As they cross the “bad lands” of Lost Valley, John Macey’s freighter caravan, which is carrying vital supplies to an isolated frontier settlement, is ambushed by outlaws. John is killed in the attack, and his carefree son Steve, who had abandoned the caravan to ride horses in the settlement, inherits the stricken freighter business. Unknown to Steve and Ruth, his supportive girl friend, Randolph Carter, a local banker, is plotting with the outlaws to destroy the Macey caravan so that he can take over the franchise. Consequently, when Steve asks Carter for a loan, he is refused. Distressed over their friend’s financial predicament, Rough and Ready, teamsters on the freighter, decide to talk to Carter themselves. While waiting in Carter’s office, they find his safe open and “borrow” some of his money to give to an unsuspecting Steve. When Carter discovers the money missing, he immediately accuses Steve, who is then pursued by a posse. Steve eludes the chase and takes refuge with Rough and Ready in a cabin hideout, which turns out to belong to Carter’s outlaws. While hiding in a back room, Steve overhears the outlaws discussing the caravan ambush and Carter’s participation in the theft of the wagons. After sending Rough and Ready to locate the stolen wagons, Steve rides to Ruth’s home, where her father and other town store owners are meeting with Carter to discuss the freighter franchise. While Carter convinces the merchants not to renew Steve’s contract, Steve sneaks into Ruth’s bedroom to explain his plight. With help from his clever horse “Flash,” Steve then evades capture once more and rides to join Rough, Ready and the reclaimed caravan. Four days later, the freighter enters the “bad lands” again and is set upon by Carter’s men, who are eventually tricked into defeat. With moments to spare, Steve rides into town, fights Carter and exposes him to the townspeople in time to save his franchise. More on Wikipedia or Mubi
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