Joining his fellow ranchers in a big cattle drive, Ben Cartwright chooses veteran cowboy Kelly James (Ben Johnson) as trail boss. This decision is staunchly opposed by rancher Weatherby (Walter Barnes), who once fired James for drunkenness. Meanwhile, Weatherby's cocksure young foreman Bert Yates (Roger Davis) ruthlessly lobbies for James' job. A pre-stardom Richard Farnsworth appears as Sourdough. Originally broadcast on January 17, 1971, "Top Hand" was written by John Hawkins and Arthur Heinemann. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi