When his parents are killed in an accident on his twenty first birthday and with the Civil War looming over the heads of all, young Walter {Wat] Russell sells the grand plantation he was born and raised on and heads west, taking his childhood friend Bill along with him. It's a learn as you go situation for them but soon, they find themselves the owners of a ranch. Neither of them knows anything about ranching but an orphan boy near their age is soon taken into the fold and shows them exactly what they have. Later, on a cattle drive Wat loses his herd and his heart. The herd is taken back with guns. His heart will demand something more.