John Meadham, has for years been in charge of a West Africa trading post, wire the home office in London that he is tired and worn out, and they need to send a replacement to take over. The company sends a stiff upper-lipper, Charles Summers, accompanied by his wife, Margaret. An antagonism develops between the two men from the moment Summers arrives. This soon leads to a quarrel and then a disagreement between the stuffy, tightly-wound Summers and his wife over who was right in the quarrel. Margaret opines it wasn't him. Ere long, Margaret and Meadham are having an affair. The revolting natives' uprising gives Meadham the chance to save the life of the man he most hates, or save his life and lose the wife. Or hope somebody shows up with a poison arrow.