by Tony McKenna
‘I think it must be Coolgardie, Jack.’
‘What’s all the noise about?’ Paddy O’Brien snuffled and rubbed his eyes. ‘Oh, looks like Coolgardie it is.’
‘Coolgardie,’ whispered Jack reverently. ‘One of Australia’s wealthiest gold mining towns once.’
‘Certainly was, and still plenty to be found.’ Paddy had now stirred and was sitting up straight in his seat looking from the window. ‘See that tree over there? He pointed. ‘Ernest Giles, the great explorer once camped under that tree and in the mornin’ they found him dead from pneumonia. I think he was one of Australia’s finest explorers. You must have learned of him in school.’
‘What? Er … not sure, Paddy.’ Jack was too excited looking at the gold mine headworks that sped past their view from the window to think about school or explorers or anything.
Paddy looked at them and thought about when he was their age and new things fascinated him as they were discovered. He wondered about these two boys and if this trip might not instil wanderlust into them like travel at an early age had done to him so many years ago. Not much new now, Paddy thought wryly. Next great adventure is meetin’ me maker.’
‘We’ll be in Kalgoorlie soon, lads; you enjoy the trip?’ he said aloud.
‘Yeah.’ They both replied breathlessly. ‘Seen kangaroos and emus.’ ‘And a wombat,’ threw in Harry. ‘And what about that eagle, Jack?’ ‘Haven’t you lads ever seen yer own wildlife before?’
‘Only seen ’em in the zoo, Paddy, not a lot of wild kangaroos or emus around Perth.’
‘Zoo, eh?’ Paddy said, a tinge of sadness in his tone. ‘Shouldn’t be no such things as zoos, lads. Poor bloody animals and birds and things locked up in cages. Just like they were in jail ya know. Did nothin’ wrong those animals, lads, so why should they be locked away when they didn’t do anythin’ wrong?’
The boys looked uneasily at each other.
‘I suppose people got to see what they look like and all but to me it’s a shame it is to see those creatures caged up when they should be free to roam about the land. All animals, and men, should be free and not locked away somewhere.’ It was quite a speech for Paddy and the boys saw a seriousness to him they had not seen before. It was a sensitive side that Paddy kept well hidden behind his jokes and jovial smile.
The train eventually steamed to a stop at the Kalgoorlie station and passengers disembarked to be met by family or friends on the platform. Most lugged heavy cases with them but Jack and Harry were travelling light with only a bag each. Paddy had a small sugar bag tied with a rope that he put over his shoulder. The unlikely trio left the station together and stepped into the searing heat of a Kalgoorlie summer day.
‘Now, me lads.’ Paddy stood looking thoughtfully at one of the many hotels that serviced the thirsty mining town. ‘What are ye plans now, goin’ off to see your Aunt I suppose?’
‘Er … that’s right, Paddy.’ Jack had almost forgotten the story he had told.
‘Where’s she live then?’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that, Harry’s got her address on a note in his bag and there are directions on how to get there. Me dad sort of drew a map.’ Jack didn’t like this subterfuge but they had to keep their secret or be discovered and maybe turned in to the police. He shuddered at the thought that like the animals they could be locked away behind a cage and never get to be free like Paddy had said.
‘Well, me lads, about the game?’ He lowered his voice and looked suspiciously around him. ‘Can’t let on about it now you know, it’s illegal and the police crack down on it now and then. Bloody spoil sports they are, can’t be lettin’ a few blokes have a bit of fun and win a few quid. It’s a shame it is, a shame.’
‘Yes, what about it?’ Jack also whispered as he looked at the people passing them on the street.
‘It’ll be on this evenin’ but I have to find out where. Now can you meet me back here later in the afternoon?’
‘Suppose we can.’
‘All right then, lads, we’ll be winnin’ some money tonight I can feel it in me bones I can, we’ll be rollin’ in it.’ He appeared excited at the prospect and it was catching. Soon both boys were excited and looking forward to the evening with the chance to increase their kitty.
‘Now, lads.’ Paddy was suddenly serious again ‘Would you be standin’ me a small advance on the winnin’s’? Just ten bob so I can get me’self a little drink and talk to some old friends to find out where the game is at. It has to be moved regular like so the coppers don’t get wind of it.’ He licked his lips in anticipation.
Harry looked at Jack and they didn’t answer Paddy.
‘I know what you’re thinkin,’ lads, that I’ll take yer ten bob and disappear. I’d think the same, lads, if it weren’t me that was involved. You can trust me, lads. You meet me back here on this street corner at five thirty this evenin’ and your old friend’ll be here, mark my words or me name’s not Paddy O’Brien.’
The last phrase made the boys even jitterier. The thought that his name might not be Paddy O’Brien went through their minds.
‘Don’t you trust me, lads?’ Paddy stood with a hurt expression on his face.
‘Yeah, I suppose so.’ Jack was hesitant but took ten shillings from his pocket and handed it to Paddy, still unsure if he would ever see it again.
‘You won’t be regrettin’ it, lads, not at all, not at all. See you back here at half past five then.’ Paddy hurried across the street to the hotel and the two boys walked away to fill in time and explore Kalgoorlie.
Chapter Six
They looked at the huge clock in the tower on Hannan Street and saw it was well after five o’clock. They hurried back toward the agreed meeting place wondering if Paddy would be there or if they would have to look for him somewhere and try and get their ten bob back. Not that it was likely because they knew Paddy would have well spent it by now on ‘the doins.’
Rounding a corner of the street they were pleasantly surprised to see the small figure of Paddy O’Brien, hat set at a jaunty angle on his head, leaning on a lamppost on the corner outside the hotel.
‘Paddy, Paddy,’ they called excitedly as they ran to where he stood.
‘Ahh, me lads; Said I wouldn’t let you down now didn’t I then? Let’s go, it’s a bit of a walk. Have you got the two quid on you?’
Paddy grunted satisfaction when they said they had the money with them.
‘How’s your Aunty then?’ Paddy asked as he walked quickly ahead of them.
‘OK,’ Harry replied quietly not wanting the conversation to continue.
Paddy led them to the outskirts of town and down a lane toward a large corrugated iron machinery shed surrounded by trees. There were a few cars parked in the bush and saddled horses tethered nearby.
‘This is the place then.’ Paddy walked purposefully toward the shed only to be stopped by a man who stepped from the bushes beside the track to bar their way.
‘So it’s you again, Paddy, but you can’t take those kids into the game; they’ll have to wait here.’
‘Now look.’ Paddy was soulful, ‘These lads are me mates, we’re travellin’ together. It wouldn’t be right to be leavin’ ’em standin’ out here in the paddock now would it? They don’t plan to come in they’ll just wait outside for me. No harm in that is there?’
The man scratched his head then reluctantly agreed but said that they had better not cause any trouble. Paddy just waved his hand and shook his head to indicate that there would be no trouble at all so the man let out a low whistle as a signal. As the three of them moved on there was a replying whistle from closer to the shed.
‘What’s goin’ on, Paddy?’ The boys were mystified.
‘Oh, they’re the cockatoos,’ Paddy responded and kept walking.
‘Cockatoos?’ Both boys said in unison ‘What do ya mean by cockatoos?’ Harry asked.
‘Well, they’re the lookouts. They call ’em ‘cockatoos’ because just like those big white parrots, that sc
reech warnin’ to their mates when danger is approachin’, these blokes let the players know if there’s a raid or if anyone suspicious might be comin’. That way the blokes can put the kip and the pennies away and bolt. Now you be quiet, lads.’ Paddy closed the subject as they neared the big shed.
Instead of going in the main entrance he circled around the back of the building, the two boys at his heels. ‘Here, lads.’ He indicated a small door at the back. ‘Sneak in here, but be very quiet. You should be able to hide amongst the machinery in the shadows but still see what’s goin’ on.’
The boys stumbled their way through the conglomeration of old farm and mining equipment that littered the shed until they were at the edge of a cleared space at the front of the building. They could see a group of men assembled in the dim light of the kerosene lanterns.
The men were standing in a circle and looked up as Paddy joined them shouldering his way to the centre. ‘Head ’em up for ten bob,’ Paddy called.
‘Show us the colour of your money, Paddy.’ It was obvious that he was known to most of the men in the circle.
Paddy proudly waved the two one pound notes above his head. ‘I’ve hit a pot of gold I have, I’m flush, lads …now head ’em up.’
‘Heads are good,’ called the ringmaster. Paddy smiled broadly. ‘Head ’em up again.’
‘Heads are good,’ called the ringmaster a second time.
The boys looked on in awe as time after time paddy called and time after time won the toss. There was a murmur from the crowd as Paddy collected his winnings at the end of the game. ‘Told you I’d hit a pot of gold.’ He laughed loudly, stuffed the money in his pockets and left the circle. The boys scurried out the back door of the shed to meet the Irishman who beamed at them as he came around the corner.
‘Lads, we made a killin’ we did. I told you Paddy doesn’t lose didn’t I. I just need to have the money to bet with that’s all, haven’t always got it though.’ He pulled his now refilled flask from a pocket and took a long swig. ‘I deserves a little drink I do and that’s for sure now.’
‘Twenty two quid plus the two pound you gave me to start with.’ They had just counted the money and Paddy gave Jack the two pound notes.
‘Now let’s divvy up the winnin’s. I’ll be takin’ eight quid if it’s all right with you, lads, as me commission like. That’ll leave you with fourteen quid between you. That fair enough?’
Paddy counted off eight pounds and handed the rest to the boys who were wide eyed with astonishment. They had never seen so much cash.
‘Paddy, you’re a champion.’ Harry clapped the little man on the shoulder.
‘Now don’t go getting’ mushy on me lads and let me give ya a little tip. Don’t be thinkin’ because this was easy that ye should start gamblin’. Will ye promise me that? He waited until they nodded in agreement. ‘I needed a float and I’m sure you blokes could do with a quid and that’s why I did it. I know what I’m doin’, lads; if you tried it those blokes’d bleed you blind in a second. Do you understand me now?’ He fixed them with a steady gaze. ‘Promise me now, go on I want you to be sayin’ it.’
Both boys made a promise that they wouldn’t gamble and added that they would be extra careful with their money.
‘OK, me lads, now, it’s gettin’ on and your Aunt will no doubt be wonderin’ where ye are. I’ll walk you to her place. Not good to be wamderin’ the streets it is especially with money in yer pockets at this hour. Now where does she live?’
The boys stared at the ground for some minutes as Paddy stood by waiting for them to answer. ‘What is it, lads, and come to think of it, how come you still got your bags with you? I would’ve thought you’d have been leavin’ ’em at your Aunt’s instead of cartin’ those heavy ports all over town with you?’
‘He’s proved his trust,’ Harry said when Jack asked a silent question with his eyes.
‘What’s this trust you’re talkin’ about? What’s goin’ on, lads?’ Paddy stood with his hands on his hips facing the boys.
‘Paddy,’ Jack began shakily. ‘We trust you, now you have to trust us and that what we tell you is the truth. We got no Aunt here in Kalgoorlie. Harry and I aren’t even cousins.’ Jack gave Paddy a brief outline of what had happened over the past few days starting with the accusation that they had stolen Billy Munse’s bike.
Harry concluded by telling him that they had run away from home and were on the run now from the law. It felt good to be able to talk about it and the words tumbled from them both as they unloaded the guilt of what they had done onto their new found and unlikely friend.
‘I thought it strange, lads, that you were travellin’ alone but it wasn’t up to me to be knowin’ yer business and all, unless you wanted to tell me. Have ye anywhere to be stayin’ the night then?’
The boys shook their heads. ‘Righto then, come with me,’ Paddy said. ‘I’ll get ye bedded for the night somewhere safe and we can all talk about it in the mornin’.’
‘Where we goin’, Paddy?’ Jack asked as they headed off beside the little man.
‘To a great friend of mine, a kind and godly man who’ll be takin’ good care of ye that’s for sure. His name’s Father O’Malley. He’s the catholic priest here.’ He pronounced it praste.
‘But we aren’t catholic, Paddy,’ Jack said slowing back a pace.
‘You’re God’s children, lads and that’s all that matters. Don’t be worryin none about catholic or non-catholic or whatever. If it doesn’t worry you it won’t be worryin’ the good Father and I’m sure it won’t be worryin’ the Lord at all. There’ll be a warm place to sleep and a good feed in the mornin’ I’ll be guessin’. Mrs Lacey, his housekeeper, comes in to the presbytery and cooks for Father O’Malley and any guests he has and he has some most of the time, I can tell ye.’
They arrived at a large stone building behind a tall fence. Paddy led them through the gate and up a neatly packed gravel path past some statues washed ghostly in the pale moonlight and banged loudly on the door with the brass knocker.
After some time, as the boys stood nervously on the porch and Paddy leaned on the verandah post whistling softly, the door opened and a shaft of light fell on the trio on the porch. Jack couldn’t see the man who stood there clearly because the light was behind him but he was tall, slightly stooped and looked ominous in the darkness.
‘Patrick? That you?’ The figure spoke with a gentle warm brogue much like Paddy’s ‘It’s good to be seeing you, Patrick, my son, and who then are the young men you have with you?’ He motioned for them to come inside and Paddy introduced the boys to Father O’Malley.
Both boys were shy when confronted with the tall man. They had never been so close before to a ‘praste’, as Paddy called him, and certainly never spoken with one so were a little daunted by his presence. The fact that he was dressed from his neck to his ankles in a long black robe which was buttoned down the front, made him seem sort of sinister. When he spoke, though, it was gentle and reassuring.
‘You must have a story as to why you brought them here, Patrick, but it’s getting late and the boys must be tired and probably hungry as well?’ He looked at the boys and raised his eyebrows questioningly.
They nodded tentatively, so the priest led the trio into a large, stone-floored kitchen where he took bread from the larder and a plate of corned beef from the fridge.
‘You make yourselves some tea and I’ll go and see that there are a couple of beds for you. You know your room, Patrick, it’s always made up in case you call in, you old scoundrel.’ The priest smiled warmly at Paddy as he left the room.
They ate hungrily and drank cordial that Paddy poured from a large jug he took from the fridge. ‘I told ya, lads, didn’t I? No need to be worryin’, and we’ll sort a few things out for you in the mornin.’
The priest returned as they were finishing washing the plates and led the two boys down a long timber-floored corridor to a small room that was sparsely furnished with two single beds and a wooden dressing
table with a small mirror attached.
The only other thing in the room was a large wooden cross on the wall with a figure of Jesus Christ hanging forlornly from it and, while this was an alien thing to the boys, it was somehow strangely comforting. The priest bid them goodnight and closed the door. They climbed wearily into bed and, with their money tucked safely under Jack’s pillow, fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The morning sun filtered through the thin curtain into the room where the boys slept. After a while Harry stirred and called softly to Jack, ‘You awake yet?’
‘Yeah, I’m almost awake. Gee, that was a good night’s sleep; we didn’t sleep much on the train and yesterday was pretty exciting.’ Jack stretched and pulled back the covers; noticing two towels on the chair with a cake of soap.
There was a note on the dressing table. It read ‘Didn’t want to wake you. The bathroom is down the hall to the right and breakfast will be ready after you have bathed. You know where the kitchen is.’ It was signed ‘Mrs Lacey.’
‘Must be the housekeeper.’ Harry concluded as Jack read the note aloud. ‘This is incredible, Jack; we’ve been pretty lucky so far, eh? Just hope it keeps up.’
Breakfast was set out on a large scrubbed pine table in the kitchen when the boys entered. There was toast with jam and corn flakes and a large jug of milk covered with a net cloth with little beads around the edge. Eggs were sizzling in a pan on the large Metters wood stove set in the brick wall beside what appeared to be an oven for baking bread.
Mrs Lacey was a rotund lady dressed in a short-sleeved cotton frock and large blue apron. Her greying hair was tied in a bun and she wore tiny silver spectacles perched at the end of her nose so that she constantly held her head down to peer over the top of them. She bade the boys ‘good morning’ and nodded when they thanked her for the towels and soap. Other than that, she didn’t talk and busied herself with duties in the kitchen.
When they had finished eating she removed her apron. ‘Now boys, Father would like to see you so I’ll take you to him.’ She led them from the presbytery across the lawn to an office at the side of the large church.
