AustLit

The friendship between two men sours as they begin to spend time in the company of two sisters. As the younger sister and the more handsome man fall in love and marry, jealousy drives the other two to a dastardly act.

An unexpected overnight guest becomes a problem for workhands on a station when his nocturnal wanderings cause fear and confusion.

Intending to claim land for grazing, a man is surprised to stumble upon a young woman in desparate need of food and water in the bush. Their chance encounter leads to the man being introduced to a mysterious, utopian community hidden from the world. But all is not well in Paradise.

Travelling by sea, a man speaks with a sailor who is troubled by an apparition he believes foretells his death. The sailor extracts a promise from the man to inform his mother if he should die. The two part company onshore as both head for the goldfields in different directions. However, the man has one more - ghastly - encounter with the sailor and, through a portentous message, fulfills his request.

A country race-meeting attracts men from all directions who, on their travels, enjoy the conviviality of dining with fellow travellers at country pubs. However, as all imbibe rather too heavily, there are uproarious occasions en route.

The Aboriginal peoples of a Western Queensland location live harmoniously in an idyllic environment until the 'white man' and his gun arrive.

An altercation in a hotel leads to manslaughter, with the fleeing offender hotly pursued by another man. Both are found shot dead shortly afterwards and a haunting tragedy is subsequently revealed.

Working the land for a group of colonial settlers involves many adventures, including rounding up feral cattle, contending with the legendary visits of deceased predecessors, hunting emus, and, of tracking down an enormous white kangaroo.

A young Irishman has come to Australia to make his fortune, but unwise investments see him losing rather than gaining. His propensity for deception compounds his misfortunes, especially as he falls in love with the daughter of a well-to-do squatter. However, his true identity, as eventually revealed, stands him in good stead, as does his charm.

Two young neighbours enjoy playing together and exploring their rural environment. When the young girl's father finds a gold-bearing stone, it seems as though their fortunes will change. However, a bushfire transforms the landscape making it impossible for him to relocate the area of his discovery. Young Bessie sets out to find it herself, but gets lost in the process. However, she is found, along with the gold, and as the years progress the two young, and now wealthy, neighbours marry and enjoy telling the stories of their youth to their children.

Two young Englishmen set off to Australia hoping to strike it lucky. They succeed in finding a rich goldfield, and almost overnight a town springs up peopled with men and women hoping to strike it lucky with gold and love. Jealousies and vindictiveness lead to tragedy but, true love wins in the end.

For weary travellers, 'Muzzlem's' inn was a welcome respite, especially as Muzzlem's hospitality extended to supplying much-appreciated beverages at no cost. A traveller might, however, be prepared to pay handsomely for some curios, or lose graciously at cards.