Civil War veteran and former schoolmaster Sherman Dahl rides the Southwest as a gun for hire. Known to the law and the lawless as "the Teacher," Dahl sells his services to those seeking justice. Chester "Big Chicago" Goines and his band of outlaws have been raising hell across Arizona, thieving and killing everything in their path. When he learns that Dahl is on his trail, Goines welcomes the opportunity to settle an old score.