Trampas is sent by stagecoach on a cattle buying trip. At a way station two soldiers and a payroll join the stage and they are told there may be Arapaho Indian trouble ahead. When the coach stops for rest and water, Trampas finds Jason Adams standing in the river over the dead body of the ferryman Hank Simpson from Diablo Crossing where the stage is headed. Adams says he found the body after having to shoot his horse and hoping to catch the stage. However, Trampas is very suspicious of Adams as he knew the ferryman. At Diablo Crossing which is a ghost town falling down from neglect they find the ferry destroyed and Bud and Marcy McLister who are brother and sister. Bud having heard about the Arapaho takes a shot at them until he learns who they are. They are forced to stay in Diablo Crossing until they can repair the ferry to get away from possible Indian attack. While repairing the ferry, Trooper Rankin takes a shine to Marcy, they are shot at, and the horses disappear followed by the payroll. Adding to the tension is a problem between Adams and the stage driver Sam Mason while Trampas still doesn't trust Adams.
—Anonymous