
Two young brothers set out from England, determined to carve a future in the untamed Australian interior after the loss of their father. Clad in broad‑brimmed hats and armed for the unknown, they ride with a native guide and a packhorse, following a sketchy map toward a distant station promised by a distant cousin. The relentless sun, bewildering tracks, and towering gum trees turn the journey into a test of endurance and wit.
As thirst and uncertainty grow, the brothers grapple with language barriers and the ever‑shifting landscape, questioning whether their guide truly knows the way. Their hopes rise and fall with each horizon, until a sudden, eerie cry shatters the silence of the forest. The source—a massive, laughing kingfisher—adds a touch of the uncanny to their already precarious trek, hinting at the strange encounters that await in this rugged frontier.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (194K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
2007-05-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1814–1880
Best known for fast-moving adventure stories for young readers, this Victorian writer filled his books with sea voyages, survival, and a strong sense of duty. He also helped bring popular European tales to English readers through translation and adaptation.
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