Joe Layton and Jim Coburn are hard working fishermen in the little village of Rayton, where pretty little Emily Dobson is the belle. Joe and Jim are pals until love for Emily enters the heart of each. One day their fishing smack is overturned in a storm and both seek refuge in a desert island, where they build and share a rude hut. For days no sail is sighted. For days the thoughts of each wanders to the little girl at home who realizes that she loves Joe Layton the better of the two. Her heart yearns for a sight of her sweetheart, but two weeks pass and no sign of either of her friends. One day Jim is wandering along the shore of the island when he sights a vessel. The temptation comes to him to board the ship and leave Joe behind, thus returning to his home and marrying Emily. The fishermen see Jim waving to them, put off a boat to the island and rescue him. Just as they are passing, Joe rushes to the beach, but too late. He realizes his friend has betrayed him and slowly wends his way back to his lonely hut. Jim woos Emily and is accepted. In the joy of the moment he takes more from the “flowing bowl” than is wise, and falls from his boat into the water. His body is washed ashore on the very island where they were marooned. Joe, walking along the shore, finds his enemy and the boat. The sea has avenged him. He takes the boat and returns to his home, but when Emily sees him, she thinks he is a ghost and runs away, but is soon reassured and happiness is king.