 Set in 1830 s Texas just after the Republic won its independence from Mexico. The Republic s future is in doubt, with various factions and foreign powers hoping to sway matters to their own advantage. President Sam Houston instructs one of his agents, deaf-mute Erastus "Deaf" Smith, to infiltrate and put down one of the growing rebel factions. Accompanying him is his friend Johnny Ears, who must not only do Smith s hearing for him, but must also conceal Smith s handicap, as the rebels have intercepted a message that a deaf-mute spy is in their midst.