"The Royal Grant" opens at the trading post of Jim Austin (Brian Smyth, last of four) and his wife Priscilla (Iris Krangle, last of two), where Varney (John Vernon, last of eight) conducts a lesson in persuasion from his employer Millard Cressing (John Harding, last of two), who claims ownership of the entire settlement via a land grant issued by King Charles. Hawkeye and Chingachgook prevent the Austins from leaving by becoming partners, though Sheriff Manley (John Paris, last of five) proves to be no help so far as the law is concerned. The murder of an innocent trapper gives Cressing the opportunity to be judge, jury and executioner of the accused Hawkeye, but his escape forces townsmen such as Ingram (Norman Ettlinger, last of two) to band together to defeat Cressing and his confederates, with the timely aid of Colonel Hayes (Lloyd Chester, last of four). John Vernon's final appearance finds him back in villainous mode, but in a supporting role.