The protagonist of this story is Joseph Wayne, a rancher who was born and lived his early life on his father's ranch.

As he grows up, he feels a special connection to the land, and decides to move to California to create a homestead and start a family.

As they explore the land they have been given, Joseph and Juanito stumble upon a mossy rock and a deep spring in the center of a pine forest.

When they return to the farm after the wedding, they discover that Benjy has been stabbed to death by Juanito, who caught him seducing his wife.

Elizabeth is integrated into the farm and meets Rama, Thomas' wife, who helps her with many things, including her first childbirth.

Elizabeth decides to climb on the mossy rock, but slips and falls, breaks her neck, and dies instantly.

Some time later, when the drought is forcing desperate measures, Joseph and Thomas explore the coast to see if there is any way they will be able to remain at the homestead.

They meet a man who ritually sacrifices small creatures to the sunset each evening, and Joseph feels a connection to him.

At the last minute, Joseph elects to stay, but feels abandoned by all the land except the pine grove with the stream and the mossy rock.

Lost in confusion, Joseph realizes that he is the heart of the land, and so sacrifices himself by cutting his wrists to water the rock with his blood.