Richard Mann, a young English engineer, has been commissioned to make a preliminary survey for a new railroad in South Africa. At a farewell luncheon at his club, the charm of the ultra-fashionable young ladies of the metropolis is the topic of discussion. The subject does not interest young Mann, who assures his friends that his work will always be his bride. In the Transvaal, the Boer population is resentful towards all modern improvements and particularly against the proposed encroachment of their lands for railroad purposes. Jan Kruger, a prosperous farmer and leader among his neighbors, was particularly bitter against any and all changes in the general conditions of their country. His daughter, Hilda, a sweet and lovable young miss, quite naturally was a partisan to her father’s views. These were the conditions that Richard was obliged to contend with upon his arrival at the field of his activities, in addition to the hardships of his work and the dangers of the wild beast-infested jungle through which he was to blaze the way. Hontas, a half-breed, was foreman for Kruger, and had long cherished a wild desire to win Hilda’s love. While the old Burgher was away from home one day, Hontas, after being repulsed by the girl, attempts to use force, for which he receives a beating from her father, and is summarily discharged. Kruger is a man of violent temper and given to beating any lazy blacks who worked for him and has thus earned their hatred, which fact the discharged foreman uses for his purpose later on. The surveying party pitch their camp near Kruger’s land and in the course of events, Richard calls upon Kruger with his credentials, but is ordered away at the point of a rifle. Hilda joins her father in berating the intruders. A few days later Richard rescues Hilda from the violence of the half-breed and wins her gratitude and also the knowledge that she is a most adorable young lady, and proceeds to mentally compare her with the fashion plates of his country. The appearance of the surveying party causes the Burghers to hold a meeting at the trading post, and Richard plans to attend this meeting to plead his cause. Hontas learns of the proposed all night absence of Hilda’s father and plans to seize this opportunity to carry her off, enlisting the help of several of Kruger’s resentful blacks to accomplish his purpose. Richard proceeds alone upon his mission, but is beset by lions in the dense jungle and forced to return to camp and in doing so is obliged to pass through Kruger’s land. Hilda hears the approach of the vengeful half-breed and his followers and makes a brave resistance, but outnumbered, she is surprised from behind by one of the crafty blacks. Richard arrives upon the scene in time to save the girl from her captors, whom he puts to flight. The cowardly half-breed, knowing that quick justice awaits him if caught, seeks the darkness of the jungle for safety. The lions which blocked Richard’s path, have been driven from their haunts by hunger and have invaded the outskirts of the settlement, surprising Hontas in his flight. A short pursuit, a vain struggle and Hilda was avenged by lions.