In the town of Hard Rock (population 388), Bowler and Brisco arrive just in time to foil the minions evil Roy Hondo from destroying the cafe of Lenore ("Lenore's Cafe"), a past love of Bowler's. Hondo runs a protection racket in the town.
The town's sheriff, the decidedly Elvis-y Aaron Viva, is powerless to stop Hondo - he's broken no laws.
A young local, Whip Morgan, calls Hondo out on his own, but he is unsuccessful. Morgan's uncle was killed by Hondo when Whip was 10 years old; Whip has spent his life to date preparing to kill Hondo. Despite his bold talk, Whip is a crack shot and a fast draw, but not so fast or so good as Brisco, or Hondo.
Allowing Gage, one of Hondo's jailed men, to escape, Brisco and Bowler find Hondo's secret headquarters, but their stealthy approach is ruined by Whip, who alerts the baddies, who pursue and trap Brisco, Bowler and Whip in a cave (inhabited by grizzly, which Bowler disposes of - barehanded), but only for a while. However, Brisco and Bowler come away with a prisoner, who promises to testify against Hondo
Back in Hard Rock, Whip reveals that Hondo is his father, while Bowler renews his acquaintance with Lenore. Meanwhile, the town mayor reveals himself to be an agent of Hondo by helping him kill the witness. Things are rapidly deteriorating around Hard Rock, with Hondo's henchmen trying to kill all the good guys at once, but Brisco (tada!) foils them. Whip, in the confusion, calls out Hondo again.
During the inevitable pre-gunfight verbal sparring, Whip reveals who he is and who Hondo is. Just before they get to shooting, Brisco stops it, and Hondo is arrested and taken away.
A completely happy ending is averted when Lenore refuses to come back to San Francisco, saying she will be more needed and more happy here in Hard Rock. But on the good side (well, sorta), Brisco and Bowler ride out of town with Whip toward new adventures.