Richard Burton, a ranch owner in Iowa on the Missouri River, is in debt to miser Aaron Wolverton, and makes the semi-annual interest payment on his mortgage. Aaron hates Richard because his wife, Mary Burton, took Richard's proposal above his own. He hates the hero Bob, Richard's son, because Bob has actively and physically defended Aaron's ward and nephew, Sam, from his unjust guardianship. On the way home from this trip, Richard stops and drinks whiskey with friends. Unaccustomed to drinking, he becomes drunk and is unable to control his ill-tempered horse.