Neil and Sims decide to start a transport company with undesired results. In partnership with Sims, Neil builds a raft to transport goods in response to price hikes. While on the trip they almost lose their cargo and arrive late and find their niche is already filled.

Sims sets up a fencing competition but it's James who shines. Sims invites an elderly fencing champion for an exposition and offers to teach John to fence, but James refuses to let him. James changes his mind after learning the dilemma of a local bully...but he offers to teach John, since he is a proficient fencer himself. At the exposition, Sims' elderly competitor tires and James takes on Sims and wins to the surprise of all.

An eccentric intellectual visits with an increasingly depressed James.