Poverty-stricken and about to be arrested, little Scooter O'Neal's father commits suicide after sending his son West to live with his rancher friend, 'Dobe Jones. Scooter idolizes his father, a former rancher, and reluctantly leaves Chicago after his father promises to join him out West on his birthday. At first 'Dobe wants to send Scooter back East, but when he receives news of the father's suicide, he takes the child with him to the ranch where he currently works. The reality of the West does not compare with Scooter's fantasies, and he is disappointed to find 'Dobe to be a surly ranch hand who is seeking revenge against his wife Eleanor for running off with Jim Weston. Scooter forewarns Eleanor and Jim to escape before 'Dobe finds them to wreak his revenge. Angered by Scooter's interference, 'Dobe takes him to Canyon City to enroll him in school. It is Scooter's birthday, and when his father does not appear on the incoming train, he hops a train and heads back to Chicago, until the conductor throws him off. 'Dobe finally admits to Scooter his father's demise, and Scooter's vulnerability breaks 'Dobe's heart. After this, 'Dobe practices patience and love on Scooter, buying him a fancy suit of cowboy clothes, and entering himself in the rodeo to earn enough money to buy Scooter a fancy saddle. When he sees Eleanor and Jim in the stands, however, he is nearly gored by a steer and breaks some ribs. He rides to Eleanor and Jim's hideout, but when he confronts them, he realizes he cannot kill them because of his responsibility to Scooter. Jim misinterprets his actions, however, and 'Dobe is forced to shoot him in self-defense. One of 'Dobe's stray bullets hits Scooter, who followed him and has been hiding outside. 'Dobe rushes Scooter to a doctor, while Mary attempts to have him arrested. The sheriff does not arrest him, however, when Mary confesses that 'Dobe shot in self-defense. After Scooter recovers, 'Dobe and he ride off for their next adventure.