Robert Carr, the grandson of a Confederate soldier, was raised to honor his Southern heritage, and to regard the U.S. government as an adversary. Maryland Warren, Robert's fiancée, chides him for cowardice when a tear in his pants prevents him from rescuing her from a runaway horse, allowing a rival suitor to come to her aid. After war is declared against Germany, and Robert refuses to honor the American flag, Maryland accuses him of disloyalty and breaks their engagement. Later, Robert is beaten unconscious by hobos and placed on a freight train bound for Arizona. He arrives to learn that Maryland, who is there on vacation, has been taken hostage by Mexican bandits across the border. He fights the Mexicans for insulting the American flag and attempts to escape with Maryland. As the bandits surround Maryland and Robert, a posse of cowboys comes to the rescue. The lovers are reunited and return to their native Virginia.—AFI