When Anthony Armstrong returns to his hometown of Parson's End after completing his studies at Harvard, he expects to spend a few quiet weeks lending a hand at his family's farm. When his father is shot, however, he is drawn into a vicious range war. Armstrong longs to return to his studies, but as the body count rises, his chances of ever seeing Harvard again grow fewer by the hour. Matters reach a shattering climax when he is confronted by a ruthless and bloodthirsty band of Comancheros.