Searching for work, cowboy Jubal Troop (Glenn Ford) arrives in a small town, where he badly injures his hand. Fortunately, a local rancher, Shep Horgan (Ernest Borgnine), is willing to employ Troop despite the injury. Horgan and Troop work together amicably, but Horgan's two-timing wife (Valerie French) threatens to create discord when she becomes interested in Troop, although he really loves another woman. A jealous cowhand (Rod Steiger) complicates matters by spreading lies.