Last of the Dogmen

Gates spots three armed escaped convicts in Montana's Oxbow Quadrangle and closes in on them. He hears gunshots and investigates the scene, finding only a bloody scrap of cloth, a shotgun shell, and an old-fashioned arrow. The discovery hints at a larger, hidden threat lurking in the wilderness.

Gates takes the arrow to archaeologist Lillian Sloan, who identifies it as a replica of the arrows used by Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. Gates refuses to accept it as a replica and begins extensive library research. He compiles a long list of disappearances in the Oxbow and uncovers a legend of a 'wild child' captured nearby in the early 20th century.

Convinced of a greater Cheyenne presence, Gates persuades Sloan to join his hunt. The two enter the Oxbow together, starting a difficult expedition into the remote wilderness.

Over the next week they endure mishaps and push roughly 50 miles deeper into the wilderness than Gates has ever traveled. The bond between them strengthens as they rely on each other for survival.

With supplies dwindling, Sloan urges turning back, but a Cheyenne war party attacks instead. Sloan's ability to speak Cheyenne helps de-escalate the situation, and Gates and Sloan are taken to a Cheyenne village hidden behind a waterfall tunnel.

In the village, Chief Spotted Elk explains the Cheyenne escape of 128 years ago and recounts his own escape from confinement as a child. Gates and Sloan learn more about the Cheyenne's perspective and past traumas.

Gates and Sloan begin to integrate with the Cheyenne; Yellow Wolf's sick son prompts Sloan to persuade his father to allow Gates to ride into town for antibiotics. They maintain cautious hope for peace.

Gates travels to town to obtain antibiotics but robs a pharmacy, triggering a chase by Sheriff Deegan and other local law enforcement. The pursuit threatens the fragile truce as Gates escapes back toward the wilderness.

After escaping, Gates reunites with Yellow Wolf in the wilderness and they return to the Cheyenne encampment. The sheriff gathers a posse and closes in, determined to track Gates and recover Sloan.

With the posse nearing, Gates proposes using leftover TNT to create a distraction and help the Cheyenne flee deeper into the Oxbow. Sloan volunteers to stay with the Cheyenne, and Gates reluctantly agrees to the plan.

Gates surrenders to the sheriff and tries to light the TNT, while the sheriff threatens him in the tunnel behind the waterfall. Yellow Wolf fires an arrow at the TNT, triggering the blast and sending both Gates and the sheriff tumbling into the waterfall.

In the aftermath, the deputy urges everyone to clear out, and Gates is taken to a holding cell where the sheriff questions him. Gates offers a cryptic explanation—some things deserve to remain undiscovered—which oddly eases their uneasy relationship.

An indeterminate time later, Gates begins a snowbound search for Sloan and the Cheyenne after receiving hints from Sloan. He locates them, Zip runs to greet him, and Gates shares a passionate embrace with Sloan in a clearing.