An exciting adventure indeed as the Seagrave family, en route to Australia, are shipwrecked and become castaways on a desert tropical island. Thankfully Masterman Ready, a good man to have in a crisis, is on hand to build shelter and solve the many problems they encounter—to build a fish pool, catch turtles and how to cultivate the available resources.

Ready, a man of great practical experience and a history laden with much to regret is also qualified to dispense moral advice to the family with regard to their appreciation of what they have and their acceptance of Gods will. All may be to no avail, however, as the family are discovered and eventually attacked by a tribe of bloodthirsty cannibals. The battle provides a cliffhanging climax to the story as survival hangs in the balance. Who will live to be rescued by Captain Osborn—if he arrives in time?