The Bottom of the Bottle

P.M. returns to Nogales to find his brother Donald hiding in the garage. Donald is a former drunkard who had been jailed for killing a man in a barroom brawl, and he has escaped from prison five years after the conviction. He pleads with P.M. for help crossing the Santa Cruz River into Mexico to reach his destitute family.

Donald explains the plan to cross into Mexico, but P.M. reveals the river is flooded and crossing would take days. The obstacle sets the central conflict: family needs versus legal risk, and time is against them.

To keep Donald’s past hidden from his social circle, P.M. introduces him as an old friend, 'Eric Bell', among Nora and the Cadillac Cowboy crowd. He works to keep Donald away from alcohol and scrutiny. The deception adds pressure to maintain appearances.

Donald receives a call informing his family has moved from dire straits to destitution. He leaves the house in the rain, grabbing two bottles of whiskey before stepping out. The news escalates the urgency of crossing the border.

Nora discovers Donald’s true identity as a fugitive. She pressures P.M. to intervene, complicating his carefully managed facade and testing their marriage.

Hal Breckinridge learns of a theft allegedly committed by Donald and forms a posse to bring him back. P.M. is reluctant to help a felon, but the hunt compounds the danger and forces a choice between loyalty and law.

Reluctantly, P.M. agrees to help and shows Donald a safe-looking river crossing point into Mexico. The plan acknowledges the water’s danger but promises a possible escape from capture.

During the crossing attempt, P.M. falls from his horse and nearly drowns. Donald reacts quickly and pulls him to safety, revealing the depth of their fraternal bond despite their differences.

Donald’s quick rescue of P.M. underscores a turning point in their relationship. After saving his brother’s life, Donald decides to surrender to the law, choosing responsibility over continued flight.

Donald yields to the authorities on the Mexico–Arizona border. The pursuit ends with the fugitive in custody, and P.M. must live with the consequences of his protection and deception.