Harding Martin and David Patrick are both desperately in love with Elsie Johnson. Each tries to gain some advantage over his rival. Pretty Elsie coquettishly enjoys their rivalry and fosters it. Both young men decide to go west, and they buy rival stage lines. Their rivalry continues in business. An express carrying contract is to be awarded and Chalmers brown, the local manager for the express company, is instructed to give the contract to the stage concern that makes the quickest trip to the neighboring town. Elsie appears on the scene and promises to marry the winner. Martin and Patrick, the rival stage managers, each plan to hold up the other fellow's stage and defeat him. A band of Indians holds up one stage, while a band of cowboys holds up the other. There is a great mix-up. The rivals quarrel, and while they argue Chalmers Brown takes the two stages to the winning point, wins and announces that the express company will install their own stage line.