Three deserters escaped from an Army stockade to the Ponderosa. When a Captain comes looking for them, Ben realizes what they've had to deal with and promises to let his good friend in charge of that fort know the real truth.
Three army prisoners have escaped Ft Dayton. Mertz (James Parnell) still has chains around his wrists. Of the three, he's the big, dumb, strong one. Paul Tyler (Grant Williams) is trying to use a rock to break through the chains. He's not having any luck. The third escapee, Sutton(Joe Maross), leans against a rock complaining. He chastises Mertz for having killed the guard on the escape. He says they'll never get the chain off with rocks. Mertz says maybe the friend Sutton's taking them to will have a chisel. "Sure, we'll tell her you always go around wearing chains." Tyler is surprised to find out they're heading to a woman's house. Adam, who's out looking for strays, hears them talking and goes to investigate. Unfortunately, they overpower him and he's knocked out.
A soldier patrol from Ft Dayton arrives at the Ponderosa. Capt Bolton (Chris Alcaide) knocks on the door and introduces himself. Ben invites him in and introduces Hoss and Joe. Both hold their hands out to greet him, but Bolton ignores them completely stepping into the room and looking around. Bolton explains that Fort Dayton is a casuals post for troops deemed not fit for line duty. He says he's looking for three deserters who escaped from the stockade. He says their trail ends on the Ponderosa. Joe tells him that he was riding line and didn't see anything. Bolton can't believe Joe saw no tracks or campfires or any indication. Ben says three men could easily lose themselves on the Ponderosa. Capt Bolton wants to know who else is in the house and marches farther into the room. Ben tells him there's just them and Hop Sing. He resents the innuendo that he might be harboring the fugitives. Bolton says, "Then you'll have no objection to my men searching the area." But Ben does mind. He stops Bolton by standing in front of him at the foot of the stairs and says again, the men are not in his house. Bolton says they know the men are in the area and they had to get assistance. Anyone who helps them will the held and tried for obstructing military justice. Ben doesn't budge. Bolton starts to head for the kitchen when Ben asks Hoss to escort the Capt out. Hoss is happy to comply. Just then, a soldier calls out that they have a man. They rush outside and the soldiers have Adam, who staggered in without his coat and gun. He's bleeding from a head wound. He says some men bushwhacked him just west of where he and Joe split up. The Capt asks if he saw the men's faces. Adam shakes his head no and they take him inside....
Full length episode of Bonanza Season 1 Episode 25
Free Western Series in English
Year: 1960
Director: Charles F. Haas
Writer(s): Robert E. Thompson, Bill Barrett, Malcolm Stuart Boylan
Cast:
Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
Dan Blocker as Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
Michael Landon as Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright
Joe Maross as Jimmy Sutton
Gloria Talbott as Nedda
Grant Williams as Lt. Paul Tyler
Chris Alcaide as Capt. James Bolton
Dayton Lummis as Lt. Col. Metcalfe
James Parnell as Pvt. Harry Mertz
Sherwood Price as Corporal
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