Summary
Within a remote, sun-baked canyon, the enigmatic Lassiter, the resilient Jane Withersteen, and the blossoming orphan Fay Larkin endure a stark, primitive existence, remnants of a past incarceration. Their secluded lives are dramatically disrupted when John Shefford, a kin of Lassiter, embarks on a determined quest to locate them. Yet, before his arrival, the insidious Mormon elder Waggoner infiltrates their hidden sanctuary, discovering the trio. Exhibiting chilling opportunism, Waggoner abducts the now-young woman Fay, consigning her to a desolate encampment populated by other sequestered women. A sweeping intervention by United States marshals subsequently descends upon the Mormon settlement, instigating polygamy charges against the captive women. It is amidst the stark drama of Fay's trial that Shefford first glimpses her, an encounter that ignites an immediate, profound affection. His swift, decisive action frees her, and together they flee into the vast expanse of the Western landscape. Their desperate journey continues as Shefford endeavors to liberate Lassiter and Jane from their prolonged confinement. Waggoner, relentless in his pursuit, meets a sudden, violent end at the hands of a vigilant Indian, a moment of stark frontier justice. Despite this setback, Waggoner's zealous followers press on with their chase, only to be thwarted by the timely arrival of the marshals, whose intervention, orchestrated by the same observant Indian, finally ensures the hard-won salvation of Shefford, Fay, and their companions.
Synopsis
Lassiter, Jane Withersteen, and the young orphan Fay Larkin were imprisoned in a valley years ago, and now live like primitive people. A relative of Lassiter's named John Shefford goes in search of them. Before he can find them, a Mormon elder named Waggoner is able to enter the valley, where he finds the trio. He kidnaps Fay, now a young woman, and brings her to a desolate area where she is kept with other women. When United States marshals raid the Mormon settlement, they bring charges of polygamy against all the women living there. Shefford sees Fay during her trial and falls in love with her. He rescues her and rides away with her, and then attempts to rescue Lassiter and Jane. When Waggoner pursues, he is killed by an Indian. Waggoner's followers continue the pursuit. Shefford, Fay, and the others are saved when marshals, warned by the Indian, arrive.
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