The territory is suffering from a drought. Tulsa Weems, a rainmaker from the Tennessee hill country, comes to help. Tulsa brings his impoverished family and sick daughter with him. Ben refuses to pay for something he doesn't believe will work, but offers to help Tulsa and his family. Tulsa refuses, saying "hill people don't take charity." Ben finds that Tulsa's daughter has typhoid fever, and the doctor is away. The Cartwrights must find a way to help a family that doesn't want "charity." Tulsa in turn resolves to bring rain to end the drought, and finds in his faith a way forward in his time of trial.
—Charles Delacroix