- Showing the trail of civilization across the western country, the emigrant train, the Cooper family, the treachery of the Indians, the capture of Helen Cooper and the daring attempt to rescue her, resulting in his capture and being made to run the gauntlet and forced to undergo torture by the squaws. Thrilling rescue of the prisoners from the Indian camp, sensational battle, as the emigrants swoop down on the redskins, wonderful acting by star artists in the leading parts, massive and colossal cast, amazing in grandeur and magnificence, stages in scenes of wild and wondrous beauty.—Moving Picture World synopsis
- The Cooper family is shown loading a prairie schooner with household goods and starting on the long journey. After traveling many days an emigrant train is sighted in the distance, and the Coopers join it. Arriving in the far west the Coopers decide to locate and part from the main train. Blake, a hardy young emigrant, has become very friendly with Jack Cooper, and has fallen in love with Helen, Jack's sister. He asks the elder Cooper's permission to remain with them, which is granted. Preparations are made for the night's encampment. Blake takes a big canteen and goes to the far-off spring for water. In his absence a band of Indians approach the wagon. Alert, suspecting the savages, Jack Cooper and his father await them with ready rifles, but the Indians hold up their hands in token of peace. They are fed by the Coopers, and with assumed simplicity win the confidence of the emigrants. One of them asks Jack to let him see his revolver, and the moment it is in his hand he fires and wounds Jack. At the same instant another Indian strikes Cooper with a tomahawk and he falls lifeless. Mrs. Cooper meets a like fate. Screaming with terror, Helen is caught up by the savages, who steal everything from the wagon and burn the vehicle. Blake returns and is horror-stricken at the sight that meets his gaze. The still forms on the ground and the disappearance of Helen tell the tale. Overwhelmed with grief and rage, Blake swears to avenge the tragedy, and follows the trail of the Indians. In the Indian camp there is wild rejoicing as the fair captive is brought before the chief. The weeping girl is placed in a tepee and a guard set before it. Jack Cooper revives. Racked with pain as his senses return to him, he attempts to struggle to his feet. Slowly and laboriously he drags himself to the creek and quenches his fevered thirst. Blindly he gropes along until, exhausted, he falls fainting to the ground. The emigrant train passing on its way goes by Jack, and he is brought back to consciousness. Burning with anger, the emigrants decide to teach the Indians a lesson, and gallop toward the village. Blake creeps to the top of a hill overlooking the Indian camp. An Indian sits there serenely unconscious of the white avenger behind him. Blake draws his revolver and takes careful aim. Just as his finger is about to press the trigger he realizes the folly of such an act, and picking up a rock he cautiously and slowly worms his way and brings the missile down on the Indian's head. He falls as though stricken by a lightning bolt, and Jack drags the body out of sight. Removing the Indian's apparel, Jack discards his clothing and dons the savage attire, including the head-dress and blanket, and then boldly walks into the Indian camp, concealing his face with a fold of the blanket. He manages to reach the tepee where Helen is imprisoned, and slitting the back of the tent with his knife he effects an entrance. With a low warning he stills the frightened cry that leaps to Helen's lips, and she falls into his arms. Blake then resolves upon a daring scheme, and wrapping Helen in a blanket he attempts to leave the camp. The plan fails. He is recognized and seized by a dozen savage hands. Tied to a post, he is turned over to the squaws for torture. Tiring of this sport, the Indians compel him to run the gauntlet. Wounded and exhausted, Blake falls, and as the chief is about to administer the death blow a startling interruption stays his hand. While the Indians have been engrossed in torturing Blake, the emigrants have massed behind the crest of the hill, and a volley of lead is poured into the ranks of the redskins. Reloading quickly, the emigrants advance and another deadly volley causes the surviving Indians to scamper for safety, hotly pursued by the exultant white men. Blake and Helen are triumphantly carried back to the emigrant camp. The next day the bodies of the dead are buried, and Jack, Blake and Helen sorrow over the two mounds which mark the last resting place of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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