Thunder Mountain is the home of illiterate folk where only the moneylender, Si Pace, has "book larnin'," and there is a long-standing feud between the Martins and Givenses.

Thunder Mountain is the home of illiterate folk where only the moneylender, Si Pace, has "book larnin'," and there is a long-standing feud between the Martins and Givenses. Sam Martin is persuaded by the preacher to leave and acquire an education. He returns after 3 years determined to build a schoolhouse, but Pace refuses to lend him the money. Azalea, a circus performer, flees from the show and its owner, Morgan. Sam befriends her against the wishes of his people. She dances for Pace in tights and spangles in a vain attempt to raise the funds. Discovered and doubted by Sam, she determines to elope with Joe Givens. Just before they elope, Givens robs and murders Pace, and the townspeople fix the blame on Sam. They proceed to the mountain to hang Sam when the preacher, as a sign of God's wrath, ignites a charge of dynamite he planted in the mountain. Givens, in his fear, confesses to the crime; Sam builds his school and marries Azalea.