Cade Hunter has made his own way since he was fourteen years old. Most men think he's not much more than a drifter, but veteran ranch hand Luke Tucker sees a resourceful youngster as honest as he is tough. So Luke decides to share with Cade a secret of Union gold and cold blood. When the two head out to find the lost fortune, a vile, thieving cur from Luke's past murders him and leaves Cade for dead. But Cade's not planning on dying, because he has something to live for: revenge.