Lou Travis, an ex-Yankee captain, does not expect a warm welcome from any Texan right after the War Between the States. But he must go to Clearwater, Texas, for he has promised Will Mallory, a dying Confederate soldier, to take some money to his wife. While Travis delivers the money, then helps the young widow rebuild her cattle herd, it isn t the Texans who harass him. It s Captain Speevy of the Union Army with his vicious band of goons the man who metes out martial justice in Clearwater. Captain Speevy has his eye on Will Mallory s widow. But April Mallory prefers Lou Travis. And if Speevy can t drive out the newcomer well, he ll just find some way to kill him."