< 1868 >
15-year-old Cyrus Gold becomes the full owner of his father’s general store.
11-year-old Bartholomew Lash’s family is swindled of their land, and when he tries to go to the sheriff, he discovers that he is in on the conspiracy. Their argument escalates until Bart accidentally shoots him, making him a fugitive. He tries to hide his parents, but they are killed by deputies. He is taken in by a traveling gambler, Martin Lemuel, and begins going by the name Bat Lash.