Captain Harding, grown rich by illegally collecting insurance on self-destroyed boats, decides to settle down and chooses a home near where Old Ben and his daughter, Alice, fisherfolk, live. Alice and Herbert, a young fisherman, are in love. Captain Harding has long had his covetous eyes on the girl and is awaiting an opportunity to get her in his power. Herbert is in his way, so one day while Anderson, his mate, and sharer of ill-gotten gains, is telling about the ship being short-handed, he sees a chance to be rid of Herbert. Herbert is shanghaied and forced to work on the ship. There is much liquor aboard and the sailors indulge too freely and neglect the boat, which goes on the rocks. Herbert is cast upon the shore of the uninhabited island in an exhausted condition. Anderson escapes in an open boat, and is later picked up by a passing steamer. Months pass and Herbert ekes out a lonely living on the island. One day while washing in the waters of a creek he finds the sand full of gold. Old Ben has begun to feel the ravages of time, and is in a precarious condition. Harding has tried every way possible to win the girl from him, but without avail. When her father falls ill he sees his chance, and when the doctor tells them the only thing that will save Old Ben is a costly operation, Harding agrees to pay for it. Anderson returns at this time and tells of the wreck of the ship and death of all aboard. Harding is forced to pretend he is glad to see Anderson, but wishes he had perished, too. The natives of the South Sea Islands arrive at the island where Herbert lives (which contains the sacrificial stone of their religion), to make their annual sacrifice to the God of the Sun Island. They bring Aloona, a native girl, along as the sacrifice. She is tied to a rock and left, but Herbert sees her and comes to the rescue. With a companion, life on the island is not so bad, and Herbert takes out a large fortune in gold and keeps a constant lookout for passing ships. At last his signal is seen and a boat arrives to the rescue. He takes Aloona and the gold with him. Anderson continually bleeds Harding for money and at last the latter's patience is exhausted. Words follow and Anderson is beaten off. Harding comes to Alice and takes her in his arms, telling her she must marry him. Alice is stunned but recognizes her duty to her father and willingly agrees. Harding, returning along the cliffs, is set upon by Anderson and in the ensuing fight both men fall over the cliff to their death in the water below. Herbert and Aloona arrive at Alice's home and she is told of his experiences. Aloona is gladly welcomed but sadly wanders away while they are engaged in lover's talk. Her heart reverts to her childhood gods. Securing a canoe, she sets out and the last seen of her is a silhouette far out on the ocean.