Jim Bolt, a desperate convict, succeeds in escaping from the prison. He skulks through the woods with the prison guards in pursuit and finally takes refuge in an old barn. Jack, the young son of farmer Binns, proves unpopular with his playmates, and entertains himself with a copy of "Lariat Bill, the Terror of the West." The style of literature does not appeal to the father, who reprimands the lad. Jack, finding a piece of rope, goes into the woods and climbs a tree, where he makes a lariat and implores an Indian or a buffalo to come his way. Meanwhile the children, who have been playing in the yard, go into the barn during their game of hide and seek. Bolt, who has covered himself with hay, is disturbed. Through a knothole he sees the guards, who have found his trail, are about to enter. Picking up one of the children he backs out of the building, using the little one as a shield. As the convict passes under the tree, Jack, discovering the little girl's peril, tosses his lasso and captures the fugitive. Farmer Binns and the guards hasten to the spot and the desperate man is conducted to prison. Jack is rewarded by being allowed to finish "Lariat Bill."
—Moving Picture World synopsis