Old Bill Rainey rode the Owl Hoot Trail until he met up with Elizabeth Jane. She turned his life around, married him and bore him, Jori Lee, their beautiful daughter. On Christmas Day, a discovery was made. Bill found a small boy, cold and crying in the snow by the barn. His parents were slain by Indians. At Bill's sudden, tragic death, Rance, now a young teenager, must assume the mantle of protector for his adoptive family. An abusive school teacher, angry at Jori Lee's mother for spurning his advances, chose to beat Jori Lee. Rance's anger resulted in a death that sent Rance on the run to...