In pre-Civil War
New Orleans, rogue gambler Paul Regret kills Emil Bouvier, the son of a
Louisiana judge, in a
duel. Regret maintains that he only intended to wound Bouvier (who demanded the duel) in the arm, but Bouvier sidestepped at the last moment. After learning that Bouvier's father will demand his hanging, Regret flees the state for the
Republic of Texas, but remains wanted for extradition. After a tryst with a mysterious lady, Pilar Graile, on his way to Texas, Regret is captured by
Texas Ranger Captain Jake Cutter, who refuses his offer of a bribe and thwarts his attempts to break free. However, after witnessing Cutter's former homestead burned to the ground by a group of
Comanche Indians, Regret successfully knocks Cutter out and escapes. Cutter returns to his post in embarrassment, but soon resumes his main task: pursuing a gang of outlaw “
Comancheros,” who he suspects are illegally supplying guns and whiskey to the Comanche to make money and keep the frontier in a constant state of violence. The Rangers have arrested a recent ex-convict named McBain, caught with a wagonload of stolen guns likely destined for Comanche territory. Reasoning that the Comancheros had not actually met McBain and could not identify him, Cutter goes to the rendezvous point as “McBain,” where he meets Comanchero smuggler Tully Crow. The two men form an uneasy partnership. That night, while playing cards, Cutter unexpectedly runs into Regret, who hides their previous interaction. However, Crow spots their connection and assumes that they are attempting to cheat him, forcing Cutter to kill him in self-defense. With his mission against the Comancheros stalled, Cutter once again attempts to return Regret to Louisiana. The two of them are stopped at a ranch owned by a friend when the Comanche unexpectedly launch a raid on the settlement. During the fighting, Regret jumps on a horse and flees, but instead of making a clean getaway, he returns with a company of Texas Rangers, who repulse the attack. Because of Regret's act of valor, the Rangers and a Texas judge agree to
perjure themselves, stating that Regret could not have been involved in the Louisiana duel because he was helping them spy on the Comancheros’ supply line. Regret is then sworn in as an official Ranger. Posing as Comancheros, Cutter and Regret travel into Comanche territory with the stolen wagon and guns, with Rangers shadowing them at a distance. Eventually, they are intercepted by Comanches and led to the hidden self-sufficient Comanchero community at the bottom of a valley in the
desert. Initially apprehended and imprisoned, the two are later released after the intercession of Pilar, who is revealed to be the daughter of the Comancheros’ paraplegic leader, Graile. At Pilar's recommendation, Graile initially welcomes Cutter and Regret into the camp. Pilar quickly deduces that Cutter is an undercover Ranger, but initially conceals this from her father out of her love for Regret. Pilar makes preparations for Cutter and Regret to escape the settlement overnight, but Regret refuses, declaring his love for her and insisting they should run away together. At dinner, Pilar reveals Cutter's true identity to Graile, and Cutter and Regret abduct Graile and his henchmen, intending to bring them out of the settlement the following morning. The plan goes awry when a Comanchero woman, vengeful against Graile for ordering the death of her son, loudly stabs him to death, alerting the Comanches and the Comancheros to their escape and prompting a pursuit. When all seems lost, the Rangers arrive, driving the Comanche back and destroying the Comanchero camp. Regret and Pilar leave together for Mexico – outside the bounds of the extradition law – and Jake rides off into the sunset to rejoin the Ranger company. ==Cast==