Jim Madden, a young ranch owner, is sorely in need of funds. He attends a dance with his sister May, and Steve Bonner, their manly young foreman, who is in love with May. Although Steve warns him against Pete Frawley and Joe Temple, horse rustlers, Jim insists upon associating with them, stating that he is old enough to take care of himself! The horse rustlers persuade him to assist them in stealing some horses from the Bar X ranch. He accepts a sum of money from the unscrupulous men and induces May and Steve to remain at the dance. Jim and the rustlers steal five colts and brand them in his corral. They are forced to leave hastily and one of the horses is left behind. Steve returns from the dance and sees the freshly branded colt. He immediately suspects Jim, but determines to save him for his sister’s sake. He heats a branding iron, and is changing the brand when the owner of the Bar S and his cowboys come upon him. They are about to deal roughly with him when Jim, stricken by remorse, confesses his part in the crime. During the excitement caused by this announcement Jim is shot and seriously wounded. May is attracted by the shot and bears him home on her horse, while the cowboys ride after the rustlers. After an exciting chase they overtake the two men and bring them to justice. Later we see Jim well on the road to recovery and determined never again to wander from the straight and narrow path,