The Drover's Wife

by Leah Purcell

  DROVER’S WIFE: Meanin’?

  YADAKA: I’m not from here. I was adopted in. North. I’m heading home. Tryin’ to. I was left in Melbourne.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Melbourne?

  YADAKA: I ran away with a circus.

  She chuckles to herself.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Now you havin’ a lend of me.

  YADAKA: No, I did.

  South African circus, ‘Fillis Circus’. I was good with the horses and bears.

  They did their show, startin’ in my homeland of the Guugu Yimithirr, rainforest and coloured sand country, missus. All the way down the coast.

  I calmed a bear in rough seas. I was good with the children that came to watch.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Closest thing to a circus we get is Market Day in town. Big fanfare durin’ the day and the drunken clowns come out at night!

  They share the moment.

  YADAKA: I was with the circus for, two years. They left me then, des … des-tit—

  DROVER’S WIFE: Destitute.

  YADAKA: That was my first arrest. Destitute.

  In prison, dead for; cold, no clothes and a man of God, Father Matthews, helped me.

  Got me out, clothed me, gave me a white name, I don’t use it.

  He took me to a mission, west … taught me to read, write and play the tuba.

  DROVER’S WIFE impressed on hearing about the tuba.

  But bein’ there, listenin’ to Father Matthews’ stories about his God wasn’t gettin’ me closer to my homeland though.

  I went then. Slipped away into the shadows, missus. Went on my own walkabout.

  Followin’ the range; The Great Dividin’. It goes right up into my homelands in Queensland.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Long way. My Joe done some drovin’ up there.

  YADAKA: Takin’ the mountain range, I ran into other mobs, see.

  I came to the Snowy Mountains with them for the big Bogong moth, Uriarra … to eat and … dance and …

  DROVER’S WIFE: Like a celebration.

  YADAKA: Yes. Then one night I saw this beautiful woman … her skin oiled with the Bogong moth fat, shining like a full moon … and when she danced … smooth like shallow runnin’ water over river rocks …

  DROVER’S WIFE becomes a little uncomfortable with his talk. He sees this but continues on:

  I had to be adopted to be right skin for her. To join with her. So, I was adopted into the Ngambri Walgalu. Settled in with them.

  DROVER’S WIFE: When was all this?

  YADAKA: My journey started with the circus two years after my … how do I say it … becomin’ a man, goin’ through … what’s the word …

  DROVER’S WIFE: Like a ceremony?

  YADAKA: Yes, manhood ceremony. Same age as your oldest son there, I’d say.

  DROVER’S WIFE: He not long had a birthday. Three months back.

  So … you would’ve been a young fella when you joined the circus?

  He nods.

  DROVER’S WIFE: And you’ve been tryin’ to get home ever since?

  YADAKA: Yes.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Well, I won’t be keepin’ ya. We bury that girl—

  YADAKA: Time to heal, missus. I’ll fell a tree for ya. That deadwood be gone before you know it. Level that ground out there. Stack the heap for ya too.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Trust no-one with the stackin’ of my woodheap.

  Got a blackfella to do it once before, the bastard stacked it hollow and a snake got in under! Made that night a livin’ hell.

  It made its way inside. Had to put all my children up on the kitchen table out of harm’s way. All night I sat watchin’, waitin’ for that bastard snake to come out.

  Eventually it did. I went to whack it, but my dog got in the way, took the blow on his nose.

  She looks around.

  [Calling] Alligator? Alligator! Bloody dog, gettin’ old. Tough old bastard though.

  He caught that snake, shook it silly, snapped its back.

  An awkward silence; she’s surprised at the ease of conversation between them.

  Enough of this trap flappin’. I’ll fix us a bite to eat. Get ya a clean shirt. Bury that one.

  Get around back. Best ya stay out of sight.

  Thanks for helpin’ with the swaggy.

  Cross me and I’ll kill ya. I’ll shoot ya where ya stand and bury ya where ya fall.

  YADAKA: Yes Boss.

  DROVER’S WIFE: He’s the boss. I’m the drover’s wife.

  YADAKA: I’m Yadaka of the Guugu Yimithirr, adopted Ngambri Walgalu.

  He offers his hand. She doesn’t shake it.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Mrs Joe Johnson.

  She indicates for him to leave. He heads around back.

  She watches him go. She exits inside.

  Mid-afternoon becomes late afternoon (of day one).

  SCENE THREE

  The Drover’s Wife’s fourteen-year-old son, DANNY, comes on with a bridle, saddle mat and his duffle bag. He places them down.

  DANNY: Alligator! Alligator!

  He looks around for the dog.

  Alligator, ya silly dog! Ya home, boy?

  He looks offstage toward the woodheap.

  Alligator?

  YADAKA enters. DANNY turns and sees him. YADAKA has the clean shirt on.

  YADAKA: It’s alright, Boss.

  DANNY: Ma!

  The DROVER’S WIFE enters. DANNY goes to her.

  DROVER’S WIFE: This is … Black.

  YADAKA: Yadaka of the Guugu Yimithirr, adopted Ngambri Walgalu.

  Awkward beat.

  DANNY: Danny.

  DROVER’S WIFE: He’s gonna help us get some firewood.

  She hands him the axe.

  Remember what I said. And I’m a woman of my word.

  She watches YADAKA leave.

  Now, did ya get ya brothers and Delphi safely to the McGuinness’s? Joe Junior and Henry James behave?

  DANNY: I think Pastor McGuinness started prayin’ for a quick birth before I even left, ’cause Henry James and Joe Junior started fightin’ and Miss Shirley—

  DROVER’S WIFE: Mrs McGuinness to you.

  DANNY: She said to call her Miss Shirley.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Daniel, please.

  DANNY: Mrs McGuinness was grateful for the extra meat and happy to mind them until the baby comes.

  He realises her stomach.

  She’s here!

  He runs to get his duffle bag. He takes out a soft package wrapped in brown paper and string.

  Delphi wants to call her Daisy. And us boys want Molly, after you.

  Miss Shirley did a fine job knittin’, all summer she reckons. Booties and a jacket, pretty yellow.

  They mentioned somethin’ about a double baptism, Daisy and Delphi.

  He hands her the package.

  Two for one, Pastor McGuinness reckons.

  DROVER’S WIFE: She didn’t make it, son.

  DANNY: Pardon Ma?

  DROVER’S WIFE: The wee one, dead.

  Pause.

  Death is a part of life, Danny; it just comes earlier for some. We really don’t have a say in when.

  Come and say ya goodbyes.

  They head inside.

  How did ya know she was a girl, Danny?

  DANNY: I didn’t. Just prayed for a little sister.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Daisy Molly Johnson. I like that.

  DANNY exits inside.

  DROVER’S WIFE sings a Scottish lament—‘Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair’.

  DROVER’S WIFE: [singing]

  Black, black, black is the colour of my true love’s hair,

  YADAKA brings on a little makeshift coffin, with nails and a hammer.

  Her face is something wondrous fair.

  YADAKA places the little coffin on the chopping block. DANNY comes out. He holds the baby wrapped in swaddling. He stands by the coffin.

  DROVER’S WIFE continues singing, standing by DANNY now.

  DROVER’S WIFE: [singing]

&
nbsp; The purest smile and the gentlest of hands.

  She takes the baby, kisses her forehead, does a traditional action of a clenched fist placed on the head and blows a breath into the clenched fist. YADAKA clocks this: he knows this action.

  She places the baby in the coffin. YADAKA nails on the lid.

  I love the ground whereon she stands,

  I love the ground whereon she stands.

  So fair thee well, my own true love.

  The time has come,

  Still I wish you well.

  And still I hope

  That the time will come

  When you and I will be as one.

  DANNY picks up the coffin. He and YADAKA exit.

  DROVER’S WIFE: [singing]

  And still I hope

  That the time will come

  When you and I will be as one.

  Song repeats as required through a transition as …

  Later afternoon becomes night (of day one).

  SCENE FOUR

  The night is typical autumn, quiet and crisp.

  DANNY brings out his mother’s shawl. She sits on a bench mending an old cardigan of Joe’s. She sings quietly to herself—‘Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair’.

  DANNY sits, but quickly gives his undivided attention to YADAKA who sits on the ground, is working on a bone for a spear barb.

  A very domestic and serene moment.

  DROVER’S WIFE finishes her song. DANNY claps and YADAKA joins him.

  DROVER’S WIFE: [playfully to DANNY] Ya ’avin’ a lend.

  DANNY: I love that one, Ma, me favourite.

  DROVER’S WIFE: [bashful] Stop it—

  YADAKA: Fine singer, missus.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Stop it, the both of ya.

  They all share the moment.

  Ya grandey’s favourite.

  Sang it while he worked. Sang it when he ate and, I’m sure, sang it in his sleep.

  DANNY chuckles.

  And speaking of, bed.

  DANNY: Orh.

  DROVER’S WIFE: It’s been a big day, son.

  DANNY: A story, Ma, please.

  The bullock one? Yadaka might wanna hear it.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Danny …

  He gives her a big smile.

  DANNY: Pleeeaaassseee.

  Beat.

  DROVER’S WIFE: It was afternoon, just over a week and a bit now. I came outside to call Alligator.

  I hadn’t even got my nose out the front door when … Lord Almighty … I came face to face with this big bloody wild, grey bullock.

  I froze, as it had. Both of us not sure what the other was gonna do, should do, could do.

  Lucky for me, you kids were inside or out back and normally would have no reason to come around the front to enter the house.

  A quick scan of the yard, no Alligator, good.

  The bullock would have ripped him apart; horns the width of a grown man’s arm span. Dog may be old but he’s loyal, eh, a good protector.

  DANNY agrees. YADAKA gives his full attention to the story.

  So, I still haven’t moved from the partial open door, still holdin’ eye contact with the beast, its breath short and sharp.

  You sat on the dirt floor drawin’ in the loose sod from the day’s foot traffic of adult, child and dog.

  ‘Danny?’ I whispered.

  ‘Danny.’

  YADAKA gives a little chuckle. She looks over to him.

  Darn kid’s so focussed on his penmanship.

  ‘Daniel!’ Finally.

  ‘The gun. Now. Slow.’

  Ya looked up in protest—

  DANNY: ’Cause I was near done with a word.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Ya rose slowly, grabbed the Martini Henry, which ya’re taller than now, ya skinny malinky longlegs! And hands it to me—

  DANNY: Slow.

  DROVER’S WIFE: [to YADAKA] I always have it loaded.

  DANNY: [to YADAKA] It’s no play thing.

  She demonstrates for DANNY’s benefit.

  DROVER’S WIFE: I slowly bring the gun up usin’ the doorframe as my guide.

  The laughter of me children was movin’ now, to my right.

  YADAKA gets up. She swings her rifle to him, fearing his sudden movement, but he begins to mimic the bull, doing a great job.

  The bullock looks over, sees them and stomps. I step forth from the door, bringing its attention back to me. Takin’ aim now right between the eyes of the beast … someone was gonna die!

  DANNY totally enthralled by YADAKA’s mimicry.

  Second stomp, so glad its animal instinct was to show its authority.

  One eye closed, the other locked on my target … breath steady. The beast snorts: short and sharp … my children now silent and still … and time stopped …

  One single shot …

  Small trickle of blood between its eyes and the bullock drops …

  DANNY: Dead.

  YADAKA drops. She jumps with fright. She sits, slight anxiety grasping at her.

  DANNY applauds wildly.

  Kaw, isn’t Yadaka grand! Ma?

  DROVER’S WIFE: Enough, Daniel.

  YADAKA rubs at his collarbone, he hurt himself when he fell. There is blood. He wipes his hand on his pants.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Goodnight, son.

  DANNY kisses his ma goodnight.

  DANNY: Goodnight, Ma.

  He goes to go inside but changes his mind and heads to YADAKA.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Daniel!

  He ignores her protest.

  DANNY: Night, Yadaka.

  YADAKA: Night, Danny.

  DANNY exits inside. YADAKA shifts his collar again.

  Didn’t mean to scare you. Something more to that, missus? That story?

  Beat.

  DROVER’S WIFE: The day is catchin’ up to me.

  She heads towards the house, stops to see YADAKA move the collar. It hurts. She goes to the workbench, collects a tool and hands it to YADAKA.

  This’ll probably do it.

  YADAKA: I’ll need ya help.

  They go to the chopping block; he kneels, resting the collar on it. She goes to strike the tool with the butt of the axe but he grabs her arm.

  I trust ya.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Wish I could say the same for meself.

  She goes to strike but stops herself. She attempts two little practice aims. She goes to take a big swing …

  YADAKA: Don’t wanna push me luck with ya dead-eye missus, so, make this one count, please.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Stop talkin’ or I will throttle ya with the bloody thing.

  Big strike and the collar falls away. YADAKA stands up, relieved.

  YADAKA: Thank you, missus.

  He holds up the collar.

  Thank you.

  DROVER’S WIFE: Goodnight, Black.

  She drives the axe into the chopping block.

  He goes to head around the back. She gets the broom to sweep, lightly.

  I’d let ya light a fire, but it might bring people about.

  Bury that collar deep.

  She continuous to sweep away the tracks of the days’ foot traffic in the top layer. He watches her for a bit, then exits.

  She sweeps back toward the entrance of her shanty.

  Night becomes very early morning (day two).

  She exits inside.

  SCENE FIVE

  YADAKA and DANNY both enter with their shirts off. They both carry on the last of the logs.

  DANNY: Last ones. Ma will be happy. We felled a tree and been haulin’ wood since dawn. I’m so hungry I could eat a whole rump of that bullock to meself.

  They share the moment, but YADAKA is more about the business at hand. They stop and get themselves a drink of water.

  We see YADAKA’s scars (from being whipped) across his back.

  DANNY watches YADAKA closely as they have a break.

  Been meanin’ to ask … those scars there. Are you a bad man then?

  Beat.

  YADAKA: I
was about Joe Junior’s age.

  DANNY: Oh …

  YADAKA: I went to work for a man … said I stole his gold dust. He was just too drunk to remember where he hid it.

  DANNY comes over, pulling down the top of his pants. There is an old belt buckle scar on his hip.

  That’s a good one.

  DANNY: I sidestepped Da on one of his drunken rampages. That’s what Ma calls them.

  See, he’s got a bad bow leg, broke it when he was little, wasn’t fixed proper. Ma reckons his da probably did it. Anyway, he can’t run so good, so he cracked his belt like a whip at me, buckle end.

  Da didn’t mean it.

  Awkward beat. DANNY is quick to change the subject.

  Those spears out back there, pretty big.

  YADAKA: Spears?

  DANNY: Seen ya bring them up to the house after we buried little Daisy … Before we split these logs, can ya teach me to throw one?

  YADAKA: They’re not be to played with.

  DANNY: I won’t say nothing …

  YADAKA takes the logs off to the woodheap.

  DANNY feels a little brow-beaten. He puts on his shirt.

  DANNY: Alligator? Alligator! Here, boy.

  He whistles. But no dog comes.

  [Worried] Come home now, boy.

  YADAKA (with his shirt back on) enters carrying the axe and a newly made spear, the smaller of the three. He holds it out to DANNY, who runs to take it. DANNY is in awe of it.

  [Indicating the spear tip] What’s this one for?

  YADAKA: Hunting. Food.

  DANNY: What about them other two bigger ones?

  YADAKA: Protection.

  DANNY: So you can kill with these?

  YADAKA: The barb tip on the other two tears the insides when you pull it out.

  YADAKA looks for a whetstone. DANNY watches him, he is wary of the spear he holds. YADAKA has a pain in his lower back. Taking a rag, he pours water on it, dabbing at his wound.

  DANNY hides the spear.

  DANNY: How’d ya hurt ya’self?

  YADAKA: You ask a lot of questions, Danny.

  DANNY: Yeah, Ma says that too. But I say, if ya don’t ask ya don’t know, eh.

  YADAKA: Do ya answer all the questions asked of ya?

  DANNY: Yep. I like talkin’. Don’t get to do it much around here.

  YADAKA: When do ya think ya da be back?

  DANNY is taken aback.

  DANNY: Pardon?

  YADAKA: Ya da, when will he be home.

  DANNY: Well, ahm … soon. It’s … ahm, it’s been three months. So … could be home any day now.