John Pennington prowadzi prace na terenach przylegających do Ponderosy, a na ranczu zaczyna osypywać się ziemia. Ben wysyła Hossa, aby przekonał Penningtona do przerwania robót. Hoss poznaje piękną siostrę Johna.
Trader Mike Wilson attempts to escape punishment by the Paiute Indians after mistreating two of their women, by placing the blame on Adam. A fierce war between the Paiutes and the California militia follows, and the Paiutes seize Adam as hostage. Very impressive battle scenes in the this first mini-epic of the series. This episode did all it could to stage the real thing; 50 Indians were used and 50 cavalry actors and extras were used, and the production involved three days of shooting on location. This episode encompassed both the biggest cast and most costly stunts. This episode is based on the factual accounting that occured in May and June of 1860.
Luther Bishop and Ben Cartwright have had an ongoing land dispute for a number of years, over a small tract called the Truckee Strip. One of Bishop's employee's has a grudge against the Cartwrights and wants to stir up the feud again, while also harboring designs on Bishop's pretty daughter, Amy.
Joe meets and falls in love with Amy, in spite of the family differences and the two want to marry. Just when it looks like the feud will end with the union of the two young people, Bishop's man attacks Amy and Joe must come to the rescue.
Bogaty hodowca owiec zamierza nielegalnie przepędzić swoje stado przez teren Ponderosy. Ben i Adam chcą go powstrzymać, lecz spierają się o metody. Ojciec chce załatwić sprawę sam, a syn przy pomocy stróżów prawa.
Samotny Arnie nie grzeszy intelektem. Mężczyzna obdarzony jest za to ogromną siłą i gwałtownym temperamentem. Hoss postanawia mu pomóc. Sprawy zaczynają się dobrze układać, dopóki Arnie nie zakochuje się dziewczynie z saloonu - Sheri.