Shadows in the Valley

by Elizabeth Haran

  “I’ll explain everything in the morning.”

  Puzzled, Elias turned and left.

  ***

  A short while later Ernie appeared at the door. “Can you bring the dog outside?” he asked Jack.

  Abbey went with Jack to the door, but Ernie blocked her from going outside. “You must keep out of sight, missus. This is sacred Aboriginal business that white fellas can’t witness.”

  Abbey didn’t understand, but she didn’t want to do anything that would interfere with what was going to take place. She stepped aside as Jack carried Max out in the blanket. Ernie closed the door, shutting her inside.

  Abbey tried to peer out through the gaps in the slats of wood that the barn was built from, but none were wide enough for her to see much. She glanced around. The hay was stacked high at the back of the barn, but up at the top there was a trap door, presumably for ventilation. She climbed the bales carefully and positioned herself up near the trap door. She then opened it enough to peek out, making sure she could not be seen.

  A short distance from the barn, a fire had already been built. Jack was instructed to lay the dog nearby. Abbey could see an elderly man with white hair, wearing only a loincloth. He was as thin as a skeleton and accompanied by two elderly women, also very thin. They looked like the women she’d met on the road to Clare, but surely that wasn’t possible. They were carrying something, but she couldn’t see what it was. After Jack lay Max down on the blanket, he was instructed to leave. He seemed hesitant to leave Max, but he headed back to the barn.

  When Jack entered the barn, he was puzzled. He couldn’t see Abbey.

  Abbey tried to get his attention from atop the haystack. “Psssst.”

  Jack looked around, confused.

  “Up here, Jack,” Abbey whispered loudly.

  He looked up. “What are you doing up there?”

  Abbey gestured for him to climb up to her.

  When Jack reached her, Abbey put her fingers to her lips and then pointed outside, peering through the barely open trap door. Jack looked out through the opening. They had a good view of what was taking place by the campfire.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t be doing this,” Jack whispered.

  “How else are we going to know what’s going on?” Abbey whispered back.

  “We’d better make sure we are not seen,” Jack said, as curious as she was.

  The white-haired Aboriginal man added more wood to the fire, building it up until it was blazing fiercely. The women sat facing the fire on the opposite side of Max. They put down a vessel of some kind that they’d been carrying. The orange glow from the fire made their thin faces look ghostly. The old man took the vessel and wafted it with smoke while chanting. Jack and Abbey watched, enthralled.

  “What’s he doing?” Abbey whispered.

  “I don’t know exactly,” Jack said. “But the Aboriginal members are great believers that smoking something cleanses it in some way. I know they do it to newborn babies.”

  Ernie was squatting near Max, making sure he lay still. The Kurdaitcha man instructed Ernie to remove the bandages from the dog’s wound. After this was done, he opened the vessel the women had been carrying. He scooped some ash from the fire and mixed it with the contents of the vessel, using a stick. He then cupped the contents of the vessel in his hands and put it on Max’s wound. He appeared to pack it on both sides. After this he wafted smoke from the fire over Max while chanting.

  “Have you seen anything like this done before?” Abbey asked.

  “No,” Jack whispered. “I’ve seen Ernie put ash on one of his own wounds before. I told him the wound would get infected, but it didn’t.”

  “What’s all the chanting about?” Abbey asked.

  “Presumably, they are trying to get rid of evil spirits,” Jack said. He shook his head. “Don’t get your hopes up that this will work, Abbey. There’s little chance it will.”

  Abbey put her hand on his arm. “I might be disappointed, but I’m going to put my faith in what’s taking place down there. I’ve been told that the Aboriginal people have been in Australia for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. If they’ve survived this long with their medicine, there must be something to it.”

  “I know many of them have gotten sick and died, Abbey.”

  “One of my father’s friends once told me that when the white man came to this land, he brought illnesses like smallpox that the Aboriginal people had never before been exposed to. He said they can’t deal with our illnesses, and that’s why they get ill and die,” Abbey said.

  Jack thought she had a point, but he still didn’t believe that Max would survive. He was just too sick.

  ***

  The chanting went on for hours. It was mesmerising to watch, ethereal and eerie at the same time.

  Eventually Jack and Abbey became so weary that they climbed down from the hay bales and curled up on the straw on the floor. They must have fallen asleep, because the next time they opened their eyes, Ernie was standing over them, and it was daylight. Max was asleep beside them. For a few moments, they both wondered if they’d had the strangest dream.

  “Mornin’, boss,” Ernie said. “I’m going to work now.”

  “Good morning, Ernie,” Jack said sleepily. “Have you been up all night?”

  “I had an hour’s sleep this mornin’,” Ernie said. “The Aboriginal poachers won’t be bothering you or your brothers again,” he said.

  “How do you know?” Jack asked.

  “The Kurdaitcha man gave me his word,” Ernie said. “He was grateful for the fruit and vegetables. The dog will be fine now.” Ernie left the barn.

  Jack looked at Abbey in bewilderment. She was staring at Max, hoping to see a change in him. There was a noise outside the door. It sounded like the other dogs. Max suddenly lifted his head, alertly. Abbey looked at Jack. “Does Max seem a bit better to you?” she asked. She thought so, but she needed to hear that Jack was of the same opinion.

  “He does seem brighter.” There were still bits of mud on his leg, so Jack knew that what had taken place hadn’t been a dream.

  Elias appeared at the door with Rex and Jasper. The dogs went to Max and sniffed him while wagging their tails. Max wagged his tail, too, glad to see them. He stood up, gingerly touching his foot to the ground. Abbey and Jack stared at him in disbelief.

  “Max looks fitter this morning,” Elias commented in his dry fashion.

  Jack looked at Abbey, and their smiles broadened. She got up and went to retrieve the wrapped pieces of meat she’d left on a hay bale. She offered Max a piece of the meat, and he nearly ate her hand with it. She gave it all to him, and it was gone in seconds.

  “I’d say he’s back to his old self,” she said to Jack.

  “I can’t believe it,” Jack said, his features softening with relief. “I just can’t believe it.”

  “What happened here last night?” Elias asked.

  “A miracle,” Jack said.

  CHAPTER 23

  “I could certainly do with a hearty breakfast,” Jack said as he and Abbey walked towards the house. He intended to instruct Elsa or Marie to take Max more food to help him get his strength back quickly. “How about you?”

  “Yes, I’m famished,” Abbey admitted. Her stomach growled noisily to enforce the point, and she laughed with embarrassment. “I’m so pleased that Max is feeling better,” she said, unable to stop smiling.

  “So am I, and it’s all because of you, Abbey.” Jack put his hand on her shoulder. “If you hadn’t pushed for Ernie to help”

  “I know it was very hard for you. I never meant to imply that you didn’t love Max. I hope you believe me.”

  “Truthfully, I was afraid. I can only admit that now.”

  Abbey could see that he felt uncomfortable admitting such a thing. “Afraid? But why?”

  “As a fa
rmer, I often face the task of shooting a wounded or sick animal, and I’ve done it countless times. Not that it’s ever easy,” Jack said. “But with Max it was different. He means far more to me than a working animal. Because I saved him as a pup, he’s always had a special place in my heart. I know that sounds soft, but when it came right down to it, I honestly don’t know if I could have shot him, and that makes me feel ashamed.”

  Abbey was deeply moved by his confession. “You should not feel ashamed for having a heart. Even though it would have been painfully difficult, if Max were suffering, you would have found the strength to end it. For his sake. And that’s because you love him so much. I’m just so glad it didn’t come to that.”

  “Not half as glad as I am,” Jack said. He looked into her eyes. “I owe you a great debt, Abbey.”

  “No, you don’t,” she replied. “It was Ernie’s idea to contact the Kurdaitcha man. I still don’t really understand what he did, but I’m so happy it helped.”

  “We’ll probably never know,” Jack admitted. “The Aboriginal healers’ ways are a bit of a mystery.”

  “Yes, they are,” Abbey agreed. “I didn’t even know that sort of thing existed, but you’ve opened my eyes.”

  Jack looked at her for a long moment with an unreadable expression. “It’s you who’ve opened my eyes, Abbey. You are a remarkable young woman. I hope you know that.”

  Abbey blushed and dropped her chin. Her father had always said she was something special, but she’d never really believed him because he was her father, and he was supposed to say such things. But to have Jack pay her such a wonderful compliment meant the world to her.

  She looked up again and was sure that he wanted to kiss her. She wanted him to, but they were both well aware that they were in full view of the smithy’s shop, where Ben and Michael Dobson were working. Abbey wondered if Jack remembered kissing her in the barn.

  “I think we should keep the actual ceremony we witnessed between ourselves,” Jack said, breaking the spell, “especially as we weren’t meant to observe it.”

  ***

  After washing their hands in the outside laundry and picking straw from each other’s clothes and hair, Jack entered the kitchen with Abbey. He instructed Elsa to take some meat to Max in the barn. “And give him a bowl of milk, too,” he said, thinking it would be an extra treat.

  Sybil and Clementine were seated at the dining table, sharing a pot of tea.

  “Good morning, Mother. Good morning, Clementine,” Jack said. “Have you had breakfast already?” He thought it odd not to smell toast or eggs.

  “No, we haven’t had breakfast,” Sybil said curtly. “I made the tea myself.”

  “What’s going on?” Jack asked suspiciously. “Where’s Sabu?”

  “Meditating on the balcony,” Sybil said. “It’s another Hindustani holiday, apparently.” In the past, she’d been patient and accepting of Sabu’s customs, although she’d never admitted that to Sabu. Now, however, she had guests, and she wasn’t in the mood for his eccentricities. “I’ve never known a religion to have so many holidays.”

  Jack’s expression changed. “Oh, for goodness’s sake,” he said angrily.

  “I’ll make breakfast,” Abbey suggested helpfully, turning to go back to the kitchen.

  “No, Abbey, you must be as tired as I am, and Sabu gets paid to prepare meals,” Jack said, cross with the cook. “I’ll go and have a word with him. I want to speak to William and Martha, anyway.” He headed for the stairs.

  “Where’ve you been so early?” Sybil asked Abbey. “And why are you and Jack tired? Didn’t you sleep well?”

  “We’ve been with Max in the barn most of the night,” Abbey said, blushing again in case Sybil or Clementine thought that was inappropriate. “He’s so much better,” she added, unable to hide her happiness. She decided to let Jack explain about the Aboriginal healers if he wanted to.

  ***

  Jack knocked on the door of the bedroom where Martha and William were staying. William answered the door, and Jack told him about Max and the tribal elder who had cured his infection with an Aboriginal healers’ remedy. He didn’t mention the late-night ceremony. “After receiving a gift of fruit and vegetables, he promised we won’t have any more trouble from Aboriginal tribal members,” Jack said. “I have the elder’s word.” He thought the gift was a small price to pay to have Max well and to have the station safe again.

  “Do you believe him?” William asked, concerned for his family.

  “Yes, I do, but I intend to keep sending them some of our surplus fruit and vegetables, just to keep up good relations. It’s only fair, and I should have thought of it before. They had a problem with us in the first place because they once roamed freely over all our land.”

  Martha was sitting on the bed holding her son and listening to their conversation. “Does that mean we can go home, Jack?” she asked hopefully. She appreciated his hospitality, but she already missed her home and being surrounded by her own things.

  “Yes, whenever you are ready, but there’s no hurry. I just thought you’d like to know your home is safe.”

  “We appreciate that,” William said, relieved.

  “I’d like to go home and settle in with the baby,” Martha said to her husband.

  William understood. He was also eager to get home to check on his livestock and start rebuilding his barn.

  “That’s up to you,” Jack said. “I’ll have one of the servants bring breakfast up to you.”

  ***

  Downstairs, Clementine had just noticed a remnant of straw in Abbey’s hair, a piece that Jack had failed to remove. She was about to comment on it when her attention was caught by raised voices on the stairs. A few moments later Jack appeared again, followed by Sabu, who headed for the kitchen with a face like thunder.

  Jack sat down at the table, and Sybil poured two more cups of tea, one for him and one for Abbey.

  “Is Sabu going to cook?” Sybil asked in a hushed tone.

  “He will if he wishes to stay employed,” Jack said loud enough for the cook to overhear. He turned his attention to Clementine. “How is your father this morning?” Elias had managed to find the doctor, who had visited the previous night. He had checked Martha and the baby, declaring them both healthy. When he had examined Ralph, he had found him slightly improved from how Elias had described his condition. The infection had begun to subside, and the burns had started to heal within hours of the salve being applied.

  Dr. Ashbourne had been going to give Ralph something to help with his fever, but it had already started to come down. Ashbourne was keen to know what Clementine had been using on her father’s burns, but she was reluctant to tell him the truth. She thought he’d be horrified. When he continued to press her, it was Ralph who eventually admitted that an Aboriginal man had made something from plants and roots.

  “We could learn a great deal about how to treat illnesses if we took more notice of Aboriginal healers’ medicine,” he said. “Unfortunately, there is also a lot of superstition that comes with it.”

  “Yes, how is your father?” Abbey asked, hoping for more good news. “I was just about to ask.”

  Clementine flicked a slightly annoyed glance at Abbey. She thought she was behaving as if she were the lady of the house, and it irritated Clementine. “He’s much better,” she answered, noticing that Jack also had straw in his hair. A flash of jealousy shot through her when she thought of possible scenarios that could have led to them both having straw in their hair. They seemed very cosy about something, and she felt certain it wasn’t just a shared elation over the dog’s recovery. “Father actually wanted to get up this morning, but I insisted he stay in bed for one more day, at least.”

  “I’m glad to hear he’s on the mend,” Jack said, thinking that Ernie had come through for Ralph, too. He smiled at Abbey again, knowing that she would also be th
inking the same. Jack knew, however, that it was Abbey’s bravery in fetching Ernie to make the salve that meant Ralph might recover. He believed they were all indebted to her.

  Clementine didn’t fail to notice the intimate smiles between Jack and Abbey, and she inwardly seethed, becoming more than suspicious that something was going on between them. She felt hurt and betrayed by both of them, but especially Jack.

  “I hear your dog is going to be all right,” Sybil said to her son, genuinely pleased for him. Although she wasn’t fond of the dog, she knew how worried Jack had been.

  Jack opened his mouth to speak, but he heard a crash in the kitchen. He frowned in annoyance. If he weren’t in such a good mood, he’d fire Sabu that moment rather than put up with any more of his tantrums. “Yes, Max is much better, Mother, but I’ve got some more good news.”

  “What’s that?” Sybil asked excitedly.

  Clementine became worried, fearing suddenly that Jack was going to make some kind of announcement about him and Abbey.

  “We don’t have to worry about being bothered by the Aboriginal tribal members any more,” Jack said.

  Sybil stared at him for a moment in silence. “How do you know this, Jack?” she asked. “Have they been apprehended by the constabulary?”

  “No. Abbey had the idea to ask Ernie to help Max,” Jack explained. Without giving too much detail, he told her about how Ernie had brought in the Aboriginal healers to help the dog.

  “Are you telling us that Aboriginal men and women were within a few yards of the house during the night?” Sybil said, aghast. She was terrified that they could have been killed in their beds.

  “Yes, Mother, a tribal elder came with two women, and they made something for Max’s wound.” He avoided going into specifics about the elder being a Kurdaitcha man and also made no mention of sorcery. “Max is up on his feet this morning, and he’s hungry, so that’s a very good sign. In return, I had Frank Fox prepare a basket of fruit and vegetables for the healers. Ernie said the drought was making this type of food hard to come by. The elder was very grateful and promised that the troublesome tribal members would now leave us alone.”