Scores of men had gone in to the Yukon in the hope of striking gold. They were men of many types, some honest, some dishonest and there were many who had never committed a crime but whose lust for a share of the great wealth that was being found on all sides turned their heads and distorted their thinking. 

Mike Kramer had a claim about thirty miles north of Dawson where he worked hard day after day. The land adjoining his claim had been staked by Sam Nelson. Sam worked equally hard and each night over supper compared notes in the cabin he shared with Mike.