How M'Ginnis Went Missing
How M'Ginnis Went Missing is a novel written by Andrew Barton Paterson, first published in 1908. The story follows the adventures of a young boy named M'Ginnis, who lives on a remote station in the Australian outback. M'Ginnis is fascinated by the Aboriginal people and their culture, and he spends much of his time learning about them from the local Indigenous workers. One day, while exploring the bush, M'Ginnis becomes separated from his family and must navigate the harsh Australian landscape to find his way home. Along the way, he encounters various dangers, including wild animals and treacherous terrain, but also learns valuable lessons about resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of preserving Indigenous cultures.
By Andrew Barton Paterson · First published 1902 · Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Crime · 246 words
First lines
Let us cease our idle chatter, Let the tears bedew our cheek, For a man from Tallangatta Has been missing for a week.
Where the roaring flooded Murray Covered all the lower land, There he started in a hurry, With a bottle in his hand.
And his fate is hid for ever, But the public seem to think That he slumbered by the river, 'Neath the influence of drink.
And they scarcely seem to wonder That the river, wide and deep, Never woke him with its thunder, Never stirred him in his sleep.
What this Textopian page supports
How M'Ginnis Went Missing is listed on Textopian as a short story by Andrew Barton Paterson, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Andrew Barton Paterson
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Crime, Drama
- Length: 246 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for How M'Ginnis Went Missing by Andrew Barton Paterson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering How M'Ginnis Went Missing?
- How does this short story by Andrew Barton Paterson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Horse You Dont See Now by Rolf Boldrewood
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- The Trap by Gouverneur Morris
- The Trespasser Volume 2 by Gilbert Parker
Genres
- Adventure — The book presents the character M'Ginnis's journeys and experiences, making it an adventure novel.
- Mystery — The title itself suggests a missing person case thus introducing an element of mystery.
- Crime — The plot revolves around the disappearance of M'Ginnis, which indicates elements of crime in the narrative.
- Drama — The story contains dramatic elements involved in the search and discovery of M'Ginnis' whereabouts.
Tags
mystery · adventure · disappearance · search · Australia · outback · suspense · friendship · exploration · survival · humor · narrative