A young American is accidentally left behind in a hostile port city during a period of armed unrest and must protect money entrusted to him while seeking a way to safety. Confronted by jeering crowds and the recent wreck of a warship, he displays quiet defiance and resourcefulness, then becomes entangled with local insurgents when immediate escape proves impossible. The narrative follows his dangerous movements among irregular forces, his tests of loyalty and courage, and the everyday hazards of life amid military and civil disorder.