Tide of Empire plot
The discovery of gold in California draws prospectors to the area, disrupting the lives of the Guerrero family, who have lived in the area for generations. The Guerrero family lives next door to the Rancho Chico, of which Dermod D'Arcy is a part. At a party held for traditional horse racing, one of the prospectors discovers "Pathfinder", Dermod's exceptionally fast horse, and asks Dermod to let this horse participate in the horse race. Dermod is up against neighbor Don José Guerrero, who bets his ranch for the race. Dermod wins the race.