In the golden age of the Mississippi, the river was a path that led to freedom, opportunity, and danger. Captain William Hamilton's Tempest Queen was his life, and he would let no one take that from him. On board were the beautiful Miss Cora Mills, the kind of lady men fought over; Lt. Sherman Dempsey, delivering gold to Fort Leavenworth; and "Reverend" Saunders - a scheming river pirate.