Rex Beach

The Spoilers Rex Beach

Young prospector Roy Glenister and his older partner, Dextry are headed back to Alaska on the first ship of the season, eager to return to protect their gold claim called the "Midas", which promises to yield them great wealth. During the trip, they defend a young woman who boards the ship from her pursuers-and who is also intent on reaching Alaska as soon as possible. Glenister immediately begins to fall for the young beauty, who turns out to be Helen Chester, niece of Judge Arthur Chester, recently appointed as the first federal judge for the Alaska Territory. But it turns out the law is crooked in Alaska. The Judge and the federal marshal are really in the pocket of strongman politician Alexander McNamara. After reaching Alaska, McNamara succeeds in being appointed receiver of all the most profitable mining claims in the region, based on fraudulent disputes over the validity of the miners' claims. Glenister, Dextry, and a number of other prospectors are dispossessed of their lands. The miners hire lawyers of their own to fight on the legal side, and also form a vigilante group to fight the "law". McNamara rules ruthlessly, running the mines himself. Glenister sinks into despair, believing that Helen is in on the conspiracy, and almost loses his stake in the Midas in a night of reckless gambling. He is only saved from that fate by Cherry Malotte, whose unrequited love for Glenister has brought her to Alaska. Helen slowly learns about the plan being perpetrated by McNamara, her uncle, and others, while her affections are torn between Glenister and McNamara.