Breckinridge Elkins is sent by his father, who is laid up with rheumatism, to intercept his eccentric uncle Esau Grimes, rumored to be passing through War Paint. Upon reaching the town, Breck mistakenly identifies a small man with red whiskers as his uncle. A violent encounter follows, leading Breck to abduct the man and flee into the hills.

Along the way they cross paths with the outlaw Grizzly Hopkins, who proposes torturing the captive for his supposed hidden wealth. Breck fights off Hopkins and resumes his journey, unaware that he has the wrong man. After several chaotic chases and brawls, Breck’s father reveals the truth: the captive is not Uncle Esau but the train robber Badger Chisom, who has hidden a fortune beneath his shirt. The real Esau Grimes appears at the end and confirms the mistake.