Catharine "Cat" Carnahan grew up on the Erie Canal, working side by sidewith her father on their boat, towing freight from Albany to Buffalo. Gutsyand independent, she holds her own with the roughnecks who work the canal,including the brutal, lascivious Simon Maphis. She has yet to discover herown passionate nature --- until she and her father rescue a mysteriousstranger who has been beaten by thugs. His head woulds have left him with nomemory of his past, but his gold pocket watch identifies him as Morgan Kane.Obviously a gentleman, he gratefully accepts Cat's offer to recuperateaboard the boat, doing odd jobs for his keep. It is Morgan's presence thatfinally awakens Cat to her own womanhood. And it is Morgan who fulfills herpassion one languid evening on the canal.But Cat's new-found love turns to revulsion when Morgan becomes involvedwith the lottery company that has ruined the lives of so many canal men,taking their hard-earned cash in exchange for false promises of instantwealth. What she does not know is that Morgan's memory has returned --- andthat he is on a dangerous mission to expose the corruption of the lottery byworking from the inside.Rejecting Morgan, Cat tries to forget him in the arms of an idealistic youngdoctor who serves the canal families. But when Simon Maphis, infuriated byCat's many rejections, tries to kill her and her father --- and succeeds indestroying their boat --- Morgan returns, determined to claim her, tame herand marry her. Investing in a new boat, he persuades Cat to try for the mostcoveted cargo on the canal --- the U.S. Mail. But Simon Maphis has not yetfinished with his evil schemes.