A man joins his two friends, Godey Spurlock and Mal Dowe, in an operation to hitch a ride on "The Short Dog," a bus that heads into Roscoe. They plant themselves in the middle of the road when the bus comes, and Dee Buck Engle, the bus driver, halts to a stop and reluctantly lets them on. He gravely warns them against bothering any of the passengers, but it is not the first time they have messed around on his bus route, and they know he is a pushover. The man worries about what they will do in Roscoe, considering their previous jokes have put them on the authorities' radar. Godey is not fazed by his friend's concerns and punches him in the arm, taunting him that cowardice has ruined him. The man denies his claim and returns the punch, by Godey's request, to keep things even and friendly. The three get into a spat with Old Meg Hyden, one of the regular bus riders, who complains to Dee Buck that they are bothering her. The twin boys later board the bus, and Godey starts teasing them for having been shaved bald. He tries to trick the young boys into believing they are growing horns and will soon turn into bulls. He offers to remove the horns and roughly knocks their heads together. Dee Buck halts the bus and demands they either get off now or be delivered to the sheriff when they arrive. Godey calls it bluff and refuses to get off, daringly inviting Dee Buck to take them to the police. Although Godey is not scared by Dee Buck's threats, the man is upset with his friend for getting them into trouble. Godey criticizes his friend for believing Dee Buck's threats and punches him, but to his surprise, he starts crying. Feeling bad for making his friend cry, Godey invites him to return the punch with double the force. The man is initially reluctant, but Godey insists that he must make it even and starts provoking him. The man finally gives in and harshly delivers a blow to the back of Godey's head. Godey starts to convulse, and his neck is twisted strangely. The two other friends gravely realize the possibly fatal result of the blow. The bus arrives in Roscoe, and Meg Hyden notices Godey and asks what is wrong with him. The friends reply that he is no good.