Stories based on the legends and lore of Death Valley, California.
Best friends recently out of the U.S. Army use a card game to determine an important decision about marriage.
William Richardson, a Boston sailor, is sent ashore to get water for his ship on arrival in California; while doing his job he finds himself charmed by the land, the Martinez family and Maria Martinez in particular.
Jess intends to marry his longtime sweetheart but thinks he needs to find some hidden gold so she will accept; when a wealthy traveler from New Orleans shows up and courts her, Jess begins to realize what he really wants.
Frank Ball arrives in L.A., announcing he has a horse with the most amazing swimming ability; when he starts selling tickets, a local woman is determined to expose him as a flim-flam man.