by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Ben Johnson guest-stars as Sgt. Samuel Bellis, accused of desertion, murder, and selling guns to the Indians. Bellis insists that he's innocent, and Candy believes him-but before he can clear Bellis' name, he must elude the Army patrol that is hot on the fugitive sergeant's heels. In a further plot complication, Bellis is married to an Indian woman named Nanata (Evelyn Davalos), whose own loyalties are greatly in doubt. Written by B.W. Sandefur and John Dunkel, "The Deserter" frist aired on March 16, 1969. The episode was rebroadcast by NBC on June 18, 1972, to capitalize on Ben Johnson's recent Oscar win for his performance in The Last Picture Show.
