The supporting cast features Betsy Palmer, Neville Brand, John McIntire and Lee Van Cleef.

While the general townsfolk openly abhor Hickman, young sheriff Ben Owens, while angry with Morg for not bringing the wanted man in alive, also admires him for taking everything in his stride and knowing how to handle dangerous situations.

Owens enjoys the authority and wants to prove himself; he asks Morg to give him some lessons to gain confidence, particularly because he is going to have to face up to the town loudmouth, Bogardus.

He advises Owens to quit and marry his girl but eventually agrees to provide some advice while awaiting the arrival of the bounty money.

After delivering a baby son to a remote homesteader, McCord is returning home during the night but is waylaid by Ed McGaffey.

After a gunfight in which Owens receives a bullet graze on the forehead, and a clever ploy by Morg, they successfully capture the brothers and lock them in the town jail.

Owens, demonstrating the newfound confidence and strength he has gleaned from Morg, stands against the crowd with a shotgun to defend the McGaffeys' right to a legal trial.

Owens and Millie, who has decided she will subdue her fear as best she can and marry him, bid goodbye to Morg who is happily leaving town with Nona and Kip.