Luigi, a traveling-show strongman, saves Carmelita from drowning and persuades her to join him. When Luigi kills his assistant, Giuseppe, in a jealous rage, they flee to Algiers, where Luigi joins the Foreign Legion and installs Carmelita as proprietress of a cafe. Marvin, an American legionnaire, falls in love with Carmelita, who has become a favorite of the regiment, but she remains loyal to Luigi out of gratitude. Luigi frames Marvin, who is punished by the authorities. In the ensuing fight between Marvin and Luigi, the strongman is getting the better of the American when Carmelita, who has learned of Luigi's intent to marry Madame La Cantinière, stabs her benefactor. The legionnaires decide to attribute Luigi's death to an Arab; Marvin and Carmelita are united.