Unjustly accused of the murder of Colonel Carringford, Maj. John Craig deserts his post as a surgeon in the British Army in India and drifts to the South Seas, where he soon becomes wealthy by pearl fishing. Afer a boat captained by Gorilla Bagsley poaches on Craig's private pearl beds, Craig searches him out and finds him molesting Pandora, a native dancing girl. Craig overcomes Gorilla in a fight, and Pandora, who thinks that Craig has fought for her, insists on becoming his woman. The first mate of Craig's schooner discovers that there is a reward posted for his captain and sends word of Craig's whereabouts to Watkins, an agent of the British Government. When Watkins arrives on the island, he is stricken with appendicitis; Craig operates on him, saving his life. Gloria Gordon, Craig's onetime love who has accompanied Watkins to the island, informs Craig that he has been cleared of any suspicion of guilt in Carringford's murder. Gorilla attempts to shoot Craig, but Pandora steps between Craig and death, giving up her life to save his. Craig apprehends the brute, and Craig and Gloria make plans to return together to his regiment in India.