In the second book in the Winneta series, Old Shatterhand, as a private detective, pursues the swindler Gibson, who stole the son of a New York banker. His path lies across America to the Mapimi desert on the border with Mexico. On the road, he meets the famous Westman nicknamed Old Death, who undertakes to help him in pursuit of Gibson. In the second part of the book, Old Shatterhand meets another Westman, Old Firehand, and together with Winnetou they participate in repelling the attack of the Ponca Indians on the Westmen's camp.