 School teacher Virginia Eastland (Virginia Vale), annoyed by the unwanted attentions from Mesa City sheriff Judd Cronin (Leon Ames), resigns and departs for Yuma. Her stagecoach is attacked by a gang led be Cronin s henchman Pete Henderson (Joe McGuinn), trying to force her to return to Mesa City. Ex-lawman Cliff Mason (George O Brien) comes along and disarms and unmasks the outlaws. It will take several days to repair the coach and Cliff takes Virginia back to Mesa City. Cliff identifies the outlaws, but Marshal Andy Thompson (Wilfred Lucas) is killed trying to arrest Henderson, who makes a getaway. Mayor Sam Bentley (Lloyd Ingraham) appoints Cliff marshal pro tem. Cliff arrest the outlaws but Judge Wainwright (Carl Stockdale) is on Cronin s payroll and sets them free. Cliff persuades the city council to pass a law forbidding the carrying of firearms by others than officers of the law. Cronin sends for Duke Allison (Henry Brandon), notorious gunman, to deal with Cliff, but Cliff saves Duke s life and Duke accepts a deputy marshal s badge from Cliff. Cronin arrests Cliff and Duke for the killing of Henderson, and then sets fire to the jail they are in.