the outcast
Bonanza Western TV
The Lone Writer  

The Outcast Full Episode – Bonanza, Season #01, Episode #17

Bonanza is one of NBC’s longest-running Western television series, airing from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Thomas Thompson wrote its seventeenth episode, The Outcast, which appeared on-screen on January 9, 1960. Edward C. Platt and Mark Allen appeared in it, playing the roles of Harvey Bufford and Garth.

After hanging her father and brother for murder, the people of Virginia City turn against her. With nowhere and no one else to depend on, Leta kept close to the only person who could show her kindness: Clay Renton (Jack Lord), a former outlaw.

Read its plot and some behind-the-scenes trivia, or watch the episode below.

Watch the full episode of The Outcast

Watch the full episode of The Outcast:

Main Cast

Aside from the main cast, the seventeenth episode of Bonanza, The Outcast, featured a few of the show’s recurring and guest cast members.

Here is the list of the episode’s characters:

  • Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
  • Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
  • Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright
  • Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright
  • Jack Lord as Clay Renton
  • Susan Oliver as Leta Malvet
  • Edward Platt as Harvey Buford
  • Irene Tedrow as Mrs. Buford
  • Robert P. Lieb as Spence (as Robert Lieb)
  • Roy Engel as Dr. Paul Martin
  • Joel Ashley as Boyd
  • Mark Allen as Garth
  • Sam Bagley as Townsman (uncredited)
  • Bill Borzage as Townsman (uncredited)
  • George Ford as Townsman (uncredited)
  • William Meader as Townsman (uncredited)
  • Rex Moore as Townsman (uncredited)
  • Chalky Williams as Townsman (uncredited)

Full Story Line of The Outcast

The townspeople of Virginia City shun Leta Malvet because of her father and brother’s criminal acts. The mob accused them of robbing the stagecoach of the Ponderosa payroll, eventually hanging them as a verdict.

Ben Cartwright takes the agitated Leta to rest at the Ponderosa, following the doctor’s advice. Leta’s lover, Clay Renton, goes to the Ponderosa to check on her, much to the discomfort of Ben and Adam. While Adam expresses his concerns to Ben about Clay’s visit considering his criminal history, Hoss remains silent.

Leta admires a pair of boots while selling eggs to Harvey Bufford, the general store owner. Harvey insists she takes the shoes, even putting them into her basket. However, Harvey’s price meant Leta’s feminine favors, which outrages her, causing her to push him away. Clay arrives at the shop after witnessing the aftermath of their argument and warns Harvey to stay away from Leta. Harvey’s wife enters the scene, and he coldly implicates Leta of attempting to steal the boots. On the other hand, his wife speaks, “I saw everything.”

Books Worth Reading:

Meanwhile, the Cartwrights have devised new and innovative methods of transporting miners’ payroll throughout the Ponderosa ranch to prevent robbery. Hoss and Little Joe ride to the ranch house with a wagon load of wood, keeping the payroll hidden beneath the wood. However, they unintentionally reveal their secret to Clay, who sees them unload the payroll with his pair of binoculars.

Clay appears to be a member of a group that aims to steal the payroll. However, their leader, Spence, hesitates to pursue the robbery just yet. Clay tries to convince Spence, stating the job can push through once he buys new horses from the money he’ll rob from Bufford’s shop. The conflict escalates, ending with Clay shooting Spence to his death and him leading the gang.

At the Ponderosa, Hoss brings a sack of chicken feed to Leta. As requested, Hoss waits as Leta prepares to show him a surprise. The surprise was Leta’s handmade wedding gown. However, Hoss becomes pessimistic upon learning about Leta’s desire to marry Clay. On the other hand, Leta remains hopeful about starting a better life with Clay.

Leta brings her handmade bridal gown to town to compete at the annual bazaar’s dress contest. Mrs. Bufford, the chief judge, turns away Leta, telling her that she is far too late.

Meanwhile, Clay and his gang break into Bufford’s store, opening the safe, only to discover fifty dollars inside. Bufford sees his opened safe while searching for his wife’s parasol in his store. Clay faces him, pistol-whipping him multiple times before fleeing with his gang.

Books Worth Reading:

While Ben and Hoss delivered the miners’ payroll, Adam and Little Joe went to enjoy the town bazaar. Ben spots an injured Harvey walking out of his store. A crowd rushes to help him, and as he gasps Clay Renton’s name, he succumbs to his death. Ben vows to find Clay before the town organizes another lynch mob.

Ben meets the other Cartwrights at the Ponderosa after sending Hoss to find the rest of his brothers. Three outlaws were heading toward the lake, so Ben asked his boys to go after them as he headed alone to Leta’s place. Clay appears as expected but hides in Leta’s bedroom as Ben persuades her to bring Clay to justice. Leta expressed her concern for Clay’s safety, but Ben told her he would do everything to ensure Clay received a fair trial.

Upon his departure, Ben finds Clay’s horse behind Leta’s house. Meanwhile, Adam appears to deliver news about the outlaws. Ben tries to convince Leta to leave the house, but Clay intends to take Leta out the back door and flee. Unfortunately, the situation only worsened when the angry mob arrived.

Leta grabs her rifle and orders Clay to put down his gun as he explains his escape plans. Instead of complying, Clay hides his gun and compliments Leta on how she negotiated with Ben, believing she’s siding with him. Leta follows Clay outside, aiming her rifle at him. Ben assures the crowd that he will handle the situation. Leta catches Clay off guard when she informs Ben to inspect his boot for the gun. When Clay realizes the game is over, he reaches for Leta’s rifle, but a quicker Ben shoots him, causing him to drop to the ground.

Mrs. Bufford apologizes after seeing Leta’s true colors for the first time.

Books Worth Reading:

Full Script and Dialogue of The Outcast

Hyah!

Keep out of this, Cartwright!
We don't need you!

Stop her somebody!
Don't let her see this!

Why?

In the name of decency,
Mrs. Buford, why?

Decency?

That girl's as guilty as her
father and her brother were.

Well, how is she?

She's resting.

She's in deep shock.

I believe I could have
made that diagnosis.


 


Now don't take your moral
indignity out on me, Ben.

I don't mean to, Paul.

It's just when I think of
people like that Mrs. Buford...

One of the so-called
leaders of our town...

Give her these.

One every four hours.

The only thing else

I can prescribe for her is time.

How about prescribing a
little kindness and affection?

About the kindest thing that
could happen to Leta Malvet

is for her to get
out of Virginia City

as soon as possible.

Give the people
a chance to forget

about the two men her
father and brother murdered.


 


But when she leaves, she
ought to go of her own free will,

not because somebody threw
rocks at her and drove her out.

You may be right, Ben.

Good-bye.

Whoa, boy. What's the
matter with you, Little Joe?

You trying to scare
this horse half to death

just when I get him tamed down?

Yeah, cut out the
infernal shooting.

I was just practicing,
older brother.

Well, put it back
in your holster

before I have to
take it away from you

and keep it until you grow up.

Well, you think you can?

Now what's all this racket?

Little Joe, next time
you pull a stunt like that,

I'm going to put you
up on that little sorrel.

Your baby son here is
playing at stage robber.

Well, quiet down,
the lot of you.

That girl in there
needs her rest.

Now, look, Pa, if we're
gonna start guarding

those mine payroll
shipments, we...

And keep quiet about that, too.

Well, who's going
to hear me out here?

Now never mind who's...

I can't say you're welcome
on the Ponderosa, Renton.

I figured I wouldn't be.

Then why are you here?

To ask about Leta, that's all.

I'll tell her you
asked about her.

I'd sure like to see
her, Mr. Cartwright.

I don't think that
would be best.

I appreciate what you
done for her, Mr. Cartwright.

I... I just stopped
by to say thanks

and see how she was, that's all.

Pa.

Can't do no harm, it
might do some good.

Come on then.

Take his horse.

Clay, I needed you.

I tried to find you.

I come as soon as I
could get here, Leta.

I've been working at a
ranch over at Washoe.

What am I gonna do, Clay?

I want to go away
from Virginia City.

Running away is not
going to help anything.

I found that out.

But the talk, Clay.

Facing them every day.

Long as you know the talk
is lies, it can't hurt you, Leta.

First thing you got
to do is forget the talk.

Ain't that right,
Mr. Cartwright?

Well, the, uh...

the doctor did say
she needed a lot of rest.

Sure.

I'll be around any time
you need me, Leta.

You know that.

Now, you get a lot of rest

just like the doctor said.

Good to see you, Joe.

You and me used to have

a lot of good times
together, huh?

Yeah, we did.

Thanks.

Thanks, all of you.

Well, that's all we need...

Somebody like Clay
Renton snooping around.

I don't think he's
snooping around, Adam.

I think he meant what he said.

You know, he's just a
little bit older than I am,

and he's already got two
prison terms behind him.

Yes, and about eight or
ten more ahead of him,

more than likely.

Pa, don't you think maybe you
ought to talk to her about him?

Son, there's one thing
that a man can't do,

and that's tell a woman who
to love and who not to love.

Yeah, I reckon not.

You boys have nothing to do?

Yeah, come on, Little Joe.

Well, what's on your mind?

The girl.

She's been here three days now.

What are you going
to do about her?

What do you want
me to do, throw her out

while that mob in Virginia
City is still in a lynching mood?

We have an obligation
to ourselves, too.

Such as?

Guarding the payroll shipments.

Whether we like it or
not, the only associates

Leta's ever had in her
life have been outlaws.

Now I just don't like the idea
of somebody like Clay Renton

hanging around the Ponderosa.

I suppose you're right.

Why don't you do
something for a change

and rustle me up
something to eat, huh?

Who took care of you
before I was around?

Where do you think you've been?

If I thought it was any of
your business, I'd tell ya.

I warned you for
the last time, Clay...

I'm running this
shebang... All the way.

Yeah, you're
running it just fine.

You have us hold
up an empty stage,

Malvet and his boy
kill a guard and a driver

and get hung for it.

What'd we get out
of that job, Spence?

It's been a long time since
we picked up any money, boss.

We came here to get a slice
of that mine payroll money.

I don't care if it
takes six months...

We ain't gonna
go off half-cocked

and get our necks stretched
like Malvet and the boy did.

They ain't carrying that
payroll on the stages anymore,

but they're still
getting it through.

You got no idea how
they're doing it, huh?

I suppose you have?

If I was running
this outfit, I'd find out.

Well, you ain't running it!

I kind of go along
with your thinking, kid.

But you ought to
have better sense

then try to outdraw Spence.

Thanks for taking care
of my chickens, Hoss.

Oh, that's all right,
ma'am. I plumb enjoyed it.

Me and them chickens

got to calling each
other by first names.

Oh, I almost forgot.

I sold some of your
eggs to Mr. Buford,

and here's the money.

Now, there ain't
no cause for that.

Nobody's ever been as
good to me as you folks have.

Well, we... we better
get this little lady home.

Good-bye, Miss Leta.

It's best to be home.

Oh, I don't mean I don't
appreciate all of the...

Oh, I understand, Leta.

I'll go in with you,

see that everything
is all right.

Oh, no.

I mean, I left it
so quick and all...

I guess it looks
pretty awful, don't it?

Leta, you do believe

that I want to help you
every way I can, don't you?

You and the boys think

maybe I ought go away
from here, don't you?

I think it would be best.

Mr. Cartwright, I haven't
got anyplace to go.

Do you have any plans then?

Well, I've got my chickens.

Mr. Buford buys all my eggs.

I can make a living.

I've been doing it
for three years now.

And I never took a
penny of the money

my dad and brother stole.

You got to believe
that, Mr. Cartwright.

Oh, I do believe you, Leta,

but you know, there
are some folks that won't.

Well, then I'll... I'll
make 'em believe it.

I'll stand up and face 'em,
and make 'em know it's true.

Well, if that's what you think
is best for you to do, Leta,

I'll do everything
I can to help you.

It's what I have to
do, Mr. Cartwright.

Clay was right.

Running away won't do any good.

Welcome home, Leta.

Clay, what are you doing here?

Who's got a better right?

What's the matter?

A week with those high
and mighty Cartwrights

make you too good for me?

It's not that, Clay.

What is it?

It's just that... that you
take me for granted.

Take you for granted?

You think I thought
of anything but you

every day of those
three years I was in jail?

I'm sorry, Clay.

Let's not talk about it now.

Let's just remember
that it's over now,

and we can get a
fresh start on things.

You bet we will.

We'll have lots of good
times together, too.

It's-It's more than that, Clay.

It's-It's having
people look up to you

and it's walking down the street

knowing that nobody's talking
about you behind your back.

Wait a minute.

What did those Cartwrights
do to you, anyway?

They treated me like a lady.

Well, honey, ain't you one?

Come here.

It's been a long time, Leta.

Don't let those Cartwrights
give you any fancy ideas.

They ain't like us.

They treated me good.

But I'm your kind.

And don't you ever forget it.

I told them we wouldn't
pay a penny more than $25

for all the decorations.

You always were a
sharp trader, Harvey.

I buy eggs from her.

Fresh eggs are hard to come by.

You get them where you can.

Well, I guess everything
is in order, then, Harvey.

Be the best bazaar we
ever had. No doubt about it.

My wife has worked
day and night.

I'll see you later.
Bye-bye, Boyd.

Well, Leta, so you brought
me some more eggs.

There's six dozen there.
You can count them.

Well, now, I...

I could take your word for it.

I wouldn't have to count them.

They'd look awful
pretty on you, Leta.

I never seen any
that pretty before.

And just your size, too.

If you're finished
counting them,

I'll take my pay
for the eggs now.

You ought to have
these shoes, Leta.

I can't afford them.

If you'll give me
the pay, Mr. Buford.

You can afford them, Leta.

You got a pair of shoes, Leta.

I told you I couldn't
afford them.

I just want to be
nice and friendly.

I could come out to your cabin
of an evening once in a while.

And-and pick up the eggs.

Oh!

She came at me like a tiger.

I caught her trying to steal.

These!

You dirty liar.

Stop it.

Honey, they tried to rob me.

I saw it all.

She's a thief,

just like the rest
of her family.

Take me home, Clay.
Please take me home.

Come on.

We gonna just let them go?

You got your shoes
back, didn't you?

Honey, it's like I told
you, she tried to rob me.

I said I saw it all, didn't I?

Anybody interested in a
$50,000 load of fire wood?

I'd be interested in your
keeping quiet about it.

Any trouble? Not a bit.

No. Well, there's apt to be

if those outlaws are still
around and they find out

how we're getting the
payroll across the Ponderosa.

Now we got to figure out

something different
for next week.

Listen, Adam. Little
Joe had a real good idea.

Here's what we're going to do.
He's gonna put on a beard, see?

Then we're going to
get in the covered wagon

and come out here like
we're looking for land.

Yeah, see, then we put
him in a real nice bonnet

and a print dress.

Mm-hmm. How did I ever
get tangled up with you two?

You're just plain
lucky, older brother.

Well, there it is.

$50,000 in cold minted cash.

What I could do with that at
the big charity bazaar next week.

Well, now, I wouldn't
worry about it too much,

'cause you're not going
to be at the charity bazaar.

Yeah? Why not?

You'll be right here on
one of these payroll wagons.

You get in trouble there,
it'll be constructive trouble.

You get in trouble in town,
it'll be just plain trouble.

Hey, Pa, Adam says I
can't go to the bazaar.

That's right, son.

But neither can Adam.

He's going to be riding the
wagon right alongside you.

Oh, now, Pa.

Hoss and I will represent the
Cartwright family at the bazaar.

I'm trustworthy.

All right, come on.
Let's unload the wagon.

Why? Why don't you listen to me?

'Cause I don't like it.

It wouldn't hurt
to listen, Spence.

We can't be no worse
off than we are now.

All right, so you found
out how it's done.

What are you
going to do about it?

What's the matter,
Spence? You gone yellow?

I've gone smart.

I'm going to wait
for the right time.

These nags of ours ain't
had a bait of oats in a month.

What are you gonna do,

get these horses of ours
ready by next Wednesday?

I'm gonna buy fresh horses.

With what?

Money. Money. Out of the
safe in Harvey Buford's store.

With half of Virginia City
looking over your shoulder?

They won't be.

I take time to think things out.

Now, listen. There's a bazaar
starting up in a couple of days.

Every thing shuts
down except the saloons.

Nah.

Be good to have some
money to go on, Spence. No!

Why?

Because you didn't think of it?

Because I don't want no
part of a cheap two-bit hold up.

I came here after big money
and that's what I'm gonna get.

I told you before, boy.
You think too small.

You been living on
egg money too long.

We're gonna do things
my way this time, Spence.

What's the little
boy trying to do?

Grow up to man size?

He ain't trying. He just did.

Clay, it's getting dark
out. It's time to wake up.

I'm awake.

Come here.

I guess I just don't know
how to say this right, Leta.

But there, in Buford's
store, when he accused you,

I knew it then.

I can't stand to see you
face it alone anymore.

I can't stand to be alone.

I love you, Leta. I love
you and I need you.

Oh, Clay.

Oh. I waited so long to
hear somebody say that.

I know folks around here are
going to talk against me, but...

But if I knew you
was waiting, I...

Oh, I will, Clay. I
promise you, I will.

I can go away for a while
and get a little money ahead...

Oh, that isn't important, Clay.

Yes, it is, honey.

It's important to a man.

A man likes to feel like
he's taking care of his wife.

I'll get it.

Of course you will.

I hope you won't
change your mind, Leta.

Like if those Cartwrights
start talking against me.

They don't like me
coming out here to see you.

But I do, Clay.

That's all that matters.

Anybody home?

Hoss!

Hello!

Hi, Miss Leta.

I just brung that chicken
feed into town for you.

Sure big things doing
in Virginia City today.

Getting ready for
that bazaar meeting.

Got the streets all decorated
and the booths all set up.

Say, Miss Leta, you-you
sure do look pretty, ma'am.

Oh, do you like
it? I made it myself.

Sure enough?

Well it's-it's mighty
pretty, ma'am.

It's the first
time I ever tried.

Really? Listen,
you keep that up,

and you're liable
to take first place

at that dress making contest
at the bazaar one of these days.

Oh, Hoss.

Do you think so? Do
you really think so?

Well, ma'am, like you
said, it is your first one.

And I reckon...

I reckon it takes a lot of
practice to really sew good.

Hoss, when I was sick...
when I was over at your house...

you said that I could
talk to you any time,

tell you anything I wanted to.

Yes, ma'am, and I meant it, too.

Well, I want to
show you something.

I have to tell you.

It's in here.

Sit down, Hoss.

Yes'm.

Now, close your eyes.

Yes'm.

Ah-ah-ah!

Now.

Hey. That's a wedding
dress, ain't it, Miss Leta?

Yes, it's a wedding
dress. I made it all myself.

It's my wedding dress!

You made it for your hope chest.

I heard about gals making
stuff for their hope chest.

It sure is pretty, Miss Leta.

I'm going to enter it
in the contest, Hoss.

And I'm going to
be married in it,

in the best church
in Virginia City,

and I'm going to walk down
the main street of that town

and let everybody look
at me and I'll be so proud

and everybody will say,
"There goes Mrs. Clay Renton."

You and Clay Renton?

He asked me, Hoss.

I wasn't supposed
to say nothing,

but I been just bursting inside

with wanting to tell
somebody about it.

Clay's gonna get a job.

A real fine job. Yes'm.

It ain't like I hadn't
known him for a long time.

No, no.

I know he's had trouble,
but then, so have I.

I want to start all over
again and so does Clay.

Don't you see that's what
makes it so good, Hoss?

Yes'm. I reckon I do.

Ain't you gonna wish
me happiness, Hoss?

Yes'm, Miss Leta.

I wish you all the
happiness in the world.

You and Clay both.

Bye, Miss Leta.

♪ Da dee dee-dee-dee dee ♪

♪ Da dum dee ♪

♪ Oh, da-da dum. ♪

Well, good-bye,
Mr. Boyd. Come again.

Oh, Mr. Cartwright?

Yoo-hoo, Mr. Cartwright,
over here. Over here.

Hello, Mrs. Buford.

Looks like your bazaar is
going to be a great success.

Well, I've worked
very hard at it.

I'm sure you have.
Nice to see you.

Oh, Mr. Cartwright,
I want to thank you

for your generous contribution.

Oh, not at all. Not at all.

Good cause.

Oh, and, Mr. Cartwright...

I was wondering
if you would, uh...

If I would judge the dress
making contest again this year?

No, Mrs. Buford,
never, never again.

You ladies take this
way too serious for me.

But thank you very
much for asking.

Much obliged.

Good-bye. Good-bye, ma'am.

Let's get over to
the Last Dollar,

see what the boys
are up to, huh?

Pa, don't you think
it's a little bit early

to start celebrating?

Early? What, for a couple
of young bucks like us?

What's the matter?

$50?

A lousy $50.

There should be more.

I thought there'd be more.

You thought.

We risk getting our
necks stretched for $50.

Take it easy.

I'll figure out something.

Harvey, Harvey,

don't tell me you're
going to open up today?

Oh, I have to get
something for my wife.

Boyd, it's been sort
of up to you and me

to head up things around here.

Something wrong, Harvey?

Well, what do you think
we ought to do, Harvey?

I don't know.

My wife thinks she ought
to be run out of town.

Me and the rest of the
committee will back you up.

You know that, Harvey.

Spence was right about you.

You do think small.

Eric, let's get out of here.

Clay Renton.

I had to come pick
this up for my wife.

I didn't figure on
you being here today.

Turn around. Hmm?

Turn around, walk.

Mrs. Buford.

Mrs. Buford, wait a
minute, Mrs. Buford.

I've got an entry for the
dress making contest.

Now, now, ladies, if you can
get your menfolk quieted down.

Now, ladies...

Mrs. Buford. Now
ladies, as you know...

I got an entry.

What is it, child?

I made a dress.

I want to enter it.

I was afraid I'd be late.

Clay was supposed
to come by and get me,

but he plumb forgot.

I guess that's just
like a man, though.

It's kind of crumpled,

but I stuck by all the
rules, Mrs. Buford.

I bought the material
right here in town

like the rules say.

I traded eggs for it.

You can ask your
husband, Mrs. Buford.

And it ain't no
boughte" pattern either.

I made it my own self.

It's my wedding
dress, Mrs. Buford.

I guess that was just
an accident, Mrs. Buford.

I guess you just
couldn't help it.

I said I want to enter my
wedding dress in the contest.

The entries are closed.

To everybody, Mrs.
Buford, or just to me?

If you had been on time,

I would have been
glad to accept your entry.

You're a liar, Mrs. Buford,

and everybody here knows it.

I know I ought to
hate you, but I don't.

I just feel sorry for you.

You know, this is really nice.

I wish the boys
could be here with us.

Yeah. Did you see the
expression on old Adam's face

when you told him
he couldn't come?

Leta...

Leta, what happened?

What happened?

I just found out where
I belonged, that's all.

Now wait a minute, Leta.

For what?

Clay Renton.

Get a doctor, somebody.

Hoss.

Find Adam and Little Joe.

Get some of the men
together from the sawmill,

spread them out
and cut off all the trails

between here and the Ponderosa.

I'll get some men together here

to follow out the Gold Hill
and Peavine Springs roads.

I'll meet you at the
Ponderosa later.

Yes, sir.

We've all got good ropes, Ben.

We know how to use 'em.

Yes, I guess you would, Boyd.

You've had practice.

How are things in town?

Ugly.

Hoss said you sent the
posse up toward Peavine.

A lynch mob would
be more like it.

Well, I doubt if they'll find
anything to lynch out that way.

You picked up a trail then?

I figured you would.

There must have been three
others besides Clay Renton.

What makes you so
sure it was Clay Renton?

Well, Hoss said...

That Harvey Buford had
mentioned Clay's name.

I'm not going to condemn a man

until I have a lot more to go
on then that. You talked to Leta?

Not yet.

We found where four
men had been camped.

It looked like they'd
been there for some time.

Followed a trail up
along Manzanita Ridge

and we ran out of daylight.

They headed up to
the lake, then, huh?

Well, three of them are, anyway.

You boys follow
on along the ridge.

Then circle back
to the Malvet place.

Sure you want to go alone?

I'm sure.

Well, I guess we lost 'em.

I doubt it.

I wouldn't do that, boys.

Just leave them peashooters
right where they are

and be sensible about this.

It was Clay Renton
beat up that storekeeper.

I swear it was.

Now, the safe was robbed.

You got the money with you?

You know what was in that safe?

$50.

That's what was in it.

Cartwright, listen to
me. Let me explain it.

Oh, you'll have all
kinds of time to explain.

What do you want to
do with them, Adam?

Take them back to town

where there's a
jail to hold 'em.

Then we'll swing back
around Leta's place

like Pa told us.

$50?

Was it worth it, boys?

Clay, what's the matter?

The way you came
riding in here just now

like something had happened?

I used to see my own father
and brother ride in here like that.

I felt bad about not being here

to take you to the
bazaar like I promised.

I just wanted to
see you and explain.

Maybe I rode a little too hard.

Clay, I heard about
it... everybody did.

About what?

Harvey Buford.

Who is it?

It's me Ben Cartwright.

You won't need that.

Who's with you, Mr. Cartwright?

I'm alone.

Oh, I, uh, I came here

because I'd like
to talk to you, Leta.

About Clay.

You've already made up your mind

about him, haven't you?

No, I haven't made
up my mind about any...

Yes, you have.

All of you have.

Somebody gives
Harvey Buford the beating

he's always deserved,
and everybody blames Clay.

Clay wasn't even in town.

Well, if Clay wasn't in town

and he can prove that, then
there's nothing to worry about.

But he'll have to
prove it, won't he?

Well, shouldn't he?

Why should he?

Why should he get down
on his hands and knees

and come crawling to you?

Is it because his name is
Renton and not Cartwright?

Now you know that isn't so.

Why is everyone
getting so excited?

Every day a man gets
a beating in Virginia City

and nobody turns a head.

Leta, this is more
than a beating.

Harvey Buford's
store was robbed.

Harvey Buford is dead.

Do you understand what I said?

A man has been killed.

My father and my
brother were killed, too.

And I know who did it.

A whole town full of
your kind of people

is guilty of that crime.

Why don't you go
knock on their doors

in the middle of the night?

Clay Renton is
suspected of murder.

Clay is not guilty!

If you're so sure of that,

then what are we fighting about?

He's all alone against
all the rest of you

and I know how that feels.

I know you do. And
I want to help you.

I can't turn against
him, Mr. Cartwright,

not when he needs me most.

I'm not asking you
to turn against him.

I'm asking you not to
turn against yourself.

What is it you want of me?

If Clay comes here,
don't get into trouble

by trying to protect him.

If he comes and asks me,
I'll have to give him my help.

Then you'd be putting yourself

on the opposite side of
the fence from everybody.

I guess I would, but it would
be on the side where I belong.

I'm a Malvet, and
there's one thing

the Malvet women
could always be proud of.

They always stood up
for the men they loved.

Thank you for helping me find
my own place, Mr. Cartwright.

All right. You can come
out now, Clay. He's gone.

Yeah, I guess he has.

Did you think I'd lie to you?

No. I can trust you, Leta.

I was proud of the way
you talked up to him.

We got to get out of here. You
got a gunny sack or something?

We'll need a few supplies.

Here. Start filling it up.

I'll keep an eye on the window.

I didn't know Harvey
Buford was dead.

He got what he deserved.

When I think of him
putting his hands on you...

Mr. Cartwright said
the store was robbed.

I heard him say that.

Did you hear him say it
or did you already know it?

How could I know it?

I told you I wasn't
in town, didn't I?

Throw some grub in that sack.

We got a long, hard
ride ahead of us.

What are we running from, Clay?

That's a fine question,
coming from you.

You heard old man
Cartwright, didn't you?

He's already made
up his mind I'm guilty.

But if you're not...

Well, what difference
does that make in this town?

Do you think they'd
listen to me or you?

Honey, look.

Don't you know how
I've dreamed about this?

You and me
getting a fresh start?

We can't do it here. They
won't give us a chance.

Hurry up, now.

Pa.

Adam.

Is Clay in there?

Yeah. His horse is back there.

We caught the other three.
Took them back to town.

There's no doubt about
Clay's being guilty, Pa.

Oh, I guess I knew it all along.

So does the rest
of the town now.

Does anybody know
where you were headed?

It wouldn't be very hard
to figure out, would it?

We've got to get Clay out of
there before that mob gets here.

We'll have another
lynching on our hands.

Well, Hoss and Little
Joe are around back.

We could rush him.

No, we can't.

Leta's in there with him.

Clay, I have to know the truth.

Did you rob Buford's store?

Why don't you stop
deviling me about it?

You didn't answer me!
You got to tell me the truth!

Did you rob Buford's store?

Did you steal
that pair of shoes?

Let's move in a little closer.

There's somebody out there.

Renton!

Clay, my boys and
I are out here alone.

Now, if you come out,

I promise you we'll
see you get a fair deal!

No, Clay! No!

You think you can
trust those Cartwrights?

We've got to trust
somebody, can't you see that?

You think they're
out there alone?

Listen.

Wait a minute. Wait
a minute. Listen to me.

The girl's in there with him.

We want her too, Cartwright!

We'll get out of here,
honey. Just do what I say.

Out the back way.

We'll both start shooting
at the same time.

Then what, Clay?

Leave that to me.

We're going to have
a good life together.

We're going to enjoy some of
the good things other people have.

Everything we've always wanted.

Let's go.

Everything, Clay?

You won't have to wear
homemade dresses, either.

Not with me, you won't.

I'm going to buy you the finest
wedding dress you ever had.

You did kill Harvey
Buford, didn't you?

Come on, Leta. Let's go.

I'm not going, Clay.

What?

You couldn't turn on me, Leta.

Now, put away that gun.

Honey, what are
you trying to do?

Put that gun away, Clay.

Mr. Cartwright?

I hear you, Leta.

I want to do what is
right, Mr. Cartwright.

There'll be no deals with
that woman, Cartwright.

What do you want to do, Leta?

If I bring Clay out
without his gun,

will you promise me
that he won't be lynched?

I promise, Leta.

How do you expect to keep
that promise, Cartwright?

You'll have to shoot me in
the back to make me break it.

Ooh, that was
smart of you, Leta.

Old Man Cartwright went for it.

They wouldn't dare shoot
as long as you're with me.

Look, I'll put the
gun in my boot, huh?

We're gonna make a great
team, honey, you and me.

We're going to have
a good life together.

They're not going to be
able to stop us. None of them.

You wait and see.

As soon as I get
clear of the cabin,

I'll make a break for a horse.

Okay?

Let's go.

Leta kept her
end of the bargain.

I'll use my gun if I have to.

Look in his boot.

I would have got
one of those payrolls

away from you, Cartwright.

I had it all figured out.

That's what I was after.

Just one big one.

Just one big one.

Clay.

You had a chance at something
much bigger than a payroll.

Tell the girl if there's
anything we can do...

Is there anything
you want to do?

I would like her to
know how sorry I am.

How very, very sorry.

Then why don't you tell
her that, Mrs. Buford?

Behind the Scenes of The Outcast

The episode revealed Little Joe’s middle name which is Francis.

Episode 17 displayed an “Episode Title Card” for the first time in the series. It briefly appears after the opening credits and theme song, even having its brief musical segment.

Looking for More Bonanza Episodes?

If you’re looking for a television series to enjoy alone or with the family, include Bonanza on your list! NBC produced the program, and its popularity lasted 14 seasons, from September 1959 to January 1973. The Outcast is the 17th episode out of 430.

You can find more about any of the 430 Bonanza episodes here>>

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