In 19th-century South Africa, a family of hellions--Luke Billings and sons Matthew, Mark, John, and Jubal--ride into the small town of De Wylt where Police Sergeant Sam Hargis is the sole representative of law and order. They shoot a Boer farmer, cut telegraph wires, terrorize the settlers, and humiliate Sam in front of his townsmen. Though everyone wants the outlaws driven out of town, no one is willing to join Sam in taking a stand against them. Then while Mark Billings is in the local store getting guns, he is accidentally shot and killed by Ernie Dobbs, the timid shopowner. Priss, Ernie's wife, prevents the other Billingses from discovering Mark's body by submitting to the advances of old Luke; but when Ernie learns of this sacrifice, he grabs a rifle and goes out to face Luke in the square. Sam joins him, and in the ensuing battle two more of the gang are killed. Inspired by Ernie's example, the townspeople find their courage and help rid De Wylt of the Billings family.