Johnny Delaney, a.k.a. 'the orphan', is a maverick without a family or home spread. Raised by his brother, then his uncle, the boy grew up wild. Though he resembles a harmless youngster, the town of Mesquite Junction knows different - the orphan fears no one, can floor a man with bullets or fists, and is capable of leaving a swathe of chaos and devastation behind him...
When Red Tanguey and Lew Ferin run into trouble in Ladrone, leaving Red mortally wounded and Lew having vanished, Johnny sets out to discover what happened and track down his missing friend. But there are those who don't want the orphan stirring things up in Ladrone, and who will do anything to stop him. Shot on his journey across the desert, Johnny is happened upon by a lone rider named Irene, who saves his life...