Clay, someone from Troop's past, rides fast and far to help him meet a gang bent on getting revenge. When he is shot, Dan and Johnny must fend for themselves as they can't seem to deputize any of the locals.
Nathan Adams returns home to find his wife shot and killed. When a sketch artist claims he saw a rider and draws a picture of him, Troop has no option but to arrest a local rancher but he suspects this witness's motives.
A marshal with a reputation, finished with his last job in Abilene, comes to a town needing a new one. His job priorities are to find the killer of who he replaced and to hire a deputy, a hard job to fill.
Ma Carey's son breaks out of jail. Troop and Johnny go after him and kill her youngest instead. Who's bullet did the deed is kept secret by Troop and Doc as the brothers are coming for their revenge.
Ches Ryan, running from a bank robbery, comes upon a cabin with two children suffering from a plague. With Troop about to catch up, he stays to help but Troop gets sick too. He must now decide what's important: money or his three patients.
Lily Merrill opens her new saloon the "Birdcage" in Laramie after being run out of Billings, Montana. She allows the dealer Len Ferrell to work for her despite his actions in Billings and her better judgment.
A wanted outlaw rides into town heading for the Birdcage. When he is recognized, he kills a man and threatens to do the same to the rest of the patrons unless Troop clears the street. One of the patrons is Johnny.
Buck Harmon returns to Laramie with an outlaw gang planning to rob the bank. He is sent in to scout the town and finds his old friend is the deputy marshal.
Ike Smith's three ranch hands are young, tough and don't respect authority. He is killed trying to fire them so they go to Laramie. Troop is away and their attitude makes Johnny take notice. They won't go away without forcing a showdown.