The 12-year-old Toni, known as "Toni Goldwascher", is an outsider. He lives with his mother Maria in a disreputable house outside the community by the river. The son of a large farmer, Hans Beil, harasses him because he is after Gold Bay. Herbert, the mute Elfie and the chaplain are on his side, but when Toni actually finds gold, the situation comes to a head.