The novel introduces the theme of revenge early on, and as the narrative progresses, readers are guided through the events that culminate in a fulfilling conclusion when vengeance is finally achieved. For over fourteen years, Jim Lassiter has been on a mission to find the Mormon responsible for kidnapping his sister, Milly, away from her rightful husband, which ultimately led to her untimely demise. His primary challenge is Jane Withersteen, a charismatic Mormon woman who leverages her influence to protect her people from Lassiter's wrath. Although temporarily hindered, Lassiter continues his quest for justice as the perpetrator persists in his wrongdoing. In the end, the villain's misdeeds are exposed, justice is delivered, and Lassiter's unwavering pursuit is vindicated. Grey underscores that the guilty party merits his fate and that Lassiter's pursuit of revenge serves the broader interests of the Mormon community in Cottonwoods. This act of revenge is depicted not as a personal vendetta but as a commitment to a higher moral duty to administer deserved punishment.

When Berne Ventners, an employee of Jane Withersteen, is ambushed by Oldring's band of outlaws, he manages to defend himself and injures the mysterious "Masked Rider." To his astonishment, he realizes he has seriously wounded a young woman and dedicates himself to nursing her back to health. As expected, they soon fall in love. This love, along with the responsibilities it brings, transforms Ventners from a relatively weak and passive worker into a man of significant physical strength and mental resolve. He takes care of Bess and himself in an isolated valley, and when he returns to Cottonwoods, he bravely confronts the Mormons who had previously tormented him. Both Lassiter and Jane observe the change in Ventners, and he shares with Jane that love and relationships are the most important aspects of life. Lassiter and Jane also share a mutual affection, although Grey doesn't fully explore this romance. In contrast, characters who lack love for anyone but themselves are depicted as the antagonists.

The real antagonists in the story are Bishop Dyer and Elder Tull, two prominent leaders in the Mormon Church. They misuse their church authority to pressure Jane into leaving her non-Mormon friends and marrying Tull. Initially, they try to manipulate her with guilt, and when that doesn't work, they use intimidation by causing chaos among her cattle and stealing them. They disguise these actions as concern for her spiritual welfare and a commitment to their religious responsibilities.

In contrast, Oldring, known as a notorious outlaw, raises Milly's daughter as his own, ensuring she receives an education and protecting her from his fellow outlaws. By the end of the novel, Oldring emerges as a respectable and even admirable figure, while Dyer and Tull are seen as deserving of severe punishment. Grey effectively demonstrates that one's profession and religious background do not truly reflect their character.

A distinctive theme in Westerns is the role of the gunman in transforming the region into a society governed by law. Typically, the gunman is a character who has been wronged, often by the legal system or a personal relationship, driving him to act outside the law. Although he is hesitant to kill, he finds it necessary to protect his reputation from young, eager cowboys eager to prove themselves. The gunman confronts lawlessness head-on, outdrawing and outshooting those who threaten order, thereby protecting ordinary citizens from their oppression. Despite Lassiter's reputation as a "Mormon-hater" known for many kills, he is a crucial force in purging the leadership of the Mormon Church in Cottonwoods. The gunman faces his enemies directly, while they try to gain an advantage...