Rosa is a beautiful, strong woman who captures everyone's attention and becomes the target of Colonel Elói's charms, whom she marries. Josué, known as the Governor of the Sertão, is the fearless leader of a group of cangaceiros and seeks revenge on corrupt colonels and officers, particularly his archnemesis—Elói. Josué falls in love with Rosa, and she runs away with him to join his group. Alongside Josué is the feared Miguel Ignácio, a mentor of sorts to the cangaceiro leader, and Josué's siblings—Arduíno, Milagre, and Sabiá.