- In order to escape punishment for mistreating two Paiute women, a trader blames it on Adam Cartwright. The Paiutes seize Adam and make him a hostage as war erupts between the tribe and a local militia.
- A trader and his two brothers beat up two Native Americans and take their wives. When the Indian men ask the Shoshone leader to rescue their wives from the traders, Adam intervenes to prevent a war against the Indians. Adam rescues the assaulted women, but the Shoshone still go on a killing rampage, leaving the trader for dead. The guilty trader decides to incite the people of Virginia City into believing it is the peaceful Paiute Indians who instigated the killings, gathering a mob to confront the Paiutes. An attempt for Adam Cartwright to parley with the Paiute chief turns sour when the trader disobeys orders and fires the first shot. Adam is captured by the Paiutes. Ben must race against time to find the Shoshone leader before the Cavalry reach the Paiutes - and the Paiutes kill Adam.—The Chief Geek / edited by Rob (a Non Geek)
- This episode is very loosely based on a historical event, the Pyramid Lake War which occured in May and June 1860. Mike Wilson and his brother Vern take two Bannock women captive. One of the women's husbands, Numta, finds Adam and tells him what happened. He and Adam are able to free the women and take them back to the Ponderosa. However, the other husband has gone to the Bannocks to enlist their help. In retaliation, the Bannock kill Vern and several unrelated settlers along the way. Mike escapes and hurries to Virginia City. He embellishes the story, blames the Paiute, but leaves out his involvement in the kidnapping. Virginia City residents are ready to fight back. Ben, having heard all this, can't believe it and tries to get a town leader, Bill Stewart, to talk sense into these men. Bill is less concerned, but agrees to talk to the men in the morning. Ben returns home to learn the true story from Adam. The next day, former Army Major Ormsby has rallied his "troops". Significantly fewer residents are willing to fight in the light of day and sober. Bill and Ben convince them to parley with Paiutes. The Paiutes know they're coming and Winnemucca's son, Young Wolf, wants to fight. But Winnemucca knows that if Ben is there it is to talk. However, when they meet up, Mike wants to fight and he shoots at the Paiutes. In the scuffle, Adam is captured and Ben knocked out. Only a handful of men return to Virginia City and Ben believes Adam is dead. Back in the Paiute camp, Young Wolf would like to kill his old friend, Adam, but Winnemucca prevents it. In Virginia City, Ben is relieved to learn that Adam is still alive, but Mike claims Adam went willingly with the Paiutes. Winnemucca meets with Ben and tells him that if the white man returns with the Army, then many, including Adam, will die. Adam, who's present, tells Ben to ride to the Bannock and convince Ring Nose to tell the truth. Ben and Joe ride hard, but Virginia City has already sent Mike to request assistance from the Army and they're marching quickly to the Paiutes. Ben and Joe reach Ring Nose and he is an honorable man. He knows he may die for killing the whites, but he can't allow the Paiute to suffer for his actions. They ride hard to reach the marching army before the army reaches the Paiutes. Unfortunately, they don't get there in time. Young Wolf has Adam off to the side with orders to kill him first. But Adam has freed his tied hands and escapes. Young Wolf is right behind him when Mike shoots him. The battle begins. Adam takes Young Wolf's knife and turns to find Mike taking aim on him. He throws the knife and kills Mike. Ben and Joe arrive and after checking on Adam intend to go stop the army. But the battle is already over. Men on both sides lie dead. The truth comes out and they all know the loss was all for nothing. Winnemucca sits mourning his son and all his Paiute sons. The army marches silently past, dipping their flag in respect.
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