CHAPTER EIGHT – FREDERICK IN MATABELELAND
Frederick settled into a comfortable life in his new home, ably assisted by his new wife and extended family. For the next few years, he revelled in the fact that he was part of a real family, something he had never really experienced before. His father-in-law kept a careful eye on him, though, watching for any sign that Frederick was feeling unsettled, but as time wore on, he judged that his son-in-law had kept his word and would remain here with Em. This feeling was concreted when in the closing months of 1872 the couple announced that Em was pregnant. McAdams was overjoyed, as he now knew that his daughter was secure, not able to imagine Frederick abandoning his first-born child and McAdams’ first grandchild. David Braughton was born in July 1873 and the whole family celebrated with friends and employees of the company as each new life was still a reason to be thankful in the Cape Colony, which was growing steadily and providing added security and happiness for its inhabitants.
Frederick and Em grew even more into the love they had found in each other and their new son. Every day, Frederick thought of the fortune he had found here, a richness he had not sought, but one that was every bit as rewarding as the desire for treasure that had brought him to these shores. When in 1875 their second child, Beatrice, was born, he thought he would burst with pride and joy as he now had a daughter over whom to dote and a son with whom to share his thoughts and skills and who would carry on the Braughton name in this new continent.
However, when at the end of the following year their second daughter was born, named Emily, after her mother, Frederick’s thoughts started to wander. He thought about this family of his and how he could ensure their futures in comfort and security. They were certainly far from poor as the business was thriving and McAdams had made sure that they benefited from its success, but Frederick started to see the new rich men in the town, men who had made their fortunes in the mines further north. They lived in large houses, dressed in the finest clothes and were able to travel far and wide at a whim. Part of the growth in trade for the business, indeed a large part of the growth, came from these men to whom money was no object and who expected and were willing to pay for the best money could buy. Frederick started to feel the pangs of jealousy when he dealt with these people and his thoughts inevitably started to turn to ways in which he could join this elite club of gentlemen.
He thought again about his original plans to head north of the Limpopo, an area still largely unexplored, but rumoured to be a treasure trove to anyone brave enough to risk its perils. He started making discreet enquiries of his clients, just in the way of passing the day, with idle conversation, so as not to arouse any interest in his questions.
One day, he overheard a conversation by two such clients, both of whom were spending large sums of money in order that their new houses were furnished with the most ornately carved pieces. They spoke of Frederick Selous, the hunter and adventurer that he had received such short shrift from so long ago, when he had first arrived in the town. According to these fine gentlemen, Selous was planning an expedition to explore further in the north and was looking for suitable companions to accompany him.
This conversation sent Frederick into a frenzy of investigation and he started to ask questions of anyone who might be able to help him ascertain the sort of companions Selous was likely to require. He determined not to make the mistake of his youth and simply barge up to the great man, but to be prepared to make his case so that this time he could not be refused a place on the trek.
Em had sensed a change in her husband and although she had an idea of what could be causing it, she chose to bury that knowledge deep in her mind so as not to give it chance to see the light of day. She too, as her father had, long wondered about Frederick’s aborted plans for adventure, but as her father had relaxed his guard, so she had relaxed hers over the years. She loved him as passionately as any woman could love her man, and that love had only increased in its intensity over the time they had been together. They had the glorious gift of total trust in each other and could speak about whatever it was that made them happy, sad, angry, or unsure. Despite this though, Em felt that this one issue had been long hidden from her by Frederick and that this one issue had remained deep within her, for fear that just the mention of it could make it true. Now though, she knew that soon one of them would have to release the bird that fluttered inside him and give it the freedom it required. Her fears for his safety were great as she too had talked to many people about the lands of the interior and she understood the dangers that lurked there, both seen and unseen. But the dangers to her family may be equally as great if they kept these thoughts locked within the cages of their minds, where they would turn in on themselves and create disquiet in their happy and contented lives. The greatest worry in her mind was that Frederick would not come back as the man that left – perversely, perhaps even more of a worry than if he didn’t come back at all. She would mourn his loss for the remainder of her days, if he lost his life on such dangerous adventure, of course she would, but at least he would forever remain the man she loved. She had heard from others of the change that can overcome men when they travel into the interior. As well, the chance of him finding his fortune would alter his mind and the way in which he would see the world, which included her and the children.
As much as she knew and understood all of these things, she also knew that it would have to be her to make the first move, to unlock the cage door and let the bird fly free, until it either learned to love the home it already had, or to perish in a place it longed to be. She resolved to talk to her husband as soon as she could for fear that leaving the thing unsaid for too long would cause the damage inside them both that she feared almost more than the dangers he might encounter far from here. First though she had to speak to her father, whom she knew would prove to be the hardest to convince of the wisdom of whatever course of action would ensue. He indeed proved intransigent and refused to believe that letting Frederick head north, to abandon his family was a sensible and wise thing to do. The two of them argued for hours, neither willing to give ground to the other until at long last Em managed to extract the smallest gain over her father. She skilfully backed off at this point and gave some ground in return but then, just when he believed he had won the day she once again pounced with all the vigour she could muster until he wearily gave in and agreed to keep his own council over the matter until any decisions had been reached, although he reserved the right to do everything in his power to try and persuade Frederick not to go when the time came. He sat in his favourite chair as the battle ended feeling saddened that his daughter’s happiness and that of his grandchildren could be shattered by events yet to come. However, he was fiercely proud of Em’s spirit and intelligence and the brilliant way she had out-gunned him and manoeuvred her way to a victory which left them both winners, although he suspected she may have won just a little more than had he.
Next, Em had to talk to Frederick and she dreaded this conversation more than anything she had to face in her life so far. She knew that he would deny her thoughts and he would deny any wish to leave her and the children. She would have to fight him as hard as she had fought her father in order that he felt no option but to speak the truth about his deepest desires.
It took her a further few weeks to find the perfect time to broach the subject after a very successful day where Frederick had negotiated a huge order for furniture with a newly rich prospector who had chosen Cape Town in which to make his home. She knew that the fact that he had been talking money with this man would have stirred his thoughts once again and so when he came home that evening, she prepared his favourite meal, opened a bottle of wine she had been saving for a special occasion, and took a deep breath.
‘Frederick, there is something we need to talk about and I hope that we are able to be fully honest with each other as we have with all other things.’
Frederick was intrigued by this opening statement and leant forward in his chair to grasp Em’s hand. As he did, he
again felt the thrill of being with her and owning the love he had felt every day since they had first met. ‘Of course we will talk as we always do. Why the serious nature to your comment?’ he asked, wondering what it was she wanted to talk about. He had no inkling that Em had long since guessed his thoughts, so was genuinely mystified as to the topic for conversation.
‘When we first met,’ she started slowly, unsure exactly how to go on, ‘you wanted something more than the life we now lead.’ She paused, again unsure of how to phrase this. Frederick protested. ‘Em, I have found more in this life now than I ever could have dreamed of achieving when I first came here.’ He was a little scared now, understanding a little of where this conversation might lead.
Em smiled fondly at his words, but forced herself to carry on. ‘I know that you have been happy and that you love me and the children as much as any man could love his family. However, your desires were for a different life before we met and it is this that I wish to discuss now.’
Frederick felt a lurch in his stomach as he knew that he was going to have to confront his feelings and there was a chance that hard decisions would have to be made that would change the lives of his family and himself forever. He could still not bring himself to admit those things to Em and so continued; ‘Em, those wishes have long since gone. I realised a long time ago that they were not real and that I was not destined to go down that road. My life is here now, with you and with our family and nothing can change that, no matter what I may think.’
Em grabbed at his last words and then knew she had been right. He did think about a great adventure just as she had suspected, but she would have to be careful now to let him admit it on his own and not make him feel as if she had forced him in any way.
‘Do you ever think about the men who buy our furniture? The ones who have made themselves richer than we could possibly imagine? Don’t you ever wonder what it would be like to have that amount of money, so that you could be sure your family was secure forever?’ Em asked him, softly, not pushing him, just enquiring.
Frederick hesitated. He did think about all those things and now he realised that there was a way to join the two parts of his life’s dreams together. Before Em, he had wanted the adventure and the riches that would come from it because he was on his own in the world and he wanted the freedom and power that would come from the money he could make. Now, he had something more than that. He had a family and with that came responsibilities. He was responsible for the lives of four other people and he had to make sure they were provided for and protected. What Em was now suggesting was that the money would provide security for his family; was this the thing that had troubled his thoughts about going north? He had been thinking about becoming rich selfishly, but now, he realised, he could provide for others as well. He looked into Em’s eyes and held her hand in his, as he knew that he had to now tell the truth.
‘I have something to tell you that I have kept secret because I wasn’t sure if the telling of it was the right thing for us.’ He paused, not sure how to continue. ‘What you have said is right and I can’t think why I have not seen it before now. I am happy here; I do have more than any man could ever wish for, but there is something unfinished in my life that has been in my mind for some time. I am afraid that telling you will change everything, but I also think that keeping it from you will cause damage to us and would be the worst choice in the long run.’
Em listened to every word, at once glad and deeply saddened at what he was starting to tell her. Frederick carried on. ‘I need to finish what I came to Africa to do; I need to travel to the north, to see what is there. I need to do this for me because if I don’t I will come to resent everything I have here. But it can also be for us. For our family, because if I find what I seek then we will all be safe forever.’
He had never felt so low in the telling of a truth to another person and his head drooped as he thought of what his actions might do to his family. Em held his chin in her hand and raised his face so that she could look into his eyes as the tears started to flow from her own and then they held each other tightly, dreading the day when they would part, if even for a short time.
And so it was that in the first months of the year 1877, Selous and a band of willing white men, including one Frederick Braughton, set off from Cape Town at the foot of Table Mountain heading ultimately for the interior.
It had not taken Frederick long to track Selous down and discover his plans for yet another trek north and this time he approached the hunter with respect and as a man of standing. Selous obviously didn’t recognise the brash young man who had accosted him years before and Frederick wasn’t of a mind to remind him of that first meeting. Frederick’s skill as a wood and metal worker and now an accomplished builder and repairer of wagons convinced Selous that he would be useful on the journey and so he agreed to take him along.
As the group moved off, some less than willing natives accompanied them who were to endure most of the hard work of carrying supplies once they were in regions where wagons were not practical. However, these men were paid well and could expect to be looked after. There were also a group of the smaller yellow-skinned Bushmen whose skills at hunting and surviving on virtually nothing were vital to Selous’ plans. These men were the original inhabitants of this part of the African continent and thrived in desert and bush alike, but generations of invaders, both black and white, had denuded their numbers and even now their kind was not seen as often as they once were.
The journey was to take many months and each man had been sure to settle his affairs, such as they were, before he left, as there was no promise of a safe return. For Frederick, this had been quick and easy as he left everything with Em. He had purchased a reliable Martini-Henry breech loading rifle and a horse, which although it wouldn’t have won any beauty contests, was strong and seemingly willing. Along with a saddle, a blanket, and food, these were the majority of Frederick’s possessions for the trip. He had also managed to find a small pen set and some sheets of rough handmade paper in a small store just off the main street of the town. He had always liked the idea of sketching and painting, ever since receiving the little watercolour from his parent’s estate, and wondered if he had any talent for it. As there were likely to be long empty days to fill in the coming months, he figured it would be a good time to find out. So, after writing a letter to his distant and long-ignored relatives back in England, explaining his plans and bequeathing any remaining estate to Em, he packed everything up and met up with the rest of the band of explorers at the edge of town.
That morning, the mountain was cloaked in a thick white “tablecloth” of cloud and the air was still. The water lapped gently in the harbour and he marvelled at the beauty of the place as he took one last look before they all mounted up and started off. They were going to ride right from Cape Town rather than take the railway up to Kimberley. This was to save costs, as provisions were easier and cheaper to come by here than they would be further north.
His thoughts turned to the family he had left behind this morning. The children had not yet been awake when he left and he insisted that his departure from Em was quick and, he assumed, less painful for both of them. He had some doubts though that the kiss they had shared before he left was not enough for her and guilt worked its way through his mind, causing him to be quiet and thoughtful at the start of this journey. This wasn’t noticed by the other men as they all soon fell into a reflective silence, each wondering what the coming months would bring and not knowing if they would ever see this beautiful town again.
The first few days were relatively easy, despite the hills and valleys they had to traverse. One valley in particular took his breath away, as its form was almost picture book as they rounded a hill on to a flat path at one end. They were treated to the view of a lush and verdant panorama, fully surrounded by steep-sided hills. A river ran through the centre of this landscape, gently meandering past natural pastures and meadows where wildflowers grew in abundance, adding b
right colour in splashes to the thousand shades of green. Frederick sighed with the thrill of such exquisite beauty and thought that when he had made his fortune, he would very much like to return and make his home here in this place.
Soon after they had left the valley however, the land flattened out and became dry and arid. Grass and flowers gave way to scrubby bushes and finally to miles of empty flatlands punctuated by unwelcoming kopjes and outcrops. The banter that had been present through the valleys now died away as they trouped slowly in silence, settling into that trance-like state that men enter when on a long, boring journey, simply trying to keep spirits up enough to move forward one step at a time.
They followed the track heading northeast towards the town of Kimberley, where the Big Hole was still giving up its treasures. It was a frontier town and to Frederick was as exciting as all the stories he had heard from the men who came to Cape Town from time to time. The group stopped to procure fresh supplies here and decided to stay for a couple of days. Frederick headed for the Hole itself to see if the stories he had heard were true about its size and the number of men who worked there.
The first diamond had been discovered on the site of the former Colesberg kopje, in the late 1860’s and so the hole was now nearly six years old. All traces of the hill had been eradicated, and in its place was the largest man-made hole ever created. There seemed to be thousands of men working at all levels, some on rickety scaffolding on the sides and some on the floor itself to go ever deeper and wider in search of more diamonds.
As he stood there, a group of native workers made their way up from the pit towards him. They were dirty and looked tired, but were dressed in European clothing, some with boots and some without. They looked at him as they came nearer and seemed to Frederick’s eyes to be shifty, almost furtive. One of them in particular caught his eye as he gazed at Frederick with undisguised hate. Frederick gazed back with the sure knowledge that no harm would come to him here at the hands of a native. But he felt something as their eyes locked; some kinship with this complete stranger and a feeling that they would meet again. As polite as always he tried the only word he knew in the native tongue. Sawubona, hello, or translated as ‘I see you’. The man nodded briefly, but Frederick wondered what the tall black man had been thinking as he looked at him. Wondered where the hate came from. After all, he had work and as far as he knew, the native workers were being paid a reasonable sum these days. He had heard that a shilling a day was not unheard of, which was a small fortune to a native. Many of them managed to use this money to better themselves, buying European clothes, perhaps even a breech-loader such as Frederick himself owned. Also, Frederick knew that black labour was actually in short supply, so it wasn’t as if these workers had been forced to work for the mines.
The small group of workers made their way down the track towards the encampment they called home and Frederick’s mind moved on to other things. He thought about the discoveries waiting to be made in the north and wondered if he would be the one to discover a second Kimberley and become a wealthy gentleman, able to travel the world in comfort and style. His thoughts turned to Em and the children. He deeply regretted leaving them behind, but this journey was no place for women or children. Besides, it would be for just a few months and then his fortune would surely be made.
After leaving Kimberley, the group made their way north towards Mafeking and then by way of Shoshong in the Bechuanaland Protectorate to Tati. Some seven years before, Lobengula had granted the first major mining concession to Sir John Swinburne, to search for gold and minerals on a tract of land in the low lying district between the Shashi and Ramaquiban rivers. No real work had been done there as yet because of the unhealthy climate and the impis of Matabele warriors who had made inroads to the area.
It was at this point that the first major setback for the trek occurred. As they relaxed by the fire one evening shortly before the sun made its final fiery plunge into the horizon, a rider approached from the south at pace. Immediately, they all jumped to their feet and grabbed their rifles, finding cover where they could. The rider, however, seemed unperturbed by the commotion and slowed his mount to a walk before jumping down and raising his arms to show he meant no harm.
‘I’m looking for Selous,’ he called, ‘is he amongst you?’
Selous stepped forward and answered. ‘Who are you and what business have you that brings you here?’
The man lowered his right arm and reached into his coat. Again the rifles were raised and cocked. He stopped still for a second and then slowly drew out a piece of paper, upon which a red seal could be seen unbroken.
‘I have a message for Mr Selous alone. Please allow me to deliver it and I will be on my way.’
Selous stepped forward and at the same time, motioning the rest of the men to lower their weapons. ‘I don’t think we have need of fear from this messenger. Get back to your meals and I will see what business this is.’
He broke the seal and read the message before turning to his comrades. ‘I have to go; something urgent needs my attention. You can do as you wish from this point, but I would advise the abandonment of the journey until such time as I can re-join you. I would suggest a return to Mafeking, although it may be some time before I am free to continue.’
Frederick jumped to his feet and said that he wanted to continue. ‘Surely Selous, you can give us the directions we need to go on. If we can get to GuBulawayo and speak with Lobengula we can get permission to go further.’
‘Aye, you may well be able to do that, although I would advise against it as there are untold dangers to confront which could cause your premature end.’
‘Who else will come with me?’ he turned to the others. Three said that they would be keen to continue, although Frederick noted the three were those with the least to lose amongst them. The other men all had family or property back in Cape Town and were not happy about getting killed at this point. This was the sway that a man like Selous had at this time. Men trusted him with their lives as if he were some kind of god, able to protect no matter what came.
Selous looked at the rapidly disappearing sun and said, ‘if that’s your decision then that is what will be.’ There is no point in going anywhere tonight though, we had might as well settle for the night and go our separate ways in the morning.’
So, the next day, Selous, the messenger, and the family men headed south while Frederick with his three companions headed north with a detailed sketch by Selous on a piece of Frederick’s precious paper. The natives that had accompanied them from Cape Town also left as they were in the pay of Selous alone and Frederick and his companions certainly didn’t have the means to continue with their hire.
As they separated, Frederick looked back at the retreating forms of Selous and the other men wondering what it was that had caused the great hunter to abandon the journey and what the future could possibly hold for him now that he was taking such a risk by heading off in to the unknown. Little did he know that the decision he had made that day had not only sealed his own fate, but that of generations of Braughtons to come.
THE PRESENT
Acacia - Secrets of an African Painting Page 9
