Riding dispatch for the U.S.Cavalry in 1874, Hondo Lane (John Wayne) and his dog Sam come upon a ranch run by Angie Lowe (Geraldine Page) and her small son Johnny (Lee Aaker). During his short stay, Hondo learns that Angie's husband Ed (Leo Gordon) has deserted his family in the wake of an Apache uprising, she refuses to go with Hondo to safety.