Richard Burton, a ranch owner in Iowa on the Missouri River, is in debt to miser Aaron Wolverton, and makes the semi-annual interest payment on his mortgage. Aaron hates Richard because his wife, Mary Burton, took Richard's proposal above his own. He hates the hero Bob, Richard's son, because Bob has actively and physically defended Aaron's ward and nephew, Sam, from his unjust guardianship. On the way home from this trip, Richard stops and drinks whiskey with friends. Unaccustomed to drinking, he becomes drunk and is unable to control his ill-tempered horse. Richard is thrown from his horse and killed. Both Clip, a refugee slave who works for the Burtons, and Aaron see the accident. Clip hides and sees Aaron searching the dead man's pockets for the receipt for the interest payment. Aaron finds it and retreats, Clip brings a doctor, but it is too late.
Mary is crushed but agrees to give Bob one year to run the ranch to see if they should sell it or stay on. Aaron then comes to the house and demands a second payment. If they should not pay, Aaron says, Mary need only wed him to avoid eviction. Luckily, Sam finds the receipt in Aaron's office and brings it to Bob. Aaron is incensed at his unexplained loss and vows to serve eviction the next day. When Aaron does come, Bob produces the receipt. Aaron claims it is a forgery, but he knows that his plan will no longer work. He swears revenge.
