The colt: Trooper Jim Rabb rides his beloved mare, Jen, as a member of the First Michigan Calvary in 1864. One morning Jim discovers that by Jen's side is a newborn colt, shaking and afraid, born to chaos, and clinging to his mother for life. Sergeant Longacre orders it to be shot, but Jim refuses and soon Jen and her nursing foal join the tam of men as an omen of good fortune and a reminder that some creatures are blessedly innocent to the careless ways of men. Painted hero: Virgin Kidder hasn't been to Waco for quite a spell, but now that he's back in town clowning in the rodeo, his troubles are catching up with him quicker than a Brahma bull.