AustLit

When the Pike River goldfield proves disappointing three miners set out to ride the 300 miles to Cooktown, but their horses are poisoned by nightshade when they still have 200 miles to go. They continue on foot and come across Jack Baines, who left with his wife and child a week before. His wife is dead after drinking bad water, but Meg, his little daughter, is still alive.

The men continue their journey with Baines and the child but, one by one, they die. Only Myall Billy is left. Honouring a promise he continues to carry Meg, unaware she is dead, until he finally reaches a bush shanty and public house.