The Rifleman A Friend in Need (1958–1963) Online

At the beginning of the show, we see a stranger in the saloon in North Fork. The stranger's name is Carl Avery and it just so happens that he has a paper in his hand with the name of Lucas McCain written down. And when Lucas and Mark ride into town, Carl knows what he has to do.

When Lucas sends Mark back to the ranch, Carl follows. Along the trail Carl stops Mark and makes him follow him. They ride by the McCain house where Carl places a ransom note on the door saying that he has Mark and will release him for $5,000.

Lucas does not have that kind of money but will do almost anything to get his son back. A friend of Lucas, Neff Packer, says that he will put up the money for Mark's return. But the only way that Lucas will agree to the money is if Neff will buy his ranch and farm. Lucas signs over his ranch and Neff gives him the money. Lucas rides out to get his son back. But there is more to this story than meets the eye.

This is one of the classic 'Rifleman' episodes as we get to see the love a father has for his son. In fact, Lucas would have done anything in the world to get Mark back from the ordeal. We know that this plot is a regular part of the series but the way the writer was able to give the story a certain twist makes for a nice show.

THE RIFLEMAN – A Friend in Need– 1961

This is the 123rd 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 just 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.

Connors is being visited by another of the local ranchers, Parley Baer. Baer is making Connors an offer to buy his spread. Baer wants to expand his cattle operation and needs more land. Connors declines. Baer says that if Connors ever does want to sell, Baer will be interested.

Later on in the week man, Lee Farr, approaches Connors' son, Johnny Crawford. Crawford is just heading back to the ranch with some supplies. Farr tells the boy that if he does not go with him that his father, Connors will be killed. Crawford goes with Farr out of fear for his father. They ride out into the brush country where they bed down at an old abandoned stage station.

Connors in the meantime is worried sick when his boy fails to show. He saddles up and rides to North Fork. He contacts Sheriff Paul Fix about the missing lad. Fix gathers up a group of townsfolk to search the area. Failing to find the boy, they head for Connors' place. They find a note on the door asking for a 5,000 dollar ransom for Crawford's safe return.

Connors rides in to see the banker, Harlan Warde. Without proper collateral there is no way he can pony up that much cash. Rancher Baer steps up and offers to cover the ransom if Connors signs over his ranch as collateral to him. Connors does this and rides off alone to drop of the ransom.

When Connors arrives at the drop, Farr makes a play to kill him. Connors returns fire and drops Farr. He releases Crawford and the two embrace. Now guess who should ride up? Baer, of course. The whole kidnapping was all a ploy to trick Connors out of his ranch. Baer had expected Connors to be dead from partner Farr's ambush.

A trip to jail is now all he can expect.