The cattle owners have formed a lynching party and are in pursuit of a rustler who has been ravaging the country. Broncho Billy, the sheriff, goes after him and captures him single handed. He takes the prisoner to a hotel for the night, and while in the barroom the lynching party comes along. They leave their shotguns outside and step in for a drink. Upon seeing Broncho they suspect their man is in the place, so force their way into a back room where the bandit is in hiding. Broncho tries to protect him, so both are bound. While they go out to converse, the hotel keeper loads their guns with blanks. As they are about to string the rustler up. Broncho, who has been unbound, rushes forward and jerks the rope from his neck. The rustler then escapes while the lynchers fire their blank shells at him.