THE RIFLEMAN – The score is Even- 1961
This is the 105th episode from the 1958 to 1963 western series, THE RIFLEMAN. Over the course of 168 episodes we follow the life of Lucas McCain and his son, Mark. They have moved to the small western town of North Fork where they hope to start a new life. Chuck Connors headlines the series with Johnny Crawford as his son. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle which of course ends up getting him in no end of trouble.
Chuck Connors and his son, Johnny Crawford, are riding back to their ranch from a cattle sale. They are still a couple days from home when they hear some gunshots. They ride up to a small cabin to have a look. Inside they find a dead man face down in the dirt. Just then, a man, Adam Williams, step out of the shadows and fire at Connors. He wounds Connors with a round across his forehead knocking him out.
Son Crawford attacks Williams but is tossed aside. Williams is now joined by Kelly Thordsen. Williams and Thordsen had just robbed the old gold prospector who lived in the shack. Williams had then shot the man dead. Williams grabs up Connors' rifle and exits the cabin. He collects Connors and Crawford's horses. He then hands a 6-gun to Thordsen and tells him to kill Connors and the boy.
Thordsen might be a crook, but killing someone in cold blood is not his idea of fun. He enters the shack, tells Crawford to stay quiet, then fires two shots into the floor. He then joins Williams outside and the two ride off.
Connors, feeling a lot worse for wear, soon regains his senses. Crawford bandages him up and the two set off in pursuit. Later that night, Connors and son come up on Williams and Thordsen's camp. Connors, though still somewhat dazed from his head wound, sneaks into the camp and reclaims his rife. He then wakes the sleeping swine up. He has Crawford tie the two to a handy tree. Needless to say, Williams is not in the least pleased with his partner, Thordsen. Thordsen mumbles that he could not shoot the two before.
Connors keeps nodding off because of his wound. He knows that it will get the better of him in the end. He sends Crawford off to the nearest ranch to get help. He tells Crawford not to worry. The villains are tied up and to hurry back with help.
Connors head wound is now giving him dizzy spells. He figures that if he goes out, Williams will work free, grab the rifle and use it on him. Connors, without letting Williams see him, plugs the gun barrel with some twigs and mud. Sure enough, Connors loses his battle to stay awake and slumps over. Williams does work free and grabs up the weapon. He laughs, points it at Connors and pulls the trigger. BOOM! The rifle blows up in his face because of the plugged barrel.
A bit later Crawford returns with some help. Williams is dead with half his face gone. After Connors is patched up proper, they continue their journey to North Fork. Thordsen is brought along to face the law.
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