The Virginian hires an itinerant cowboy (Hugh O'Brian), despite the sheriff's (John Larch) suspicions he may be looking for revenge.

Carrying a secret that could destroy Garth's relationship with his daughter, a former friend (Barry Sullivan) of the judge's arrives at Shiloh Ranch; guests Tom Reese, Parley Baer.

The Virginian defends a poor homesteader (Jack Warden) against attacks by Judge Garth and an ex-Army officer (John Anderson); guest Ted Knight.

A South American (Ricardo Montalban) uses armed men and barbed wire around his land, which is surrounded by Shiloh property.

A cowardly schoolteacher (George C. Scott) and his students are the hostages of two escaped convicts (Royal Dano, John David Chandler).

Garth winds up in the middle of two disputes, one between Trampas and Steve over a saloon girl and the other between two bad-tempered wrestlers (Aldo Ray, Mickey Shaughnessy) bent on mayhem.