This collection shows delicate relationships between human beings and the nature. Both Up the Slide and Bald-Face are trivial stories of men conquering nature. In Up the Slide, we see a tenacious hero Dilham, who, in order to get a sled-load of fire-wood, struggles against the steep slide and its snow-covered slippery surface to reach a small dead pine in an out-of-the-way place; the latter is a bear yarn about how the brilliant and courageous "Klondike King" gets rid of the troublesome "bald-face." Compared with these two tense yet joyful stories, At the Rainbow's End is heavy and depressive, for though the hero Montana Kid overcomes numerous misfortunes and does his utmost to fight against the nature, he eventually find himself devoid of months'labor in a flash. How awful and terrible nature is!

这三篇小说主要集中在"人与自然"这一主题。《爬上陡坡》重点描写了主人公克莱•迪尔汉姆为取得一棵松树的艰险过程，读来如身临其境。《光脸熊》讲述主人公途遇光脸熊，与之斗智斗勇的故事。《彩虹的尽头》则讲述了拓荒者在险恶的环境中求生存的故事。主人公蒙塔纳•基德凭借勇气与毅力克服重重险阻，到处寻找财富。他并非十全十美之人，为获利可以不择手段，屡遭厄运后，仍力图与自然抗争。作者用生动、细腻的语言描绘出自然环境的凶险，以及众人奋力反抗的顽强。