In Texas, during the aftermath of the Civil War, he is befiriended by a Mexican family and marries the daughter. But he becomes victim of a terrible crime. In seeking vengeance he falls foul of the law and faces the hang-rope. However, events from the past enable him to continue his pursuit of Diego Armijo, the man who has reduced his life to a living hell. He trails his prey to the Staked Plains, the domain of the Comanche Indians. Here he battles for survival, realizing it provides his only chance of inflicting retribution upon his enemy.