The river is the dividing line between the ranchers on one side and the people who live on Banjo Mesa on the other. The election of Jim Bruce as sheriff of the county was a vote of defiance on the part of the small ranchers against large rancher, Holt Klein. When the owner of Gray's Crossing over Wild Horse River is murdered, Klein insists the evidence points to the Banjo Mesa people. Jim remains unconvinced, an attitude that infuriates Klein.