Ethel Jordan is the only daughter of the keeper of the White Island Lighthouse. She has two lovers, Harry Myers, the lobster king, and Charles Arthur, another well-to-do young fisherman. Ethel herself is a water-nymph and a good swimmer. One summer afternoon, while enjoying a dip in the ocean, near her home, Ethel sees signals of distress displayed from a motor-boat a short distance away. She immediately summons her lover, Harry, and both start for the rescue of the motor-boat. The parties in distress prove to be Dr. Richard Morris, an expert city physician, and his young wife. They have run their motor-boat upon a submerged rock and are in imminent danger of sinking. Upon being rescued by Harry and Ethel, the doctor and his wife are profuse in their thanks. The debt of gratitude is not destined to remain long unpaid, for Harry soon after falls ill with diphtheria. Antitoxin and the services of an expert are advised. Charles Arthur, Harry’s rival, learns of the situation, and seeing a chance to put a hated rival out of the way, bottles up the inhabitants of the island by disabling their boats. Driven to desperation by the dire distress of her lover, Ethel dons her simple bathing suit and attempts the extremely dangerous swim to the mainland. After a long struggle against wind and waves the girl gains the shore and gets Dr. Morris on the telephone. The doctor is rushed to her aid in a fast automobile. Charles Arthur is again encountered, and is punished for his cowardly act by being forced against his will to aid in saving his rival’s life by carrying Ethel and the doctor back to the island at the point of a pistol. The race against death is successful. Dr. Morris’ skill enables him to save Harry’s, life and to reunite the lovers with stronger bonds than ever.