The Shoshone string up a Pawnee warrior to die. The train finds the warrior and discovers that he's the long-lost son of Spanish aristocrats... and the Shoshone won't stop until he's dead.

A would-be college professor, Vincent Eaglewood, offers to teach the train's children to pay his way to San Francisco. Major Seth agrees, but Vincent's lack of common sense gets him into trouble.

During an Indian attack on the wagon train, Major Seth Adams spares the life of Swift Cloud, crippled son of the Indian chief. Adams is shocked to learn that Swift Cloud's condition is a result of a vicious assault by a half-breed. 

Matthew Lowry, a one-armed Quaker, helps the train when they risk infection of cholera, and Adams faces a mutiny.

Jasper Cato joins the train, claiming to be looking for man who has an inheritance waiting for him back east.

The inhabitants of Bitter Springs are hostile to a Southern family who adopted a black child. The Sheriff is behind their intolerant attitude. 

A hostile orphan girl accompanies her friend: another girl dying of consumption.

Flint helps out Beauty Jamison, the daughter of a dead rancher who has inherited his spread... and the local ranchers that are trying to drive her out.

Liam Fitzmorgan joins the train, looking for an informer who betrayed the Irish cause. However, Liam soon falls in love with the daughter of the man who he suspects is the traitor.