's Crossing.

That kinda sounds
like a town, don't it?

I sure hope so.

Tut, you read the
river pretty good, huh?

I know every nook and cranny

a catfish ever took
a mind to hide in.

I read the river like
a hog reads slop.

Heading into the
rapids. Hang on.

Get down, both of
you. Hang on tight.

Hang on.

♪♪

Tuttle: We made it, Marshal.

Hannah: We never ran
into anything like that before.

Matt: Hope we don't
run into any more.

I don't know how much
this old raft can take.

Tuttle: Not so tight, Marshal.

I stubbed it pretty bad.

Matt: Oh, I think it'll heal.

Food's ready.

There we go.

Marshal, you never said
how come them outlaws

was a-shooting at you.

Tut, maybe that's private
marshaling business.

And if we wants us
to know, he'll say.

It ain't polite to ask.

Tuttle: Well, I figured
we got a right to know,

seeing we saved his life.

Did you ever hear
of Charlie Utter?

Yes, sir.

Everyone on the river
knows Charlie Utter.

Heard he's crazier
than a ganny-nipper

due to some horse kicked him
in the head when he was a baby.

He's the one?

He's the one. That
scare you, does it?

I ain't scared none.

Me neither.

I ain't scared a hair of it.

Not as long as
you're here, Marshal.

Well, you two are mighty brave.

Marshal, you figure Charlie
Utter's gonna come following?

He might, Hannah.

If he does, we're gonna
have our work cut out for us.

Charlie: Ride, you yahoos!

Dang blood thirsty skeeters.

About worse than a
nervous doo-doo bug.

Gotta keep the spit
knocked out of it.

It gets all gummed up in there.

- We gotta tie up for the night, Marshal?
- Well, I don't know.

If it stays smooth like this,
I think we'll just keep going.

Care if I smoke?

Been smoking since
I was crawdad bait.

That so?

Prefer Old Creepy
in the can best.

But I ran clean out yesterday.

Picked some kah-nit kah-nit.

We were put up last night.

Hear it's next best.

Might stronger than Old Creepy.

Injuns use it a lot.

But it's okay.

Sure smells good.

I think I'll rest a bit.

Are you a real strict lawman?

Well, there are
some would say so.

I'm real scared of that.

Marshal, do we have
to go to Piety Hill?

I thought that's where
you were headed.

Well, it is in a way.

Marshal, can I ask you
something secret and confidential?

Well, sure, I guess so.

Have you ever told a lie?

Well, I've told a few.

But I always felt
pretty bad afterwards.

So do I.

And I've been
telling a lot lately.

Seems to be the
times call for it.

That so?

Where are you and
Tut really headed?

Why, Piety Hill
like we told you.

I got a hunch
you're running away.

Where are you headed
for, California or something?

No, we ain't running away.

We're going down to Mississippi
to join up with Joe Snag.

Joe Snag the river pirate?

He's the best there is.

We heard about him
all the way up from Alvin.

I thought you told me
you were from Osceola.

Tut just said that so you wouldn't
know where to take us back to.

I bet you stole this
raft, too, didn't you?

Yes, sir.

But it wasn't outright
stealing, exactly.

More like borrowing.

We just found it
floating down the river,

and there was no one on it.

What about your folks?
Aren't they worried about you?

Ain't got none.

Don't tell Tut I told
you, but we're orphans,

and we've run away
from the workhouse.

Charlie: Whip him
over and under, boys!

I can almost feel that money

bunching in my pockets.

All right put 'em
in, you yahoos.

We're going across.

We're gonna get him.

We're gonna get him for sure!

♪♪

Marshal, looks like
something's up ahead.

You figure it's that
Jacob's Crossing?

Well, we'll find out.

Hey, Marshal, look at that.

It's a whole town
made out of tents.

I've never seen
anything like that before.

All right, Tut, tie it up.

Can we stay here a while?

Just long enough to get
a rifle and some supplies.

Why don't you two stay on
board and look after the raft?

- Aw, Marshal.
- We'll just take a look around.

- We won't do nothing wrong.
- Come on, Marshal.

We ain't seen a
place like this before.

Looks like there's
a lot of things to do.

Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of.

I want your word
you'll stay here.

All right, Marshal.

We'll make sure no
one steals the raft.

I'll be back in a little while.

Wish he hadn't taken
them saddlebags.

How much money you got?

- 27 cents, why?
- Give it here.

I'm gonna run it into
something bolder.

You promised the marshal.

I promised to make sure
no one steals the raft,

not to stay here.

Tell a lie and you die in rags.

I swear, Hannah, I teach
you everything I know,

and you still don't
know nothing.

How you ever gonna
find out anything

unless you're adventurous?

Hey, you!

You speak-y American?

You speak-y American?

I give you one nickel.

You watch-y raft.

Okay, fella boy?

Come on, Hannah.

Was that one of them Celestials?

I think it was a Hi-waiian.

But I ain't for sure.

All them foreigners
look the same.

♪♪

Man: All right, gentlemen,
we'll try just one more time.

Remember, there's
a winner every time.

Sometimes it's you,
sometimes it's me.

Chase it, trace it,
see if you can place it.

Here it is. Red wins for
you, black wins for me.

See if you can pick
out the red queen.

Any time, gentlemen.

That's the one you want,
that's the one you're gonna get.

Oh, better luck
next time, stranger.

How do you play
this game, mister?

Cost you a dime,
son, you got it?

Good.

Game is called "Tossing
the Broad," my boy.

Now you watch the red
queen, tell me where she goes,

and you win two for one.

Chase it, trace it,
see if you can place it.

Red wins for you,
black wins for me.

- That's a shame.
- Shoot.

Have another go at it.

Chase it, trace it,
see if you can place it.

Red wins for you,
black wins for me.

That one.

- Too bad.
- Shoot.

Want another go at
it? Want to try again?

Come on.

Live and learn, sonny boy.

What did you do that for?

He was a crook.

Give me a minute and
I'd have figured it out.

Come on. There's
lots more to see.

Lookie there.

She's dressed
up like a sore toe.

She wants us.

What for?

How should I know?

Come on.

Hello there.

Hi.

What are you two kids doing in
a place like Jacob's Crossing?

We just looking around.

See anything you like?

It's a wondrous place.

There's all kind
of wonders, boy,

but most of 'em take money.

Oh, we got money.

77 cents.

Your friend there
seems in a hurry.

Oh she ain't my
friend, she's my sister.

What's your names?

Hannah Kincaid, ma'am.

Tut, we gotta get going.

My name's Tuttle Kincaid, ma'am.

Well, you're two fine-looking
kids. I'll say that for ya.

You run some kind of
business, do you ma'am?

I'm a professional
woman of sorts.

Gee, that's great.
What you sell?

Homemade apple pie.

Quarter a piece.

Boy, I could go
for some apple pie.

Come on, Tut. The
marshal will be looking for us.

- Marshal?
- Come on, Tut. I mean it.

You find that marshal,

bring him back for some
coffee and apple pie, you hear?

Okay, ma'am.

Bye, ma'am.

They have gambling, too?

What's the limit on gambling?

Get your bets down, boys.

Come on, Hannah.

Let's go around back.

Bets down, last call.

You may be the next
one to win the lucky strike.

Number 20. Come on, 20.

Come on, 20, 20.

Come on, 20.

Dealer: Number 16.

No money on 16, the house wins.

Better luck next time.

You know, I'm getting
mighty tired of losing, little lady.

Some win, some lose.

That's the game
of chance and life.

Bets down, last call.

There she goes, boys.

Like a wood stake
in a hurricane.

Man: 20! Come on, 20!

Ladies and gentlemen, number
two. The gentleman right here.

Get your bets down, boys.

Every spin is a new game.

I have seen
players who have left

this very same table
with a fortune in gold,

and a fine life,
and fine houses,

and have servants
who wait on them.

Number double
"O," the house wins.

Better luck the next time.

Put your bets down, boys.

Put your bets down.

- What's this for?
- You go around and make a bet.

Make it loud so I can hear it.

- What for?
- Go, just go on.

Dealer: Get your bets down.

And if you lose again,
go home, take a bath,

clean your fingernails,
and write a letter to mother.

But most of all, boys, pray,

'cause tomorrow's another day.

- What are you doing here?
- Can I make a bet?

Get out of here, kid!

Oh, let her play, Lolo. She
can lose like the rest of us.

Number 18!

Another game,
this is our last call.

Come on, seven.

Come on, seven.

Hannah: 18, 18.

18!

22!

18!

Seven, come on, seven.

Come on seven, seven.

Seven.

- Seven, come on.
- Number 18.

Number 18.

And the youngster
here is the big winner.

You know, something
smells like rotten hides to me.

What your wearing, Lolo.

Bets down, boys, bets down.

Last call boys, bets down.

Another game coming up.

Number 23!

Come on. Come on, 20.

Somebody wins, somebody loses.

But it is always exciting.

Come on!

They caught that
crazy Frenchman.

You're never gonna
get out of this one.

What's going on down there?

It's what they do to
thwart thieves, Marshal.

They chop down a tree,

well, it's not very nice
to see what happens.

Hold these for me.

Aye, I will, lad.

A silver fox to an otter,

the right arm goes first.

No, no, no, no.

Make it two to one
beaver, and you got a bet.

Hold it there! Hold it there!

What's going on here?

What kind of lawman of you?

United States Marshal out of
Dodge City. Now what is this?

This ain't Dodge.

This is Jacob's Crossing.
We got our own law.

I asked you a question, mister.

MacCool is the
name. Finn MacCool.

We take care of
our own business.

Like you'd best do.

Mr. MacCool, I want
you to cut that man down.

This here's a trap
robber, Marshal.

We caught him six, seven
times, thieving from our traps.

- But he slipperied away every time.
- Has he had a trial?

Trial? He don't need no trial.

He's the leader of a crazy
bunch of Frenchies downriver,

been robbing us blind.

There's gonna be no lynch law
here, and I want you to cut him down.

It ain't lynch law.
It's trapper's law.

How many here say he's innocent?

How many here say he's guilty?

Marshal, come back!

Somebody!

Marshal!

Marshal! Somebody,
untie me, help!

Somebody untie me, please!

I will pay!

Hey, stop it!

Hey, get away from there!

Stop it! No, no, no! Go away!

Go away, you drunken fool!

Somebody take him away.

Man: Nobody can
be as lucky as that kid.

Man: Yeah, how come
she's always winning?

- Dealer: Get your bets down, boys.
- Number 19!

Come on, fellas, spin the
wheel. Let's do another game.

I see what's going on
around here, and I ain't thrilled.

Another game coming up.

Last call, boys.

Man: Hey, fight!

Oh, the heck with the
fight, spin the wheel.

There we go, boys. There we go.

Frenchman: No, no! Stop, no!

Chop the other tree.
It's the other tree.

If that tree falls,
you will kill me!

No! No!

Cheat, cheat!

Get the cheaters! Get the girl!

Get the girl!

- There he goes.
- Hey, the cheats.

Grab that kid.

Boy, we got him,
we got him. Let's go.

Get those kids, get them!

Don't let 'em get away!

They're getting away!

Grab 'em, get the kids!

- Stop them!
- Hold it right there.

But they cheated us!

They rigged the wheel.

Them are the marshal's.

Marshal, they're
taking our raft!

Stay right where
you are. Don't move.

Hannah: Hey,
don't! That's our raft!

- Hey, mister!
- Get away, kids!

- That's our raft!
- Get away!

They do not seem
happy that I get away.

Frenchman: Sacré blue.

May I introduce you to
Mademoiselle Paulette Duvalier?

My wife.

Get him! Shoot him! Kill him!

I want Matt Dillion dead!

Full Script and Dialogue of The River 2

After him, boys!

Don't let him get away!

Utter!

I want you to think
of Stinson, here.

Oh, I think a whole lot of him,

but I think a whole lot
more of that $24,000

you got stuffed in them
saddle bags, Dillon.

It ain't all that much money!

It ain't that much money?




$24,000?

There he is!

He's gonna jump.

Oh, we got him this time.

Shoot him, kill him,
don't let him get away.

He's all bloody,
look at his head.

Kids.

On a raft.

That Marshall's got
more lives than a Tom cat.

What're we gonna do, Tutt?

Maybe we could pull to shore

and dump him before he wakes up.

I ain't gonna leave him to die.

What about the money?




Let's steal it.

Tutt.

Too late.

What did you bring him for?

You told me to bring
the horses, Charlie.

I don't mean the horses, I
mean them, you bonehead.

Well, I couldn't
just leave 'em there

for the birds and all.

Rest in peace, boys,

we ain't got time to bury you.

C'mon, let's get ridin'.

Them that was shootin' at ya,

them be outlaws?

Yeah, they sure were.

What're you two doin' out here?

Well, this here's
my sister Hannah,

and my name's Tuttle Kincaid.

Our pa owns this here raft,

and he told us to take
it down river for him.

That so?

Hang on!

We're goin' to the Mississip'

to join up with Joe Snag.

Joe Snag, the river pirate?

He's the best there is.

Well, what about your folks?

Aren't they worried about you?

Ain't got none.

We're orphans, and we've
run away from the workhouse.

Marshall?

Looks like somethin's up ahead.

You figure it's that
Jacob's Crossin'?

Well, we'll find out.

Get your bets down, boys.

Every spin is a new game.

What's this for?

You go 'round and make a bet.

Make it loud so I can hear.

What for?

Go, just go on.

What's goin' on here?

This here's a trap
robber, Marshall.

He's the leader of a
crazy bunch of Frenchies

down river who's
been robbin' us blind.

Well there's gonna
be no lynch-law here,

and I want you to cut him down.

Number 18!

Number 18.

And the youngster
here is the big winner.

Boy, we got him, we got him.

Let's go.

Marshall!

Run, Marshall, run!

Get them kids, stop them!

Marshall, they're
taking our raft!

May I introduce you to
Mademoiselle Paulette Duvalier,

my wife.

For this I've got to loot?

Tutt!

Tutt!

He's all right,
it's just a crease.

Hang on, Tutt, we'll
get to you in a minute.

Hold it, hold it.

Suggs?

Yeah?

How long is it gonna take 'em
to get to the Narrows down there?

Well, with them
stoppin' tonight,

which they'll have to do
on account of the rapids,

about noon on the morrow.

If we was to ride all night,

how long would it take us?

Well, if we rode hard,

we'd beat 'em about an hour.

We'll do it.

How awful is it?

Oh, it's not too
bad, just grazed ya.

Am I bleedin' heavy?

Some.

Not a lot?

Sorry to disappoint ya.

Feels like a hot knife
stickin' in, Marshall.

It's gotta be worse
than you figure.

Yeah, you're probably right.

Now we have a moment
to breathe air again.

Paulette, this is
US Marshall Dillon.

Dodge City is it?

The other two I have not met.

Ma'am, can you
look after the boy?

I apologize for Paulette's
behavior, Marshall.

She's very difficult at times.

I'm Hannah Kincaid,
ma'am, and this here's Tutt.

Pleased to make
your acquaintance.

Stop squirming.

Yessum.

Sorry about back
there, cheatin' ya and all.

You should be.

You should never cheat.

You was.

Don't sass me!

Wasn't sassin', ma'am, I mean,

it's all right to cheat,

so long as it's a
man you're cheatin'.

I should never cheat you,

'cause you're a lady.

Well cheating is cheating,

regardless of the circumstances.

I figure I gotta make
my way in the world.

And the onliest way is
to get the other fellow

'fore he gets you.

That kind of thinking
will get you in trouble.

Been in a lot of trouble
in my life, ma'am.

Kinda take to it myself.

What are you doing
here with a Marshall?

Me and Hannah fished
him outta the river.

Saved his life.

Yes sir, he'd'a been a
goner if it hadn't been for us.

Where are your folks?

El Siola. Pa own this here raft.

He runs a lumberyard.

And our ma, she's the
head of all the socials,

and the fourth of July
doin's and all that kinda thing.

Do they know you're
out here on the river?

Oh, yessum.

They're real good
about lettin' us do

just about whatever we wanna do.

Figure kids gotta do to learn.

Real good folks we got.

Real good.

Monsieur, it is the
Hell Gate Whirlpool.

Everybody hang on.

Take the tiller.

How you doin', Tutt?

All right.

You know somethin' Marshall?

I'm more 'n likely the onliest
person in this whole world

that's got shot by Charlie
Utter and lived to tell the tale.

You figure that?

I figure that's about right.

And boy, am I gonna
have some stories to tell.

Yeah, for the rest of your life.

For a landlubber, you
handled this rig very well.

'Course that whirlpool
is a mere nothing.

Downstream the rapids
are more formidable.

It will be an excitement
to see what happens.

Ma'am?

Wonder if you could loosen
these bandages of mine?

Cuttin' in somethin' fierce.

Think I could take a peek
where the bullet went through?

Think it'll leave a scar?

I do not know.

Sure do hope it does, ma'am.

Whaddya expect from
a woman but ill temper?

Where does she come from?

She's my associate.

My spy, if you
will, at the crossing.

She kept me informed on
certain movements shall we say.

You know this river
pretty well, do ya?

I know everything
about everything.

Whaddya wanna know?

Wanna know how
far it is to Piety Hill

and how dangerous
it is to get there.

Ah...

Piety Hill.

I would appreciate if you
would drop Paulette and me

before we get to Piety Hill.

We have a certain
disagreement with authorities,

you understand?

As to the danger?

There's considerable risk.

You're thinkin' of
the children, eh?

Who are they?

They're runaways.

Ah, you cannot leave them alone,

and yet the rapids
are dangerous,

and then there is
Monsieur Utter, eh?

Quite a predicament.

Why is he after you?

'Cause he robbed four banks,

and I tracked him to his camp.

You track him to his camp,
and now he's pursuin' you?

That's very strange, Monsieur,

unless you have
somethin' he wants.

Like the money from
the bank robberies, eh?

You have it?

Let's talk about the river.

I vote we try the rapids.

They have been around before
once even with success, eh?

There are many kinds of
animals up in the deep mountains.

Strange, wicked creatures
never before seen by man.

At least, no man has
every lived to tell of it.

There's the Sqwank,
the Billydad, Splintercat,

the Trepidero...

Perhaps the most fearsome
of all is the Hidebehind.

What's that?

A very dangerous animal.

It gobbles people up so
there isn't no trace of 'em.

The Hidebehind is so named

because it is always hiding

behind something.

Usually the trunk of a tree.

No matter which way a man turns,

it's always behind him.

What does it look like?

Ah, that is the mystery.

For no one has every seen one.

Or at least, has
never lived to tell of it.

- Never?
- Never.

Are there any around
these here parts?

That I do not know.

But always remember,

the owl is a friend to man.

And if there is a
Hidebehind around,

he will try to warn
you with his hooting.

Hoo!

Hoo, hoo.

Another thing to remember
is always walk very careful

in the forest.

For the thing that draws
the Hidebehind to you

is the cracking of a twig.

Promise me you will
always be very careful.

Supper must be hot by now.

Supper!

Marshall, Paulette.

- Thank you.
- Yes.

Why d'ya figure she's
so uppity, Marshall?

Well, Tutt, you know it's
easier to read a strange river

than it is to try and figure
out a woman sometimes.

You'll learn more about that
when you get a little older.

You're a fool.

A stupid French fool.

I'm French, and I am foolish,

but I do not like being
called them both at once.

Then stop being
both of them at once.

Let us get out of
here, leave them.

That would not be honorable.

What do you know about honor?

I put up with you, don't I?

A lesser man would
have left you years ago.

Pierre, we are thieves.

True.

I do not want him to
arrest us and put us in jail.

Paulette, you are no longer a
picker of pockets in the streets.

You are Pierre's woman.

Pierre will protect you.

We could slip away
and go to our camp,

and we will be safe.

Please, you owe
the Marshall nothing.

What about the children?

They know nothing of the river.

Would you leave
'em to die in the rapids

without even trying to help 'em?

They mean nothing to me.

Nothing at all.

What's the matter with her?

Ah, yes.

Still and peaceful Paulette
is sometimes caught up

in what might have been.

Well...

'bout time to turn in.

I'll fix the bed rolls.

Good night, Marshall.

I'll go with you, Marshall.

Marshall?

When we get to Piety
Hill, what're you gonna do?

Well, I don't know,

whaddya think we oughta do?

Me and Tutt was kinda
hoping you'd drop off

and let us go on.

To the Mississippi, eh?

That's where we
was figurin' on goin'.

You don't wanna go
with me to Piety Hill?

No, sir.

Why not?

Got a reason.

You know, you and Tutt
told me you were orphans.

That's not exactly true, is it?

Yes, sir.

We ain't got no ma
or no pa, neither.

They was killed in a house fire.

What about relatives?

Don't you have any relatives?

You sure do it make
it hard for a body.

Didn't want to
stop at Piety Hill

'cause we got a aunt there.

But she don't want us, Marshall.

And we're growed up
enough to do what we want.

Is that so?

Well we are.

Marshall, you wouldn't wanna go

and give us to her, would ya?

I mean, she's
meaner than a hornet

and got a face like a hawk.

Why, you can't say nothing,

she don't jump down your throat

and gallop your insides out.

There's some folks
say she's a witch.

What's her name?

Aw, Marshall.

Now, Hannah, look, I'm
gonna have to talk to her.

But I promise ya I'll put
in a good word for ya.

It's Turney, Miss Ida Turney.

And how is your
magnificent wound?

I think it's gonna scar
up just somethin' prideful.

Wanna see?

Later, perhaps.

After my dinner has settled.

I wished I could live out
here in the forest with you

and be a trapper.

It's a good life for a man.

Perhaps someday you will, eh?

How long have you
and Miss, Miss...

Paulette.

Paulette been married?

We have been together
for about 10 years now.

That's an awful long
time to be married.

Yes.

Aren't you worried with
her bein' out there all alone?

To be alone is sometimes
good for the soul.

But it's dark and scary, and
a Hidebehind might get her.

Why don't you go and sit
with her, and protect her?

I don't think she likes me.

Never presume that a
women's first reaction

is her final one, you go ahead.

It might help.

Well, I guess I could.

I mean, she might be lost.

She will be down by the river.

Mrs. Pierre?

Mrs. Pierre?

Pierre said it'd be all right
if I came down to find ya.

I mean, it's kinda
dark and scary,

but if you don't
want me to be here,

I'll go on back.

Well, 'night.

You can stay if you want to.

Maybe we oughta
be gettin' on back.

How old are you?

Eleven.

And how does it feel
to be 11-years-old?

I don't know.

What do you think about?

What do you feel?

What do you want to do?

I don't know what to say, ma'am.

Just tell me about yourself.

Well, I'm Tutt Kincaid,

and I'm goin' down to
Mississippi to join up with Joe Snag

and be a river pirate,

and lead the life of adventure.

What else?

Well, I wanna do
everything there is to do,

and see everything
there is to see.

I wanna grow up to be
as big as the Marshall.

I wanna drive one
of them big trains,

and ride on a steam boat,

and be a soldier,
and a mountain man,

and a scout for the Army.

And a wagon
master, and a admiral.

That's an awful lot
to do in one lifetime.

I can do it.

When my ma was
alive, she used to say,

"Tutt, your life is ahead of ya,

"and you can do
anything you've a mind to."

She said to never
look down at my feet

to keep from stumblin',

'cause if I'm
always lookin' down,

I'll never see all the wondrous
things that's around me.

She said, "You gotta
reach out, and take, and feel,

"and do everything you can.

"But if you start feelin'
sorry for yourself,

"then your life
ain't worth livin'."

She said a lot
of things like that.

'Fore she died.

Do you miss her much?

Yessum, a whole lot.

Kinda sad feelin',
growin' up without her.

Yeah.

I am sure it is.

Did you and your husband
ever have kids, Mrs. Pierre?

It is late.

But we just got started talkin'.

Did I say somethin' wrong?

It's a woman and the boy.

I can get a bead on 'em,

pick 'em off like
crows on a fish.

Yeah, we go to shootin',

and the rest of 'em will
take off with our money.

What about crossin' the
river and sneakin' up on 'em?

The current's too fast,

and besides that, you
can't swim a flat lick.

What're we gonna
do now, Charlie?

We'll just go on down the river

and wait for 'em at the Narrows.

They'll show up down
there sooner or later.

Ain't no place else they can go.

C'mon, let's get goin'.

It was worth a try, was it not?

Poe!

Yeah?

Rustle us up a bite to eat.

- Lapin.
- Yeah?

Why don' you get us
some firewood for him.

Suggs, you and
Hodad come with me.

Whoa.

We can drop that tree across
the river, and we'd have 'em.

Hyah!

Why don't you
boys get to choppin'?

Right.

It is strange to think

that the river can
be so peaceful here,

and yet farther
down, so violent.

You know, the boy, Tuttle,

he came to me last night.

Mhmm, I know.

He has so many dreams.

Wonderful little boy.

Dreams about joining
up with river pirates,

and driving steam engines.

Will you marry me?

You know, last night he
called me "Mrs. Pierre".

I liked the sound of it.

There is so little
time left for us.

We have wasted so many years.

Not wasted.

We have been together.

When you first took
me from the streets,

I was happy being your woman.

And when our son was
born and growing up,

I was still happy.

But when he died, well,

from that moment
on, I was not happy.

And I have often
wondered if maybe

he is being punished

because we were not married.

I do not believe God
is as wrathful as all that.

I want another son, now.

But not unless we are married.

I wouldn't have
kept you this long

if you were not a good woman.

It is against my
better judgment,

but when the time is
right, we will be married.

But, do not expect me to change.

I do not want you to change.

And I thank you.

Monsieur, the rapids!

Everybody get down and hold on.

We've done it,
Monsieur, we've done it!

Charlie!

That's them.

Boy, we got 'em, we got 'em.

Let's get ready.

Timber!

Look out!

Marshall, we are about to
have a situation on our hands.

They've blocked the Narrows.

You kids, get down
behind the crate here.

Pour it on 'em!

Marshall, the money!

What are you doing?

Hey, lookie there.

He's throwin' the money away!

That's $5,000, Pierre.

That's the amount
of the reward money

for Charlie Utter and his gang.

You and your
Frenchmen help me out,

you can have the reward.

My Frenchmen?

Those mirror
signals. How 'bout it?

Five thousand dollars?

You have a deal!

That's our money in the river!

Stay down, you boneheads!

Come back, you idiots!

Poe, you can't even swim!

Look at all that
beautiful money.

Grab it!

- Poe!
- Lapin, help me!

Help me, save me!

Lapin, help!

I can't swim!

Help!

I got you now, Dillon.

I don't believe it.

On your feet, Charlie.

Don't shoot, we give up!

Andre and the rest followed us.

Paulette, children, all is well.

I told you Pierre
would protect you.

Utters!

Get the gun, get the money.

Get the money from the river!

The money, you rob a bank, huh?

Reward for bank robber.

Hurry up with the money!

Take the ones
in front of ya first.

Leoni, are you
asleep or working?

Leoni!

Cut the big log to your left!

Pull it off!

You need some help?

No, thank you, young lady.

We're almost finished.

Y'know, I've been thinkin'.

Them trappers up river
are pretty ornery mean.

And they got you outnumbered.

That is true.

My band of men is quite small,

and sometimes the odds are...

You have a suggestion?

I might knows where
there's a couple that might be

willin' to sign on.

They would have
to be very brave.

Oh, they're brave.

Ain't no doubt about that.

Think they could pass
the test of initiation?

What kinda test is that?

A very secret ceremony

about which I am
not supposed to tell.

I'm sure you will not repeat it.

No, sir.

At midnight on the
blackest day of the month,

we take 'em deep
into the forest,

where the Hidebehind
is known to be.

We tie their hands,
and we break sticks,

and we leave
'em alone all night.

What happens?

If they are still
there in the morning,

we celebrate by giving
them fine things to eat.

What kind of things?

Ah, very great delicacies.

Lizard legs, owlet's eyes,

and to drink the blood of...

Tell me, where can I
find these who would like

to join up with me?

Well, if I run into 'em,
I'll tell 'em to look you up.

You lazy oafs!

Put your back to it!

Hannah, Tutt?

We're leavin'.

C'mon, Tutt.

Well, ma'am, I guess
it's about time to go.

I wanna thank you
for the doctorin' and all.

And how is the wound?

Puckerin' up somethin' great.

It will leave a good scar,

I am sure of that.

Thank you, ma'am.

Tuttle, before, when we spoke,

I was rude,

and I apologize.

Heck, ma'am.

I didn't notice
anything like that.

I thought you was real fine.

Pierre told me all
11-year-old boys were alike.

It is not true.

Goodbye, Tuttle.

I shall miss you.

Me too, ma'am.

I'm ready to go, Marshall.

Paulette, are you ready?

Woman, I told you.

When I was ready.

I am ready.

For what?

I am ready!

I am ready!

Marshall, we are
coming with you.

Gene, Andre, get the
ropes, get the ropes.

Oh, Paulette.

My darling.

Push him out.

Andre, bring the men.

We will meet you at Piety Hill.

We will meet you at
Piety Hill for the wedding!

If it weren't for your
say so, Marshall,

I never would've allowed
the children to attend

this kind of a wedding.

What kinda wedding
is that, ma'am?

The likes of them are not a
good influence on young minds.

You gotta go to
Dodge City, Marshall?

Well, I'm afraid so,
Tutt. It's my home.

You really gonna
leave us with her?

Tuttle, Hannah?

Well, Hannah, she's your aunt.

I'm sure she means
the best for ya.

How can she mean the best

when she makes us
wear these things?

Pinchy shoes, too.

And the clothes
ain't the worst of it.

We have to go to school.

Yeah, well, that'll
be good for ya.

Hannah?

If we go to Dodge City,
can we come and visit ya?

I'd sure be
disappointed if you didn't.

Tuttle, Hannah,
come here this instant.

Her mouth's wider
than the Mississippi.

When it ain't all
puckered up like a prune.

Well, so long.

So long.

I guess Joe Snag'll
just have to wait.

You stay right here
while I go back in

and enroll you
for Sunday school.

And don't you move one
inch, you understand?

- Yes.
- Yes.

Tuttle, Hannah, where are you?

Tuttle?

Hannah?

Children, stop this nonsense.

Hannah?

Tuttle?

Oh, good heavens.

Tuttle, Hannah!

Goodbye, Miss Turney!

Thanks for everything.

We're gonna join
up with Joe Snag.

Tuttle, Hannah!

Come back this instant!

Tuttle!

Hannah!

Behind the Scenes of The River Part 1

The shadow of someone’s head appears on a box in the screen’s lower right corner after Matt tends to Tuttle’s toe wound, and they approach Hannah for food.

The opening scene features the Rogue River’s treetops in Oregon. “How the West Was Won,” James Arness’ western series, later used this opening shot in its title sequence.

Behind the Scenes of The River Part 2

This two-part episode marks the last of all four appearances of actors Slim Pickens, Roger Torrey, and Boyd “Red” Morgan. These actors did not appear in any other episode together.

The cuts on the large tree were on the wrong side, considering the direction the tree fell into, as seen towards the end. Moreover, the cut on the trunk’s backside should have been higher than the main cut for safety.

Looking for More Gunsmoke Episodes?

Gunsmoke is an excellent show you’d enjoy watching alone or with your beloved ones. It’s an American Western series aired on CBS in the United States. Parts 1 and 2 of The River are the first and second Gunsmoke episodes of Season 18.

You can find more about any of the Gunsmoke episodes here.