Jed Hunter drifted into Prairie City down on his luck, dead broke, and looking for work. He found delicate, blue-eyed Auralee Ford about to be hanged for the murder of her husband. Judge, jury and townspeople - and especially Auralee’s brother-in-law - had no doubt that she was guilty. Thrown in jail overnight, Jud heard Auralee’s story and had no doubt that she was innocent.

Should Jud help the lady escape and take her to Nogales, where she claims she has friends who will prove her innocence? Or should he just mind his own business and ride out of Prairie City as soon as he’s released? The decision was never really in doubt. Penniless, certain to be pursued by a blood-thirsty posse and facing a trek across rough Indian territory, Jud realized how slim their chances were, but he also knew he had to make the attempt or die trying.