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.
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.