A group of Finnish activists are waging an underground war against Russian oppression led by young idealistic aristocrat Robert Hedman.
Eastern Finland in 18th century. Farmer Juha has raised an orphan girl Marja and married her. Karelian trader Shemeikka visits the farm and starts to make advances to young and beautiful Marja, tempting her to run away with him.
Sirkka feels she's doing the right thing when she kills her cruel stepfather. But there is a witness to the murder, the musician Eino. However, he helps Sirkka get rid of the dead body. Suspected by the police for the murder Sirkka flees abroad.
