Gertrude lives with her uncle, who is rough, uncouth, and treats her unkindly. Jim, a river pirate and thief, comes with his boat. He is taken with Gertrude, and she is so unhappy with her uncle that she is glad of his attention. He proposes that she elope with him, which she does, and they sail away in Jim's boat. In the morning Gertrude implores Jim to take her ashore to a minister, that they may be married, but Jim refuses. He sails away from the town at which they anchored. While Jim and his crew are drunk, Gertrude escapes in a small boat. She endures great hardships, but finally reaches the shore. She is found at dawn by some fishermen, but has suffered a lapse of memory, and can tell nothing of her past life. A minister, who is called to the scene, takes Gertrude home to his mother. Gertrude helps the minister in his work among the fisher folk, and in time they are married. One day Jim's boat puts in at the village. A subscription has been taken up to build a new church. The minister takes the money home with him. One of Jim's men sees this and tells him. That night Jim goes to rob the minister. He is discovered by Gertrude, who, in shock of recognition, recovers her memory. The minister awakens, and sees Gertrude with Jim. Gertrude follows Jim to the shore, in the hope of recovering the money. The minister is overcome, but recovers and follows. Gertrude appeals to Jim, but he laughs at her. The accomplice demands his share of the money. Jim refuses, is knocked into the water and drowns. The accomplice runs away, and the minister and Gertrude are left alone with Jim's body. Gertrude confesses to the minister, who takes her in his arms.
