Explore the third chapter of a comprehensive seven-volume compilation featuring the pinnacle episodes from the timeless television western saga, focusing on the Cartwright family. Within this volume lies The Cheating Game, wherein the reliable Adam Cartwright finds himself enamored with a widow, only to unravel a web of deceit when he realizes her late husband’s confidant is a cunning con artist with intentions to defraud her of her inheritance.

Embark on a journey through the complexities of this episode’s storyline and indulge in its fascinating trivia, or immerse yourself in the entire episode provided below.

Watch the Full Episode of The Cheating Game

Watch the Full Episode of The Cheating Game:

Main Cast

Besides the main cast, “The Cheating Game,” the nineteenth episode of Bonanza Season 5 highlights various recurring and guest-supporting actors. The following are featured in the episode:

• Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
• Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
• Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright (credit only)
• Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright (credit only)
• Kathie Browne as Laura Dayton
• Peter Breck as Ward Bannister
• Katie Sweet as Peggy Dayton
• Lee Henry as James Canfield
• Roy Barcroft as Dave Wilkins
• Lincoln Demyan as Lane
• Lew Brown as Liege
• Robert Broyles as Tom
• Norman Leavitt as Al the Telegrapher
• Charles Seel as Banker Weems
• Betty Endicott as Brunette Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
• Martha Manor as Waitress (uncredited)

Full Story Line for The Cheating Game

A suave newcomer, Ward Bannister, arrives in Virginia City, professing friendship with Laura’s deceased husband, Frank. Laura, perturbed by Adam’s unwanted counsel about her ranch, unwittingly exposes herself to manipulation by the cunning Bannister, who aims to seize her property.

Adam, wary of intervening further, discreetly investigates Ward to safeguard Laura. Complications arise as Ward becomes obsessed with the charming widow, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

Full Script and Dialogue of The Cheating Game

Right there. Little more.

- Hey there, boys.
- Hello, Mr. Cartwright.

You still Mrs. Dayton's foreman
or are you just her night watchman?

Little trouble with my eyes,
Cartwright. Just giving them a rest.

I'd say you're having a
lot of trouble with them.

I just rode up your east fence
line. It's still shot through with dry rot.

Lane, I told you about
it three weeks ago.

Why haven't you done
something about it?

Just because you're
courting the widow every week




don't give you no right to
give orders around here.

It's a lot easier
fixing your fence

than chasing stock all
over the Nevada territory.

Now, why don't you
worry about the widow

and let me worry
about the stock?

I don't know what's eating you,

but you're not getting the
work done around here.

So why don't you just pick up
your wages and move on, huh?

Hey, Cartwright,

why don't you go
on up to the house

and hold your little
woman's knitting yarn for her?

Or whatever it is
you two do together.

Come on, Lane, break it up.

Peggy, go back in the house.




Here, fellas!
Break it up, fellas!

Lane, stop it! - Lane!

Lane, don't!

All right, that's enough.

Adam, stop it!

Adam...

Adam, this is terrible.

When he wakes up, he's gonna
wonder who hit him with an ax handle.

He's not getting work done

and he doesn't know
how to keep a civil tongue.

I told him to pick up
his wages and leave.

Is that right, Mrs. Dayton?

Mr. Cartwright
running the ranch now?

Get your things together.

I'll have your money.

Well, Adam, are you?

Am I what?

Are you running this ranch?

That's not high enough,
Adam. Push me higher.

- Oh? Think you can take it?
- Uh-huh.

All right, better get ready.

Whee!

Peggy, you better go in
and get ready for lunch.

I wanna talk to Adam.

- Aw, Mommy.
- Come on.

All right, Peggy,
come on. In you go.

I'll give you a long ride next
time. A real high one, all right?

I'm sorry, Laura. He
should've been fired weeks ago.

It happens that I
don't like to fire people.

Laura, I've been
looking over the place.

A third of your fence is down.

Barn roof is in need of
repair before the rains come.

Stock looks as though Doc Stone
hasn't taken a look at it all summer.

The neglect around
here is shameful.

Well, you must know it takes money
to replace fences and re-roof barns.

I have a ranch payment
to meet in two weeks.

Let me help. You don't get this
place straightened out, Laura,

you're not gonna be in any shape
to face the fall roundup or the winter.

I don't want charity.

Now, look, Laura,
it isn't charity.

It's just a loan.

A business matter entirely.

I conduct my business matters
with Mr. Weems at the bank.

Laura, when was the last
time you inspected this place?

You know, a ranch
doesn't run itself.

You gotta watch it,
look after it, all the time.

Well, you seem to forget that
I have a house to look after

and a child to take care of.

How much do you think a
woman can do by herself?

I know.

I'll get you another foreman.

Adam, you just don't
understand, do you?

What's the matter, Mommy?

Mommy?

I thought you liked Adam.

You know, Sally's mother says

she wouldn't be the least bit
surprised if he doesn't marry you.

Well, Sally's mother is
obviously being a bit premature.

Adam's interest in me
seems to be largely business.

But if we need the fence
fixed and the roof fixed,

and you like him and he likes
you, why won't you let him help?

Dear, Peggy.

Well, sometimes people
just get a little bit mixed-up.

I hope banker Weems had a
good breakfast this morning,

and no arguments with his wife.

Them bankers can
stare down a rattlesnake

if they asked for a loan.

Well, I'm gonna do
my best to charm him.

And if he agrees
to extend my credit,

you boys can start cutting
the new fence posts right away.

I'll watch out for Peggy
the rest of the day.

Maybe take her
horsebacking if she wants.

Pardon me. I'm looking
for a Mrs. Frank Dayton.

I'm Mrs. Dayton.

This is Dave Wilkins,
one of my hands.

- Howdy.
- Howdy.

Excuse me, ma'am.

I'm Ward Bannister, Mrs. Dayton.

I was a friend of
your late husband.

Oh? What is it you want?

Well, some months ago, Frank
gave me an envelope for safekeeping.

I didn't hear about his
death till about a week ago,

or I'd have sent it much sooner.

I see.

It's a $10,000 insurance
policy on Frank's life.

Well...

I can hardly believe it.

I had no idea.

Well, it was very thoughtful of you to
ride out all this way to bring it to me.

Well, as it happens, I didn't
come out here just for this.

I'm riding on to Carson City.

You don't happen to be riding
into town, do you, ma'am?

Yes, I am.

And this will make the
ride much more enjoyable.

Well, I'd like to ride along
with you if you don't mind.

The insurance agent in San Francisco
told me that he needs an affidavit

and several questions
have gotta be answered.

Well, I can explain these
questions to your lawyer if you like.

I would appreciate
that very much.

It'd be my pleasure.

All right, giddyup.

Mr. Bannister,
you've been so helpful.

I hardly know where
to begin to thank you.

Don't mention it.
It's my pleasure.

What are your
plans in Carson City?

Nothing special. I just thought I'd try
to catch on at some ranch in the area.

You hardly have the
look of a ranch hand.

Oh, now, these hands
have done an awful lot more

than deal three-card
monte, Mrs. Dayton.

Well, about the only thing
ranching does for hands

is grow a crop of calluses.

These didn't grow anything
else until I was more than 20.

Well, would you like
to come to work for me?

I'd sure like the chance.

All right. Let's try it.

But I don't think it will be very practical
to wrestle down a calf in those clothes.

You know, I agree with you.

I still have some
supplies to order.

While I do that, you can
order some work clothes.

Fine. I'll walk you over to the
store. I have to send a wire to a friend

in Carson City telling
him I'm gonna stay on.

Send this off
right away, please.

Keep the change.

Be there in an hour, mister.

Shake hands. Shake hands.

If Sally Jenks' pony
can shake hands,

you ought to be able
to, you dumb old thing.

Now, shake hands.

No, you can't have any
sugar until you mind.

Please shake hands.

Now, shake hands.

Hi, Mother.

Hello, Peggy.

- You been a good little girl?
- Yes, Mother.

Whoa.

Thank you.

Peggy, this is Mr. Bannister.

- My daughter.
- How do you do, Peggy?

Hi.

Oh, the bunkhouse is
over next to the barn.

Fine.

And thanks again, Mrs.
Dayton. I'll see you later.

Who's Mr. Bannister, Mother?

Well, he was a
friend of your father's.

He's going to work for
us now as a ranch hand.

Maybe he can help
me with Traveler.

Sally Jenks' pony
can shake hands.

Dumb old Traveler
won't learn how.

Well, maybe if you're patient
with him, he'll learn too.

Well, he's sure
being dumb about it.

But, anyway, he's
faster than Sally's pony.

Hi, Adam.

How's my girl?

Look out!

- Sally Jenks' pony can shake hands.
- Oh, yeah?

Dumb old Traveler don't even
know what I'm talking about.

Well, I'll tell you what you do.

You get yourself a short little
stick and you put it in your left hand.

Then you hold out your right hand.
You say, "Shake hands, Traveler."

And you take that stick
and you give him a smart rap

right behind the right hoof,

and you'd be surprised how fast

dumb old Traveler's gonna
turn into young smart Traveler.

- Really?
- Try it.

Thanks, Adam.

- Hi, Peg.
- Hi.

Come in.

Hey.

Hello, Adam. How
nice of you to call.

Who's the new man I
saw out at the bunkhouse?

His name is Ward Bannister.

He was a friend of
Frank's in San Francisco.

A friend of Frank's, huh?

Yes. Frank did
have some friends.

Here.

What's he doing here?

Oh, he came to give me a
$10,000 life insurance policy

that Frank had left with him.

You'll be interested to know

that I've already ordered the
new fencing and the new roofing

and I've hired a new foreman.

What kind of experience
does this Mr. Bannister have?

Well, he has done a
lot of work with cattle.

Does that qualify
him as a foreman?

Dave Wilkins is the new foreman.

Mr. Bannister is
the new hired hand.

Now, if either Dave or I
are dissatisfied with his work,

the end of the first
week, he rides out again.

Any more questions?

- No.
- Good.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I
have some mending to do.

Or maybe you'd
rather stay and watch?

I may have been doing
that wrong all this time too.

The reason I came over was...

Well, if you could
possibly be ready,

I would take you and Peggy to
church and on a picnic tomorrow.

Of course, we can be ready,

if you think you can refrain
from criticizing the sermon.

I'll do my very best.

Good.

Sounds like a she-wolf.

There many wolves around here?

Well, there's one denned up
there in the hills with some pups.

Who's this Adam fella?

One of the Cartwrights.

Missus is kind of sweet on
him. Kid's crazy about him.

Well, except for
being made foreman,

old Lady Luck has sure
gone sour on me today.

You better deal me in. She's
been sweet as honey to me.

One of you fellas lend
me some rifle ammunition?

Well, there's a whole box of
it inside. Help yourself. Why?

Well, I thought I'd take a
crack at that wolf in the morning.

Hey, that'd sure be a good way

to get rid of the Sunday
morning do-nothings.

Would you mind if
we went with you?

Oh, sure. Fine.

Whoa. Ha, ha.

Oh. Adam, you hardly
paid any attention

to Reverend Holmes' sermon.

Just because I spent
half the time looking at you

doesn't mean I don't know
what the sermon was all about.

The picnic hamper
is in the spring house.

It won't take Peggy and me more
than a few minutes to get changed.

And what are you
all grinning about?

A puppy.

- For you.
- For me?

Oh, thank you, Mr. Bannister.

What are you gonna
call him, Peggy?

I'll call him Prince.

I've always wanted a
puppy called Prince.

Adam, this is Ward
Bannister. Adam Cartwright.

- How do you do?
- How do you do, Mr. Cartwright?

Laura, you know
that's a wolf cub.

Ward here, he kept
complaining last night

how the mother kept him awake, so
this morning we went out to get her.

Wasn't easy getting
that little critter out, either.

Darned if he ain't
as frisky as a kitten.

Well, that was
a fool thing to do.

Why was it a fool
thing to do, Adam?

Well, Laura, the pup is fun now,

but when it grows up,
it'll be what it is, a wolf.

We're gonna be
gone for a few hours.

I suggest that you take the cub back,
put him back where you found him.

Any way you want
it, Mr. Cartwright.

I don't want him taken
back. I want him to stay here.

Please, Adam. He's
so little and helpless.

Peggy.

He's gotta go back
sooner or later.

It'll be better if you do it now
before you really get to like him.

But I like him now and
I'm going to keep him.

Peggy.

I'll go talk to Peggy, ma'am. I
don't wanna cause any trouble.

Hyah. Giddyup.

Laura, you're not gonna
let her keep the pup.

It'll grow up to be a
dangerous animal.

I know, Adam. I know.

I don't know how to run a ranch.

I don't know who to fire.
I don't know who to hire.

The fences are falling
down and the roof's leaking

and the stock is unattended.

Now I can't even
make the right decision

about whether my child
should have a pet or not.

Well, Adam, if I'm so
hopeless, why do you bother?

Why do you even bother?

Two and a half percent is a
very fair return, Mrs. Dayton.

You'll find that though
money is a hard master,

it's a willing servant.

You must make your capital
work for you. That's the ticket.

Well, thank you very much
for your advice, Mr. Weems.

Oh, this is Ward
Bannister, my new hand.

- Mr. Weems.
- How do you do, Mr. Bannister?

- Everything all right, Mrs. Dayton?
- Yes.

Including a nice little
lecture on the value of money.

I still have some things to do.
Have you finished your errands?

Yes, ma'am.

Well, would you mind driving me?

I may as well do these
things while we're in town.

- Not at all. Where to first?
- Bannister?

Yes.

Bless my soul, it is.

- How are you, Ward?
- Fine, fine.

I'd like you to meet Mrs.
Dayton, she's my employer.

How do you do?

Pleasure, Mrs. Dayton.

Ward, what are you up to now?

- I'm a ranch hand.
- And a very good one.

Ha, ha. Ward was a very
good timber cruiser for me

some years ago, Mrs. Dayton.

The problem was to keep
him tied down in one place.

Heh. Well, I must hurry
along. Nice to see you, Ward.

And a pleasure to
meet you, Mrs. Dayton.

As a matter of fact, why can't
we have lunch at the hotel?

I hate dining alone.

Canfield, I'm not particularly
dressed for a restaurant.

Possibly you can convince him.

I'll be pushing along to San
Francisco in a day or two,

and it may be another
five years before we meet.

You don't have to worry, Ward.

The people in the Virginia City Hotel
are quite used to men in trail clothes.

All right, fine, Mr. Canfield.

- Half an hour, then?
- Fine.

He seems like a pleasant man.

I suppose the least I
could do is get a shave.

I'll meet you back
here in a half hour, then.

- I'll meet you at the hotel.
- At the hotel.

Good. I was hoping
you'd think to stop by.

- Where's the girl?
- Shopping. I'm getting a shave.

She wasn't suspicious

when you told her you were
a friend of her husband's?

From what I gather
from the ranch hands,

he didn't talk too much about
his trips to San Francisco.

Ha-ha-ha. I can understand why.

There was a lot more
pleasure than business. Ha, ha.

Who was she
talking to at the bank?

The president. Seemed to
me to be a careful old codger.

That's probably who
she'll be checking with.

I'm rather glad I was careful
to pick something he'd approve.

And what would that be?

The San
Francisco-Monterey Railroad.

San Francisco-Monterey...
I've never heard of it.

Ha, ha. Neither had anyone
else until two months ago.

It's Jay Banyon's promotion.

For old time's sake,
and a cut of the proceeds,

he let me in on it.

Think old Weems
will go for this?

I'm sure of it.

Jay's been clever
about this one.

Right of way surveys,
negotiations for land.

Ha, ha. Banker Weems
has probably read all about it

in the financial news.

But we've gotta be quick.

What's the next step?

Just follow my lead.

Here's to our pigeon who's
about ready to be plucked.

Just put the things
in the back, son.

- I just wanna say one thing, Laura.
- What?

I'm sorry.

I hadn't realized what a
pleasure it was calling on you

knowing that I was welcome.

Well, the Running D's always
welcomed calls from neighbors.

That's not exactly what I meant.

Would you have
lunch with me today?

I've been an idiot,
and I realize it.

I hadn't guessed the Cartwright
men would confess to a thing like that.

Well, it takes
time, but it sinks in.

I already have a luncheon
engagement today, Adam.

I'm sorry. I really am.

But I don't have any
plans for the evening.

Good. I'll see you tonight.

Those were the good
old days, all right.

We were a little younger in
those days, I guess. At least, I was.

You haven't aged... Do
you mind, Mrs. Dayton?

No, not at all.

- Ward, have a cigar.
- No, no. No, thanks.

Ward,

you occasionally showed a
knack for making money in the past.

Did you ever hang
on to any of it?

Just long enough to get me
to the card table, Mr. Canfield.

- Too bad.
- I agree. But why do you ask?

Well, I'm involved in a most
unusual enterprise in San Francisco.

The San
Francisco-Monterey Railroad.

The shares are a hundred
apiece, which is a sum, of course.

But the value should well double
itself within a very few months.

Well, if Mrs. Dayton will advance
me three month's salary, uh,

I might just be able
to handle one share.

Don't treat it
lightly, my friend.

This is a most
unusual opportunity.

Did you say the stock would
double its value in a few months?

I should say there's little
chance of it doing otherwise

with the important
people behind it.

Why do you ask?

Mr. Canfield, I might be
interested in an investment.

Good. Ha-ha-ha.

A couple of shares will
give you the satisfaction

of having been part of
an important contribution

to the West. Now, then, Ward...

No, I would be interested in
more than a couple of shares.

Could I get as many as 80?

But that would be $8,000,
my dear young lady.

Yes, I know.

I assume you have
a financial advisor.

A financial advisor?

Well, I suppose Mr. Weems
at the bank could help me.

Well, then, why don't you just
glance through this, Mrs. Dayton.

And then, if you're still
interested, we'll call on Mr. Weems.

All right.

Peggy, maybe we
should let Prince go.

Well, he doesn't
seem to be very happy.

But he shouldn't have been spanked
for killing those chickens, Mother.

He'll get over it.

I suppose he
shouldn't have been.

After all, it's the nature of a
wolf to kill chickens, isn't it?

But he will get over
it. I know he will.

Well, let's hope so.

Now you go get ready for bed.

I'll be in in a few minutes.

Yes, Mother.

Good evening.

Good evening, ma'am.

I had just this moment decided to go
and see if you were in the bunkhouse.

- Got a chore you'd like me to tend to?
- No.

Your friend, Mr. Canfield,

have his ventures
always been successful?

His ventures have
been very successful.

Mr. Canfield's a
very clever man.

He seems to be.

Can't make up your mind
whether or not to invest, right?

Well, $8000 is a
considerable sum of money.

Wish I had it.

Mr. Canfield's given
me several opportunities,

but I just never
can handle them.

It sounds like a
wonderful investment.

You don't have too much time
to make up your mind, do you?

Remember, Mr. Canfield's
gotta leave sometime tomorrow.

Well, good night, ma'am.

Ward.

I called Dave Wilkins
in to compliment him

on the wonderful
job he's been doing.

And, well, he said
it was your doing.

Well, that's mighty nice of him.

You do like the
life here, don't you?

Well, yes, I like
it here very much.

Well, Dave told
me another thing.

He doesn't really like the
responsibility of being the foreman.

He would stay on,
though, as a hand.

Well, now, if you would be
interested in taking over his job...

Well, I don't think
I could do that, no.

Oh, yes, you could.
You're just being modest.

I have been told by experts that
I need a man to run this ranch.

Well, maybe that could be you.

We might work out some
sort of a share arrangement.

Now, you think about it, Ward.

- Ma'am.
- Yes?

You really want me
to stay on here, huh?

Yes.

Well, I don't know
how to say this.

I'm not too much at
giving people advice.

Well, that's a
refreshing change.

I've been thinking, it's a good
thing to invest in your own property,

and that way, you can
see it working for you.

You mean the $8000 I
might invest with Mr. Canfield?

Well, Dave and the boys and I
were talking in the bunkhouse,

and we figure that,

well, the Running D can handle
three times the herd you have.

And you got a thousand
acres of timber up north

that hasn't even seen an ax.

Now, if you invest your money in
cattle and equipment for lumbering, you...

That sounds wonderful.

But if I invest the
money with Mr. Canfield,

I can double it in
hardly any time at all.

Then think of all the things
we can do for the ranch.

That's another thing I
wanna talk to you about.

Oh, it's so nice to
have someone around

who treats me as an adult
instead of picking on me all the time.

I'm so glad you
came along, Ward.

Come on.

Who is it? ADAM: Just somebody

who carried your
packages this afternoon.

- Hello.
- Hi. I'm sorry I'm late.

Well, that's all right. I was reading.
I hadn't even noticed the time.

There's some coffee on the
back of the stove. You want some?

Mm-hm. It will, I think, help keep
me alert and minding my manners.

I found a nice spot
for the picnic Sunday.

Mountain glade, waterfall.

I think only the Indians
know where it is.

That sounds like fun.

Think Peggy would
like to come along?

I hope so.

Oh, you were right
about that wolf cub, Adam.

It is becoming a problem.

It would be nice to
keep her mind off it.

Let's see, now. How does my tab
stand with this cribbage tournament?

I believe you owe me $745,000.

Yeah, you know, and I have a feeling
that I'm going to even it up tonight

in one fell swoop.

I'm sorry, Adam.
You probably could,

but I'm afraid I couldn't
keep my mind on the game.

You know that
luncheon I had today?

Well, I met a man
named James Canfield.

He's offered me a very
attractive investment opportunity.

Oh, what kind?

The San
Francisco-Monterey Railroad.

Canfield. Local man?

Oh, no. He's a friend
of Ward Bannister's.

He just happened to be in
town from San Francisco.

How much are you
intending to invest?

Eight thousand dollars.

Oh, he's promised to
double it in a few months.

It's hard to resist, isn't it?

What do you know
about Mr. Canfield?

I told you, he's a friend
of Ward Bannister's.

Look, Laura,
Bannister's a stranger

that rode into this town
just a couple of months ago.

He is a very hardworking
man and a nice one.

Maybe he is,

but that isn't enough
reason to put a lot of money

into an investment on
the word of a friend of his

who's just happened to
be passing through town.

I've discussed this
thoroughly with Mr. Weems.

He is very impressed.

Well, Mr. Weems is a very
capable small-town banker,

but I doubt very seriously if he
knows too much about high finance.

Or Bannister's
Mr. Canfield, for that matter.

Mr. Weems has sent a telegram
to the president of the railroad

asking him if Mr. Canfield
represented him.

He won't let me make a move
until he gets a confirming wire.

And Mr. Canfield has to
leave town soon, hmm?

Yes. Tomorrow as a
matter of fact. Why?

Let's play some cribbage, huh?

Can I help?

I doubt it.

I kind of got myself in a
messy situation with Laura.

She's investing in
this railroad. Big one.

I don't know. The mood she's in,

I don't seem to be able to get
very far in discussing it with her.

Well, do you think
it's a bad investment?

Depends on who the
other investors are,

how much stock has been sold,

if they have any freight orders.

She hasn't even bothered
to check into these things.

Can't you?

Well, I intend to.

I thought I'd wire our broker
in Frisco tomorrow morning,

and let him check
these things out.

But the trouble is, if we
think it's a poor investment

and I persuade
her to pull out of it

and it turns out to
be a good investment,

well, I'm gonna be as
welcome at the Running D

as an outbreak of cholera.

Is it important to you to be
welcome at the Running D?

Well, it is now more than it
was a few weeks ago, yeah.

Al, you get any answer to
that telegram we sent off?

No answer yet, Adam.

I'll be at the hotel having lunch.
When it comes in, get it over to me.

I sure will. It's a funny thing.

Mr. Weems, the
banker, got a telegram

from San Francisco today
about that fellow Canfield.

Said he was empowered
to act for the railway.

For a stranger,
he sure is popular.

Yeah, he sure is.

He won't be here
for long, though.

Mr. Weems tells me
he's taking the stage

back to San Francisco today.

Thanks, Al.

- What are you doing here?
- I wanna talk.

You're not supposed to be seen
with me till after I gotten the money.

That's what I wanna talk about.

Mrs. Dayton came
into town this morning.

Did she give you
a check to invest?

She certainly did. We plucked
our little pigeon for $8000.

Will you do me a favor
and forget all about it?

I don't wanna take
her for any money.

What kind of nonsense is that?

If every pigeon were as
easy as this one has been,

I'd be a millionaire today.

I'll be at that bank
in Carson City

when the doors open
tomorrow morning,

and you can have your $4000.

Don't cash that check, Jim.

You're gone on the girl.

Don't cash the check.

Aren't you forgetting that
this is my little deal, Ward?

When I picked you up,
you couldn't buy your way

into a penny-ante game.

Jim, will you give me the check?

I'll hold onto it and then
I'll say you sent it to her

because you found out the railroad
was in trouble or something. Anything.

But you'll get your
share, I promise you.

How?

You've never seen a thousand
dollars in one lump in your life,

let alone this much.

Run along, will you? I
wanna get some rest.

Ward.

Canfield!

Canfield!

Here it is, Adam. Just
the minute it come in.

Thanks.

"New San Francisco-Monterey
Railroad, not listed on the exchange.

Investigation showed
Canfield alias Combs alias Carr,

confidence man. Ha.

Present whereabouts
unknown. Regards to Ben."

Any answer, Adam?

Tell me what time the next
stage for San Francisco leaves.

Not for about half an hour.

I suppose Canfield's
already checked out.

Well, there's only
one way to find out.

I'm sure you feel better now that
you've let Prince go, don't you?

I guess so, Mother.

- Can I see Traveler for a while?
- Well, just for a little while.

Then when you come
in, I'll read you a story.

Ward.

I've been waiting
for you, Laura.

Well, when Dave told me that
you'd been gone most of the day,

I thought maybe you'd changed
your mind about staying on here.

I did change my mind,
but not about that.

What do you mean?

This is the check I gave
Mr. Canfield this morning.

I saw Canfield after you
agreed to make the deal with him

and, well, we had a long talk,

and he finally admitted
that there was too much risk

in that sort of investment.

More risk than I
want you to take.

There's something more I
want to talk to you about, Laura.

What is it, Ward?

I found something here I've
been looking for for years.

Something I had never thought
would be possible for me again.

Well, I think that's
wonderful. I'm very happy for...

Marry me, Laura.
Please, marry me.

Marry you?

In no time at all, we can have
the Running D in real fine shape.

Ward.

I don't understand you.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

You don't know what
I'm talking about?

Don't you remember
what you said last night?

I wasn't talking
about getting married.

What was it?

You said that this
ranch needed a man

and that I could be him.

What did you mean by that?

That I admired you.

That you might run
the ranch for me.

Run the ranch?

But that's all.

- That's all that I meant.
- That's all?

The times we spent
together, all those weeks.

The talks we had about the ranch,
what we were gonna do with it,

was all just meant for nothing?

No! No, we were going
to do it on shares for you.

Shares? Shares?

- No. No, it was more than that!
- You're hurting me!

It was much more than that!

I had to get carried away like a
punk kid in his first poker game.

Ward and Canfield were
partners in a scheme

to rob you of the money
with that phony railroad stock.

I even risked my neck to
get you that money back.

Well, that's what
comes with dreaming.

Let's go, Ward.

Ward. I'm sorry.

Yeah.

So am I.

Hello, Adam. Hello, Ward.

Where you going?

I've got to go away, Peggy.

I'm sorry about
that little wolf pup.

We let him go this afternoon.
That's where we've been.

I guess you can never change
animals from what they're meant to be.

That sometimes happens
with people too, Peggy.

Be a good girl now, huh?

Hyah. Giddyup.

Mama, where's Ward going?

I don't know, dear.

Will he ever come back?

I don't think so.

What about Adam? He's
coming back, isn't he?

I hope so, Peggy.

I hope so.

Behind the Scenes of The Cheating Game

This episode does not feature appearances by Michael Landon or Dan Blocker.

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Bonanza provides wholesome entertainment perfect for watching alone or enjoying with family and friends. The Cheating Game marks the 153rd episode out of 430 in the series. Produced by NBC, Bonanza aired on the network from September 1959 to January 1973, spanning 14 seasons.

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