Millard Cressing claims ownership of a local town due to a Royal Charter granted by King Charles.
No one wants to challenge the provenance of this document. Cressing has the sheriff on his side.
Cressing is tightening down with his greed and driving out rival trading posts.
Hawkeye becomes a partner of one trader who was beaten black and blue by Cressing's cronies.
Only for Hawkeye being tried by a kangaroo court on a trumped up murder charge.
Hawkeye brings up some ideas of John Locke in this story. Even though he seems not too far off from the hangman's noose.