Paladin travels to Bracketville in response to a newspaper article about a young troublemaker. The troublemaker's father has hired a gunman to protect the town, and wants Paladin to kidnap the troublemaker. When Paladin refuses, trouble arises.

A wife hires Paladin to ride out with her husband Tim to bring in a gang of outlaws, just like Tim did eleven years ago with another gang. However, Paladin soon realizes that Tim's reputation isn't all that it's cracked up to be.