Danny Terry, a wild-animal expert for a scientific magazine, goes to the Mariposa Islands and pretends to be a white savage to put over a hoax on a rival magazine's expedition, guided by Professor Atwater. In New York, he is placed on exhibition at a "jungle ball" given by Mrs. Atwater to celebrate the betrothal of her daughter to Howard Kipp. Terry's editor tries to expose the hoax, but Terry has fallen in love with Ysabel and refuses to disgrace her father; meanwhile, Ysabel breaks her engagement upon finding her fiancé with another girl. Though she knows Terry is a fake, she goes away with him, and they declare their mutual love. Terry convinces his pursuers that the "savage" has escaped, and as himself he finds happiness with Ysabel.