Ellis, an intrepid young lieutenant, is located at the frontier post, Fort Bryson. He pays ardent court to General Fosters daughter, Gertrude, and is a prime favorite with his comrades. At a military ball Ellis steps out for a stroll and finds Lieutenant Allen annoying Mountain Dew, an Indian girl, who has been attracted by the music, and who has found innocent entertainment in watching the dances at the window. Ellis roundly denounces the thoughtless officer and his intercession in Mountain Dews behalf wins the girls gratitude. Some time later Mountain Dews father, Chief Swift Bear, comes to the post with a band of his tribesmen and openly defies the authority of General Foster. The Chief cites imaginary grievances and declares that his people on the reservation will no longer submit to the white mans rule. General Foster attempts to pacify the Indians and bids them return in peace. The crafty Chief, waiting for an opportunity to incite an outbreak, sends two vicious braves to the cabin of John Simmons, a settler, to make a demand for food. Knowing that the Indians are well provided for, Simmons refuses and orders the two away. The braves bring their message to the camp and Swift Bear, flying into a passion, gathers the tribe and declares war. All determine to wreak vengeance on the settler. That night John Simmons sends his son, Bob, to the spring, and during the boys absence the Indians sweep down upon the cabin. Simmons and his wife barricade themselves against the fusillade of bullets and arrows and bravely defend their lives until the marauding savages bum down the cabin. Bob, in terror, watches the attack from the distance and is powerless to protect his parents. When the howling tribe proceeds on its way, bent on further depredations, Bob reaches his home and finds it a mass of burning embers. Overcome with grief he goes in search of his horse, which has broken away. The faithful animal responds to Bobs call and the young settler sets forth to warn Fort Bryson. At daybreak he reaches the post and tells his pitiful story. General Foster gives a sharp command. The bugle is sounded and the troops dash away to quell the outbreak. Scouts, who have kept a keen surveillance on Fort Bryson, hasten to inform Swift Bear, who ceases his spoliations and forms an ambuscade in the pathway of the approaching soldiers. Besieged on all sides, the troops are almost annihilated and the survivors flee in panic to the post. Foster returns to Fort Bryson, realizing that his forces are insufficient to cope with the Indians, and endeavors to communicate with the next post by telegraph. Suspecting the Generals purpose, Swift Bear orders the wires cut and feeling assured it will be impossible for Fort Bryson to withstand an attack, he gathers his tribesmen at the camp. Finding the fort imperiled, General Foster calls for a volunteer to discover the enemys numbers and secure aid. Lieutenant Ellis responds and starts on his hazardous journey. As he comes in sight of the Indian camp, Ellis meets and overpowers an Indian, whose blanket he takes. Masquerading as the brave, the young officer approaches to observe the Indians movements and is discovered by Mountain Dew, the girl whom he has befriended. She bids him flee, but Ellis has no intention of doing so, and while he watches Swift Bear marshalling his forces, he is detected. With a quick movement Ellis places his revolver at the girls temple and declares that he will fire at the first suspicious action. Still covering Mountain Dew, the lieutenant jumps on his horse and speeds away. Swift Bear is beside himself with rage and leads the tribe in an assault on Fort Bryson. General Foster is not unprepared, but his weakened forces have little hope of resisting the Indians. Meanwhile Ellis dashes madly down the valley and reaches Fort Craig. The commanding officer responds to the call for reinforcements and Ellis, with a fresh horse, leads the troops to Fort Bryson. The Indians break through the stockade and a terrific hand to hand battle is being waged when Ellis with the command from Fort Craig surrounds Fort Bryson and saves the day. -- Moving Picture World synopsis