The Ledge - Recap

Paladin is riding through mountainous territory and encounters four men. They explain that they’ve heard rumors of Indians raiding up ahead, and are looking for another man to ride with them. Paladin agrees and they start mounting up. One of them, a younger man named Corey, tells them to go ahead and he’ll take another route. One of the other men, Cass Richards, taunts Corey, saying that he’s afraid of heights. Another man, Dr. Stark, tries to reassure Corey, but Corey refuses to budge.

A newcomer comes out on a ledge above them and hails the group. A rockfall starts, sweeping the man down the mountainside. Stark gets his medicine bag and goes to check on the man along with Paladin. After a second’s hesitation, Corey goes with them. They call down to the man but get no response. The fourth man, Stebbins, assumes that the newcomer is dead.



Paladin takes charge and has Cass belay a rope so they can lower Stark down. The gunslinger tells Stebbins to climb down a few feet to brace the rope, but the older man refuses to help. He insists that he has a family and a business. Paladin turns to Corey, who says he can’t do anything due to his fear of heights. Disgusted, Paladin tells him to make some coffee . He and Cass lower Stark down and Paladin lowers himself to brace the rope.



Stark makes his way down the cliff side until they run out of line. Stark is some 10’ above the man, who doesn’t respond. Stark tells them to pull him up and they do. As they go to the campfire, Corey apologizes and says that he would have put them at risk if he’d gone. Stark tells them that the man has a head wound and either a dislocated shoulder or a broken neck. He pronounces the man dead, and Paladin asks if he’s sure enough to ride off and leave him. Stark takes offense and says he’s the only doctor in a hundred miles, and he owes those people his services. Cass and Stebbins are eager to move on as well, but they notice that Corey is gone.



The four men hear Corey yell for help. Stebbins briefly goes to the horses while the others go to the cliff and find Corey hanging some 40’ down. Paladin climbs down to get him and puts the rope around him. He then climbs back up and they pull Corey to safety. The boy explains that he had to find out if he could do it, and Cass continues to mock him. Disgusted with the others, Paladin tells them they might as well ride off. Corey offers to stay, but Paladin points out that it makes no difference if he stays or goes, if he can’t go down the cliff face.

Stebbins takes out Paladin’s card that he took from his saddlebag. He insists he had a right to find out who he’s riding with and asks if Paladin has doubts. When Paladin says that he does, Stebbins offers to pay Paladin to shoot the man. If he’s dead, it won’t make a difference, and if he’s alive then it will be a merciful end. Stebbins says he’ll pay Paladin’s $1,000 fee, and the gunslinger says that it’s a cheap price for relieving his guilt. Stark is disgusted with Stebbins, and Stebbins points out that the doctor declared him dead. Corey and Cass side with Paladin, who finally takes the gun… and hands it to Stark. Stark says that there’s no reason to be squeamish, and Paladin mocks him, saying that he views treating people like mending fences. Paladin refuses to help Stark down, and the others refuse until Cass finally offers to lower the doctor down.



Stark climbs down the cliff side and gets as close as he can. He aims the rifle but then throws it away and tells them to pull him up. Paladin, who has watched the entire thing with one hand on his revolver, sighs in relief.

Back at the top, Stark admits that he couldn’t do it. Stebbins asks why, and Corey asks why he’s so sure. Stark admits that he could be alive, and defends his decision by saying that people kill in self-defense. Paladin asks if he feels like Stebbins, who was willing to pay $1,000 to get rid of a bad memory. Paladin prepares to climb down, and Stark insists on going first. The gunslinger then asks Corey to help, and offers to blindfold him. Stebbins protests, but the boy tells him that he doesn’t want his help and agrees to Paladin’s idea. That leaves Stebbins, who agrees to do what they want. Paladin tells him to belay the rope, and Corey asks what happens if Stebbins messes up. Stark says that they’ll have to trust him.

As they prepare for the descent, Cass refuses to go down if Corey and Stebbins are the ones holding the rope. Corey has enough and accuses him of cowardice. As Stebbins laughs, Cass knocks Corey down and tells him to take back his accusation. Paladin agrees with Corey, pointing out that Cass won’t go where even Stark dares. Cass angrily agrees and they make the descent. Working together to swing the rope out, they lower Stark down to the ledge. He calls up to tell them that the man was dead, and has been all along. Cass laughs hysterically and Stebbins tells Corey that Cass is laughing because they almost got themselves killed for a dead man.



The four men pull Stark back up and Stark tells Paladin that it was a stupid risk. The gunfighter agrees as they go on their way.

Share this article with your friends