In 1873, young Creston Bethke rides wounded into Briar's Lookout, the mountain stronghold of a free-wheeling New Mexico gang. Rosa, the quartermaster's daughter, nurses him back to health. He wants to drift, but can't leave her. Driven by jealousy, one of the gang's deadlier members challenges Creston, who handily outdraws him. This gains him the uneasy respect of the outlaws and the fatherly approval of Rip Varlett, the gang's aging leader. Rip is more concerned about a loony prospector who finds gold in the hideout's abandoned mine. A gold rush would put the hideout on the map. Rip has a bad spell and believes he is dying. He considers provoking Creston into a gunfight. Following the wolf pack mentality, that would put the victorious Creston in his chair. Hanging over Creston's head would be the return of Rawn Plegg, the gang's much-feared ramrod; not to mention the arrival of another woman, gold-hungry miners, unruly outlaws and vengeful Apaches. Will Creston Bethke ever ride away?