In the 1880's, Chad Lucas, sheriff of the Colorado town of Lodgepole, is shot by Cap, his deputy, as he tries to halt a train robbery in which the money the town depends on for its survival is lost. Cap, believing Chad to be dead, begins to take over the job he has coveted, but Chad recovers from his wounds and determines to retrieve the money. Going outside his jurisdiction to a New Mexico town, he finds Drago, the head of the gang that robbed the train, in a saloon owned by Nate Harlan. Drago escapes, using Uvalde, the dancehall singer, as cover. Nate, who loves Uvalde, joins the posse, unaware that Chad and Uvalde were once lovers. After the posse is depleted as a result of an Apache attack, Uvalde, released by Drago to distract the attention of the Indians, is found. Held up by three horse-hunters led by Bull, Chad and Nate escape when Drago and his men attack the camp and kill Bull. Uvalde reveals the whereabouts of the gang even though her brother is among them. Chad and Nate overcome the gang; and Nate, realizing Uvalde's love for Chad, attempts to run off with the money but is killed by Chad. Chad and Uvalde then return to Lodgepole.