The luck of Pat Brennan (Randolph Scott) is about to go from bad to worse; after gambling his horse away, he gets a ride from Willard (John Hubbard) and Doretta Mims (Maureen O'Sullivan). Soon, their stagecoach is hijacked by a trio of merciless bandits, led by the especially heartless Frank Usher (Richard Boone). As Usher holds the coach passengers hostage, Brennan falls in love with Doretta and develops a risky plan to free himself and the Mimses, leading to a bloody final standoff.