Set in the uncertain years after the Civil War, John Chandler (Alan Ladd) journeys north to seek medical help for his young son who, since witnessing a horrific incident during the war, has been unable to speak. Chandler finds himself sentenced to 30 days in jail after wrongly being accused of starting a brawl with two brothers from a powerful local ranching family - the Burleighs. A local woman who witnessed the fight, Linnett Moore, comes to the father and son's rescue and pays the fine in exchange for 30 days work on her farm but it seems Chandler isn't the only one to have had a run-in with the Burleigh family. Linnett's farm borders the Burleigh property and they're going to take her land whatever the cost.
