Caine joins a medicine wagon owned by Theodora (Diana Muldaur), run with the assistance of her hunchback servant Niebo (Matt Clark), traveling across the West selling a mythical healing 'elixir,' made only of water and leaves. Fearing for her life from a former beau, Frank Grogan (BONANZA's David Canary), Theodora asks Caine to stay with her, making the insecure Niebo insanely jealous. Secretly in love with his mistress, the hunchback considers himself only half a man, and tries to reject Caine's attempts to become his friend, eventually realizing his error. Considering herself a 'free' woman, Theodora enjoys playing games with men, tries to convince Caine that she loves him, before Niebo storms off to save her from the vengeful Frank Grogan. Caine shows both Theodora and Niebo how they are free to take, and free to give. During the flashback, an obviously hungry peasant turns down a meal from disciple Caine, because pride was more important to him than food, earning first respect, then a satisfying meal. Matt Clark was typecast almost entirely in Westerns, while lovely Diana Muldaur could not look more luminous as this free spirited female.
