The Hunt-U.S. Marshal saga continues with excitement, danger, mystery, and intrigue. Hunt disperses his men on numerous missions, and Hunt’s newest U.S. Marshal Recruit, Langley Frost, leaves for training while Jim Blank and Jason Roberts recover from their wounds. Dodd’s experience and professionalism prevent the men from riding into a trap like Clayton’s, as the men had done in Las Animas just a week prior while laying a trap for the Texas Creek gang. While on a mission, Hunt stops at his Hidden Valley Ranch and makes an incredible find as he checks on the ranch and the livestock. Hunt investigates a squatter who has built a cabin on Cranky Charley’s ranch and refuses to leave. Anyone who rides near his cabin is shot at, and he appears to live off of Cranky Charley’s cattle. A mountain man is threatening to kill the railroad construction crew foreman if he lays one more rail. Dodd and Earl investigate and discover a frightened 15-year-old girl tied to his bed, and return to Denver with their prisoner and the frightened girl, whom Beth takes under her wing and wins her trust. This saga includes chasing Leavenworth Prison escapees who are leaving a trail of dead bodies in their wake and investigating a man who threatens to shoot any lawman who tries to arrest him.