A butterfly collector unwittingly wanders into an Indian encampment while chasing a butterfly, but the tribe has resolved to kill the first white man who enters their encampment because white oil tycoons are trying to force them from their land.
After waking from the dream of a theater peopled entirely by numerous Buster Keatons, a lowly stage hand causes havoc everywhere he works.
In an attempt to forget his lost sweetheart, Buster takes a long trip at the sea when he's caught by pirates.
A series of adventures begins when Buster is mistaken for Dead Shot Dan, the evil bad guy.