On his way to Steer City, Buddy Hale (Gary Cooper) rescues Janet Lane (Betty Jewel) from a runaway horse. Unknown to Buddy, the woman's brother Ward (Jack Luden) just shot the sheriff. Heading a ring of indignant ranchers whose cattle are being systematically rustled, Ward suspects that the sheriff and Justice Bert Wagner are leading the gang of thieves. Justice Wagner makes Buddy sheriff and sends him to arrest his predecessor's murderer.