A band of gypsies are travelling through Waltons Mountain when they become stranded because stormy weather has damaged the roof of their caravan and a wheel has fallen off. They break into the empty Baldwin house to try to shelter from the storm. The Baldwins have asked John Boy and Jason Walton to watch over their house while they are away, and when they discover the gypsies at the house, they go to call the sheriff. Matt Beckwith, a newer resident of Waltons Mountain, does not trust gypsies though, and tries to make trouble for them. After being told they are trespassing and given that their baby is sick, John Boy invites them to camp out on Walton land.