Thomas Watson is a farmer in East Ridge, Texas. Oil has been discovered on his land, and oilman John Glassman wants to buy Watson's land, but Watson has refused him. Watson is under pressure by several townspeople, who want the money Glassman says the oil trade would bring. Watson meets the Doctor, Jamie McCrimmon and Victoria Waterfield, who befriend him. The Doctor makes plans with Watson to capture the trespassers if they come on his land again. The plan works, and this time the sheriff arrests the men.