On a plantation in the 1850's, Billy, a malnourished and over worked slave is barely clinging to life. His longtime friend, Eli, knows Billy's days are numbered if Mr. Pedens, the sadastic plantation owner, doesn't stop the abuse. Fed up with being used as a sexual pawn by Mr. Pedens' wife, Gloria, Eli knows that he and Billy's only chance to live, is escape. A break for the river must be made.