In early-1800s New Orleans, a ball is being given to honor General Andrew Jackson. Among the attendees is a certain Captain Sazarac, who is actually the notorious buccaneer Jean Lafitte. His real identity is exposed and Gen. Jackson gives him until dawn to leave the city. However, Lafitte is soon involved in a plot, hatched by the uncle of the woman he loves, to rescue Napoleon from the island of St. Helena.