The start of the Boer War forces Chris King, the hero of the story, to flee with his mother from Johannesburg to the coast. They are with many other Uitlanders, and all were suffering under the Boers. Reaching a place of safety, Chris and twenty of his friends form an independent company of scouts. They get to know Buller with whom they have many thrilling adventures. They fight together in battles; are taken prisoners and escape. During all that time they are rendering most valuable service to the English forces. The story is a most interesting picture of the War in South Africa.