The Secret of Convict Lake

An opening narration introduces the backstory and sets the tone for what is to come. It hints at a legend surrounding Convict Lake and the conflict between escapees and the settlement's women.

In 1871, six convicts break out of a Carson City prison. One of them freezes to death in a blizzard as the group presses toward safety. They make for Lake Monte Diablo, seeking refuge.

The survivors arrive at Lake Monte Diablo, where eight women live in a settlement while their men prospect. Granny, the elder, watches over Marcia, Rachel, Barbara, Susan, Harriet, Mary, and Millie.

The women reluctantly permit the convicts to use an empty cabin. Granny hides all the guns except one, keeping a single pistol for defense.

Canfield explains that he was convicted of killing a mine owner and that about 40,000 dollars is missing. He has returned to collect the money and to confront Rudy Schaeffer, whom he believes is involved.

A barn catches fire and the convicts work with the women to rescue the animals. The act earns some trust, but the others still plot to seize control of the situation.

Despite Canfield's apparent reliability, Greer, Cockerell, Anderson, and Maxwell continue to plot. The divide between trust and conspiracy deepens as fear and greed run through the camp.

Marcia and Canfield become attracted to each other, culminating in a kiss. He explains that Morgan swindled him out of the money and that the shooting occurred when Morgan pulled a gun; Schaeffer witnessed it but lied to keep the money.

While Canfield and Marcia are away, Greer wins Rachel's trust and learns where Granny hid the other guns. Greer, Cockerell, and Anderson arm themselves and wait for Canfield.

The group stops in a nearby town to drink and rest, and Rudy Schaeffer spots a wanted poster. The alarm is raised and the men race back to their families in a panic.

Maxwell pulls a machete on Barbara and chases her, forcing Canfield to intervene. He is stabbed in the shoulder during the struggle. The other women chase Maxwell and kill him with a pitchfork.

Rachel finds the 40,000 dollars in Rudy's trunk and gives it to Marcia to deliver to Greer to stop the beating and leave. The money's discovery heightens the stakes as the men close in.

Greer, Cockerell, and Anderson attempt to slip away, but Schaeffer and the others return. A gunfight erupts; Cockerell and Anderson are shot, and Greer, wounded, runs uphill, dropping the money.

Canfield corners Schaeffer at gunpoint and orders him to confess publicly when the others return. Schaeffer draws his gun; Canfield shoots him and then hands his gun to Marcia.

The sheriff and posse arrive and are shown the graves of the four convicts and Schaeffer. Granny presents the graves to the sheriff, and the narrator declares the tale true while noting Convict Lake has been renamed.