Dottie's family suffers misfortune, seeks shelter with Eli Lee. Eli rejects her, saves Dottie after a blizzard. Cabin collapses, mine explosion sends them into a mine shaft. Face life-threatening crises. Eli's leg becomes necrotic, Dottie protects her grandfather. Signal for rescuers and barely survive. After Eli has his leg amputated and falls into despair, Dottie's encouragement reignites his will to live.