Plot

The story itself deals with the primitive instinct of mankind; to desire was to take at strength of arms, and thus one of the chiefs chose for his own a maiden fair who was loved in turn by a young brave, and whose admiration she returned. But like unto the dark ages, whenever a man desired a maid he took her with or without her leave. Thus far did the chief go, but her lover decides to match his strength of arms for so fair a bride, and they fight upon the cliff's edge. But here the maid takes up the bow of fate and sends an arrow into the heart of her captor. Thus the two forest lovers are united, but a life for a life is the law of their race and the lover is brought to the council chamber and tried before his kinsmen. To shield the woman he loves he remains silent. He is tortured at the council fire, but still he will not speak until his groans of agony and despair reach the ears of the maiden, who, braving all the members of her race, confesses and is condemned to take the awful plunge over the falls into the black pool at dawn. The man and maid are permitted to watch the coming of the day together. Then they are parted and she goes forth to meet her death alone. Placed in a canoe, and covered with pine boughs, she is lashed in and slowly left to drift onward to her fate. An awe-inspiring moment, and the frail bark plunges downward into the dark depths below.—Moving Picture World synopsis