Plot
Don Arturo Bordega is a member of the old Spanish nobility and a vocal advocate for California's annexation by the United States. On his way to a secret meeting in support of that goal, he is attacked by bandits led by José Martínez but narrowly escapes. Martinez's bandits attempt to assassinate the guest of honor at the meeting, U.S. Army Captain John Charles Fremont, but he is only slightly wounded. At the meeting, Fremont reveals that the U.S. has no plans to annex California.
Brothers Ernesto and Fredo Brios have paid Martinez to violently oppose the movement supporting American annexation of California, hoping to deliver the territory to the Russian czar in exchange for a promise to appoint Ernesto, and later Fredo, as the colonial governor.
Martinez's men violently seize rifles from gunsmith Sam Lawrence in order to supply forces in the Russian conquest of California. This invokes the wrath of his beautiful daughter Julia, who joins Bordega in his mission to infiltrate Martinez's bandit group. Martinez is killed by Julia and Ernesto is slain by Bordega in a duel.
Bordega and Julia travel to Fort Ross, where they capture Fredo, Russian princess Helena de Gagarine and a high-ranking Russian army officer, thwarting the conspiracy. Bordega and Julia fall in love and intend to marry and start a large family.
