A few hours later she was awakened by a terrifying howl.

Poppy sat bolt upright. Where was she? She felt around her. Oh, my nest. Her eyes adjusted to the dark. Then she gasped. In the moonlight she saw a large dog trotting towards the base of her tree.

She sat rigid, not daring to breathe as it came closer and closer. If it was a dingo, Poppy wouldn't have been worried. Gus said dingos were more scared of people. But this looked like a wild dog, a very large wild dog.

Follow Your Heart

Poppy and her dog, Fisher, were resting by a rock in the sunshine. It had been a long journey escaping from the Mission and they were both very tired.

Since running away from the policeman at Tocumwal her path had led her into the forest, but she knew she had to get back to the river. Then she had to cross it. That would be the hard part.

Suddenly Fisher leapt up.

The Crazy Boy

As Poppy galloped away from Summerhill, there was a gnawing emptiness in the pit of her stomach. Saying goodbye to Tom and Noni had left her heavy with sadness. I always seem to be leaving, she thought, always saying goodbye. But until she found her brother, Gus, this was her life. The people at the camp said Gus was on his way to Wahgunyah.Well, now so was she. Poppy couldn't stay any longer in case that policeman from Tocumwal discovered the truth about her – that she was a runaway from Bird Creek Mission.

But now she was back in her boy's disguise and on the road again. 'Come on, Fish,' she called out to her dog. She kicked Gideon's flanks and the big black horse lengthened his stride.

Riding bareback had been hard at first. But Tom's words had echoed in her mind and helped her along: You just do it, over and over. Don't worry you no good. Get good soon enough. Gideon's spirit was tied to hers, Tom had said. And she knew that to be true. The horse had done everything Poppy had asked him to since their escape from Summerhill.

Professor Cutpurse

A pink river stone lay at Poppy's feet. She kicked it and Fisher gave chase, deftly picking it up in his mouth while still on the run.

'Clever boy, Fish,' she said, as the dog came trotting back to her. He dropped the stone at her feet. Poppy was about to kick it again when she suddenly smelled the wonderful aroma of roasting meat.

Fisher took off in the direction of the smell along a narrow track.