The sole survivor of his family's massacre by outlaws, 5-year-old Bill plans revenge. Fortified by memories of the rapes of his sister and mother, the boy devotes the ensuing 15 years to marksmanship. Fixed in his mind are the murderer's distinguishing characteristics, including a gypsy earring, a tattoo representing four aces, a skull necklace, and an unusual spur. As the moment of reckoning approaches, Bill's antagonist, Ryan, is released from prison, having served a 15-year sentence for armed robbery. Framed by his former fellows, the embittered Ryan, assisted by Bill, systematically slays the assassins. During the final retributive murder, however, the youth espies the skull about the outlaw's neck. Bound by honor, the orphan insists on a duel. When Ryan participates with an empty pistol, Bill is unable to shoot his former adversary, however, and the two go their separate ways.
