Near the Mexican border, Molly, the sheriff's sister, tells Chuck, her brother's deputy who loves her, that she cannot marry anyone. Meanwhile, convict Cheyenne Harry escapes from prison in a garbage truck and boards a train, where he eludes capture with the help of passenger Henry Beaufort. Beaufort is returning to his wealthy uncle's ranch, where earlier he had married Molly in secret because his uncle did not like her. Beaufort tells Pedro, who takes care of his child Elizabeth, to take her away because his uncle is coming, and Pedro, driving drunk, wrecks the wagon. He dies while Elizabeth lies unconscious. Harry, while eluding the sheriff, finds Elizabeth, and after Harry's horse is shot from under him, Elizabeth is hurt as they tumble down a cliff. Harry cannot find water for Elizabeth and so gives himself up. Because the sheriff thinks that Elizabeth is Molly's illegitimate child, he goes to kill Beaufort. After Molly urges Chuck to let Harry escape, Harry prevents the killing. Beaufort then learns that his uncle has died, while Harry and Chuck ride separately into the night.