AustLit

Young Willie lives on an estate called the Grange. The daughter of the owner of the estate is engaged to a man named Mr Vere. After the death of his aunt, Willie leaves rural England for Canada, employed as a groom for Mr Vere. The story describes Willie and Mr Vere's journey to Canada and the adventures they encounter. Once they reach the barracks where Mr Vere is to serve, Willie befriends the older groomsman, Dick Batty. They form a friendship and Batty discovers that unbeknown to Willie, a respected soldier, Sergeant Clifford Dean, is actually Willie's uncle. They are reunited and a close bond forms between the three men. After many adventures in Canada, where both Mr Vere and Willie prove themselves, they return to the Grange, where Vere marries Miss Merton. Both Willie and Batty continue to be employed by Vere as groomsmen in his stables. Willie eventually marries a local girl, Jane Grant. His uncle Clifford receives his discharge from the army and goes on to serve in a militia regiment. Vere, Willie and Batty see out their days happily at the Grange.