West and Gordon are in Mexico to deliver an Arabian horse, Jack O'Diamonds, to President Juarez as a gift from President Grant. Bandits posing as soldiers steal the horse and a three-way battle for possession of the animal develops between the agents, the bandits and some Imperial soldiers who hope to sour Mexico's diplomatic relations. West manages to make an alliance of sorts with El Sordo, leader of the bandits, when they come under attack by the Emperor’s men, but just how far can the outlaw be trusted?
Tropes present in this episode:
- Anti-Hero: El Sordo. He steals the horse because of its beauty but is willing to return his prize once he learns it was meant as a gift for President Juarez - he's even willing to die to rectify the situation. Also, he and his gang are heroes to the locals. However, Sordo isn't above using torture or robbing Jim and Artie at gunpoint.
- Bandito: El Sordo and his gang are a stereotypical group of Mexican outlaws for the most part, but they're not entirely without principles.
- Dead Person Impersonation: Unwittingly done by Artie. He poses as Pancho, a wanted criminal, in order to dig up information on the bandits' whereabouts; he's unaware that Pancho's treacherous companions recently killed their leader. Things get sticky when the recently departed's "friends" show up.
- Explosive Cigar: Jim pulls this trick on a Mexican bandit so he can steal back Jack O'Diamonds in the subsequent confusion.
- Heel Face Revolving Door: El Sordo, who has a sense of honor but, as Jim and Artie learn, it's not safe to rely on that too far.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Triple-subverted by El Sordo. He's willing to make one, if necessary, but he's also more than willing to fake one for his own gain.
