Danny Kidd is working in a prison gang when he meets Little Joe, he's 'helping' to build a road through Ponderosa land. Little Joe is breaking in a new horse called Concho and when the guard fires a warning shot the horse gets spooked throwing Joe from his horse and dragging him along due to his foot caught in the stirrup. Danny runs in front of Concho and stops him, Joe thanks him but Danny tells him he did it for the horse, when Joe asks him if there's anything he can do for him, he asks for his freedom.