Clayton Jane, an ex-Confederate from Georgia, heads to Wyoming, where he reconstructs his life as a ranch foreman and righthand man for an English cattle baron. When the Englishman's sister visits with her husband and son, the ranch hands learn that the brother-in-law has come to take over the ownership and begin to see signs that he is a wife-beater. When Clayt attempts to interfere, he finds himself in an awkward position. With these complications in place, Clayt is treated to a new level of troubles. A Pinkerton detective is sent to Laramie to investigate threats from a would-be president-assassin, and Clayt finds himself on the Pinkerton's list of suspects.