The leisurely life of Austin Herrington, at home on the Murray River during his school holidays, takes a dramatic turn when he is confronted with a delinquent escapee from a distant prison farm. This encounter has a devastating effect on Austin's new-found friend Felicity Ainsworth, too - ultimately compelling her parents to sell their adjourning property and live abroad. Ten years later, while serving as a conscript in Vietnam, Austin is severely wounded during enemy action but there is a a future awaiting the new hero. Cover art by Roger Janovsky.