In 1886 while on a stagecoach headed to Carson City via Mesquite Springs, Nevada, Bat is with the fiancée Claire Cantrell of Sheriff Buck Peters and a Slim Tobey. Suddenly the stage is attacked with the driver killed and Tobey knocking out Bat. Tobey steals $30 from Bat, leaves a letter on him, and the group kidnaps Claire. At Mesquite Springs Bat tells the sheriff about the incident. The letter wants Eddie Griswell who is to hang released or Claire dies at 3:00 pm. The sheriff has little control due to a mayor and city council who are overbearing. He and Bat suggest releasing Eddie and following him. Due to the delays by the city officials, Peters lets Eddie escape. However, Bat takes his place following Eddie with a posse to follow. Bat is able to track Eddie but there is dissension in the Griswell gang between the Griswell brothers and the four other members. Bat uses the problem to his advantage to rescue Claire.
—Anonymous