rancher tim clark (tim mccoy) borrows money from bob russell (wheeler oakman), who then rustles clark's cattle so he will be unable to repay the money. thus russell is able to legally cheat clark out of his ranch. clark leaves town and becomes a prospector for silver and ultimately comes back to settle accounts with russell and crooked deputy sheriff bendix (walter brennan). john wayne has a supporting role as duke, one of tim clark's former ranch hands who remains loyal to him even after he loses his ranch.