Due to his gambling addiction, farmer Hans Sværke has brought his farm to the brink of bankruptcy, thereby opening up the opportunity for the wealthy landowner Karius to achieve his goal of taking over the farm. However, parish bailiff Mikkelsen vouches for Sværke and saves him for the time being, and Sværke then leases the farm. Sværke dies, and his talented son Niels takes over the lease. He and the farmer's daughter, Grethe, are happy together, and Niels manages to get her hired at the farm. But Karius' daughter, who is in love with Niels, burns with jealousy and persuades her father to take advantage of Niels' difficult financial situation and take over the farm. Things look bleak for Niels, who has been cornered by the wealthy landowner. But one day while plowing, he sees something glinting in the soil...