‘Oh, my,’ Mary gasped. ‘Really? It’s really happened?’
‘Really. And what’s even better, Joe and Ellen got a grant too. And the Ruses. Twenty-two families chosen to start farming up river. We’re to be pioneers, Mary. Farmers! How about that? Just as soon as you and young Jimmy are up to it we’ll be on our way.’ He threw his arms in the air and whooped as quietly as he could, watching for any sign that he was disturbing his son.
‘I think you’re more excited about the land than this baby I’ve delivered, William Douglass,’ Mary chided, though her eyes were laughing. ‘After all the false starts I’d be thinking your son would have your full attention, and here you are arranging for us to move to a farm.’ She giggled and hugged the baby to herself, bending to kiss his forehead.
‘He’ll have my attention all his life, Mary. His life on the land. I’ll have something to pass on to him. Who’d have imagined that, now?’
‘You, from what you said to Joe a few months ago. You said it’s all you’ve thought of since you arrived here and you couldn’t believe he wasn’t the same.’
‘That’s true enough, love, but it’s a bit like having Jimmy here. As much as I imagined it happening, now that he’s here I’m finding it hard to take in.’
‘I know what you mean.’ She smiled down at the baby again. ‘Though I suppose I never was as sure as you that it would happen. And I suppose I’m still a bit the same about this farm you talk about. I find it hard to believe we’ll really have land of our own. I guess I’ll only really believe it when I see it.’
‘Then it’s only a matter of time, my love.’ William’s enthusiasm was so infectious that Mary cautiously let her heart swell with hope for the future as she watched him gently lift his son into his arms and turn him about in a slow circle.
‘He can’t see whatever it is you think you’re showin’ him, Will.’ Her face broke into a grin. ‘You’ll have him bringin’ up his dinner, and I’ve nothin’ left for him, you know.’
‘We’ve more than you can imagine for him, little mother. He’ll see it all soon enough.’
***
All through September and October William used every spare minute of his time repairing an old cart he’d bought from one of the farmers, building sturdy boxes to transport their few belongings, and seeking out garden implements and building tools that he could restore to good working order in readiness for their move to the Hawkesbury. As October drew to a close Mary began to box up seeds and small plants. She’d mended their linen and clothes and made two sets of clothes for Jimmy from one of her petticoats and a nightdress given to her by one of the farmer’s wives.
The first week in November, while the weather was dry and not too blisteringly hot, as they knew it would soon be, they loaded up their cart and headed off on the track to the settlement on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. Joe and Ellen were ready to leave with them and they were to travel together. Some of those who’d been granted plots had already made their way up river and had begun to get established. James and Jane Ruse had gone a couple of months earlier and sent word that all was going well.
‘James has started planting already,’ William said as he steadied their horse while Mary climbed up on the bench seat with her baby. ‘He’ll be showing the rest what to do, for sure.’
‘Do the others all have experience with farming?’
‘I’m not sure. I don’t really know how they chose us in the end. I know there were quite a few who applied. But there’s also plenty who aren’t interested. Too far from the townships, they say. Some are afraid of the natives. Some don’t want to put in the work to start afresh. I hope all those who’ve taken the plots are going to pull their weight. This is an important venture for the colony. One the Governor’s counting on and one that might change the way ex-convicts are viewed.’
‘That’s a lot resting on us, isn’t it?’ she said, as they waited for Joe and Ellen to pull alongside in their cart.
‘It is a great responsibility. One I’m ready for,’ he said confidently and his face split into a wide grin.
‘You’ve not a doubt, have you?’ She held tight to Jimmy as the cart began to bump across the track along the river.
‘None I let overtake me,’ he shook his head. ‘Look at this beautiful day, Mary. The sun is shining, the skies are blue, and we have the makings of a home on our cart and our beautiful baby son in your arms. We’re off to start our own farm. What more could a man want?’
‘You didn’t mention your wife,’ she giggled.
‘You know I can hardly think of myself without you, Mary.’ His expression was as earnest as she’d ever seen. ‘Don’t ever doubt that, will you, girl? I know you joke about and I try not to take some of what you say too seriously, but when it comes right down to it, I couldn’t bear for you to really doubt my love for you.’
‘I know it, Will,’ she said almost coyly. The depth of his feeling still sometimes overwhelmed her but she promised herself as she looked forward along the track that this new start for them would be a time for her to rid herself of any doubt she still had. William had never given her cause to doubt him, not once in all the time she had known him. And so she must fully trust that she was the woman he’d chosen and he had no intention of going back on his promises to her.
***
It took most of the day to make their way over the rough track. In parts it was barely wide enough for a cart. At times Mary and Ellen had to get out and walk, carrying their babies while the men pushed the carts through thick muddy grass. But the day was pleasant enough. There were plenty of small trees to shade them. There was a light breeze to cool them. Their anticipation grew from curiousity to excitement when they came to the narrow creek which they’d been told formed the southern arm of the river. On the other side of this they would find their plots marked out just a few hundred yards to the north. They’d stopped numerous times through the day to eat and feed the little ones but now, in the fading light, all they could think of was standing on ground that was registered in their names. William wanted to pick up a handful of his own dirt. He wanted to look around and imagine a field of maize that he’d planted and would reap for his family and for the colony.
‘Nearly there, Mary,’ he beamed. ‘How’s that son of ours doing?’
‘He’s just fine,’ she answered looking down at the sleeping child. ‘He’s a peaceful one. Enjoyed the bumping along all day, I think.’
‘Good, for we’re to get across this creek now and it could be quite bumpy indeed.’
He guided the horse down into the shallow sandy waters and across to the other side with little trouble, checking behind every now and then to see that Joe’s cart was following.
James Ruse met them as their carts pulled up on the far side of the south arm.
‘Hey there,’ he waved and shouted. ‘Almost there.’ He pointed north and hurried toward them. William jumped down from the cart to greet him, shaking his hand warmly. James was holding a long roll of paper and immediately began to spread it out in front of William. ‘I’ve the plot plan here,’ he said excitedly. ‘See, they’re marked out right along the river bank. They’ve named the area Mulgrave Place. The lots are all pretty much the same, allowing for the bends in the river. But this row goes right to the next bend.’
He pointed to the map. ‘My plot’s just here on the corner, where this creek goes off the main river,’ he said, waving his hand. ‘We’re standing on it now. The soil’s very good. By the texture of the ground, no doubt it’s been flooded at the edges. Very loamy. Great for planting. I’ve put in two small fields of maize and one of barley.’ He looked up at Mary and grinned, his eyes shining with excitement. ‘Your plots are just down a bit. There’s a couple between here and there, the Cunninghams and another, but those folks haven’t arrived yet. Yours are side by side, from that line of trees,’ he pointed up towards a small rise in the land, ‘down to the river’s edge.’
‘All that?’ Mary’s mouth dropped open.
‘Whoa there, James,’ William laughed. ‘Give us a day or two to get settled, eh? I’m mighty excited about this myself but I want to do it right. I’ll get Mary and Jimmy comfortable and safe and then I’ll talk to you about a plan for the crops, eh?’
‘Sure thing. I don’t want to rush you fellows. I can just see this place in a few years, is all. Fields of maize and wheat as far as the eye can see. Farm houses, children playing. It’s enough to make a man half crazy with the joy of it.’
***
By late in December Will had built a small one-roomed hut made of sturdy saplings. He set it quite a way back on the block, under the shade of a large gum tree that provided ample shade from the hot sun. He’d had help from some of the other farmers and they’d also built a similar hut on Joe and Ellen’s land. Early on Christmas morning the two couples, babies in arms, wandered down to the river’s edge and stood quietly as the sun rose over the water, sending shafts of shimmering light across the small ripples that played in the breeze. It would be very hot as the day wore on, they knew, but in these first hours of the day, the air felt warm and comforting. The small trees along the bank leaned towards the water, their leaves reflected in the stillness at the edges. On the other side of the river they could see the beginnings of a few farms. Behind them, their land stretched back toward the rise, some of it already cleared of the scrubby bush and weeds that had littered what was now looking like fields ready for planting. William stretched and turned about. His shoulders, always broad, were now thickening up, strengthened by the hoeing and ploughing, the clearing and chopping that had been his occupation from daylight till dark these past months.
‘We must give thanks,’ he said loudly, turning back to the water. ‘We have much to be grateful for.’ He turned to Mary and kissed her on the forehead lightly, then did the same to his son in her arms. He nodded at Joe and Ellen and smiled as they beamed back at him. He was quite lost for more words but he knew they all felt the same as he did. They were home at last.
They celebrated Christmas under the tree beside William and Mary’s hut, a trestle table set with the best food they could muster between both families.
‘Not too much for me,’ Ellen kept insisting. ‘My stomach’s not feeling so good these days…well, these mornings, at least.’ She grinned at Mary and nodded.
‘Oh, Ellen, how grand. I’m sure Joe will be looking for another son to help with the farm in a few years, eh?’
‘We hope so,’ Ellen giggled.
Mary looked over at William, sitting on a tree stump with little Jimmy on his knee and smiled. She hoped it wouldn’t be too long before she’d have another baby too. Surely now that her body had finally learned how to give birth, she’d be able to do it again without too much trouble.
‘Will’s good with him, isn’t he?’ Ellen followed Mary’s eyes. ‘And Jimmy’s looking bonny. He’s such a smiley baby. Good natured, I think.’
‘Like his father,’ Mary nodded. ‘And determined too. He’s trying to sit up already, you know.’ She smiled proudly at Ellen and then broke in a soft laugh. ‘We all think ours are the cleverest, don’t we?’
‘It’s only natural, love. Our little Joseph’s a determined boy as well. And isn’t it just as well? They’ll need to be strong lads. They’ve a lot ahead of them.’
‘And thank God for that, I say. When I was a small child I had nothing ahead to look forward to, and neither did Will. I dare say you and Joe were the same. It’s another world for our children, Ellen. A much better world.’
‘Well, listen to you!’ Ellen was chuffed to hear her friend being so positive. ‘You’re sounding more and more like Will.’
‘If I want Jimmy to be like him, then I’d best be a good example, eh?’ She laughed as she finished setting the table. She glanced around, waving to William and Joe to come to the table. The air was humid now and the flies were determined to drive them mad while they ate, but nothing could quash Mary’s contentment this day. It was a truly beautiful day and she felt nothing but thankfulness.
Chapter Nine
In May the rains started. It seemed the perfect timing as William had just put in a large patch of corn and a small field of maize. They stood in the first of the showers, marvelling at the small green shoots that lit up across the deep soil, as they soaked up the goodness falling from the heavens.
‘This will really get the crops started, love,’ William sighed happily. ‘And that second field’s all seeded. Come spring we’ll be surrounded by our own produce.’
‘And some for the Governor?’
‘That’s the plan. They’re looking for us to have something to send to Sydney before year’s end. With the seed they’ve supplied we should make a reasonable fist of it.’
‘I’m very proud of you, Will.’ Mary’s eyes filled as they ducked back into their hut. The rain was really coming down now, belting into the windows and blowing sideways with the squalling winds. ‘I hope it won’t be stormy like it was in Rose Hill that bad day.’ She stoked the coals in their small stove and rubbed her hands together.
‘Whatever the weather, we’ll deal with it, love. We’ve no control over it and God knows what’s needed.’
***
William’s trust in the Almighty’s provision was sorely tested over the following three weeks as the rain continued relentlessly and he realised that the river was beginning to rise.
‘I think it’s going to come over the banks,’ he said as he pushed his way back into the hut one morning, dragging his dripping coat from his shoulders.
‘You mean flood our crops?’ Mary was horrified.
‘Some, yes, I’m afraid. I think we’ve planted too close to the bank of the river. James Ruse did say to be careful of that but I’m thinking now I didn’t heed him well enough.’
‘Oh, no, Will. That can’t be. We can’t lose what we’ve planted! Not already.’
‘Now calm yourself. We’ll learn what’s best as we go along. If we’ve made a mistake then we’ll do better next time.’ He pushed his hands through his hair and dropped into a chair at the table, inwardly cursing himself. He should have known better. ‘How’s Jimmy?’ He turned his attention to his son.
‘He’s still got that snuffling,’ Mary said, moving to the baby’s basket and pulling back the rug a little from his face. ‘He’s asleep now, but he had a restless night. I don’t think he can breathe so well. His head’s quite full of it, I’m afraid.’ She looked back at William, her brow creasing. She couldn’t bear to think that their baby was really sick and each time she checked him she tried to convince herself that he was better, but now her attempts at optimism were fading fast. ‘I’m worried, Will, truth be known. I’m really worried.’
William joined her beside the baby’s basket. ‘He does look quite flushed. Should I go for someone? There’s no doctor in these parts, but maybe Ellen will know what to do for him.’ William’s mind began to race. He’d been so preoccupied with watching the rain these past few
days that he hadn’t paid enough attention to Jimmy’s health. It had seemed like a mild cold. He’d been sure it would pass. Mary had suffered a little with it herself but was now quite well. ‘I’ll go for Ellen,’ he decided after a moment, not knowing what else to do.
‘No, Will. Ellen’s well into pregnancy. You can’t have her coming out in this and you shouldn’t be out in it yourself. You’ll end up sick too. I know what she’d say to do. I know that we must keep him cool so he doesn’t get the fever and I’ve rubbed his chest with the camphor, same as I did for me. It’s all that can be done for these things, Will.’
‘I’m sorry, love. I don’t doubt you know what’s to be done. You’ve been a wonderful mother. I’m just never sure with such things. It’s hard to feel helpless.’
‘Then just boil some more water for me and we’ll sponge him down again when it’s cooled off a bit. Clean, tepid water, that’s what we need. And then I’ll rub his chest again, make sure the congestion doesn’t settle.’ Mary busied herself getting a bowl and cloth, forcing herself not to think the worst.
The rain belted against their hut all that day and into the night, but they were almost unaware of it as they tended to Jimmy: sponging, rubbing, rocking, soothing his plaintive cries as he became more and more restless, his face red and blotchy, his arms flailing in agitation. In the early hours of the morning he quietened, his body fell limply in Mary’s arms and his breathing was laboured.
‘He’s worse, Will.’ Mary sobbed. She’d hardly spoken for the past few hours, weary beyond words, frantic with fear, tears constantly running down her face.
William had tried to soothe her, done all he could to help her with Jimmy, paced around their small hut, wringing his hands, calling out to God. Now as he looked down at his wife and child, he felt completely helpless. Mary looked up at him through her tears, her face devastated. He let his eyes fall to the small bundle in her arms, now hardly moving. He knew he was seeing the life drain from his son and he wondered if his wife would ever smile again.
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