In the title story, The Big Trouble, He Cries, a Uncompahgre Ute, sees his first white men at the end of the summer of many rains while still a boy. The white men who are in the area searching for gold attack the small encampment, killing everyone except He Cries, who escapes. Years later, He Cries has become White Bear, when trouble with encroaching miners on Ute lands reaches a crisis due to sheer numbers. White Bear decides to fight to keep white men off Ute land. This Western Trio also includes The Man Who Rode Alone and Payroll of the Dead.