Do Not Seek Absolution I

In Annesburg, Edith Downes approaches Arthur Morgan with news of her son. Archie Downes has taken work at the Annesburg Mine, and Edith is worried about what has become of him there. Arthur agrees to look into it and heads through the mining town toward the pit in Roanoke Ridge.

At the mine, Arthur finds Archie surrounded by miners who are taunting and harassing him. Arthur orders them to leave the boy alone. Their foreman, Mr. Dockery, takes exception to the interference and tells Arthur to get out, but Arthur refuses to abandon Archie to the men.

Mr. Dockery and another miner attack Arthur. Arthur puts both men down in a fistfight, then faces the remaining miners and dares any of them to continue mistreating Archie. He rebukes them for preying on a boy and sends Archie away on a horse. Arthur remains in Annesburg as Archie leaves the mine behind.