“He’s mad, I think. I wouldn’t much like going to live in the bush with him in his present frame of mind.”
Alec was gone before any of the household rose the next morning and Caroline asked silent query of Murdoch as he said “Good morning.”
Alistair said, “Was that Alec leaving early?” knowing full well that it was.
“Yes” said Murdoch. “As it upset you to have him here, he could hardly remain under your roof. I must see Mr. Parry this morning to offer some explanation.”
“Do as you think fit,” came the dour reply.
When Murdoch called in at the homestead he found Mr. Parry most anxious to discuss the situation.
“I was hoping to see you alone Macdonald, for I wish to tell you that I have a great concern for your sister and her family. You will have gathered that there is something wrong with MacLeod. Not that I blame him altogether, but I am sure that his way is not the best way to handle it.”
“Why, sir, what has happened? What has happened to make such a change in Alistair? We’ve always been the closest of friends, but now I can’t get through to him. He’s never been so narrow-minded before. I cannot understand it.”
Charles Parry looked very sadly at Murdoch. “Some very unpleasant things have happened and I think that Alistair thinks that he is doing the very best for his family. You see, not long before Christmas two rough fellows, ex convicts, went to the house and found Mrs. MacLeod alone. They asked for food and of course she prepared to give them some. As she did so, they crept up to her in the kitchen and handled her roughly. I am thankful to say that Alistair carne in at that time and found them. He tore into them like a mad bull and nearly killed them. I arrived at that moment just in time to stop him from killing them. Any man would have done what he did. Mrs. MacLeod was badly frightened, but I am sure she suffered no physical harm. The men literally staggered away and a few nights later their hen house was burned and some stock killed.
Well, if that wasn’t enough, little Ann had a nasty experience too. Mrs. MacLeod sent Ann to my wife with a recipe or something like that. After Ann left here she met a man on the track near the bush. He grabbed her and was taking her into the scrub. Ann screamed and Donald heard her. He was hoeing and so ran with his hoe. When he saw his sister being taken away, he attacked the fellow with the hoe, I would have myself, and he hurt him quite badly. Donald was horrified at what he had done. He rushed Ann to their house and then ran to his father for help, then back to where he had left the man. They found no trace of him. Alistair was roaring mad and since then hasn’t trusted anyone. He is afraid to leave Mrs. MacLeod or the little girls alone at all and as a consequence is over-protective and has succeeded in frightening them with his ferocity as well as all the neighbours. It is amazing that he lets Donald work at the dairy farm.”
“I am stunned. I find it hard to believe that this has happened and Alistair hasn’t told me, Mr. Parry. And you say this happened before Christmas. Why, there were opportunities for Caroline or the children to share it with my Mary, but not a word was said. I thought they would have had enough feelings for us to know that we would have received it with understanding.”
“I suppose it is understandable. I suppose he could think it a reflection on Mrs. MacLeod and so ban them from speaking. He’s taken it very hard.”
“He has taken it in such a way that I think it has unhinged him, Mr. Parry. I can understand some of it, but not all. I think he has taken the blame on himself in some twisted way. This explains why he turned on Alec the way he dld.” At this Murdoch explained what had happened the previous night. “I feel sure he must be blaming Alec for his little girl’s death, thinking he had neglected his children for a frivolous life. At least this is how it appears.”
“So it would seem.”
“Thank you, sir, for sharing this with me. I must speak with Alistair and try to get him to see reason.”
“Has he told you that he wants to take his family up into the bush on the Manning?”
“Yes, he has and I’ve tried to tell him that isolation will not do for the children and Caroline. Now that you have told me this, am sure that it is doubly wrong for them. It will only teach them to fear other people.” said Murdoch.
“Yes, I have tried to get that over, too, but he doesn’t listen.” Murdoch returned to Alistair and as there was a boy helping with the work, it was lunchtime before Murdoch could broach the subject.”
“Why didn’t you tell me, man. Surely you were sure of me?”
“I don’t want to speak of it, now or ever,” rejoined Alistair.
“But Alistair, locking it up inside you won’t help.”
“And talking about it won’t either. Donald and I are working as hard as we can and very soon we should have enough money to move, but, whatever you say, I am going away from this sinful place and taking mine with me. Now let us go back to work.”
“Not until you tell me that you will come to Riverbend and discuss it with me and stay for a while before you make the break. Caroline would like to talk it over with Mary and she is my sister, you know. Besides, they have always been so close.”
“She’s my wife, man, and she’ll do as I say. I know what is best for her and my girls. Donald will be with us and between us we will protect them. I’ll not discuss it further. We’ll away to work.”
Murdoch had no choice but to follow Alistair back to work. He remained the week, but it was a cheerless experience. There was no gaiety in the house, no opportunity to speak much with Caroline. At one stage he tried, but she silenced him by saying, “Quiet now, Murdoch. I’ll not hear criticism of Alistair I dislike the prospect even more than you do, but I’ll do as he says. He does love us and he is anxious for our welfare, you know.”
“But he’ll smother you. He’s acting like a tyrant. It’s not right.”
“I’ve promised that I will go and that’s that. I’ll not speak of it again.”
“But Caro, you cannot go like this.”
“Enough now Murd, no more. I’m going.”
“But Caro,”
“Enough!” she said sharply and walked away.
When Murdoch returned home he was able to fill in the details for Mary, Margaret and Alec. The women were horrified at the thought of Caroline and the little girls going so far away from them, and so soon. Strangely, Alec was more understanding of Alistair when he heard the story.
“I don’t agree with him, mind you. I think he is making a mistake. I can see what made him decide to do it. but I think he has been pushed too far, almost over the edge, don’t you think? I, on the other hand, am very pleased to have Margaret and the children so close to you. If anything should happen to me, You would be close to Meg, to help her.” He turned to Murdoch and Mary. “You would, wouldn’t you friends? You would look after Meg and the children ?”
Murdoch slapped him on the back. “Of course, old fellow, but nothing is going to happen. You’re not going to follow in Alistair’s footsteps, I hope.”
“No, I am not that,” said Alec with such a serious look on his face. No news came from the MacLeods’ about their coming for Easter as was planned at Christmas and so Murdoch and Mary decided to go to the Parry's’ farm to see them. Mr. Forrest lent his gig and on a misty autumn morning they set off, leaving the children under Meg’s care.
Caroline was pathetically excited to see them and explained that within the next week or so they were leaving for the north. Alistair had hired a dray for all their household goods and they were to drive to Sydney where they would board a ship to take them to the Manning River. They would have to take livestock and provisions for them so they would have enough to live on until they could grow their own food.
Murdoch reminded her that it would a long time before they were self-sufficient. Caroline assured them that Alistair had planned well and had consulted several people who had had experience of pioneering bush like that.
“But you cannot want to go, Caro” said Mary.
“No, de
ar, I do not say I do, but as I have come all this way from Skye, I daresay I can manage a little further. My main regret is that I will sorely miss you, my dear people.” At this she rushed into Mary’s arms and sobbed. “But I will do it. I will go.”
“Well, we will enjoy our short time together. We will enjoy it while we can. I have so much to tell you.”
“Alistair will be so glad you have come. I know he is a stubborn, proud man, but he does love us all, you know.” Caroline patted her face with her apron and began to make tea.
“We plan to stop a day or two if you will have us,” said Murdoch. “will Alistair want to have us?”
“I am sure he will, Murd. He will be in soon, you will see.”
So the visit passed more successfully than the Macdonalds had expected. Alistair was much more reasonable to talk to and Murdoch felt that as time passed he would get over the trauma of the two bad experiences, but he was still far from being the old friend from Skye. He could see that they sincerely thought a new start would benefit them all. They couldn’t see that they were running away. He did hope it would all turn out well.
The women were tearful when it was time for farewells. When would they meet again? What would happen to the family? Mary sat silent for a great deal of the journey home and her heart was heavy for her sister-in-law. It seemed this land had cruelties beneath its surface that were past understanding. The life at home had been cold, hard and raw, but somehow predictable. Just as soon as you felt that you were coming to terms with this place, something evil would raise its ugly head and come crashing into your life and leave you bruised. Mary had a deep feeling of distrust for the whole place. It looked good, it smelled good, usually it was good, but all the time you felt that life was uncertain, unsteady, unpredictable. Where would it all end? Would they really ever find it a friendly place?
Murdoch, too, pondered, but in a different way. He felt that Alistair was going at it too hard. This was challenging, this new land, and Alistair was such a strong man that he wanted to fight it. He knew Alistair had an inner frailty that could easily snap. This new homeland was a place that needed quietly taming, like a young colt. It needed to be gentled. You had to keep a firm rein but move along in harness with it. “It has so much to teach you and we have so much to learn,” mused Murdoch.
“What’s that you are saying, Murdoch?” asked Mary.
“Lassie, I am just thinking how each one of we four men are handling this country. Do you know, I think Alec can teach us a lot. Although Fergus has taken to it well, too. He’s entered into a new life altogether and he and Ellie have settled in like old hands. But Alec, I feel, has the makings of a good Australian. He is so happy here that you would think he was born to it, and Meg and the children too, they are all the same.”
“Yes, I see what you mean dear. Aren’t we fortunate to have them so near. If I am feeling down, Meg is always there to lift me up. She is a great comfort, and dear Alec, what a good friend we are finding him to be. Not the trouble we all thought he would be. Meg has always had such faith in him. She has always said that if he had a chance he would make good. You have to admit he had a bad time at home.”
Murdoch looked straight at her. “You haven’t really felt at home here have you Mary? Sometimes you do seem far away from me. Sometimes I want to call you back from where you go.”
“I think I just go home for a while, Murd. Don’t mind me, I’ll be all right. Come on, Meg and Alec will be wanting to know the news.”
“Yes, they will. Come on, get up. Murdoch clic-clic’d the horse and shook it up to a brisk trot.
“I think Alec has lost his wild notions about the goldfields, thank the Lord. He seems quite content.”
Chapter 13 - Alec
“I’m heading off for a few days, Mary,” said Murdoch, as he sat with the family over their evening meal. “I’m to go to Camden to get the sheep. Mr. Forrest had word that they are ready.”
“When will you go, Father?” asked Malcolm eagerly. “Will I be able to go with you?”
“I’ll be going the day after tomorrow and will be away about four days lad. I’m sorry son, I won’t take you, but Duncan. Malcolm I must leave you in charge, to look after things here. Your Mother will need you and I can depend on you.”
“Alright Father.” Malcolm looked truly downcast.
“Oh, Father,” exclaimed the excited Duncan. “Can I truly go?”
“Yes, you can. Malcolm, you’ve been with me before and Duncan needs the training. Besides, Mr. Forrest is away off to Sydney and I’ll need you to watch over things.”
“But Uncle Alec will be here.”
“I know son, but I want you here and that’s all there is to it.” Malcolm, recognising in his fathers voice that ordering tone that cannot be shaken, said, “Right, Father, I’ll look after things.”
Mary had sat watching her men proudly as they discussed further plans for the trip. They seemed to take to this new life of theirs so easily, so happily, so calmly. Who was she to shatter their lives by sharing her unhappiness with this place, this intolerance, indeed hatred, of this relentless land. The heat, the flies, the snakes, spiders, oh, just all the things.
“... and if you can start ploughing the acre paddock. You’ve taken to ploughing well, Malcolm. You seem to have a knack with it that I have not.”
“Yes, Father, but I think it is because I love the horses so much.”
“And they love you, son.”
“Will I be riding, Dad?” chimed the eager Duncan.
Meanwhile - over at the Frasers’ house
“Maggie, are you there, Maggie?” shouted Alec.
Margaret Fraser came out of the wash house wiping her sudsy arms on her voluminous apron. “Hello Alec, you’re just in time for a cup of tea.”
“Very well, my dear, but I’ve come to pack some clothes. Mr. Forrest wants me to go with him to Sydney and we’ll be away for a few days.”
“What! I thought he was leaving you in charge while Murdoch is away. I thought I heard him pass a while ago.”
“He changed his mind and asked me to get my things and meet him as soon as I can. I’ll go and get my things. You make the tea.”
Alec went into their bedroom, piled as many of his clothes as he could in a pack and dropped it out the window amongst the plants in the garden, then gently dropped his gun onto this. He packed a few more of his things into a small bag and went to the kitchen carrying this.
“How long will you be away, Alec?”
“About two to three days, love. You’ll be all right, won’t you? Ian will help you.”
Maggie seemed puzzled about this, but said nothing. Alec called all the children and gave them a fond hug, telling them to help their Mother and do her bidding.
They stood in front of their house and waved as Alec mounted his horse and rode away. Maggie stood there watching him all the way down the road. He turned, took off his hat and waved, his red hair shining in the sun.
“Where is Dad going, do you think, Mama?”
Margaret turned to find her fourteen-year old son watching her. “Well son, he told me that Mr. Forrest wants him to go to Sydney Town with him, but I wonder...”
“But I heard Mr. Forrest giving him the orders for what is to be done while Uncle Murdoch is away.”
“Well, I am sure your Father would do nothing wrong, Ian, but it is rather odd. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Alec rode down the road until he was out of sight of the house, then pulled the horse up and hitched the reins to a tree and set off back towards the house under cover of the bushes. He picked up his pack and gun and hurried back to his horse. Swinging himself into the saddle, he rode off down the road. Half a mile down the road Alec pulled up sharply and called to a scruffy old man walking down the middle of the track. “Tom, you’re just the person I wanted.”
The old bushman stood beside the horse looking up to the rider.
“Where are you off to, Alec?” His words slurred and Alec looked
inquiringly at him.
“Are you drunk, Tom?”
“Only a bit Alec. Not too drunk to say g’day to a friend.”
“Well, I’ve got to go away for a time Tom and I would like you to give this letter to my wife. Would you do that for me?”
“Sure I will, Alec. I’ll go now.”
“Not now, Tom. I want you to give this to her tomorrow.”
“What you up to Alec? I don’t want to do ‘nuffing wrong.”
“You don’t have to. Just give Margaret this letter tomorrow and here’s a coin for doing it, but don’t drink it all away at the hotel.” Alec handed the money and the letter to the old man, turned his horse and rode smartly up the road after shouting, “Don’t forget, will you old timer.”
Tom stood looking after the disappearing rider and muttered, “Now I wonder what he’s up to.” He scratched his head, put the letter in his hat for safe keeping and headed straight for the public house.
Chapter 14 - Rearranging life
Margaret Fraser had a very disturbed night. She knew Alec was off on one of his hair-brained schemes. She knew in her heart that he was not in Sydney with Mr. Forrest and had half expected him back before this, for it was like Alec to get up to some mischief and cover it up before he got into trouble. He was not bad, thought Margaret, he’s such a kind-hearted person and wouldn’t really do wrong. He loved the Lord too much for that, but he did get such silly ideas. He wants so much to give us everything he thinks we want. He would really like to give the goldfields a try. The goldfields! The thought shocked the worried woman. He wouldn’t go to the goldfields! Oh, Alec, not the goldfields! She tried to dismiss the idea, but the thought of it kept her awake. She had slept little and was quite weary when it was time to get up and prepare breakfast for her family.
Ian dressed his brother and Jennet mothered her sisters. A lovely, happy family-life they shared. All the children favoured Alec in colouring. There was no mistaking who was their father. Some had Alec’s true red hair, the rest were sandy fair. They were an industrious group who loved the garden and even the four-year old, Kate, knew what was growing in her plot. The girls were very keen to be good housekeepers like their mother and already Jennet and Effie could cook for the family.
The Heather to the Hawkesbury Page 9
