Single-Handed Sanders plot
Ranchers let Judge Jim Parker know they don't appreciate his support for the settlers. In their eyes, the pioneers are destroying the country. If the judge ignores the ranchers, he will be killed. His last words are addressed to his daughter and the blacksmith Matt Sanders to continue to protect the rights of the settlers. Sanders states that he will, along with his brother Phillip, who is in his final year of law school. On Phillip's return to town, he is elected a judge, largely due to the settlers' votes. The daughter of murdered Judge Parker lends her water rights to the kind Senator Graham. But he has other plans with the water, because he has a chance to be elected governor, but has to disadvantage the settlers in order to win the votes of the ranchers.