 Found injured by rancher Shep Horgan, Jubal Troop is offered a job as cowhand and soon gains Shep s trust. Mae Horgan, feeling she s been trapped into marriage with Shep, takes a shine to Jubal, although he is more interested in Naomi Hoktor who is travelling with a wagon train camped on Shep s land. Pinky, until now top hand and used to Mae s favours himself, doesn t think much of the new deal and trouble is inevitable.