In the harsh environment of New Mexico, Clint and Virgil Brannock keep a vigilant watch over their ranch and family lest cheats and hustlers move in. Meanwhile corrupt attorney Stephen Benton and the Santa Fe ring have a devious plan to illegally procure land through any means neccessary--even murder. With Viril wrangling mustangs to bring home and Clint recruited to fight in the Apache Wars, the Rio Hondo is left vulnerable. The two scramble to return to the ranch on time, but the trap has already been set.