Jewel In the North

by Tricia Stringer

  “You shouldn’t be here.”

  The rock he’d been examining dropped with a thud and he jerked his head up. This time it was Clem’s turn to be disconcerted. The pale-faced man staring at him was the South African he had met in the pub several years earlier. What had been his name? Becker. There was no doubting the red hair and the pale skin.

  Becker glanced around then regained his composure and raised his eyebrows. “I was told this land belongs to William Baker. Who are you?”

  Clem felt the muscles in his arms twitch. “I work for William Baker.” He scanned around at the shovels and buckets and pegged-out ground. Becker was doing more than fossicking. He was conducting a mining expedition. “You have no right to be here.”

  “I have every right. I am Heinrich Becker.” He drew a paper from his pocket. “And I have a legal claim to search for diamonds here.” He waved the paper at Clem. “Can you read, man?”

  Clem drew himself up. He was not going to be insulted by someone who came to thieve from this country. He waved his hand at Becker. “You can’t stay here. You are keeping the cattle from the waterhole.”

  Becker shrugged his shoulders. “Not my problem. My claim includes the waterhole. I could fence the whole thing if I wished but I don’t mind if the cattle drink from the other side. If they cause me trouble I shall extend the fence. I sent your employer a letter regarding my intent to search here. Take it up with him.” He turned back to his rocks.

  Clem watched. It had only been a week since he’d last been that way to tell Hegarty he could take some leave. In the time Clem and Jessie had taken to arrive the man had come and set all this up. Clem looked around. There was an air of permanency about the place. Hegarty had constructed a crude hut further up the hill, but even that looked temporary. Not like Becker’s camp, with its water barrel beside the tent, table and chairs and built-up fire with a pile of wood stacked beside it. A lot of work had been done by one man.

  A scream sent a surge of terror through Clem. It was Jessie. His feet were moving before the sound died. He ran up the dry creek bed and scrambled over the ridge and down the other side to the place he’d left her.

  Jessie was pressed against the tree with the wailing Haji clutched to her chest. Relief flooded her face as he raced towards her.

  “What’s wrong?” He put his hand out and she fell into his arms; the baby squashed between them protested even more. “What happened?”

  “There was a man.” Jessie’s words came out in gasps. “He’s gone now.”

  Clem lifted his gaze and twisted to get a better look around. There was no sign of anyone. He gently moved Jessie back and held her at arm’s length. He looked from her to his son. “Did he hurt you? Haji?”

  She shook her head. “He gave me a fright and that startled Haji. I shouldn’t have screamed.” She began to jiggle the baby, singing a song softly in his ear to calm him.

  Clem frowned. He thought back to his meeting with Becker and the work that had been done in a short time around his camp. There were three horses tethered. They could have been packhorses or perhaps there was another man.

  Haji had stopped crying and Jessie had stopped pacing. He looked at the fear on her face. “Did you know the man you saw, Jessie?”

  She shook her head again but he had seen the veiled look in her eye. It surprised Clem. He’d never thought Jessie would lie to him.

  He put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Who was it, Jessie?”

  She wrapped her arms tightly around the sleeping baby. “He’ll take Haji away.”

  “Who will?”

  “The protector.”

  Clem scratched his head. “You saw the protector here?”

  “No.”

  “Jessie, I don’t understand. There is a South African man down at the waterhole and he has a paper to say he can search for diamonds. He’s made a camp that he couldn’t have done in the time on his own. Someone is helping him. It may be the man you saw. You have to tell me.”

  One large tear rolled down Jessie’s cheek. “It was Charles Wiltshire.”

  Clem blew out a breath. William would not be pleased to find a diamond miner camped at the waterhole but he would be very angry indeed when he found out Charles Wiltshire was involved.

  Jessie gulped in a breath.

  Clem turned back to his wife. “Wiltshire can’t harm you, Jessie. Why are you so frightened of him?” He put a hand under her chin and carefully tilted her face to him. “He brought you home after you had the baby.” A terrible thought crossed his mind. “He didn’t … harm you?”

  Jessie shook her head violently, shaking his fingers away. “No, Clem.”

  “Then what is it?”

  She wouldn’t look at him.

  He put his hands on her shoulders this time. “I will look after you, Jessie. He can’t harm you.”

  “Not me,” she whispered.

  Once more Clem frowned. His sweet Jessie was talking in circles. He took in the shielding hand she had placed on Haji’s head. “Why do you think the protector would take Haji away?”

  She lifted her fear-filled eyes to him. “Mr Charles said.”

  “Why did Wiltshire threaten you?”

  She looked away again. “He’s not a nice man. He wanted to scare me, that’s all.”

  “You should have told me, Jessie.”

  “What could you do? We don’t have any say. Men like him can do what they want.” This time when she looked at him her eyes were full of sorrow.

  “We have good people like William and Joseph Baker. They would speak up for us.”

  “They can’t stop the protector taking children from their mothers.”

  He put a gentle arm around her shoulder and placed his hand over the one she rested on their sleeping son.

  “If anyone came for Haji there are plenty of places we could hide him.” Clem hugged her tighter. “But no-one will come for him, Jessie. Some children were taken, but there was such an outcry it hasn’t happened again. Besides, there is no reason for Haji to be taken. You are a good mother and I am never far away.”

  They stood huddled together for a while then Clem eased himself away.

  “What are you going to do?” Jessie’s look was still fearful.

  “Round up what cattle I can find and move them back down to the plain. The small winter rain has raised some feed and there are a couple of waterholes with water. It should be enough to keep them alive until William comes back, then he can decide what to do.”

  Jessie clutched at his sleeve. “You’re not going to look for Wiltshire?”

  “Not now. I’ll talk to William about it.” It annoyed Clem to wait for William but he knew there was little he could do about either the mine or Charles Wiltshire without William’s help.

  He looked in the direction of Becker’s camp and then north. He was confident Becker wouldn’t find more of the rock he desperately sought. The diamond Joseph had found was from the hidden waterhole. Once the full heat of summer hit, Clem was sure Becker would pack up and leave. They just had to be patient and wait.

  Twenty-six

  William lifted his weary head and stared in bewilderment. Big Red came to a stop beneath him. Not only were there cattle in the creek bed, but there were pockets of water for them to drink from. A young brown bull strolled to the edge of a waterhole. It was one of the cattle he’d left in the higher country. Only the older black bull and ten cows had been kept closer to the house.

  Obviously there’d been some rain in his absence. Small patches of grass, like threads of silver and green, spread across the slopes he’d just crossed. There’d been no water in the lower region of Wildu Creek where he, Rex and Robert had parted company, but here, closer to the Smith’s Ridge homestead, there were all the signs of at least some winter rain.

  He thought of the cattle he’d spent months shifting steadily south until he managed to find agistment for them. Perhaps he should have waited — but then it was only September. The summer was ahead of them and if ther
e was no further rain the small amount of water and grass would soon be taken up by the few remaining stock.

  Nonetheless he felt happier knowing that there’d been some little relief from the drought there in the hills. He urged Big Red on up the slope to the track that would lead them to Smith’s Ridge. They passed more cattle along the way and finally the homestead appeared ahead with smoke wafting from the chimney. At least a sign that someone was home, perhaps Jessie.

  Bone weary but glad to be home at last he slid from the saddle, stretched his arms out wide and then rubbed at his behind. What a journey it had been. Now all he wanted was a bath and some hot food. He patted Big Red’s neck and removed the saddle.

  “You need a few days off as well, old boy.” He smoothed the horse’s rump then led him into the fenced yard where there was a full trough of water and some hay in a box. “Take a holiday.”

  “You made it.”

  William swung his tired body around; Clem was standing at the gate. He was shirtless, his hair hung to his muscled shoulders and his hands rested firmly on his hips.

  “Good to see you, Clem.” William held out his hand and Clem shook it. “I notice we’ve had some rain.”

  “A little.”

  “You shifted the cattle back from the hills?”

  “Most of them. Hegarty’s up there, now looking for any we missed.”

  “How’s Jessie?”

  “Well.”

  “And the baby?”

  At last there was a flicker of a smile on Clem’s face. “I have a son. Haji.”

  William clapped a hand on Clem’s shoulder. “Congratulations.”

  Clem looked past William to the track he’d just ridden in on. “Robert isn’t with you?”

  “He went on to Wildu Creek. We heard Father had also gone south with the sheep. Robert wanted to make sure everything was all right at home.”

  “That’s good. Are you hungry? We’ve just eaten but there’s some pie left.” This time he did smile. “Jessie has learned a lot more about cooking while you’ve been gone.”

  “I’ll wash up and join you inside.” William began to walk on to the wash house.

  “William.”

  Clem’s call made him look back.

  “There is a lot to tell you.”

  William nodded. Clem was naturally serious but his expression left William in no doubt the news wasn’t going to be good.

  Inside the house Jessie gave him a welcome hug and Clem proudly lifted the sleeping baby from his basket.

  “He’s a fine-looking fellow.” William traced a finger across one soft little cheek. The baby pursed its lips and let out a sigh.

  Clem put an arm around Jessie and they both looked adoringly at their child. A pang of longing overtook William. Would this be him and Georgina one day? He was anxious to ride over and see her but knew he had to come home first and find out what had been happening in his absence. He’d ask Jessie to cut his hair and he needed a proper wash and some fresh clothes before he set off to find the woman he loved.

  “Sit down, William.” Clem handed over the baby to Jessie and waved at the table, which was set with cutlery and a large serving of pie and potato.

  William did as he was bid and tucked into the food. The pastry was crunchy but soft, and the meat inside delicious. He smiled at Jessie. “Thank you. This is good.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Clem sat opposite William and waited for him to finish.

  Jessie put two mugs of tea on the table and left the room. Finally, William sat back and took in Clem’s serious expression. “I’m guessing you haven’t got good news.”

  “A man called Heinrich Becker has put a claim on the land around the bottom waterhole.”

  William opened his mouth but before he could speak Clem continued. “It’s the same man who came here several years ago looking for diamonds.”

  “Damn!” William thumped the table with his fist. “I thought it was too easy to get rid of him the first time. Did you try to move him on?”

  “No point. He has staked his claim. Hegarty has been up there and inspected the document thoroughly. We can’t move him off.”

  “I lease this land. He can’t do that without letting me know.”

  “Says he sent you a letter.”

  “Did he?” William glanced at the small pile of mail that had accumulated in his absence.

  “I’ve seen nothing since you’ve been gone.” Clem shrugged. “He said he gave it to Charles Wiltshire to hand on.”

  “Becker has poor taste in couriers.” William scratched at his cheek through his rough beard. “The bottom waterhole, you said? I don’t expect he will find diamonds there.”

  “Becker doesn’t appear to move far from his claim.”

  “So we have to wait it out until he gets sick of looking and leaves.”

  “Maybe. Only I think he has a partner who might not be so easy to get rid of.”

  “Who?”

  “Charles Wiltshire.”

  William leaped to his feet with a growl. “What’s that buffoon got to do with it?”

  “Jessie saw him near the waterhole when we first discovered Becker and from the look of Becker’s camp he had to have had help. When Hegarty got a look at the claim Becker had folded the bottom of the paper below his name but there was something else written there. Hegarty thinks it could have been Wiltshire’s name. I suspect that’s why Becker sent him the original letter of intent.”

  “Damn the man.” William slapped his thigh. Dust puffed from his trousers. “I’ve got to have this out with him.”

  “What good would that do? Hegarty says the paper is legal.” Clem glared at him. “You can’t change anything.”

  William sank back to the chair and put his head in his hands. He suddenly felt so tired he could barely longer hold himself upright.

  “Drink your tea.” Clem picked up one of the mugs and took a mouthful. He watched while William did the same.

  The liquid was hot and sweet.

  “There’s more.”

  William lifted his gaze to meet Clem’s serious expression.

  “Becker has fenced part of the waterhole.”

  “What?”

  “That’s why we brought the cattle back here. We had just enough rain to raise some grass and put water in some of the closer holes. They will be all right for the moment but if we don’t get rain before summer …”

  William’s fist thumped the table. “How can he fence a waterhole? Our stock depend on it.”

  “If he doesn’t find anything I don’t think he will last through the heat of the summer. He’ll give up and leave and we can take the fence down.”

  “I can’t believe Charles Wiltshire will give up so easily.”

  “I’d rather Wiltshire kept away for another reason.” Clem glanced towards the kitchen door and lowered his voice. “Jessie is terrified of him.”

  William couldn’t help but glance at the door like Clem had. “Why?”

  “For some reason he frightened her with talk of the protector taking Haji away.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “I don’t know. Jessie gets upset at the mention of Wiltshire’s name.”

  “He’s up to something.”

  “Sneaking around making mine claims?”

  “Yes, but what has that got to do with Jessie?”

  “I don’t know. She gets so upset I haven’t tried to ask her again.”

  “No-one would take Haji.”

  “I don’t believe so, but Jessie is terrified.”

  William staggered to his feet. “I’m going to see for myself what’s happening at the waterhole and if necessary I’ll speak to Wiltshire.”

  Clem stood and shook his head. “You don’t look like you’re capable of anything more today. Nothing will change between now and tomorrow. You should sleep.”

  Every inch of William ached and his eyelids felt like lead. He knew Clem was right. “I’ll set out at first light tomorrow.”
r />   “I’ll see to your horse.”

  Despite the turmoil of thoughts that plagued him William slept heavily and woke just as the first glow of the sun’s rays lit his bedroom. His first thought was of seeing Georgina and then he remembered the South African and his claim. William dressed in fresh clothes and ate quickly, listening as Clem confirmed everything he’d said the night before. While Clem spoke William glanced several times at Jessie, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze and kept herself busy with the fire and the baby. Only Clem came out to see him off on his way to find Hegarty.

  The sight of cattle moving towards him was the first indication Hegarty was close. Several hollow-looking beasts trudged slowly along a dry creek bed. William skirted up onto the small plain above the bank and caught sight of Hegarty at the rear. The older man saw him coming and was out of his saddle immediately. They shook hands warmly.

  “Good to see you home again, William.”

  “Clem tells me there’s been some trouble.”

  “Not trouble exactly.” Hegarty swept off his hat and dragged his fingers through his thick dark hair. “Becker has a legal claim to search for diamonds. Nothing any of us can do about it.”

  “Clem says his claim includes the bottom waterhole.”

  “That is a sticking point.”

  “And that Wiltshire may be involved.”

  Hegarty’s weathered face wrinkled deeper in a frown. “It could have been his name listed on the bottom of the form but I didn’t get a clear look. I’m guessing Wiltshire is the reason Becker accessed the claim without coming over your land. He came in through Prosser’s Run instead.”

  William gazed in the direction of his neighbour’s property. Surely Georgina wouldn’t have been a party to it.

  Hegarty gave a snort. “Doesn’t matter how he got there, anyway. The claim says he can search that piece of land and he has the law on his side to access it no matter what you may think.”

  William turned back to Hegarty. “It’s struggle enough to survive here. Why can’t people mind their own business?”

  The older man looked off into the distance. “Because they think they’ll be rich beyond their wildest dreams.”

  William knew Hegarty was thinking of his own mining days. He recalled the conversation he’d had with Joseph at Christmas. “But surely the lives of people and animals are more important.”