[1] Middle-aged Marko is searching for his gold mine, the entrance to which has been lost for nearly 20 years, at which time his partner died, a death for which some locals think he is to blame.

When they find the mine, Marko decides he doesn't want to share with his partner and plans to murder him.

He proposes to Peggy, a young widow with a baby to whom he knows Ray is attracted, and who Marko and the local people prefer to label as a 'fallen woman'.

Marko tells her he is sorry he misjudged her, and she eventually accepts his proposal in order to obtain security for her child.

Ray and Peggy pack up their things, and, leaving Marko his share of the gold, start off to walk to the highway and safety.