Sonora Stagecoach

Fearing for the safety of his prisoner, Rocky Camron, Sheriff Hampton asks the U.S. Marshals known as the Trail Blazers, Bob Steele, Hoot Gibson and Chief Thundercloud, to escort Rocky to trial in Sonora. After warning the marshals that a gang of outlaws are determined that Rocky will never reach Sonora alive, the sheriff declares that he believes that Rocky, who is accused of murder, is innocent but will never receive a fair trial. Accepting the sheriff's judgment, the marshals give Rocky a gun to defend himself and decide to help him prove his innocence. The marshals and their prisoner then head for Sonora, and in the hills, a gang led by Blackie Reed waits to ambush their coach. Spotting their assailants, Chief Thundercloud takes over the reins to the coach, while Rocky and the others mount their horses and gallop away. Blackie and the gang follow the stage, but when they notice the three horsemen in the distance, they take out after them. Rocky and the others then rejoin the coach and ride to safety at the relay station. Realizing that they have lost their prey, Blackie instructs Steve Martin, a member of the gang and a driver for the stage line, to proceed to the relay station and keep a watchful eye on the marshals and their prisoner. At the station, the marshals are greeted by Pop Carson, the manager of the stage line, and Betty Miles, Rocky's sweetheart. Over dinner, Rocky relates how he got in trouble with the law: Rocky was working in the Sonora express office managed by Paul Kenton when a cash shipment was delivered late in the day by Steve. After depositing the money in the safe, Rocky went to call on Betty. Later, after passing Blackie in the street, Rocky noticed that the safe was open and the money missing. Blackie accused Rocky of the robbery, so the sheriff and two deputies searched his house and found some money that had been planted in his mattress. In the ensuing fight, the deputies were killed and Rocky fled the scene of the crime. Betty then surmises that Blackie and Steve were working for Paul and his banker brother Joe, and that they framed Rocky for robbery and murder. Concluding that Steve can establish Rocky's innocence, Hoot formulates a plan to trick him into revealing the truth. After announcing that he is satisfied that the outlaws have been thwarted, Hoot asks Steve to drive Betty and Rocky to Sonora while the marshals ride on alone. In Sonora, meanwhile, Joe nervously awaits the arrival of the bank examiner, fearful that the man will discover that he and his brother have embezzled the $40,000 that Rocky was accused of stealing. When the sheriff sees Blackie on the street, he orders him to remain in town, and Blackie then warns the Kentons that the sheriff is watching them. As the coach approaches a narrow pass on the trail, meanwhile, Rocky jumps off and is met by the marshals, who plan a showdown with the outlaws. Noticing a group of horsemen waiting to attack, Betty aims her gun at Steve and orders him to continue driving. After Weasel and Red, two of the gang, shoot Steve, the marshals apprehend them and threaten them with hanging unless they reveal who robbed the safe and framed Rocky. When Weasel confesses that Blackie murdered the deputies and the Kentons masterminded the plot, the marshals tie up the outlaws and leave them for the sheriff. Soon after, Steve, wounded and near death, drives the coach into town, making the brothers even more anxious. While the sheriff rides to the pass to investigate, Paul orders Blackie and his men to watch for the arrival of the marshals. Under cover of nightfall, Betty, Rocky and the marshals ride into Sonora. After sending Rocky and Betty to Judge Crandall's house, the marshals ready to confront the gunmen. Soon after, the sheriff arrives in town with his prisoners. Inside the jail, Weasel promises to turn state's evidence and the sheriff uncuffs him. Weasel overpowers the lawman, however, and escapes out the back door, but is shot by Blackie for betraying the gang. The marshals then descend upon the Kentons' office. Hearing the sound of gunfire, Betty, Rocky and the judge join the mêlée and bring the outlaws to justice. With Rocky exonerated and their mission accomplished, the marshals ride out of town.