The First Law of Nature

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Nellie Benton goes west by stagecoach to join her father and Jack, her sweetheart, in their new home upon the plains. The stagecoach is held up by a band of outlaw Indians under the leadership of Jim, one of Nellie's old admirers. Face to face with Nellie again, he compels her and her baby sister to remain in his cabin while he seeks a minister. They escape and travel with a band of friendly Indians. Meantime the sheriff's posse kills Little Rock, son of a powerful chief, for having in his possession the empty express box stolen from the stagecoach. The Indians attack the settlers, and but for the timely arrival of a troop of cavalry out scouting would have massacred them all. Nellie, who had left the stockade to ring the bell on the hill for help, is saved from death by Jim, who gives his life to shield her, thereby making amends for his cowardly life.