The small town of Ballester owes its prosperity to the confluence of three big ranches-Snowshoe, Mexican Hat, and Rainbow. Its single lawman, Deputy Sheriff Percy Whittaker, known as Perc, didn't have to deal with much lawbreaking other than the occasional drunk on a Saturday night. Until a drifter named Sam Logan rode into town looking for work.

The first problem came when a rider from the Snowshoe ranch provoked a gunfight with Logan, and lost. He was followed to the grave by another rider from the same ranch looking for revenge. Both killings were deemed self-defense, but it rattled the peaceful community.

But when a preacher comes to town to save souls and starts by knocking out three cowboys, Perc starts to wonder if he's in over his head-or if Logan and the preacher might be working together.