Matt runs into Perce McCall on the prairie and they decide to camp together. Three outlaws, who think Matt's been tracking them, show up and try to kill him. Even though Perce knows them, he sides with Matt and all three outlaws are killed. Matt is beholdin' to Perce for saving his life. Perce explains that he knew the outlaws from the past when he used to rob stages. He got caught, paid the price, and is now heading to Dodge to do a little gambling and have some fun. The trouble starts when Perce meets Ida Poe, one of Kitty's girls, and decides to go after her. Hank Seeber, who considers Ida his girl, takes exception. Ida's dark side appears when she tells Perce she needs a man that can ""make his own luck,"" (cheat at cards) and provide a financially secure future for her. She's unimpressed with his job at the stock pens and shames him into searching for a better way. Soon after Perce leaves Dodge it's reported that the stage was held up on the road to Wichita.