American of low social class Billy Byrne was born in the slums of Chicago. He disregards individuals who earn a living by choosing a life of thievery and violence. After being wrongfully charged with murder, he runs away to San Francisco and is kidnapped by pirates on a ship. The ship's covert mission to kidnap a yacht and hold a millionaire's daughter's ransom is shortly carried out. Billy Byrne's Barbara is kidnapped by headhunters descended from medieval Japanese. He saves the life of one kidnapper, Theriere, rather than let him be washed overboard. After a terrible storm, the ship is damaged and only makes it to land with Billy's help at the wheel. Barbara, played by Billy Byrne, is taken hostage by headhunter descendants of medieval Japanese. Instead of letting one kidnapper, Theriere, drown, he manages to save his life. The ship is wrecked after a tremendous storm, and Billy's assistance at the helm is the only reason it makes it to shore. Billy keeps Barbara safe from the jungle as his injuries mend. When Billy realizes he can never fit in with Mallory, he breaks off his engagement with her. When she hears about Billy's struggle on the news, Barbara sends for him. He explains that she and Mallory must be married since the gap between them cannot be filled.