In 1873, orphaned at 15 and penniless, Frank Hargate, too proud to accept help from others, determines to make his own way in life and joins an explorer's expedition to darkest West Africa. Among new friends, he struggles against staggering odds to survive hostile nature, cannibals, disease and the bloody Ashanti war. From the horrors, a man aspiring to help others toward a better life is forged.
