Ep 23. The Lost Treasure of Canyon Town

The Rifleman season 3 episode 23 titled "The Lost Treasure of Canyon Town" takes place in the small western town of North Fork. The episode begins as Lucas McCain (played by Chuck Connors) and his son, Mark (played by Johnny Crawford), are walking through the desert on their way to visit an old friend. On the way, they stumble upon a group of bandits who are robbing a stagecoach. Lucas and Mark quickly come to the rescue, and with their help, the bandits are chased off.

When the stagecoach driver asks Lucas to help him get the gold back from the bandits, Lucas agrees. The driver tells him that the gold is part of a larger treasure that was hidden in Canyon Town many years ago. Lucas decides to take on the task of finding the treasure, but he quickly learns that he's not the only one on the hunt.

Lucas and Mark arrive in Canyon Town and meet a man named Mr. Griswold who claims to own a map that leads to the treasure. He wants Lucas to take him to the treasure, but Lucas is skeptical of his motives. Meanwhile, a group of outlaws led by a man named Gus is also searching for the treasure. Lucas knows he has to act fast if he wants to find the treasure before the outlaws.

As Lucas and Mark start their search for the treasure, they encounter a number of obstacles. They have to cross a treacherous river, fight off a band of Indians, and deal with Mr. Griswold's questionable intentions. But despite these challenges, the two continue on, driven by their desire to find the treasure and protect the people of Canyon Town from the outlaws.

Along the way, Lucas and Mark meet a number of interesting characters, including a group of prospectors who are also looking for the treasure, and a woman named Annie who runs the local saloon. As they progress in their search, Lucas and Mark begin to piece together the clues that lead them to the treasure. But just as they're about to succeed, Gus and his outlaws catch up to them, and a final showdown ensues.

"The Lost Treasure of Canyon Town" is an action-packed episode filled with adventure, danger, and excitement. As always, Chuck Connors delivers a standout performance as the rugged and determined Lucas McCain. Johnny Crawford shines as his loyal son, Mark, who is always by his father's side. The episode is also notable for its strong supporting cast, which includes veteran actors such as John Carradine and Slim Pickens.

Overall, "The Lost Treasure of Canyon Town" is a thrilling and entertaining episode that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of The Rifleman and its place in the pantheon of classic western television shows.