Tom and Tod Pembroke are the twin sons of Jefferson Pembroke, a Virginia Bishop, and are divinity-school students. Tom is serious and Tod carefree and adventurous, and both are in love with Ruth Featherstone. Tod is expelled from the school and, seeing that Ruth loves Tom, he sets sail for China. Five years later, Tom, a missionary, and his bride Ruth are on the way to establish a mission at Paroa, in the Java Sea. En route, Tom catches island-fever, and their vessel is captured by a pirate calling himself Captain Blaze Devine. The latter is really Tod Pembroke, but his heavy beard makes him unrecognizable, but he recognizes his brother and Ruth. Devine learns of his brothers mission, shaves his beard and sails for Paroa, and poses as his ill-brother. “Bully” Rawden, the island trader opposes the building of a mission, but Tod whips him in a fight, and holds services that night. Marietta, Rawden’s daughter, falls in love with him, but Tod, unable to reveals his true identity, has to conceal his feelings for her.