Deaf Smith & Johnny Ears

The Republic of Texas has just gained its independence from Mexico. President Sam Houston assigns Deaf Smith and Johnny Ears to thwart General Morton’s plot against the annexation of Texas by the United States. This mission sets the stage for a perilous confrontation ahead.

On arrival, Deaf and Johnny find that McDonalds and most of his family have been massacred by Morton. Hester, McDonalds’ surviving daughter, is married to Morton, which complicates the loyalties involved. Smith convinces her of the truth, and she helps them overhear a German diplomat promising Morton a supply of weapons.

Hester agrees to aid them by revealing Morton’s dangerous alliance. She helps them overhear a German diplomat promising Morton a delivery of weapons. This information raises the stakes and clarifies who is backing Morton.

Deaf and Johnny confront Morton's gang in a crowded saloon, sparking a tense brawl. The fight demonstrates Deaf's ability to read lips and Johnny's quick reflexes as they disrupt Morton's plans. The clash moves the mission toward direct action.

Johnny recognizes Suzie Q, a brothel prostitute, whom he had seen bathing by a river. Deaf pays for a night with Suzie Q, triggering Johnny’s jealousy. He later admits that his love for Suzie Q could pull him away from the mission.

Deaf helps steal dynamite from Morton's fort, but a signal using a prostitute's garter bells nearly betrays him when he forgets the reminder. He narrowly escapes, killing one pursuer in a stealthy attack.

Deaf is chased into a cave by three men. He kills one with a knife and, upon emerging, finds the other two dead—killed by Johnny. Deaf teases Johnny, implying that he still owes him a punch.

They set a trap with explosives to blow up the German diplomat’s weapons transport, but stop when they see children playing near the wagon train. The restraint shows their moral scruples despite a perilous mission.

Instead of triggering the blast, they infiltrate Morton's fort and kill his men with explosives and a machine gun that Deaf can operate by reading the instructor’s lips. The assault cripples Morton's capacity to resist.

Johnny gives his gun to Morton for a shootout with Deaf, leading to Morton's death. Deaf triumphs in the duel and the looming threat to Texas’s annexation recedes.

Susie leaves with Johnny and Deaf, but the next morning Deaf is gone, leaving Johnny his watch as a keepsake. Johnny cries out Deaf’s name, mourning his partner’s disappearance and the end of their alliance.