Esko becomes argumentative, and in his anger grabs Antres, accidentally causing him to faint. Esko thinks he has killed Antres. Meanwhile, Iivari, Sakeri and Niko, who is disguised as the thief, arrive on the scene. For a moment, everyone is horrified by Esko's ‘murderous act’, but then Antres regains consciousness.
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The site reeks with antiquity, with the signs of an old settlement everywhere. The site is extensive, with razed structures that once stood as walls and houses. Shards of broken pottery are strewn on the grounds everywhere, with several open-mouthed cisterns and antres.
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Antres and Esko are reconciled. The men share stories about their unsuccessful journeys and agree that it will all be worth it once they get home, hand over the thief and get their reward. They head off towards the cobbler's house, followed by two uninvited guests who want to crash Esko's wedding. On the way, they find Mikko, who had earlier run away and who has now badly injured his leg.
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Iivari regrets his many drinking sprees and announces that he's going to sea. Esko announces that women are not for him and decides never to get married. Martta welcomes all to the wedding table she had prepared for Esko and Kreeta: they can celebrate the engagement of Jaana and Kristo with this delicious food. Everyone goes inside while Antres plays ‘The March of the Pori Regiment’ on his reed whistle.
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When Esko returns from gathering medicinal plants, Mikko forces him to drink alcohol for the first time in his life. Mikko's plan is to get Esko drunk, goad him into an argument, and then flee the scene, thus avoiding Martta's wrath. After the fight Mikko darts off, and Esko meets Antres the tailor, who was sent to meet up with the wedding guests. As they are speaking, the alcohol starts to go to Esko's head, and he loses control, running around erratically.
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Unexpectedly, a mixed crowd of people pull up in a cart: Iivari, Sakeri, Esko, Antres and Niko, who everyone still believes is the thief. The men relate sanitised versions of their journeys- to propose to Kreeta and to go Hämeenlinna to buy things for the wedding- and they proudly present the “thief” who, they assume, will make amends for their wrongdoings. Jaana arrives and Niko immediately cries out, revealing his true identity as her father, and all hopes the men have of receiving the reward are lost. Chaos ensues, almost leading to a fight, but in the end Niko and Jaana embrace and she forgives her father.
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