After he is abandoned in the desert without water, Cable Hogue (Jason Robards) wanders for days until he finds a supply of water in a muddy ditch. Determining that the spot is the only spring in the area, Cable decides to start a business offering water to passing stagecoaches. Aided by his new friend, Joshua (David Warner), and a prostitute named Hildy (Stella Stevens), Cable builds a successful business. However, when motorcars start to pass, Cable realizes his trade is down to its last days.