The Virginian arrives in Monolith, Arizona to buy cattle from the Landers family. Upon arrival the city Marshall warns him not to buy cattle from them. The next day the Virginian inspects the cattle and buys $5000 worth. When he and two of Landers boys return to town, one of the boys ends up in a fight but all three are arrested. The Virginian learns that no one likes Marshall Frome or his brother the deputy because of their heavy tactics. The brothers are released from jail but The Virginian is not. The Landers bring in the herd of cattle for The Virginian but the Marshall seizes the cattle and Shiloh money. The Marshall is shot by someone and assumes it was Billy Landers. when The Virginian goes to see Jake Landers, he finds Tom Landers using a running iron to brand cattle. On his return to town he spots Deputy Ben Frome who has been dragged by the Landers boys. At the Marshall's office he learns they skinned a couple of the cattle to prove that the Landers have been systematically rustling cattle. Sheriff Brady until he saw the proof ignored the Frome's and rancher's complaints about the Landers. The Marshall arrests Billy Landers and turns him over to the County Sheriff Jim Brady who holds him. The Landers family breaks Billy out of the county jail. When due to their hatred for the Fromes no one in town is willing to support them, The Virginian decides he cannot abandon them in their fight against the Landers.
—Anonymous