Broncho Billy, haying disturbed the laws of the state, is thrown into jail. The warden hands the outlaw a cup of water and a piece of stale bread. The latter grabs the warden's hand, pulls it through the bars and threatens the former with a broken arm unless he unlocks the door. Broncho Billy, having gained his freedom, takes to the woods. The sheriff is notified of Broncho Billy's escape and goes after him with a deputy. In the woods, Broncho Billy is surprised at hearing the fall of a body. He rushes in the direction of the noise. He finds a child about five years old unconscious from a fall. He takes the little girl to her home and the mother thanks Broncho Billy. Broncho Billy returns to the woods. The sheriff discovers Broncho Billy in the underbrush, fires at him and shoots him in the wrist. Broncho then returns to the child's home where the mother bandages his wound and promises him protection. The sheriff returns to his home where he finds his child in bed suffering from the fall. Broncho Billy in the next room, trying to reach for a glass of water, accidentally knocks over the wash pan. This arouses the sheriff. He demands that his wife tell him who is in the room. She refuses. Broncho Billy, taking a shotgun and holding it up with one hand enters the room and covers the sheriff. The sheriff's wife explains to her husband how Broncho Billy had helped the injured child. Broncho Billy backs out of the room into freedom.