Matteo Falcone is a successful Corsican, who lives with his wife Giuseppa and 10-year-old son Fortunato.

Suddenly, a wounded bandit chased by soldiers arrives and introduces himself as Gianetto Sanpiero.

Fortunato at first declines to hide Gianetto, but when the bandit offers a piece of silver, the boy conceals him beneath the hay.

Realizing what has happened, Matteo hears the captured Gianetto Sanpiero's words "Betrayer's father".

As Matteo and Fortunato climb into the mountains, Giuseppa prays inside the house to an icon of the Virgin Mary.