The plot centers on Kit Tilden (Maureen O’Hara), a strong-willed woman who finds herself in a difficult predicament after a tragic accident.

She is reluctantly aided by Yellowleg (Brian Keith), a former Union army officer and a drifter with a mysterious past. As Kit embarks on a perilous journey to bury her dead, Yellowleg, along with two shady companions, joins her, though their motivations are far from clear.

The group travels through unforgiving desert landscapes, encountering various dangers and building uneasy alliances.

The film explores themes of redemption, morality, and the harsh realities of the American West, all while maintaining a palpable tension regarding the true intentions of the characters involved.