As Deputy U.S. Marshal Jack Slade watches the day's condemned men march to the ropes, a shootout takes the life of the hanging judge. A note from the judge's pocket, along with a single matchbox, is all Slade has to track the gunman. As he follows these slim leads, Slade hears ominous tales about the Son of Dixie-and a group of hooded killers he thought long gone. To release their deadly grip on the area, Slade's going to need a sure hand...and a ready gun.