Sophie writes a note to her aunt telling her that she is undecided whether she will marry Slippery Slim or Mustang Pete, but says she will accept the one who buys the best-looking horse. Slim intercepts the note and immediately goes to the Deacon, who owns the finest horses in town. He buys the Deacon's prize steed, but when he attempts to drive him, the animal refuses to move an inch. In the meantime Mustang has heard of Sophie's plan, so he also goes to the Deacon and buys a horse. This one refuses to go forward and takes Mustang for a nerve-racking ride traveling backwards. Slim and Mustang trade horses, each thinking that he is putting it over on the other. When the two rivals discover that both horses are "lemons" they proceed to mix in a fistic encounter. While they are fighting the Deacon comes along, helps Sophie in his buggy and drives away.