A young drifter hops a freight into a remote mountain region and, after earning a wary camaraderie in a hobo camp, is drawn into the harsher demands of the frontier. He crosses desert wastes, encounters rival parties and unexpected guests, weathers storms and narrow escapes, and confronts a mysterious woman whose presence unsettles local alliances. The narrative follows his practical choices, shifting loyalties, and quiet resourcefulness as searches, rendezvous, and signals escalate toward a decisive confrontation that tests ambitions and ultimately brings a measure of resolution to his aims.