Ben Cartwright and his sons run their ranch, the Ponderosa, on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe and contribute to taming the wild west. The Trail gang: Outlaw Johnny Logan has sworn to kill his father, who is a sheriff. He travels under the alias of Sam Jackson and signs on as a Ponderosa drover in order to kill the sheriff when the herd passes through his town. Denver McKee: McKee is a former lawman who has aligned himself with an outlaw gang so he can give his beloved daughter everything that money can buy. Blood on the land: Crooked sheepherder Jeb Drummond is caught trying to graze his flock on the Ponderosa without permission. When Ben orders Jeb and his sons to get out, the Drummonds kidnap Ben's son Adam. Dark star: Gypsy girl Tirza has been condemned to death by her own tribe for witchcraft. She takes refuge on the Ponderosa and falls in love with Joe, who is determined to prove her innocence.