Dr. Mike is charged with malpractice and must stop treating patients during the lawsuit, leaving medical matters to the young and reluctant Dr. Cook.

When Jake and Preston run against one another for mayor of Colorado Springs, they both want Dr. Mike's endorsement, until she is arrested and thrown in jail for treating a fugitive Indian. After Sully and Cloud Dancing rescue the Indian from the Army and Dr. Mike is arrested for treating his wounds, Dorothy hatches a plan to set her free. Meanwhile, with the election only a few days off, Jake promises Robert E a seat on the City Council if he can deliver the black vote, and Jake and Preston hold a debate so that the townspeople can decide who is the better man.

When Sully opposes the construction of a nearby dam, he finds himself on the other side of the law and behind bars. Sully joins forces with Preston to try and peacefully stop the dam construction which will mean the end of hundreds of acres of countryside. But when Sully hears that the men Preston's hired to hijack a shipment of dynamite are determined to kill any witnesses, Sully rides with them in order to prevent the murders. However, when witnesses attest to the fact that Sully was riding with the hijackers, Matthew is forced to arrest him and Sully must go to court where Judge Webster finds him guilty and throws him in jail, creating discord in the family.