| Director | George Sherman |
|---|---|
| Budget | $750,000 |
| Box office | $2 million |
Jim Bridger, who has the Indian name of "Tomahawk", leads a group of fur traders and Sioux Indians. A small show run by Julie Madden is protected by an escort, led by Lt. Rob Dancy, as it travels cross-country to a fort. On the route, Dancy kills a young unarmed Sioux boy without provocation. In retaliation the following day, several mounted Sioux ambush the traveling show, hitting Julie's elderly companion Dan with an arrow in the chest. They take Dan to the fort, but the doctor refuses to operate. Julie persuades Jim to operate, saving Dan's life. Jim asks Julie to help his female Cheyenne traveling companion Monahseetah, the daughter of Chief Black Kettle.
The Sioux approach the fort in small groups and target one sentry at a time before riding away. Julie has taken a horse without permission and they chase her. Jim tries to stop the men, but one man, Red Cloud's favorite son, will not comply and Jim fights and kills him. When they return to the fort, they can hear the Sioux war drums.
Jim discovers that Dancy killed his Cheyenne wife, Monahseetah's sister, after Dancy leads a suicidal attack on a group of Sioux in which he is the sole survivor. The Sioux attack the fort in waves, but the newly arrived breech-loading rifles defeat them.