Up at the Hengstpass, in the mist-shrouded mountains: the quiet, reserved cattle herder Jonah and his colleagues are attacked by gang members of a notorious bandit called "Black Wolf" - because Jonah has not fulfilled his duty as a guard. But Jonah's daredevil brother Aaron beats the robbers to flight and is celebrated for it, while Jonah, ridiculed as a coward, experiences the disregard of others, especially his father Simeon.