A tragic accident sends Joshua Roberts west to find peace. But in a lawless mining town, peace is hard to find. Burned nearly to death under the desert sun, he is brought back to life by the hands of a stranger. The powerful blacksmith now faces challenges he never dreamed of and responsibilities he never wanted. Hired to work at the Silver Rim Mine, Roberts is unaware that the mine's future is threatened by the designs of greedy and unscrupulous...

The proud Californios, descendents of the Spanish Dons, were volatile - quick to love and just as quick to hate. They saw their way of life was in jeopardy and knew the futility of resistance. Amoung them was an American - a Yanqui - whose shared their perils and loved their life. It was he who had to face three of the hardest decisions any man can face - the least of which was whether he should fight for his own people or against them.