It was a pleasant day in late spring, sunny and warm with few clouds in the sky. Everywhere the browns and reds of the rock and soil contrasted with the greys and greens of grass and foliage. Johannes thought it magnificent country.
Charles pointed towards the waterhole. “From that section there back to this bank that has been washed away below us was the claim. I have let the claim lapse. It was wasted money paying the rent and employing someone to work it for no return.” Charles looked over his shoulder. “Although I have come here on the quiet and searched a few times since.”
“So you still found nothing even after the creek flooded?”
Charles shook his head. “Since the big rain several years ago there have been others. This creek has been flowing almost continuously, although not to the extent it did with the big storm we had in 1903.” Charles cast his arm in a wide arc. “You see how wide it can be when there’s been a lot of rain.”
Johannes walked his horse on and down an embankment to the sandy creek floor. He got down from his horse and looked around. “It could have been washed from further upstream or come out of the ground right here. There’s no way of knowing. Any chance I could take a look at the diamond that was found?”
“None.” Charles shook his head emphatically. “Joseph Baker, who found it, is despicable and irrational. You would have no luck with him. In fact, I expect he would have you forcibly removed from his property. This area where the claim was has proved difficult enough to access. It is on land leased by Baker’s son, William, who is very like his father. Best to keep away from them.”
Johannes scuffed at some pebbles with the toe of his boot.
“How long do you wish to remain here?” Charles hadn’t dismounted. “I would like to be home before dark.”
“You go if you wish. I would like to stay a night or two and have a bit more of a look around.”
Charles frowned down at him. “There’s nowhere to sleep.”
“The weather is clear and I have my swag.” Johannes patted his saddle bag. “I managed very well with it on the journey from Adelaide. And Laura has very kindly packed me some provisions.”
“I see.” Charles lifted his chin. “I expect you will be leaving for Adelaide once you have finished here.”
“Not yet.” Johannes looked up at Charles, whose face was in the shadow of his hat. “I plan to stay in Hawker for a while. Mr Reynolds the builder could have work for me.” Johannes had spent the last few days looking for employment — anything that would enable him to stay longer. He planned to court Laura Wiltshire, but he didn’t think now was the right time to broach that subject with her brother.
“Is that so?” Charles’s horse shifted its weight and did a side step. “If you stay on in Hawker I’m afraid we would no longer be able to offer you board, Johannes.”
“Of course not. I appreciate your generosity in putting me up for this long. I have already made enquiries and arranged lodgings for when I return to town. I’ll collect the rest of my things then.”
Charles removed his hat to wipe his brow.
Johannes said, “I will be perfectly fine here on my own. You return to your family and I will follow in a few days.”
“Very well.” Charles gazed at him a little longer then pressed his hat back to his head. “I will see you in Hawker.”
Johannes watched for a moment as Charles rode away and then he cast his gaze around for somewhere suitable to make a fire and spread his bedroll. He was looking forward to fossicking for diamonds in this creek bed: at least he would have something to keep his mind occupied. Staying at the Wiltshires’ he had found it difficult to think of anything but Laura.
The strain on the wire was just right, and William was about to twist it into place when a call distracted him. The pliers slipped from the end and the fence sagged. “Damnation,” he muttered.
He looked up to see a man approaching on horseback. William waved. He had been expecting help to arrive that day and was grateful it was Clem who had come and not the stockman they had employed to live at Smith’s Ridge. The new man was excellent with stock but not so handy at fencing.
Robert walked closer as Clem climbed from his horse and the brothers took turns to shake Clem’s hand.
“Good to see you,” William said. “We are in need of help if we are ever to finish this vermin-proof fence.”
They all looked to where Robert had been knocking posts into the ground. Beyond the one he’d just put in the land stretched on for miles.
“Stop complaining.” Robert gave his shoulder a playful push. “At least the cost of the wire has been subsidised by the government.”
“A help for our pockets, I agree,” William said. “But we may be old men before we finish the job.”
“Speaking of old men,” Clem said. “Your grandpa had a fall a week or so ago.”
William’s heart lurched. His grandfather had turned eighty-six and, while still quick of mind, he had looked rather frail the last time he saw him. “Is he all right?”
“Matthew came over from Wildu Creek and spent a couple of nights. He told us about it. Said Thomas was shaken up and a bit bruised but no major harm done. He was carrying an armload of wood in.”
“I thought he’d moved into the big house with Father and Millie,” Robert said.
“He has. He was getting the wood for Millie.”
“He shouldn’t be carrying wood,” William growled. “There are any number of younger, more able bodies at Wildu Creek.”
“Everyone was busy. Matthew said he likes to feel useful.”
William shook his head. He could imagine his grandfather looking for jobs to do. He wasn’t one to lie around.
“There’s something else.” Clem jerked his thumb back over his shoulder. “I always come the back way past the claim. There’s a bloke there. Set up a small camp.”
William looked in the direction of the claim. In spite of Wiltshire’s threat, Charles had hardly been there since Barnes was washed away. Each time he pegged it out and left, William removed the pegs. “Don’t tell me Wiltshire has employed someone to work it again after all this time?”
“I don’t think so,” Clem said. “The chap was very friendly. Gave me a big wave. He was walking back from the direction of the narrow gorge upstream and there was no sign of a tent. Just a small campfire and his horse.”
“And it’s not Wiltshire?”
“No.” Clem chuckled. “Too good-looking for Wiltshire. I got a gander at the fellow. Much younger, good build, fair of skin. And as I said, friendly.”
William and Robert glanced at each other.
“I think I’ll investigate further,” William said. “Can you take over here, Clem? I shouldn’t be too long. I’ll just see what the fellow is up to. After all, he is on our land.”
William crested the rise and looked down on the creek, which was much wider now than it had been before the big rain of 1903. Sure enough there was a chap on his haunches close to the edge of the big waterhole. He appeared to be sifting through the sand with his bare hands.
On higher ground against a natural cliff were a horse and a campfire.
William dismounted, tethered his own horse and made his way down the rough escarpment. At the sound of his boots on the gravel the man looked up and scrambled to his feet.
Before William reached him the other man’s face lit in a wide smile and he stretched out his hand.
“Hello,” he said. “I am Johannes Becker.”
William hesitated. Becker had been the name on Wiltshire’s claim.
“My uncle had a claim here. I was curious when I heard about it and have travelled from South Africa to see it.”
William shook the hand the smiling fellow still offered.
“William Baker.”
“Ah. This magnificent country is yours.”
“That’s right. You’re on Smith’s Ridge. Your uncle’s claim is only this area here.” William indicated a large arc with his hand.
“Not m
y uncle’s any longer. He died during the Boer War.”
“I’m sorry.”
Becker glanced away. “So this is where the original diamond was found?”
William remained silent. He didn’t want to have a discussion with Becker that might encourage him in any way to stay.
Becker looked back. “I mean you no harm, Mr Baker. I simply wanted to see for myself this place my uncle spoke so highly of. I gather from Mr Wiltshire a lot of searching has been done here without any result.” His clear blue eyes focused firmly on William. “The original diamond must have been one of those lucky finds. The earth is retaining her riches.”
“The only riches here is that water over there.” William waved towards the creek behind Becker. “Without it nothing else happens.”
Becker nodded.
As if on cue a cow ambled down to the creek and then another.
“They’re fine beasts,” Becker said. “I spent the night here. Quite a few came down to drink in the late afternoon yesterday.”
William glanced at his cattle. “They are well filled out now. We’ve had another year of good rainfall. They have plenty of feed.” It had taken several years and the last of their money but they had restocked all three properties. Wildu Creek was predominantly sheep and the other two properties cattle but there was some movement between them. “Trouble is the rabbits and the wild dogs, and now we have foxes. They don’t bother the cattle so much but my father stocks sheep. We’re building a vermin-proof fence at the moment around a paddock we will run some of his lambs in to fatten them up for sale.”
“Nearby?”
Once more William remained silent.
Becker gave a wry smile. “I am interested in what’s happening in the area, that’s all. I’m planning to stay in Hawker for a while. The builder, Mr Reynolds, said he might have some work for me.”
William scratched his chin. Something about the fellow’s manner made him hard to dislike. “I’m in need of help here, if it’s work you’re after.” The offer was out before he’d had time to think about it.
Becker’s face glowed. “I’m not afraid of work, Mr Baker.”
“Well, pack up and come with me. We could use another pair of hands to build this fence.”
Fifty-five
April 1913
William climbed down from his horse and listened. It was a warm day with only a slight breeze barely disturbing the leaves of the thick bush around him. A shiver ran down his spine in spite of the warmth. It was quiet, almost too quiet. The native camp was only just beyond the outcrop of rounded boulders ahead. Usually there was some sound or a waft of smoke to mark their presence, but today he could hear nothing. No chatter of women or laughter of children. Perhaps the men were out on a hunt, but it was unusual for no-one to be around. The families had dwindled over the years, but William continued to visit every two months with supplies, and find work for the men who wanted it.
He moved on around the rocky outcrop, leading his horse and the two donkeys Robert had brought home from one of his trips north. Past the rocks and through the straggly patch of trees he caught a glimpse of the camp. William pressed on and then once more came to a stop. The camp was indeed deserted — not only that, but in a state of disorder. He had last been there in the heat of February and the camp had been busy, but now the shelters were falling down and the fires were destroyed. The group could simply have moved on to their autumn camp, but they hadn’t done that for many years.
He wandered in the remains and a sense of sadness overwhelmed him. Yardu’s bequest to look out for his people was a burden, but one he did his best to carry. What was he to do now? Had they moved on permanently or would they return? He sat for a moment in the shade contemplating. He couldn’t leave the supplies: they would be ruined in a short time.
“Cooee.”
William was surprised by the call that echoed from down the ridge. He stood and headed in that direction as another call followed. Then to his amazement Millie and Matthew emerged from the track below.
“What are you doing here?” he asked as he hugged his stepmother.
She felt thin in his arms and her face was creased with lines, but her smile was warm. Matthew shook his hand heartily.
“We were at Smith’s Ridge,” Millie said. “Jessie told us you had just left with supplies for the camp.” She glanced around, the smile disappearing from her face. “They’ve gone, William.”
“We thought we should come and tell you,” Matthew added. “We left the cart at the bottom of the hill and walked up.”
William raised his eyebrows. That would be quite a hike. No wonder Millie looked a bit weary.
“I haven’t been up here since last year.” She was still glancing around the deserted camp. “Binda was here a few weeks ago.” She turned her gaze on William and he could see the sorrow in her eyes. “They’ve moved to the reserve.”
William blew out a breath. “They will be safe there.”
Millie continued to stare at him. She always had the uncanny knack of being able to tell what he was thinking. “Safe or no longer your problem?”
William gaped at her. Millie knew he’d done his best to care for her people.
Matthew shifted behind her. He lowered his head and shoved his hands in his pockets.
She sighed and her shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry, William. That was unfair of me. I’m the one who’s let them down. They were my family.” Once more she cast her gaze around the camp. “It’s only since my own children questioned their heritage that I realised what I had left behind.”
“You haven’t let them down, Mum. You didn’t make the senseless rules.” Matthew put a hand on her shoulder. “And the reserve’s not far.”
“You can still keep in touch,” William said. “Spend time with them.”
“I won’t go there. I can’t bear to see them like that.”
“But you have been happy living as we do.” William looked earnestly at Millie. Surely she had.
“I like the life I have, William, but I had a choice.” Millie drew herself up again and Matthew’s hand dropped away. “I love your father and all of you children and I’m happy living in a house and wearing clothes, but they won’t be.” She shook her head. “I am frightened this will be the end for them.”
“They could have stayed here.” William felt her sorrow.
Once more she shook her head. “Not for much longer. Since the new Aborigines Act more and more of our people are being moved to missions and reserves.” She looked at her son. “Thank goodness my children are all grown now, or they still could have been forced to move.”
“What should I do?” William looked imploringly at the woman who had raised him after his own mother’s death and loved and cared for him as she had all her children.
She took a deep breath. “There is nothing you can do.”
The finality of her words lodged heavily in William’s heart. The day went grey and he looked up to see a heavy bank of clouds blocking the sun, which was already low in the sky. He had planned to stay the night there but now it would be too lonely.
“We’re going to camp down by the cart tonight.” Matthew glanced at his mother. “Too much sadness here now.”
“I’ll stay with you,” William said. “I’ll have to return the supplies to the store at Smith’s Ridge. We can travel back together tomorrow.”
William collected his horse and Matthew led the donkeys. At the top of the ridge Millie turned and looked one last time in the direction of the camp, and then walked stiffly ahead of them, following the rough track down the hill.
They made it back to Smith’s Ridge in the late afternoon of the next day. Jessie sensed their sombre mood. She didn’t ask questions but simply invited them in.
“The kettle has just boiled.” She smiled and took Millie’s arm. “I’ll make tea.”
William was grateful to the younger woman for her good sense. “I’ll see to these stores and the animals before I come in.”
&nb
sp; “I’ll help.”
William gave Matthew a grateful nod. The emotions of the last two days had left them all tired.
The two of them worked well together and they made their way back to the house as the sun was lowering in the sky. A horse snorted and they both stopped at the sound of hooves. William’s spirits lifted as a team made its way along the track towards them guided by a man on a horse. It was Robert. He raised his arm, giving them a quick wave.
“It’s good to see you,” William said. “I thought you’d still be a few weeks away.”
“I had a quick journey both ways.” Robert grinned. “No hold-ups.”
“Where is the windmill we’ve all been waiting for?” Matthew asked.
“Still in pieces on the wagon,” Robert said. “I thought there was little point in bringing it to the homestead, since it’s being installed on the plain.”
“I agree.” Smith’s Ridge was the driest of the three properties and it had been decided it would be the place to erect their first windmill. They would have underground water for stock, and not have to rely so much on the creeks. If the first was successful they planned to order more.
Clem arrived home and they all helped to see to the horses before Jessie called them in for supper. While the four men washed their hands and removed their boots William explained about the trip to the native camp.
“What about Rex?” Robert asked.
“He’s was still working at Prosser’s Run when I left,” William said. “I don’t know if he’ll stay on.”
“He’s a good bloke.”
“He is and he knows cattle work. I hope he’ll want to stay.”
“Food’s getting cold while you all natter out here.” Millie stood in the doorway.
Robert was the first to move. Millie held her arms open and gave him a hug. “It’s good to see you,” she mumbled into his big shoulder.
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