When the Captain of the Chusan orders his passengers to abandon ship in a hurricane, Carey Cranford is marooned with the remaining crew on a Pacific island. Their small number learns to survive on the tropical island, attempts to 'tame' the cannibal indigenes, and discovers a horde of pearls. Carey makes a loyal friend in Jackum, who keeps the 'savages' at bay during the eventual rescue of the stranded men. Jackum is named 'King of Pearl Island' and urged to remain on the island to collect pearls and await Carey's return as a trader.
