Orphaned at in the aftermath of the Battle of Shiloh, a Tennessee farm boy seeks his maternal grandfather in a journey across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Twelve years pass during which Buck grows to full manhood. He is a large, powerful but gentle shopkeeper working along side his grandfather and cousins. During a Comanche raid on the store, Buck is wounded, most of the family is killed and his cousin's young wife, Becky, is stolen. Buck, though wounded, sets out on his second great search to recover Becky, who he deeply loves, and to avenge the deaths of his cousin and grandfather.

Newly enlisted Texas Ranger, Buck McDougal, works undercover to identify the group behind a major cattle rustling operation. While on this assignment he learns of the mystery behind the San Saba Gold.