Ep 7. Incident of the Phantom Bugler

In "Incident of the Phantom Bugler," the seventh episode of Rawhide's third season, the trail boss of the cattle drive, Gil Favor, and his team make camp near a seemingly deserted town. But the silence of the ruins is quickly broken by the sound of a bugle playing an eerie tune, causing unrest among the men and prompting them to investigate the source of the haunting music.

As they explore the abandoned streets and buildings, the group discovers that the town's inhabitants were murdered by a group of bandits who have been terrorizing the surrounding area. The bugle plays on, seemingly taunting the cowboys, as they struggle to come up with a plan to oust the criminals from their hiding spot.

Meanwhile, Favor is dealing with another problem: a young boy named Buddy who has snuck aboard the cattle drive against his father's wishes. The boy's presence becomes a point of contention among the men, who worry about his safety and question Favor's decision to allow him to stay.

As the team becomes more and more desperate to find the bandits, tensions rise and tempers flair. But with the help of a local sharpshooter, they are eventually able to track down the criminals and bring them to justice.

Despite the somber tone of the episode, "Incident of the Phantom Bugler" also features moments of humor and lightness, particularly in the scenes with Buddy, who provides a younger, more innocent perspective on the harsh realities of life on the trail.

Overall, the episode is a compelling mix of suspense and drama, showcasing the gritty realism and compelling characters that made Rawhide a classic of television Westerns.