Life chronicle of a small village in Trans-Baikal region on the eve of World War I and during the Great October Revolution. Age-old foundations are falling apart, the masses are separating and as a result some are going to fight for the revolution and others — against it. The main character is a young Cossack Roman Ulybin. At first, this lighthearted romp is occupied only by one issue: would he marry his girlfriend Dashutka or will she be given away to a merchant's son Alyosha. But gradually, th...