Inthe19thcentury,siblingsAbileneandTod,orphanedontheirwesternfarm,becomeattractedtoeachother,sexually.TheconfusedTodfleastoanearbytownwherehemeetsLinda,alocalbargirl,andbeginsasexualrelationshipwithher,whilearoughcowboy,namedRawhide,sexuallyassaultsAbileneleadingTodwantingrevengedespiteLinda'swarinessandgrowingcompassionforAbilene.