Riders of the Badlands

Texas Ranger Steve Langdon is transferred to Captain Martin's division to help bring an end to the lawlessness being perpetrated by Mac Collins and his gang. Steve is riding to the town of Camden Center to contact Sheriff Taylor when he sees a wagon driven by Bones Malloy being attacked by an irate blacksmith. Steve intervenes and learns that the blacksmith is angry because Bones, an amateur dentist, has pulled several of his teeth. After placating the blacksmith with a bottle of liquor, Steve and Bones continue into town. There, Ranger "Lucky" Barton and his new bride Celia board the stage for their honeymoon. Along the trail, the stage is robbed by Collins' gang and Celia is mortally wounded in the gunfire. Mistaking Collins, who is a dead ringer for Steve, for the new Ranger, Lucky returns to town, straps on his gun and orders Steve to surrender. Bones watches helplessly as the two Rangers struggle with each other, and soon after, Sheriff Taylor arrives and jails both Steve and Bones. That night, as the prisoners sleep, Collins, who has heard about his double, rides into town, assaults the sheriff and kidnaps Steve and Bones. Collins takes them to his hideout and after tying them up, leaves them in the custody of his daughter Flo. After Collins and his men depart, Bones convinces Flo to untie him so that he can teach her how to bake a cake and then sends her into the cellar for more sugar. During Flo's absence, Bones frees Steve. The two men gallop away but are soon apprehended by the posse, which decides to lynch them. Lucky's conscience prevents him from condoning the proceedings, however, and he convinces the posse to allow Steve to stand trial. On Lucky's testimony, Steve is found guilty and sentenced to die. As Lucky delivers him to the state penitentiary for execution, Steve continues to insist that he has told the truth. Troubled by Steve's words, Lucky visits the injured sheriff, who vaguely remembers seeing Steve in two places at once during the jailbreak. Realizing that Steve may be telling the truth, Lucky finds Bones, who takes him to Collins' hideout. Flo is there alone, but Lucky believes that Collins will return for his daughter and rides to headquarters for help. With only one day remaining before Steve is to be executed, Lucky asks Martin to intervene, but the captain insists on hard evidence before acting. Remorseful, Lucky forges a telegram from the governor ordering Steve's reprieve and then forges a letter from Martin to the warden, instructing him to release Steve to Lucky's custody. Lucky and Bones take the stage to the penitentiary, but shortly after the warden releases Steve to Lucky's custody, an order for Steve's execution arrives from the governor. With the prison guards in hot pursuit, Lucky, Steve and Bones hop on the stage, jump onto the horses' backs and unhitch the coach, leaving the guards behind. Ordered to capture Lucky and Steve, Martin takes his men to watch Collins' cabin. Certain that Collins will return for Flo, Lucky, Steve and Bones ride to a ridge above the cabin and are met by the Rangers. Soon after, Collins and his men appear and the Rangers open fire. Collins tries to escape out the back, but Steve pursues him and apprehends the outlaw. After Martin welcomes Steve back into the ranks, they all bid goodbye to Flo as she heads off for boarding school.