The great gold rush of 1898 drew many men to Alaska, each of them determined to find the mother lode and strike it rich. Joe Harney didn't have the experience some of the others had, but he was no less eager and he kept his eyes open. One of the first things he noticed was the great wolf dog, Chinook. He belonged to Andrew Steen, a surly and foul-tempered sourdough with no time for newcomers like Joe. But after Joe saved Steen's life, Steen agreed to let Joe travel overland with him to the gold fields. Along the way, the men met Kate Winslow, a mysterious woman traveling alone. Her secrets attracted Joe and Steen like flies to honey . . . but they also attracted more danger and intrigue than any of them could handle.