Bruce Sherrill is the smart and honest owner of the Quartercircle D C Ranch. He is also the leader of the Hoe-Men, underdog farmers, in their struggle with the big ranchers who resist the settlement of the government land that has been free to them for grazing. Sherrill is wounded in a gunfight with the ranchers and is forced to seek refuge in the home of his most violent opponent, Cliff Applegate. Applegate's daughter, Linda, although allied with the opposition, hides him instead of turning him over to her father and brothers. From that moment until the time when she realizes he must keep a rendezvous with almost certain death, her love for Sherrill fights her loyalty to her family.