Trama

A young woman and her six little brothers and sisters are left orphans by the murder of their father over gold found on his ranch. Together the seven offspring fight against their greedy neighbors to keep what is rightfully theirs.

This is a story of California in the period of 1860, when the state, once a Mexican possession, was slowly adapting itself to the new regime. A conspiracy existed between Don Francisco Garcia, hereditary owner of a large Spanish grant in Southern California, and his friend, John Longstreet, a geologist, to obtain possession of the rich adjoining acreage of a New Englander, Caleb Winthrop. The discovery by Garcia end Longstreet of the presence of a valuable quartz deposit on Winthrop's property adds zest to their desire to get possession of the property. The ranch being under the management of Amos Winthrop, Caleb's brother, it falls to the unfortunate lot of Amos to die at the hands of Garcia, because of his attempt to warn his brother of the plot. Meantime, a romance has developed between Joaquin Sepulveda, Winthrop's head vaquero, and Miss Prudence, daughter of the deceased Amos Winthrop. As Prudence has six little brothers and sisters, Sepulveda realizes his inability to care for the orphans, and dispatches them by overland coach to their uncle Caleb in New England. Arrived in Boston, Prudence and her brothers and sisters find the New Bedford shipowner, Caleb Winthrop, a forbidding person, miserly, and a recluse, wrapped up in business affairs. Garcia has been active in his persistent efforts to secure the Winthrop property, and young Sepulveda. fearing a lawless aggression from that quarter, requests Caleb Winthrop to immediately hasten west and take charge of the situation. Arrived in California, the New Englander, accompanied by his flock of nieces and nephews, settles himself on his western estate and prepares to make a defense. By means of a fake Spanish grant, Garcia and Longstreet secure the authority of the sheriff, with an order to force Winthrop to vacate the property. But the old Puritan fighting blood of the Winthrops has been aroused, and Caleb defies Garcia to force the issue. Winthrop hastens to the district court and begins a contest to prove the validity of his title. In his absence he leaves Sepulveda in charge, under the pledge of defending the ranch and Prudence and the children against an attack. An attack is made by Garcia and his small army of vaqueros on the Winthrop ranch house. The hazard is increased through a trick, by which Garcia manages to decoy Sepulveda and his retainers away from the ranch house. Prudence and the children and the old servants of the household are suddenly surprised by the attackers, but they put up a vigorous defense until Sepulveda and his men return. But the Winthrop retainers are strongly outnumbered by Garcia's vaqueros, and the little band of defenders is almost worsted, when one of the youngsters, who is a skillful rider, is dispatched on horseback to the nearby town for assistance. Although pursued by one of Garcia's half-breeds, the boy manages to reach the town, where he meets his uncle, Caleb, who has just returned from the district court, having won his case. The small troop of U.S. Cavalry quartered there dash to the rescue. The rescuers arrive just at the time when Prudence is closely beset by the infuriated Garcia with evil intent. To protect her honor, Prudence fires the shot which ends the despicable life of the lawless Garcia. Sepulveda and his men are relieved at the point where they are badly beset and Garcia's men are either routed or slain. The finish of the story sees the marriage of Sepulveda and Miss Prudence. Caleb Winthrop, having won the fight, settles down to a pleasant existence, surrounded by the frolicsome nieces and nephews who are now the pride of his heart.