In 1871, professional gambler John Devlin elopes with Sandra "Sandy" Poli, daughter of Marko Poli, an immigrant who has risen to railroad tycoon. Sandy, knowing that the railroad is to be extended into Dakota, plans to use their $20,000 nest egg to buy land options to sell to the railroad at a profit. On the stage trip to Ft. Abercrombie, their fellow passengers are Jim Bender and Bigtree Collins, who practically own the town of Fargo and Devlin is aware that they are prepared to protect the little empire... trying to drive out the farmers by burning their property, destroying their wheat, and blaming the devastation on the Indians. Continuing their journey north on the river aboard the "River Bird', Sandy and John meet Captain Bounce, an irascible old seafarer. Two of Bendender's henchmen, Slagin and Carp, board the boat and relieve John of his $20,000 at gunpoint. Captain Bounce, chasing the robber's dinghy..
John Wayne
as John Devlin
Vera Ralston
as Sandy Poli (Devlin)
Walter Brennan
as Capt. Bounce of the Riverbird
Ward Bond
as Jim Bender
Ona Munson
as 'Jersey' Thomas
Hugo Haas
as Marko Poli
Mike Mazurki
as 'Bigtree' Collins
Olive Blakeney
as Mrs. Stowe
Paul Fix
as Carp
Grant Withers
as Slagin
Robert Livingston
as Lieutenant
Olin Howland
as Devlin's Driver (as Olin Howlin)
