Trampas (Doug McClure) is convicted of murder and sentenced to hang in Rock Falls County when he is found over the dead body of a man he had been seen arguing with about right of way for Shiloh cattle. The Graingers and The Virginian have six days to prove him innocent before his date with the hangman. While trying to obtain a right of way from other ranchers, Stacey learns a few key facts about the dead man, his widow (Susanne Benton), and the father (Ken Lynch) who owns the ranch. At the same time, The Virginian (James Drury) goes undercover to work at the ranch to see if he can find new evidence. He soon learns the foreman (John Milford) has an interest in the beautiful widow. Clay Grainger (John Kiley) and the attorney are turned down for an appeal so they turn to the Governor who has a busy schedule. A dearth of witnesses and potential motives related to the widow of the slain man become more complicated when Trampas escapes prison with three prisoners and they take a guard hostage who is shot by another prisoner. Trampas plans to go to Canada with his cellmate who has a piece of land there.
—Anonymous