It's 1898, in British East Africa. Reuben Cole finds himself torn between battling to save his son from the evil slave markets of Mombassa and foiling the murderous plans of the Ugandan king, Mwanga. Added to this mix of torment and intrigue are the exceptional rains and volcanic disturbances beneath Lake Naivasha, plus the threat to the railway camp at Nairobi by 10,000 armed Masai tribesmen. Left to defend the camp and its inhabitants, Major Kingsley Webb faces defeat as the 250 soldiers under his command are severely outnumbered. The conflict also touches the life of the lovely Hannah Bowers, as events pitch Reuben and Kingsley into a struggle for survival and for Hannah's love.