- An Indian princess helps Beau out of trouble when he is framed for murder.
- Beau finds himself used as a scapegoat by two shopkeepers who killed the son of the chief in an effort to hide their swindle of local Indians. Captured by the Indians, Beau faces a death sentence only to be spared by the chief's daughter who claims Beau as her future husband. But Beau finds that his reprieve is only temporary until the honeymoon is over.—graymatters
- At Fort Casper, Beau is playing poker in the store, against Judd Marsh and Hank Lawson. Princess Pale Moon comes in and spots a group of men outside, who see her. They watch her go into the store, and she puts the bag of flour in front of Lawson. Pale Moon tells Lawson that the flour he sold her tribe is full of maggots, as usual. She says that the government pays him to sell the tribe good flour and he's cheating them, and sending them bad cattle as well. Pale Moon promises to tell the Indian Commission when they send an agent there,
Pale Moon says that Lawson sell her brother Swift Wolf over-priced whiskey, and Lawson insists that he deals fair with Swift Wolf. She warns that her people are at the end of the patience. Lawson says that he doesn't deal with women, and will talk to Pale Moon's father, Chief Standing Bull. Pale Moon throws the bad flour on the poker table and storms out, and Beau suggests that they call it a night. He says that h has an appointment and leaves after he collects his money.
Beau goes to the office of the commanding officer, Colonel O'Hearn, but he isn't in. His daughter Kitty down from an upstairs window and says that no one is there. She complains that Beau is over twelve hours later, and he says that he was in the middle of a poker game and "unavoidably detained". He suggests that they go for a carriage ride, but Kitty isn't interested and tosses out everything he's given her as presents.
As Beau collects the gifts, the men outside the store roar in laughter. Beau approaches Pale Moon and offers her the gifts, and says that Lawson and Marsh insulted her and he wants to make up for it. Touched, Pale Moon thanks Beau and accepts the gifts, but says that she's still going to talk to the commissioner when he arrives.
After Pale Moon leaves, Kitty comes down and suggests that Beau take her out at 8 that night even though he's already given away her gifts. Beau agrees, and Kitty goes back inside. Lawson and Marsh are watching the store, and Marsh tells his boss that they need to do something about the Indians. Lawson suggests that they provoke the Indians by killing Swift Wolf and framing Beau.
That night, Swift Wolf comes by for whiskey and Lawson encourages him to drink. Beau comes in and says that he stopped in to buy a present for Kitty. He has Marsh serve Beau a drink, and Marsh secretly spikes it. Beau offers to buy Swift Wolf's golden amulet as a gift, but he says that it was a gift for his father and he must always wear it. Beau drinks and offers a toast to Pale Moon, and Swift Wolf joins in. After a moment, Beau collapses and Lawson has Marsh and Swift Wolf take him in the back room.
Marsh shoots Swift Wolf dead, and then Lawson goes out and checks the store while Marsh takes the amulet. When Beau wakes up, he finds the revolver in his hand. He insists that he doesn't kill people, and Lawson claims that he had six drinks on the books. Marsh says that Swift Wolf was offended by Beau buying gifts for Kitty, pulled a knife on him, and Beau shot him in self-defense. Lawson "helpfully" says that O'Hearn won't believe Beau was innocent.
Beau realizes that he's been framed and asks what the offer is. Lawson says that Beau can face shooting, hanging, or leaving. The gambler opts for the latter, and Lawson gives him directions to get clear of the garrison. Once Beau leaves, Marsh points out that Lawson directed Beau into Indian country.
Beau rides through the Indian country, and Sitting Bull and his warriors are waiting. Lawson sent him a message with the description of Beau and his horse, and they easily capture Beau and take him to their village where they prepare to execute him. Beau tells Sitting Bull that he didn't kill Swift Wolf, and says that he doesn't remember killing anyone and wasn't drinking. Swift Wolf's friend War Shirt isn't convinced, and Sitting Bull tells Beau that it's time for him to die.
The warriors take Beau where the club is, and Sitting Bull gives the weapon to War Shirt. Pale Moon intervenes and asks for Beau's life. She says that they have no male heir to succeed Sitting Bull. Pale Moon selects a warrior to be her husband and produce an heir: Beau. She says that Beau will become a warrior, and Beau has no choice but to agree. War Shirt figures that Beau won't make it through the tortures.
Sitting Bull asks War Shirt why he hasn't offered to marry Pale Moon, and War Shirt remains silent. None of the other warriors accept Sitting Bull's suggestion that they marry Pale Moon, and Beau says that he's willing to undertake the tortures than be executed. They cut loose Beau loose, and he goes to a nearby stream to shave. Pale Moon approaches him and asks what he's doing.
Once Beau explains, Pale Moon asks him to teach her how to kiss. Beau is glad to accept, and Pale Moon finds the custom enjoyable. Once they're done, Beau thanks Pale Moon for saving his life and she says that she has... and should thank him again. They kiss, and Pale Moon takes Beau to show him one of her people's customs.
Pale Moon takes Beau to a totem pole and says that it's the Great Spirit, Manitou. Legend says that if someone tells a lie, Manitou becomes angry and there's a great thunder from the north. She tells Beau that he should tell Manitou that he loves and wishes to marry Pale Moon, and then they will look to the north. Beau says the words and there is no thunder. Satisfied, Pale Moon says that they will soon say that Beau "was" the bravest warrior of all. Beau notices Pale Moon's use of the past tense, but she says nothing further.
Sitting Bull conducts the first test, which involves Beau riding fast and low to avoid an enemy. The tribal warriors are ready with bows and arrows, and one demonstrates how good a shot he is. Beau rides, evading the arrows. He then drags a heavy rock on a travois, and collapses. The warriors help him up, and he wonders why they're helping him. War Shirt says that Pale Moon has chosen Beau so he can't fail, and Beau continues on.
The next test involves Beau pulling breaking a strap wrapped around a tree. The warriors help Beau when he collapses from the effort, and War Shirt says that he can't marry Pale Moon because she chose Beau. They have him go back to work, and he breaks the strap. The warriors cheer Beau.
That night, Beau hangs in a tent, strung up. Sitting Bull comes in and has Beau cut down. The chief agrees that Beau is a warrior and now he goes to his reward. Sitting Bull takes Beau to the bridal tent, and outside the warriors are building a fire. The chief tells Beau that the fire is for hi, and Beau has to marry Pale Moon because she chose him. Beau wants to know the full story, but Sitting Bull says nothing further.
Sitting Bull takes Beau to the bridal tent, and says goodbye to him. Beau asks Pale Moon what the fire is for, and she tells Beau that the night is theirs and Beau will die the next day by fire. She assures him that he will be long-remembered among her people, and insists that it's Manitou's will that Beau die. He excuses himself to get some fresh air, and finds War Shirt waiting for him.
Beau suggests that War Shirt take his place, but War Shirt refuses and says that he'll be waiting by the fire. Beau goes back into the tent.
Lawson and Marsh are lurking in the nearby woods, and identify Pale Moon's test. Marsh goes in to kidnap Beau, figuring that doing so will set off the war they want.
In the tent, Beau tells Pale Moon that she's too young to marry, and he's too young to die. She points out that he swore to Manitou that he loved her, and insists that the night is theirs. Beau suggests that they talk, just as Marsh and Lawson cut their way through the side of the tent. As they gag Pale Moon, they claim that they're rescuing Beau and he leaves with them.
The three men step out the back but one of them steps on a branch. War Shirt hears and goes to investigate, and the men hide. As War Shirt finds the tent flap, Marsh knocks him out from behind. Later, Sitting Bull is furious that Beau deserted Pale Moon. Pale Moon identifies Lawson and Marsh, and says that Beau went willingly with them.
Sitting Bull figures that Beau is no warrior, and says that one of his own warriors will take Beau's place. War Shirt suggests that they hunt down Beau and return him instead, and Sitting Bull agrees. Pale Moon thinks that Beau was nice and wonders if they could change the law, but her father says that would anger Manitou and Pale Moon agrees.
Lawson and Marsh sneak Beau into the garrison without anyone seeing, and take him to the store. Beau wonders why they went to the trouble of rescuing him, and Lawson claims that it was their fault and he didn't realize he was sending Beau into Indian country. Beau admits that he has no choice but to believe Lawson, and Lawson says that they'll hide Beau until sunset and then he can ride the "right" direction.
Beau still wonders what they're up to, and Lawson tells him that all he has to do is ask for anything, and they'll try to make up for their earlier "mistake". The gambler says that he wants to see Kitty, and Lawson goes to bring her there and tells Beau to stay there. Marsh goes after Lawson and asks what he's up to, and Lawson says that they have to keep Beau trusting them so he'll stay before they turn him over.
Lawson goes to O'Hearn's office and meets with Kitty. She wonders why she should oblige Beau, and says that her father has offered a $1,000 reward for Beau's capture. Lawson hadn't heard, and promises that Kitty's father won't hear about Beau from him. He suggests that Kitty goes to see Beau alone, then meets with Colonel O'Hearn and tells him where Beau is. O'Hearn thanks Lawson for his help.
At the store in the backroom, Beau tells Kitty that he was only thinking of her. She isn't convinced. Soldiers come in and the lieutenant in charge finds Beau in the back. Kitty claims that she was holding Beau for arrest but doesn't want any credit. The soldiers take Beau away, and Lawson goes to collect his $1,000.
The tribe prepares for war, and a warrior rides to Fort Casper under a white flag with a message for O'Hearn. Meanwhile, Beau asks the guard to bring O'Hearn to him so he can explain about the "misunderstanding".
The messenger leaves, and O'Hearn tells Beau that everyone in the fort is counting on Beau to give himself up to Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull has given an ultimatum that either Beau gives himself up by dawn or he will attack. Beau refuses to volunteer and O'Hearn has his men put him back in his cell. The colonel then has his orderly send a message requesting help.
Come dawn, the Indians ride to the fort.
Kitty goes to the cell and tells Beau that they're evacuating the women and children. He insists that he didn't kill Swift Wolf and hopes he can prove it. Kitty says that she hopes so well, and evacuates with the others. O'Hearn then goes to the brig and tells Beau that he can still volunteer to sacrifice himself. Beau refuses to do anything except fight with the soldiers. The orderly gives O'Hearn a return that reinforcements are on the way but won't be there until noon tomorrow.
O'Hearn realizes that it'll be too late and has his men armed... and Beau. Meanwhile, the Indians ride after the stage that is evacuating Kitty.
Beau thanks O'Hearn for letting him help out, and O'Hearn says that Lawson turned Beau in. The gambler goes to the store and confronts Lawson and Marsh. Marsh is wearing Swift Wolf's amulet, and Beau says that he thought Lawson was scum but his opinion was too high. Lawson attacks him, and when Beau decks him Marsh joins in. When Lawson recovers, he joins in and Marsh finally knocks Beau out from behind.
Sitting Bull and his warriors reach the fort, and War Shirt rides up holding a white flag. He tells O'Hearn that they have Kitty and will torture her unless Beau is returned to them. Beau staggers out, having recovered consciousness, and is taken to O'Hearn. O'Hearn tells him that Lawson and Marsh escaped before dawn. Realizing everyone is counting on him, Beau rides to the warriors with War Shirt. Sitting Bull refuses to release Kitty until Swift Wolf is avenged.
Back at the village, the warriors take Beau to the execution stump. Beau tells Sitting Bull that he didn't kill his son, but the chief doesn't believe him. Warriors ride up with captive Lawson and Marsh, who found them stealing from their traps. Beau says that they're the ones who killed Swift Wolf, and Lawson finds the amulet in Beau's pocket where he planted it earlier.
Beau realizes that it's noon, and that the reinforcements will be saluted by cannon when they arrive. He swears on Manitou that he's not Swift Wolf's killer. There's no "thunder", and Lawson has no choice but to swear they had nothing to do with Swift Wolf's murder. The cannon goes off, sounding like thunder, and Lawson tries to run. A warrior kills him with a thrown spear, and Kitty realizes what's going on but Beau tells her not to say anything.
Later, Beau says his goodbyes to Sitting Bull and Pale Moon. Pale Moon is eyeing Marsh, who is tied up to a stake. Beau realizes that Marsh is going to be Pale Moon's short-lived husband, and offers his congratulations. He and Kitty return to the fort, and they kiss goodbye, Beau swears before Manitou that he'll be back, and the sunset cannon goes off. He suggests that he swear to Kitty one more time, and they kiss again.
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