The Wells Fargo Company has just suffered a loss of twenty thousand dollars; one of the most daring robberies in the past eighteen years has just been perpetrated. The sheriff and his deputies hurry mysteriously hither and thither hunting for clues. As to the identity of the thieves, the little town near where the express was held up is restless with suspense. Eventually the suspense is lifted by Jack Henderson, county sheriff, who finds a clue that points indisputably to Buck Raynor and his nephew Ralph, two well-known freebooters, as the guilty parties. These two, unaware of this discovery, upon reaching a small settlement a few miles from their home, dismount from their horses to make a few purchases. As they leave the store they are encountered by a United States deputy marshal, who thrusts before their astonished eyes warrants for their arrest. Buck Raynor has two nieces, one unfortunately a cripple: the other, Lizzie, a fair buxom lass, high spirited, with all the dash of her uncle and cousin but lacking the corruptness that has stamped them outlaws. The Raynors were half bad, half good. Lizzie loved the county sheriff with all the fervor bred of her outdoor life, and so he loved her. Naturally, therefore, he felt the awkwardness of the plight in which he was placed when called upon to arrest relatives of the girl he loved. The dominating influence of duty prevails, however, and Jack Henderson, although unmindful of his love for Lizzie accompanies the marshal to serve the warrants. Needless to relate, Raynor and his nephew have determined to make a fight for the booty they have stolen, and as soon as they ascertain the intentions of the officials to take them into custody, a fight ensues in which the desperadoes prove victorious. Exultant, they mount their horses and ride pell-mell for their cabin situated in a remote recess of the mountains. There they secure their stolen “swag” with a frenzy born of desperation, remount their now jaded horses and ride frantically through the fastness of the forest to a spot already established as a sort of hiding place for their ill-gotten gold. Meanwhile the sheriff and marshal, far from being discouraged, secure a posse and reach the home of the freebooters, and after a thorough search are convinced that their quarry has escaped. Feeling sure that Buck and his nephew must continue up the mountain trail in order to make their escape, the posse determines to overtake them before they have an opportunity of concealing their plunder. Ike Looney, a freckle-faced, bare-footed mountain boy, on returning home happens to see these two outlaws, and with the inquisitiveness of youth, notices that they are carrying heavy bags of metal. He stealthily follows them to the cave far in the recesses of the mountains, where they conceal their loot. He then wends his way back to the patch of timber where he has left an old mule, and starts for the settlement. On his way he meets the posse, and upon being questioned by them guides them to the cave. There the gold is discovered, but Buck and his nephew have tired. On a projecting rock just over the cave the freebooters are resting, secure from gun shot and where every movement of the enemy can be plainly seen. Finally, enraged at the loss of the treasure, which is now in the possession of the posse, Buck determines to “get even” with the sheriff, and acting upon the impulse of desperation hurls a huge stone down a declivity of the mountain. The rock, barely missing Henderson’s head, bruises and dislocates his shoulder and collarbone, and he is rendered unconscious. This accomplished, the two desperadoes make their way to where they had tethered their horses, only to find that some of the sheriff’s posse had anticipated their maneuver and had confiscated the animals. In desperation, and overcome with fatigue and anxiety, Raynor and his nephew start up the trail on foot. In the meantime Henderson, the sheriff, has been placed in a wagon and carried to the home of the freebooters, where Raynor’s nieces administer to his wants and do their best to relieve his suffering. Poor, silly Ike is left to assist the girls in their work of mercy, while the posse resumes their hunt. Now, old Raynor and his nephew see the posse leave the cabin, and fully realizing the helplessness of their enemy lying indoors wounded, they enter the cabin, determined to finish their work of vengeance. The two girls plead for the life of the unconscious man, one prompted by love and the other urged by the law of humanity. Buck Raynor and Ralph neither know nor heed any law; the thirst for revenge is too strong. Rudely they thrust the women aside, with the threat of ending their lives should they interfere. Then, as a lightning flash from a clear sky, the unexpected happens. A spy set by the posse to watch the cabin has reported the presence of the freebooters there, and the officers rush into the cabin just in time to prevent the murder of their chief. A brief struggle and the two ruffians are overcome, bound and led away. After a few weeks the sheriff recovers from his injuries, and shortly afterwards he and Lizzie find a minister of the gospel who speaks the words they have both waited to hear. The stolen money is duly returned to the Wells Fargo Express Company, and an ample reward paid to the sheriff, thereby enabling him to provide a comfortable little home for Mrs. Henderson and her sister.