“The sheep are up in the higher country close to the springs. There’s still some water lower down.”
“I don’t know what to do. Many have lost stock. I can’t imagine how we will avoid the same.” William put his head in his hands. “Thousands of sheep dying and many cattle as well.”
“Some have let the animals eat the land bare and then think they will get good rain every year. We’ve taken better care of our country. We’re surviving because we have some bush left.” He leaned across and clapped his hand on William’s shoulder. “Hope and pray. That’s all we can do now, son.”
William pointed towards Joseph’s shirt pocket. “You’re still not tempted to look for diamonds?”
Joseph’s hand covered the lump in his pocket that was the rough diamond. He locked his gaze on William’s. “I’ve told you I won’t. I’ve seen what mining fever does to people and to the land.”
“We have done well because of the gold you found.”
Joseph stood and began to pace. “Yes.” He stopped and turned back to William, who was still watching him closely. “I have taken the riches from the land and used them for our benefit, so why shouldn’t I do it again?”
William stood, a frown on his face. “You wouldn’t …”
Joseph shook his head. “I can’t say I’ve never thought about looking for diamonds but that’s all it’s ever been, a brief thought.” He went back to his chair and sat. William did the same.
Joseph sighed. “There are times when I hate myself for it.”
“For what?”
“Double standards.” Joseph stared out across the dry creek. “I mined gold without a thought for what it did to the land and yet when it comes to this country I can’t bear the idea of people crawling all over it, desecrating it in search of riches.”
“You can’t even be sure there are more diamonds around the waterhole. That rock could have come from anywhere. Yardu’s people used to travel long distances to trade. Who’s to say someone didn’t pick it up and carry it with them only to discard it later?”
Joseph looked at his son. “Whatever the case no-one will search that country in my lifetime.”
William’s gazed shifted towards the mountains. “Nor mine,” he murmured. “I made Yardu a promise.”
“What? When?”
“I visited the camp before he died. He insisted I look out for his people.”
“Yardu talked with you? He rarely spoke to me.”
“I’m not sure I understood all that his translator said but it boiled down to me being the caretaker of Smith’s Ridge and of the people who live there.”
“Well, I’ll be. So that’s why you won’t try to divert the water.” Joseph scratched at his beard.
“It’s not a job I expected either and, apart from making sure they have food and water, I can’t see what else I can do. It’s mostly only old people left at the camp, and I know little of their ways — but at least they can remain in their country.”
“I wonder for how long.” Joseph thought of the stories he’d heard about natives being moved to missions and reserves. He could understand Millie’s fears for their children.
“I don’t know what Yardu really expected of me but I will do my best to see that those who remain have food and are left alone.”
Joseph put a hand on his son’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “You’re a good man, son.”
William lifted his head and stared down at the creek bed to where the children were playing. Joseph felt for his oldest son. At least at Wildu Creek there was his father, Timothy and Eliza, Robert, Millie and the little children. They had each other to lean on in these tough times. It must be lonely for William and Hegarty at Smith’s Ridge, with only Clem and Jessie as company.
“How are Jessie and Clem?” Joseph asked. “I’m sorry they couldn’t visit for Christmas.”
“They’ll come once I get back to Smith’s Ridge. Clem wants Jessie to stay here to have the baby. Millie has offered to help when the time comes.”
“Who will housekeep for you then?”
William gave a wry smile. “It will be back to me and Hegarty.”
They both jumped to their feet at the sound of a piercing scream from below. The two girls were on their hands and knees, heads down, Matthew’s chubby legs poking out from beneath them. Joseph scrambled down the bank, his heart thumping in his chest.
Ruth looked up at him, tears rolling down her cheeks. “We found a lizard and we made it a little yard.”
Beth held up a small lifeless body. “Matthew squashed it.”
Joseph let out a sigh and took the squashed lizard. “We’ll bury it. I’m sure Matthew didn’t mean to hurt it.”
William watched his father pick up Matthew and placate his daughters. The children certainly kept him busy. “Do you need help?”
Joseph gave him a defiant look. “I think I can manage.”
The little group crossed the creek and made their way up to the other bank where similar burials had taken place for treasured animals over the years.
William turned away as Robert crossed the flat space of land towards him carrying a table.
“Millie said we’re to eat out here tonight.”
William took one side of the table. “You should have called me.”
“Do I look like I need help?” Robert’s tone was sharp but his face bore a grin.
They placed the table on the flat under the tree and William tested to see if it was steady. “We’ll have an arm wrestle later to see who’s strongest.”
Robert’s grin widened. “If you’re up to it.”
William stood tall and hoped his brother wouldn’t remember the challenge. Robert had grown into a big man with broad shoulders and it was quite possible William might come off second best to his little brother these days.
They were both distracted by squeals and yells from across the creek. Joseph was coming back with Matthew on his shoulders and the two girls clung to his legs, one balanced on each of his boots. It would be a slow journey.
“Is it my imagination or have our younger siblings become a little wild of late?” William asked.
“Millie’s very protective of them. It’s been worse since the news of those children north of Hawker being taken away from their mothers. The little ones are hardly allowed out of the house unless one or more of us are with them.”
“Surely those children were in a different situation. They needed care.”
“They had mothers who loved them and did their best for them. The fathers had to go away for work.” Robert turned his big chocolate brown eyes on William. “Just like our father did the last time there was a drought. Imagine if someone had come and taken us away?”
William pursed his lips. It wasn’t the same. The children who were taken must have been in need of help — but he didn’t want to argue with Robert.
“Here we are.” Millie appeared beside them with a tray loaded with cutlery, mugs and a jug of punch. A tablecloth was tucked under her arm. She darted a look at the children as they called to her, then she waved. “Let your poor father walk and come and get a drink.” She glanced from Robert to William. “Would one of you mind going back for the food, please?”
“I’ll go.” Robert was off before William could reply.
Millie smiled. “He’s such a help to me in the house. He cooked the kangaroo-tail soup we had last night.”
“My little brother cooks?”
“He’s mastered a few meals.”
There were more squeals from the creek as Joseph sank to the dirt and the children piled on top of him.
“And he’s so patient with the children. I think they’re beginning to wear your father down.” She went to the edge of the bank. “Beth, Ruth. That’s enough now. Leave your poor father alone.”
William watched the little girls scrabble up the slope and thought about his young giant of a brother and his place in this big family. William had Smith’s Ridge, as he’d wanted. His father had said Rober
t’s time would come but with Thomas and Joseph thankfully both in good health, when would that be? Robert probably got little say in the running of Wildu Creek.
The girls came to a stop in front of them, smiling sweetly. Their hair was awry and sprinkled with dirt and leaves, and their white pinafores had turned brown.
“Look at you both. Off you go and wash, quickly.” Millie clapped her hands and the girls ran giggling across the yard.
“Hello, Grandpa,” they called as they passed Thomas coming from his cottage.
Joseph came up the bank with Matthew. “I think we might need to go and wash as well.”
William watched Thomas ruffle the little boy’s hair as he passed. How he longed for a family of his own, but that was not to be.
Millie had spread the cloth on the table and was busy setting things out. William took a seat under the tree beside Thomas. They both stared into the distance towards the mountains. There was little green in the landscape; only greys and browns as far as the eye could see.
“It’s good to be out here,” Thomas said.
“Lots of happy memories, Grandpa.”
“Mmm,” Thomas murmured. “And some not so. But that is life. We must always look forward. Your grandmother taught me that.”
“You spent a lot of time on your own before you married Grandma.” William thought about the stories of his grandfather’s early days. “It was a big thing to come out here all alone.”
“I suppose so but I wasn’t alone for long. There was Gulda and your great uncles and your grandmother of course.” Thomas shifted his gaze to William. The skin around his eyes was lined with wrinkles that turned up and always made him look as if he was smiling even when he wasn’t. “It was my great fortune that Lizzie agreed to be my wife.”
A wave of loneliness swept over William and he looked back to the mountains.
“How’s Prosser’s Run looking?”
Thomas’s question surprised William. He stiffened.
“I hear the young lady has taken over the management with Donovan’s help.”
“I believe that’s the case. I only know what I’ve seen over the fence. Their country looks much like Smith’s Ridge.” He had not set foot on Prosser’s Run since Georgina had sent him away. The country on the other side of his fence was even more barren than his own and there was no sign of stock.
“No doubt they suffer like the rest of us.” Thomas nodded his head. “Ellis Prosser had a lot of faults but he understood this country better than many.”
“Yes, but he treated some people very badly.”
“True.” Thomas nodded again. “And he’s not alone in that sadly. So you haven’t been over to see how the Prosser ladies are faring?”
“No.” William knew he sounded churlish but Georgina had made it quite clear he wasn’t welcome.
“When I was in Hawker before Christmas Mrs Taylor couldn’t wait to tell me how much time Charles Wiltshire and Miss Prosser were spending together.”
William’s fingers curled into his palms but he said nothing.
“I can’t imagine what a sensible young woman like Miss Prosser could find interesting in that pompous boy.”
“Perhaps he doesn’t have any competition.” Millie handed them both a mug of cold punch. Her face was serious but William saw the twinkle in her eye.
“Mrs Taylor also asked me about your wife, William.” Thomas raised his eyebrows. William lurched forward and nearly choked on the mouthful of punch he’d just taken.
“Fancy you taking a wife and not telling us.”
Millie was grinning now. It was obviously a joke between them.
“I don’t have a wife,” William spluttered.
“Well of course we know that.” She chuckled.
“It seems the gossips of the district have invented one for you,” Thomas said.
William looked at the pair of them laughing at his expense and decided to join their game. “Who is this imaginary wife? Hegarty wouldn’t look good in a skirt.”
“Perhaps … Jessie?”
William leaped to his feet. If it had been anyone but Millie who’d suggested he take another man’s wife he’d have hit them. “People are saying I have taken my friend’s wife?”
“They probably don’t know she’s Clem’s wife.” Millie stroked his shoulder. “No-one would have seen any of you together.”
“You attended their wedding, perhaps someone saw you and got the wrong end of the stick. And it’s no secret there’s a young woman living at Smith’s Ridge.” Thomas grimaced. “You know how the gossips like to make a story much more interesting than it really is.”
William was speechless. He felt a heat that was due to more than the lowering sun. “How dare they besmirch Jessie’s reputation?”
“And yours,” Thomas added.
“I don’t care what people think of me.” Anger bubbled up inside him. It was ironic that once he had cared very much about what people thought. Since Georgina had left to go overseas and then her rejection of him he had attended few community activities. He went to town only when necessary and he didn’t linger there. What he did care about was kind-hearted Jessie being caught up in gossip about him. “How can I fix this?”
“I’m not sure you can,” Thomas said. “Eventually the truth will out.”
“It might help if Clem took his wife to town now and then.” Millie lifted a mug from the table and took a sip. “They haven’t been to Hawker since they were married.”
“Jessie doesn’t like town,” William said.
“Neither do I, but I think we will have to convince Clem they need to buy some things for the baby.”
“What things?” William knew Clem had already made a small cradle and Jessie had been busy sewing.
Millie shook her head. “Doesn’t matter what things.”
The sounds of the children returning mingled in the air with the deeper voices of their father and Robert.
Millie moved to organise the food Robert carried.
“And perhaps you need to visit your neighbours.”
William looked at his grandfather but Thomas was gazing out over the valley again. What did it all mean? William’s thoughts were in turmoil. Is that why Georgina had turned him away; she thought he’d forgotten her and married someone else? His hopes soared and then just as swiftly plummeted. There was no doubting Charles Wiltshire was in her life. That wasn’t gossip; he’d seen them together with his own eyes. It appeared bloody young Wiltshire was trying to claim her.
There was a gasp. “William sweared.”
He looked down at Ruth’s shocked face. He hadn’t realised he’d spoken out loud.
“Swore,” Joseph corrected. He gave William a stern look then when the little girl turned away he winked. “I gather Millie’s told you about the latest gossip.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“We only heard ourselves on your grandfather’s return from town before Christmas. There hasn’t been a chance since you got here. Something to think about though, isn’t it?”
William looked around at the adults, who were all now watching him.
He was blushing, and they were enjoying it.
Joseph clapped him on the back and grinned. “Time to eat, son.”
Twenty
William stood on the ridge above the Wildu Creek houses and sheds and looked over the country spread before him. Bathed in the yellow light of early morning the land was grey, appearing fresh and yet tired all at once. He had planned to return to Smith’s Ridge that day but after the revelations of the previous evening he had decided to stay one more night.
He had slept fitfully, his mind busy with thoughts of Georgina. A window of hope had opened up and he couldn’t shut it. But on top of that, and of more urgency, was the question of what to do about his stock. William knew he had to take most of his remaining cattle south if he was to save them, but had he left it too late? He would need help to do it and his thoughts had shifted to Robert.
&n
bsp; At the first signs of light that morning he had dressed and slipped from his father’s house to climb the ridge. Buried nearby were his grandmother and two of her babies. He’d climbed a little higher past the graves and perched on a large deep red rock, watching the light spread over the land before him as he pondered.
After their dinner by the creek, he had talked at length with his grandfather, father and brother. Sheep were different from cattle but they faced the same problems with the drought. Much had been discussed but it was his decision to make.
Further off in the hills to the right, two eagles circled lower and lower. Something had attracted their scrutiny. He hoped it wasn’t one of his father’s sheep — and that thought helped him make up his mind. The sun crested the hills behind him, lighting up the landscape, highlighting the browns, dull greens and deeper purples, which had all looked grey before.
William rose, stretched his arms over his head and let out a long breath. He had arrived at a decision about the stock at least. What to do about Georgina he was not sure, but it would come to him, he knew. He made his way down, noticing fresh puffs of smoke from both his grandfather’s chimney and his father’s before he lost sight of the smaller house behind the bulk of the newer one. In the big kitchen Millie was busy at the fire. Joseph held Matthew on his knee and Robert sat beside him. There was no sign of the little girls.
“Good morning.” Joseph gave William a sleepy smile.
William suspected that his father’s rest, like his own, had not been peaceful. Joseph had his own worries with his property. William only hoped what he was to suggest wouldn’t add to them. He seated himself at the table opposite Robert.
“You look like a man with something to say.” Joseph sat Matthew on the floor with a pile of wooden blocks and focused on William.
“I’ve decided to leave two bulls and some cows in the high country at Smith’s Ridge. The remaining stock I will walk south.”
“I agree you should try.”
“It will be a slow trek, searching for feed and water.”
“And if you make it with cattle still alive?” Joseph only put into words what William already knew. The cattle could all die on the journey.
Jewel In the North Page 19
