Fightin' Jack

Womanizer José Cortez has been posing as the owner of the Montabay Rancho, located on the rugged coast of California. In reality, the ranch was left to Betty Bingham, the late owner's neice, and José is trying to prevent her from taking possession of her inheritance. Pedro Sanchez, the rancho's foreman, is jealous of José's attentions to his wife Maria, but nonetheless follows his orders. One day, while Jack Rhodes, the owner of the adjoining ranch, is bidding farewell to his mother before beginning work, Betty arrives at the oceanside cliffs to paint. José and Pedro spot her, and Pedro sneaks up on her. Frightened, Betty falls off the cliff into the ocean, and Jack rushes to rescue her. Jack lowers himself on a rope attached to his saddle, but as he attempts to climb back up, José cuts the rope. Jack manages to reach safety and puts the unconscious Betty on his horse, then is accosted by José. The men's ensuing fistfight spooks Jack's horse, and Jack dashes after Betty on José's horse. José is delighted by the situation, as he can now accuse Jack of horse theft. While Betty recuperates at the Rhodes ranch, José swears out a warrant for Jack's arrest. Later, after Jack has left the house, the sheriff arrives to serve the warrant, and Betty sends him in the wrong direction. Betty rides to warn Jack, while in the forest, Pedro hides José's horse, which Jack had returned, to substantiate José's allegations. At the rancho, José's takes advantage of Pedro's absence to romance Maria. While searching for Jack, Betty overhears Pedro tell a ranchhand about José's attempts to frame Jack. They discover her presence, however, and chase her. She falls from her horse and is knocked unconscious, after which Pedro rides off with her. One of Jack's friends witnesses the abduction and alerts him, and they head for the rancho. Pedro brings Betty to the house, and Maria watches jealously as José, taken with the pretty girl, flirts with her. Maria attempts to poison Betty, but Jack and his friend arrive in time to stop her. While Jack and his friend fight with José and Pedro, Betty becomes embroiled in a fight with Maria. Alerted by Jack's mother, the sherriff and Betty's attorney arrive at the rancho. José protests his innocence, but Pedro, overcome by jealousy, reveals all to the sheriff. Betty's attorney offers further proof of José's guilt, and the sheriff arrests the conspirators. Jack and Betty then join Mrs. Rhodes, and the attorney watches approvingly as Jack and Betty embrace.