This great family oriented western teleseries is notable for having Ben Johnson and Barbara Hershey as co-stars. In this opening episode, the family Monroe, consisting of Clayton Sr., his wife, their eighteen year old son Clayton Jr. (Clayt), sixteen year old daughter Katherine (Kath), their twin eleven year olds Jefferson and Fenimore (Big Twin and Little Twin), and little Amy who is just six.
The Monroe children lose their parents in a river crossing accident and must find their way alone, thru the untamed frontier of Wyoming, to the tract of land their father staked out for his family ten years before. While camping in the forest, they are surprised by an Indian whom they take for an attacker and tie to a tree. Upon learning that the Indian is only hungry, and not hostile, Clayt decides to free him. Secretly, out of gratitude for the food and kindness, the Indian whom they decided to call "Jim" follows them to see that no harm befalls them. Later, when Amy falls sick, it is Jim who is able to help her by using Indian ways to lower the child's fever and save her life. Now knowing that Jim is a friend, Clayt welcomes Jim as friend and the family continues on their way. Upon reaching their father's stakehold, and establishing a camp, they are roughly warned by some passing cattlemen that the land belongs to the Mapoy Cattle company and they must leave.
Clayt asserts his right, informing them of his father's claim, but the men laugh him off and remind him that when winter arrives, they must be gone. Later, the cowboys come across Jim while he is trapping game. The cruel men lasso Jim and take him to their camp, a prisoner, as they believe he has been killing their stock. Little Twin happened to be with Jim, and tells his older brother what has happened to their new friend. Clayt becomes angry and grabs a rifle to go "rescue" his new friend, but sister Kathy insists it it too dangerous. Clayt reminds her of their father, and his dream for them and asks how they can survive if they do not stand up for their rights. He rides off to rescue Jim.
At the camp of the cattlemen, Clayt is discovered attempting to free Jim from his bonds, and Clayt comes to the attention of Sleeve, an older, wiser cowhand, who, although disabled with a crippled arm, is still respected by the others as a man to be reckoned with. Major Mapoy, who is in charge of the cattle company, hears Clayt out and after deliberation, decides that Clayt's right to the land is valid and agrees to let the Monroe's stay. He allows Jim to go free, under the proviso that Clayt is now responsible for Jim, who he believes is a stranger to the area and not responsible for their losses of stock. Flushed with his success, Clayt rides triumphantly home to tell his family the good news, accompanied by Jim, who in broken English refers to the valley as "HOME".
The Monroe children lose their parents in a river crossing accident and must find their way alone, thru the untamed frontier of Wyoming, to the tract of land their father staked out for his family ten years before. While camping in the forest, they are surprised by an Indian whom they take for an attacker and tie to a tree. Upon learning that the Indian is only hungry, and not hostile, Clayt decides to free him. Secretly, out of gratitude for the food and kindness, the Indian whom they decided to call "Jim" follows them to see that no harm befalls them. Later, when Amy falls sick, it is Jim who is able to help her by using Indian ways to lower the child's fever and save her life. Now knowing that Jim is a friend, Clayt welcomes Jim as friend and the family continues on their way. Upon reaching their father's stakehold, and establishing a camp, they are roughly warned by some passing cattlemen that the land belongs to the Mapoy Cattle company and they must leave.
Clayt asserts his right, informing them of his father's claim, but the men laugh him off and remind him that when winter arrives, they must be gone. Later, the cowboys come across Jim while he is trapping game. The cruel men lasso Jim and take him to their camp, a prisoner, as they believe he has been killing their stock. Little Twin happened to be with Jim, and tells his older brother what has happened to their new friend. Clayt becomes angry and grabs a rifle to go "rescue" his new friend, but sister Kathy insists it it too dangerous. Clayt reminds her of their father, and his dream for them and asks how they can survive if they do not stand up for their rights. He rides off to rescue Jim.
At the camp of the cattlemen, Clayt is discovered attempting to free Jim from his bonds, and Clayt comes to the attention of Sleeve, an older, wiser cowhand, who, although disabled with a crippled arm, is still respected by the others as a man to be reckoned with. Major Mapoy, who is in charge of the cattle company, hears Clayt out and after deliberation, decides that Clayt's right to the land is valid and agrees to let the Monroe's stay. He allows Jim to go free, under the proviso that Clayt is now responsible for Jim, who he believes is a stranger to the area and not responsible for their losses of stock. Flushed with his success, Clayt rides triumphantly home to tell his family the good news, accompanied by Jim, who in broken English refers to the valley as "HOME".
