by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Hoping to catch a band of cattle rustlers, the Cartwrights lay a trap for the bandits, while Adam Cartwright scouts the area for possible thieves. Coming upon the injured Matthew Grant (John Archer), Adam assumes that Grant is one of the rustlers. Knowing that his father Ben intends to shoot first and ask questions later, Adam tries to get Grant to confess his crimes and turn himself over to the authorities. Bethel Leslie and Donald Losby appear respectively as Grant's wife Ann and son Jody. First shown on February 18, 1962, "The Jackknife" was written by Frank Chase.
