Joan Randall (Shirley Grey), leader of a band of Confederate Sympathizers, has established the Republic of South Kansas in 1870. Her object is to recover lands she knows were unjustly stolen following the Civil War. The government seeks her arrest for treason, murder, and arson and has posted a $10,000 reward for her capture dead or alive. General Hawthorne (Charles Hill Mailes), at Fort Franklin, orders his famous scout, Jeff Connors (Buck Jones), to bring in Joan. Connors learns that Chet Dawson (Frank Lackteen), a desperado, whom Joan has never seen, with a large force of men is expected to join Randall at her camp. Jeff captures Dawson and decides to impersonate him. Dawson has the brand of the Sioux (as a squaw-stealer)on his back and in order to carry off his deception Jeff submits to being branded. Randall accepts him without question but her aide, Colonel Jedcott (Robert Ellis), has his suspicions. Dawson escapes and his on his way to warn Randall and, while pursuing Jeff and the girl, wounds Joan. He and Jeff have a fight on the brink of a precipice and Dawson is knocked over edge and killed. Jeff, in spite of now having fallen in love with Joan and knowing that Jedcott and O'Leary (Ivor McFadden) are the real culprits, is obliged to arrest her. Joan is sentenced to death and Jeff rides to get a pardon from the state Governor.