Last Horse Standing

by Mike Keenan

In 1971 bushman Jack Camp went mustering wild cattle in a vast and isolated stretch of the Kimberley coast. The potential profit would be huge—but so were the risks. It was the unpredictable and dauntingly hot wet season, the forbidding region was infested with snakes and crocodiles, and the cattle would have to be swum out across a river notorious for its dramatic tidal surges. Everything was going according to plan when out of the blue a cyclone struck, flooding the area and wreaking devastation. The cattle and horses were scattered, the camp and equipment destroyed. Jack, his young son and a teenage stockman were left without food, fire, shelter or a means of escape. No one knew their exact location as they were covering a huge area during the muster and they were expected to be gone for some weeks. As time passed without rescue and they grew weaker, Jack decided their only chance was to head for a cattle station some fifty kilometers away. Though he knew it would be deserted for the wet season, Jack was pinning all his hopes on finding supplies and a two-way radio there. The trouble was, to reach it they would have to strike out across the shark- and crocodile-infested tidal estuary. With them went the recaptured Bluey, the only survivor after the horses grazed on a poisonous local plant when feed was scarce. And so began a journey that would take them to hell and back. How they made it out is a gripping yarn and an inspiring testament to the grit and determination of the outback spirit. In classic Mike Keenan style, this is an action-packed, page-turner of an adventure that is sure to appeal to fans of his previous books and anyone who is fascinated by tales of bush heroism and endurance.

Genres: Australia

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last Horse Standing is a true story and one in which I really enjoyed.

Peter Wann first met Jack Camp in 1971. Peter's parents had just separated and he is at a bit of a loose end. Peter's father told him that Jack Camp was looking for a horseman. Jack had a contract mustering job on Oobagooma which would take about a month. It was said by many that Jack Camp was the best wild cattleman Northern Australia's ever seen.
On the mustering there were several other men as well as Jack's two young sons Peter and George.

As the story unfolds you start to get an understanding of just what these men and cattle went through. They endure horrendous conditions during the hot wet season. During this time they not only have the weather to deal with but they also have snakes, sharks and crocodiles. As time goes by the men start to get weaker as they have lost most of their food supply through the floods.

This is a very inspiring and moving story and I highly recommend it.

[John Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent true tale about an extraordinary region on the north west coast of Australia. On a drive along the Gibb River Road we met Cheryl, the daughter-in-law of Jack Camp, the main protagonist in the book.