The Great Mojave Chase - Recap

In San Francisco, Paladin is discussing the idea of a camel corps with a cavalry officer, John. Paladin admits it was a good idea but the cavalry didn't handle them properly. John informs him he sold the last camel to Elkhorn, Nevada. As Paladin reads the paper, he notices an article about Billy Joe Kane, who has wagered that no rider can elude the town's posse in the Mojave Chase. No one yet has won. Paladin confirms that John sold his camel in Elkhorn.

Paladin travels to Elkhorn and buys the camel, Ezekiel, from the prospector. The man is glad to be rid of it, and warns that Billy Joe Kane doesn't plan on losing, no matter what it takes. Paladin is confident that Ezekiel can outrun any horse in the desert. Demonstrating his expertise, the gunfighter gets the camel to bend down. Paladin mounts up and leaves.



In Mojave, the townspeople look on in surprise as Paladin gallops in on camelback. He pays the local man, Riley, for the damages caused by the startled townsfolk, and then orders food. The bartender admits that he's afraid of Billy Joe Kane, who could stop selling him water. Paladin offers his card and notes that he solved a similar problem in New Mexico.

Next, Paladin goes to the local bank and has the owner, Elkins, cash his draft. Elkins insists that the Mojave Chase is fair. However, he explains that Kane took advantage of an old law and it's all legal. Elkins notes that Paladin has been spreading word that the camel was found unsatisfactory by the Army, but Paladin notes that Kane has been listening to the rumors too much.



Kane and his personal gunman, Dever, arrive in town to inspect the camel. Riley figures the camel will need a lot of water and goes to tell Paladin, but Dever grabs him and warns him off. Kane prefers to pay the man to spread the word that he wants to hear any information the townsfolk have on Paladin or his camel. Paladin watches from an upstairs window and smiles.

Later, the bartender serves Paladin a drink and says the townspeople are interested. Paladin says his pay is $1,000 upon delivery of the water rights, and the bartender agrees. Kane comes in and introduces himself. Paladin refuses to shake hands and insults him, and Dever takes offense. Kane calls him off. Paladin places his $5,000 and Kane gives him 2 to 1. Paladin insists on 5 to 1 but Kane will only go for 4 to 1. Riley brings in a local drunk who has a book that Riley says Kane should read. Elkins warns Kane that he doesn't have $25,000 to cover the bet. Paladin insults Kane again and prepares to leave, but Kane takes the bet and puts his land as collateral on $15,000. Paladin refuses to take anything but the water rights and Kane agrees.



Elkins returns with the water rights and the $10,000. However, Dever interrupts and shows Kane the book that Riley had. It's a book on camels, and reveals they can travel hundreds of miles on the water stored in their humps, and in less than a day. Kane insists that Paladin misrepresented himself, but Paladin insists he told most of the truth. Dever draws on Paladin and Kane insists Paladin forfeited the bet and the $5,000. Dever takes his gun and escorts him out but Paladin draws his belt-buckle derringer, takes Kane hostage, and grabs the stakes and escapes on the camel. He's unaware that he left his canteen behind as Kane, Dever, and their man men ride after him.

In the Mojave Desert, Paladin begins to falter. He finally spots a small spot of wet sand and starts to dig, but Kane and the others open fire and he's forced to continue. Finally he finds a cactus and cuts it open to eat the pulp. Reinvigorated, Paladin rides on and waits until nightfall. He then circles back, knocks out the guard, and takes Kane's gun. He spills the man's water out on the sand and slips away.



Dever wakes up Kane when Paladin chases off their horses and goes on. The next day, he gets to the oasis first and waits. The desperate men finally arrive and Paladin fires a warning shot. When Kane asks for the water, Paladin throws them a canteen and then shoots a hole in it. He tells Kane to get down on his knees but he refuses. He tells Paladin that he'll forfeit the race and sign over the water rights, and says that he worked land before and he'll do it again.

Once the men have their fill of the water, Kane returns Paladin's gun. When he goes to get the deed, Dever goes for his gun but Kane stops him and hands it over to Paladin. Paladin notes he unloaded the gun and admits he's learned something from what Kane did. He tells Kane to take the deed to Elkins, and Paladin will collect the town's fee from the $10,000. Kane admits that maybe he should have let the town own the water from the beginning, and Paladin finally offers his hand and admits he's a poor winner… but a good loser. Finally, the gunslinger gives Ezekiel to the town of Mojave as a monument to the winner of the Mojave Chase... and because pets aren't allowed at his hotel.



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