Italian silkworm farmers are bought to South Africa to establish a silk industry in Gouna's wilderness, where mulberry trees refuse to grow. During the harsh winter, the bewildered immigrants are plagued by rain, fever, and incomprehension while growing increasingly bitter towards the government that dumped them in the wilderness under false pretenses. Silas Miggel, a forest dweller with an ungovernable daughter and a head full of plans, comes to their aid.