Sheridan, rancher of Chico Mesa, had big dreams of irrigating the mesa: "His plan conceived the raising of high-bred beef-cattle on a big scale, fattening them on alfalfa grown under irrigation, producing first-quality beef, firm and larded with fat, commanding a top price.... It would take money, more money than he knew any way of commanding at present."
But, threatening to spoil his rosy dreams, are a gang of cutthroat rustlers. Not to mention "distractions" in the form of the "slimsy lady" and her Amazonian friend. Or even, the Chinese Tongs....