Drew Selkirk, a young Border ploughman, falls out with the landed Drongans, joins the army, and finds himself in action in the Boer War. The terrible set-piece early battles are vividly described as Selkirk is trapped in the besieged town of Kimberley. Seconded to a unit of irregular horse, Selkirk uses his Borders knowledge of horsemanship to outwit the Boers, while struggling with conflicting romantic encounters.