[1] As described in a film magazine,[2] ex-jailbird and derelict Steve Packard (Carey) is in the South Seas when he receives word of the death of his father and instruction to return and assume charge of the ranch left to him.

In his scheme to obtain it, the grandfather is abetted by Joe Blenham (Le Moyne), the foreman on Steve's ranch.

After a realistic Western rough and tumble fight, Steve leaves the ranch to return to the elder Packard.

In his courtship of Terry Temple (Rich), who lives on a neighboring ranch, Steve is handicapped by his reputation from his past.

She asks him to allow her to graze her cattle on some extra land he has obtained belonging to the elder Packard, in a transaction Steve believes to be perfectly legitimate.