Originally Aired: November 9, 1958

Gunsmoke #344, "Target - Chester," begins when Matt Dillon and Chester intervene to stop the Leach brothers from tormenting an old drunk. When Matt grabs Jabe Leach's gun to stop the cruel sport, it accidentally discharges and wounds Jabe's younger brother Burt in the wrist. Jabe, who dominates his brother's life with an Old Testament ferocity, makes a chilling vow that the shooting will cost the Marshal dearly. Doc Adams warns Matt that Jabe's eye-for-an-eye mentality makes him dangerous, but Matt dismisses the threat, believing Jabe is more bully than killer.

Later that evening, while Matt and Doc play checkers in the Marshal's office, they notice Chester hasn't returned from the Long Branch. When Matt hears a noise out back and investigates, he discovers Chester badly wounded. The deputy manages to gasp out his attacker's name before losing consciousness: Jabe Leach. Now Matt faces the grim reality that his intervention to help a helpless stranger has made his loyal deputy the target of a vengeful man's rage.