Tras sobrevivir a su entrenamiento como guerrero, el joven noble mandinga, Kunta Kinte, se ve traicionado y capturado para convertirlo en esclavo. Tras trabar amistad con un esclavo, Fiddler, Kunta sigue desafiante y decidido a escapar.

Redcoats attempt to persuade slaves to run away and join the English army. Kunta escapes but slave catchers apprehend him and amputate half of his foot to ensure he never runs off again. John Waller sells Kunta to his younger brother, William.

George becomes an accomplished trainer of gamecocks and earns the nickname of Chicken George. George marries Matilda, a preacher's daughter, and fathers many children. Tom Lea loses a wager with an Englishman and sells George to save his farm.