Zouga Ballantyne yearns to return to the land north of the Limpopo river where his treasure of ivory still lies hidden from the expedition he made with his sister Robyn ten years before (A Falcon Flies). But he lacks the resources to go there. Convinced that the new diamond workings will supply the fortune he needs to realise his dream, he joins the diamond rush with his frail wife and two young sons, Ralph and Jordan. Life is harsh in the fledgling town of Kimberley, but although his wife dies, the boys flourish. Ralph grows into a dark, impetuous, determined youth, loyal to his father as he toils in the workings and strong in his friendship with their Matabele labourer Bazo. Jordan retains the delicate sensitivity of his mother and becomes a gifted diamond sorter. Into this seething community strides the dominant figure of Cecil John Rhodes whose ally Zouga becomes for some years - until in a reckless gamble Zouga loses all, his claim, his money, his boys. Ralph, now grown up, strikes out north to his father's promised land, while Jordan becomes Rhodes' secretary and the labourers scatter, Bazo returning with his rich hoard of illegal diamonds to his uncle the Matabele king Lobengula. But Zouga was right; the key to the opening of that land to the north did lie in the diamond workings. For it was the fortune made by Rhodes at Kimberley that financed his famous 'Pioneers' expedition. Zouga is able to realise his dream at last, and returns to the north as Rhodes' negotiator with the Matabele king.