The outlaws catch up with Matt Dillon and the two orphans, Tuttle and Hannah, at the rough mining town. Matt and the children make their escape on the raft, along with the pair of thieves, Pierre and Paulette. As the outlaws ride hell-for-leather along the Rogue River bank, the escapees continue their whitewater rafting journey.

Musgrove spent five years in prison after Ira Spratt turned him in as an army deserter. Now out of prison, Musgrove captures the craven wife beater Spratt and takes him to Dodge City to kill him. In the gun play, Festus and Newly are wounded, and Spratt escapes. He hides in Gideon's barn and again escapes when Musgrove arrives. Musgrove then takes Gideon hostage, threatening to kill him if the townsfolk of Dodge City do not bring him Spratt.