For 15 years after Andrew Lanning's father died, his Uncle Jasper raised him, wanting his nephew to be the kind of man who belonged with the Lanning clan: good with horses, even better with guns. But Andrew became the mild-mannered town blacksmith. Then one day something happens that changes that. The belligerent Buck Heath confronts Andrew, and Andrew fights back, a single punch knocking Heath down, probably killing him. Andrew flees into the wilderness, relentlessly pursued by Deputy Sheriff Bill Dozier and a posse. When Andrew is finally within the sights of their long guns, he stops them by means of a fabulous long-distance shot, killing Bill Dozier. Andrew does not know that Buck Heath recovered. But now, with the killing of an officer of the law, he is outlawed for sure. For Andrew, remaining free has suddenly become more dangerous than it has ever been.