The Tracker

Noble Adams leaves the US Army after years as a scout and decides to start a new life on a frontier farm he has bought. He travels with his wife to establish the homestead, but tragedy strikes on the way when his wife dies in an accident. With the loss of his wife, Noble faces an uncertain future while raising their two-year-old son in a harsh frontier environment.

Their son Tom receives a solid education on the East Coast and studies law. He returns to his father for a short time after finishing his exam. The reunion foreshadows the generational clash that will unfold in the pursuit.

Noble is asked by his old friend Marshal Crawford to help track down the gang led by John Stillwell. Stillwell and his band have escaped from Yuma penitentiary and are terrorizing settlers. Noble's sense of duty is tested as he debates putting his son back into danger.

The Stillwell gang murders several people and kidnaps two women, including a twelve-year-old girl and an Indian. Tom pleads to join the pursuit, believing he can help, while Noble resists the danger of putting his son in harm's way. In the end, Tom prevails and joins the chase with the marshal.

They encounter a group of bounty hunters who are former soldiers. A fierce sandstorm traps the trio, forcing them to take cover behind rocks. The weather-tightened pursuit heightens the risk and strain between the father and son.

Stillwell and his gang find shelter in a Pueblo, a village built into rock. Noble realizes the gang's river-crossing plan and that they must intercept them. The pursuit continues through dangerous terrain.

To catch them before the river crossing, Noble leads them on a grueling shortcut toward the ferry. The plan relies on speed and risk, testing their stamina. Tom's idealistic instincts clash with Noble's hard-edged practicality.

At the ferry, the bounty hunters step aside, but Stillwell's gang fights back. A gunfight erupts and the marshal is killed in the chaos. The loss deepens the generational rift between Noble and Tom.

After the marshal's death, Noble clings to a brutal, atavistic code, while Tom advocates restraint and mercy. Their conflict strains their fragile partnership and threatens their mission. Both men push toward a final reckoning with Stillwell.

The pair set another trap for Stillwell's gang, and Noble eliminates all the remaining gang members. Stillwell remains the last threat. The pursuit now pivots on Stillwell being cornered and humanely defeated.

Stillwell seizes the girl and rides away toward Utah with his captive. Tom holds his fire, unable to shoot his enemy in the heat of the moment. The pursuit tightens as Stillwell gains distance.

Noble and Tom meet at a designated point with Indians who bring fresh horses and supplies. The renewed alliance provides a pragmatically needed edge for the final pursuit. The two men set aside some of their earlier quarrels to work toward rescuing the girl.

Tom realizes that Stillwell's hideout can only be the Pueblo, and he rides there straightaway. Meanwhile, Noble follows the trail toward the same destination, intending to free the girl and capture Stillwell alone. In the Pueblo, Noble frees the girl and captures Stillwell, but Stillwell uses a hidden Derringer to shoot Noble in the stomach.

Tom arrives soon after and discovers his father is mortally wounded. Noble tells Tom to go and finish the job of rescuing the girl and defeating Stillwell. Tom promises to see the girl safe and to honor his father's sacrifice.

Tom tracks Stillwell and, after a tense standoff, shoots him when Stillwell repeats his trick. Tom then returns with the news and helps carry Noble's coffin onto a train. The platform scene shows the two sisters waiting as Tom promises to visit his older sister in a few months.