‘This is madness.’ She gritted her teeth. As she turned from her husband’s sleeping body she noticed Elizabeth looking down at her father, her face creased with worry. ‘He’s fine, love. Just weary. But he’ll go back out, you mark my words.’
But William didn’t wake for over twelve hours and by then it was pitch black outside. The rain had eased and he had no idea what was still needed out on the water.
‘You can’t just plunge out there and thrash about in the darkness, Will. For God’s sake, let it be. Andrew and the others must have got to the stranded by now. Please be reasonable.’
‘Perhaps you’re right, Mary. I’ll wait till morning and help with the cleanup.’
The cleanup went on for days. Over one hundred workers were sent from other settlements to help with the clearing and re-sowing of the land. It was estimated that losses from the May and August floods that year were over two thousand bushels of wheat, a thousand bushels of maize, four hundred bushels of barley, three hundred acres of maize, nearly seven hundred pigs and as many sheep and goats.
William shook his head sadly. ‘This will surely be the end for more of the settlers. They can’t keep recovering from these losses.’
‘And you can’t keep going out there risking your life to save people who try!’ Mary’s voice was harsh. She’d had enough of the worry of losing William. ‘How many times do you tempt fate?’
‘I’m afraid it’s Andrew Thompson who’s tempted fate, lass. He’s really ill with the fever. He was drenched for nearly three days rescuing people this time. We must pray for him and thank God he’s been willing to risk his life to save so many others.’
‘I do thank God for him. He’s saved us on more than one occasion but he hasn’t a young family to be concerned with. We couldn’t manage without you, Will.’ Mary dissolved into tears and fell into his arms. ‘This is too hard. Can’t we move on? Try something else?’
‘We’ve not the money or means to move on yet. We’ll be all right. You’ll see.’
‘But you’re not as strong as you were. You can’t keep doing this farm work. A lot of our crops are gone again this time as well. Every time we think we’ve seen the river as high as it will go, another flood comes and goes further up the hills. It’s madness.’
‘We’re safe in this hut, love. And the land we’re leasing from Tom is well above the flood line. We’ll hold on a while yet. Don’t worry.’
William was holding on for Thomas and Billy’s sake, Mary knew. But Thomas was only five years old. She couldn’t imagine how her husband would keep up his strength long enough to see their boys farming.
***
‘I don’t know how your Joe can keep up this kind of work either,’ Mary lamented to Ellen in May the following year. ‘He’s not a well man, that’s obvious to anyone.’
‘No, he’s not. His health is really failing. The doctor thinks it’s his heart. I am really worried about him.’
‘And what man’s heart wouldn’t be failing with the hardship we’ve suffered here. I’m sure Will has the heart of lion. He’ll not give up. I just thank God we’ve not had a flood this year. I’d like to think we’d never again see the water rise like it did last year.’
‘Yes, it just about ruined us. Our Joey’s not interested in staying on. He’s more excited by the idea of exploring the interior of the country. Keeps going on about these attempts to cross the mountains and see what’s on the other side. Robert’s fifteen now but it’s not in him to stay on the land either. They’re both bringing in a bit working with the blacksmith in town. Joe applied to the new Governor for help to keep this fifteen acres going but he was refused. That was nearly the end of him, I’m afraid.’
‘I thought this new Governor… what’s his name? Macquarie…was going to do right by the small farmers.’
‘Well, I hear he’s a man of good moral character at least. Perhaps he’ll take up where Bligh left off. I read in the Sydney Gazette just this month that he’s disgusted by the moral depravity he’s seen here. Even banned work on Sundays. Said it was a shameful and indecent custom. He believes we should all be in divine services on Sundays. That’s where men will learn to be honest, sober and industrious, he says. I certainly wouldn’t argue with that.’
‘And I heard he also removed all those land grants and gifts made to the Corps while they had Bligh under house arrest. Those acting Governors were certainly acting for themselves and the military. All egged on by John Macarthur, who’s sitting pretty in his grand farm. Makes me sick.’
‘They have been greedy men, no doubt, Mary. But isn’t it grand that Governor Macquarie has appointed Andrew Thompson as Justice of the Peace and Chief Magistrate of the Hawkesbury? Now there’s a good sign for emancipists, eh? Shows that this Governor believes that an ex-convict can rise well above his station.’
‘Yes, Will is very pleased about that. He thinks the world of Andrew. But he’s not a well man either, you know. He hasn’t been the same since the floods last year when he was out in that boat of his for nearly three days straight. Will says he’s had bouts of the fever ever since and it seems his lungs are damaged. Dear man’s only mid thirties and he’s never had a family of his own. Never given himself time with all his helping of others.’
‘Well, he believes he’s done the Lord’s bidding so now we’ll have to trust God to look after him, won’t we?’ When Mary had nodded Ellen changed the subject. ‘And how is your Elizabeth going? ’
‘Just fine. She reads me all the interesting things in the Sydney Gazette. Can’t get enough of reading, that one, nor enough of Dan Jurd. He’s encouraged her all the way.’
‘It seems things are getting serious between Elizabeth and young Dan?’ Ellen rolled her eyes mischievously.
‘Please,’ Mary scowled. ‘She’s not fifteen yet. Far too young to be serious about a young man. And Dan’s not so young, you know. He’s more than twice her age.’
‘Oh, Mary, fifteen’s not too young for a girl to be looking to who she wants to marry. There’s plenty already hitched by then. We were late getting wed. And only because we were in prison…or on the streets, like me,’ she sighed. ‘I’d have loved the chance to find romance at a young age.’
‘Good Lord, Ellen. Listen to you. Romance indeed! We’re women in our forties, for heaven’s sake.’
‘Not too old to be thinking romantically, Mary. Especially for our daughters. And if Dan’s a good man then Elizabeth will do well to stick with him. God knows there’s plenty of bad ones around. So many robberies and murders and attacks we hear about now. There’s a lot of disillusioned convicts who are out for anything they can get. And there’s plenty of unscrupulous free men as well, who just want a young girl to service them and raise their children with no concern for the girl’s welfare. And certainly not for romance. You should see the hand of God in the meeting of Dan and Elizabeth, I think.’
‘Perhaps. I do try to do that, Ellen. It’s hard to see the hand of God in so much of what has happened here on the river. But no doubt Dan and Elizabeth see it that way. He’s come to her straight from heaven’s gates, in her mind. And he thinks the same of her. They go off to church together every Sunday, and then to the school through the week. I don’t know how he manages to work as hard as he does. But Tom Biggers thinks he’s God’s own man as well, so it’s hard to fault him.’
‘He’s a great example of what can become of a young man who’s started badly but is determined to finish well.’
‘I see that too, Ellen. I’ve never found it easy to see the good in men. Too much experience of the other. But I trust Will’s judgment and he trusts our Elizabeth to Dan so that’ll have to be good enough for me.’
‘There you are then.’ Ellen giggled. ‘I think it’s lovely to see what’s developing with Dan and Elizabeth.’
‘Hmm,’ Mary mused. She’d have to think some more about all that later. And she determined to talk to Elizabeth about it as well. ‘I must say I’m happier to be going to services myself,’ she
said, ‘now that Reverend Cartwright has been appointed Chaplain for Windsor. He’s a much more agreeable chap than Samuel Marsden. And now they’re looking to build a new church and a new schoolhouse, with a residence for the Chaplain. He’ll be more available to us, like a real chaplain ought to be. Marsden only ever screeched hellfire and brimstone to those who don’t behave Christian-like and then himself acting like a…’
‘Now, Mary,’ Ellen stopped her. ‘It does no good to get het up about the likes of Marsden. We’ve got to see the improvements and be positive about the future. That’s what’ll keep our chins up in these hard times.’
‘Always the optimist, Ellen. You and Will make a good pair. I often thought perhaps you should have been the ones together.’
‘Mary!’ Ellen’s eyebrows arched into a warning.
‘I know. Will would box my ears for saying such a thing, but it still surprises me that he’s stuck by me all this time. He makes me laugh, Ellen. Says I’d be a treasure if I’d just keep some of my thoughts to myself. In other words, he thinks I should keep my mouth shut more.’
As Ellen laughed Mary noticed the creases around her eyes had deepened. She knew there were streaks of grey though her own red hair, dulling it’s earlier brightness. They were all aging. They’d dared to hope for much when they started here in the colony. They could only hope now that they’d done enough to set up a better life for their children in the future. If that came to pass, Mary knew she could be content.
***
William strained to hear the words over the gusty wind that swirled around them as they stood around a grave site that October.
‘…Justice of the Peace and Chief Magistrate of the District of the Hawkesbury, a native of Scotland. Sent at the age of seventeen. From the time of his arrival he distinguished himself by the most persevering industry and diligence. He raised himself to a state of respectability and affluence which enabled him to indulge the generosity of his nature in assisting his fellow creatures in distress. Particularly in the calamitous floods around the Hawkesbury in the years 1806 and 1809 when at the risk of his life and health he exerted himself over three successive days and nights in saving the lives and properties of numbers who but for him must have perished. In consequence of Andrew Thompson’s good conduct Governor Macquarie appointed him a Justice of the Peace. This most useful and valuable man closed his earthly career on the twenty second of October in this year of 1810.’
‘Nice words, eh?’ Mary sniffed back a tear.
‘Fitting,’ William nodded, also holding back his emotions. ‘Damn shame to lose such a good man, and much too young. I can only hope that our children might be so well thought of in years to come.’
‘And why wouldn’t they be? With all the education they’re getting one of ’em ought to become Governor.’
‘It wasn’t education that made Andrew the man he was, Mary. It was his character. That’s what will be important for our children, to have good character.’
‘No doubt you’ll teach them that,’ Mary assured.
***
‘It’s so sad,’ Elizabeth said mournfully as the family reached home. ‘He was such a good man. Just like Dan, really. And he was even younger than Dan. It could have been him, you know, getting sick helping all those people. Dan was helping too, and it would have been just terrible to…’
‘Now, I think it’s time we had a little talk about Dan, love.’ Mary cut her daughter off. ‘Are you able to take Thomas out with you for a bit, Will?’ She turned and looked pointedly at her husband.
William looked from Mary to Elizabeth and smiled. ‘Right, I think Thomas can help me strip some of the corn. What about Billy?’
‘He’ll be fine here. It’s time for his nap.’ Mary had a determined stance about her and William could see his daughter was in for a very serious talk. He watched Elizabeth as she began to settle her two-year-old brother. Her shiny light brown hair was caught back in a ribbon, her cheeks rosy, and her voice soft and cooing as she spoke gently to Billy, drawing a broad grin from him. It was easy to see he adored her. She had grown into a lovely young woman, level headed and sensitive. William was very proud of how she’d matured through all their experiences in the past few years, including her own traumas. He hoped Mary could see her for what she was and wasn’t about to treat her as too much of a child. But he was going to trust his wife to deal with their daughter as she saw fit. It was her place to help Elizabeth grow to womanhood and despite the differences in their nature, William knew there was strength and wisdom in Mary that Elizabeth could learn from. He nudged Thomas on the back and the two of them headed outside.
‘It’s about Dan, isn’t it?’ Elizabeth said to her mother as she patted Billy to sleep.
‘Sort of,’ Mary responded, settling herself in a chair. ‘I know how much you respect Dan and how he’s been so…helpful for you over the years.’ She took a deep breath, trying to approach the subject carefully, which wasn’t easy for her.
‘I love him, Ma.’ Elizabeth took her mother by complete surprise.
‘What?’
‘I said I love him. And I know he loves me too. He hasn’t said so, not exactly anyway, but I know that he does.’
‘Really, Elizabeth, you’re far too young to be talking like this. Dan is a man almost thirty. You’re just a…’
‘Don’t say I’m a child, Ma,’ Elizabeth cut in. ‘Please don’t say that. I’ll be fifteen in a month or so. I do know my own mind. I’ve known for a long time that Dan was the man for me. I want to marry him. And you needn’t worry,’ she added quickly. ‘There’s nothing going on. Dan wouldn’t think of doing anything wrong. Not that loving me would be wrong.’
‘Now, just a minute, young lady. I know you’re not a child but really, Elizabeth, you couldn’t possibly understand what men are like. Oh, bother, I didn’t mean to say that. I know you’ve had enough experience of men to know that they can be very frightening.’ Mary was flustered now. She wanted to approach this with Elizabeth in the best possible way but she knew she wasn’t doing very well yet. She was quite shocked when she looked up and saw Elizabeth grinning.
‘Ma, I know what you’re worried about and you don’t need to. I do know what men are like. I see what goes on. I’m not blind. But Dan is different. He would do anything to protect me. And he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.’
‘I see that, love. But that’s a long way from thinking about marriage.’
‘And we won’t be thinking about marriage for a little while yet. We’re just friends now. Honestly. You’d have no concern about Dan at all if you just got to know him a bit more. He’s the most honourable man imaginable. We’re not going to run off and get married behind your back or do anything else behind your back. Dan hasn’t even mentioned marriage.’
‘Well, I’m relieved to hear all of that.’ Mary sighed and let her shoulders relax a little.
‘And you’ll be the first to hear about it the minute he does ask me to marry him.’ Elizabeth grinned. ‘Which he will one day…soon,’ she added, her eyes gleaming.
‘I see.’ Mary was lost for further words, which felt rather strange for her and she squirmed on her chair and nodded at Elizabeth, still quite taken back by their conversation which hadn’t gone at all as she’d thought it might.
‘She’s grown up, hasn’t she?’ Mary whispered to William that night as they lay in their bed.
William grinned into the darkness and took her hand. ‘I thought you might conclude that after your little talk.’
‘Well, actually, she did most of the talking.’
‘Hmm, and were you happy with what you heard?’
‘I suppose I was, yes. Mostly.’
‘You don’t sound so sure.’
‘It’s just a bit of a shock really, to suddenly find our little girl so grown up. I’m not sure I’m ready for it.’
‘Well, she hasn’t grown up suddenly, love. It’s just with so much else going on, she’s done it quietly and we’ve not always noticed.�
��
‘Do you have as much faith in Dan as she obviously does?’
‘Yes, Mary, I do,’ he said decidedly.
‘Well, I’ll trust your judgment, Will. I always have, haven’t I?’
‘Mostly,’ he said lightly and chuckled. ‘And you have two small boys to mother for quite a few years yet so I’m sure you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied.’
‘I’m sure I will.’ Mary nodded into the dark. ‘Raising your sons is a dream come true for me, you do know that, don’t you?’
‘I do, love, and you’re doing a fine job.’
‘Time will tell, William. Time will tell.’ Her voice slurred as she drifted into sleep and snuggled into his back.
Chapter Fifteen
Windsor, December, 1810
William and Mary stood with a large crowd in the square on Green Hills. The union jack flapped in the light wind behind Governor Macquarie as he addressed the people. He was outlining his plan for the establishment of new townships along the Hawkesbury River. He commended the settlers for the progress they’d made and their contribution to the colony despite the hardships they’d endured due to the flooding of the river. He announced that Green Hills would hereafter be named Windsor. The settlement developing around Richmond Hill to the south west would be officially named Richmond. The area above Mulgrave Place, where the original farming allotments had been made, would be officially called Pitt Town, and the small settlement developing on the opposite side of the river would be Wilberforce. The positions for these towns were chosen because of the higher ground they offered and settlers would be assigned extra land for their houses, gardens, stock and corn yards, in proportion to how much of their farms were currently within the influence of the floods.
There was a murmur through the crowd, expressions of approval, excitement about new prospects, and pride in the acknowledgement and renaming of the communities they’d worked so hard to build and maintain.
Mary's Guardian Page 18