U.S. marshall and all-around tough-as-flint Walt Durand rides into Red Cloud after falling into an unexpected but unsuccessful ambush along the way. Once in town, he finds the hospitality of Cal Winston and, especially, his daughter Ellen to his liking but the problem of Matt Braden and his gang of horse thieves and murderers decidedly not to his liking. Ever the strong, silent, border-town, code-of-ethics type, Durand looks to avenge the death of a friend shot down at the bidding of Braden, all swagger and conceit and sneering intimidation. Whatever other ills that ne'er-do-well has done or will do to the "cow-towing" locals only further steels Durand's resolve. Meanwhile, Ellen wonders when-oh-when will all the killing end so she and Walt can leave it all behind.