Tom Milford, foreman of the Hayden ranch, and Sylvia Hayden, daughter of the ranch owner, are in love. Hayden has been notified that Archie Hollister, son of an old friend in the east, is coming to visit the ranch. Just before Hollister arrives, a cowboy brings word to the ranch that Simms, a troublesome neighbor, has been illegally interfering with the ranch supply of water.

The period is 1876; trains of settlers are moving westward. It is the time of pioneers and prairie schooners. Dan is leading one wagon train and his party fall in with another led by a stalwart Indian, Mahomena. They proceed together. Amongst the latter party is a young girl, Eunice, and she and Dan are immediately attracted to each other

Mabel Russell, on her return from Europe, is informed by James Leonard, administrator of the Russell Estate, that it was her father's dying wish that she should marry Billy Jones, the son of William Jones, her father's schoolmate and lifelong friend. Mabel, however, has ideas of her own and rather resents being disposed of like a parcel of goods, so when Billy calls upon her, she takes advantage of the fact that he has not seen her since she was a child, and induces her maid (a young woman who has a good figure and passable manners, but is extremely homely), to impersonate her, while she dresses up as the maid.

Jane Carston was to return tomorrow from Ohio, where she had been for the past three years in school, and the ranch was all agog with expectancy and cleanliness. Bob Evans, head cowboy, was most eager and most anxious of the lot. Tomorrow finally became today and Pa had gone to the station in his best linen duster and the buckboard to meet Jane. Finally, in a cloud of dust. Bob discerns them on the brow of the hill. Arriving at the house Jane greets mother with a rousing smack.

Violet De Ray opens up a barber shop at Roaring Gulch. Violet not only does a ripping good business, but she unconsciously has a hand in hurrying along several matrimonial affairs which have hung fire. This is notably the case with Si, who has loved bashfully and at a respectable distance for years. He is lured into Violet's shop, and after his chin whiskers have been clipped he emerges elated; and this coupled with Mandy's desire to protect him from such evil influences, cements a long drawn out romance.

Professor De Risque, anxious to escape for a time the too solicitous attention of Madame De Risque, arrives at Roaring Gulch and, noting that the town numbers some very pretty girls amongst its population, he hangs out his shingle announcing the fact that he teaches the piano and violin. The professor is charming and the young ladies are impressionable, they readily desert the constant cowboys for the professor. The cowboys get their heads together and plan a counter-move.

Dick Martin, foreman of the Circle E ranch, tells Colonel Gray that his mother is coming to visit them for a short time. The Colonel thinks it's a fine opportunity to invite his three nieces from the city, as Dick's mother could act as their chaperone.

Dad has three charming daughters who fall in love with three eligible young men and moreover, promise to marry them, each couple selecting a perfectly lovely place for the proposal. All this while Dad has been courting Jennie. He proposes, too, and likewise he is accepted. They arrange to keep their engagement a secret. The boys all arrange to beard the lion in his den. Dad simulates a terrible rage and banishes them forever. The boys leave. The girls are in despair. They send for the boys to come and say good-bye. The boys are interrupted by the entrance of Dad and Jennie and are astonished to learn that the lady is to be their new mamma. The boys are allowed to replace the rings upon the girl's fingers once more, and general rejoicing is in order.

A regiment of cavalry surprises the Sioux and puts them to flight. Colonel Graham and others personally attend to the wants of the wounded, and the Colonel finds a wounded squaw in one of the tepees, with a little girl crouched in terror by her side.

In order to get a job as a cook on a ranch, a young girl disguises herself as a boy. Problems arise when several of the young women at the ranch fall in love with "him".