Seven

“You must leave without delay,” William said grimly, “and we will just trust God to give you safe passage.”

“But what about you three?” Kate said, turning to look at her sister. “Are you sure you will be all right?” Beth’s baby would undoubtedly be born within the next month, making it necessary for her sister and her family to be left behind. Mr. Gordon had warned them the journey could take anything from three to six weeks.

“And that is if everything goes smoothly, mind,” he had added a trifle grimly, eyeing Kate’s slim body with perturbation. He obviously had doubts about this gently reared, English lady’s stamina.

Kate opened her mouth, but before she could force words past the huge lump that seemed to have settled in her throat, Beth intervened, a suddenly fully mature Beth who smiled gently at her husband and the pale, grim Adam before taking Kate’s arm and moving a short distance away from the two men.

“I’ll be fine, Kate, love. God is our refuge and strength, and we are all in His hands,” she said softly. “There is much ministry He has for William and me to do here.” Lovingly she reached up and touched Kate’s cheek with the back of her hand. “We will all trust Him to protect and give us His loving care—no matter what.”

Kate stared at her younger sister who suddenly seemed so much older than herself in wisdom and faith. “I have to go, Beth,” she whispered desperately.

“I know, love, I know,” Beth murmured softly. There was a woman’s understanding in her eyes. She looked swiftly back at Adam and then at William. There was a light, a peace on her face Kate had never seen before.

“And I do understand it is not just because of John. I must stay, and you must go—with Adam,” Beth added firmly. “Believe me, I know how it is.”

Kate stared at her dumbly. Beth knew. Knew that her sister was in love with Adam, probably had known even before she had acknowledged it herself. There was no censure in Beth’s face, just acceptance of a woman’s love, a woman’s pain. But would there still be no censure if she knew Adam had been a convict?

Then they were embracing each other, and as they held each other tightly for a long moment, Beth whispered ever so softly, “No matter what objections he makes, what obstacles he throws up, no matter what anyone says, don’t let this man get away!”

They stared at each other for a long moment through damp eyes. Then at long last, Beth’s lips twitched and her eyes danced. She added naughtily, “Whatever would Father say?”

Despite the pang that swept through her, Kate’s smile blossomed to a chuckle at the reminder of their old nanny’s favorite saying. “Years ago, he would probably have applauded our courage and pioneer spirit, but then. . .”

Her smile disappeared, and she faltered to a stop as she thought suddenly of the young man their father must have been when he had fallen so deeply in love with a Spanish señorita and married her, not caring what his aristocratic family would think.

Beth nodded, her expression suddenly bleak. “He did change these last couple of years though, didn’t he?”

It had been their father’s own attitude to herself that Kate was thinking of, but she said swiftly, “He loved your mother very much.”

“Yes, I know.” Beth was silent for a moment and then said strangely, “Kate, when you find John, would you tell him. . .” She took a deep breath and finished in a rush, “Please, don’t ask me why, but tell him I am truly sorry for. . .for everything and I hope and pray everything works out for him.”

There was no time for any more private words, but there was much to do before dark. Adam had enlisted William’s help in looking after the remainder of their things and arranging for the rest of his equipment to be shipped on the first available vessel.

The Gordons were keen to get away early the next morning, and Adam had worked hard to arrange for horses and supplies. There were only a very few horses in the colony as yet, but they managed to buy from a hollow-eyed, desperately poor young couple.

Will Gordon muttered to Kate, “Trust that Adam to pay far more than any horse is worth.” Then he shrugged. “But if that isn’t just like the man!”

Kate beamed at him with delight. He gave her a wry, quizzical look in return that brought the heat to her cheeks. She also knew Adam had quietly mentioned the young couple to William and that William and Beth would start their work in this small colony with the needy couple.

Kate found out that the dray mentioned by Tim was simply a large cart drawn by two horses. “Anything bigger and heavier would have held us up, made the trip longer,” she was told.

Kate and Adam had been assured that the horse-drawn cart could easily take their belongings and food as well as the barrels for water and sufficient supplies to last many weeks.

“As long as you bring the very bare essentials, Miss Kate,” the friendly Will Gordon said sternly, but still with that disconcerting twinkle in his eyes when he looked from Adam to herself.

There had been one last private word with Will Gordon before he had left them to return to his own camp that night. For once the twinkle had been absent. “I’ll be sending some clothes for you to wear, miss, and make sure you put them on no matter what anyone else says, you hear?”

She had been consumed with curiosity until Jim had arrived and thrust a bundle into her arms before smiling his shy grin and striding away. With something between horror, excitement, and amusement, she unwrapped two pairs of men’s trousers and a wide-brimmed hat. To her added amusement, the trousers fit very well, and before sunrise the next morning, she presented herself to Beth with only a slight blush staining her cheeks.

Beth’s eyes widened. “Kate, you can’t wear those!”

“Of course I can,” she responded brightly. “It seems that I will have to ride most of the way, and obviously Mr. Gordon has decided there is no way I can ride sidesaddle for that distance. I only brought the one divided skirt, and even its skirt is rather full and could be a real nuisance in rough terrain. Besides,” she grinned impishly as she looked down at herself, “I think I rather like them.”

By the way Adam’s eyes flared and the way he stared speechlessly at her for a long moment, she thought he did also. Somewhat to her chagrin he made no comment, just nodded abrupt approval and busied himself with their horses. Apparently he had known beforehand about the trousers, because he had already put an ordinary saddle on her rather spirited, but sturdy horse.

Beth, William, and even young Harold waved to them until they were out of sight. Kate brushed a few tears away surreptitiously, hoping Adam had not seen them. She was suddenly aware it could be a long time before she saw their dear faces again.

But Adam had seen, and although he longed to offer her comfort, he knew he dare not. The only chaperone Kate had was Judy Brown, who was responsible for all the cooking and meals, and he knew that he had to exercise all the restraint he could call upon not to give any hint of his increasing love for Kate or compromise her in any way. When this was all ended, she still would be the daughter of the late Lord Farnley with a reputation to guard carefully if she was to have any prosperous and happy future.

That first night when they at last stopped to set up camp, the men were well satisfied with the ground they had covered. They had hoped to cover from twenty to twenty-five miles a day, and Adam knew Will Gordon was very relieved that Kate had kept up well, proving to be as competent a rider as she had assured them.

There had been a courageous, stubborn tilt to her chin the day before when she had told them she had practically been born in the saddle. There had also been such a look of determination at the slightest hint of leaving her behind, that it had made him want to gather her up in his arms and keep her safe against all the dangers that could ever be. Instead, he had turned away without a word and tried to forget the dangers she would encounter.

As he dismounted beneath a towering gum tree, he looked across at Kate and saw her suddenly reel as she stepped away from her horse. He rushed to support her, angry with himself that he had not called a halt sooner. No matter how strong she was, this had been a grueling first day for all of them.

“I. . .feel like my legs are made of. . .jelly,” she gasped.

He was horrified at the exhausted, gray tinge on her face, but without a word, he helped her to a fallen log, carefully searching the area to make sure it was not the home of some undesirable creatures of the bush.

“Stay there while we make camp,” he ordered, and was relieved when she nodded and closed her eyes. Worry filled his heart because he knew she was so weary it would have been impossible for her to do anything else and there were many more days and weeks to go.

When they were caring for the horses together, he managed to have a quiet word with Will Gordon about taking it easier the next day.

Will shook his head. “We have to push through this country as fast as we can. I was told that the natives east of Adelaide and along the Murray are gradually becoming more unfriendly.”

Adam looked swiftly around at the shadows of the bush. “You think they could attack us? Why didn’t you tell me, man!” he exploded. “I would never have let Miss Farnley come with us, no matter what she said.”

“Now, now, I wouldn’t have come meself if I thought the danger was too bad. But they have been starting to take some stock from the settlers at the edges of the town, and most owners can’t understand that the natives don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t kill a sheep or bullock here and there to eat. After all, the animals are eating the grass on their lands. From what I’ve been told, I reckon there’ll be bad bloodshed if things don’t improve,” Will said grimly.

He hesitated and then added, “And you might as well know that along the Murray River, I’ve heard tell a few things about the way the drovers and drifters have been treating the natives, especially their women. Their men can’t be expected to stand for that too long. I’m not really expecting any trouble, but we’ll certainly be setting a watch every night.”

Nothing disturbed their rest that first night, and Adam was relieved that Kate, despite walking stiffly at first, seemed to have recovered considerably by the time they mounted their horses again at first light. She was enraptured by her first sight of a mob of kangaroos grazing in the cool morning and pelted him with questions about other Australian animals they could encounter.

He did not want her to be unduly alarmed, but he should have known her quick intelligence would soon spot their watchful eyes during the day as they searched the bush for any sign of the original inhabitants of the land.

“What’s wrong, Adam?” she asked during a moment when they were sitting by themselves after supper the next evening. “You men have been very careful to keep your rifles in your hands all day, and I noticed that Mr. Gordon has set you men to take it in turn to guard us each night.”

He looked at her steadily and then sighed. It was best she knew so she would take care. He repeated all that Will had told him, adding quietly, “I won’t let anything happen to you, my dear Kate, if it is humanly possible.”

Kate watched the shadow that crossed his face before he looked away. Suddenly she longed to reach out to him, to hold him tightly, but she only allowed herself to touch his hand as she said simply, “I know you will, Adam. And Adam. . .” She waited until he looked enquiringly up at her. “Beth reminded me we are in God’s hands. Nothing will happen to us that He will not permit.”

He turned his hand over and clasped her fingers convulsively. “I could not bear it if you were hurt. . .if you were. . .”

“Hush,” she comforted him, holding his hand in both of hers. “Of course you could, as I would have to if anything happened to you. God would bear it with us, and even if we were to die, we would just go to be with Him,” she added with a little smile.

They stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment before reluctantly letting their hands drop and looking away.

As Kate stared across the campfire, she noticed the dark figure of Jackie not very far away in the shadows, sitting cross-legged and motionless, staring into the fire. Suddenly she wondered how much of their conversation he had heard and understood.

All the next day, a warm glow encompassed Kate despite her aching body. Adam still avoided her glance, but a deep well inside her was singing. He cared for her. She even thought he might love her.

That night as they all relaxed around the campfire, Bob Brown produced a battered tin whistle. Kate thoroughly enjoyed the ditties that were heartily roared out. Even Jackie seemed to enjoy these white men’s songs, a rare smile crossing his face as he looked from one to the other.

Then Bob looked at his wife and started very softly to play something else. She smiled and nodded, and then to Kate’s surprise and delight sang in a clear, beautiful voice a song of Old England that brought tears to the eye and a lump in the throat.

“That was very beautiful, Judy. Thank you,” Kate said with a choked voice.

Judy nodded and stared consideringly at Kate. Then, while the others were still murmuring their appreciation, she started singing again. Soon nearly all of them were joining her in the words, “Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land.”

Kate sang along with the rest. Their voices were subdued to start with but rose in exultation of the God who cared enough to guide, to lead them on their journey, “to bid my anxious fears subside.”

Even as their voices rang out into the silent bush, Kate knew that whenever she again sang that hymn, she would remember the vast starry heavens above, the dying glow of the fire, and the shining faces reflected in its light. God was very near, and afterward she slept through the night as a child secure in her Father’s arms.

The days and then the weeks slipped by and began to blur into times when they rode carefully through heavily timbered country, times when they took turns to ride in the cart to rest the horses, times when mobs of kangaroos bounded away from their intrusion into their grazing land, times when they had to find the safest place to cross flowing rivers and trickling creeks, and times when they camped and enjoyed more singing.

Kate discovered that although Judy Brown presented a rough exterior, she was really very shy, and it was not until after that first night’s singing that she relaxed with Kate and the two women became friends. It was just as well, because they had to share much together, including the camp cooking, which Kate insisted on helping with. Then of course there was their bathing, with each woman taking turns to stand guard with a rifle in hand while the other washed in a small basin or, on a couple occasions, immersed herself in a cool stream.

Will Gordon continued to be very pleased with the time they were making, saying that if they could keep it up, the journey would only take six to seven weeks.

The men reported a few times that they had seen evidence that aboriginals were in the area they traversed, but none were spotted. For some time they had kept fairly close to the mighty Murray River, but the day came when they started heading northeast. The sun beat down on them from a merciless blue sky as they traveled as swiftly as their tired horses allowed across seemingly endless plains.

Only a couple times did they meet up with fellow travelers who were usually on their way to Port Phillip. The travelers told them further north it was very dry and to be careful to fill their water barrels whenever possible.

Kate was fascinated by the spirals of red dust that they occasionally saw sweep over the dried-out grasses. Judy called them “willy willies,” and they were not at all pleasant when they whirled around them, the grit and dirt getting into eyes and mouths of humans and horses alike.

Despite her broad-brimmed hat, Kate became sunburned, and then her skin turned a golden brown. One day as Adam reigned his horse to a walk beside her, he mourned, “Your English peaches and cream have gone. Why, you are as brown as a berry. I don’t know what Beth will say.”

Her laugh rang out, and she studied her brown hand. “Oh, Beth will probably get as brown as a berry too, especially after the baby is born.” Her smile disappeared. “She may have even had the baby by now. I do hope and pray everything goes well with her,” she murmured softly, but not so low that Adam did not hear.

“I’m sure it will,” he said quickly. “I had a quiet word with a Dr. Woodforde and asked him to keep a very close eye on her.”

“Oh, that was kind of you, Adam. Dr. Woodforde? Oh, I think I did hear someone on the ship mention that a colonial surgeon had been appointed to the colony.”

“That was Dr. Thomas Cotter, I believe. There are at least two doctors there, so I am sure she will have every care.”

Kate smiled at him gently. He grinned across at her and then looked over her shoulder. His expression altered. That morning the grassy plains had given way to low, rolling hills with scattered trees and low scrub.

“Kate, aboriginals only a hundred yards away. There, watching us from those trees. Dig in your heels.” His voice was sharp.

She gaped at him and swung around. Several aboriginals were standing motionless, watching them from the shadows cast by a tall gum tree. Some held long spears.

“Kate!”

Adam slapped the rump of her tired horse, and it took off in a canter. She was relieved to hear Adam following close behind her.

It was Bob and Judy Brown’s turn in the cart. They had been walking their horses a little behind the cart, with the others strung out in front of it. Bob heard the clatter of their horses, looked back, and then shook the reins of the two horses pulling the cart so they were running swiftly by the time Adam and Kate drew level with him.

“A large number of aboriginals were standing watching us from among those trees,” Adam shouted. “We’d better make sure we stay together and alert the others.”

Kate risked a look behind them and saw nothing, but was relieved when they drew level with the others. They drew rein and turned and looked back.

“A big group of natives were watching us from those trees,” Adam reported tersely.

“Didn’t you see them, Jackie?” Mr. Gordon asked sternly. “Why didn’t you warn us?”

Jackie’s eyes returned from searching out the shadows of the trees. He tilted back his large-brimmed hat and shrugged. His eyes darted from one white face to the other.

“I sure seed them okay, all right, and picanninnies. This country Wiradjuri country, boss, but them fella’s Wemba-wemba, sure ’nough.”

“Picanninnies?” a wide eyed Kate whispered to Adam.

“Children,” he murmured, his eyes still looking back, searching to see if they had been followed.

Will Gordon was frowning. “Wembawemba people. But didn’t you tell us on our way south they were the tribes along the Murray? Isn’t this too far north for them?”

Jackie nodded vigorously. “It very dry there,” he said abruptly. He darted a quick look at both women and then scowled fiercely, his eyes returning to sweep over the countryside. “Sure ’nough we camp long way from here tonight.”

He turned and started his horse quickly forward once more. The others looked at each other.

At last, Bob Brown drawled quietly, “Jackie is Wiradjuri. I’d say them two tribes ain’t speakin’.”

Adam looked toward the west at the sun now close to the distant horizon. “Then we’d better do as he said and put as much space as we can between us and the Wembawemba before dark.”

The horses were weary from their weeks of traveling. It seemed cruel to push them as hard as they did the next hour or so. When darkness fell and they at last drew rein beside a small creek, the horses’ sides were heaving, froth blowing from around their bits.

“Where’s Jackie disappeared to? I wondered when I employed him in Bathurst if we could trust him.” Will Gordon looked around and was grim-faced as he turned to Adam and Kate. “There’s something going on here he’s not telling. I’d much rather we slept in the open tonight, and we’d better make sure we keep a good watch on our horses and supplies.”

There was no singing that night, and the fire blazed brightly. Only the bare minimum was unloaded from the cart in case they had to make a rapid departure. For a long time, Kate could not sleep. She only realized she must have dozed off when she woke to a strange sound drifting across the land.

She sat bolt upright and looked fearfully around. Two dark shadows she quickly recognized to be Adam and Will were standing well away from the light of the still-burning fire and peering into the distance. Even as she scrambled to her feet, the others joined them. It was a hot night, even warmer than usual, but Kate shivered as she walked quickly across to stand beside Adam.

Adam turned swiftly and slipped an arm around her shoulders.

“What is it?” she faltered. “What’s that sound?”

“Will says some kind of corroboree, the natives’ dance,” Adam whispered. “Listen.”

On the still night air came the eery sound of chanting, singing, and sticks being beaten against sticks. Somehow it was a mournful sound, a sound as old as time itself.

“Well, I reckon at least we know where they are,” Jim said quietly.

His father grunted agreement and then asked, “Anyone seen Jackie at all yet?”

Kate noticed a movement in the shadows nearby, and she gasped in fright. Adam swung her around and put his body in front of her as a tall, dark figure moved lightly forward.

“Jackie here, gabaa,” a guttural voice murmured.

Adam stiffened. He did not like that. The native stockman had used the native word for white man almost insolently. And he had discarded his shirt and hat. “Where have you been?” Adam asked angrily. “Are the Wembawemba going to attack us?”

“Wirraay.”

Adam relaxed slightly. “Good.”

“You understand what he said?” barked Will.

“He said no,” Adam answered shortly, still watching Jackie.

“Them Wembawemba wirraay marrambang.”

Adam shook his head. “Sorry, Jackie, I only know a few words of your language.”

There was silence. In only slightly accented English, Jackie said mockingly, “And you are to be commended for that, sir. Not many white men have made the effort you must have to learn our words.”

Adam heard Kate gasp in surprise, but he found himself unexpectedly relaxing. He had known for days that there was something very different about this aboriginal.

Jackie gave a low chuckle. “So, I know many of yours, white man, from the mission school. I said, Mr. Stevens, that those aboriginals are without much goodness. However, I do not think you need worry. There is sickness among them as often happens when they have contact with white men. They are just resting on their return home to the south and now mourning their dead.”