Early in the 19th century, a young American is sent, with a seaman bodyguard, to Tripilo to buy the freedom of American sailors held as hostages by the Pasha. The ransom gold is stolen from him by Francesca, who is in love with the Pasha's brother, who has plans to lead a revolt against the Pasha. The latter, however, learns of the plot and has Francesca jailed, She is rescued by the young American and the seaman. Then she learns that the Pasha's brother, her sweetheart she thought, plans to sell her and the Americans to a neighboring chieftain in return for aid to the revolt.