"Ten-year-old Mary Haskins and her family catch the "gold fever" and head to Cripple Creek, Colorado, in 1895 in search of gold. Mary has many adventures while living in this small mining town, such as riding a "wild burro," witnessing two big fires that threaten to burn down the whole town, and exploring railroad cars filled with all kinds of surprises. Mary's life in Cripple Creek is not all fun, though. Her father unfortunately loses the family's savings to a dishonest man, but Mary saves the day by learning to pan for gold"--Cover, P. [4].