Stranded for three month by low water levels in the Darling River in the midst of a drought, the Philadelphia and her crew make the best of their situation in the hope that rains will wash down from Queensland and allow their escape. Their wait is complicated by Delie's pregnancy and the deadline it brings but they find some relief when they meet the couple whose land they are on. The conflict between Brenton's new hire, Steve Farrell, and the Philadelphia's cook, Ah Lee, ends in gunfire and Ah Lee flees into the bush. Robert survives the shooting but Brenton gives him his walking papers. Needing a new cook, Delie is the men's obvious choice despite her lack of culinary skills. Fortunately, Ah Lee returns. Delie's friendship with Mrs. Slope is marked by Delie's anticipation of her first child while Mrs. Slope still struggles to deal with the tragedy of losing her two children. Jim discovers a group of men have dammed the river upstream of the Philadelphia.
