This story centers on five "Yellownecks", deserters of the Confederate Army, who plan to escape to Cuba via the Florida Everglades. While traveling through the treacherous swamp, the men are faced with danger from alligators, snakes, insects and angry Seminoles. Hoping to reach the coast and a waiting boat to take them to freedom, the men race against time and battle their obstacles and each other in order to make it to safety.