After fighting in the War Between the States, Wen Stryker became disillusioned by the acts of people and headed for the high up mountains of California. He had made a life for himself there. A hard life, but he liked it.

Then an accident on a high mountain trail suddenly thrust him into the gold mining business. He had found a fortune in gold without even looking for it. Then, he found the first real friend he'd ever had in an old prospector.

Most of all, Wen found the love of a beautiful young girl when he befriended her and her father. There were men along the way who sought to take what was his. The last, and most important thing, had been the love of his life.

Now Wen Stryker wandered the West trying to outrun his pain.