Colonel Stedloe led his troops in what was intended to be a peaceful mission. But Kamiac, a murderous Palouse chieftain, saw an opportunity to gain control over the tribes in that part of the Pacific Northwest. He declared the mission an act of war--one that must be met with annihilation.

Sergeant Emmett Bell has been toughened by wilderness fighting, and his chief of scouts is a Nez Percé chieftain. They are willing to fight to the death if need be, but they know there isn't much they can do to defend Stedloe's small command against the mighty forces being assembled against them by Kamiac.