Book II of The Conjuror's Years. John Cole is a bushman, born and bred. His childhood is dominated by the mysteries of the hills surrounding his father's slab hut, hills that can hide stolen horses for months or protect his brother Pat from the spying eyes of the police. John is soon his own man and marriage confines him to wages work until he takes a job droving cattle; but the peace of the camp is shattered by tragedy at home. His desperate ride and the rootless drifting that follows comes to an end with a long journey of affirmation back to the northwest - and peace and fulfilment as manager of a cattle station. His life there, its challenges and pleasures and trials are a memorable picture of a hard, yet rewarding, country