Shortz!Series - this is a novella in the Settlement of Australia Series

Ernie Scrimshaw was a transported convict and arrived in Australia in the early days of settlement. He was severely treated and, finally, escaped to find a valley where he settled down. In time, after several trips back to Sydney, he established a small herd and a young family..

The population was expanding and, with the aid of some friendly natives, they crossed the mountain range to the huge pastoral expanse of central New South Wales.

They encountered a gang of cattle thieves, range wars, acts of revenge and restitution as they struggled to build a life in the outback of the country.

Finally, the family headed deep into western New South Wales, only to experience further attacks and the hurt of family conflict.

This is a tale of the early days of the cattle industry in a wild new land.