Gary Brannon (Murphy), is a peaceful homesteader living a quiet existence with his father Sam (Walter Brennan). Frank Walker (Lyle Bettger) is hoping to open up the Ute Indian territory for gold-mining purposes and tries to foment a war between the Utes and the local whites, while he steals a gold shipment and pins the blame on Gary. Gary starts off hating the Utes because they were responsible for killing his mother but gradually comes to be on their side and wants to expose the machinations of Walker.