Scotland, circa 1790: The new lord decides he'd rather have sheep than tenants, and Roddy Macallan and his family are among the evicted. Over his father's objections, Roddy returns to the family's burned-out cottage, looking for an heirloom brooch that could finance the Macallans' passage to America. Caught and nearly killed while searching the ruins, Roddy is saved by Alan Dunbar, a notorious petty criminal. Roddy is initially wary of Alan, but soon finds him to be his greatest ally as the two face off against the lord and his men.