Nina is an attendant in the household of Madame Casimir. Her son has been in the States for the past few years, supposedly attending college. One day the mother receives a letter from young Casimir, pleading for more money. The mother decides to borrow the money from Luridi, a notorious slave-dealer and free-trader. The mother tells Nina to go to the village and bring Luridi to the house. Nina knows Luridi’s character. She pouts because she is sent on this errand and is about to refuse, when she sees the photograph of young Casimir, which she picks up and hides in her bosom. As she leaves the house she is joined by Caribi, who has long been an ardent admirer of Nina. She shows him the picture of young Casimir, which causes pangs of jealousy in Caribi’s breast. He accompanies the girl to the village. Luridi is found in his slave pen, and Nina delivers the message. One of the traders attacks Nina, and Caribi interferes. He is taken prisoner but on Luridi’s command he is released. Luridi hurries to the Casimir plantations, and is shown the letter from young Casimir. Luridi makes an offer to advance the money in return for Nina. The mother refuses this request, stating that Nina is freeborn and cannot be sold. Nina has fallen in love with the photograph of Casimir. Caribi, fearing he will lose the regard of Nina, does everything possible to win her over. Young Casimir returns after a riotous living in the States. He is constantly demanding money from his mother and she finally tells him that he is driving them to poverty. Luridi cultivates the acquaintance of young Casimir, who is easily persuaded to indulge in gaming and drinking. One night, while partly under the influence of liquor, he loses heavily and signs an enormous check against the Casimir fortune, which he also loses. Luridi holds the note, and next day upon visiting the bank, finds that the Casimir family has no such sum as is represented by the check. Luridi threatens to have the young man thrown into jail unless he makes the cheek good. Nina hears the argument, and her adoration for the young man prompts her to offer herself to Luridi as a slave, provided that he will deliver the check to the Casimirs. The mother remonstrates weakly, but her objections are overcome, and Luridi leaves with Nina in charge. Caribi learns of the girl’s sacrifice and sets out to follow Luridi. Nina is thrown into the slave pen with the other slaves and peons, and soon becomes the center of attraction. Luridi furnishes her with ornaments, and has some new gowns for her. Several of the traders try to purchase the girl, but Luridi refuses to sell. He tries to force his attentions upon her, and Caribi, who is watching outside, slips into the stockade and knocks Luridi down. The guard grabs him and he is taken to the lock-up. Luridi decides to break the spirit of Nina and, when they set out for the Casimir plantation, he has her tied to the back of the cart. Nina passes Casimir but he does not notice her, and she realizes the futility of her sacrifice. A short distance out Luridi dismounts and gives the girl a severe beating. Weak from the ordeal Nina can hardly walk, and the cart drags her. Luridi laughs at her predicament, believing it the only way to break her spirit. Caribi escapes and starts out in pursuit. He soon overtakes the slower cart and finds Nina lying on the ground weeping. He frees her from her bonds and the two escape. Luridi and his attendants set out to beat the woods. Caribi hides behind a bush and, as Luridi comes out, attacks him. Luridi is thrown into a quicksand and is almost engulfed. Nina sees his predicament and pleads with Caribi to rescue him. Caribi refuses at first, but finally rescues Luridi. Luridi begs for mercy and Caribi, ordering him to be gone, leaves with the girl to build their home in the woods.