Montgomery Velvet, a notorious dueler, arrives at the fort intent on dueling Jonathan Banner. He provokes him in front of Pierre Falcon, the factor Balfour, and his daughter Joanna. His attempts elicit no reaction from Banner. Velvet calls Joanna to his quarters, and tells her he will spare Banner only if she agrees to go to Montreal with him. When Banner hears of Joanna's plans, he finally agrees to the duel. They duel at dawn, and Velvet shoots Banner in the shoulder, but Banner shoots Velvet fatally.
—Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research