While visiting the Ponderosa, Ben's old friend, sea Captain Matthew White, is forced to reveal a terrible secret after Little Joe Cartwright falls in love with and plans to wed the Captain's daughter, Laura, once a freckle-faced playmate from Joe's childhood in New Orleans, now grown into a beautiful woman.

On his way home, Hoss stops for water at the house of drought stricken family member Jason Gant. While attempting to build a well it caves in on Jason and Hoss saves him. Afterwards Hoss is determined to help Jason strike water.