Jubal Wade has 1600 head on this drive and demands to be trail boss and says he'll keep Favor's crew if he stays on as ramrod.

Rowdy is handcuffed to a deputy that says he has to warn Camp Henly. The deputy is shot and Rowdy is arrested for murder.

An overbearing Favor leads to many drovers quitting. Five replacements stir trouble.

Gilmore tells Favor there's a panic brewing back east. He needs to cut ten days off the drive. Gilmore says don't tell the drovers about the panic. Tom Gwynn ,a fishbreeder, is sick with fever. He's taking shad to California to claim a $10,000 prize.

A wagon falls on Harve. Rowdy and Favor go for a doctor. Dr. Daniel Pearson, a quack, says he's the only doctor in town. Mrs. James directs them to Dr. Louise Amadon.

Clete Bonner and his grandson Will, posing as Jonas and Duke Williams, join the drive, to see if Will's Dad, Adam, is suitable to take Will. Adam, known as Cable now, is scheming with two others to steal 1500 head and sell to the army.

Favor and Pete recommend to Kurtz, who has been traveling with the herd with his daughter, a shortcut to the San Luis crossing. Lt. Whitley gets a message to warn the ranchers of Comanches. Winter soldier, Hap Johnson deserts. He trades his army gear for cheap indian trading goods at Watson's. He asks Watson, Wish's name. Hap strides into camp telling Wish he is his old friend from Nachodoches. Favor won't hire Hap. Hap has overheard Kurtz has money. He rides after them and takes them on a ""shortcut"" up into the hills. The lieutenant arrests Watson, Favor and Hey Soos for having army goods. Rowdy and Quince go after Hap. They find him with Kurtz. Rowdy sends Quince to get the army and the drover.

Tom Cowan lost an arm in the war. He had a friend in the hospital write his wife, Jenny, that he died. Tom reluctantly returns to his hometown when the herd needs salt. Sam Butler, the banker, made a deal with Tom when he was caught robbing the bank. Tom enlisted under Sam's son's name, Will. Tom is shot by the sheriff and brought into town. Sam wants him snuck out. Will tells Jenny the whole story.

Despite his better judgement, Rowdy hires a slick-talking new drover who rides an expensive stallion. When a rich and powerful Texan comes seeking revenge on the drover, Rowdy decides to protect him.

Jed is being pursued by Marshall Hanson Dickson, a well known lawman. Dickson claims Jed Is James Carothers wanted dead of alive for murder in Missouri. Jed says he was cleared of the charge.