A.S. Mopeli-Paulus was born on the 15 January 1913, the eldest son of a tribal chief of the Basuto. His grandfather was the brother of Moshesh. Gives an account of his life at Witzieshoek as a young boy. Received a Christian education and trained as a teacher. His university studies were interrupted by the war, and he served in North Africa.

He describes the clash between the authorities and the tribe in 1949, during the sitting of the Commission of Enquiry, into the position of the land and stock, and his subsequent arrest and sentence for his part in the disturbances. His release and his starting a new life in Johannesburg, as a truck driver and a writer in his spare time.