The discovery brings Nick’s former Commanding officer, Jock McLean (Chips Rafferty), to Stockton. The old sea dog was assigned to head the salvation operation of the famous riverboat that reportedly sank with one million of Union Army gold onboard.

Jock shows up unexpectedly at the ranch, taking everyone by surprise, most especially Nick’s girlfriend, Melanie De Land (Katherine Justice), who faints at the news.

           

Back at the ranch, the Barkleys and their guest indulge in a drink and a sing-along. Soon the family members retire to their rooms, leaving a bitter Jock to confide in Nick about the Army’s decision to force him to retire on a meager pension plan.

           

In the hush of night, De Land meets with his former Confederate sympathizers group to discuss the implications the discovery of the wreck might entail. Doolin calmly proposes to find a scapegoat to divert attention away from the real culprits who ambushed the gold shipment for their own benefit. Cyrus argues he won’t be a party to blaming his friend Tom Barkley knowing the full weight of the consequences for his heirs should he be found guilty. However he has choice but to go along with the majority vote.

           

Privy to the conversation, Victoria drives into town to demand of Doolin that the truth be told. Doolin uses the acrid discussion to his advantage by proclaiming Victoria Barkley tried to bribe him into printing contrived facts. The false rumour spreads like wildfire among townsfolk who begin snubbing the Barkleys.

After learning of Doolin’s vile allegation towards their mother, Nick and Heath march up to the saloon to engage in a fight with the snooty reporter and his cohorts.

           

As he delves deeper into the books, Jock discovers amounts of money unaccounted for. Victoria explains that handshake deals were very common in those days and that Tom often relied on a man’s word only to conduct business. Her husband would never have been a part of a scheme that sent 23 men to their death, but her claim falls on deaf ear. Jock is doggedly intent on exposing the culprit at all cost. Should the late Tom Barkley be found liable of that gold theft, the government will have no hesitation in commencing legal proceedings against his estate for one million dollars.

While perusing some old newspapers clippings, Jarrod comes across an article on the Knights of the Golden Circle made up of Confederate sympathizers. Months prior to the end of the war several gold shipments were ambushed and although there is no proof that those men were involved, the motive is evident. They are shocked to learn that Melanie’s father was part of that group.

           

She goes out back where her father is meeting with the members. To her heart’s dismay she learns that Nick was telling the truth about her father being involved in sinking the River Monarch. However Cyrus won’t divulge the location where he stashed the gold, especially to greedy Doolin who believes time has come to split the loot.

           

Nick pays a visit to Jock at his hotel to bring him up to date on the Confederate Sympathizers Circle. Although they had a motive to steal the gold, Jock can’t place them near that particular shipment. What’s startling about this case is that neither of the members became rich, but Tom Barkley did.

     

           

However it appears the old sea dog has plans of his own. After sending a telegram to Washington confirming Tom Barkley’s guilt, McLean follows De Land to the hideout where they dig for the gold. De Land explains that Tom Barkley trusted him with the shipment and he went ahead and switched the gold for lead bars. Thereafter they sank the ship to prevent anyone from uncovering the plot. He never meant for men to die but the boat sank so fast that there was hardly time to save them.

           

           

Back at home, Nick deplores the turn of events, which never would have occurred had the Army agreed to let Jock pursue his career instead of forcing him to retire.