by Mark Stewart
AFTER VIEWING the dead bodies of the train driver and his assistant, Jessica didn’t sit around waiting for rescue. She squared her shoulders to shake off the dying thoughts.
“Everyone, stay close to the train,” urged Jessica. “When I reach Bendigo, I’ll raise the alarm.” She started to walk off towards the front of the train.
“Where do you think you’re going?” quizzed a man wearing a black business suit. “Those bushrangers might still be in the area. If they see any of us alone, in the dark, I’m sure they will love to have a bit of target practice. Girlie, you could end up as their dessert.”
“I agree,” echoed Ivan Kepler, crawling out from under the train. “We have to stay here. I’m sure the station master at Bendigo will be scooting off to the lawman when he realizes the train hasn’t arrived on time.”
Jessica walked back to the group. She looked Kepler in the eyes. “I hope they do come. I want what belongs to me back.”
“Forget your goods,” cried an older lady. The wrinkles on her face gave away the amount of stress she felt. She looked over her shoulder before sitting on the steps of the red carriage next to a petite middle-aged woman. “Those men are long gone. So too are your guns and the magnificent looking ring. I bet you will never see either again.”
“I won’t be too quick to make a bet on your statement. In any case, I’m not waiting here,” grunted Jessica. “You can stay if you want to. I’m leaving. Anyone or all of you is more than welcome to tag along.”
“Please reconsider what you are going to do?” pleaded Kepler.
“I’m more than capable of walking the few hours to Bendigo.”
Kepler placed his hand on Jessica’s shoulder. She wiped it off.
“Please, the railway has rules.”
“I don’t care about the rules. Anyone who tries to stop me will see the ground close up,” Jessica snorted.
“I’m hoping you’ll decide to stay. I thought we were getting along just fine,” hinted Kepler.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you. I have been trying to tell you there is ‘no, us’ this entire trip.”
“Please, I don’t want you to go.”
“I’ll be fine. If any rail official tries to blame you for anything I’ll tell them I chose of my own free will to walk into town. It’s your job to stay here to look after the rest of the passengers.”
Kepler and the commuters shook their heads. Jessica waved goodbye to the onlookers before starting to walk along the tracks. She felt more than confident of obtaining a horse the moment she arrived in the town. To pass the time she began to finalize her precise moves. Already her imagination could picture the station master looking puzzled at the breaking news on the delayed arrival of the train. Sounding exhausted, she’d complain bitterly. The railroad employee will offer compensation for her hardship. He’d give a polite smile before handing over enough money for a room at the local pub. Maybe even a free meal. Watched by the railroad man she’d enter the establishment full of drunken males, ask for a room, sneak away to borrow a horse and ride to the sheep station.
Satisfied her plan didn’t have too many holes in it; Jessica checked the height of the sun. If she wanted to arrive in town before sunset, she had to double her pace.
The hot sun dived quickly towards the west. The train shrunk rapidly. The train track appeared to stretch out before her in two endless straight lines. Seeing a mirage of water pooled in the distance, Jessica kept focused on the illusion. For the last time, she looked over her shoulder. The train vanished long ago. Seeing her long shadow, Jessica checked the position of the sun again. The trees already half covered the ball of light.
When Jessica finally viewed the train station the birds were frantically searching for a nice branch to sleep on for the night. From a distance, the small shed looked rustic and abandoned. Walking faster, Jessica wiped more dust on her face.
A wiry built man stood leaning against a long wooden pole which held up the narrow verandah roof of the train station. The second he spotted Jessica, he started walking in large circles. When she got close enough, he stopped. Cupping a hand around his mouth, he yelled for her to get off the tracks.
“Girlie are you stupid? The train is overdue. Get the hell off the tracks,” he called for the second time.
A full three minutes ticked off before Jessica listened. From the end of the train station, she started her act. Placing her hands on her hips, she glared at the weed of a man.
“I don’t want to hear any excuses. If you need to buy a ticket, you’ll have to wait for tomorrow. The train departs for Melbourne at 9:30 in the morning.”
Jessica boldly walked up to the man. “Sir, I have some disturbing news. I’m a passenger on your delayed train. When we stopped for water three bushrangers came out of nowhere. They shot dead the engineer. The fireman is also dead. There are a lot of people waiting to be rescued back at the train. I decided to walk here to raise the alarm.”
“You’re joking?” questioned the man.
“Does my appearance relay to you I might be joking?”
The man raised his eyebrows as he studied Jessica’s appearance. She could only imagine what he must have seen. Hair a mess, her white shirt dirty and her black leather boots scuffed badly from what she’d endured.
“Sir, I’m exhausted, do you have any water?” Jessica wiped the sweat from her face smudging the dust across her brow.
“Yes, yes, of course, step this way. I’d just called it a night and got ready to go to the pub for a pre-dinner drink when I spotted you walking along the tracks. I must admit before I heard your explanation I felt quite angry. I couldn’t understand why anyone wanted to walk on rail tracks. I’ll have it noted I’ve never in all my years of working, have I ever seen such a thing.”
The man held the door open to the ticket office. Jessica stepped inside. She felt positive if three people managed to squeeze into the room it would be a miracle. In one corner sat a large glass jug of water on a half round table. The only furniture in the room was a small safe under a bench behind the glass window. Jessica swiveled her head to the right. She found someone had thoughtfully placed a sharpened pencil under a clipboard full of blank papers on top of the safe.
Jessica stared at the man. Her disgusted look went straight over his head. She took the cup of water from the man’s hand, drinking it in one gulp. “I’m surprised you’re not alarmed over the lateness of the train.”
“I am concerned over its punctuality. Before I go home, it did enter my mind to drop past the lawman’s house to tell him of my doubts.”
“How long before someone goes searching for the missing train?”
“Sunup, if the train doesn’t arrive tonight,” answered the man.
“You want those innocent people to spend an entire night on a train stranded in the bush while hiding from bushrangers?”
“I’m not going out there at night,” whimpered the man straightening his peak cap. “I’m more than certain the lawman won’t either.”
“I can’t believe you’d discount the seriousness of what I’ve just told you.”
“Each person I’ve met lately has an opinion on something. I believe those people will be right. In the morning, I’ll personally retrieve the train.”
Jessica stood, slammed the empty cup down next to the jug of water and marched to the door. Before she left the small office, she turned to face the man. “She’ll be right just doesn’t cut it,” she growled. “I’ll find a horse, hitch it to a wagon full of food and water then ride back to the train myself.”
Jessica stepped outside, slamming the door shut. Her feet caused a series of small dust clouds as she marched away from the station. In seconds, the man shuffling after her started to wave his arms wildly in the air.
“Stop, please stop.”
Jessica looked over her shoulder, throwing her hands onto her hips. The man’s face turned Ashen. His lips were starting to quiver.
“You’re right, I’ll ride out to the train sho
rtly,” he puffed. “Is there something I can do to make up for my lack of caring?”
Jessica smiled loosely at the man knowing he easily swallowed her act. “Do you think you could give me a small amount of money for a meal? Maybe even a bed for the night. I’m dog tired from the walk.”
“I’m sure the local hotel across the street will be more than obliging on your request.”
“Your idea sounds wonderful. There’s only one problem; the bushrangers robbed me of everything I own. All I have is what I’m wearing.”
“What if I reimbursed you three pennies for the train ride plus two more for your inconvenience?”
“If you make it twelve, I’ll be more than satisfied with our business arrangement.”
The wiry man’s troubled expression cast doubt on not only Jessica’s plans; he looked to be growing suspicious of the whole brazen deal.
“I’m not sure I can rig the books for the amount of money,” he moaned.
“What of my long, exhaustive walk? Not forgetting everything I own is what you see.”
The man rubbed his chin, deep in thought. “I suppose I could write the explanation; I spent the money on severance pay due to the robbery. I could write a sub note after the fact stating you were going to sue the railroad for everything they own. I alone persuaded you into taking twelve pennies for compensation due to your plight.”
Jessica slapped the man on his boney shoulder. “You’re a clever man. I knew you could think up something intelligent.”
“Now we have almost come to a settlement; I will agree to your terms only if you allow me to cook you a nice meal. A kangaroo leg is hanging in the meat locker back at my place.”
“Thanks for the offer. Maybe when I’ve replaced my dirty clothes and freshened up, I’ll let you buy me a meal at the local.”
The man quickly responded to Jessica’s newest part of the agreement. He stuck out his hand. She shook it to seal a gentleman’s agreement.
“I’ll go get your twelve pennies from the safe. I won’t be a moment.”
Jessica started jumping from excitement at her acting skills. The moment she saw his returning she fell silent as a lamb. The station master stepped up to Jessica, handing over the money.
“Thank you for your trouble,” said Jessica. “Maybe you’d like to escort me towards the hotel?”
“It’ll be my pleasure,” replied the station master. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“You can ask. I’m not sure if I’ll answer. It depends on the question.”
“I’m wondering why you’re wearing a man’s outfit? If the women in the town saw what you are wearing, I hate to think what they’d say.”
“You’re the second person to ask the same question today. I’m eager to return to my sheep station. I don’t want to waste any time in changing my clothes.”
“Which station are you referring to?”
“The Rosedale,” answered Jessica truthfully.
“Are you telling me the Rosedale is yours?”
“Are you surprised?”
“Yes, I am. The real owner of the Rosedale was murdered a long time ago.”
“Yes I know; he was my uncle. The Rosedale is mine. He left the sheep station to me in his will.”
“Do you know an aborigine is in charge the place? Don’t get me wrong I’m not a racist man. I’ve heard he’s quite good.”
“Yes, I do. The man’s name is Lightening Dawn.”
“I apologize for testing you. Please understand I needed convincing you are the owner of the Rosedale. I’ve seen the aboriginal man several times when he came into town for supplies.”
“It’s quite alright,” said Jessica. “Any idea what his name means?”
The man threw up his hands. “Rule of thumb I live by; keep to myself.”
Jessica bid him a good night by shaking his hand. Turning his back, the station master trotted towards the railway station where his horse stood tethered to a post. Jessica watched him mount the beast, gave it a quick kick in the ribs and cantered off along the train line.
Laughter and colourful language coming from inside the hotel by drunken men sent a signal to women who were in the immediate area to stay away. If they needed to walk past the pub, they were always advised to cross the road.
Jessica marched to the closest horse trough, gently pushing the brown mare’s snout out of the way. Water droplets fell onto the dust. Staring into the trough, she waited for the water to settle before viewing her appearance. She looked worse than she imagined. Cupping her hands in the water, she washed her face and arms and sprinkled water on her hair. Pushing her fingers through the knots, Jessica did her best to look presentable. Dusting down of her clothes and straightening her button up shirt came last. She winked at her reflection, sighed, painted a seductive smile on her face and walked over to the hotel’s wooden bat-winged doors. The moment she stepped into the cigar smoke filled hotel the voices of the drunken men were at an unbearable roar. There were at least a dozen round tables scattered around the floor space. At each table, there were six chairs. A bearded man occupied every seat in the place. Loitering at the bar the men were three-deep. The ones at the back were trying to push their way to the front so the barman could refill their glasses.
Keeping an eye on the seated men, Jessica strolled over to the bar. Each time her boot left the wooden floor, it felt sticky from slopped whisky. The crowded room fell, quiet. Each man shuffled to one of the side walls creating a passage to the bar. The young male bartender stopped pouring a long-bearded gold prospector another drink to glue his gaze on Jessica. Stepping up to the bar an old man shoved a stool at her. Jessica flashed him a grin. He smiled back. His bad breath smelled worse than the pile of horse manure next to the water trough. Judging by the empty shot glasses in front of him Jessica could tell he already consumed several too many.
Leaning her elbows seductively on the solid wooden red gum counter, Jessica sensed a ruckus developing. In this particular town, women were barred from the hotel establishment. Most nights the local lawman looked in over the top of the wooden bat-winged doors. If he ever found a woman inside, he’d grab her by the scruff of the neck and escort her home. Drunken men and young sober women don’t mix are what he says.
Upstairs, however, seemed to be a different story.
Fifty pairs of eyes bore into Jessica examining every square inch of her youth. Before the barman could take a step towards her, a young man pushed his chair back and stepped to Jessica’s side.
“Is there something you need?” he asked. Winking, he peeled his wide-brimmed hat from his head. “You name it; I’ll fulfill your every dream.”
A stirring commotion from the rest of the male brood made the young lad’s face turn bright red.
“A drink or two might feel good going down,” replied Jessica. “My throat is drier than the Simpson desert.”
The young man clicked his fingers at the barman, who raced over to pour whisky into a shot glass. Jessica downed the liquid in one gulp, slammed it on the bar and signaled for another.
“Hey mate you’re gonna get lucky tonight,” snickered a man at the back of the crowd. His gummy smile showed he had been involved in too many fights to remember. Judging by the battle scars on his face they depicted he’d lost more than won.
“Shut up, you, old fool,” shrieked the lad, handing Jessica a third glass full of whisky.
Jessica swallowed the drink before the fourth was poured. She scanned the faces of the men drooling over her before focusing on the young man who bought the drinks. She winked seductively, took him by the hand and led him towards the stairs. Cheering and clapping didn’t stop till they were upstairs out of sight.
The hallway boasted six rooms, three on each side. Jessica could hear a woman giggling as she walked past the first doorway. Outside the closed door of the second room, she heard the unmistakable squeak of the bed. At the end of the hallway, she abruptly stopped walking. Taking the man completely by surprise she pinned him aga
inst the wall. His futile struggles against Jessica’s arm leaning heavily against his throat were weak at best.
“I know you’re a decent man,” she whispered. “I don’t have too much time to explain. Have you seen three men? Two of the three are brothers? One of the three has a dusty beard. He goes by the name of Dan?”
“How important are these men?”
“The three are bushrangers,” reported Jessica applying more pressure on his windpipe.
“None has come into town fitting the description,” he croaked.
Jessica hesitated before letting the man loose. He instantly rubbed his throat.
“I believe you,” she whispered. “I need a favour.”
“Name it, and it’s yours.”
“I’d like to borrow a horse.”
“For how long?” he asked.
“Two months at the most. I’ll take good care of it.”
“There’s a spare horse in the blacksmith’s stable at the other end of town. You’ll find a man shoeing the horses. He’s my brother. His name’s Dave. You tell him Steve said it’s ok for you to borrow one.”
Jessica moved her weight from off the man. She flashed him a grin before starting to walk back down the hallway to the stairs.
The lad sprinted after her. Grabbing hold of her shoulder he blurted. “If you leave now those drunks will skin me alive. They expect me to do you.”
“I don’t want to see a handsome young fella skinned alive by a room full of drunken bums.” Jessica grabbed the young man around his waist, plastering a long gentle kiss on his lips. The man lapped up every second. Eventually, she allowed him to come up for air. “I can tell you’ve never been kissed before.”
“How did you know?” whispered the lad.
“I’m a woman.”
Jessica wore a broadening grin, walking down the stairs. All eyes in the room were on her from the moment she appeared on the top stair to the second she reached the bat-winged doors leading to the outside. Not one drunken male looked to be prepared to start the taunting. At the threshold to the outside, Jessica faced the sea of strangers. Before disappearing into the night, she puffed out her breasts.
“The young man doesn’t beat around the bush. He’s the best I’ve ever known.”
Jessica left the disturbance in her wake. Walking past many shop fronts, she finally came to the blacksmith’s stable. She found a tall, short cropped dark haired young man feeding the horses. He looked slightly older than the one she’d kissed at the hotel. The man wore blue jeans and a short-sleeved shirt. His forearms, biceps, and shoulders looked like they could easily lift four men off the ground.
Jessica lost sight of the man when the Clydesdale he stood next to, moved. To bide her time until he finished feeding the horse, she glanced about the wooden barn. In the small furnace near the center of the stable, the embers still glowed. A metal bucket full of water sat on a red brick next to the Anvil. Jessica silently walked across the compacted ground to take a closer look. Sitting in the bucket of water were four horseshoes. The man she wanted to talk to walked from behind the large Clydesdale. In the light of the kerosene lantern hanging from a bent nail on the main pole supporting the roof, he looked Jessica up and down. The small dancing flame inside the kerosene lantern highlighted Jessica’s shapely silhouette.
“Can I help you?”
Jessica squared herself to the man. “Steve gave me a message. He reckons it’ll okay for me to borrow a horse.”
“My brother can never resist a pretty woman.” He walked over, holding out his hand.
Jessica put out hers. The moment their skin touched for the handshake, she could tell he’d seen a lot of horseshoeing. “I’m Jessica,” she blurted.
“I’m pleased to meet you. I’m Dave.”
“I thought you might be.”
“Where did you meet my brother? Or should I say how did you meet?”
“We met at the local not more than half an hour ago. He’s a perfect gentleman.”
“You were in the pub?”
“Yes.”
Dave meticulously studied Jessica from head to foot.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m checking for ripped clothing, bruises, welts on your arms. I don’t see any. I’m surprised you made it out of the place intact.”
“Why? Is it due to the fact I’m a woman?”
“Yes, an extremely beautiful one.”
“I hope you don’t mind me asking. Your accent, is it Irish?”
“Indeed. You’re not only pretty you are clever too.”
“Thanks for the compliment, now, how about the horse?”
The man beckoned Jessica to follow. He led her to the stall next to the Clydesdale. A fine-looking mare twitched its ears forward when she saw the pair looking over the low gate.
“I re-shod the horse this morning,” said Dave.
“She’s a beauty.”
“Fast too. I gave her a run for a bit of exercise about three hours ago.” He looked directly into Jessica’s blue eyes. “Do you have any money, for the loan of the horse, I mean.”
“Can I give you what I gave your brother?”
The man rubbed his chin, deep in thought. “Knowing Steve, he probably settled for a kiss. He’s been complaining for months he’s never kissed a woman. Two days ago, he said he’d give anything for a kiss.”
Jessica put her arm over his rock-hard shoulder.
“You’re the most beautiful woman in this town. Take no offence when I say I’d rather get paid money.”
“Okay.”
When the young man finished saddling the horse, Jessica took hold of the reins. She stretched her neck a few inches to kiss the man square on the lips. She slipped two pennies into his hand before mounting the horse. Flicking the reins against the horse’s neck, they trotted off.
CHAPTER FIVE
