The adventures of the Chisholm family as they travel west in 1844.

The adventures of the Chisholm family as they travel west in 1844.

Betsy uses her charms to create a rivalry between Bo and Gideon for her affection; when grazing foe the cattle is destroyed by fire the troops use grain intended for the Indians for feed.

Hadley decides he cannot be in a wagon train with Cooper Hawkins; he leaves the train and takes a new trail to California through the desert; Betsy asks if she can join the Chisholms, but she starts to cause family friction.

As the Chisholms continue across the desert, they come across Betsy's brothers; soon, Cooper Hawkins arrives and is searching for the brothers; Hadley has to decide who is telling the truth.

The family realizes they don't have enough food to get through the mountains; Will and Keewidinok go on ahead to get supplies and bring them back; snow starts to fall as the wagons move; Hadley's health does not seem to be improving.