Matt Denning, a rancher at Medicine Bow, breaks his brother Will out of the guard house at a military fort the night before he is to be executed believing Will to be innocent. Matt tells Will they are going to his ranch to pickup Matt's wife and son and then they will leave for Canada. Sheriff Ryker, who is good friends with Matt, is notified of the breakout and that a guard was killed during the escape. The military sends a squad to capture the brothers and Ryker goes after them as well. The army and Ryker catch up with the Dennings as well as a group of Indians on the warpath due to the Ghost Dance. During the action Matt learns Will was guilty. Now it is Matt's turn to face the law for killing the guard which is an emotional impact on Ryker as well as Will and his family as the coarse law of the West is applied.
—Anonymous