When he arrives, he finds that his village has long believed him dead, and his love, Varya, has married Gavrila, the head of the local militia, which borders on banditry.

As Bumbara flees, he discovers that the miller who gave him refuge is linked to the bandits and witnesses Yashka's tragic execution.

In the forest, Bumbara meets another wanderer, Levka, and they devise a plan to lure Sofya’s gang to the mill, where they hope to ambush them with the Red Army’s help.

A White Army ambush kills most of their unit, leaving Bumbara as the lone survivor sent back with a message.

In the final scene, Bumbara is seen alone, raising a revolver in the sand quarry as a single shot echoes.