A renowned former army scout is hired by ranchers to hunt down rustlers but finds himself on trial for the murder of a boy when he carries out his job too well. Tom Horn finds that the simple skills he knows are of no help in dealing with the ambitions of ranchers and corrupt officials as progress marches over him and the old west.

A political despot controls his town and his wife Maggie. When Maggie tries to escape his control, he swears a warrant out for her arrest and sends the law after her. The arresting officer, however, takes pity on Maggie and tries to help her escape the despot's clutches.