In 1864 a disputed mining claim in Montana Territory turns vicious when an infant is kidnapped. Attorney and Vigilante prosecutor Daniel Stark is a new father of twin boys. He knows his claim to the Nugget gold mine is legitimate. Tobias Fitch, though, believes the mine contains the Mother Lode, the source of all the gold in the Alder Gulch region. He also thinks the mine rightfully belongs to him. Fitch abducts one of the Stark's month-old twin sons to force Stark to sign over the mine. Stark, however, is no stranger to a fight, in court or out, and the stakes have never been higher - the life of his infant son, Luke.