Ride Clear of Diablo

Santiago's Sheriff Kenyon and lawyer Meredith secretly scheme to rustle the O'Mara stock while having Kate distract the hired hands. Their plan culminates in a brutal act as Tom shoots both the rancher father and his teenage son to leave no witnesses. The crime is designed to cover up the theft and silence the family forever.

Surviving son Clay, a railroad surveyor based in Denver, is informed of his family's deaths and travels to Santiago to seek justice. He discovers that the town is unaware of who killed his kin and suspects corruption behind the murders. The voyage sets him on a collision course with the conspirators.

The town Reverend talks Clay out of pursuing immediate revenge and urges him to seek lawful justice instead. He acknowledges the pain but warns against becoming what harmed his family. Clay remains quietly determined, weighing his options.

Clay asks Sheriff Kenyon for a deputy position so he can investigate the murders. The sheriff refuses at first, wary of stirring up more trouble in a town already under pressure from powerful criminals. The refusal delays direct action but plants the seeds of a deeper investigation.

Meredith proposes using Clay as a false trail to lure the notorious gunslinger Whitey Kincade to Diablo. The goal is to remove Clay as an obstacle and invite trouble from a controlled target. The plot demonstrates how corruption leverages violence to cover crimes.

In a tense duel, Clay out-draws Kincade, arrests him, and foils Kincade's escape attempts. He also withstands an ambush by three men during the arrest. The young gunner proves his nerve, setting the stage for a real clash with the town's corruption.

Jed Ringer testifies falsely on Kincade's behalf, leading to an acquittal. The courtroom victory for the corrupt pair illustrates how justice can be bent by manipulation. Clay's pursuit of truth is challenged by the system he confronts.

Laurie, Kenyon's niece and Meredith's fiancée, remains unaware of the criminal web surrounding them. She grows attracted to Clay, and at a church social he walks her home and shares a kiss. The budding romance gives Clay personal stakes in his fight for justice.

Kincade spends his days idling, amused by Clay's relentless drive to pursue the truth. He gradually respects the younger man's moral resolve as a guide to living a meaningful life. The unlikely mentorship begins to form as the pursuit continues.

Kincade shifts from being amused to becoming an ally in Clay's quest, recognizing the value of Clay's moral stance. He risks himself as the investigation deepens, signaling a turning point in their relationship. The mentor-student dynamic strengthens as they chase the real killers.

During several gunfights, Kincade sacrifices himself to save Clay's life. He explains that true humanity requires such sacrifice, a pledge he makes after warning Clay that he would shoot himself if he ever became 'like a human being'. The moment seals the moral arc of Clay's education.

With Kincade's sacrifice behind him, Clay persists in tracking down the real killers, determined to finish what his mentor began. The town's corruption is confronted by a younger, more principled hero. The pursuit continues beyond the personal losses that began the story.

The tale closes with Clay as a man shaped by Kincade's lessons, standing against corruption with integrity. Kincade's sacrifice cements the line between revenge and justice, and the town witnesses a transformation in its leadership. The moral arc emphasizes choices over vengeance.