While all this was going on, Mary had stood immobilized, her back firmly to the wall, with fright gazing at the squirming creature.
“It’s all right, Mary. No harm done,” said Murdoch casually.
“It’s good to see these things early on, so that they can learn to cope with them.”
With this, she collapsed in a heap, sobbing “What a horrible thing! What a terrible place! I hate it. Murdoch. I hate it. How many of these things have we all around us? How will I cope? All the dirt the heat, the flies in my mouth, this horrible house, and that noise, does it ever stop?”
Murdoch looked at Mary, helped her up and said “Malcolm, Duncan, come away from that snake. Put a light to the fire and we’ll make your mother a cup of tea.”
Mary took her bonnet off and started to look around her new house. Every now and then a shiver went through her as she thought of the evil-looking animal that could have killed her daughter.
Chapter 10 - Settling in
In a surprisingly short time they settled into their new life. Mary soon had the house in order and the boys were delighted to begin the garden. Their father had instructed them to clean up all the accumulated rubbish of years and bury in a deep hole. Mr. Forrest said that snakes lived in old timber, which they burnt, and rubbish and so the sooner they had it tidied up, the sooner they would rid the place of vermin. The boys were taught how to kill a snake and they were often able to put their new-found skill into practice. Soon the whole place looked clean and tidy and with guidance from Mr. Forrest a vegetable garden was started. The fruit was setting on the trees and the summer promised good crops for their table. They had a cow to milk, but it did not look like the shaggy gentle cows they knew back home, and as soon as the fowl pen was finished, they planned to have fowls, then perhaps pigs and all sorts of exciting things.
Very soon after their arrival little Jamie Fraser came down with a severe fever. It was Scarlet Fever and very soon two other Fraser children became ill too. Then Mary Ann Macdonald caught it and then finally Johnnie.
Dr. Kenny came to see the sick ones and Margaret Fraser was thankful that their doctor was such a fine man. He was very concerned about her little daughter Eliza and made frequent visits to see her.
Mary got to know him quite well when Mary Ann became ill and fortunately the little girl recovered quite quickly. When Dr. Kenny saw John he said, “We’ll hope this little chap stays clear of this fever, Mrs. Macdonald. He is such a wispy fellow, isn’t he?”
They were congratulating themselves that they had kept him free, when one morning he awoke hot and sick and with a sore throat. Soon the telltale scarlet spots appeared and Mary had a very sick little boy on her hands. Alec appeared one evening red-eyed and sad. “I’ll ask for your prayers friends for our wee bairn is in dire need of them. Dr. Kenny thinks she is slipping away.”
“Oh man, I am sorry. Please God she is spared. We have our wee one very ill too. He has the illness far worse than Mary Ann did. He’s terribly sick he is and not much strength to help him. He has never picked up from that fever he caught in Liverpool.”
Eliza died that night and a heavy gloom hung over their homes. Had they come all this way to lose their precious children in this hot, cruel land?
Small John hung between life and death for some days and Dr. Kenny thought that there was no hope for the small elf getting through this scourge. Murdoch was distressed at Mary’s appearance too. Her big eyes were bigger than ever, making her a large version of sick Johnnie. She had had many sleepless nights with Mary Ann before the small one became ill and he thought she may give in under the strain, but Mary was as strong as whipcord. She was rarely ill and shrugged off the suggestion that she should let Murdoch take a turn at the bedside. She knew that the little boy had nothing to fall back on. So much sickness in the past few months and in her heart she dreaded that he may join Eliza’s resting place in the Riverbend churchyard, but, he did not succumb. Mary seemed to infuse her strength into him and he fought back with amazing courage. They all felt that God had spared him once more was given back to them again. He came through it a white ghost of a mite, but gradually he improved. Mary could once more start to fill out his little frame. All the family helped to look after him, Malcolm carrying him gently in his strong arms and sitting him under the peach tree while he worked in the garden. Duncan would sit beside him, showing him his latest find. Duncan was fast becoming the family naturalist. He was fascinated with all the insects, animals and plants in this new exciting world. He was forever getting into trouble for bringing his new friends into the house. His mother hated all the ‘creepy things’ as she called them. She drew the line at spiders, not allowing him to bring them past the doorway, but he often was seen with various other insects crawling on him, or in containers. She couldn’t believe that there could be so many different things that wanted to share her house with her. She learned to be somewhat tolerant as her twelve year old son introduced these creatures to her and she sat and watched with fascination the emergence of a hawk moth from its chrysalis. Such a weak, wobbly thing that struggled on too-fine legs, looking wet and crumpled. To watch it crawl up a stick that Duncan had placed for it and watch it pulsate while its body fluids pumped it’s wings straight, was a revelation to her. There the plain silky fawn moth sat to dry. It sat there all day and quite often she left her work to look at it. It showed no sign of movement until night time when it fluttered its wings, setting up a faint buzz and shower of fine scales and it flew off into the night.
This son of hers soon had her dodging the orb spider webs in the garden, making her walk around a tree to leave the web intact, so that the big spider in the centre could remain in situ. He explained that this was the mother spider and that her babies were in a leaf beside the web. He knew she was the mother because he saw her lay the eggs. He thought the little fellow nearby was father. He amazed her with his knowledge of things about him and his ability to observe. She was proud of his prowess. He spent a great deal of his time wandering the farm, making friends quicker than anyone else in the family. His wanderings brought him an assortment of acquaintances and he gathered new ones about the district as he collected his specimens.
Malcolm would work with his father whenever he was allowed and he helped his mother with all the things in the home garden and the farmyard. He was learning to build sheds and shelters for all their animals. They were a hard-working family, loving and caring of one another. Mary watched her family growing into tanned men. As the summer wore on their olive skin took kindly to the harsh sun and all looked healthier and fitter than they had ever been. Even little John looked as though he were heading for a stronger childhood.
So different to the tall, slim darker Macdonald children, the Frasers took after Alec in colouring and were all red or fair-haired. Sunburn was quite a problem at first, but Margaret was learning how to live with the fierce sumner sun.
Margaret found it hard to believe that she had lost one of her precious brood before the little one had enjoyed much of this new interesting life of theirs. She found herself wandering up to the little grave often. She would sit beside the mound and think of her baby. Alec had no idea how often she paid this visit until he came home, mid afternoon one day to find her gone and Effie told him where she was. He went to the churchyard and sat beside Meg, who was quite dry-eyed.
“Come love,” He said, this isn’t any good. “Our wee girl isn’t here, you know that. She’s in Heaven.”
“I know Alec. I know I am being quite silly, but I miss her so and I just cannot get used to the idea. I know she is not here and I think if I come here often enough I will really realise that she won’t come back.” She sobbed now and he put his arms around her, her head on his shoulder. He took out a scrap of torn cloth and handed it to her.
“Here, love, mop up your tears. Nothing will ever take away those few years we had with our wee one. Let us try to think of that and help each other to fill the place she leaves. Remember the others, lass, they need
you so much. Come now, we must go back.”
So, hand in hand they walked through the gate and back to their waiting children.
Chapter 11 - The First Christmas
Although they kept in touch, there was no chance for the other families to visit until Christmas when the MacKenzie's were able to arrange their first trip to the country.
Fergus had settled in well with the firm of Trent and Co., Importers and Retailers. John Trent found a ready pupil in the Scotsman and was surprised at his quick grasp of city life in trade and commerce. He had expected to lead him along slowly, but Fergus was more than ready to take to his new life in leaps and bounds. His appetite for knowledge was insatiable and he seemed to be forever poking into every corner of the business. When Emma Trent asked her husband how his new protege was shaping, he spoke of Fergus in glowing terms.
“Fergus is very keen to make himself indispensable to me. He seems to want to learn everything at once. He is forever investigating something so he can see how it works. Young Hamish is almost as keen as his father. We will have to put him on the payroll in the New Year, for he is always about the place asking questions and helping where he can. That family can certainly work. I have never seen better.”
“And how is Mrs. MacKenzie taking to her new life, John? For a countrywoman this town life must be quite a shock.”
“According to Fergus she is taking it very well indeed. They are attending the Scots Kirk and I believe that Mrs. MacKenzie is involved with the work there. She is very concerned for the girl waifs of the town and has already suggested work in that area with a Mrs Yates and Mrs Fishbon in one of Mr Ricky English’s houses. I see a bright future for them all.”
Fergus was able to take his family on a four day-break to Riverbend. The children were quite excited at this adventure and eagerly looked at every new thing, but the summer heat was quite a trial for them and so, six very tired, hot and quite dirty people arrived at the Macdonalds’ house two days before Christmas. Mary and Elspeth shed some tears with their greetings, but soon after a cold wash and cooler clothes. They sat on the verandah drinking tea. They eagerly exchanged news and views of their new lives in this astounding country. Mary found it hard to believe that this fit man was her sickly brother Fergus. He was so full of life with no sign of the sickness that he had had when he left Scotland. She would be able to give her mother a glowing report in her next letter home.
“Fergus,” she said, smiling at him, “I would never have believed that life in a town could suit you. Mother and Father will be so pleased. Ellie dear, what have you been feeding him on?”
Elspeth laughed, “Well, I think we are all becoming bronzed Australians[7] already. Just look at you. You must admit it is hard to get away from the sun. I don’t think we are nearly as brown as you people. Mary, the food available is so good. I get such pleasure in piling the plates of my family with wonderful meat and fruit and other things we have never even seen before.”
“Yes, that is the best part of this life. It is so good to see Murdoch and the children eat and eat, but the Frasers are not taking to either the food or climate in this country.. Poor people, they are not responding to the sun as we are, they are burning every day. Margaret is having a constant battle with the sun and her fair-haired brood. She is not so affected, as you saw on your way here, but wait until you see poor Alec and Ian. They seem to be in a constant state of reddening and peeling.”
“How is Meg coping after losing Eliza? It would be so hard to lose a wee one at any time, but for it to happen so soon after coming here. Did she want to go home after that? I think I would have wanted to.”
“She is doing well now, but she found it very difficult for a time. She has been marvellous. She wanted to come to help me when John was so ill, with all her children to look after too, and she would still think of someone else. You’ll see the old Margaret though. She certainly has a placid way of coping with life.”
“Unlike you, dear, “ Elspeth put in quietly. “You don’t show it much, but I know you carry things deeply. What is it Mary? Are you still worried about John? He does seem thin, but I think he is well now.”
“No, I think we have Johnnie right now. He is improving quite steadily now.”
“What is it, lass? Can I help?”
Mary looked towards Murdoch. He was engrossed in conversation with Fergus and the older boys. As she watched he got up and turned to her.
“Mary love, I’ll take Fergus and the boys to see our wee home farm.” They went down the steps and into the vegetable garden.
“Now”, prompted Elspeth, “now tell me what it is.”
“I don’t know, I really don’t know what is wrong with me. I see my men happy here. Murdoch and Malcolm just love the work, the life, the weather, the food and the potential of it all. Duncan is very happy with all that surrounds us. He is forever showing us some new bird, animal or insect - he even has me looking for them, he’s shown me which ones even make that horrible noise you can hear. There are even some that look like green paper balloons, but they only sing at dusk and aren’t as loud. The younger ones are happy playing at gardening and helping. We have a roof over our heads. We can see the way some day owning our own farm. Mr. and Mrs. Forrest are kindness itself, but Elspeth I hate it. I hate it and cannot seem to come to terms with it. The slightest thing gets me down. The heat, the flies … Oh! just everything. I hate it all and want to go home. Home, where it is cold, where we worked hard and gained nothing. Home where the rain was soft, the sun was gentle, the heather was purple and sweet. The mountains were misty . . . and Mother was there. I hate this place and most of all I hate myself for hating it.” Her voice broke.
“Yes, and storms blew and the sea roared, the sun only peeped out occasionally and we were hungry and very cold.” said Elspeth.
“I know all that. I know I am stupid and I couldn’t believe that I could be so homesick and so full of hate.”
“Does Murdoch know how you feel?”
“Oh Ellie, I can’t tell him! I haven’t spoken of it and I try to cover it it up, for he loves this place so, but, he knows there is something. He too, thought that I was worried about John, but now he is well, Murd wonders why I am still worried. Ellie, I don’t want to spoil it for them. They all love it so. Do you think I will ever get to like it?”
“That will be up to you, lass. It’s funny really, we have always looked to you as being the strong one of us. I thought I would hate a town life, but I quite like it, but, Mary, I think it is up to you. You will just have to get your priorities right and just push self down.”
“I do know this, Elspeth, I do know what I should do, but somehow it seems to flood my being, this hate and loathing. I’ve prayed for help and just don’t seem to get it.”
“God helps those who help themselves, dear. You have to do your part.”
“Mary! Mary, are you there?” came a voice from the house.
“It’s Meg,” Mary said to Elspeth, and called out, “on the verandah, Meg.”
“I’ll pray, too, Mary,” put in Elspeth quickly. “You will be all right, you will see,” and she turned to greet Margaret.
On Christmas Eve, Alistair MacLeod, Caroline and their three children came over from Parry’s farm ten miles away. Alistair seemed bigger, broader and more Scots than ever, and against him, Caroline seemed smaller, more faded than she had been. She was the only one in the whole party whose complexion had not taken the colour of the sun. She was paler, if anything, and certainly quieter. Elspeth thought she would try to seek the reason for this if an opportunity came, but it was difficult because there was so much noise, talk, catching up on each others’ news. The young people left the adults and explored the Macdonald farm. The men sat on the verandah and the women worked in the kitchen preparing food for the whole family. The Christmas feast was to be eaten that evening as Alistair and his family had to be back by Christmas afternoon as Alistair had the second milking to do to let Mr. Parry’s Jack have Christmas evening off wi
th his family.
There was no time for private conversation and so Elspeth could say nothing to Caroline and felt disturbed about this. However, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
At the dinner table Murdoch spoke to them all, summarising their doings of the past months, before he asked a Blessing of the Lord, and reminded them of the wonderful opportunities ahead of them in this free land of theirs. He challenged them all especially speaking to the young people - to work and put their all into their efforts and God would bless them abundantly. He mentioned the sorrow of losing little Eliza and asked that He would heal the hurt in Meg and Alec’s hearts.
At this, Alistair’s voice boomed, “It was the Lord’s will.” Mary noticed many quick glances at Alistair and wondered whether she imagined some of the venom apparent in his voice. Surely not. She glanced at Elspeth and found a look of wonder there too. They exchanged looks, each determined to get to the bottom of this.
No opportunity came though as there was much hilarity that evening and the adults were happy to see the young ones taking up with the friends where they had left off months before, and didn’t want to go to bed when their parents wished.
All too soon all the MacLeods’ left to share the Frasers’ house for the night and Elspeth and Mary were at last able to share their thoughts when the last candle was snuffed in the girls’ room.
“What do you think, lass?” queried Elspeth. “What is wrong with Alistair?”
“Perhaps he and Caroline were out of sorts for some reason. He was certainly a bit surly.”
“Phuff,” dismissed Elspeth. “I have a feeling that there is something more than that.”
“Oh dear, I hope not,” Mary sat down with a sigh. “Elspeth, have you ever known Alistair so aggressive before? He’s always been so fun-loving, but now he’s quite dour. I felt he didn’t approve of the children’s antics.”
The Heather to the Hawkesbury Page 7
