A stranger, not happy with the changing times and unwilling to accept the fact that "sod busters" are moving into the land, resorts to taking a job with the Starrett's when things get rough. He doesn't last long because Ryker invites him to work at his ranch. But even Ryker's ways are too tame for this cowboy, and he's out for revenge.

Two of Rykers' drunken cowhands cause a fire, accidentally killing a young woman. Her husband shoots one of the cowhands, who eventually dies. Ryker announces he's going after the husband who killed his cowhand. Meanwhile, a preacher shows up to perform the funeral service and gets involved. The steps he takes to stop the feud are shocking.

Shane feels he's lost the battle for Marian's heart when she receives a letter from back East from an old boyfriend, Warren Eliot. Then when Warren pops the question, Marian finds herself having to decide rather she and Joey should stay or go back East with Warren, leaving behind Shane and her father-in-law.

A gang of outlaws ride into town and cause so much ruckus that Grafton sends for Ryker, but that's before Shane begs him to let the men have their fun for two days, pay for the damages, then ride out. It turns out that Shane and the head outlaw go way back, and a declaration was made that they would end up killing each other someday. After Ryker arrives, words are exchanged, and Ryker and his men go to have a showdown with the gang. The end results are not pleasant. Since Shane didn't hold up his end of the bargain, the leader of the gang decide to take revenge. There's only one thing that could make Shane face this man head on, and that one thing has happened.

After one of Ryker's hands is shot, Shane is blamed. They find him guilty in a mock jury trial where Ryker's the judge and his men are the jury. Ben sneaks away to warn Tom and Marian about what's going on, and the whole family fights to save Shane's life. Shane and Joey make a decision that may complicate things even more. But somebody's guilty, and Shane must get to the truth before Ryker kills him!