AustLit

A new chum on his way to join an English schoolmate, now a Victorian policeman, at a township 100 miles from Melbourne, is taken out of his by a pretended 'simpleton' and spends the night in a hut where - despite being drugged - he is woken by a beautiful girl asking for help. Reaching his friend's station he tells his adventures and hears of the dissolute life that led his formerly wealthy friend to seek oblivion in an isolated police station. The tale continues with the disappearance of a neighbouring squatter's daughter - the trooper's sweetheart - and her return home as an imbecile. Revenge of her kindappers follows, with son killing father by accident. (PB)