"Who is he, sir?' asked the sergeant.
"You may well ask," Major Hinds said kneeling down beside the man. He was burning with a fever and was very weak. His lips were very dry. "Sergeant, give me your water." The sergeant unclipped his water bottle and passed it to his officer. Hinds held it to the man's lips and he drank greedily. He spoke to the man who just looked up at him silently.
"No talk-talk," said the native. "Sick. He finish."
"What's your name?" The major asked.
"Me Durren."
"Where did you find him, Durren?
"Dharug[2] men find. They come Dharug country," he said pointing along the river. "They find him long time, long time. Him in boat, they get boat and him in. Him sick." He bent down and showed them a very old scar along the man's scalp where a ball from a rifle had made a deepish groove. "They take him, fix him. He live longa them in their country. Dharug country. He no talk-talk ever. Now he sick they bring him back."
"Who is he Durren? What's his name.?"
"Me not know. Him hab box in boat. Dharug leave here." He pointed to inside the cave. Durren led the way in and pointed to a ledge up above their heads. They could see nothing in the murk of the cave and the major told the sergeant to climb up and look. The man didn't look happy about it and asked, "Will there be snakes, sir?"
"I doubt it, sergeant. Come on man."
The reluctant man climbed up and peered into a deep cleft in the rock. "I can't see anything, sir. It's black dark up here."
"Well feel around , sergeant. Come on man."
"Yes, sir, I've got it. It's a tin box. Here sir." The sergeant passed a small tin chest down to his officer and jumped to the ground. "It's been there for years, I'd say, sir. But it's sealed all right."
Major Hinds knelt on the ground and tried to open the lid but found it locked. So he took it to the sick man and asked him if it was his. The man looked fixedly at him and then there was a slight movement that could be a nod. "I am going to force the lid. I hope you don't mind," he said, and as there was no obvious upset from the man he took it that he was agreeable. The sergeant produced his bayonet and with this they forced the lid open. In it were papers and a wad of bank notes that were in amazing preservation, there must have been several hundreds of pounds. The sick man watched but took little interest, so the major took the papers and read the top one, then the others below this. They all seemed to be in the name of Richard English and to do with buying a parcel of land from one Thomas Smith.
"Richard English? Are you Richard English," he asked the sick man. A slight nod was the reply.
"Do you know him, sir?" the sergeant asked.
"No, but I know his son whose father was reported to have gone missing, oh, some ten years or so ago." He looked down and found that Richard English had fallen asleep or had become unconscious. "We'll have to take him back with us, sergeant. Go and get the men."
They cut two saplings and with their coats threaded through these they were able to make a simple stretcher. They lifted the sick man on to this and carried him to the boat. Major Hinds turned to Durren and taking his hand, thanked him for taking care of the man. The black man turned and disappeared into the scrub.
"Sergeant, I think it would be better if we carry on to Mr Forrest's place and unload Mr English there. I know he will see that I get Mr English to Parramatta as quickly as possible. It will be better to take him in Mr Forrest's carriage than an army cart. We could make the journey much more quickly."
"Yes, sir. Is it far from here?" asked the sergeant.
"To Forrest's place, you mean? No, not far. You can unload there and then make your way back to Captain Saunders and tell him what has happened," said the major.
"Do you mean to go with him, sir?"
"Yes, indeed, and to Sydney tomorrow if I can get him there in time. I would dearly love to deliver his father to young English, even in this state."
"Do you think he'll make it, sir?" the sergeant asked anxiously.
"I sincerely hope so, sergeant. I will know better when a doctor has seen him in Parramatta."
Round the next bend of the river they saw a small pier jutting out into the water and quickly drew up at it and moored the boat to it. The major sent one of the men to the homestead and soon was back with the farmer.
"Good day, Major. Your man has told me the story and I have given orders to have the carriage put to. My wife is anxious to do what she can for the poor man before we take him away."
"I think there is little we can do Mr Forrest, except have some water for him if he comes back to consciousness again."
"Well, we have some of that, Major. I will take a flask of brandy too in case we need it." Mr Forrest watched as the men took the stretcher ashore. "My, he looks bad. Poor man."
"I only hope we can get him to his son alive, Mr Forrest. Did Johnson tell you who he is?" the major asked.
"Indeed he did, Major. Young Mr English will get a shock. I daresay he never thought to see his father again. It always was a mystery. You know he was going to be a near neighbour of mine and I was looking forward to having him here. He must have been going to Tom Smith's place to pay him for the land when he was hit by someone unscrupulous." He tut-tutted as he trotted beside the stretcher and was quite breathless by the time they got to the stables, where some workmen were putting the last of the harness on the horses. Mrs Forrest was hovering nearby and handed her husband a hamper.
" Hurry Edward. I've put everything in the basket that I can think of that you may need," she said and added as she looked down on Richard English. "Poor dear man. What he must have been through all this time. Wouldn't you let me clean him up a bit before you go, Major?"
"Thank you, Mrs Forrest, I think we must go. I am sure the hospital will do all that. It is a long way and I feel we must go. Thank you, again."
"God speed, then. I will be most anxious to hear how you get on. I won't worry Edward, you stay with the major as long as he needs you," she said.
The long trip seemed even longer, the sick man waking at intervals and taking some milk and brandy which the major mixed up from what was in the hamper. They had lain him on the squabs of the very comfortable carriage and Major Hinds thought he was as comfortable as he could make him.
"I am glad you thought to bring him to us," said Mr Forrest, as he watched the major taking in the comfort of the carriage. "He is far better off in this than an army wagon.
"I was thinking the same thing, Mr Forrest. It is a lovely carriage," answered the major.
"Well, as you know our roads are none to good and its lonely enough for a woman in these parts and a good well-sprung carriage is an essential in my eyes. Nell likes a trip to town and this allows her to have it," the farmer said.
It was dark by the time they reached Parramatta and as they drew up at the hospital Major Hinds sighed with relief that they had made the journey with his patient still alive. They soon had him taken into the hospital and bedded down in a ward. The nurses cluck-clucked over the dirty state the man was in, but the Major was happy to leave him in their hands, which he hoped were capable. They assured him that the doctor had been sent for and suggested that he take himself off and come back later if he must. Mr Forrest took him aside and suggested that he take him to the Duke of Wellington for a meal and leave English with the staff and come back later to see their patient.
Over dinner Major Hinds told Mr Forrest that he had known Ricky since he was a twelve year old urchin and admired him immensely. Even at 12 he thought there had been something really good about the lad, and was happy to say he still thought so.
"He's built himself a grand store, Major. It should be a great asset to the place. But I believe Mr John Landon is behind his venture," the farmer said.
"They have been quite close, Mr Forrest and I know that Mr Landon has been a guide to him all these years, but I feel sure that Ricky has done most of it on his own, gathering in some other young men as he's gone along," the major said.
"I see
that you know him well, Major."
"Yes, I do, sir and admire him greatly. I sincerely hope I may deliver his father to him so that he may have him for at least some time, however short it is."
"I join you in wishing the same, Major. Shall we return now and see how he goes?"
"Thank you for dinner, sir. I doubt whether I would have thought of it if you hadn't been here."
"Well, no, I didn't think you would, under the circumstances. I am going to suggest that we stay here for the night, for I have no intention of returning home until morning," stated the farmer.
"Yes," said Tim Hinds, " I imagine that is a good idea, I am not thinking."
"I can see that you are most anxious. We'll book rooms as we go out."
At the hospital they found their patient looking better. He had been washed and most of his matted hair had been cut off, he looked a deal cleaner anyway. The doctor was about to leave when they arrived and stopped to speak to them, assuring them that he was anxious to do so.
"Mr English is in a bad way, gentlemen, but I think with care he will pull through. Apparently he has had a bad head wound at sometime which seems to have put a stop to his ability to speak. I think his fever is caused from that old wound but he should get better. That is as well as he ever will," stated the doctor.
"Will I be able to take him to Sydney tomorrow, doctor?"
"I would not advise it, Major. Is there any real need to do so?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, there is. He has been missing for over ten years and his son must have the opportunity of having some time with him. If I take him on the ferry would he not be all right? I would have him taken straight to the hospital there." The major asked anxiously.
"I do not recommend it, Major. But if you insist, of course I cannot stop you." Came the reply.
"Would it really hurt him, doctor. I feel very anxious to get him near Ricky."
"Well, I'll tell you what. If you take two nurses with you, I will let him go. I will give them strict instructions and he will be in their care. I daresay the ferry would be the best way to travel as the road and rail would be too rough. All right, I agree," the doctor said reluctantly.
There were not as many ferries running since the rail was put through to Parramatta. They took Mr English, with the two nurses, to the wharf on the Parramatta River, in Forrest's carriage, and were able to claim the quietest and most secluded area they could find on the ferry. Major Hinds thanked his farmer friend and promised to tell him of Richard English's progress.
The major saw little difference in the condition of the patient, on the trip. At times when he looked at him he found that Richard English's eyes were open, and once he even turned his head as though to see where he was going. Tim Hinds sat beside him all the way and whenever he found the man's eyes open he spoke softly to him telling him where they were taking him. He didn't think he ought to mention Ricky to him at this stage and in any case there was no way of telling whether he had taken anything in. At Darling Harbour they were able to get a conveyance to take him to the hospital.
The doctor who saw him was quite encouraging and suggested he leave him in their care to go and find his son. "I don't think it can harm him, but he is in a pretty bad way and may not even be able to understand who the lad is. It's some years since they met, you tell me?"
"Yes, doctor. Mr English doesn't even know that his son has arrived in the colony or indeed that his wife is dead."
"Well, I would tell the lad not to go into details. He needn't tell his father about anything that would worry him, like his mother's death. I daresay he wouldn't understand, but he just might and I would like to see him much better before he is told anything serious."
"I'll tell Ricky that."
"Do you mean this is Ricky English's father. I didn't think about the name. He's not a lad, he's a grown man," stuttered the doctor. "I thought you said the boy was twelve."
"He was eleven or twelve when he saw his father last and that's about 10 or more years ago," explained the major.
"What a story!" said the doctor, " and what a country! This wouldn't have happened in England." He went away tut-tutting.
Tim Hinds was not looking forward to telling Ricky about his father. He wondered why, for he knew he had been very fond of him. Then he thought that finding half a father might be worse that none at all. "Ah, well, it must be done." He wondered where he would find him for Ricky was in the process of moving into his grand new store and could be in either place, the old or the new. He opted for the old and called in to Landon's office for support on the way.
"May I see Mr Landon, please?" he asked at the front desk of Landon's office.
"I am sorry, Mr Landon is not in," answered the clerk.
"Will he be back soon?" asked the major.
"That I cannot tell, Major. May I take a message?" the clerk asked.
"Well, if he comes in in the next 15 minutes, could you please ask him to meet me in Mr English' office?"
"Major, that's where Mr Landon is. You will catch him if you go right down."
"Thank you, I will," said the major already on his way down.
He was shown into Ricky's office, carrying the tin box, to find the two friends talking over a cup of tea. He was welcomed warmly and Ricky sent for another cup. "Sit down, Tim. Draw up that chair," he said.
The major sat looking worried. He put the box on the floor beside him. John Landon said, "What's wrong, Hinds? You look as though you have something on your mind." The major didn't know how to start.
Ricky laughed, then said, " Come on, Tim. What's the trouble?"
Mr Landon asked, "Is it something private? Shall I leave you?"
"No sir," said the major hurriedly. "No, sir, I went looking for you so you could help me."
"All right, tell us man," said John, pouring the tea.
The major could hardly get it out, then took a breath and said, "Ricky, I have something to tell you." He hesitated once more.
Ricky realised that something was wrong and was suddenly serious. "Tim, what is it? Get it out, man, and tell me. Now you're worrying me."
"Ricky, I have found your father."
"What?" "Where?" asked the two men.
"Is he alive?" asked Ricky.
"Yes. I'll tell you all about it." He proceeded to do that and his two companions sat stunned while the story unfolded. When he had finished telling, Ricky jumped up to get his coat and set off, but the major restrained him and said, "They told me not to let you see him for an hour or two. I know it is hard but he has been having a rough time and he is pretty exhausted. I'll tell you all I can and then we'd better work out what is best to do."
Ricky sat down again, saying, "I can't believe it. Tell me more, Tim. Start again, please."
So Tim Hinds started all over again, filling in the bits he had missed out and telling gently that he didn't think that Richard English could speak. Ricky and John questioning him so that they could get the picture in full. It took Ricky all his strength not to go straight to the hospital but was taken by his friends to lunch while they tried to keep his mind busy.
Early after lunch they accompanied the young man to the hospital and Tim was pleased to see that Richard's hair and beard were now neatly trimmed and he looked a great deal better that he had when he had arrived. He was asleep and so Ricky just went in and sat by the bed. He took his father's hand and put his head down on the emaciated body. The sick man's eyes opened and he looked rather startled, not knowing, of course, who the stranger was.
"Hello, father. I am Ricky grown up. Can you believe it is me? I've missed you so much." Richard continued to look and didn't show any sign of understanding, but Ricky felt a slight pressure on his hand and thought that he may have had some glimmering of recognition.
This was the beginning of many long vigils Ricky had at his father's bedside. He had long talks with the doctors who could give him no definite answers to his queries, but kept telling him it was just a matter of waiting, eternal waiting. They k
new that the ball that had come from the gun which shot his father years before was responsible for his lack of speech, but they had no means of knowing whether he had been able to lead any sort of normal life apart from speech. The very fact of his not returning home indicated to them that he had been unable to or had forgotten how to. However they thought that with patience Ricky might be able to teach his father to recognise him. If he ever reached the stage of Ricky being able to take him home they thought his father would eventually learn to accept the rest of Ricky's household as well, and at least be comfortable with them. By the hour Ricky would sit by him and hold his hand and when he began to feel better he told him about his mother's death and how he had grown up and was now a wealthy business man. He received very little response but Ricky told himself that he was improving.
Tad and Will visited his father with Ricky, but they were quite unused to the conditions and found it hard to just stand there telling someone about a life that they obviously knew nothing about. Tad tried so hard to be patient and keep the vigil with Ricky, but Ricky realised that it was something he had to do alone. He could not expect the lads to share this with him and so sent them off to carry on with their own lives. However, Will still accompanied Ricky whenever he could and it was not very long before he was sketching the sick man.
After many weeks the doctors told Ricky that if he could arrange for someone to look after Mr English he could take him home. They told Ricky that there was little hope of improvement but the man seemed to derive a great deal of comfort from Ricky's visits and they thought it would be a good thing to give him a life in his home away from hospital where there was always noise and busy-ness. At the same time telling him that as he probably had a ball somewhere in his head he could succumb at any time, and so Ricky must be prepared to have him for only a limited time.
Ricky Page 15