After local boozing champ Big Fontana cheats Paladin in a drink-off, sickly Boise Peabody convinced he'll die by morning, challenges the sneaky fast draw to a shootout. Paladin helped Boise hide from fellow miners who are so lonely for female company they want Boise to dress up like a woman. The dying Boise realizes he's been afraid all his life, so decides he'll go out like a lion.