博客來It’s 1931, the great depression is in full swing and Colin, known as Long Tack Sam, rolls his swag and goes on the track again, this time with a dual purpose. As always, he must find work to support his destitute mother and sister. But there is another, even more personal reason. After a marriage break up, his father, William, has left home and Colin must find him.
Following a slim lead he visits his aunty May in Flemington, Sydney. She tells Colin his father has rented a room in West Street, Paddington. Colin goes there to confront him, and, after spending time together, Colin convinces him to return home.
The father and son team once again shoulder their swags and head out of Sydney. They jump goods trains, scrounge for food, surviving scorching, dehydrating heat trapped in a louvre van, and part way home bump into William’s childhood mate ＂Bandy＂. A dispute ensues and William decides to jump a rattler with Bandy instead of heading home. William slips away in the dead of night, leaving a note tucked into Colin’s swag, giving Colin his word that he will soon return home. With no choice Colin jumps a sheep wagon headed for Dubbo on the off chance he can find him again. With no idea if he will ever see his father again, Colin is determined not to give up.
