Mary Clark McKenzie, newly wed and filled with hope, comes to South Africa with her young husband to seek their fortune. Almost at once he abandons her. Penniless, alone, and pregnant, she is thrust into the chaos of greed and sin that envelops the gold fields of Transvaal following the Boer War. Against her will, she finds herself drawn to the handsome and charismatic local magistrate, Colin Reed, who has shown her unusual kindness. Then into the African darkness comes an American missionary couple, Daniel and Emma Bryant. They bring the light of the Lord to the beleaguered mine workers-and promise of a new beginning for Mary.