The Swift Cloud Story

In The Swift Cloud Story, Ward Bond, Robert Horton and the rest of the Wagon Train get caught between a rock and hard place between Henry Brandon as Fire Cloud chief of the Chiricauhua Apaches and his nation and Lee Papell and his gang of renegades who have members from the white and red races. In fact the episode begins with an attack on the Wagon Train by Papell and his bunch.

Brandon and Papell hate each other more than the settlers on the Train so that does give Bond a little room for diplomacy. And he has one ace up his sleeve. He saves the life of young Swift Cloud played by Rafael Campos who is Brandon's son. The kid was born lame and Bond promises to take him to a doctor so he can cure him.

A mighty big promise considering he's not a medical man, but Brandon does take Bond at his word.

Campos proved to be a popular character, so much so that he was brought back next year for a return visit to another train Bond and Horton were crossing the plains with. Richard Arlen and Alan Baxter play a couple of other settlers traveling on the Wagon Train.

It's a good episode from the series.

During an Indian attack on the wagon train, Major Adams spares the life of Swift Cloud, crippled son of the Indian Chief. Swift Cloud's condition is the result of a vicious attack by a half-breed. Major Adams tells Fire Cloud that he could have his son's leg mended, but only in exchange of not attacking the wagon. Knowing that his son would've rejected by his people and never be chief Fire Cloud sends his son with the wagon train to go see a city doctor who might be able to cure him.

Meanwhile, Lee Papell and his gang of renegades, who are a mix of white and injun, are bent on attacking the wagon - they then spot Swift Cloud and intend to kidnapped him, and when they do a boy -Swift Cloud befriends - from the train goes after Swift Cloud .... Major Adams and co. Quickly follow ...

Another good episode with a hectic plot, plenty of conflict, plenty of gunsmoke, an annoying glory hunter who is obsessed with military tactics, and a strong story. The relationship between Tommy and Swift Cloud is done well, adding a human touch.