Plot

Barnaby and Charlie talk Chris Hale into hiring legendary mountain man Zebedee Titus as a scout. The nearly 80-year-old Zeb's failing eyesight leads to problems, including Coop's capture by a Comanche Zeb couldn't see.

While trading at Fort Laramie, Barnaby and Charlie meet old mountain man and legendary trailblazer Zebedee Titus. The soon-to-be octogenarian has come to trade his season's catch, which is minuscule due to the few remaining beaver. After listening to his stories, Barnaby and Charlie overhear him ask the trader and an Army Major for a job only to be turned down due to his age. Barnaby, with support from Charlie, persuades Chris Hale to hire Zeb as a scout for the wagon train. Coop and Duke are not happy with the idea, especially when Zeb implies they will work for him. It becomes obvious that Zeb's eyesight is not what it used to be while out scouting with Duke. He can't see Comanche smoke signals nor hit a bear in a nearby tree, but Hale does not want to wound the old man's pride. Trouble starts when Zeb's mistakes lead to Coop's capture by Comanches.—rbecker28