Bob Valdez (Burt Lancaster), a Mexican-American deputy sheriff, is forced to kill an accused murderer by ruthless land baron, Frank Tanner. When he discovers that the accused left behind a pregnant girlfriend, he asks around town for money to support her, and is severely beaten and left for dead by Tanner`s posse. After his recovery, Valdez prepares for vengeance, sending the simple message to Tanner that Valdez is coming.