It's 1880 in Natal, South Africa. Brit Arthur Manning and Dutch Katie Snee are hiding the fact of their relationship from her father, who would disapprove because of the Transvaal War where the Dutch and British are battling over British colonization of the area, especially as Arthur's father is an officer fighting in the war. As Arthur travels ahead to their neighboring farm, he leaves his adolescent sister, Betsy, with the Snees for a few days. During that time, the Snees and Betsy learn that Betsy's father was killed in battle moving toward them. Because of the impending fighting in their area, the Snees and Betsy, along with other Dutch settlers, pack up and move toward safer territory. When the British, including Arthur, catch up with the traveling Dutchmen, Katie and Betsy get caught in the middle of the larger war happening around them, not only between the British and the Dutch, but both against the marauding Zulus.