Larry Clarke rides into the town of Mesa Arizona from Texas where he has just sold his ranch Several people call him Ted Crockettwho supposedly has been dead for five years and a bartender advises him to say he is Crockett as he can aid the law abiding citizens that way Both Red Grindy leader of the towns badmen and Sheriff Ben Adams are fooled by Larrys resemblence to Crockett as is Crocketts young widow Mary until Larry convinces her his isnt He finds that all of the Crockett cowhands with the exception of Neal King are systematically rustling Marys cattle Larry takes charge sends to Texas for his riders and then brings to an end the reign of terror Grindy and his men have over the territory Creased in the head by a gunshot Larry is freed of his amnesia and turns out to actually be Ted Crockett