Cap’m John Bell has ascended to the highest echelons of New Orleans society through his dredging company. However, he has decided to return to regular life by running a carnival company and playing golf. He has become quite skilled in this latter activity. Still, he tells his nephew (who idolizes him dearly) not to play golf because it leads men on a circular path. On the day Cap’m John had promised to let his nephew ride one of his new boats, Cap’m John cancels because his caddy, Frohman, has been shot. His nephew is reminded of Snag’s death the summer before.

Snag, like Frohman, was one of Cap’m John’s African American servants. He swam in a local river after caddying for Cap’m John’s first gold tournament. Tragically, he was killed in a boating accident. Now, the day before another one of Cap’m John’s tournaments, his new caddy is dying. Cap’m John and his nephew visit Frohman in a charity hospital. When the doctor explains Frohman’s condition to them with a nonchalant flower metaphor, Cap’m John orders him to be replaced. Though still enthusiastically speaking to Cap’m John about the tournament, Frohman passes away before help can arrive. Cap’m John’s nephew watches the light leave his eyes and cries. His uncle tells him this is death.

The next day, Cap’n John has another one of his servants, Hopper Bell, serve as his caddy. Sensing superstition arising from the previous deaths, Cap’m John’s nephew wants to plead with his uncle not to finish the tournament but doesn’t. Still, he attends out of respect for Frohman and hopes that being close to his uncle will bridge the silent gap between them caused by the man’s death. Before the tournament begins, the other servants discuss the previous caddies’ deaths, sure that Hopper Bell will meet the same fate. When Cap’m John deals the final, victory-sealing blow on the course that day, Hopper Bell is devastated but puts up a congratulatory façade. Cap’m John’s nephew runs into his uncle’s arms, crying and explaining how he fears for the caddy’s life. Cap’m John says he’s glad his nephew told him of his woes and that he cares more for his caddy than golf. They try to find Hopper Bell and comfort him.

The day after the tournament, Cap’m John holds Frohman’s funeral. The ceremony is conducted with extravagance and fanfare. Then, Cap’m John takes his nephew on the boat they had planned to sail. His nephew realizes that Cap’m John’s only regret is his tournament victory. Cap’m John tells him experience is painful but leads to growth, and that night as the two part ways, his nephew thanks him. Later, Hopper Bell dies.