The events take place in the 1880s in the American state of Kansas. After the death of their parents, 13-year-old Lucas Hollister and his younger brother are left orphans. One day, Lucas accidentally kills a local farmer, and the boy is sentenced to death for it. His grandfather, the notorious criminal Harland Rast, comes to his rescue and helps his grandson escape from prison. The pair of fugitives head to Mexico, but they are pursued by US Marshal Wood Helm and a bounty hunter known as "The Preacher".