A U.S. Marshal leading a party of women and children survive Sioux warriors and outlaws on a dangerous journey from Montana to California.

SYNOPSIS:

GRAND WINNER - The Wild Bunch Film Festival.

Two women and their children arrive in small-town Clearmont, Wyoming for supplies before their long journey to California. John Bishop, U.S. Marshal, warns them of the dangers ahead--rugged terrain, Sioux warriors and the outlaw, Joe Garret, with his bloodthirsty band of thieves.

The women are determined to press onward before the onset of winter, so Bishop insists on escorting the party through the hostile territory, accompanied by Sheriff Ed Mitchell with his wife Etta, and Doc Harrington, the town physician and best shot in the territory. Deep into the wilderness, a Sioux war party attacks, but Bishop is always one step ahead, keeping them at bay.

As they close in, another group of riders attack and disband the Indians, but their leader turns out to be the infamous Joe Garret who wants their wagons, their supplies--and their women. The next morning, they discover that one of the children has been kidnapped. Outnumbered, but with a calm determination that defines the marshal, he leads the group on a daring rescue.