The Sheriff of Laramie orders an itinerant family of con artists, Micah Ellis (Ed Begley), his son Clifford (Tony Bill) and daughter Becky (Linda Lawson), to leave town. In doing so they are forced to leave in jail Micah's brother Clemmet (Lonny Chapman). Their wagon breaks down near Medicine Bow. Clifford goes hunting for a rabbit. He shoots a steer and is heard by Randy Benton and Jennifer who are riding nearby -- but Clifford claims the steer had a broken leg and he was only putting it out of its misery. Randy and Jennifer help them temporarily fix their wagon and they go to Shiloh ranch to make permanent repairs. The Judge is away and the Virginian is in charge. They say they need work and Jennifer offers them jobs, much to the Virginian's chagrin who warns Jennifer to be careful. Becky stays in the house while the male Ellis' are put up in the bunkhouse. Becky, who is used to the high life of saloons, finds staying with Jennifer stifling and tries to get the others to leave but Mi