When the opportunity arises to claim a parcel of land on the Kansas prairie, Charles Ingalls moves his family away from their Wisconsin home to build a better life.
Laura and Mary are frightened by the arrival of Indians when Pa is away. Ma is thrilled to meet the Scott family, despite their weird manners. An illness forces the family to rely on a stranger's help.
Pa tries his best to earn some money, but finds bartering with the townsfolk shopkeeper to be a frustrating situation. The Ingalls almost lose their home to a fire. Laura becomes fascinated by the Indians living nearby.
A mountain lion attacks Pa. As more Indians set up camps nearby, the Ingalls family starts to feel menaced.
The Indians are forced to relocate due to a treaty. While the rest of the Ingalls family are happy to see them leave, Laura is not. Soldiers threaten to take the Ingall's land, forcing them to move again.