US Army Sgt.-Major Lance Poole, a Shoshone Indian, returns home from the Civil War a highly decorated war hero, his intention being to live a quiet life on the family farm outside Big Horn in the Wyoming Territory being a cattle rancher. His family has been able to live the dream of eking out a good life off the impoverished reserve where there is little hope of that good life, in the process, while still retaining their traditional ways, being admired by the locals who know him and his family. Things have changed during his time away, anti-Indian legislation enacted in the Territory which has brought many farmers, ranchers and others to the area to homestead, which they are able to do legally on the Pooles' land since the Pooles do not have official title. With lawyer Verne Coolan being an open bigot who would not help any Shoshone even if asked, Lance turns to the only other lawyer in the area for legal advice, he learning on their first meeting that "A. Masters" is Orrie Masters, a woman. In deciding whether to partner in this fight for Lance and the Pooles' rights, both Lance and Orrie will have to address their own prejudices. If she does decide to assist, Orrie will also have to come to grips with her pledge to work under whatever the law in her overall goal of peace and liberty for all. Regardless, Coolan seems intent on destroying Lance - the face to him of Indians in general - inside and outside the law, his seeming aim to incite a range war which would give those wanting to homestead license to kill Lance and his family if the Pooles do not cooperate.