Vacinnation is what eventuates from this episode after Malcolm is put under quarantine for small pox. As always, no one listend to Dr Burnley's advise and the children get Malcolm off the ship concealed in a coffin. However fear takes hold when they realise that Malcolm bought a boy of six, Robbie Burns with him as well whose mother died on the ship. The community won't accept Robbie, who is only six, but black and Emily's efforts to make him feel welcome fail. Vaccination begins but then Malcolm falls ill…

Small pox spreads through Blair Water and Robbie Burns dies. Trying to help as many as he can, Dr Burnley turns his house into a hospital. Ilse then also falls ill.