Broncho Billy and the coward are both in love with the school teacher at Snakeville. Broncho is accepted, and the coward, mad with jealousy, induces the unsuspecting rival to carry through a mock hold-up. When Broncho Billy appears as a highwayman, the school teacher shoots at him. The coward has left the crowd and fires at Broncho. The girl is held for shooting her sweetheart, but when the coward appears, she accuses him, and backs up her statement by showing that her gun contained nothing but blank cartridges. The coward is driven across the state line, and Broncho Billy, badly wounded in the shoulder, soon recovers and marries the school teacher.