The Spiked Rifle

"The Spiked Rifle" is the 9th episode of The Rifleman Season Two and the 49th episode overall. Directed by John English and written by Palmer Thompson, it aired on November 24, 1959.
==Synopsis==
An unarmed outlaw robs the stage after informing Lucas that Mark is being held hostage at the ranch and will be killed in 2 hours unless Lucas cooperates.
==Watch==
==Plot==
A gang of three outlaws consisting of Austin Stark, John Lance, and Gustav Kelso ambushes and kills Clay Fallmont outside North Fork. In town, banker John Hamilton asks Lucas to guard a stagecoach transporting $20,000 to Albuquerque, as Fallmont, the original guard, is missing. Lucas agrees to step in if Fallmont doesn’t appear by morning.
At the Madera House hotel, Lucas and Mark have dinner, overheard by the outlaws, who learn of Lucas's potential role as the stage guard. The gang, aware of Lucas's quick draw, worries about their chances of success but Austin insists on proceeding with their robbery plan.
Lucas and the stagecoach driver Zack set off with the $20,000. Austin and Gustav confront them and hold them up during a break. Unarmed, Austin demands the money in the strongbox, claiming that a man at the ranch will kill Mark if he doesn’t hear from Austin within two hours. Fearing for his son's life, Lucas hands over the money.
Racing back home, Lucas finds Mark unharmed, realizing Austin bluffed and that Mark was never taken hostage at all. Determined, Lucas tracks the gang, finding Gustav and John Lance dead at their camp. He follows Austin to Willow Springs, where Austin is gambling. Unarmed, Austin incites the saloon's patrons, offering $3,000 to anyone who kills Lucas. In the ensuing chaos, a patron's bullet intended for Lucas hits and kills Austin, and Lucas wounds the shooter.
Lucas retrieves the stolen money and returns it to John Hamilton, who reassures him that protecting Mark was the right choice.
==Cast==
===Main===
*Lucas McCain - Chuck Connors
*Mark McCain - Johnny Crawford
===Recurring===
*John Hamilton - Harlan Warde
*Zack Cole - Glenn Strange
*Eddie Halstead - John Harmon
===Guests===
*Austin Stark - Richard Devon
*John Lance - Jack Lambert
*Gustav Kelso - Baynes Barron
*Mrs. Hardy - Virginia Christine
*Burton - Fay Roope
*Mallory - Charles Conrad
*Henchman - George Bell (uncredited)
*Townsman - Archie Butler (uncredited)
*Henchman - Rod McGaughy (uncredited)
*Henchman - Morry Ogden (uncredited)IMDB - The Rifleman - The Spiked Rifle
==References==
Category:Episodes
Category:Season Two episodes
Category:Episode pages with completed plot sections