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.

Soon after, Ward is deliberately shot by one of Wagner's accomplices, and Buddy returns the dying man to his sister. Thinking that Buddy shot him, she resents the new lawman. Later, Janet leads the other ranchers and steals back their cattle. At Chick's insistence, Janet discusses the situation with Buddy, who is convinced of Wagner's guilt. In an ensuing showdown, Butch and Wagner are killed in a cattle stampede, while Janet is saved by Buddy, who is then made mayor of Steer City.