The two Beaudine brothers initially decline rancher Hatcher's invitation to accompany him on his cattle drive but relent when Hatcher is wounded. Thus, they set off with six other riders, a cook, and a healing owner, carrying 1500 cows 1000 miles to Colorado. They will encounter accidents, Indians, two of the riders attempting to rustle some of Hatcher's cattle and flee, squatters demanding money, a stampede, and a water shortage along the journey.