Murphy escapes a grueling life as part of a dogsled team, mercilessly driven by a cruel owner. When word spreads that gold has been discovered in Nome, Murphy is taken in by two recent arrivals: Sally and her mother, who hope to provide secretarial labor so that they can buy their own stake.

They live in a canvas tent on the beach with thousands of other fortune-seekers. Murphy wants to help Sally and Mama build a new life, but life in the mining town is not easy.

Can the three of them find a home—and maybe a fortune?