Three settlers. One cabin. Two guns. And fifty Indians bent on their destruction. But they are not completely alone... out in the woods beyond the clearing, in the very midst of the bloodthirsty Indians, two men are doing all they can for the besieged family. One is Brayton Ripley, who has several very good reasons to risk his life for those inside - not least among them the settler's daughter, Alice. And the other is Mul-keep-mo, 'The Rattlesnake', sworn enemy of all palefaces... all, that is, but one. And that one is Brayton Ripley. For his sake alone, the grim Miami is more than prepared to not only risk, but, if necessary, to lay down his life for the race which he hates. But are they too late after all? How much can three men and two women hope to do against fifty Indians who are determined to break through into the little cabin in the clearing?