On the road Lucas and Mark come upon Winslow Quince, a peddler whose wagon has broken down, and help him get his wagon into North Fork for repair. While in North Fork Quince barters several items that implicate him in a series of murders.
John Gangling, a railroad gang boss, gives out wages to the workmen. Charlie Breen, a man known to save his money, gets his wages and goes off to add them to his money belt. Gangling follows Breen because he wants Breen's savings. Gangling kills him, and then puts the blame on Johnny Wing, one of the Apache workers,moreless
Nils Swenson, North Fork's blacksmith, volunteers to take the marshal's place for a few days while Micah attends a wedding in another town. To help maintain peace, Nils institutes a policy that anyone coming into town must turn in their weapons, getting them back when they leave. This plan backfires on Nils when some dishonest men are in town.moreless
Businesswoman Lou Mallory has arrived in North Fork and quickly purchases land, which includes the hotel and Milly Scott's store. She pays higher prices than the sellers feel their properties are worth. Everyone is happy until they find out that Lou really is an astute businesswoman.
Marshal Torrance is heading home from a cattle sale with Lucas and Mark when the old lawman mysteriously disappears. They trace him to a nearby Mexican ghost town. (Part 1 of 2)