Dr.RosemaryWalsh,inthelastmonthsofafour-yearsentenceatastateprisonfarmafterbeingconvictedofamercykilling,istakenhostagewhengangstersNickMorelliandBaldybreaktheirmollsNellieandJaneoutoftheprisonfarm.Releasedonacountryroad,anddeterminedtogobackassheonlyhasamonthtoserve,RosemarycomesuponashacknearaswampandsetsthebrokenlegofLukeWalker.WhenlocaldoctorandplantationownerSteveCareyarrives,hequicklyrealizesthatRosemaryistheescapedfugitivethattheprisonofficialsthinkwaspartoftheplotengineeredbyNickandBaldy.Stevetakeshertohisplantationandsheresignsherselftothesituationassheatleasthasahidingplace.SheassistsSteveinhislabworkandgoeswithhimonhuntingandfishingtrips,butthereissoongossipinthecountrysideandnearbytownsthatDoctorStevehasawomanlivingwithhim.