The fictional Cartwright family, who owned a fictitious Ponderosa Ranch, stars in the 14 seasons of the NBC Western television series Bonanza. Bill S. Ballinger wrote the twenty-seventh episode of the program, The Last Trophy, which aired on March 26, 1960. Moreover, Bert Freed plays Simon Belcher in this Bonanza episode.

Former big game hunter Lord Marion Dunsford (Edward Ashley) and his wife, Lady Beatrice, stay with the Cartwrights (Hazel Court). Lady Beatrice deemed her husband as an object of contempt and ridicule because he dislikes bloodshed and violence. She preferred the image of the man she married—the company of what she believed were real men like Adam Cartwright. Beatrice’s growing attraction to Adam stir jealousy in Dunsford, provoking him to set out on a potentially fatal-hunting expedition.

Read the story containing some interesting trivia, or watch the complete episode below.

Watch the Full Episode of The Last Trophy

Watch the Full Episode of The Last Trophy:

Main Cast

Apart from the main cast, Bonanza’s twenty-seventh episode for its first season, The Last Trophy, featured several of the program’s recurring and one-time supporting actors. The episode’s cast includes:

• Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright
• Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright
• Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
• Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
• Hazel Court as Lady Beatrice Dunsford
• Edward Ashley as Lord Marion Dunsford
• Bert Freed as Solomon Belcher
• Ken Mayer as Whitey
• Naomi Stevens as Touma
• Don Hix as Kavanaugh
• Jimmy Carter as Kavanaugh’s Grandson
• Jerado Decordovier as Belcher’s #1 Renegade (uncredited)
• Allen Jaffe as Renegade (uncredited)
• Dick Johnstone as Townsman (uncredited)
• Ray Jones as Townsman (uncredited)
• Cherokee Landrum as Renegade (uncredited)
• Buddy Roosevelt as Townsman (uncredited)
• Tom Smith as Townsman (uncredited)
• Arthur Tovey as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)

Full Story Line for The Last Trophy

Lord Marion Dunsford and his other half, Lady Beatrice, arrive in the city to visit Marion’s old friend, Ben Cartwright. However, a bully named Belcher harassed the British blue-bloods upon their arrival. Belcher threw offensive statements, and all Lady Beatrice could do was watch Marion get pushed around. Fortunately, Adam shows up and intervenes, driving Belcher away. He introduces himself as Adam Cartwright, saying his father was anticipating their arrival at the Ponderosa ranch.

Ben and Marion reminisce about their past adventures together at dinner, a conversation encouraged by Beatrice. Their discussion pauses when Hoss and Little Joe head out to prepare for an activity they must do early in the morning. Beatrice persisted in getting her husband to recollect their old glory days, although Marion preferred not to talk about it. A bothered Marion stayed with Ben at the table to continue their conversation, while Beatrice left to get a breath of air with Adam.

Outside, Beatrice and Adam talked about various topics, including her husband. She says her husband is a gentleman who allows a violent person like Belcher to take advantage of him. Beatrice also argued that even if Marion carried a gun, he wouldn’t have used it. While the two were on a bench, Beatrice looked at Adam and kissed him on the lips, even as Marion and Ben approached.

In their bedroom, Beatrice asks Marion why he didn’t do something about her action toward Adam. However, the silence was his reply.

The following day, relentless Beatrice urges Marion to go hunting with the Cartwrights, saying he’s one of the finest hunters of his time. They plan to head near Papoose Peak, two days north of the ranch.

Early in the morning that next day, Adam prepares for their hunting trip. Beatrice saw that there were only three horses, then insisted on coming along since she always accompanied her husband. Adam obliges, then asks Whitey to saddle up another horse.

Meanwhile, Belcher and his group of renegade Indians attack and kill a settler. The grandson witnesses the event unfold and reports it to the Cartwrights at the Ponderosa. Realizing the isolated settlers in the north may be in potential danger, Ben sends out Hoss and Little Joe to check the area.

On the hunt, Adam finds a mountain lion and drives it out so that Marion can have a shot. However, Marion freezes on the trigger, forcing Adam to shoot the deadly cat himself.

Back at the camp, Beatrice expressed her disappointment about Marion, saying it had happened several times before. After she leaves the two by the campfire, Marion reveals to Adam that the only reason he hunts is for the sake of his wife, whom he loves very much. However, she loves the image of the man she married—whose motivation to hunt had withered five years ago.

Later that night, when everyone at camp is asleep, Beatrice leaves her husband’s side to seduce Adam. However, he rebuffs her advances and asks why she is trying to hurt her husband. Beatrice claims that she refuses to accept that she married a coward, making it her part to drive his husband to be that man again. Adam contradicts her statement, implying that she’s clinging to an image of what she thinks a real man is, not the man himself.

Belcher and the renegades attack the camp in the middle of the knight. They shot Whitey dead, wounded Adam with an arrow, then took Lord and Lady Dunsford captive.

At Belcher’s camp, Belcher complains about the food the Indians give him. He orders Beatrice to cook for him, only to throw the food she briefly cooked after she remarked.

Hoss and Little Joe reach Adam’s camp and see Whitey’s dead body. They believe the ambush happened that night and that Belcher most likely took the group captive, so they pursue a search by following the tracks left by their horses.

Belcher insults and makes advances at Beatrice, but Marion can’t stop him, afraid that Belcher will kill him. Beatrice’s disgust for her husband’s humility gets her to play together with Belcher, to the extent of sharing a drink with him. Marion offers 10 thousand dollars to let him and his wife free. However, Belcher knows that the Cartwrights will be after him as soon as he accepts the deal. Belcher challenges Marion to a knife fight, saying whoever wins the battle gets to keep the woman.

Adam tries to talk to Beatrice about Marion, who may put himself in danger for her. Beatrice argues that he doesn’t love her because he didn’t fight for her that night out of fear. Adam tells her that if she is that cold, there’s no doubt she and Belcher deserve one another.

Meanwhile, Belcher offers a deal to Marion: giving his old squaw Tomah in exchange for Beatrice. Marion seeks Adam’s guidance on what to do about Belcher and Beatrice. He asks if he should fight Belcher, only for Adam to tell him that he doesn’t stand a chance.

Marion engages in hand-to-hand combat with Belcher upon seeing how he treated Beatrice. However, Belcher eventually knocks Marion to the ground. Beatrice comes to strike Belcher in the neck with the knife, but he stops her attack and holds a knife to her neck. From his position on the ground, Marion trips one of the Indians, giving Adam a chance to catch the gun and shoot Belcher dead. Hoss, Ben, and Joe arrive just in time to stop the renegades from attacking Adam and Marion.

Back at the Ponderosa, Beatrice takes a moment from nursing her husband to tell Adam about the restoration of their marital romance. Adam figured she realized it when she felt Belcher’s knife at her throat, helping her understand the meaning of fear. Moreover, he tells her not to forget the importance of that lesson.

Full Script and Dialogue of The Last Trophy

Well, here we are, my dear.

I expected Ben
Cartwright to meet us.

It's really rather
strange, isn't it?

We can't just stand
out in the street like this.

Of course not.

I'll get someone to
bring the baggage.

Would you bring out
the baggage, please?

Buy them supplies I told you to?

Steal any of it, I'll skin
you alive, you hear?

One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.

I thought there were ten.
Oh, yes. I knew I was right.


 


You know, you're quite
right about Mr. Cartwright.

He really should have been
here to meet us, Marion.

Marion?

Is that your name?

Yes. Why do you ask?

It's a woman's name, ain't it?

I'm afraid you've
made a slight mistake.

You see, there's a
difference in the spelling.

Oh, there is, huh?

Yes. Spelled properly, it's been
a man's name for 500 years.

In England, that is.

Well, that's very nice.

But this ain't England.

Well, why don't we
drop it, old chap?


 


There's no reason for a scene.

We're not bothering you.

Bothering?

You have any idea
what would happen to you

if you ever even
tried to bother me?

He's really very offensive.
Please get rid of him, Marion.

And how's he
going to do that, eh?

Or do you have any
ideas on that subject...

Marion?

You trying to hit
me in the face?

I'll get you for
this, Cartwright.

Maybe, Belcher,
but this isn't your day.

I'm sorry that had to happen.

He took me by
surprise. I had no idea.

Well, don't judge all of
us out here by that one.

Lord Dunsford, I'm
Adam Cartwright.

Adam Cartwright.
One of Ben's sons?

My father couldn't make it.

He's waiting for
us at the ranch.

Sorry I was late.

May I present my
wife, Lady Beatrice?

How do you do?

How do you do?

I can't tell you how much

we've both been looking
forward to this trip to America.

I have a carriage outside.

We'd better get started.

The boys will bring
your stuff later.

We're greatly
indebted to you, ma'am,

for a most memorable
evening. We won't soon forget it.

Thank you, Mr. Cartwright.

And I'm sure that Marion
and I will never forget

your wonderful hospitality.

Yes. And we're delighted

we were finally
able to visit you.

Well, so were we.

Though I told Beatrice about
that time we spent together,

years ago, in Louisiana.

Ben, remember that Cajun fellow?

A trapper, wasn't he?

Etienne.

Had the longest trap
line in the territory.

Of course, it belonged
to six other men.

He'd come roaring
into town twice a year,

tear the place apart.

Is that where you first met Pa?

Yes. My first trip to America.

Always like to hear
Pa get wound up.

He don't do it often.

Most men love to reminisce.

I suppose it's part
of being a man.

Or a woman.

Sorry to break this up.

Hoss and I have some cows

we have to bring down
early in the morning.

Yes, you do.

If you'll excuse us.

Why, of course.

I hope your stay
will be a long one.

Thank you, Little Joe.

I agree with Little Joe,
ma'am. It ain't often

we get an opportunity to
have a filly like you visit us.

Filly?

Now, that's Hoss's
greatest compliment.

Night, ma'am. Good night.

Good night.

I get to see the New York
papers now and again, Dunsford.

I was reading about
your last African hunt.

I wish I could have
been on it with you.

I'd be interested in
seeing some of your guns.

I hope you brought them along.

As a matter of fact, I did.

But I don't intend
to do any hunting.

Well, we don't' have any
tigers or elephants out this way,

but I think we could
rustle up some game

worthy of our guest.
Don't you think so, Adam?

Well, we might find a pretty
good mountain lion or two.

Mountain lion?

I wonder, are they
as interesting as tiger?

I really don't intend to
do any hunting on this trip.

Oh, why not, Marion?

This American lion might
prove to be very exciting.

And after all, you
are supposed to be

the finest shot in all England.

Well, if you men are
going to reminisce

about your hunting exploits,

I'm going to get
a breath of air.

Will you join me, Adam?

If you like.

Well, Dunsford,

you really shouldn't look
down on our American cougar.

They're awfully good hunting.

Well, I don't know very much
about your American lion.

Or cougar, as you call them.

Oh, dangerous.

Mighty dangerous if they're
wounded and cornered.

Another brandy?

Oh, yes. Thanks.

The stars are bright tonight.

Are they so different

from what you're accustomed
to seeing in England?

No.

I suppose I just imagine
they're a little brighter.

Well, I... think in
a strange place,

everything seems kind of new.

My husband and I have
traveled all over the world.

We've seen many strange
places and many strange people

and nothing is ever
new or entirely different.

Oh, now, I can't go
along with that, ma'am.

"Ma'am"? Don't call me that.

It makes me feel old.

Call me Beatrice.

All right.

I'll admit, I like
that much better.

But I can't agree with your
premise that nothing changes.

Can't you?

My husband never does.

Well, perhaps he shouldn't...

From what my father
says, he's very fond of him.

Your father isn't
married to my husband.

I am.

Look what happened this morning.

My husband is always
the perfect gentleman.

He allows even a ruffian like
that to take advantage of him.

Oh, you mean that
little set-to with Belcher.

Well, we don't know what
might have happened.

I just jumped in before
the dust settled, that's all.

I know my husband.

But it's a strange town.

Your husband wasn't
even carrying a gun.

He wouldn't have used it.

How do you know?

Oh, don't let's talk about it.

It's much, much
too beautiful a night.

You know, I think I'm
going to like America

more than I thought I would.

Thank you for being so
kind to me this morning.

Adam, I've, uh...

I've just about
convinced Lord Dunsford

that he do some shooting
while he's our guest.

Nice chap, Ben Cartwright.

How do you like him?

Yes. He is rather nice.

Quite charming, in fact.

Quite a place.

A "spread," I think
they call it out here.

Well it's large enough.

Fine family. Fine boys.

We're really rather back where
we were, aren't we, Marion?

Did you have to start that
business about the hunting

and... and what
a good shot I am?

Well, you are, aren't you?

We're guests here.

And Ben's an old friend.

I hope I don't have to remind
you to behave properly.

I always behave
properly, exactly properly.

Then how do you describe the way

you threw yourself at
young Cartwright out there?

If I did throw myself
at him, as you say I did,

why didn't you do
something about it?

Belgian-made, isn't it?

That's right. Had it made
specially for big cats.

Tigers and such.

Well, if we have luck, some of
these mountain lions around here

can run pretty big.

How many beaters
do you think we'll need?

Beaters?

Oh, this isn't Africa.
We don't use 'em.

Just you and me
and a camp wrangler.

It's not a matter of how many
men we take along, but how few.

I don't understand.

Well, if we're to get within
seeing distance of a cougar,

we'll have to travel
quiet, light, and fast.

Once you get the knack
of it, I think you'll enjoy it.

Yes, I'm sure I will.

..as far as the eye
can see, but farther.

It's vast. It's beautiful.

Oh, I hope we're
not interrupting you.

It's a pleasure.

How are you doing, my dear?

Oh, the guns came
through in excellent shape.

You sure have some
beautiful weapons here.

I think I mentioned to you
before that my modest husband

is considered one of the
finest hunters of his time.

Oh, you flatter me, my dear.

Hardly, when all
England says as much.

We got in a little target
practice this morning.

Oh? Is he as good a
shot as I said he is?

Sure is. I'm glad I wasn't
betting against him.

Have you decided where
you're going hunting?

Well, some of the boys
found some fresh signs

up near Papoose Peak.
I think we'll try up there.

Papoose Peak?

That's rather a quaint
name. Where is it?

Uh, two days north of here.

We'll camp one
night on the way up.

When do you plan to leave?

Tomorrow morning,
soon as it's light enough.

Got everything?

Yep. Adam,

I can't see myself
calling him "Lord."

"Lord Dunsford."

Plain sacrilegious, I claim.

Well, that's not
the way it's meant.

Call him anything you like.

Well, seems to me, if
just plain "Mr. Cartwright"

is good enough for your pa,

then plain "Mr. Dunsford"
ought to be good enough for him.

I got a better idea.
Don't call him anything.

Just, uh, say, "Hey, you."

Well, now, Adam,
that-that don't sound polite,

seeing as how he's
a guest and all that.

I'll do some more
thinking on it.

I'll see if His
Lordship is ready.

Ah, good morning.
Good morning, Adam.

You're up early.

I feel positively uncivilized
getting up at this hour.

It's practically the
middle of the day for us.

That's quite a nice
outfit you're wearing.

We don't usually see anything
like that on the Ponderosa.

Quite the courtier, aren't you?

Well, you're quite a
lady, Lady Dunsford.

Lady Dunsford.

I thought I told you
my name was Beatrice.

Yes, so you did.

Why only three horses, Adam?

Well, there are only
three of us going.

Your husband,
Whitey, and myself.

But I'm coming with you.

This is no trip for a woman.

Oh, but why not?

I always accompany
my husband on the hunt.

Besides, I've been in
much more dangerous

and much more
wilder places than this.

You can ask him.

I will.

Marion, I've just
been telling Adam

that I plan to come
on the hunt with you.

Is that the way you
figured it, Dunsford?

Well... I hadn't
given it much thought

one way or another.

I planned it that way.

If you've made up
your mind, my dear.

She's used to
this sort of thing.

Well, she's your wife.

Saddle up another horse, Whitey.

Howdy.

Howdy.

I was, uh, just riding by.

This place ain't hardly
built on a highway.

I can't say that it is,

but I can't say I
know where it is.

You a stranger? Lost?

I guess you could say that.

I'm, uh, out of tobacco.

Could you sell me a mite?

Ain't got none to sell.

I can let you have a
little to tide you over

till you get in town.

That's real neighborly.

I appreciate it.

Hey, since you killed
him, you might as well see

what the old fool's got inside.

Don't hold out anything on me.

Wait a minute there!

Let me have that!

In the morning,

Whitey and I'll start
looking for signs.

You tired?

Mm-hmm, I admit I am.

Oh, I know I was warned.

Which is Papoose Peak?

That one over there.

Rather ghostly, isn't it?

I think I'll give Whitey a hand.

Toss me one of
those cones, will ya?

Ever shot an elephant, Adam?

No.

Or a lion... uh, African lion...

Or a crocodile?

No. There aren't too many
in this neck of the woods.

But you have faced
a grizzly or a cougar?

I'm sure I have. Why do you ask?

Just wondering.

Wondering? About what?

How you'd be
against an elephant.

How did Marion do?

Very well.

He always does very well.

Reckon ol' Adam's
got his cougar yet?

It's old man
Cavanaugh's grandson!

What's wrong with him, Pa?

I don't know. Looks worn out.

Hoss, get some water.

You all right, boy?
Can you hear me?

Grandpa's dead... Injuns.

Pa, there ain't no Indians

on the warpath around here.

Not regular ones.

You mean, Belcher
and his renegades?

Yeah. Adam saw
Belcher picking up supplies

in Virginia City, day
before yesterday.

Pa, if he, if he went
up by Cavanaugh's,

that means he swung up north.

There's a half a dozen
isolated settlers up there, Pa.

Adam and Dunsford
and his wife, too.

You don't think he'd try
to tackle them, do ya?

If he's in a killing mood,

there's no telling what
that renegade might try.

Hoss, you and Little Joe, you
better ride up there in a hurry,

see how everything
is just to make sure.

Yes, sir.

Here, I'll take care of the boy.

I spotted a big
one, top of the bluff.

Want to try and tree him?

No, I'd like our guest to
get a running shot at him.

How you gonna do that?

Well, I'll get behind him.

Soon as he spots me, he'll run.

From the lay of the land,

ten to one, he'll run
right straight toward you.

You found him, Adam.

I think you'd like
a shot at him.

He's all yours.

He shouldn't be
any trouble, Marion.

He's only a big cat.

Yes, ma'am, but he
may be plenty big.

Wait till you see him up close.

Look, lady, you better
get yourself back here.

Now you look here, uh... Lord.

That cat's gonna be
running blind scared.

You get him before
he runs over you.

Because them there cats,
they don't give you two chances.

All right, here he comes.

Fire!

Go on, fire!

Why don't you fire?

Fire!

Fire!

Sorry you didn't
get a shot at him.

You'll never get
a better chance.

I suppose you're
wondering what happened.

Oh, let's forget
about it, Marion

Why, sometimes talking
about a thing helps.

I really should explain.

Somehow, I just
can't force myself

to pull the
trigger to... to fire.

Then, when the
beast gets close...

Milord insists on
trying, always trying.

Every man's
entitled to a mistake.

But it's happened
before, in Africa and India.

It's happened before!
Now do you understand?

I think we better
get some sleep.

I'd like to talk with you, Adam,

if you don't mind.

What I'm going to say
is going to be difficult

for a man like
yourself to understand.

Look, Dunsford, I've seen
other men freeze on the trigger,

even when facing a deer.

But I'm not talking
about other men.

I'm talking about me.

I'm talking about
what happened today.

Look, why don't we just
say it was a bad day?

Can't you realize it's
much more than that?

Adam, do you believe

it's just a matter of courage?

Dunsford, why go into it?

There comes a day
in every man's life

when he has to
evaluate that word.

It makes no difference whether
he be soldier or sportsman.

Are you saying it's
a matter of degree?

No, it isn't.

Reckless courage
is a privilege of youth.

As a man grows older,
he stops to ask himself

which is more important,
himself or the tiger?

Then why do you go on?

Unfortunately, Adam,
I'm in love with my wife.

And she's still in love

with the image of the
man that she married.

That man passed out of
existence five years ago.

Adam. Adam.

Hmm? Wha-What? Shh!

Marion and Whitey are asleep.

I was cold.

I'll poke up the fire.

No, don't. Don't do that.

You'll wake the others.

Oh, this is better.

You should be over
there with your husband.

I watched you
dispatch that cougar.

It was beautiful what you did.

You call that kind
of killing beautiful?

You talk too much
for a man of action.

You're, um, wasting
your time, Lady Dunsford.

Am I?

You'd rather I waste
it with my husband?

Your husband's a
friend of my father's.

That means he's my friend, too.

You are an honorable man.

There are worse things to be.

You're trying very hard
to hurt your husband;

to get even with him. Why?

Can you blame me?

Yes, and in more ways than one.

You insisted on coming
along on this hunt.

You knew what
was going to happen.

If you had any
feeling for the man,

you'd have stayed behind.

You're trying to
force him to break,

to make him disgrace
himself... now, why?

He's a coward.

He's shot through
and through with fear.

And you, you don't
know the meaning of fear?

I refuse to accept that
I'm married to a coward.

Is it that?

Or is it just the need
to keep the image alive

of what he once was?

Or what you thought he was?

You're quite a backwoods
philosopher, aren't you, Adam?

Well, if it ain't my
old friend, Marion.

So we meet again.

Adam...?

How's your shoulder?

Thanks for the bandage.

All right, up
ahead, keep riding.

Keep separated.

Hungry?

Eat.

It's time you brought
me some food.

Don't like?

I want my food properly cooked.

I want some salt on it.

Rather an unusual
fellow, isn't he?

He's a renegade.

Thieving scavengers...

They'll steal anything
that isn't tied down.

Don't suppose we have
much chance against them?

Belcher and these Indians of his

are always just one
step short of the noose.

And a couple more killings isn't
going to make any difference.

If we could only get
our hands on some guns.

What guns?

Belcher's got mine.
He's got yours, too.

Got them cached
over in that cave.

Doesn't even trust
these Indians of his.

Pretty confident
of himself, isn't he?

Why shouldn't he be?

What's he got to worry about?

Hey, you with the red hair.

Are you addressing me?

Ain't nobody else around
here fits that description.

You know how to cook?

Not very well, I'm afraid.

Well, now don't
let that worry you,

because you're going to
get a chance to improve...

Right now.

Being as how you're
a civilized woman

and I got me an educated taste.

Get over here and you
cook something for me.

Come on now, get moving!

Come on, now, get up!

Try this, Mr. Belcher.

Just a little rare
with a pinch of salt.

Better?

What, no complaints?

Don't get sassy with me.

He's dead, Joe.

Belcher.

This must have
happened last night.

They didn't build this
fire up for breakfast.

Maybe Adam and
the others got away.

Either that or Belcher
took 'em with him.

If he'd have killed him,
he would've left him here,

the way he did with old
Cavanaugh and Whitey here.

Why would he want
to take 'em with him?

I don't know.

How do you figure
a man like Belcher?

Let's have a look around,
see what we can find.

Hey, Joe, come here.

It's Indian ponies, I make it.

Adam left his ponies
picketed over here, you see?

Looks like they rode
out in this direction.

Yeah, they took Adam's
horses with them, all right.

Yeah.

From the looks of those tracks,
all the horses were ridden.

Yeah, maybe... maybe
Adam and the Dunsfords

are still alive after all, huh?

They were when they left here.

Let's bury Whitey
and go after them.

Yeah, we'll do
that, little brother.

That animal.

The way he's had
you working all day,

as though you were his slave.

Thank you.

He has his own idea about
how he should treat women.

Perhaps you could try
keeping out of his way.

Don't do anything to
attract his attention.

You think I don't have
his attention already?

Mind if I join the party?

What are you planning
on doing with us?

Well, now I... I could kill
you all and be rid of you,

but I figured I found
me a little gold mine.

The only thing...

I ain't too sure yet about
the best way to mine it.

Forget it.

My father and my brothers are
probably on the trail right now.

They catch up with you,
Belcher, they'll blast you sky-high.

If they ever get
too close to me,

you might find that you're
just a piece of crow meat.

And I mean all of you.

Now, I don't know about us,

but I know how
you're gonna end up...

Eyeing a vulture on a sunny day.

Only my better nature

keeps me from
letting him kill you.

You would hit a man with
a bad arm, wouldn't you?

You're a filthy pig.

Ah.

And now we hear
from the grand lady.

Listen, pig or no
pig, this is my camp,

and while you're here,
you'll do as I tell you

or I just might kill you.

I'm not afraid of you, Belcher.

You're not, huh?

Well, now, there's
a nice little polecat.

If there's anything I like,
it's a woman with spunk.

Take your hands off me.

Well, sure.

There's no harm done, is there?

You and me gonna get along fine.

Will we?

Yeah.

We understand each other.

We know the difference
between having guts

and not having guts.

Tell me... how'd
you happen to marry

something like him, hmm?

Anyway, the reason I came over

was to invite you to a
little tea party I'm holding.

Beatrice, you're
not going with him.

How would you
decline his invitation?

Sit down.

Woman!

You call?

Get me the jug.

Here, have a drink.

I don't think I should like it.

I didn't ask you to like it.

I just said drink it.

Don't worry,
you'll get to like it.

Tell me something...

You... you got another
name, haven't you, hmm?

Beatrice.

Beatrice.

I'm not so sure that I like it.

See, I once knew a girl
in St. Louis by that name.

Well, I can't say that she
could hold a candle to you.

You've had your
eye on ol' Solomon

for a long time
now, haven't you?

You and me gonna be
great pals, you know that.

Let's have another drink.

Isn't there any way to
reason with a man like that?

You heard what he said about
finding himself a gold mine.

All he has to do now is figure
out a way to make it pay off.

Then you think it's
money he's after?

That's one of the
things that's on his mind.

Well, how much do you
think Belcher would want?

All depends upon

how much he thinks
your wife is worth.

Stop it, stop it,
you thievin' Indians!

I guess I'll talk to him now.

Do you think this
is a good time?

Belcher's a typical bully boy.

He's probably
feeling pretty good

since he's shown who's boss.

What's this, a social visit?

Hardly.

This, uh, gold mine...

You, uh, figured a
way to work it yet?

You got a way?

Maybe I have.

My friend Dunsford here is
willing to give you $10,000

if you will let him
and his wife go free.

Well, he doesn't
have it in his jeans.

I already searched 'em.

Oh, you'll get the
money... I'll guarantee it.

How can you
possibly guarantee it?

Turn him loose, let him
go back to the Ponderosa.

My father will send the money,

and I'll remain here
as your hostage.

Adam Cartwright... The
man with all the answers.

Adam, you never said
anything about a hostage.

You figuring to use
me as coyote bait?

I'm not hankering to
have Ben Cartwright

and his boys track after me.

I'll have to think about this.

Well, you can't very
well turn it down.

Well, now don't say that,
because I can do just that.

I can kill you and Marion there,

anytime I feel like it.

Forget the whole business.

What about my wife?

You talkin' about this
pretty little kitten here?

Now ol' Solomon
might just consider

taking her on as a squaw.

Treat her pretty good, too.

You don't really think
you can get away with it.

Why not?

What's the difference?

Me and the Indian steal
a horse, it's my horse.

Steal a gun, it's my gun.

If I steal a woman,
she's my woman.

I done it before.

Well, that's a very realistic
way of looking at things.

Realistic, nothing.
It's the way of a thief.

What business is it of
yours, Mr. Cartwright?

But it is my business.

You're my wife.

And you'll stay my
wife as long as I'm alive.

Want to prove that,
Mr. Husband, about being alive?

You want to fight
me for this knife?

Whoever gets that knife uses
it and gets to keep the woman.

The trail just seems
to disappear here.

Yeah.

They backtracked
and brushed 'em out,

that's what they done.

Yeah, we must be near
Belcher's camp for him to do that.

Yeah.

I think we better
leave the horses here.

Oh, it's you. You startled me.

You, uh, enjoy your
little party last night?

Yes, thank you. Very much.

Your husband and
I felt sort of left out.

Oh, I was sorry Mr. Belcher
wasn't in the mood

for more guests.

Well, now, I think being
a guest of Mr. Belcher

is something I can do without.

Look, it's easy
to criticize a man

who is so completely
different to yourself.

Belcher's no glamorous,
romantic highwayman.

I didn't say he was.

I know he's crude and he's rude.

But he did make you
a fair offer last night,

and I didn't notice either you
or Marion rushing to take it up.

The knife is still where
he left it, by the cave.

That fascinates you, doesn't it?

What do you want me to do?

I'm worried about your husband.

He may try to fight Belcher.

Marion?

There's little danger of that.

Well, there is, unless
you tell him not to.

He doesn't love me.

That isn't true. He
loves you very much.

Then why doesn't
he fight for me?

Oh, you'd like to see
him dead, is that it?

He doesn't stand a
chance against Belcher.

It's a chance he wouldn't take.

Fear. It's always fear.

He had his chance
against the cougar.

Why did he have
to freeze like that?

He could have killed it
without any effort at all.

How do you know how much
effort it takes for him to kill?

I don't know. I just
want him to do it.

Then Belcher's the
kind of man you deserve.

Well, whatever else he'd do,

he wouldn't walk
away from a fight.

All right, suppose Marion
were to fight, and got killed.

How would you feel then?

How do you think I feel now?

I don't hate Marion, but...

Well, he's just not
the man I married.

I want him to be a man for his
own sake, as well as for mine.

Belcher sure knows
how to cover up his tracks.

Yeah, he learned it from
them Indians he runs with.

Joe, you remember that
time me and you and Pa

were up here hunting
and found that cave?

That was, uh... It was over
that next ridge in the canyon.

Yeah.

You don't reckon Belcher would
be holed up in there, do you?

Hey, it's worth a look.

Now, why you sitting there
like that, doing nothing?

Go on. Gather some wood.

Come on, you heard me. Come on.

I expected you to be
looking me up this morning.

About that knife.

Maybe you didn't
think it was a fair offer.

What about my offer to you?

Oh, you mean that money?

Now, what amount was that?

$10,000.

Is that all she's
worth to you, huh?

Fine-looking woman like that?

It's more money than
you've ever seen in your life.

Yes, that's true, but, well,

I think she's worth a
little more than that.

Are you trying to
bargain with me, Belcher?

Oh, I wouldn't bargain with
a fine English gentleman.

That's good.

Then should we
call it an agreement?

No, not just yet.

Well, you see, it's not

that I don't take the word
of a fine English gentleman,

but you understand,
in a business deal,

a man has to protect himself.

Well, now, if I left Adam
Cartwright here as a hostage,

well, that'd be no
protection for me.

All that'd do is bring
the Ponderosa riders

down on my neck.

Well, that's your
problem, old man.

Well, now, I think
it's yours, too.

How is it mine?

Well, now, instead of leaving
Adam here as a hostage,

I'll send him home,
keep your wife.

You must know I'd never
leave my wife here with you.

Well, I understand,
you know, 'cause...

Well, speaking personal, I find
it hard to live without a woman.

Well, so, now that I have
Beatrice, well, that makes two.

I can't use them both.

So, I figured, since
I'm getting your woman,

well, I'll just give
you one of mine.

That old squaw Tomah.

Now, that's fair, ain't it?

You don't really expect
me to answer that, do you?

Sure.

Look, if you don't take
her, I'm just going to have

to take her out back of that
rock and bash her brains in.

Why all the sentimentality?

Huh?

Oh.

Well, you know, Tomah,
she's a little jealous,

and if I move that new
white squaw in tonight,

it could get touchy.

I'm giving you a
reasonable deal, now.

Being fair to everybody.

You think about it.

Adam, what...

what shall I do about Beatrice?

Well, what do you want to do?

Do you think I
should fight Belcher?

I don't think you have a
chance in a hand-to-hand fight.

He's bigger, heavier.

He's been raised on
brawls and barroom fights.

What do you suggest?

Well... I might try him.

And it's up to me, isn't it?

Well, a man can
only do what he can.

What he can.

I suppose that's the
whole point, isn't it?

What do you mean?

I don't know if you
would understand.

It's not death or
dying that I'm afraid of.

Well, what is it?

If I could only be sure
that, at the last moment,

I wouldn't freeze
or... or run...

I just made a bargain
with your husband.

What kind of a bargain?

I traded you for Tomah.

You're going to
stay here with me.

He's going to go safely
home with my other squaw.

Sounds good, doesn't it?

I like my women
to fight a little.

But only a little.

When you're my woman,
you learn one thing.

You do what I tell
you or I'll kill you.

Belcher... Belcher, stop it.

Well, Marion!

I didn't know you had it in you.

I told you, you cross
me, I'd cut your throat.

Beatrice, keep down.

All right, hold it.

Drop it!

You all right, Adam?

Well, we are now.

See you took care of Belcher.

We figured you would.

I had a little help. Uh...

We made quite a
team, didn't we, Marion?

We really did.

We certainly did, Adam.

Hop Sing sent up this
soup. I offered to deliver it.

You needn't whisper; Marion's
much better this morning.

He's going to be all right.

Oh, I'm very
pleased to hear that.

Thank you, Adam.

I'll take the soup.

Come on in. He'd
be glad to see you.

Marion, you have a visitor.

Adam!

How about doing some hunting?

I could rustle up something.

You know, Adam, I think
I've had my fill of hunting.

We both have.

Besides,

now I know that the man is
more important than the tiger.

When did you learn that?

That night at the camp.

When you felt that
knife at your throat,

then you, too, really
knew the meaning of fear.

Yes.

When a peaceful man,
a truly peaceful man,

is willing to die
for what he loves.

You know something,
Lady Dunsford.

And don't you ever forget it.

Looking for More Bonanza Episodes?

Bonanza is a fantastic Western show you’ll enjoy alone, with your friends or family. All 14 seasons aired on NBC from September 1959 to January 1973. The Last Trophy is episode 27 of 430. 

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