A retired boatswain hires an ex-soldier to rob a widow's inn.

A small boy [Billy] looking for a way of avoiding the workhouse looks for a father. Rl. 1 Captain Hunt of the ketch `Nancy Bell’ sends his crew off for a drink before they sail. They take along Sam who has been reading his copy of `The War Cry’ and is a member of the Salvation Army Band. Nosey Jones has died and left his son, Billy, and his dog Matey destitute. Matey runs up to Sam and Billy decides that Sam, as a father, would keep him out of the workhouse. He rushes up to Sam and calls him father (808).

A couple dreams that a magic paw returns their dead son.