- Chris is falsely arrested in a backwater town and sentenced to five years hard labor in a private prison. The rest of the Seven attempt to trace his movements and effect a rescue.
- Sheriff Quince and the local warden in Jericho make money "arresting" innocent men and ransoming them back to their families. But they make a mistake when Quince arrests Chris, who is just passing through. While the other members of the Seven come searching for their missing friend, Chris refuses to yield to the sadistic warden.—Gislef
- Testifying to a man false accused if theft as alibi, passerby Chris is arrested on the spot by sheriff Quince and condemned to five years of hard labor by a judge whose only criterion is whether he can pay 'bail'. The prison warden has the real felons help making life hell for the extortion victims so they'll have money sent by loved-ones. Chris stands up for himself and others, no matter how often he's beaten in thrown in the hole, being patched up by 'doc' and earning respect from all, even a guard and the three brothers who blame him for shooting their teen cousin, albeit in self-defense, fatally rather then just wing the scoundrel. Vin duly holds back indignant Buck while Josiah seeks to reason with sheriff's mother Juliana as they set out after ten days to find Chris, thereby alerting the conspirators their game is up unless they eliminate all Seven, witch Chris already in warden's grim grip.—KGF Vissers
- In the town of Jericho, Chris checks into a hotel and tells the watch salesman that he has no use for a timepiece. The owner asks if Chris is passing through Jericho on business, and he taciturnly says that he is. The local sheriff, Quince, and his deputy come in, and tell the salesman that he's under arrest for suspicion of armed robbery. The salesman, who looks inoffensive, insists that it must be a mistake. Quince tosses a wanted poster on the bar, and says that a bank was robbed in Langdon.
Chris speaks up, saying he was in Langdon for three days and didn't hear anything about a robbery. Quince asks if he's a lawman, and when Chris says that he isn't, the sheriff advises him to keep his mouth shut. The salesman points out that the man shown on the poster looks nothing like him, and the two lawmen grab him. Chris tells them to let the salesman alone, and struggles with the deputy. The salesman runs and Chris stops the deputy from shooting him in the back. The salesman escapes, and Quince knocks out Chris from behind.
Later, Chris is taken before the town judge--Quince--who charges him with abetting a wanted criminal. When Chris objects, the deputy hits him in the gut. Quince says that he can postpone the trial if Chris has $500. When Chris says that he doesn't, the deputy frisk him and confirms he doesn't have any money on him. Chris tells Quince to go to hell and the deputy, acting as Chris' attorney, says that Chris pleads guilty. Quince says that Chris is sentenced to five years' hard labor.
Chris is taken out to the local prison outside of Jericho, via a prison wagon. He jumps a guard and mounts a horse, and the other guards close the gate and soon pull Chris off the horse. The guards drag Chris to the Warden, who tells Chris that he's going into the hole for four days for attempted escape. The Warden tells Chris that he's now only known as "Inmate 78", and if he violates any rules then he'll go into the hole.
When Chris says that he wants to get a letter out, the Warden tells him to use the proper appellation. He tells Chris that he has an attitude problem, and asks if he wants to try for eight days in the hole. He asks if they have an understanding, and Chris tells the Warden that men like him are easy to understand. The Warden gives him eight days in the hole and the guards drag Chris off.
In Four Corners, J.D., Buck, and Nathan are playing poker and J.D. is trying to tell a joke. Mary comes in and asks if they've heard anything from Chris. Buck says that they haven't and she wonders if they should be concerned because Chris is seven days overdue. J.D. and Nathan figure that it's concerning, but Buck doesn't. Mary isn't reassured, and leaves.
The guards take Chris out of the hole after eight days, and the Warden asks him they still have a problem. Chris says that they don't, and the Warden has the head guard, Phillips, put Chris to work. Chris is soon working with the other prisoners. One of the prisoners serving food, a cook , sees Chris and finds him looking familiar. He figures that whoever Chris is, the Cook doesn't like him. The Cook spits in Chris' food, and Chris sits down and eats.
Another prisoner sits down next to Chris and figures that Chris is new there. He asks for Chris' food and Chris lets him have it, and the older prisoner quickly leaves as Gage Lawless and his two brothers come over Gage asks Chris if he remembers them, and Chris says that he doesn't. Gage says that Chris shot their cousin Jackie dead in Dodge City, and Chris says that Jackie didn't give him any choice. When Gage says that Chris was better and could have winged him, he tells Chris that he's going to pay and orders him up.
Chris stands up and says that Jackie wasn't trying to wing him. He says that he doesn't want any trouble and then punches Gage in the gut. He takes out one of the other two brothers, and the third one draws a shiv and comes at Chris. He slashes Chris in the side, and Chris disarms him and pins him to the ground, and puts the knife to his throat. Gage backs off, and Phillips comes over and pulls Chris away. Chris tucks the shiv up his sleeve and the guards take him to the infirmary.
The guards shackle Chris to a bed, and Doc Simmons tends to Chris' wound. Simmons drinks while he works, and claims that it's "medicinal". He figures that Chris didn't pay the bail and ended up in the prison, and says that Quince and the Warden have a deal worked out. Quince contacts the prisoners' family and asks for the "bail", and half the men are waiting to hear from their families while the other half are cutthroats and thieves. Chris points out a dead man shackled to a bed and asks what happened to him. Simmons says that the prison happened to him, and slaps a cloth soaked in alcohol in Chris' wound to "sterilize" it.
In Four Corners, Mary gets a telegram from Langdon saying Chris left two weeks ago. She tells the other Seven, who figure they'll check it out and ride off.
At the prison, the Warden shoots at a rock near a working Chris to get his attention, and tells him that he has a visitor. In the Warden's office, Quince is there. He tells Chris that he's there to offer him the possibility of a retrial, and all he needs is for Chris' family to post the $500 bail. Chris finally says that he knows what they're offering, and says that if he gets out then he'll come back and take Quince and the Warden both down.
The six gunmen ride into Jericho and Vin tells the deputy that they're looking for a friend. When the deputy wonders if Chris is the thief they caught recently, Buck takes offense and Vin holds him back. Vin says that it's the wrong man and rides off with the others. Down the street, Vin suggests that it's a dead end. They go to the boarding house and Josiah talks with the owner, Jessie. He flirts with her and says that they're looking for Chris. Jessie says that she doesn't recognize anybody by Chris' description, but says that she doesn't have a good memory.
J.D. is trying his joke on Ezra, who isn't amused. The deputy brings Quince in, and Quince says that he doesn't like all the new guns rolling through his town without an introduction. He wants to know their business, and Jessie says that Vin and the others are looking for Chris Quince doesn't "remember" Chris either, and tells the men that if they're planning on staying in Jericho, he's going to have to collect their guns.
Buck snickers, and Vin says that they'll be moving on as soon as they get supplies. The six gunslingers walk out without handing over their guns, and Jessie tells Quince that they could be trouble. Quince tells her that he can handle them.
At the prison, Chris goes through the food line and Chris threatens him with the shiv if the Cook spits in his food again. The Cook reluctantly swallows his tobacco and Chris smiles and walks away.
Later, Chris is digging when the Warden comes through with Inmate 46. He announces that 46 has been hiding in the infirmary, "slacking off", and Chris anonymously yells for the Warden to leave 46 alone. Gage and the others watch, as the Warden tells 46 to get up and prepares to beat him with his baton. Chris steps forward and grabs the Warden's wrist, and the Warden tells him to step aside. When Chris doesn't, the Warden hits him with his baton.
Phillips repeats the Warden's order, and Chris gets to his feet. Gage figures that Chris will get himself killed, and the Warden beats Chris down when Chris manages to stand up. The Warden says that he can beat Chris all day and hits him again, and the other prisoners wince in sympathy. Phillips advises Chris to stay down, and Gage bangs his shovel on a wheel. The other prisoners join in on the impromptu protest and encouragement, and Gage tells Chris to get up.
Chris manages to get back to his feet, and the Warden and the guards look around nervously. Chris tells the Warden to leave 46 alone, and the Warden tells the guards to take 46 back to the infirmary while Chris goes there as well to get fixed up. The Warden says that he has plans for him.
Later, Simmons tends to Chris' injuries. The doctor takes a drink and tells Chris that 46 is doing well. Simmons says that 46 was a tough prisoner when he came in, and everyone liked him. Some people thought he was a Texas Ranger who came in looking for the missing, and some thought he was an Indian tracker. He was stubborn like Chris.
In Jericho, the Seven go to the general store and compliment the owner on his selection. Nathan spots Chris' revolver on display, and Buck angrily tells Anderson to show him the gun. When Buck breaks open the case, he takes out the revolver and confirms that it's Chris'. Buck slams Anderson on the counter and asks how he got the gun.
Later, the Seven visit Jessie, and tell her that they found Chris' gun on sale in the local store and he said that Jessie sold it to him. She denies it, and Buck threatens her. Jessie turns to Josiah, the "preacher", for help, while Vin and Nathan hold Buck back. Josiah advises Jessie to tell him what really happened, and Jessie tells Josiah that some drunken men forced her to take the gun instead of money, and told her to be quiet about how she got it. Josiah thanks her for her time, and Buck immediately calms down.
Down the street, Buck figures that Jessie is lying and Josiah agrees. However, Josiah figures that Jessie won't tell them anymore.
At the prison, Phillips tells Chris to take it easy. Chris goes to work and the prisoners nod at him in admiration. Gage and his brothers are waiting, and Gage asks how 46 is doing. Chris says that he's doing better, and admits that he should have winged Jackie but he was a different man then. Gage accepts that and lets Chris pass.
Quince comes to see the Warden and tells him that Vin and the others aren't going away. The Warden tells him that he's discovered that Vin is a wanted man, and figures they should give the others a dead Chris.
The Seven go to interview the deputy, searching for Chris, and Ezra points out that they're not particular subtle. He suggests that they let him interview the deputy, and that a little subtlety is in order. The others agree, and Ezra is soon getting drunk with the deputy at the saloon and claims that the Seven are going their separate ways. Ezra says that they're an uncivilized bunch, unlike the deputy. The Deputy says that Chris must not have been a "special friend" after all, and Ezra tells him that they were looking to collect a bounty on Chris because of several stagecoach robberies that he committed. The deputy admits that he knows Chris, and Ezra pours him another drink while secretly pouring out his own drink.
At the prison, the Warden tours the grounds. He calls Chris over and accuses him of spitting on his shoes. When Chris denies it, the Warden asks him if Chris is calling him a liar. Phillips warns the Warden that if they put Chris back in the hole, he'll die. The Warden tells Phillips to back off, and Chris insults the Warden. Another guard hits him behind the knees, and the Warden tells Chris that he's going into the hole for eight days. Phillips refuses to take Chris there, and the other guard takes Christ there. Once they're gone, the Warden tells Phillips that he's fired
Ezra gets the deputy drunk and tells him J.D.'s joke. The deputy laughs and then passes out, and Quince and his other deputies come in with Anderson leading them. Quince has a wanted poster of Vin from Texas, and Vin tells Quince that the racket Quince and the Warden are running. The sheriff says that he's a liar and tells Vin's friends to back down.
Nathan tells Quince that they knew all about Vin's "crime", and Vin calmly stands up. The deputies run out, realizing that they're outnumbered, and Anderson and the saloon customers leave with them. The Seven draw their guns on Quince, and Quince backs down.
Later, a man brings the Warden a rattlesnake in a bag, per his orders. The Warden tells the man that he doesn't want Chris to see the morning's light,
Later that night, the Warden goes to the hole and looks down on Chris. He drops the rattlesnake out of the bag and into the hole.
Vin drags Quince out and says that they'll go out to the prison. Jessie is waiting for them on the street with a shotgun, and tells them to let "her boy" go or she'll shoot. She tells them that Chris is already dead and they might as well leave, and Josiah steps forward and tells Jessie that she doesn't want to pull the trigger. He says that it isn't too late to mend her ways and calmly walks toward her, and says that all Jessie is doing is getting her son killed.
Josiah walks up to the shotgun barrel until it's touching his chest. He says that he has faith that she'll do the right thing, and best for what's best for Quince. Jessie tells him to go to Hell and pulls the trigger, and Josiah reaches forward and blocks the hammer from falling. He yanks the shotgun away, and says that his faith only goes so far.
The Warden tells Chris what happen when a rattlesnake bites him. The snake lunges repeatedly at Chris, and he dodges as best he can. Chris then grabs the snake and thrust it up through the bars, and it bites the Warden in the neck. The Warden collapse and the snake slithers away, and the Seven ride up to the gate with Quince. Quince tells the guards to open the gate, saying that they've got Vin, and the guards oblige. Once they ride in, Quince yells a warning and rides off.
A guard sounds the alarm, and the Seven take out the guards as they go for their guns. The gunslingers take cover, and Quince goes to the telegraph office in the prison. Phillips is already sending a message to Fort Yuma telling them that they have a prison break, and Quince tells him not to bring in the authorities.
Outside, the two sides exchange fire and Josiah takes out the bell-ringer on the tower as he prepares to shoot Josiah.
Phillips tells Quince that the Warden is at the hole, but they don't have time to get him. Quince grabs Phillips' gun, aims it at him, and tells him to stop sending a telegraph and to open the safe where the Warden keeps his money.
Chris grabs the grate keys from the dying Warden, and uses them to free himself.
Buck tells Vin to get Chris, and a stray shot hitting a lantern sets the main cabin on fire. Vin and Nathan go to get Chris.
Quince gets the money while Phillips is forced to hold the bag for the sheriff. Vin breaks in and Quince uses Phillips as a shield and then runs out the door with the bag of money. Nathan sees him come out and tackles him, and Quince yells to a guard to shoot Nathan. The guard wings Nathan, and Quince runs away as Vin comes out and confirms that Nathan isn't badly wounded.
The guards in the burning house surrender.
Quince comes to the hole and finds the Warden. The sheriff shoots into the hole, hoping to kill Chris. Chris emerges from the shadow outside and when Quince comes at him, stabs him with the shiv. Quince dies in the dirt, and goes over to the dying Warden, who asks who Chris is. Chris tells him that he's "Inmate 78", and the Warden dies as Chris steps over his body and walks away.
The next day, Josiah goes through the prison records and releases all of the prison who were false accused. Simmons is among them, and Phillips tells Josiah and Chris that none of them knew about the ransoms. Chris tells Phillips that he's in charge now, and it's up to him to change things. Phillips says that Chris can be sure of it and they shake. Chris then mounts up and rides off with the others.
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