Colonel Alan MacKenzie arrives from England as Shiloh's new owner. Right away he faces his first challenge when a young struggling small rancher who The Virginian and Trampas strongly vouch for as a past employee is lynched, allegedly because of rustling cattle from one of the larger ranches. Another was lynched just before MacKenzie's arrival. The sheriff lacking manpower is unable to do much due to the size of the territory he must cover. MacKenzie locks horns with other members of the cattlemen's association led by Mayor Evans, who believe that extraordinary measures are needed to deal with rustlers, and due to his strong disagreement the colonel is beaten. Meanwhile, the lynched man's sister and young son are staying at Shiloh for their protection, especially as the boy may have witnessed his father's hanging though he has now gone mute due to shock.