A story about a young Slovak peasant boy from the 17th century. After the death of his father, who was hanged for poaching, Adam Šangala decides to leave home and become a gentleman. However, he gets involved in a dispute with Count Markoč, who abuses a peasant girl, beats him up, and forces him to flee from his police officers. On the run, he meets the charming Betka, the daughter of a craftsman from Trnava, with whom he falls in love, but with Markoč's police still hot on his heels, there is no time for love. In his desperate situation, Adam enlists as a soldier for Count Pálfy...