The plot of this western revolves around a number of personal and institutional conflicts. There is the conflict between the Apache and Feds. over unkept promises, and the appropriation to white settlers of the only part of their San Carlos Reservation that is suitable for growing crops. The Apache are fed up with being hunted like game. To show their displeasure, some Apache, headed by Cara Blanca, have left the reservation, and believed responsible for the death of some settlers. Incidentally, Cara Blanca, in Spanish, means white face. Appropriately, it's very obvious that Edgar Barrier, who poorly plays Cara Blanca, is a Caucasian, with no attempt to make him look more Apache-like. .......Col. Morsby(Hugh Marlowe) and his cavalry command are charged with returning the Apache to their reservation. He takes his duty seriously, and only has negative things to say about the Apache. We only see him, not his troopers. He is one of a motley group of mostly unassociated people who happen to land at the Apache River stage line station, when Apache threaten. He and his critical comments about the Apache are not welcomed by Sheriff Lane Dakota(Stephen McNally), who has landed here on his way to a courthouse, with prisoner Greiner(Russell Johnson). In regard to the Apache, accused by Morsby of murder, and Greiner, accused by the sheriff of murder and theft, Morsby says "There are times when a man must be presumed guilty, unless proven innocent". Also, "If you are sure that they are guilty, (without a trial), punish them". Dakota takes up for the Apache at every negative accusation by Morsby. Thus, we have a situation resembling that in "Fort Apache", for example, where the newly recruited Col. Thursday thinks it's his mission to boss the Apache around, and kill them if necessary, while John Wayne takes up for the Apache. In both cases, the Colonel is destined to die at the hands of the Apache, he being considered by the locals as well as the Apache, a hinderment to peaceable resolution of conflicts involving the Apache........Dakota has a curious relationship with his prisoner Greiner. Greiner was in a bad way, out in the boonies, wounded by an Apache, and still being shot at. Sheriff Dakota happened along just at the right time to eliminate the Apache menace. However, it turns out that Greiner was the man that Dakota was looking for, in connection with a robbery and murder. Thus, he took him into custody, with the objective of taking him to a distant courthouse, by way of the Apache River barge, at the Apache River Station, where they got hung up with Apache problems. Greiner seems to be lucky. Before Dakota got to him, he hid his saddlebags, presumably containing his loot, in a rock crevice. Dakota didn't bother searching for his saddlebags, hence doesn't have direct evidence on Greiner. Unlike some others, Greiner survives the Apache assault on the station.........Returning to Ann: Being stuck in this lonely godforsaken land, being pessimistic about their chances as surviving an Apache attack, she is slated to die, along with her unloved , mostly absent, husband Tom(Hugh O'Brien), and her boyfriend of convenience: Hatcher(Jack Kelly), who dies trying to runaway with her. I will say that the barn conflagration, from a flaming arrow, spread unbelievably fast, not giving Ann and Tom time to run out..........I have one major character, yet, to consider: Julie Adams, as Valarie. Obviously, she's from a well-off family. Her trousseau takes up the entire stage, hence, she is the only passenger. For some reason, she decided to marry an unseen rancher, beyond Apache River Station. Perhaps he is wealthy? But, after getting to know Dakota, she gets cold feet, and begins to form a relationship with him. That is her status at the end of the film. Perhaps, she also considered that Dakota presumably lives in a town, where there is a bit of civilization, and other women, rather than a lonely, smelly, ranch(until she gets some kids). She is slated to survive the Apache attack, as is Dakota.