AustLit

Two young prospectors, Jim Farrell and Cecil Denton are on their way to Zeehan. Denton is to meet with his uncle and family, who are travelling to the island from Melbourne for Christmas. Farrell hears a faint cry in the bush and begins to look for its source. Denton hears nothing and continues his journey, leaving Farrell to search alone. He soon finds a young man near death whom he discovers is named Fred Denton. Further enquiry reveals Fred is none other than Cecil's cousin, a prodigal son estranged from his Toorak family for many years. Briefly leaving Fred at their campsite, Jim hurries to a nearby track to post messages which he knows will be picked up by crusty Irishman Pat Doolan. One letter is an urgent request for a doctor. The other message, to be delivered to Denton's father via telegram, contains a single enigmatic word: 'Forgive.' Relaxing in Hobart following their voyage, the Dentons receive Fred's telegram. At first Denton senior is unwilling to acknowledge his son but is soon prompted to forgiveness by his daughter Nellie.The family immediately embarks for Strahan and Zeehan. On arrival, they travel to Jim's campsite to be reunited with Fred. There, Nellie discovers that Jim Farrell, the man who rescued her brother, is none other than an 'old acquaintance' to whom she had last written a savage letter telling how, after overhearing a conversation between some friends, she wished to have nothing more to do with him - a letter which she now discovers Farrell still carries. She begs his forgiveness and they re-affirm their love for each other. Now reconciled with his family, Fred recovers enough to spend Christmas in Zeehan - serenaded with a timely carol from Pat Doolan's young son.