John Cannon must decide whether to send his son to possible death to save their besieged ranch.

Three army deserters, who have murdered Apaches on Cannon land, are taken prisoner by Indians. Captain Dabney fails in an effort to rescue the men, but gains Apache hostages, including a female relative of Cochise. When Captain Dabney refuses to trade prisoners, and as the Apaches prepare to execute the deserters (as well as Sam, who is also an Apache hostage), Cannon must decide whether to hand son, Billy Blue, the perilous job of secretly returning Dabney's hostages to Cochise.

Guest Stars: Warren Stevens as Captain Dabney, Nino Cochise, grandson of Cochise as Cochise.

Billy Blue Cannon plans to earn money for an expensive silver saddle by boxing.

Billy Blue learns Killian and his ranch hands have entered every event in the Fourth of July rodeo to win the saddle, so the High Chaparral wranglers compete trying to help Blue, but they fail. Desperate for funds, Blue works out for five dollars with champion Paddy O'Bannion's opponent, but breaks the man's jaw. Buck convinces Blue he must fight the champ if he hopes to buy the saddle. Blue learns O'Bannion needs the fight money to marry and is torn between mixed reactions.

John Cannon quarrels with a neighbor and Indians, and interrupts Thanksgiving plans.

Victoria persuades John to buy the last turkey from argumentative neighbor Fergus McLeish. The deal fails when McLeish, a squatter, insists on a free deed to some Cannon land. Chief Koso steals McLeish's bird, and ranch hand Pedro swaps the Indian a rifle for the turkey. The Thanksgiving dinner is threatened when Chief Koso wants the turkey back and McLeish thinks John is the thief.

Against John Cannon's advice, Mano helps Sean McLaren, an Irish miner, and his friends in their strike against dangerous working conditions.

McLaren and his friend Scanlon are sentenced to the chain gang for fighting with Cass Gregg, mine superintendent. Mano helps the two escape. John Cannon favors negotiations to improve conditions while McLaren insists sabotage will provide more direct results. When Scanlon is fatally beaten by Gregg, McLaren decides to destroy the mine, and Manolito appears helpless to stop him.

A flamboyant Irishman cons Buck into buying a camel, promising it will revolutionize the cattle industry.

Cavalry trooper Flanagan misinterprets an order to ""shoe"" his camel Tillie as ""shoot"" and deserts his unit to save the camel's life. Flanagan wears out his welcome at the Cannon Ranch when he cheats at poker, steals Manolito's girl, Pearlita, and admits Tillie can't herd cattle. When Flanagan attempts to escape the Cannon Ranch with Tillie and rejoin the cavalry, he discovers the unit is surrounded by Indians.