[1] As described in a film magazine review,[2] Joel had loved Judith but had given her up to his brother, who asked her to marry him.
Sanderson (Joel) hosts the crowd one night at the cafe because of his new claim, when Judith is attacked by a stranger.
Joel protects her and takes her to his home, telling her that he will send her back South when the ice breaks.
At the end of that time, Jim Downing wanders to Joel's house, suffering from snow blindness, searching for Judith.
Desiring to end their struggle using their fists, Joel piles blows onto the man until he stumbles back out into the snow.