The Comet Film Company heads out West by railroad to work on a new project which shows life in the West and how it contrasts with life in the East. Mr. Pertell must contend with spies from a rival film company who are trying to steal his ideas. Russ gets a great film of the drilling of an oil well, but a spy also films the same scene with his own camera. Mr. Pertell changes his plans in order to thwart the rival company's efforts. As the company continues into the West, they dodge a tornado and survive a train derailment. Finally, the acting troupe arrives at Rocky Ranch. It takes some adjustment for the actors to get used to ranch life. The cowboys are loud and rowdy but very friendly to the film company, especially the young ladies. Russ and Mr. Pertell are taken aback when they spot a moving picture camera in the ranch house and learn that it belongs to a recently-hired cowhand. It seems that the rival picture company has arrived at the ranch first.