City administrator Colton entrusts Yancy with an army payroll that is to be taken to Natchez on Yancy's riverboat, the Sultana, but robbers have other plans.

Shop owners receive threats of violence if they refuse to sell their property to three strangers.

With the city of New Orleans plagued by counterfeit money, General Hugh Morgan arrives in New Orleans with orders promoting John Colton to a post in Washington and giving Morgan command of the city.