Jim Burns, a young lawyer, defends “Shorty,” accused of moonshining, in a great courtroom scene he secures the acquittal of his client, and wins his gratitude. Burns’ sweetheart, Ethel, goes on a visit to a neighboring town and comes back in a stagecoach. Burns goes to meet her, and on the way his horse shies at a rattle-snake. Jim draws his revolver and shoots the reptile, continuing on the way. Powers, a government detective, is sent to the district to secure evidence against the moonshiners, and rides in the same coach with Ethel. His unwelcome attentions are resented by Ethel, and when she meets Jim she tells him of the insults. Jim promptly knocks the detective down, and friends prevent any further trouble. “Shorty” sees the detective and recognizes him as the man who killed his brother in trying to arrest him, and “Shorty” has sworn vengeance. Ethel washes her hands at a well and Jim goes to bring her a towel. In his absence the detective appears and tries to apologize. “Shorty,” concealed by a bush, fires and kills the detective, who falls at Ethel’s feet. Jim rushes back as well as others attracted by the shot, and all, including the girl, believe that Jim has done the shooting. He is arrested and tried for murder. “Shorty” in making his escape is dangerously injured by his horse falling upon him. His partner carries him to his cabin and sends for a doctor, who calls frequently on his patient. One day the doctor lays down a newspaper, which contains glaring headlines of the murder trial. “Shorty” in his weakened condition, determines to save Burns, and fighting back the doctor who seeks to detain him, he leaps on a horse and gallops to the courthouse, where he absolves Jim.