 Will Mannon, brutal and sadistic, comes to Dodge City planning to kill Matt Dillon and cement his fearsome reputation. He first shoots and wounds Festus outside of Dodge, leaving Festus lying in the dirt and taking his mule Ruth to ride into town. He intimidates Dodge City residents, claiming to hold four aces in a poker game with the other players afraid to see his actual hand. Finally, he assaults Kitty. Finally, Matt returns to Dodge to confront the brutal Mannon.