In 1877, the Mexican-American border country is terrorized both by a gang of outlaws headed by Ketchum and by Mexican bandits led by Morales. The local sheriff and his half-Mexican, half-Texan deputy, Fenton, accompany a stagecoach carrying a shipment of gold and pick up a young sharpshooter, Johnny. Ketchum's gang attacks the coach, but Johnny, whose hatred of the outlaw is apparent, helps the lawmen to drive away the robbers. Later, Morales' bandits attack a cattle ranch belonging to Don Fortuna, and Johnny is wounded in the shoulder as he saves the rancher's life. Don Fortuna's daughter, Pilar, nurses him back to health and falls in love with him, but he leaves her to pursue Ketchum, whom he blames for his mother's death. Deputy Fenton accompanies him to obtain the reward offered for Ketchum. Eventually they find the outlaw, but he refuses to draw his gun against Johnny, revealing that the young sharpshooter is his son. Fenton, who has joined forces with Morales in his eagerness to collect the reward money, wounds Ketchum as the Mexicans attack. Johnny rescues his father, and the two men ride back to Don Fortuna's hacienda. Johnny evolves a plan for outwitting the Mexicans. The bandits are driven off, but Ketchum and Morales meet their deaths in the final shootout. Now able to settle down, Johnny obtains Don Fortuna's permission to marry Pilar.
