Alitha is aboard her father's ship, heading to the Sandwich Islands where she plans to marry Thomas, a minister. After surviving the wreck of her father's ship, Alitha is cast adrift on a uninhabited island off the Pacific coast. Rescued eventually, first by Indians and then Esteban, a Californio (which is what the Spanish settlers were called). Believing herself in love with him, she travels with him to Mexico.

Meanwhile Jordan's ship is captured by pirates and, since his bride-to-be, Esteban's sister, is aboard, he loses both bride (she kills herself) and ship. He's cast adrift in Mexico. Thomas, hearing of the wreck of the Flying Yankee, also winds up in Mexico, searching for Alitha. The pirates are refurbishing their two ships in Mexico--like the other characters, in the Baja peninsula. Will Alitha be captured by the pirates? And, in the end, which man will she choose to marry?