During the French and Indian War frontiersmen aim to stop weapons
being sold to Indians and have to challenge British forces.
In 1759 as English prisoners are exchanged, Captain Swanson (George
Sanders) almost arrests Jim Smith (John Wayne) and the Professor
(John F. Hamilton); but MacDougall (Wilfrid Lawson) gets them
released. They meet Callender (Brian Donlevy) and learn he trades
rum to Indians. Jim finds Janie MacDougall (Claire Trevor) grown
up, and she expects to marry him. After an Indian attack, Jim
takes ten men to fight them. Janie wants to go; but they are disguised
as Indians without shirts. In a stream they capture an Indian
and kill him after he talks. They go to Philadelphia to stop the
selling of weapons to Indians, and Gov. John Penn prohibits it.
Callender ships powder and shot. Haughty Captain Swanson lets
dangerous provisions go through; but Jim and his men go as Indians,
and Janie wears a blanket. They attack the wagons and destroy
the munitions. Callender burns the rest of the government property
and reports to Swanson, whose soldiers capture Janie and four
men. Jim and his men surround them to get the prisoners. Magistrate
Duncan (Robert Barrat) promises they will be tried. Callender
publishes a circular with Jim's name. Duncan suspects it and refuses
to issue warrants. Duncan warns Jim that Gen. Gage is coming;
but Jim decides to go after Callender. Men gather, and Jim gets
a search warrant from Duncan, who holds a quick trial. Only Janie
is convicted and locked up. Jim approaches the fort with a white
flag, but Swanson refuses to let them inspect the goods. Jim is
wounded and orders firing with rifles but no charge. Swanson keep
his men awake. MacDougall goes for more powder, and Janie comes
to wounded Jim. Swanson agrees to march out and leave the goods;
but Callender and his men are detained and whipped. Jim sends
the goods to Gen. Gage in Philadelphia. Janie with a rifle demands
Jim see a doctor and takes him in a wagon.
Swanson returns to prosecute rioters, and Callender advises him.
Several men are arrested. Will Anderson (Eddie Quillan) finds
Jim and says many are in irons. Janie tries to stop Jim, but he
kisses her. MacDougall and others pretend to be drunk; but Jim
leads nine men at dawn and takes the fort to free the prisoners.
Then Jim gives the fort back to Swanson. Callender kills Tom Calhoon
(Moroni Olsen) but arrests Jim for it. From jail Jim tells MacDougall
and a mob to disband. In the trial Callender says that Jim shot
Tom from close range; but Duncan has Janie shoot a shirt from
close and far, proving Tom was killed from a distance. Gen. Gage
comes in, arrests Callender, releases Jim, and relieves Swanson
of command. In the final scene Jim leaves for Tennessee, and Janie
goes after him.
Friction between the American and British allies foreshadows
the independence struggle. The Americans cling to principles of
law despite British corruption and intransigence; but they are
terrified of Indians.