Jud and two recruits arrive in Salt River. Jud is approach by a guy who wants to know if the cavalry will be guarding a cattle-drive. Before anyone knows what happens, the recruits are in a fight. Morgan stops it and it looks like he might shoot a soldier when Rinty stops him.
Rip rides in to pick up the recruits. Rip's not pleased to see his recruits fighting; and Jud turns out to be Jud Swanson, the Major's son. Rip has to explain to the Major someone was fishing for information about a cattle drive to Abilene. The Major says it's true. The Major is surprised to see his son, he was supposed to go to West Point. The Major says his son does not get special treatment.
Rip tells Swanson his first job is to clean the stalls. Times goes by and Jud does what he is told. Rip will be heading out to escort the cattle drive. Rusty thinks Rip is being tough on Jud, but Rip says he has to impress on Jud what the army can be like and quickly because orders have come through for Jud to report to West Point. But when Rusty goes to see Jud, he's gone AWOL. Rusty decides he and Rinty have to find him before anyone realizes what's happened, Jud falls in with the cattle rustlers. He wants to buy a horse, but the rustlers say they will trade; his uniform for a horse. Mogan figures if the soldiers see the uniform, they will follow it trying to get back one of their own. They will follow it into a trap where they can be killed. Then the rustlers can ride up to the cattle-drive as soldiers as steal the herd as easy as can be.
Rusty sees the man in a uniform and thinks it's Jud. Rinty tries to interfere but is clubbed senseless. The troopers are about to leave when the Major learns his son is AWOL. Rip sees the man too and starts to follow. Jud manages to fire a warning shot to alert the troopers. Rinty awakes and gets Morgan. Rusty gets loose and shoots the rustler wearing Jud's uniform. Rusty explains why he too is AWOL.
Jud gets his appointment to the Point, but still, he was AWOL. He does take a crooked nail with him, to remind himself of what he needs to do if he needs straightening out.
Rip rides in to pick up the recruits. Rip's not pleased to see his recruits fighting; and Jud turns out to be Jud Swanson, the Major's son. Rip has to explain to the Major someone was fishing for information about a cattle drive to Abilene. The Major says it's true. The Major is surprised to see his son, he was supposed to go to West Point. The Major says his son does not get special treatment.
Rip tells Swanson his first job is to clean the stalls. Times goes by and Jud does what he is told. Rip will be heading out to escort the cattle drive. Rusty thinks Rip is being tough on Jud, but Rip says he has to impress on Jud what the army can be like and quickly because orders have come through for Jud to report to West Point. But when Rusty goes to see Jud, he's gone AWOL. Rusty decides he and Rinty have to find him before anyone realizes what's happened, Jud falls in with the cattle rustlers. He wants to buy a horse, but the rustlers say they will trade; his uniform for a horse. Mogan figures if the soldiers see the uniform, they will follow it trying to get back one of their own. They will follow it into a trap where they can be killed. Then the rustlers can ride up to the cattle-drive as soldiers as steal the herd as easy as can be.
Rusty sees the man in a uniform and thinks it's Jud. Rinty tries to interfere but is clubbed senseless. The troopers are about to leave when the Major learns his son is AWOL. Rip sees the man too and starts to follow. Jud manages to fire a warning shot to alert the troopers. Rinty awakes and gets Morgan. Rusty gets loose and shoots the rustler wearing Jud's uniform. Rusty explains why he too is AWOL.
Jud gets his appointment to the Point, but still, he was AWOL. He does take a crooked nail with him, to remind himself of what he needs to do if he needs straightening out.
