To a pool on an Indian reservation come a number of travelers. As one of the girls is about to take a drink Lo, an Indian, stops her, declaring that the water is poisoned. Plied with questions, Lo relates the legend of the pool. In the early days, there lived in the tribe Tiwaka, a Christian convert, and her paleface son, Paul. Paul wins the favor of the girl, Winitan, to the great displeasure of Undi, the Chief's son. Soon Winitan is converted, and the little trio of Christians often meet in prayer before the clay cross Winitan has modeled for Paul. Then comes the famine, and the people pray at the Kiva to the Great Spirit. Undi, nursing his vengeance against Paul, sees the latter praying to his Christian God, and reports the proceeding to the Medicine Man. After a struggle, during which the cross is broken, Paul is made prisoner for having incited the anger of the Great Spirit, and is condemned to death. Tiwaka, who has witnessed his capture, plans to save him. Accordingly she has Winitan pour water on the sacred fire that constantly burns beneath the Kiva, and while the attention of the Indians is diverted to the dread sight, quickly releases Paul, who escapes with Winitan. Seeing how disconsolate Paul is at the loss of his cross, Winitan promises to have another for him in the ovens that night. Undi overhears and places a huge rattlesnake over the cross. When Paul reaches for the precious gift, he receives the fatal venom and staggers home to Tiwaka in a frenzy, Tiwaka bathes his wound at the pool, but to no avail, for Paul dies in her arms. The next morning, ridiculed by the Indians, among them Undi, Tiwaka tragically prays for a miracle to convince the unbelievers. Undi, laughing, drinks from the pool, and the next minute clutches his throat and dies in agony. Tiwaka, triumphant, causes the Indians to fall back in awe. "And the pool has remained poisoned ever since," concludes Lo. The visitors, glad to have escaped an untimely end, liberally tip him. After they have gone, he laughs heartily, and pocketing the money, quaffs liberally of the water. The legend is his own invention.