The conflicts in Genesis are of three types: man against nature, man against man, and man against himself. The first conflict is readily apparent; nature is a formidable opponent. The Canadian winter is merciless and unrelenting. The range in November is bitterly cold; the sun is harsh and blinding; the wind burns the skin. At first the struggle against nature involves the cowboys trying to keep their herd together and driving it to safe places before the winter makes the task impossible. Their effort to do their jobs in such an unforgiving environment tests the men to the limits of their physical endurance. Yet, nature has even more demanding hardships in store. A blizzard forces them to retreat to their tent; afterwards they must reassemble the herd.

Another blizzard forces the men to ride through snow on nearly dead ponies to again gather their cattle. A third blizzard...