Eleven-year-old Larry Trumball is loyal to his brother Stu, and thus keeps Roy and Dale from catching Stu after he has killed a man and committed a robbery. Although Larry appears incorrigible, Dale believes that ""fundamentally, he's a fine boy,"" so she and Roy set out to teach him about misplaced loyalty.

Rustlers who use trucks are ruining small ranchers in Paradise Valley. Roy's first clue as to the identity of the crooks comes when the ringleader tries to sell stolen beef to Dale's cafe.

Rod Miner, an incorrigible outlaw, returns to his native Mineral City, where his father runs the general store. He is soon pursued by Silver City Marshal Bill Culver, whom he bushwhacks before plotting a means to get rid of Roy.

Lanny Gaines, a teenager with artistic talent, moves with his father to Paradise Valley, but they are dismayed when no one pays them a welcome call. When three desperados posing as surveyors ask Gaines for lodging, the old man is only too glad to comply.