On his way home after visiting Cameo, the girl he is courting, Hoss discovers a family that has been lynched for allegedly stealing cattle. Hoss sees Jim Applegate, a rival for Cameo's affections, riding away from the area and debates whether or not to tell the sheriff. When Jim flees the authorities, Hoss tries to bring him back to ensure a fair trial, but a lynch mob led by a relative of the victims have their own ideas about how to deal with Jim.