When John Brandt (John Wayne) is sent to jail for a murder he never committed, he escapes and eludes the law, heading west to freedom. He joins an outlaw gang and is befriended by Jones who turns out to be the real culprit in the killing. In spite of this, he had no idea that anyone had been convicted in his place. Brandt decides to forgive and forget, but everything changes when the pair falls for the same girl.