The Kangaroo Hunters; Or, Adventures in the Bush

by Clarence Young

  CHAPTER III.

  Melbourne.--The Squatters.--The Two Convicts.--A PainfulSeparation.--The _Golden Fairy_.--Ruth's Misfortunes.--A NocturnalAlarm.--Ruth's Confession.--The Ship on Fire.

  Weary, distressed, and suffering, the passengers on the _Amoor_ gladlylanded on the busy wharf, and were conveyed to Melbourne, where Mr.Mayburn and his daughter, Mrs. Deverell and Emma, were settled in ahandsome hotel; but Mr. Deverell and his people, with the youngMayburns, remained at the port to land the cargo and inspect the damagedone by the storm. It was soon ascertained that the loss must beconsiderable--a number of sheep and cattle, besides a valuable horse,had been swept into the sea; and all that had been saved were in badcondition; but it was to be hoped a short rest at Melbourne mightrestore these, and fit them for their long journey into the interior.Then Deverell had to search for experienced drovers to guide and assisthis own men; and finally, he undertook to inquire for the first vesselto Calcutta that could accommodate Mr. Mayburn and his family, as somemonths must elapse before the disabled _Amoor_ could be prepared toresume the voyage.

  The girls looked out from the windows of the hotel with admiration atthe broad and peopled streets, the handsome churches, and the Europeanaspect of a town on the spot which, but a few years before, had been alonely wilderness; but the pious Mr. Mayburn called them away to unitewith him in thanksgiving for this their first experience of the progressof divine and social knowledge, even into the farthest regions of theearth.

  "The spirit which has clothed the desert with the blessings of peace andabundance," said he, "and has planted the gospel of life in anewly-discovered world, will by God's blessing spread onwards like afertilizing river till the word of the Lord be accomplished; for theblessed day draweth nigh when the scattered people of God shall begathered into one fold, and the great shepherd shall say, 'Well done.'"

  "God speed the day, dear papa," said Margaret. "But we must not be merewatchers; we must all be workers. Wherever we go, we shall find anuntilled field, and we must all put our shoulders to the plough."

  "You are right, my child," replied he, with a sigh; for though everwilling to fulfil the duty lying before him, Mr. Mayburn wantedresolution to seek out the hard work of the fervent missionary ofChristianity. Evening brought to them the fatigued young men withsatisfactory news. A vessel, the _Golden Fairy_, which had landed aparty of gold-diggers from England, was going forward to Calcutta withsheep and merchandise. The captain, very glad to obtain passengers,readily agreed to accommodate Mr. Mayburn's family; he was to sail inthree days, so no time must be lost in making preparations.

  "As to my own affairs," added Edward Deverell, "I have succeeded infinding quarters for all my live-stock. The cattle, horses, pigs, andsheep were certainly somewhat unruly; but the women and children tentimes more troublesome. Such an amount of bundles, bags, baskets,cradles, and cats as they have brought! How we have housed them all is amiracle; and how we are to get them up the country is a puzzlingproblem. Finally, I have bought a train of wagons, and engaged twogentlemen as guides, who are her majesty's prisoners, released on_parole_; in fact, two ticket-of-leave convicts."

  A scream from Emma, and a groan from her mother, followed thisinformation.

  "Surely you have not been so rash, Edward," said Mrs. Deverell. "Let usmake our way rather with our own people only. Consider the contaminationof such society for our poor virtuous followers. Besides, it is but tooprobable we may be robbed and murdered by such wretches."

  "It is an inevitable evil, mother," answered Edward, "for we cannotattempt the journey without guidance. These men have behaved well sincetheir transportation; they are brothers--poachers--who, like many intheir situation, have erred rather through ignorance and weakness thandepravity. At least, such is the report of the overlooker whorecommended them. They have been out before in the interior withsquatters, and know the valleys of the Murray and the Darling, beyondwhich our ultra-frontier tract is spread. I have been to the ColonialOffice, and have obtained the necessary forms for taking possession offifty thousand acres of _waste land_, as it is called, for a long leaseof years. And now, mother, we are, according to the legalized andelegant form, _squatters_."

  "_Colonists_, my son; I cannot bear the strange, uncouth word_squatters_," said Mrs. Deverell.

  "Nevertheless, mamma," said Edward, laughing, "it is official language.We may call ourselves, if we choose, landed gentry; but the world ofAustralia will rank us only as part of the _squattocracy_."

  "Am I a squatter?" asked little Emma, in dismay; and great was the mirthof her favorite friends, Hugh and Gerald, when Emma was pronounced to belegally a squatter.

  Early next morning the two convict guides were admitted to receive theirfinal directions from Mr. Deverell, and were regarded with someuneasiness and much curiosity. One was a rough country lad, dressed in afustian suit and a fur cap, rude in manner, but of pleasing, opencountenance: the other, who was older, had a shabby-genteel appearance;he had discarded his convict's habit, and had expended the earnest-moneyreceived from Mr. Deverell in an old suit of black clothes, and a verybad English hat, which he had placed on his head in a jaunty style.

  "Please to show me your district by map, sir," said he, bowing at thesame time in a very conceited manner to the ladies. "You must look tome, _cartee blank_, sir; for you see, sir, my brother is notintelligible; he has not had the blessing of eddication."

  "And your education, my friend," said Edward Deverell, "has not been ablessing to you, I fear. Have you not rather turned it to evil?"

  "Quite the _contrairy_, sir," said the man. "I look forrard to itshelping me up-hill in this free country. Why, sir, a man born anunder anhedge may top over quality and ride in his carriage here, if he can onlycome round his parts of speech rightly. But Davy will stick where he is,for he never could tell an X from an _anpassy_."

  "It's all true," said the rough rustic, "I'se no scholar like Bill,master, but I'se do my best for ye, and glad to get out from amang yonrogues. It's hard for a lad to be sorted with such company for justsniggling a hare."

  "_Ensnaring_, David," said his brother, pompously; "_sniggling_ iscolloquial."

  "Sniggling, you know, Bill," answered David, "our lads call it in t'north country; and little harm is there in't I say, that they shouldsend a poor lad amang thieves and cut-throats. But, please God, I'se outof their way, and it will be mony a day afore I come nigh them again."

  "You seem a simple, though ignorant youth," said Mr. Mayburn, "and Icannot understand how it happened you were so severely punished forpoaching; though doubtless it is an offence against the law."

  Bill laughed contemptuously as he replied for his brother,--"You see,sir, Davy was always a fool, or we need not both have been expostulatedto this place. Our master always called him David Simple, and sureenough, if it had not been for his downright idiosyncrasy, we might havegot clear off; but nothing would serve him but to show fight."

  "Now, just be quiet, Bill, man," said David; "it was for thee I stoodout. You'se hear all, master; I'se tell t' truth. Bill had his gun, andbrought down a few birds, and I were knocking a few rabbits over, and itchanced to be a moonshiny night, when out pops a keeper, and fells Billdown with a club; and I heard him shout out to me, as how his arm wasbroken. That aggravated me bitter, and up I ran, and leathered t' fellowwell with my stick. Then Bill got up and ran off, but I was fain tostop, and give t' keeper a hiding; but he roared out so loud that twomore chaps came up, and first took me, and then went off after Bill.When they got to our lodging, he made as how he knew nought about it,but they found birds and his gun underneath t' bed; and there was hisarm all black and blue, but not broken, as he said. So off they carriedus to prison, and Bill wanted me to say as how he that were with me wereJack Kay, an auld poacher; but I couldn't swear away a man's_charackter_, and t' keeper took his oath Bill wanted to shut him, and Iwere no better; so they sent us both over t' water. It's a thousandpities for Bill, for he's a scholar, cute as he is about sniggling."

  David wa
s the favorite of the family, who did not admire the flowerylanguage and cunning look of _cute_ Bill; but among a horde of lawlessmen, Edward Deverell congratulated himself that he had been fortunateenough to obtain two men less depraved than might have been expected.

  It was with a sinking heart, oppressed with strange forebodings, thatMargaret looked on the large, dark, dirty and gloomy ship honored by theinappropriate name of the _Golden Fairy_. She grieved for the separationfrom the new friends that the whole family had learned to love so well,and she shrunk from the prospect of unknown difficulties and dangers,when all decision and responsibility would be thrown upon her, from thehelpless character of her beloved but irresolute parent. During thefirst voyage, the powerful and energetic character of Edward Deverellhad swayed the judgment of Mr. Mayburn; but in future, Margaret felt shecould only look to her young brother Arthur for aid.

  "Yet have I not a greater aid?" she repeated to herself. "Forgive me, myheavenly Father! Thou art my friend and my counsellor! Let me ever turnto Thee in my trials, and I must be in safety." And thus, with a heartever recognizing the presence and relying on the love of a watchful God,Margaret Mayburn walked on her way steadily and fearlessly.

  The parting of the two families was very painful, yet they cheeredthemselves with the hope so unquenchable in the young. They talkedconfidently of their future meeting, the boys traced over and over againon the map the route they proposed to take to Daisy Grange; and, but forMargaret's firmness, even Mr. Mayburn, at the last moment, would haverelinquished his hopes of spreading the gospel in the East, to followthe new colonists into the dreary untrodden deserts.

  There was an appearance of neglect and disorder in the _Golden Fairy_that was repugnant to the taste of the Mayburns, after being accustomedto the trim, orderly arrangements of the _Amoor_; Edward Deverellpointed out to Captain Markham several necessary changes which must bemade for the comfort of passengers who paid him so handsomely, and wasannoyed to perceive that his suggestions were received slightingly andalmost contemptuously. He himself procured more conveniences for thecabin of his friends, and he besought Margaret and Arthur to be firm anddetermined with Markham, who seemed careless, and, he suspected,addicted to drinking. Now, when too late, he regretted that he had notinduced the family to remain at Melbourne for the sailing of the mailpacket; but Arthur had been anxious for his father to hasten to hismission, lest his vacillating nature should lead him to relinquish it.Besides which, the throng of gold-diggers made the cost of living atMelbourne a serious consideration.

  Finally, with tears and sorrowful hearts, the friends took leave of eachother, with the remote chance that favorable circumstances might bringthem together again; and it was not till the fair sunny shores ofAustralia had faded from their sight, that the voyagers retired to theircabin to endeavor to resign themselves to their changed circumstances.

  The want of order in their new home was particularly trying to thescarcely-reclaimed Ruth. She had learned to be useful among the emigrantwomen in the neatly-ordered _Amoor_; but she soon relapsed into herusual heedless habits, amidst the scattered packages and generalconfusion in the _Golden Fairy_. She stumbled over boxes which were notstowed in their proper places, she was thrown down by some terrifiedsheep that had escaped from its pen, she trod to death some ramblingchicken that had found its way into the cabins, or she destroyed thecups and plates by officiously spreading the table in the midst of agale, though she had been warned of the consequences.

  "Margaret," said Mr. Mayburn, who had been uneasily watching the girl'sunlucky movements, "I am of opinion that poor Ruth should be subjectedto some restraint I observe that the inevitable result of herundertakings is destruction. She is a curious study; nor can I solve themystery why she should always do wrong when she designs to do right I amalarmed, Margaret; I eat my food in terror, lest she should have pouredlaudanum into the curry, or scattered arsenic over the pudding."

  "Have no fear, papa," answered Margaret. "Ruth is never intrusted withculinary preparations: the cook is too cross to allow her to touch anyof his dishes, nor has she the means of procuring any of those dreadedpoisons. I do not fear that she will harm any one but herself with herheedlessness; but, poor girl, she is covered with bruises and cuts fromfalls. Nor is she entirely to blame, for the cabins are filled up withpackages which Arthur says ought to be stowed in the hold. We must,however, make up our minds to be inconvenienced for the short time Itrust we shall be shut up in this prison."

  "That I could do, my child," answered he; "but I fear Markham is not aman of understanding to depend on in emergency. This is a sea of perils,of storms and pirates. What would become of us if any of these dangersassailed us? Arthur, you look disturbed; you think with me, that Markhamis unfit for his situation."

  "Truly, papa, I have some doubts of him," replied Arthur. "I think hemust be an experienced sailor, for he has made this voyage many times;and I should not have lost confidence in him, if I had not actually seenhim intoxicated. And I fear he is utterly unprincipled, for he wanted usto join him in his nightly revels. Now, Margaret, if a storm should comeon in the night, I feel assured that he would be incapable of givingorders."

  "And a pretty set of queer-looking boys he has fished up at Melbourne,"said Gerald, "to man the ugly ship. Hugh and I have marked our men, andhaven't they _rogue_ written on their black brows!"

  "But, Gerald, is it not somewhat unkind to form so hasty a judgment?"said Margaret. "These sailors are strangers; why do you class them asrogues?"

  "Because, Meggie," said Hugh, "Gerald saw with his own eyes a lot offellows in their yellow convict dress brought up for Markham to choose acrew from, for all his own men had deserted to go to the diggings. Andwe both agree that he must have picked out the most villanous-looking ofthe lot. Now, just come up with us, Meggie, and take a look at thefellows, and you shall hear what Jack says."

  Margaret went on deck with her brothers, to walk round the disorderlyplace; and, under the pretext of examining the various parts of theship, she carefully marked the faces of the men she encountered, andcould not deny that they were not only coarse and bold, but that most ofthem had the fierce, sinister, lowering expression which usuallydistinguishes the convict. She stopped to speak to Jack, who was busilyengaged finishing a model he had begun at Melbourne, of one of thelight-hung, commodious, broad-wheeled travelling wagons Mr. Deverell hadbought at that place.

  "I could easily make one for you, Miss Margaret," said Jack, "if it wereneeded; but they tell me you'll want no wheeled-carriages yonder. More'sthe pity. I wish master had been persuaded to stay with Mr. Deverell. Idon't half like this, for, oh! Miss Margaret," added he, looking around,"we've got among a bad lot."

  "What have we to fear, Jack?" asked she, pale with fear.

  "Don't be down-hearted, miss," said the lad; "but I doubt we may haveawkward work; for when Captain Markham is in his cups, everybody'smaster. But please God to send us fair winds, we shall soon get throughthe voyage."

  "We must pray for His help, Jack," said Margaret; "and let us avoidthese men as much as possible. You, Jack, as well as my brothers, mustremain below; better endure confinement than encounter wickedness."

  "And please, Miss Margaret," continued Jack, "would you ask Mrs. Wilsonto mind and keep Ruth close; for these saucy fellows amuse themselveswith sending her on some foolish errand, and getting her into mischief.I near had a fight with that big brute, the mate, for pitching her overa hencoop; but Wilkins, that little sharp fellow at the masthead, got meaway."

  Margaret and Arthur had many long and serious conversations on theiruncomfortable position, particularly when their voyage was retarded bythe contrary winds of that uncertain sea. Then the family secludedthemselves in the two crowded cabins appropriated to their use, andendeavored, by prayer and regulation of the mind, to prepare themselvesfor the dangers into which such an ill-ruled vessel might be hurried.

  After a day of great vexation, occasioned by the carelessness of Ruth,who had, by some mischievous device of the sailors
, let all the poultryloose, and had been compelled by the violent captain to hunt them upfrom every corner of the vessel, the girl had been summoned beforeMargaret and Jenny, to be rebuked for her thoughtless conduct. She wept,and promised to improve, and was sent to her berth, Nurse declaring thatshe had made up her mind never to lose sight of her all the next day.Then, after meeting for prayers in Mr. Mayburn's cabin, they returned,to seek such repose as their close, uncomfortable berths afforded.

  It might have been two or three hours after this, when Margaret awokewith a strange feeling of oppression and fear, which she vainlyattempted to shake off. At length, she called out from her berth,"Nurse, are you awake? Will you go on deck with me for a few minutes? Ilong for the refreshment of the night air, for the cabin is moresuffocating than usual to-night. Surely a storm must be at hand, for theair is positively scorching."

  Jenny yawned and murmured, till at length, becoming aware of the requestof her young mistress, she scrambled from her awkward berth; but nosooner was she on her feet, than, thoroughly awakened, she exclaimed,"God have mercy on us! for there must be something on fire. I smell andfeel it must be so!"

  Margaret sprang up, trembling in every limb, but firm in heart, to rushthrough the door that separated the cabins, and arouse her father andbrothers. Jenny, in the mean time, opened the outer door, and then thesmell of burning wood was plainly perceptible. While Mr. Mayburn and hissons hastily got ready, Margaret proceeded to the cabin of Capt.Markham, and knocked loudly in her fright, crying out almostunconsciously as she knocked, "Fire! fire!"

  "Who calls fire?" cried Markham, with a bitter oath. "Who dares to saythat?" and his head appeared from the cabin door. His voice was huskyand broken, and Margaret feared he was intoxicated and might notcomprehend her, as she rapidly narrated her observations and her fears.Deep and horrible were the curses of the wicked man, as he staggeredforward, screaming and yelling for the watch. That there was any watchin this disorderly establishment, Margaret doubted. She hurried back toher father; and they were soon alarmed by the sounds of dreadful curses,the trampling of many feet, the ringing of bells, and the cries of thedisturbed and terrified sheep. Arthur and Hugh were sent up to ascertainthe fact of danger, and they found the lazy crew effectually roused toaction; lanterns were flying about in different directions; and atlength the fatal cry was heard, "Fire in the after-hold!"