 Matt Dillon apprehends Virgil Bonner and brings him in to stand trial. Bonner is wanted for murder and he is found guilty and sentenced to hang. His older brother, Jude Bonner, leads a band of outlaws known as the Dog Soldiers and he swears to have his revenge if his brother is hung. To back up his threat he takes Miss Kitty hostage and threatens to kill her. Matt must try to get a stay of execution from the Governor in order to save Kitty.