Sheriff Jorden of Gunlock (John Agar) is planning to hang Sam Hall (Richard Boone), who shot three farmers found on cattle land, at sundown. At the casino, betting is 8 to 3 he won't make it. The cattlemen are set to rescue Sam. The farmers hope to lynch him before he can be rescued, and Hall schemes for escape with his girl Nellie Mason (Colleen Gray). But Sheriff Jorden is most concerned with finding out who hired Hall: a leading suspect is the Sheriff's future brother-in-law.