- During the great drought on the South African veldt, bitterness erupts between the von Haagen and Townsend families when they quarrel over a cattle spring. Nevertheless, a romance grows between Gretel von Haagan and Ned Townsend, who, to escape their families' opposition, marry and leave for the interior. Three years later, Gretel's father Carl, unable to overcome his feelings of remorse, seeks his daughter out and discovers that he is now a grandfather. He arrives in the interior just as his grandson wanders off into the jungle. After several harrowing incidents, the infant is rescued by an elephant and returned to his home where the families are joyously reconciled.
- Carl von Haagen permits the water in the cattle spring belonging to his enemy, Henry Townsend, to run out. Gretel, von Haagen's daughter, loves Ned, son of Townsend. Townsend learns of the dastardly trick of Von Haagen, and goes to the springs, followed by Mrs. Townsend, Gretel and Ned. A fight between the two men takes place, but it is brought to a quick end by the appearance of the big elephant. On the way home the Townsend family come upon a number of natives who tell Townsend that lions are prowling around. Ned writes a note to Gretel, asking her to meet him at the spring. He calls Charlie, the elephant, and gives him the note. Von Haagen forbids Gretel to see the Townsends; she tells him that she has promised to marry Ned. He strikes the girl, who goes to her room. The elephant comes up to the window and feels around the room with his trunk. Gretel sees the note, and with the help of the elephant she escapes. Eitel, brother of Gretel, returns home and asks his father what has happened. In Gretel's room he finds a note from Ned; he gets a gun and starts for the spring. Gretel sees a lion ready to spring. The beast jumps upon Eitel, who is following his sister. Ned fires at the lion, which leaps from Eitel and makes a spring at Gretel, who climbs a tree. Ned takes Eitel's gun and fires at the lion. The lion runs, and Gretel falls from the tree. Eitel reluctantly shakes Ned's hand, after which Ned takes Gretel to his home. Three years pass. Happiness comes to the Townsend family, but Von Haagen sits alone in his home and broods. Ned decides to go into the interior, and leaves with his wife, Gretel, and their little son, Bobby. A horseman tells Von Haagen of their departure for the Cape. Von Haagen, stunned, holds onto his arms as if asking his daughter's forgiveness. He has a bag of gold for the little grandson, whom be has never seen. He tells Eitel that he will take a short cut and head them off. Gretel puts Bobby to bed in the wagon. Shortly after the axle breaks and the wagon turns over. Ned unharnesses the horse and turns back, leaving Gretel and Bobby in the wagon. Von Haagen comes up to the wagon. He and Gretel walk down the road, so their talk will not disturb Bobby. Bobby awakens and crawls into the road. Suddenly a lion leaps into the wagon and seizes a leg of pork. Gretel forgives her father, and they return to the wagon. The lion springs from the wagon. Gretel and Von Haagen start on its trail. Bobby comes upon a monkey, which he followed into the jungle. Ned and his father arrive at the wagon with Charlie, the elephant. They call. Gretel hears them and answers. Ned leaves Gretel with his father, while he goes after the lion. Ned, finding no trace of the lion, returns to the wagon, and he and his father take Gretel home. The elephant finds Bobby and brings him home. Von Haagen. giving up his search, appears at the Townsend home, where he sees his grandson. The family comes in and a reconciliation follows.
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