Joe Stark is a broke, hungry drifter when he happens upon an old man. The old man offers to make some stew with some potatoes he has, but Stark notices the old man has a chicken. When Stark suggests they kill and eat the chicken, the old man explains the chicken is his pet, and he has no interest in killing it. In an act of extreme, callous cruelty (so the audience knows what a despicable character Stark is), Stark then takes the chicken from the old man and rides off.
A hungry cowboy named Billy Hargis sees Stark cooking the chicken over a fire, and stops to say hello. At first, Stark is suspicious, but he then curiously invites Hargis to share the chicken. While they enjoy their meal, Stark tells Hargis how he admires the horse he is riding. After the two men bed down for the night, Stark decides he will steal the horse. Hargis sees Stark trying to sneak away and confronts him. The two get into a fist fight, and Hargis knocks a few of Stark's teeth loose.
Both men make their respective ways to Dodge City. Stark is bent on getting revenge for the beating Hargis dispensed out on the prairie. He starts a rumor that Hargis killed the infamous gunfighter Beau Carter in the hopes it will make Hargis a target for anyone looking to build their reputation.
Meanwhile, Hargis meets Cara Miles at the Long Branch Saloon. The pair fall in love and plan to marry. Cara makes Billy promise not to wear a gun.
Stark soon leaves Dodge, confident the rumor he started will be effective. Aspiring gunfighter blow-hard Dan Flack hears the story about Hargis and decides to entice Hargis into a gunfight that really isn't a fight at all.
This episode features another great cast. Jeremy Slate, who appeared in several Gunsmoke episodes and lived a fascinating life (look up his biography on IMDB if you are interested), is Billy Hargis. Veteran actor William Phipps is the slimy drifter Joe Stark. Anjanette Comer was a stunning beauty at this time and plays Cara Miles. Rayford Barnes, who often played heavies, is nasty enough as Dan Flack. Familiar character actors such as I. Stanford Jolley, Barney Phillips, and William Fawcett all play relatively small-but-important parts.
There is a surprise twist ending to this episode, but it isn't enough to fully redeem the somewhat convoluted story. Characters appear and disappear. Plot elements are suddenly abandoned. The whole premise doesn't hold up to close scrutiny. Even Matt's actions near the end of the episode lack authenticity.
There are some redeeming qualities to this episode. The acting is top notch. Stark's scheme to cause Hargis trouble is intriguing, and the story is entertaining enough. It just left a lot of things unanswered. Ultimately the episode falls a little short to be considered a truly great episode.