Bob Melville, having struck pay dirt in his mine, leaves for the east to raise money to work it. He takes with him a bag of gold obtained from the mine and the gold excites the cupidity of several hard characters among his Mexican laborers, Jose, his faithful servant, a poor ignorant peon, but loyal to the core, hears a plot to waylay Melville and rob him of his gold and at once starts to head off the mail coach which is bearing his employer to the nearest railroad station. He reaches it in the nick of time and persuades Bob to leave it and escape with him to the bush. The bandits arriving a few moments later find their prey has flown and at once start to follow the trail of the mines. Catching a glimpse of Bob they fire and wound him. The faithful Jose aids him as best he can, but finding the pursuit uncomfortably close adopts the subterfuge of hiding the wounded man in the bushes while he, having put on Bob's boots, keeps on his way. Before long he is captured and the enraged bandits tie him to a tree and prepare to kill him. At this juncture Ferrera, a wealthy Spanish landowner, comes upon the scene and rescues him. A year later Melville, now wealthy from the income of his mine, revisits old scene sand meets the Ferreras. He finds to his surprise that Jose has become the gardener of his new friends. He does not know, however, that his old servant has won the love of the fair Carmen. Spurred by his love, Jose leaves the hacienda to secure for himself an education that will make him more worthy of Carmen. Two years later by diligently applying himself to his duties and by original research Jose discovers a new process for hardening steel and offers it to a large steel company. Not long after he receives a check for a large sum from them. He realizes that at least he can hope to secure the hand of Carmen and at once carries the news of his success to Carmen in person. In the meantime Bob has proposed to Carmen and been rejected. However, when he learns that Jose has been more successful than he, burying his own feelings he proves himself a true friend and gives the happy young couple not only a handsome present, but his sincere congratulations as well.
