While patrolling the grounds of the house, Greg spots smoke in the distance. He and Paul take the Land Rover to see if they can find its source. They find an encampment by the road, consisting of a caravan and two large vans filled with supplies.They
belong to a man named Huxley, who, with a small band of followers, is travelling around the country scavenging things to trade. By entering towns, wearing gas masks to reduce the risk of contracting disease, they have collected a large amount of goods. He is trading for gold, in the belief that when civilisation returns he will be a rich man!
While Greg and Paul are there, the men discover one of their number, along with Huxley's 'wife' have gone, and
taken two bags of gold coin. Huxley orders his men to search for them and to bring his woman and the gold back to him.
When Greg and Paul return to the house, they find the two missing people are there - the woman is called Laura and she is pregnant. Her companion is Norman, who had taken the gold on impulse and now wishes he hadn't, as he realises Huxley will go to great lengths to retrieve it.
After hearing the pair's story, Greg and Abby clash
again, as they discuss what should be done about the newcomers. Greg wants to turn them away as he's sure Huxley will turn nasty if he realises they have been given shelter. Laura had run away before, and Huxley had killed the man who had aided her. The women think he is being melodramatic.
Laura has run off because Huxley does not want her to keep her child when it is born. She was pregnant when the sickness had struck, and Huxley had taken her
under his wing under the condition she gave up the child to a settlement. Abby refuses to turn them out, saying they can hide them until Huxley gives up the search.
The two stay the night. The next day, Huxley turns up at the house. Norman & Laura are locked in the cellar. Abby greets Huxley, inviting him into the house for something to eat and drink to convince him that all is normal. The plan almost works, but unfortunately the children, who
are very excited about the prospect of a new baby in the community, chat to Huxley's sidekick in the land rover outside, and give the game away to him.
That night Huxley and his men break into the house. Fortunately, the community was prepared, and they are surprised and disarmed. Norman returns the gold to Huxley who is then seen off the premises. He swears he'll be back...
The next day they find Arthur bound, gagged and tied to a tree with some of
their crop burned. Arthur passes on a message that they have 'til 10 the next morning to return Laura.
More heated discussions ensue - Abby can't believe that Huxley will get violent just to retrieve his hurt pride, but Greg disagrees. Abby lays down the law however, and warns Greg not to tell them to leave!
That night, the two runaways decide they have caused enough trouble and leave of their own accord. When Abby finds out she accuses Greg of ordering
them to leave, but he denies it. He does however admit to telling Laura about Huxley's ultimatum, and letting her make up her own mind about what action to take. Abby is livid and hits Greg!
Later in the morning Norman comes running back to the house. Laura has gone into labour - she is in a field nearby. They stretcher her back to the house, and the women swing into action to deliver the child - it is a girl.
Meanwhile Huxley's raiding party set off
for the house. Paul is ambushed while tending the sheep - he is unhurt, but the flock is slaughtered. The community bring the remaining livestock within the house walls, and prepare for a siege...
That night there is an explosion outside the walls. Huxley gives them a last ultimatum that they have 'til morning before he starts using more explosives in earnest.
They hold another council of war to discuss their alternatives, and decide that the only
course of action, apart from packing up and leaving, is a pre-emptive strike on Huxley's camp before morning.
The five men reach Huxley's camp at dawn - the gang are having breakfast. Paul muses that they could pick them off from the bushes very easily, but Greg has orders them to only shoot as a last resort - the aim is to disarm them, and make them leave. Greg and Paul stay in the bushes while Arthur, Norman and Price attempt to sneak into the
camp under cover of the lorries. They are spotted, and Price is shot and wounded. As a cowboy style gunfight is starting, a Land Rover arrives, containing Abby and Laura. Laura insisted Abby bring her - she's going to go with Huxley and leave her child at the settlement.
The wounded Price takes this opportunity to be a hero and shoots Huxley. Huxley's men finish him off, but with their leader now dead, they don't continue the fight. The two sides go
their separate ways. Laura returns to the community.
Greg's epitaph to Price - "He did worse things."
