Desperate to get away from their drunkard of a father, eleven-year-old Jasper and his older brother Melvin often talk of running away, of heading north to Alaska to chase riches beyond their wildest dreams. The Klondike Gold Rush is calling, and Melvin has finally decided the time to go is now-even if that means leaving Jasper behind. But Jasper has other plans, and follows his brother aboard a steamer as a stowaway. Onboard the ship, Jasper hears a rumor about One-Eyed Riley, an old coot who's said to have left clues to the location of his stake, which still has plenty of gold left. The first person to unravel the clues and find the mine will be filthy rich. Jasper knows he and Melvin can find the mine-all they have to do is survive the rough and frigid Alaskan terrain, along with the steep competition from unscrupulous and dangerous people they encounter along the way.