Written by Paul Fix and Michael Hogan, based on the serialized novel of the same name by Gordon Ray Young, it was directed by Edwin L. Marin.

The film features a strong supporting cast that includes Ward Bond, George "Gabby" Hayes, Audrey Long, Elisabeth Risdon, Don Douglas, and Paul Fix.

A tough quiet cowboy named Rocklin (John Wayne) boards a stagecoach headed for the town of Santa Inez in the desert West of the American frontier.

He takes a seat alongside the cantankerous old driver, Dave (George "Gabby" Hayes), who enjoys giving his two women passengers—overbearing Miss Elizabeth Martin (Elisabeth Risdon) and her kindhearted niece Clara Cardell (Audrey Long)—a rough ride through the mountain passes.

When they stop to rest the horses at a roadside inn, they meet Sheriff Jackson and Bob Clews from Santa Inez, who are investigating the theft of cattle.

The next day, Clint's fiery sister Arly (Ella Raines) confronts Rocklin in the street, demanding he hand over her brother's winnings.

Meanwhile, Clara visits Rocklin at the hotel and tells him Miss Martin intends to sign an affidavit declaring her to be underage—an action that would turn the K.C.

During his search, Rocklin finds two decks of marked cards in Garvey's desk and accuses him of murdering Red Cardell.

A dejected Clara returns to her ranch where her aunt forces her to admit that she and Rocklin intend to travel together to the district judge and have Garvey investigated.

That night, Dave brings Clint to the hotel where Rocklin interrogates him about Garvey's involvement in Red Cardell's murder.

Outside the hotel, Arly's trusted companion Tala (Frank Puglia) watches someone climb the outside stairs to the window of Rocklin's room.

Hearing the gunshot, townspeople rush into the room and see Rocklin with the gun in his hand standing over Clint's dead body.

After Arly learns from Tala that he saw her brother's killer and it was not Rocklin, the two take a treacherous canyon shortcut in order to get to the ranch before the posse and help him.

Meanwhile, at the ranch, Miss Martin admits to Clara that Rocklin is the nephew of Red Cardell and stands to inherit everything, and that she and Garvey schemed to prevent that from happening.

Afterwards, Garvey confesses that Harolday was the brains behind the scheme to acquire all the ranches in the area, split them up into smaller parcels, and sell them to dirt farmers.

The reviewer for the New York Times called the film "a regulation rough-and-tumble Western", complete with a thundering stage coach ride through sagebrush country, fist fights, shootings, and "the customary romantic clinch".