Mike tangles with the usually benevolent Reverend when she donates books to the town and he tries to ban them, ultimately burning some of them until Mike brings him to his senses. Also, Brian, influenced by Twain's ""The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calveras County,"" stages a frog-jumping contest with disappointing results.

Mike remains the sole voice of reason when townsfolk read a newspaper article predicting that a comet will end the world. Also, Mike addresses the Cooper kids' fears about ""the end."" Hank and Loren cash in on hysteria.

Dr. Mike celebrates her birthday by climbing Pikes Peak with Dorothy, Grace and Myra, but ends up injured and alone when her companions turn back.

Dorothy, Myra and Grace realize they are quitting and they're letting Mike down, so they decide to go back. They find her injured with a broken arm. Mike can't go to the top of the mountain anymore, but she encourages the others to make it to the top for her. Meanwhile back in town, Preston plots to guild a hotel-casino with help from his ""partner"" Jake; and Robert E is bothered by an encounter with a bounty hunter.

The family finds Matthew running a saloon at a railroad camp where his grief over Ingrid's death drives him to volunteer for a dangerous blasting job. Loren loses Dorothy's money for a new printing press. Peter Chow: Eric Michael Zee.

Increasing lawlessness in Colorado Springs sparks a demand for a new sheriff, and Matthew feels he's just the man for the job. Meanwhile, Brian succumbs to peer pressure shoplifting a toy train from Loren's store. Zachary Brett: Travis Tritt. Charles: John Christian Graas.

Cloud Dancing sees a reservation school as fatal to Indian culture; bankers stonewall Dorothy's loan request.