The Night Riders

On the paddle steamer, a fight erupts between two players over blackjack. Pierce Talbot is caught cheating, draws a knife, and his attacker stabs him with his own blade and throws him overboard. The Mesquiteers continue the voyage with Talbot missing, his fate on the water left uncertain.

Ashore, Hazleton fakes a land title to 13 million acres in Don Luis de Serrano's name. Talbot impersonates Serrano with Soledad posing as his wife, and an investigation proceeds. The court eventually rules the claim genuine, allowing the masquerade to stand for a time.

The ranchers fear losing their land as de Serrano imposes a rent of $1 per acre and threatens cattle forfeiture for nonpayment. Enforcers are sent to collect, escalating tensions across the countryside. The Mesquiteers realize the scheme will devastate small ranchers unless countered.

Collectors arrive at the Mesquiteers' ranch, triggering a tense shootout. The trio runs low on ammunition and cleverly disarms the enforcers. The sheriff arrives and orders them to leave if they cannot pay, ending the immediate confrontation.

Shortly after, the Mesquiteers help Susan Randall and her brother Tim avoid a punitive cattle tax by incapacitating two tax collectors. They realize the movement to resist de Serrano's plans is gaining momentum. The rescue strengthens the ranchers' resolve to fight back.

The Mesquiteers decide to write to President Garfield asking for help. The President replies that he cannot intervene in private land disputes. Disappointed but undeterred, the trio resolves to continue their fight on their own terms.

Disguised as hooded outlaws, the Mesquiteers become Los Capaqueros and begin robbing tax collectors to distribute money to ranchers. Their actions rally more locals to the cause while they evade capture. The effort deepens Hazleton's concerns as he plans to trap them.

Hazleton and de Serrano stake out the next ranch slated for taxation. Los Capaqueros escape and hide in town, narrowly avoiding capture in a nearby stable. The pursuit grows more dangerous as the conspirators close in.

In a tense moment, the Mesquiteers break into President Garfield's private room and confront him for a hearing. Garfield offers to back them with cavalry if they can present solid evidence of de Serrano's crimes. The encounter steels their resolve to gather definitive proof.

Senora de Serrano is harassed by a mob, but the Mesquiteers rescue her by shoving her into her coach and scaring the horses. They chase the mob away and return her safely to her husband. Stony notices the scar on Talbot's sleeve, realizing the impersonation is a fraud tied to the paddle steamer incident.

During a card game, Stony recognizes de Serrano as Talbot, the card player from the paddle steamer. The revelation confirms that the corrupt leadership is one and the same. This moment sets the stage for the climactic confrontation.

The Mesquiteers infiltrate the hacienda, capture Talbot, Hazleton, and Soledad, and force confessions. Hazleton finally admits the truth while Talbot writes his full confession. They report everything to the mob and prepare to return to their ranch, resolved to defend the land honestly.