The Rare Breed

In 1884, Martha Evans and her daughter Hilary sail from England to the United States, pursuing the dream of Martha's late husband. He dies aboard, leaving them to press on with only Hilary's bull, Vindicator, to carry their hopes westward. The voyage marks the beginning of a perilous cattle journey that will test their resolve.

At auction, Vindicator sparks a bidding war and is bought to supply stock for Bowen. Ellsworth wins the bid primarily to woo Martha, but she decides to ensure the bull's safe delivery by accompanying him to his destination.

Sam 'Bulldog' Burnett is hired to transport Vindicator to Bowen's ranch and agrees to escort the Evans women on the journey. He accepts responsibility for them on the train to Dodge City and the wagon trail, despite his initial objections.

Hilary learns that Burnett has struck a deal with rival John Taylor to steal the bull. The revelation unsettles her about Burnett's motives, though she does not yet know the full plan behind the arrangement.

Deke Simons enters a confrontation with Burnett over the terms of the journey, a dispute witnessed by Martha who begins to trust Burnett. The clash underscores the rough choices on the trail, and Burnett ultimately agrees to guide and protect the Evans women.

One night, a gunshot knocks the coffee pot from Burnett's hand, a sign that he suspects Taylor's men are closing in. They discover a cut barbed wire fence that the Evans wagon must pass, reinforcing the belief that Burnett's loyalty is being tested.

In a canyon, Burnett encounters Jamie Bowen, who has claimed a herd of his father's longhorn cattle. Simons catches Burnett and shoots a cowhand, triggering a stampede that leaves Jamie in danger and the Evans women briefly held hostage.

Burnett corners Simons, who is holding the Evans women hostage and demanding the money paid for the bull. Burnett and Simons clash; their horses collide, and Simons falls onto a rock, dying.

Burnett returns with the money to Bowen's ranch, only to be berated by Martha for his dishonesty and the trouble he caused. After a few days of travel, they reach the Bowen ranch.

Bowen and Burnett insist the Evans women should leave for the East before the snow closes in, but they refuse to go until Jamie is well and the men have learned to tend Vindicator. In this moment, bonds begin to form as Martha weighs her future with the two men.

Bowen argues that Hereford cattle cannot survive the tough North Texas conditions, making them unsuitable for ranching; Martha realizes that Vindicator must prove his worth. Hilary releases Vindicator into the wild to test his resilience.

A brutal winter arrives; Burnett searches for Vindicator and fails to locate him. Bowen tells Burnett he may have any calves that might be sired by Vindicator as compensation for the trouble.

In spring, Burnett finds the bull under a snowdrift. Martha agrees to marry Bowen, but only after there is no more chance of calves from Vindicator.

Burnett finds a crossbred Hereford calf and brings it to Bowen's fort. The two men fight over Martha, but Burnett proclaims his love for her, so Bowen steps aside.

An entire herd of Herefords is seen, and Martha and Burnett are glad that they kept 'a few longhorns' to remember the way it used to be. Hilary and Jamie, now married, join them at the ranch.