Young Jake Kozan was a loner, still grieving the loss of his wife. He agrees to help his older friend TJ to guide a couple into the desert who claim to have maps to a cache of gold. When TJ is gunned down in front of him Jake escapes by running for his life and hiding in an old mine. TJ's attackers use explosives to close the entrance to the mine, burying Jake. TJ's wife Margaret was left specific instructions as to when they'd return and where to look if they hadn't. When they uncover the entrance to the mine, Jake is still alive and under arrest. Wrongfully convicted, Jake is sentenced to prison where he only wants his freedom and revenge.