Fourteen-year-old Gunnedah 'Gunnie' Danson is despondent because he has an assignment on the drought. As a 'Townie' he knows nothing about the affects of this blight on the rural industry; but that is about to change. When he returns home from school he receives a surprise gift.

His late grandfather has left him a box containing a manuscript. It was written by Gunnie's great-great-grandfather, Smokey 'Gun' Danson after his journey up the long paddock as a fourteen-year-old drover; during a harsh drought in 1910. At the back of the manuscript is an envelope. It's NOT to be opened until Gunnie has read the entire story.

Gunnie spends the weekend at Wiralee Station; a cattle station that's been in the family since 1848. There, he reads the awesome manuscript and learns of Smokey's adventurous journey. But while he is at Wiralee, he learns more than he bargained for. The family cattle station is under threat. Will the contents of the mysterious envelope save it?

'Highly Commended' in the FAW Jim Hamilton Award - 2007 National Literary Awards.