As Effie served the oatmeal to the little ones, she said, “When is Father coming home, Mother. Is he coming with Mr. Forrest today?”
“I suppose so, dear. I want you to mind the little ones this morning while I walk down to speak with Aunt Mary.”
It was 10 o’clock before her work was done to her satisfaction. Margaret set off for Macdonalds’ house with a heavy heart. She was torn between wanting to share the worry with her cousin and not wanting to lower Alec in Mary’s eyes. Murdoch was such a steady man and he couldn’t see why Alec would do these silly things, as he called them, but Alec was so impetuous.
Mary came out onto the verandah when she heard the gate. “Meg, my dear, in time for tea. We will have it out here. I’ve just sent the children down to the dairy, so we will be alone.”
“Oh, Mary,” Margaret said. Mary looked at her quickly as she heard a muffled sob in her cousin’s voice.
“Meg, is there anything wrong? Anyone sick? Can it wait while I get the tea? You just sit here while I get it. It’s hot, isn’t it? I thought this would be cooler, but apparently even autumn is hot here.” She disappeared into the house and soon returned with a laden tray.
“Now, tell me.” Mary handed Meg a mug of steaming tea just as she burst into tears, Mary said, “Goodness, Meg, what is it?” She came across and put her arms about her.
“It’s Alec,” she sobbed. “I know I am silly, but I don’t know where he is. He left yesterday morning and I find he has taken some clothes. This morning I saw that he has taken some of our money and his gun. Mary, what will I do? Do you think he has left us?”
“Alec wouldn’t leave you and your bairns, silly one. I suppose he must have gone off on some jaunt of his own.”
“Mary, I think he has gone to the goldfields. You know, he is mad to have a place of our own and he dreams of getting one quickly and he wouldn’t take us into the bush like Alistair has taken Caroline.”
“Yes, Alec was ever impatient to get things the minute he thinks of them, but I am sure he wouldn’t do anything so silly without talking it over with Murdoch.”
That’s just it, I think he may. He’s tried to talk to Murd about it. Not for a long stay, but just to try his luck, and Murdoch wouldn’t listen. I think he has gone while Murdoch is away so he cannot stop him. Mary, do you think he has?”
“If he has, Meg, he’ll soon find that you don’t pick up gold nuggets that easy and he will be back in a few days. I wonder where he would go. The closest would be just over the mountains, Sofala, Hill End or the like. I hope Murdoch doesn’t go looking for him. Mr. Forrest is going to be annoyed enough as it is.”
“Mary, look, there’s Mr. Forrest now. What will I tell him? I thought he would be home today.”
“I am afraid you will have to tell him just what you told me, but I am sure he will be annoyed about it. Don’t worry, he will probably not say much to you, but save it up for Alec.”
Mary stood as the farmer came through the gate. She watched as he approached and thought what a pleasant man he was, one who had eased their arrival in such a wonderful way. He had hitched his mare to the gatepost and patted her lovely chestnut neck. He greeted the women as he took his hat off.
“Good morning, ladles. I saw you enjoying your morning tea and have taken the liberty of asking myself along. I know that Mrs. Mac never turns a starving man away from her door.”
He chuckled as he sat down. “I also wanted to know when Murdoch expected to return. I rather urgently wanted to speak with him.”
“No, Mr. Forrest, he really didn’t expect to get back until tomorrow. Please excuse me while I get another cup.”
“Well, Mrs. Fraser” he said as he turned to Meg, “is Alec still up at the top paddock or did he get the job finished?”
“Oh, sir, oh,” stammered Margaret and then, looking somewhat sick, she stared at Mr. Forrest.
“Are you all right, Mrs. Fraser? Is there anything wrong?”
“Alec’s gone and I don’t know where.”
Mary returned and poured the tea. She explained Margaret’s plight. William Forrest was obviously greatly annoyed, but he could see Margaret’s distress and so said little. They discussed the situation while he drank his tea and then he said as he rose to go, “Don’t worry Mrs. Fraser, we’ll do nothing for the moment. He is sure to be back soon and maybe the scallywag will have it out of his system by then. Hello it looks as though you have another visitor.”
Old Tom came through the gate and ambled up the path. He took his battered hat off and said, “Good mornin’ Mrs. Macdonald, Mrs. Fraser, Mr. Forrest.”
“Good morning, Tom. What can I do for you?”
“Well, it’s really Mrs. Fraser I wanted, madam. I had a letter that Alec gave me.”
“Thank goodness,” said Meg. “Now we’ll know.”
“Well, it’s like this, you see.” He shuffled his feet.
“Come on, man, out with it. Where’s this letter for Mrs.Fraser?” said Mr. Forrest impatiently.
“Well, you see, Alec give me a letter yesterday and said to give it to Mrs. Fraser tomorrow, that’s today and I put it in me hat.”
“Where is it now?” asked Meg.
“Well, see, I dunno. I know I put it in me hat and he give me some money and now it’s not in me hat today. I looked everywhere, I did, and I can’t find it. I am real sorry, I am.”
“I suppose you went to the hotel to spend the money. Just like Alec to give you some.”
“Yes, real generous he was. It was in me hat yesterday and not today.”
“But what did it say? Did you read it? asked a distracted Meg.
“I dunno what it said. I can’t read, but it probably said he was going away. He looked as though he were going somewhere.”
“Which way did he go?”
“Sydney way.”
“Come, Tom. We’ll go back to the hotel and search. Now, don’t you worry, Mrs. Fraser, I’ll take Tom back to the hotel and search the whole place. Someone may have seen it. I’ll call back and report with the letter, I hope.”
Saying this, Mr. Forrest walked down the path to the gate, unhitched his horse and stood waiting for Tom.
The old man, hat in hand, stood looking up to Margaret. “I am real sorry, Mrs. Fraser. I know I’ve let Alec down. He’s a good bloke, Alec is, but I knew he was up to something when he give me the letter. I think I should a’ come right up to you with it then. Then I wouldn’t at lost it.”
“Come on, Tom” called Forrest. “Mrs. Fraser knows you didn’t do it deliberately. We will look everywhere we can.”
The two men walked up the road towards The Riverbend, Hotel the mare nuzzling Mr. Forrest as she walked behind them.
Mary took Meg into the house with the tea things, both thinking of all Tom had said.
It was nearly lunchtime before they heard the chestnut cantering back. Mr. Forrest dismounted and came quickly to the house and the waiting women.
“I’m sorry I have been so long, ladies, but I have searched everywhere. I have spoken to everyone who may have seen or spoken to Tom last night and there’s not a sign of the letter anywhere. The only thing we can hope for is that it has your name on it. Old Tom assures me that there was some writing on the outside of it.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Mr Forrest. What will we do now?”
“Just go home and don’t worry, we’ll see what develops. In the meantime, will you send young Ian to me. Do you think he would do Alec’s work for me, under Murdoch’s supervision?”
“I am sure he’ll try to, Mr. Forrest. He is very keen to work on the farm.”
“I’ll be off then.” Good morning Mrs. Mac., Mrs. Fraser.”
“Mary, I must go. I have left the girls too long as it is. Thank you so much for everything.” Margaret gave Mary a quick hug.
“Try not to worry, Meg. It will all turn out right in the end. I am sure Murdoch will come to see you as soon as he gets home.”
“Oh dear, what will he say? I think
he’s always felt that Alec could let him down.”
“You would be surprised. He was only saying the other day how much Alec has to teach us. Anyway, he will know how you feel; don’t worry, he will be very kind.”
“But we have let him down.”
“You haven’t. He won’t be annoyed with you, dear.”
Meg hurried off to her own home, leaving Mary thinking about the happenings of the morning and just what Murdoch would say when he came.
Murdoch and Duncan arrived next morning, dusty and dry, after driving the mob of sheep. Duncan was very tired after the days of riding, but very proud that he had been asked to do the job with his father. Mary waited patiently whilst he chatted about their doings while she plied them with tea and fresh-baked oat cakes. Eventually he asked if he could go to find Malcolm and tell him of his adventures.
Left together, Murdoch looked at Mary and put his arms about her. “Oh, I have missed you, lass.” He kissed her tenderly. “I think I love you more each day.”
Mary snuggled closer in his arms and said, “This is really lovely, dear, but I’ve something to tell you and I want to tell you before the children come in. Come and sit down. If you hold me like this I am sure I am not going to be able to keep my mind on what I have to say.”
“Come on then, lass, come into the parlor and tell me.” He led her to the settee and cradled her in his encircling arm.
“Well dear, you’re not going to like this. Meg thinks Alec has gone away somewhere.”
“What? When?” said Murdoch, sitting bolt upright.
Mary told him the story as she knew it, Murdoch listening intently, with a resigned look on his face.
“I am afraid I agree with Margaret. The silly man has the idea that there are nuggets lying around waiting to be picked up. He’ll soon be back when he sees how many people never see a speck of gold.”
“You don’t sound as surprised as I thought you would be, Murdoch.”
“I suppose I half expected it. He talked about it a fair bit some months ago when we first came here, but lately he hasn’t said much at all and I thought he’d got it out of his system.”
“There’s another thing though that puzzles me. Old Tom said he was heading Sydney way. If he was going to Sofala or Hill End he would have gone the other way. What do you think?”
“Yes, that’s a teaser. Maybe it was just a ruse.”
“You won’t go after him then, Murd?”
“No, lass, what’s the use. I have no idea where he has gone, if indeed he has gone to the diggings. Besides he would never stay away from his family long. You know how much he loves Meg and the family.”
“I thought that would override any thoughts of goldfields.”
“Yes, but when Alec gets an idea he just doesn’t listen to reason. He’s heard men’s stories about the hardships, but he doesn’t choose to listen to that. He only thinks of finding gold to buy a farm for his family. Dear, silly old Alec, he does learn the hard way. I think this business of Alistair pushed him into doing it. He may think he can show Alistair that he can get a farm for his family too. I wonder if he has thought whether the boss will thank him for this escapade.”
“What will Margaret do in the meantime? Mr. Forrest did ask her if Ian would do his father’s job for him until he returns. Do you think he can?”
“Ian is a good lad and is going on for fifteen now and Malcolm and I can help. I think we can fill in, between us.”
**********************
The dusty horseman could see lights twinkling in the dark. He thought they were still a fair way off, but found them much closer than he thought.
“Finally,” breathed Alec, “Ballarat at last.”
He was so intent on the town ahead that he didn’t see the two lads lurking by the side of the road. They sprang out at him, one grabbing the reins and the other pulling him off the horse. Alec fell to the ground, knocking his head on the rock beside the road.
One of the attackers peered at him in the gloom. “Gawd, mate, we’ve done him in. Lets get outta here.” They grabbed him, dragging him off the dusty road, then dumped him.
They went through his pockets, taking everything they could find and mounting the horse, they galloped off, leaving the unconscious man under a bush.
Chapter 15 - Snakes!
No word was heard from Alec. Daily they expected to hear and William Forrest made discreet enquiries, but no reports of his whereabouts were forthcoming. They were at a standstill. One week went by, then another, and still no word.
Then came very heavy rain and again the Hawkesbury was in flood. This time the water rose to be so high that several neighbouring houses were inundated. Many animals were lost and a number of travellers to the goldfields over the mountains were held up and had to have temporary accommodation until the water went down. Murdoch sought the acquaintance of some of the prospectors and felt able to share Alec’s story with them. He asked them to plead with him to return if they met up with him. He told them to assure Alec this his job was secure if he came back immediately, but if he delayed very long Mr. Forrest would not be able to keep it.”
The waters remained high for nearly a week and on returning to the river, they left a deep sludge all over the pastures. Dead animals, tree trunks and all kinds of debris littered the once tidy pastures. Even some household furniture was found. One large cedar table was found standing right way up, caught against some rocks, looking as though it was ready to be used for a meal, the rocks beside it for a seat.
Again the snakes invaded the high ground and with them came tragedy.
On the first fine day Duncan decided to explore the mud-covered paddocks, looking at all the odd things brought down by the river. Small John trotted behind him, both becoming extremely muddy and wet in the process. Duncan flicked the piles of small twigs with a gum stick that he carried, laughing at the rubbish as he sent it into the air. Johnnie gleefully ran, trying to catch the flying sticks, when he suddenly shrieked and screamed. Duncan turned and, to his horror, he saw a snake attached to the little boy’s leg. As he ran forward the sleek, brown, slithery animal released its hold and made away.
“It bit me, Duncan, it bit me.”
Duncan grabbed the little chap and ran with him towards the house on the hill above. John was quite a burden for the twelve-year old lad. He gasped for breath as he ran, but was able to yell at intervals. In the paddock above the homestead, Murdoch and Malcolm heard the faint sound, saw Duncan struggling with his load and ran.
Mary, too, heard him and ran towards them. She took Johnnie in her arms and ran crying into the house, Murdoch and Malcolm not far behind.
“A snake. He’s bitten, quick, make a tie for his leg,” cried Mary.
Murdoch quickly tied his handkerchief round the tiny lad’s thigh, yelling at Malcolm, “Quick, run for Dr. Kenny.”
They tried to remember all that Mr. Forrest had told them to do and felt so helpless as they watched the little chap sink before their eyes. By the time they heard the welcome sound of the doctor’s arrival, they knew in their hearts that it was too late. It was! Another cruel blow to take. Where would it all end?
Mary clutched the little boy’s body to her, her eyes searching his, willing him to live. Murdoch took him away from her and she burst into bitter sobbing. She looked accusingly at Murdoch,
“Why, oh Murdoch, why? He’s so little.” The question that every mother asks at such a time.
They laid him in the churchyard near Eliza Fraser. Two little people that this hard land had taken.
Murdoch worried about Mary a great deal as she seemed to withdraw into herself even more. She found it so hard to resume normal life and even her daughters felt that she was far away from them.
Murdoch could see that she often had tears on her face and so felt that she would soon recover from this, their bitterest blow. Two weeks after the funeral, Murdoch came to Mary and said, “Mary love, I have more bad news. I’ve heard that they have found a man’s body way dow
n the river. He had red hair. It could be Alec. We will have to go and tell Meg. Will you come with me?”
Mary looked up with bitterness and hate shining out of her eyes. “I should have expected it. This place will kill us all. Why did you bring us here?”
“Mary, pull yourself together! I am not enjoying this anymore than you are. Don’t blame this land for everything that happens. These things happen everywhere. Oh, darling lass, don’t let this break you. You’re strong, you must beat it.”
Mary dragged herself out of the chair. “What can I do then, Murd? How can I help Meg? What can I say to give her any comfort?” she said in a defeated voice.
“We can be with her when she wants us. We can comfort her. That’s what we can do. Come on, lass.”
Meg received them cheerfully, giving Mary a hug. “Oh Meg,” cried Mary, “more trouble. More tears.”
“Why, what’s happened. Are the children sick?”
Murdoch quietly gave Meg the news. She was stunned for a while, her face, pale and drawn. She sat silent for some time, then she looked at them both and said, “Thank you both for your help and concern, but I am sure it isn’t Alec. I am sure I would know if he were dead. No Murd, it isn’t Alec., I know it isn’t.”
Her eyes flooded with tears and she looked quite pathetic sitting there. Mary suddenly knelt beside her and burst into tears too. Arms entwined, they sobbed, then gradually calming, sat back to face the problem.
They could not move Meg from the conviction that Alec was still alive somewhere, but it did bring matters to a head. Mr. Forrest came to see her, allowing her to stay in the cottage until she could find somewhere to live, but he would need the cottage for a new farm hand who would be commencing work shortly. Ian could have a job with him at the Park, so they wouldn’t be destitute. He also suggested asking Mrs. Milne at the store whether she would rent her cottage to Meg, as she lived at the shop now that Mr. Milne had died.
The Heather to the Hawkesbury Page 10