- Tom Black, an adventure loving American, sails on an expedition to the South Seas. A typhoon strikes the ship and she is driven many miles out of her course. Finally the vessel strikes a hidden reef and is dashed to pieces by the fury of the waves. The entire crew is lost with the exception of young Black, who seizes a broken spar and clings to it throughout the night, landing next day on an apparently desolate island where he finds on the shore among the wreckage a sailor's chest and a keg of brandy. Now it happens that the island upon which young Black has been cast is inhabited by the old Spanish recluse and his only daughter, and a few natives who are devoted to old Castro, "the white-bearded chief," as they call him. The daughter, Beatrice, is equally beloved and has been promised in marriage to Chino, a native chief of half Castilian blood. So powerful is the influence of Castro over the islanders, that he has been made dictator of the little province, over which the nation's flag is seen. "No Man's Land'' is the name given it on the chart, and by that title it is known. Some days after the wreck old Castro, his daughter and two burly slaves, his bodyguard, are walking along the beach, when they are startled by the appearance of a stranger, who is making his way over the rocks ahead of them. The old man commands Beatrice to return to the bungalow, while he proposes to investigate the reason for the stranger's intrusion on their little island. Tom soon makes Castro understand how he happened to be on his domains. Bidding the aged man follow him, he leads him into his cave and shows him the rough abode in which he has obtained shelter. Offering the old man a sip of brandy from the cask, he is delighted to see with what evident relish he partakes of it. "Come now to my home, stranger, and bring your cask of cheer," cries the old recluse. "You are welcome to make your home with me and mine." Bidding one of the slaves fetch the cask, the party sets out for Castro's bungalow, which is situated some distance back from the beach. Beatrice is just telling her devoted maids of the presence on the island of a handsome stranger, when the object of their conversation comes into view arm in arm with old Castro. Tom is astonished by the apparition that greets his eyes as he approaches the abode of his new friend. A maiden of surprising loveliness he thinks, as, taking the hand of Beatrice, he presses it to his lips in admiration. Bidding him feel at home, the old man orders a feast to be prepared. Just then Chino, the native suitor of Beatrice, hearing of the stranger's presence, hastens to investigate. Finding him seated near his inamorata, the jealous suitor shows his annoyance by refusing the proffered hand of the stranger. Calling Castro aside, he voices his uneasiness, but is laughed down by the guileless old recluse, who, cheered by the influence of the liquor, can see no harm in the presence of the genial stranger. Chino departs in anger, and for several days absents himself from Castro's house. In the meantime Beatrice has begun to feel an interest in the stranger that strongly approaches love. Being shut away from the world and seeing only the swarthy faces of the natives about her, it is little wonder that one of her own color should awaken a deeper feeling within her breast than mere friendship. At last Tom tells his love to Beatrice and receives the confession of the maiden's heart. For a while the two young people are extremely happy, but a shadow crosses their path in the shape of the jealous Chino, who, seeing the lovers together, convinces Castro of his daughter's love for the castaway. Bound in honor to keep his word to Chino, the old man's anger is aroused at the discovery, and the young American is forbidden to cross his threshold again or hold further communication with his daughter. Tom returns sadly to his cavern home, while Beatrice is dragged back to her father's house, there to remain in seclusion until her marriage with Chino. But the plucky young lady is not so easily subdued. Watching her opportunity, she makes her escape and hurries away to seek her sweetheart. Her absence is soon discovered by the irate father, who, summoning his slaves and sending for Chino, soon takes up the chase after his runaway child. Beatrice has no sooner reached her lover's retreat than she hears the approaching pursuers. Bidding her fear not, Tom seizes a heavy cudgel and the two lovers hurry away just as the father and his party arrive. Chino sees the flying couple and dashes after them, overtaking them as they are going through a crevice in the rocks. He attempts to cut the American down with his sword, but the young athlete is too quick for him, and bringing his club down on the descending blade, diverts it from its course. With a yell of rage Chino seizes a spear from one of the slaves and hurls it after Tom, striking him on the leg and bringing him to the ground. Beatrice sees the sad plight of her sweetheart and bravely attempts to defend him with the spear, but is quickly dragged away. Chino is for finishing his enemy then and there, but old Castro bethinks of a fitter punishment, and stays the chieftain's hand. Bidding the slaves carry the wounded American, they ascend to the top of the highest cliff overlooking the sea, and binding their helpless victim, they lower him over the precipice, there to dangle in mid-air as a warning to all who dare to cross the old recluse or disobey his wishes. Young Black is in a bad way, and only a miracle saves him. A passing gunboat cruising in the Southern waters discerns the castaway's signal of distress flying from the mouth of the cave, and sends a boat ashore to investigate. Beatrice sees this boat, and breaking loose from her tormentors dashes towards the sailors, who are just coming through the surf. Screaming out her plea for help, she makes them understand her lover's peril, and no time is lost in reaching the dizzy heights and dragging the half-dead man back to life. Tom is quickly revived, and. accompanied by his fair one, the rescuers conduct them to the boat and the lovers climb aboard. Old Castro rages and storms. The boat is pushing off. He rushes out into the surf to hurl one last curse at his daughter, when two burly tars seize the astonished old fellow and bundle him into the boat. It is thus old Castro against his will accompanies the two young people back to America, where he finally forgives them and consents to their marriage. His declining years by the fireside of the man he had so bitterly hated, but now sees is a noble man, a gentleman and one who bears no malice.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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