Vance finds a letter on McQuade's body stating that a Union officer is on his way from Washington, D.C. to parley with the Apache chiefs.

Vance waylays the officer and takes his place, discovering that Chief Grey Cloud is actually a disgraced former Army general who married an Apache.

Gray Cloud gives Vance 24 hours to free the prisoners as the price of keeping the Apaches from joining forces with the Union troops.

Before Vance can arrange the escape of the prisoners or seize a shipment of gold coin being sent east by stagecoach, Jeb returns from searching for the Rebels and captures his brother.

Grey Cloud, under a flag of truce, comes to San Gil with his warriors and promises to stay out of the white man's war if the prisoners are released, but is killed by a civilian.