Joel Shore is made captain of the whaling schooner formerly headed by his courageous and admired brother, Mark, who was lost at sea. Accompanied by his bride, who suspects Joel to have a cowardly heart, they set sail for a whale hunt. Mark reappears, tells of hidden pearls, and incites the crew to mutiny when Joel refuses to take his ship off course to recover the treasure. Mark finally comes to Joel's aid but falls overboard; Joel unsuccessfully attempts to rescue him; Priscilla acknowledges her husband's heroism.