Col. St. Clair, being on his deathbed, leaves his entire estate to his son Harry, except for 8 negroes; Uncle Joe, his wife and their six sons, to whom he gives their freedom. Harry retains them in his employ and later has reason to be thankful for having done so. Harry has a wild passion for gambling, and, finally losing $10,000, which he cannot pay, signs notes for the amount, to be paid by 4 o'clock the following day, promising to forfeit his estate if he cannot meet his obligation. Old Uncle Joe, knowing Harry's inability to pay, sells himself and his family into slavery, and turns the amount of purchase money over to his young massa, to meet his obligation. Harry eventually goes west, earns a fortune in the gold fields, and comes back to rescue his faithful servants from a cruel master and the drudgery of the cotton fields.