When a young prostitute is found mortally wounded in Hank Lawson's bed, Hank becomes the prime suspect. 'It's just until the federal marshal gets here and straightens everything out, Jake assures him as he locks the cell door. But the evidence is overwhelming- a bloody knife found in Hank's hand as he lay sleeping next to the victim. With the threat of a potential murder charge hanging over his head, Hank decides he has no option but to run. He has an orange grove in Los Angeles on land he has inherited, he will head there and start over. But first he must retrieve the deed, which he has left in the care of his son, Zach. Quietly, under cover of darkness, Hank makes his escape and rides for Denver and the School of Art, where Zach is a boarder. Zack erupts with joy at seeing his father and when Hank reluctantly pulls away from his embrace to take his leave, Zack holds out a drawing. It is a portrait of Hank. "Pa" he whispers proudly gazing at his father and this proves to be Hank's undoing.   Against his better judgement he bids his son "Go on get your things and don't leave nothing behind." Father and son set off for Los Angeles and a new life together.

Shortly after  their arrival to to town, Hank's handling of  some potential troublemakers draws the attention of "Daddy" the town sheriff who offers Hank the job of 'deputy'. But Hank has other ideas, he is going to grow oranges, he just needs to locate his land. Hank's search brings him to a mission run by Fr. Thomas, a member of the Guevara family, who has been put in charge by the church of one of two main canals from the nearby reservoir- the one leading to the valley; the other leads to Los Angeles. "We are in a drought so the creek will be dry, Fr. Thomas informs Hank, as he points out the location on the map. But you can't miss it." "What about my oranges? asks Hank. Will there be enough water? "God willing" Fr. Thomas replies.

It's clear that 'oranges' may not be the solution to his problem after all, so Hank reconsiders the sherriff's offer and accepts the job of 'deputy'. His first assignment, after a group of settlers are beaten up by vigilantes claiming they have been stealing water, is to ride out to the mission to ensure the safety of the reservoir. When Hank questions Father Thomas with regard to the water supply, the latter confirms that someone has been stealing water but declines to answer when asked whom he suspects. "I will only say this, the priest answers cryptically, "Power corrupts." Hank has his answer. Storming into the bank, he informs the banker, Ben McKay, whose name he instantly recognized when introduced in a poker game upon his arrival to town, that he knows who he really is and he will share this information with McKay's son if he doesn't stay away from the reservoir.

Meanwhile "God " has decided that Hank's oranges need water and Hank and Zak return to find that their water supply has been replenished. Father and son react with delight as 'Christina Guevara" looks on. It is her father to whom Hank was taken after leaving the mission when his path unwittingly led him to trespass on Don Rafael's land. After introducing herself to Hank, she informs him that she is a widow with a great deal of time to spare and that she would happily tutor his son. Hank looks to Zach, who clearly captivated by the beautiful lady who has been admiring his drawings, nods his approval. Things are looking up. But their contentment is short lived. McKay and his son have decided to shield themselves by framing someone else for stealing the water- Marcos Guevera, Christina's brother.

Ben McKay and his son Brian are doing their best to convince the townspeople that the Guevera family is responsible for the lack of water. "Stealing water is the same as murder and murderers must be hanged" Brian claims. Hank and the sheriff who have been watching the scene decide that things have gone too far at this point and to the McKays' disgust, they order the crowd to disburse. Meanwhile Hank spies a wanted poster with his picture on it causing him to remember the reason he left Colorado Springs. Remembering Brian's words about 'murderers' Hank sets off to see Father Thomas to clear his conscience. He tells his story to the priest who to his amazement believes him immediately, when his own friends didn't.

Now it's Hank's turn to seek revenge. He has warned McKay what will happen if he crosses him, now he will pay. To McKay's dismay and his son's shock, Hank holds out a locket. "Here is your mother," Hank coldly informs Brian. Not only has Brian's father deprived him of his real mother his whole life but also of his 'half brother'- Hank. Disgusted, Brian shoves the locket back at Hank. "Keep it, Hank replies. "I know what she looked like." But nothing can appease the anger of Don Raphael who enraged at Hank's failure to protect his son in prison, forbids Hank and Zack to ever come near Christina again.

Despite Don Raphael's announcement, when the mission is attacked, Hank sets out  with 'Daddy' to rescue Fr. Thomas, Don Raphael's second son. Not content with the death of Marcos, McKay and Brian are intent on destroying the entire Guevara family. Fr. Thomas has been allotting more water to the settlers the duo insist, and for this, he must hang. As Brian gives the fatal order, a shot rings out. Don Raphael's third son has finally avenged his brother's death. Ben McKay now lies dead at his son's feet. After a short struggle between Hank and his half-brother, the vigilantes turn their wrath on Hank who is saved by "Vasquez" a mexican warlord with a strong dislike of americanos. Hank and Vasquez have met once before when the latter robbed his stage coach as it entered Los Angeles.

As Hank, shaken and exhausted,heads for home with Zach and Christina, who has arrived with her family, Don Raphael nods to Hank. He has proven worthy of his daughter.