Ruth Waterman a bright, spirited, fourteen-year-old who summers on her family's island in Maine is often neglected by her wealthy globetrotting parents. Further up the coast, a frightened ten-year-old Hawkins has run away to escape the beatings of his drunken lobsterman father. Accidently finding his way to Waterman's Island the youth makes his home aboard a wrecked fishing boat. When Ruth discovers Hawkins trespassing on her property she tries to bully him away with little success. Though opponents at first, the two develop a lasting friendship during a challenge that Ruth offers the homeless Hawkins. If he succeeds the boy may claim the decaying boat for his own. If he loses-