'Dad'TurneraccusesJohnWaltonofcattlerustling.InterventionbySheriffBuckGordonpreventsaclash,butWaltonservesnoticehewillshootonsightthefirstTurnermanwhocrossestohissideoftheboundary.Buckremembersthathispal,ClintTurnerisvisitingClint'ssweetheart,JudyWalton,andheheadsfortheWaltonranch,wherehefindsJohnWaltondeadandWalton'smenaccusingClintofthecrime.BuckisforcedtoarrestClintandahastytrialconvictshimandheissentencedtohang.ButBuck'sinvestigationsbringforthaseriesofsurprisingdevelopments.AttheeleventhhourhesavesClintfromthegallows,andpinsthemurderandrustlingonVandall.