Johnny Thunder is the target - of a stubborn Eastern girl (introduced last issue) out to land him for a partner to the Pioneers Celebration. If JT rescues Miss Rhodes on that day, he must escort her. Unaware of her plot, JT follows her riding. He snatches her from a cliff's edge, dodges Sioux arrows, leaps a chasm, swims a river. But there's a catch - no witness, no escort. Later JT hides as John Tane, schoolmaster, who she disdains, but would use as witness. But when John knocks down robbers in front of school kids, she picks John as her escort.
Six months ago, Lt Foley lost a trooper, Fred Herold, in a battle with Sioux. Now rumors are Fred has "gone Indian". Lt Foley sneaks into a Sioux teepee, but Fred refuses to budge. Foley is jailed in a wagon. But a fire sparks in nearby teepees and Fred rescues him. He was working independently undercover to learn the Sioux war plans - and Sergeant Herold receives a medal back at the fort!
Sham Sheriff Walt Triggers is finally finding his way, bringing in lawbreakers without the help of his super-sheriff twin. Confidence is good, but Wayne warns of overconfidence. Walt breaks up a robbery, shooting wild, misses with a lariat, and is nabbed and hauled off to the desert. He was played for a fool. He'll be held while the bandits rob the bank. But Wayne sneaks up, tosses him a gun, and Walt busts the entire gang alone. "A man can be as good as he wants to be!"