Glyn McLyntock (James Stewart), border raider, looking for a new life leads a wagon train to the Oregon Territory. Glyn saves ex-border raider, Emerson Cole (Arthur Kennedy) life, who joins the journey. During an attack by Shoshone’s Cole saves Glyn life, after Laura Baile (Julie Adams) is wounded. Begrudgingly Glyn sees that Laura is attracted to Cole, much to Laura’s father Jeremy (Jay C Flippen) dismay, knowing Cole’s past he believes the nature of men can’t change. When they reach Portland Jeremy meets Riverboat Captain Mello (Chubby Johnson) and owner Tom Hendricks to arrange for supplies and Hendricks assures Jeremy they would arrive before winter. Meantime Marjie (Lori Nelson) is attracted to gambler Trey Wilson (Rock Hudson). With the exception of Laura and Cole everyone heads up river to the homestead. By Mid October their winter supplies haven’t arrived so Glyn and Jeremy travel to Portland finding the town in the mist of a gold rush. Hendricks refuses to release the settlers prepaid supplies because of there value. A shootout occurs in which Trey assists Glyn. With loaded supplies the steamship leaves with Hendricks in pursuit. Along the way Cole betrays Glyn, but, with Laura’s help Glyn retakes the supplies.