Army scout Jim Claymaker's journey south is disrupted by a devastating prairie fire which claims the life of an old friend who has been scouting for a wagon train. The devious Ira Gemmel has his own reasons for preventing the wagon train from reaching New Mexico, so when he shoots the son of a Comanche chief, he puts the blame on Claymaker and the settlers. Claymaker's proficiency and courage are tested to the limit to bring the real perpetrator to justice and save the pioneers from the avenging Indians.