The town of Dusty Springs had little to recommend it. Surrounded by hills, it was cut off from all breezes that might have relieved the monotonous heat. It existed only because prospectors made it a jumping off place for their treks into the mountains in search of gold. Hopeful Hank had grub staked many of these prospectors. His little store was well stocked with goods that came in by mule freight, and Hank was known to many, and his genuine good nature was known to many more.