Ep 5. The Deserter

Ben Cartwright and his sons- Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe- live on their Ponderosa Ranch in the Wild West. Season 4 Episode 5, The Deserter, begins with Little Joe and Hoss playing a game of checkers when two strangers, a man and a woman, seeking help from the Cartwrights interrupt them. The pair claims to be lost, and are given shelter for the night once Ben gets back from town.

As it turns out, the strangers are actually Confederate deserters, part of a group that stayed behind in the west. The group's leader, Captain Bolton, an old friend of Ben's, was injured in battle and chose to stay behind in Nevada to heal, while deserting the Confederacy. The deserters have been living as outlaws after a deal with a Union officer at a nearby fort went wrong. Things become complicated when Bolton's wounds become serious, and the Cartwrights agree to help him conquer Union-held territory, believing they were wanted by the Union Army.

Ben is convinced that a peaceful solution is possible, and tries to intervene when the deserters plan an attack on the fort without involving the Cartwrights. The Cartwrights try to persuade the deserters to leave the territory, and tensions remain high as the deserters wonder if they can truly trust the Cartwrights.

Meanwhile, a Union scout discovers the threat posed by the deserters and alerts his army. The Union General prepares for the inevitable attack and orders that the fort be abandoned. When the Cartwrights and the deserters learn of this, they decide to take over the fort to protect the people who live there and prove their loyalty to the soldiers.

After much deliberation, Bolton agrees to surrender to the Union Army, and Ben tries to negotiate with the Union General, but the Union leaders are unbending and suspicious of the Cartwright's intentions. Realizing Bolton will betray his men so as to be hailed a hero, Ben steps in to protect the deserters by concocting a plan to help the deserters escape and promises to hide Bolton, ensuring his return to the north as a free man.

Season 4 Episode 5 is a classic western adventure that highlights the various conflicts being faced in the war-torn west, all while maintaining the central theme of family unity and the importance of doing what's right. The show has set standard for western TV series, and The Deserter delivers an exciting and heartfelt story that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.