Plot

John Cannon's family arrives at a ranch near Tuscon, Ariz. His wife names it High Chaparral. They learn they have two enemies. He hires ranch hands, recovers his cattle, but loses his wife to an Apache arrow.

Big John Cannon has brought his wife, son, and brother to a new ranch near Tuscon, Arizona. His brother Buck is brash while son Blue is shy. As they approach the ranch they see Apaches burning a nearby ranch and carrying off the children as captives. Their ranch buildings are unharmed due to the Army protecting them but Lt. Ellis recommends they leave for their safety. Big John ignores the advice, sending Buck to Tuscon with Blue to bring back a crew to work and protect the ranch. Contrary to orders, Buck goes drinking to select the men he wants. At the ranch John learns a Mexican bandit not Apaches has stolen his cattle. After the drunk Buck returns, they go after the cattle taking them back by holding up the thieves as they camp with a warning future cattle rustlers will be hung. As they return Annalee meets John and decides to name the ranch High Chaparral. That night while John, Buck and Blue patrol for Apaches, Annalee is killed by an Apache arrow as she hears children crying in the distance. At this point John sends Buck for rifles followed by a decision for him and Buck to visit the bandit Don Sabastian Montoya about a deal.—Anonymous

After a journey of 1000 miles John Cannon and his family arrive to the desolate area in Arizona, where he has bought an abandoned ranch. They visit their nearest neighbors, the Ward family, 30 miles away. From a cliff they watch with horror Apaches killing the adults and taking the children away. Chief Cochise has declared war against all white men, because the US Army has killed his blood brother, Mangas Colorado. Big John sends his brother Buck and his son Billy Blue to Tucson, 35 miles away, to hire men. His wife Annalee names their new estate High Chaparral, because of all the chaparral bushes. A wounded man called Vaquero arrives. He informs Big John that all the cattle belonging to the ranch has been stolen by the powerful Don Sebastian Montoya, who claims this land. Big John and his men capture the Mexicans at their night camp, and take the cattle back. An Apache tries to shoot Big John from a cliff, but is himself shot by a Mexican man, who happens to be the son of Don Montoya. In the night Annalee hears voices of crying children far out in the dark. She opens a window, and is killed by an Apache arrow.—Maths Jesperson {maths.jesperson1@comhem.se}