Synopsis: Huckster showman Jim Fisk and his faithful partner, Nick Boyd, become wealthy smuggling cotton during the Civil War, but when they lose their money, the pair move to New York City and establish themselves as stock speculators. As Fisk and Boyd spar over comely actress Josie, Fisk engineers a foolhardy scheme against Cornelius Vanderbilt to corner the gold market, unmindful of the risks to his investors if his plan should fail.