Francie Landereaux is one of 29 women on a voyage to California on a barter-bride deal in which any qualified man can buy a wife. Unknown to the sponsors, she is already married to a man who has deserted her and she is on the voyage to find him. The husband is a wanted man and Shard Benton captures him in Panama for the reward. When the ship reaches California, Francine takes a job with Monty Breed, an old enemy of Benton. The husband returns and is killed by Breed. Benton and Breed gamble with Francine at stake.