When he first arrived in the town of Lister, no one knew anything about him except that he didn't speak ... that he was probably a deaf mute. No one knew what to call him, so they called him Shannon. He bought supplies and ventured into a secluded valley and made enough money to take care of himself by selling pelts in town. Then one day Shannon came upon a horse that had been abused and was near death. He had a way with animals, and with patience and tender care, Shannon restored the horse to good health. When the outlaw Terry Shawn enters Shannon's valley with the sheriff and a posse on his trail, he grabs Shannon's horse. He later realizes that the horse he "borrowed" is Sky Pilot -- called this because no one can ride him. He'd return him if he could, but the horse throw him every time he tries to mount him.