Peter McKenzie and native boy Kimani are raised as brothers in the British colony of Kenya. But cruelty and intolerance drive them apart. Kimani becomes the leader of his people, the Mau Mau. After the slaughter of whites, Peter becomes vengeful but he relents and searches for his childhood friend with hopes of ending the killing. Peace proves elusive after Kimani's wife is killed and the Mau Mau leader runs away. Peter sets out after him for a final confrontation, only to find tragedy and redemption.