This is episode features a full plate of adventure as Matt goes to Texas to try to save a friend from being hanged in Hays City. Hold onto your hats because this is an show that has mischief or mayhem around every tree on the prairie and provides the viewer with one of the best programs in the entire collection.
Dave Engels has been convicted of killing a saloon girl named Lucy Furth. Even with the evidence pointing to Dave's guilt and a jury's conviction, Matt believes that Dave is innocent of the crime. Matt even writes a letter to the Governor asking for relief on the case.
In the meantime the entire town knows that Marshal Dillon is distraught about the apparent hanging of his friend Dave Engels, so this one gunslinger thinks it is about time to take Dillon down. Owen Partee is telling his friend Leroy that this is the best time to kill the Marshal. So Owen is going to tell Dillon that he killed Lucy and then outdraw him. But Marshal Dillon is only wounded and returns fire killing Owen. Leroy then gives Marshal the name of a person that actually killed Lucy as Asa Jain and he is in Valada Texas. Matt is off to Valada in hope of saving Dave from a hanging.
On the way to Valada Matt runs in to Ward Macklin who says he is a sheriff from Colorado. Since the two are going the same way they decide to ride together. Along the way they run into a wagon where two adults have died of small pox. They also find a baby that appears clear of the disease and take the baby with them to Sheriff Hank Colridge in a nearby town.
Matt goes into Valada and gets Asa with some help from Ward. But then Ward reveals a startling revelation that puts Matt and Ward at odds. Even though Matt gets wounded he is still determined to get Asa to Hay City to prevent the hanging of the innocent Dave Engels.
Be ready for an unexpected ending in this plate full of action. This is one of the most powerful and exciting shows in the entire collection. If you only see one episode from the eight season make sure you see the last show of the season. It is a winner.