Apache Creek Walter 'Wat' Russell

When his parents are killed in an accident on his twenty first birthday and with the Civil War looming over the heads of all, young Walter {Wat] Russell sells the grand plantation he was born and raised on and heads west, taking his childhood friend Bill along with him. It's a learn as you go situation for them but soon, they find themselves the owners of a ranch. Neither of them knows anything about ranching but an orphan boy near their age is soon taken into the fold and shows them exactly what they have. Later, on a cattle drive Wat loses his herd and his heart. The herd is taken back with guns. His heart will demand something more.