The Black Troopers, and other stories

Set in the rugged Australian frontier of 1849, the opening tale follows a travelling doctor who is drawn into the tense world of river stations, wounded Aboriginal men, and the relentless pursuit of a notorious outlaw known as Bobby Peel. As he tends a broken leg and crosses the Murray on a makeshift punt, he hears the whispered legend of the “black trooper” who robs out‑stations and eludes the white police with uncanny daring. The encounter offers a vivid glimpse of frontier life, where rugged survival, cultural clashes, and a thin line between law and violence shape every conversation.

The collection continues with a range of short narratives that explore similar borders of civilization and wilderness, from daring rescues to quiet confessions in remote outposts. Each story is illustrated with period wood‑cuts, adding a visual texture that deepens the atmosphere. Listeners will find themselves immersed in a bygone era where the land itself feels as much a character as the people who traverse it.