Jimmie Endicott, a young man of well-to-do parents, worries his father and mother with his nightly debauches. One night at the club, while intoxicated, he strikes a waiter with his cane, and thinking he has killed him, he decides to leave town. His wanderings through the city take him to the lower part of the shipping district. Every policeman he sees he thinks is following him. As a last resort he climbs aboard a schooner as it is about to sail. Feeling secure on board the apparently deserted ship, he falls asleep under some canvas. On awakening in the morning he finds that the ship is far out at sea. He is brutally treated by the mate, whose actions are resented by Jib, the captain's daughter. Later he picks up a paper telling about the waiter's recovery. Finding that he is not guilty of murder, he decides to return. He is laughed at by all of the men and the brutal sailors. He even offers to buy the ship if they will return. The crew laugh at him all the more when he finds he has no money. The only one who believes his story is little Jib. Remembering his temper, Jim permits the sailors to treat him brutally, which gives him the name of "Chicken-Hearted Jim." Jim resents this treatment, finding him a gentleman and quite different from the rough sailors. A few days later the sailors plan to steal the ship and go to an island where one of the men knows where a treasure is hidden. Jim wakes up one morning to find the captain and his daughter lashed to the mast. Jim, single-handed, gets the best of the crew and releases the captain and daughter. Jim's kindness is rewarded by a happy marriage and a happy return home.