"Reward of $500 for the capture of Dave Hart, dead or alive." This is the notice that young Dave read respecting himself as he stood in the crowded saloon in early spring of '61. When he finishes reading this notice about himself he turns ...See more"Reward of $500 for the capture of Dave Hart, dead or alive." This is the notice that young Dave read respecting himself as he stood in the crowded saloon in early spring of '61. When he finishes reading this notice about himself he turns to the bar, orders a drink and spins a yarn. But a sudden intense gleam flashes in his eyes. He is looking towards the door at the sheriff who holds a gun in his hands. Quick as the eye can register the action the outlaw throws a bottle at the lamp. The room is now in darkness for an instant. When the lamp is relighted the outlaw is gone, but upon the floor is a dead man, the mistake of the sheriff. Dave escapes to the mountains with the sheriff on his trail. There he meets the person who exercises such a potent influence on his future. Virginia is taken with him and when Dave saves her father from death over a precipice, she gives him her heart. Six months later war is declared between the North and South. Virginia has gone to live with her aunt, while her father fights the Yankees. Dave tries to enlist with the South, but is seen by the sheriff, who orders his arrest. Dave exclaims that if he can't fight for their cause he'll fight against it and again makes a spectacular escape. He becomes a guerrilla chief and his command is hemmed in by the Union troops. Confederate soldiers attack and in the confusion of battle, Dave escapes and joins the Confederate ranks. Virginia's father is wounded and is carried to his daughter's house. The Confederates are driven back and Union soldiers take charge of the house. Virginia is hiding her father in her bedroom. Dave goes in the rear door of the house to get something to eat. Virginia enters and recognizes Dave, who now wears a Confederate uniform. She hides him in her room with her father. All the Union soldiers leave except one and he remains to make advances to the girl. He finds her father's coat and prepares to give the alarm. Virginia snatches the soldier's gun and shoots him. She replaces the gun in the holster as the officers and soldiers rush in. Dave has been listening at the door. He commands the girl's father to escape through the window. The soldier Virginia has wounded tells his companions that the girl has a Confederate soldier hidden in the house. Dave enters and tells them that he is the man and that he shot the soldier. He then makes a last desperate effort to escape, but the odds are too many and he is shot down, dying in the girl's arms a redeemed man. Written by
Moving Picture World synopsis
See less