Clemente Celidônio, better known as Quelemente, takes care of a herd near his house in Pajeú das Flores, Brazil. When he gets home he discovers that tragedy has struck: his sister Marizolina was raped by a stranger. Craving revenge, Quelemente goes in search of a man with a facial scar and missing one finger, as Marizolina described. During his long journey on this mission, he falls in love with Maria do Carmo. She is pregnant by the time he finds his villain, In his fight with Cesídio, Quelemente kills a police officer and the police persecute him. Quelemente marches Cesídio and a Priest to his house and forces Cesídio to marry Marizolina. Soon after the marriage, Quelé initiates a fight of death with Cesídio, interrupted by the arrival of the police, who kill Cesídio--and Maria do Carmo. When Quelé's hopes for survival are few, he arrives at Gangue de Lampião, who shoots the cops, who flee. Quelemente enters the gang, being baptized by Lampião as Quelé do Pajeú.