In the 1880's, Englishwoman Martha Price (Maureen O'Hara) and her daughter Hilary (Juliet Mills) come to America to sell their prize Hereford bull at an auction. When he is purchased by Bowen, a wild Scotsman (Brian Keith), the women hire a footloose cowhand named Burnett (James Stewart) to help them transport the animal to its new owner.

So begins an adventure that test the mettle of all involved as they battle killers, cattle stampedes--and each other. But when they reach Bowen's ranch, even greater obstacles force them to summon up extraordinary courage if they and their prize bull, are to survive.