During a cattle drive in Montana in 1925, rich ranch owners Phil and George encounter Rose, a widow. The tender George falls in love with Rose and marries her, while the fiery Phil mocks Rose's kid Peter. Phil is brutal to both of them, enjoying their pain and making his other cowhands laugh. Unaware that it came from a sick cow, Phil cleans Peter's rawhide with his open wound. Phil cuddles with Peter all night and tells him how Bronco saved his life. When asked whether they slept naked, Phil just chuckles and nods.