Heading east for Missouri on the Union Pacific railroad, Jubal Cade hits the peaceful little mountain community of Jamestown just after the Coley boys. And when the gunsmoke has cleared, there's not much left except a ruined train and thirty or more butchered bodies, turning the drifting winter snow crimson with their life-blood. Reason enough for the quick-drawing medic to forget his private vendetta for a while. Reason for Cade to ride south towards the brutal badlands on a trail of violence he knows will lead him straight to a bloody duel with death...