Unseen Enemies

On the Davenport Ranch between Bordertown and Hardpan, Texas, Laura Stribling works in league with outlaw ring leader "Bingo" Strook, keeping strangers from the property where they hide smuggled contraband and hold children Bud and Clayton Davenport, who are heirs to the ranch. U.S. marshal Steve Halliday, who is assigned to join the Texas Ranger company in Hardpan to break the smuggling ring, arrives incognito as the genial "Happened Along" Meredith with his friendly sidekick "Doughnut" Casey. In town, Bingo eavesdrops on the Rangers, who learn of another intercepted shipment. The Ranger captain also receives notification of the arrival of Alice Davenport to oversee her nephews' care. Bingo sends Laura a message to hide the latest smuggled goods in a hollowed oak tree on the ranch. Meanwhile, on the road to town, Alice tumbles out of the bouncing car only to be rescued by the athletic Halliday, who is on his horse. As Halliday nears the ranch, he is attacked by two of Bingo's men, but fights them off easily. Bud and Clayton's caretaker, Mike, attempts to intervene, but is purposely distracted by the boys. In town, the Ranger captain gets notification of Halliday's coming, which Bingo overhears. Concerned about an impending investigation, Bingo reports the arrival of a stranger in town to the Ranger captain and suggests that Halliday may be up to no good. When the captain finds out the stranger has escorted Alice to the ranch, he and the Rangers follow. Meanwhile, at the Davenport ranch, when Bud and Clayton begin romping near the oak tree, Mike gets agitated, which attracts Halliday's attention. After Mike hustles the boys away, Halliday investigates the tree and finds part of the contraband just as the Rangers ride up. Believing they have caught the smuggler red-handed, the captain orders Halliday's arrest. Doughnut starts a brawl among Bingo's men to distract them, allowing Halliday to escape. The Rangers catch up with Halliday a short distance from the ranch, and he reveals his true identity. Bud and Clayton spy Mike and the others removing the bulk of the contraband from the tree and ride out to warn the Rangers. Alice attempts to prevent Bingo and the men from following the boys, and rides after them. Having been advised by Bud and Clayton of the activities of the gang, Halliday and the Rangers are racing back to the ranch. Meanwhile, Bingo cuts Alice off and the two tumble down a mountain side. While the Rangers arrest Bingo's gang, Halliday rescues Alice from Bingo and the smuggling ring is broken.