
Five into the Wind Full Episode – Bonanza, Season #04, Episode #29
After their stagecoach driver is killed, Joe Cartwright and a group of fellow passengers find themselves stranded in the desert, a daunting 50 miles away from the nearest town. They must now rely on the moody and volatile fur trapper Howard Benson (portrayed by Kelly Thordsen) for survival. Adding to the tension is the belief among the other passengers that Joe is to blame for the driver’s death. The cast includes Kathleen Crowley as Nora Hayden, Betsy Jones Moreland as Nora Whitley, Mario Alcade as Roberto de Sorto, and Dabbs Greer as Leon Henshaw. Five Into the Wind, penned by Meyer Dolinsky, originally aired on April 21, 1963.
Please see below for a comprehensive plot summary and captivating trivia, or enjoy the entire episode by watching it in full.
Table of Contents
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Main Cast
The twenty-ninth episode of Bonanza’s fourth season, “Five into the Wind,” showcases several familiar faces from the show’s recurring cast. Here’s the full lineup of actors in this episode:
- Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
- Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
- Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright
- Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright
- Kathleen Crowley as Laurie Hayden
- Mario Alcalde as Roberto DeSoto
- Betsy Jones-Moreland as Nora Whitley
- Dabbs Greer as Leon Henshaw
- Kelly Thordsen as Howard Benson
Full Story Line for Five into the Wind
Amidst a fierce windstorm, a stagecoach mishap in the mountainous terrain compels the passengers to navigate their way across the countryside under dire circumstances.
Amidst the turmoil, one passenger is discovered fatally stabbed with Little Joe’s knife, casting suspicion upon him for the murder. Little Joe and his fellow travelers find themselves entangled in a convoluted web of love, deceit, financial intrigue, and further acts of violence as they endeavor to uncover the hidden truths lurking amongst them.
Full Script and Dialogue of Five into the Wind
♪♪ - Hey, Pa? - Yeah? - Telegram from Little Joe. - Oh, good. Been waiting to hear from him. "Ordered gear and new seed. "Everything fine. On way home. "Stage arrives Virginia City four days if weather holds." Hm. "Scenery very interesting." Scenery. Never figured Little Joe to be - interested in the scenery. - Well, knowing your brother, I guess that would depend on the scenery. Yeah. Whatever it is, I hope he can handle it. Well, don't worry about your brother. Whatever it is, he'll handle it pretty well. That's for sure. ♪♪ Hyah! Hyah! Here, ma'am. You can wet your handkerchief with this. Make you feel better. Oh, thank you. Ma'am? No, thank you. This is terrible country. Dry and dusty. Reminds me of my native Sicily. I've never been to your native Sicily, but I can bet that their women aren't as pretty as ours. It's obvious you have never been to my country, signor. But in this case, signorina, I will have to agree with him. You haven't been long in these parts, have you? No, just traveling and looking for a place to settle in this new country. My father, the barone, suggested I come here. Well, this isn't much right along here. Gets real pretty, though, when we get up in the mountains. If we survive the trip... and the company. Hyah! Well, feels like eating time again. Would you like some jerky? Would you like some jerky? N-No, thank you. Eh. This primitive way of eating, it's hard to get used to. I'm willing to try some. Now, there's a real smart gal. This "primitive" jerky you speak of has saved my life many times. What do you do for a living? I'm a fur trader. I've traded fur all through this country with the Blackfoot and the Shawnee. Been trading furs for 20 years. This fur trading... This is a business? Dude, it's a big business. I've got $5,000 in my pocket right now just for this one trip alone. Oh, this whole country is barbarous. I can't wait to get to San Francisco and civilization. Why do you want to get to San Francisco, madame? Get away from certain men. Hyah! Oh, what is the matter with the driver?! He must be drunk. Don't forget: he's trying to make Owl's Point by nightfall. That's about 50 miles. What he's trying to do is kill us. Hyah! There is something wrong, boy. Maybe you're right. Stubby! Stubby! Stubby! Whoa! Got to hold on, Stubby! Hold on, Stubby! ♪♪ Dear Lord... none of this was Stubby Barclay's fault. He never knew what happened to him. Rode kind of a lonesome saddle most of his days. He didn't get much out of this life, Lord, so... would you please take care of him in the next. That's about it, Lord. God rest his soul. Amen. Poor man. I wonder what it was that struck him down. He was a drunkard. The stage line should have know it. It's their responsibility to protect their passengers. Stubby didn't know his heart was gonna stop. Nevertheless, he could have killed us all. But he didn't. What are we gonna do now? Well, it's 50 miles to Owl's Point. Guess we might as well start walking. Walking?! That's right. We'll just follow the road. You know, Cartwright, we could cut through the arroyo... We'd save at least a day. It's pretty wild country. Well, not if you know it like I do: I've tramped this country for 20 years. If it'll save that much time, we might as well do it. A day'll mean a lot to the women. Get your things together. We're gonna start walking. Walking? Uh, walk 50 miles through the wilderness? Why don't we stay here and wait for someone to find us? Because we could stay here for two weeks before anybody found us. We haven't got enough food or water to last that long. Best you just get your things together. Just take necessities. Well, in that case, I leave nothing. I have some valuable heirlooms in my luggage. Suit yourself. You're the one that has to carry 'em. We've only got about an hour of sunlight left. We better get going, Cartwright. Now, wait a minute, now. Who made you commander? Now, look, nobody made anybody a commander. We should listen to him. He knows what he's talking about. I'm not sure we're doing the right thing. Just get some of your things together. Oh... Well... there go my beautiful dresses. I'm sorry. Go easy with that water. What is this jerky? That's just dried beef. Little hard to chew, but it's good for you. If my father, the barone could see me now. He wouldn't believe it. You got a knife, Cartwright? Yeah, I got one in my saddlebags. Here, let me give you a hand with that. Oh... Thank you. Very pretty, isn't she? Yeah... yeah, she is. I wish you'd look at me that way. I'm sick of looking at you. You from around here, Mr. Cartwright? We've got a ranch right outside of Virginia City. "We." You and your family? Mm-hmm. Well... there you are. And I thought I had me a prospect. How old are they? Boys or girls? I'm not married. I was talking about my father and brothers. Where you heading? Oh, I'm not sure yet. As the story goes, I sing for my supper. Sometimes I think that's all I'm fit for. Come on. You know better than that. Do I? Oh... why do we all... dream so big and... live so small? Will you go away and leave me alone? Oh, Howard, please. They'll hear you. I don't care about these people! Now, will you go away and leave me be? Some of the people in this country are as unappetizing as this ridiculous food they eat. Now, you listen, Baron... No, I am not the barone. My father is the barone. Then you listen to me: In this country, we're careful what we say to people, or they wind up without a tongue in their head. Comprendo? That's enough! Let's rest! I don't hear the women complaining. Oh, Benson, let 'em rest. They're not used to it. Yeah, I guess you're right. Looks like it's blowing up a pretty good storm anyway. There's a line cabin up the way. We can make it. Spend the night there. Signorina? Thank you. We have these cowpunchers in Palermo. Butteros, we call them. They're like Cartwright... Good fellows, but very simple. You know, signorina, you remind me of a girl in my village, very pretty... her name was Gina. She was my first love. Mm-hmm? Was she? And what happened to her? I came to America. And left her behind? She could not get permission. In Italy these things are not so simple. But what about you? Uh, you have not said a word about yourself. Well, it's a long story, one I don't think you'd understand. All right, on your feet, everybody! Ah, there's our commander again. He likes to give orders. And where would we be without them, signor? Yeah, this is all right. We can bed down here for the night. I'll go out and see if I can scare up some game. We ought to try to get these windows sealed up. Okay, Henshaw. You get some wood and build a fire. Lori, you come with me and we'll look for water. Nora, you'll do the cooking. No. No? - You'll do as you're told. - No! Let her do it! Let her cook for you now. Now you listen to me... Oh, I don't mind. Really. I like to cook. Nora... you can go with him. I really don't mind. Say, Commander... Don't you have any orders for me? You can give me a hand. Yes. Mr. Cartwright... Oh, thank you, ma'am. The rabbit's real good. Very tasty, Miss Hayden. No, thank you, but my compliments to the cook. Well, it's hard to make things taste good without a bit of salt. You're all just hungry. Who would think that a de Sorto would wind up here, eating like a savage. No more water. I am getting tired of you two commanders telling me what to do. I told you, no more water. Now, there's six people here, and there's four canteens. That means we're gonna ration the water. You want a drink, you come to me. Who are you to give orders? Aw, shut up, Nora. He's right. If this baron had a chance, he'd drink all the water. I told you, I am not a barone. My father is the Barone de Sorto. That's right. You told me. Tell me, what do they call a, uh... the son of a baron? My older brother will inherit the title. You call me plain signor. What do you inherit, signor? Nothing. I will make my own way. Hmm. Like you did today? You wouldn't last ten hours in this country alone. You know what, you remind me of my father. Two things he knew... how to get rich, and how to hurt people. How to hurt, hurt, and hurt! Now, for a man with my sensitivity, who loves life, he was impossible! Well, that might well be. But if I had a choice between you and your father, I'd pick your father. It's a nice night since the wind has died down. Mm-hmm. Why don't you leave him alone? Leave who alone? What...? Oh... we've got enough troubles without your causing more. Well, I kind of forget my manners, I've been living with the Injuns and the fur traders for so long. You know, Lori, what I... what I really need is a good woman to take me in hand. Mm. Yes, you do. But not me. Wait a minute, Lori! We understand each other... You're hurting my arm! Let me down, you big... Benson! Forget it, Benson. I had to bury one man this week, Benson. Thanks. For coming to the aid of a lady in distress. He bothers you again, you just let me know. I can always take care of the likes of a Howard Benson. It's you I'm worried about. I can take care of myself. Don't prove it around me, hmm? Okay, Grandma. Well, I didn't expect you two back so soon. Did you learn anything about women, kid? You know you've got a big mouth, Benson? Oh, I was just trying to give you the experience of all of my years of living. Wasn't I, Lori? Living with what? Animals? Well, now, wait a minute. Living with animals is not so bad. They can teach you a lot of things. They can teach you that things aren't what they seem to be. Now, take Nora here. Nora looks like a mouse, doesn't she? She's not. She's nothing. I think you're horrible. No, I just see beneath people, that's all. Take that dude, there, that, uh, Roberto. I'll bet you think beneath all that la-de-da he's a real man, eh? Underneath he's just like he looks. He's all talk. Few people ever fool me. What about Mr. Henshaw? Well, I'm a bartender, Miss Hayden. I'm on my way to San Francisco to take a job. No, you're not a bartender. I don't know what you are... but you're not a bartender. I'll say one thing for you, Benson: you got a lot of opinions. Yeah, I do. I've got a lot of opinions about a lot of things, and a lot of people. Well, what about you, Benson? You got an opinion about you? Yeah, let me tell you about Howard Benson. He always knows what he's doing; he never lies; and he'll kill if he's ever interfered with. Well, if you're through giving us your opinions, I suggest you go to sleep. No sign of 'em yet. That's pretty much like our little brother, ain't it? Ain't never known him to be in too much of a hurry. Well, that stage was due in before noon. If he thinks we're gonna sit up all night waiting supper for him... Maybe they got into some bad weather. Stage is gonna be even later yet. Well, maybe. If you want to know what I really think, Pa... you know that scenery he mentioned in the telegram? Mm? I got a notion he's probably showing it off right now. In a restaurant in Virginia City. Where you going? Well, if you ain't got no objection, it's a nice night for a ride, and I thought I'd mosey into Virginia City and... take a look at that scenery. All right. Go ahead. And don't you get lost in Virginia City. No, sir. Feel better? A little. Wind's getting pretty bad out there again. Did you... did you... take care of him? We buried him. Did you find anything? Any sign of someone who might have done it? You mean someone besides us? What are you saying? Who do you think you're kidding? He's saying it had to be one of us. He gave no one any good reason to like him. Especially you. I remember last night he threatened to kill you. I remember last night he insulted you. That's not the reason he was killed, not because somebody wasn't friendly with him. Why, then? The money. The $5,000. I went through his things; it's not there. One of us has $5,000. Is this your knife? You know it's my knife. You know it's the knife that killed Benson. You also know I gave it to him the night before last. He had it with him till he died. You had no reason to do that. No proof. We found him over the dead man's body with a knife in his hand. You want more proof? See if you can find something. We'll tie him up. - Here. - Thanks. Women... they're impossible to understand. Not all women. I'm not like that. I want to, uh... to thank you for helping me tonight. I like helping you. You do? Yes. You're not just saying that? No. Nora, I wasn't going to say anything. It's you I like. But, but I thought you liked Laurie. No. But she's so pretty. If you did something with your hair, with your eyes, - you could... - Look like her? Oh! I don't know how. But it was very nice of you to say that. If we ever get out of... out of this... can I see you sometimes? I want to so very much. Not just sometimes. I hope very much that you mean that. You know I mean it. I didn't like Vincent, but I wouldn't kill him. I know that. How come you know and nobody else does? Well, I just know. I've known a lot of men. So I just know. Thanks. I could help you escape. - No. - Why? 'Cause one of those three people killed him. I have to find out which one it was. But what do you care? It's your life you're risking now. What are you proving? When you get to Owl's Point, there'll be a warrant out for my arrest in five minutes. If I run now they'll be sure it was me. And if you stay here, Roberto will kill you the very first chance he gets. I think he killed Benson and stole the money. What makes you say that? He's a remittance man. His family paid him to stay away from them. I know the type. We still have to prove it was him. I'll help you all I can. Better if you stay out of it. I don't want anything to happen to you. I'd never known anyone quite like you. What are you doing?! What were you doing?! What were you planning?! What's wrong? What happened? She was kissing him. They were whispering. She what? I think she was going to try to help him escape. Oh, don't be a fool! Why not? Then you could share in the money together. You're even a bigger fool than Roberto. Oh, am I? I know your type. Using men to get what you want. - Not true! And even if it were... - Stop that! It would be more honest than pretending to be something that you're not. What are you saying? What are you calling me? If the glove fits, wear it! Stop it, both of you! Can't you see what she's doing? She's just trying to cover up the fact she was gonna let him escape. I don't believe that, Miss Whitley. Well, then you must be blind. Haven't you seen the way they've been behaving toward each other all day?! No more than with you and Roberto. That is different. Were you gonna let him escape? No... but I would now. A thief? A murderer? Come on. You haven't proved that. I think we have. Oh, really, Mr. Henshaw? That's enough talk. You keep quiet. Let him talk. All right, we all know Benson was killed with my knife. Any one of you could have gotten it last night. All we have to do is figure out which one of you did it. We know which one it was. Now enough of this nonsense. Oh, don't worry, Roberto. I don't think you did it. Why not? 'Cause I think Benson was right. I don't think he's got the guts. He had enough guts to knock you in the head. That's different. He was pushed pretty far for that, Mr. Henshaw. See, I think Roberto really thinks I did it. As long as we're talking about who could have done it, she could've. No, I don't think Laurie did it. I don't think you did it either. I don't think any woman could have done it. But you know who's left now, don't you? Yeah, you, Henshaw. And you have proof? No, not really. Just the process of elimination. Oh, it's not much. But if I were Roberto, I wouldn't turn my back on you. We can't take a chance. He may be telling the truth. Against the wall. No, wait. I can't let this happen. He, he did ask me to help him escape. He even promised to share some of the money with me. Even to marry me. What? Yes... the night Benson was killed, I heard a noise. Opened my eyes, and I saw him. You waited until now to say this? Don't you understand? I'd begun to care for him. I even offered to help him escape. But not when he'd accuse an innocent man. We can't stay here any longer. I agree. How about a drink of water? No, I tell you when to drink. You're going to lead us out of here. This is pretty rough country. I couldn't lead you anywhere trussed up like this. You're thinking, Cartwright. Don't think. You try something, I don't wait for them. I shoot you down like a dog. ♪♪ I know what you're trying to do. You know this country. You're leading us through the worst part. If you don't like the way we're going, then you lead us. It's gonna get pretty cold in here as soon as it turns dark. So we better go out and get some wood, start a fire. You untie me, I'll go out and get some game. We're not going to untie your hands and give you a gun. I'll get the game. Lots of luck. You get some wood. What's the matter, barone? No luck? You are going to get us out of here tomorrow morning, or I'm going to kill you. No, you're not. 'Cause I want to live, too, and he's our only chance of getting out of here. I was your only chance, gentlemen. I just led you so far into the wilderness, you'd never find your way out. And this is where we're gonna stay until that killer confesses. - You listen to me. - No, you listen to me! I got nothing to lose 'cause I'm gonna die anyway. Now either that killer confesses, or you're all gonna die. ♪♪ Well, it's about time you got here. - Yeah. - Where's Little Joe? Well, Pa, that dang stage ain't got into Virginia City yet. As a matter of fact, it ain't even got to Owl's Point yet. Well, doesn't anybody know where it is? Well, they know it's somewhere between Benton Falls and Owl's Point. After it left Benton Falls, it got in some bad weather, I reckon. Harley Green said that he figured maybe they took a detour or something. Well, look, you, uh... You have a cup of coffee. - I'll get ready to ride with you. - Yeah, Pa? The stage line's already put together a posse in Virginia City, and I told them I'd ride with them now. Since Adam's in Sacramento, I figured one of us ought to stay here in case Little Joe gets to a telegraph office and tries to reach us. Well, I... Yeah, maybe you're right. All right, I'll stay here, but you make sure you send me a message from Owl's Point, - do you hear? - Oh, you'll hear from me. One way or another, you'll hear from me. Isn't it time yet? Get us to water. I promise you you won't be sorry. I won't testify against you. - Pass it on. - Oh, please. - Pass it on. - My mouth is so dry. Pass it on. Not for him. Oh, the water! The water! The water. You're responsible for this. Stop him. He might make Cartwright break. It's him or us. Let's get back inside. Thanks. Give him the money. What? Give him the money. What do you mean? You know what I mean. Just do what I say. I don't know what you're saying, Miss Hayden. Miss Hayden? Stop lying for once, Father! Father? Yes. That's my father. He'll tell you. He's good at explaining things. Tell him how you killed Benson. Lori, I did not kill Benson. You didn't believe a word you said, did you? "Papa, I believe in you. I don't care what anybody else says, I beli..." Her father's trying to get away from the law. - That's why I came west. - No, stop lying. For once, stop lying. It won't do you any good anymore. Lori, I am not lying. You're just like everybody else, aren't you? Once a man is outside of the law, don't you trust him. I was doing time. I got to know some men who were in on a good thing, so we decided we'd pull this one big job, get on our feet, then go on our way. Lori met me at the prison gate, and she... I told them to forget it. That I backed out. Well, they went ahead. They-they got caught, but they didn't forget it. They said I was in on it. I wasn't anyways near, but with my record, you don't stand around and argue. So, that's why you said you saw me kill Benson. Yes. If they caught him one more time, he'd be executed. And I tried to protect him. But I was... I was so wrong. Believe me, I did not do this. Lori, I have been in and out of prisons all of my life. I know everything they've got to teach you. Look, am I gonna be such a fool I'm gonna kill a man with a knife in a room full of people when I can get him at a stage stop? I can wait till he gets to a hotel room in Ralston? Lori, a rank amateur wouldn't be so foolish. Mr. Cartwright, throw me the canteen. That's the last of our water. Throw me the canteen. You're not gonna get a mile in this heat. We're not gonna die here. Roberto! No! Leave us alone. You all right? Oh, oh, yes, I'm all right. Oh, I love you. I love you. Darling, nothing can happen to you. I love you so much. Oh, I love you. I've kept your secret all this time. A secret? What secret? About Benson. You knew? Yes. And you didn't tell them? No. What did you do with the money? Is that why you were nice to me? Because you wanted the money? No. No, no, don't believe that. But if I died... I love you. Where is the money? If I died, it wouldn't matter to you. Darling, where is the money? Nora? It won't do me any good at all. All he wanted was the money. There wasn't any money. Howard didn't have any money. He... He was a... He was a poor man. He liked to pretend he was a big man. He promised he was gonna marry me, you know? But he lied, and so I killed him, but I didn't kill him for money. And then there was Roberto. The same... over again. All the same. ♪♪ Where'd you find him? I didn't catch up with him till he got to Owl's Point, Pa. Well, let's sit down now. Let's have a look at you. You all right? I'm fine, Pa. Just a little hungry, I think. Hey, that's a change; now he's hungry. Well, I'll go take care of the horses. Yeah. Well, I'll, uh... I'll have Hop Sing rustle up some food. Sounds good, Pa. Yeah. Uh, Joseph? Yeah, Pa? Take your feet off the table. It's good to be home, Pa.
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Bonanza is an outstandingly wholesome show suitable for solo viewing or enjoying with the whole family. Five into the Wind marks the 129th episode out of 430. NBC produced Bonanza, which aired on their network from September 1959 to January 1973 and spanned 14 seasons.
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