 Mesquite banker Calvin Drake (Harry Worth) plans to profit from the Santa Fe Railroad s acquisition of right-of-way by gaining control of the land in the territory. In the ensuing war of intimidation against the ranchers, Ira Withers (Edward Cassidy) is killed and Red Ryder (Don Barry as Don "Red" Barry for the first time, and any Don "Red" Barry credit shown on a film made before this one is factually incorrect and historically misleading) and his father, Colonel Tom Ryder (William Farnum), form an organization to drive the gunmen and outlaws out of the territory. Colonel Ryder is killed by One-Eye Chapin (Bob Kortman) and Red vows vengeance. Sheriff Dade (Carleton Young) is in league with the Drake faction, including Ace Hanlon (Noah Beery). The Duchess (Maude Pierce Allen), Red s aunt, is about to lose her ranch. Red learns of a plan to dynamite a dam providing the water supply, and saves Beth Andrews (Vivian Austin billed as Vivian Coe), daughter of the former sheriff, Luke Andrews (Lloyd Ingraham) who was also murdered by Drake s men.