Cirrus@Austlit

Ted Huntingdon, the eldest of three orphan children, left in the care of their mother's aunt, leaves his sister Evelyn, and younger brother James, and takes to the open road, intending to return for them when he has made a home. The Craig family and other residents of Woorilong enter the story. Nat Audley, meeting Huntingdon, tells him that he can get work at the timber mills. He does, but in the following year takes a job as a cattle drover, changing his surname to 'Gunn'. He soon learns that he is among cattle thieves, and narrowly escapes conviction for horse-stealing, of which he is innocent. Later, troopers intercept the gang upon the road, and Huntingdon fires a shot which brought down a trooper's horse. He rode through Woorilong for the ranges and was thus seen by Esther Craig, who was sitting upon the cottage doorstep. Huntingdon visits the township and is recognised by Green and Cartwright, and is warned that Sergeant Cotran has sworn to run him down. They undertake to supply him with food. On his way back to his hiding place he rescues Esther Craig from an armed ruffian. Jim Huntingdon, after much searching, finds his brother, and, being informed of his being hunted by the police, determines that he will stick to him whatever befalls. Some days later, when purchasing goods at the township store, he is questioned by Sergeant Cotran, and replies that his name is Jim King. While returning he assists the Sergeant's son to disperse a group of roughs who passes him on the track. Upon rejoining his brother at their hidden camp, Ted warns him of the danger of remaining; pleads with him to go away to safety while he can, saying: it's a matter of life or death.