Forced to kill a young Abilene gunman in the line of duty, Sheriff Matthew Roberts, torn by anguish takes off his badge and leaves Kansas. Roberts becomes known as 'The Drifter', wandering restlessly through the west. In Arizona, he aids elderly rancher, Tom Duncan, Tom's granddaughter, Virginia and kid-brother Danny (Steven Tackett) in their fight to save their small ranch from a crooked banker and his gang of outlaws.

Obligado a matar a un joven pistolero de Abilene en el cumplimiento de su deber, el sheriff Matthew Roberts, desgarrado por la angustia, se quita la placa y se va de Kansas. A Roberts se le conoce como "The Drifter", vagando inquieto por el oeste. En Arizona, ayuda a un ranchero anciano, Tom Duncan, a la nieta de Tom, Virginia y a su hermano menor Danny (Steven Tackett) en su lucha para salvar su pequeño rancho de un banquero corrupto y su banda de forajidos.