The trapper and his daughter find a crippled man in the woods, and taking him to their cabin, restore him to health. Later they persuade him to stay and work with the trapper. A worthless half-breed encounters the girl in the forest and frightens her by his advances. Her father and the wanderer drive him away. On the following day the trapper sets out for the trading post with a bundle of furs. Anxious about his daughter's safety during his absence, which may be of several day's duration, he is reassured by the wanderer, who pledges himself to guard the girl as though she were his own sister. The man forgets that he cannot guard her from himself, for he has fallen in love with her. She is again frightened by the half-breed, who attacks her and is beaten off by the wanderer. The latter loses control of himself, and kissing the girl, declares his love. Conscience-stricken by the realization that he has been false to his trust, he goes alone into the woods, bent on killing the half-breed. He meets the trapper, who, having fallen in with one of the men from the trading post, has sold his furs without making the long trip to the post. When the trapper asks after his daughter, the wanderer declares, "I have been false to my promise, but I'll make good,'" and snatching the trapper's gun, plunges into the woods after the half-breed. A fight to the death ensues, the half-breed being hurled over a cliff. Returning to where he left the trapper, the wanderer hands him his gun and is instantly covered by the weapon in the hands of the father, who, misunderstanding the wanderer's words, believes he has harmed the girl. But before the trapper can pull the trigger, his daughter comes on the scene and declares her debt of gratitude to the wanderer. Explanations ensue, and the wanderer, having redeemed his pledge, finds himself in a position to withdraw it, so that he may claim a nearer and dearer relationship with the girl he loves, renouncing the open road for his own fireside.