Deserters — W.L. Cox

Jewels' gradual recovery from his near death experience takes a heavy toll on Lucille, and she begins to have doubts about marrying a U.S. Marshal. Hunt sends his men on a mission to track and kill a cougar that has been attacking cattle, and when the rancher left to find the cougar he never returned and his wife is worried. Hunt receives a troubling telegram from Judith. Charles's ship is more than a week late returning to Boston, and she fears the worst. Dodd suffers from a fainting spell, and there is nothing that Dr. Green can do. Dr. Green makes arrangements to transfer Dodd to New Orleans for treatment. With two men out of action Hunt finds himself shorthanded and is forced to join his men on a troubling mission. U.S. Deputy Marshals get pinned down in a gun battle with little food or water.