WillPenny,anagingcowpoke,takesajobonaranchwhichrequireshimtoridethelineofthepropertylookingfortrespassersor,worse,squatters.HefindsthathiscabininthehighmountainshasbeenappropriatedbyawomanwhoseguidetoOregonhasdesertedherandherson.Tooashamedtokickmotherandchildoutjustasthebitterwinterofthemountainssetsin,heag..ccc