Jim Hardie is escorting Ira Kyle to Santa Fe for a trial as he tried to rob a Wells Fargo station and wounded a Wells Fargo employee who is a friend of Jim. It has been raining so Jim decides they will stop in the small town of Red Bluff overnight so Ira will be in a dry cell and Jim in a dry hotel room. After Ira dismounts his horse, the local Marshal suddenly attacks Ira forcing Jim to break up the fight. The town of Red Bluff has a $1,000 reward on Ira Kyle for supposedly killing a town hero who was trying to keep a local wood mill open. Everyone including the Mayor and Marshal want to hang Ira the next day. Jim is able to quell fervor that evening. However, a visit from Pop Kyle, Ira's father, has Jim wondering. He says Ira is innocent of killing Tom Benson and then someone gives Ira a gun allowing him to escape.
—Anonymous