This book is an adventure novel written by Louis Becke. The story is told through the perspective of the narrator, and begins with his arrival at a rough, slab hut on the bank of Five-Head Creek, 25 miles from Townsville in North Queensland. This hut will be his home for six months. He has come to take charge of the Five-Head Creek cattle run, which had been temporarily abandoned due to a severe drought. He and his mate will be responsible for repairing fencing, collecting any remaining cattle, and seeing to the general upkeep of the property.