Return for the Gold

by Margaret Hall

  Aloud I said, ‘Agnes, I must go for help.’

  ‘But our men could be miles away over the Awakiri, and the Kellaways would guess where you were going. Oh, Mary, what if it is that man?’ Her eyes widened as something seemed to occur to her.

  ‘Are you all right?’ My heart was racing.

  ‘I never once saw her face. She even drank her tea under the veil. I thought it odd at the time and now … Mary, it might well be Southern.’

  My thoughts were in turmoil. I looked at Agnes’s pale face and touched her arm in reassurance. ‘I don’t think they’ll dare come back here, but I’d be happier to know that you were with Katie. Will you take little Freddy, and … and, do you know how to use Simon’s gun?’

  ‘Of course!’ Her hands shook as she took the weapon from its rack above the settee. ‘You go ahead while I get ammunition. I’ll be all right, now I’m doing things.’

  I turned to the doorway just as Katie came across the verandah with little Ken in her arms, saying, ‘And who were our three visitors you’ve been entertaining? They didn’t stop long.’

  Her smile faded as she glanced from Agnes holding the shotgun, to my desperate expression. ‘What is it? Something’s wrong. Something to do with Wag’s endless barking?’

  ‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘We think the lady is Southern in disguise.’

  Katie’s eyes widened in shock, and at this point Penny and Ged bounced into the room, full of laughter and squeals from the little one. Agnes moved to the window to see if there was movement over at the track entrance.

  ‘Katie,’ I continued. ‘We need to get help — to get someone to follow them without being seen. We must warn the men at the beach so they can watch the area where we think the gold is hidden.’

  We looked at each other in dismay as we realised that the unthinkable had happened: we had no man in the settlement as our guard. The last time this had occurred was when Southern and Lucas robbed us two years ago — when they also took a hostage: Brendan.

  My brain throbbed with those terrifying words, There’ll be no one there when I come … no one … no one!

  I tried to control a rising panic. ‘I’m riding to the beach.’

  ‘It would be too dangerous to follow them, anyway.’ Agnes sounded relieved.

  ‘Not for me!’ said Ged, suddenly entering the discussion in a voice clipped and determined like that of a grown man. ‘I can follow them and they’ll never know I’m there. I know I can!’ He challenged my doubtful expression and spoke above my first words to the contrary.

  ‘Mary, you know I can. Remember how Bren and I often stalked you along the beach or on that track through the bush around the old mining sites, and you never knew until we stepped out?’

  ‘Oh Ged, I know you fooled me every time, but this is totally different. I can’t let—’

  ‘I’m going, Mary. You can’t stop me!’

  Katie offered, ‘You could take James’s horse.’

  ‘No. They’d hear me following. I have to go on foot. They won’t be far ahead of me because of the packhorse, especially if they’ve stopped to see what we do here.’

  Stopped just across the valley? Watching and waiting, as they had watched the beach settlement before the robbery? Watching this cottage at this moment? No! Please, dear God, not that. What if they come back down here?

  I suddenly realized that Agnes was speaking. ‘None of us must go outside unless we act casually … no looking over at the track exit. Katie and I will stay here and I’ll look after Wag. Ged will have to go first, and then you, Mary.’

  ‘Oh, poor Wag! Will you, Agnes?’ Instead of barking now, Wag was whining sadly. ‘I must reassure her, but how?’

  ‘Leave it to me,’ said Agnes. ‘I’ll bring her to the back door, out of sight of the track entrance. You meet me there.’

  I gave my clever dog the biggest hug and she licked my ear, tail wagging madly. I looked up at Agnes. ‘I’m worried that Digger is too old to be ridden hard. I really need a faster horse but …’

  ‘Take Simon’s spare horse; she’s an ambler over long distance, plus she canters well. You’ve twelve miles to cover. She’s in the holding field behind your cottage … just through that shelter belt of bush. Saddle and so on are in the harness shack. Take a carrot. She’s easy to catch — the only one of the four with a white blaze.’

  Ged’s eyes glowed with excitement.

  I looked at him anxiously. ‘Ged, can I trust you to do exactly as I say?’

  ‘You know you can.’ There was hurt in his level gaze.

  ‘Yes, follow the ‘Kellaways’ … but not openly at any time. They mustn’t see you. We’ll need you to say where they’ve gone if the men can’t find them at their old camp on the island. They’ll not be taking horses into the quicksands of the flooded forest, so your job is to keep the Kellaways in sight. But don’t follow them into the dead forest, for any reason. And I mean don’t! There may be shooting. Understand?’

  ‘What if they ford the Awakiri and head south to Scott’s?’

  ‘Just follow the track to the island when they’re out of sight, and if no one’s there, go round to our settlement.’ Our eyes met. ‘Good lad. Take great care, and don’t follow them south, no matter how tempting.’

  At last plans were progressing. Ged was to go to Katie’s cottage and follow a side track through the bush behind it that would link with the Kellaways’ track about two miles from Longridge.

  ‘But how do I get to Katie’s cottage? And I’ve got to go now!’

  Suddenly the space between cottages seemed perilously wide and open.

  ‘Take this ball, Ged,’ said Katie. ‘Go outside and throw it to Penny a few times, then I’ll call her in and you must stroll, very casually, up to my place — perhaps whistling or throwing stones at fence posts or … you’ll think of something, but don’t hurry.’

  ‘Can I start now?’

  I nodded, trying to cover a husky voice. He gave me a hug and we both said, ‘Take care,’ at the same time, which made us laugh.

  The three of us watched the bushline as he started tossing the ball to the child. Laughter rang out. Nothing moved over at the bush. Katie called Penny in and Ged wandered up the track to her cottage and vanished inside. We imagined him climbing out the back window and slipping into the bush.

  ‘Now it’s your turn, Mary.’ Agnes looked so worried.

  To ease her fears, I smiled back and said, ‘We’re all worrying about each other. Remember, it’s the gold they’re after, not anyone here.’

  Only you, Mary dear, the voice in my head taunted, but I shook it off. I must have sounded braver than I felt as I said, ‘I’ll be very alert, and if you see them coming down here, have the shotgun loaded and bolt the doors. But I do think we’ll fool them if we act normally.’

  Agnes smiled for the first time and touched my arm. ‘Oh, Mary, you’re so brave. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you. We should really stay together, and you’ve such a distance to cover. But as you say, even if they saw you riding from here, I’m sure they would sooner hurry on for the gold than give chase.’

  Katie picked up the laundry basket and said to Agnes, ‘We’ll both go out and pin these things on the line.’

  Agnes smiled. ‘They’ve just dried … but no one will notice, I suppose.’

  As they went out into the backyard, I seized the trousers I’d worn on the ride to Longridge and bundled them into a bucket. With my heart pounding, I followed them and started towards the track to my cottage. I was sure I could sense eyes watching every move I made.

  Sudden anger reminded me of the importance of acting my part. I looked at the two young women: Agnes at the line and Katie seated on the chopping block to chat to her.

  ‘It won’t be long before I’m doing that, too,’ I laughed. ‘Is the wheat all that you want?’

  ‘Yes, but come to lunch, won’t you?’ called Agnes bravely.

  Inside the cottage, I changed skirt for trews and very carefully si
dled across the backyard, making sure I was hidden from the track entrance. I entered the shelter belt of bush with a huge sigh of relief.

  Twenty minutes later I was riding towards Swag & Tucker with confidence in the mare. I tried my hardest to silence the voice in my head that hissed, ‘I’ll take you with me, Mary, and no one will see us … no one!’ I urged the horse down the lonely track, the beat of hooves almost silent on the soft ground.

  LONGRIDGE

  As the three horses passed the marker post where the track entered the bush leading to the ford over Big Jack River, Southern reined in and looked back with narrowed gaze. There was not a sign of life amongst the scattering of cottages. He pulled the horse’s head around and passed Kell and Annie waiting in the dappled shade.

  ‘That was the girl at the trial you told us about, wasn’t it?’ Kell noted Southern’s mood. ‘You said it would be safe to pass that clutch of houses since no horses meant no blokes.’

  ‘If that girl hadn’t bloody well asked us in!’ hissed Southern savagely. ‘But if we refused, she’d have been suspicious.’

  ‘What about the girl Mary? D’you think she suspected you?’

  ‘She didn’t recognise me but the dog did. Bloody dog! I wonder if it’s the pup she had there when we stopped last time?’

  ‘What if the girl comes now? Is that what you want, and to take her for a hostage? If not, then let’s get going. It’s mighty dangerous, wasting time like this.

  Southern’s eyes narrowed and Kell met his gaze without flinching, though his heart was racing. The tension between them almost crackled.

  Southern looked away and snarled, ‘I’ll watch the settlement for a quarter-hour to see if they look like running for help, and if Miss Mary comes after us, I’ll be taking her with us.’ He started to dismount, then stopped as Annie gave a little gasp. He looked round at her and hissed, ‘One more squeak out of you and I’ll slit your throat.’

  The two men, motionless on the edge of the bush, had only a few minutes to wait before the action commenced. A boy came out of the cottage on the hill, teasing a little girl. A young woman carrying a baby set off down the slope to the place he and Kell had just visited. The children followed and all four went inside. There was no movement in the valley.

  Kell began to fidget; minutes were passing. Even Southern sighed with relief when the little cottage came alive with movement. The boy reappeared and kicked a ball around the yard; the cries of the toddler trying to catch it could be faintly heard. Someone called from inside; the child went in with the ball, and the boy trudged back up to the hillside cottage, throwing stones at fenceposts.

  ‘Ah!’ came Southern’s soft hiss. ‘There’s Miss Mary. Where’s she going?’

  ‘She ain’t in any hurry.’

  ‘Carrying a bucket.’ Southern heard her call over her shoulder to the two other young women who had come out into the yard. One began pinning clothes on a line. All three laughed, and Mary strolled over to the outer cottage, showing no interest in the track exit where the men were concealed.

  ‘She never recognized me!’ Southern grinned. ‘All that bloody practice was worth it.’

  Kell grunted and made for the waiting horses. ‘Then let’s go. Bloody waste of time. Them girls can’t do anything on their own anyways. An’ if yer thinkin’ of takin’ that one with us, yer damn well crazy.’

  Southern’s eyes were like flint and Annie kept well out of his reach while Kell helped him into the saddle.

  They stopped the horses twice and listened for signs of pursuit but there were no sounds above the distraction of birdcalls.

  ‘We’ll keep to the edge of the bush where there’s scrub,’ said Southern once the Big Jack River had been crossed. ‘They’ll never pick up the horses’ tracks on the stony stretches.’

  ‘There’s still plenty of daylight hours. What do you plan?’ asked Kell.

  ‘When we get to the dead forest, we’ll tie up while I get the gold. You’d best stay with the horses and warn me if we’ve been followed.’ Southern looked at Annie. ‘I’ll take you with me. I’ll need a hand, but as soon as we’re back, we’ll ford the river, head south, and change horses at Jacobs River.’

  Kell remembered his promise to Mrs Davies, that Annie would never be alone with Southern. He glanced at her terrified face and growled, ‘Let Annie mind the horses. You’ll need a man if lifting is needed.’

  There was no reply.

  Annie felt a surge of panic. Alone with Southern!

  Chapter

  – Seventeen –

  I made the journey in just over an hour and a half, forcing myself to lead the mare on foot down the narrow gorge track.

  When Nik’s father heard what had happened, he ran down to launch the longboat to take me across the river, while I unsaddled the horse and left her with Mrs Kozan to be rubbed down and covered with a horse blanket, and later to be fed and watered. She was too exhausted to swim behind the boat.

  As I ran past their paddock, I shouted to Father and Sean, ‘Southern’s going to the island.’ Then I prayed that our suspicions were correct. All this tension for nothing would be heart-breaking.

  At any other time their expressions would have been comical. I shouted the same message to Mr Winchester who was entering his cottage for a late lunch, and then to Mother and Bess as I hit the iron pipe hanging from our porch to call the others to come running; only three blows because sound carries a long distance.

  I counted the menfolk as they gathered in our yard. The two older parents, and Sean, Buzz, Paddy and Spider. There should be enough of them.

  In a few breathless sentences I explained what had happened, and answered a few clipped questions, and Father was convinced enough when I told him of Wag’s behaviour over the big woman with the veil. He then took over and explained a semi-circular trap they would set around the island, so that they would cover every section of it from their hiding places.

  Mr Winchester and Buzz were to hide and watch the only possible track to the island a short distance inland. They would let the men pass by but be ready to cut off their retreat if necessary.

  They wondered aloud what weapons the men carried, then turned their concerns to the child. Everything was so unsolvable until the time of confrontation.

  I sat down on the steps, feeling suddenly exhausted as the men scattered to fetch firearms. Mother sat beside me and put her arm around me as Bess handed me a mug of water with a look that spoke volumes.

  Father loaded his rifle, and said kindly, ‘I’m rightly proud of you, lass. Look after your mother while we’re away.’

  I stood up in haste. ‘Father, I must go with you. I’ll keep well out of sight but I have to go, if only for the child’s sake. I’m sure she was there under duress. Someone must look to her safety.’

  ‘You’ll stay right here, madam,’ announced Father firmly.

  ‘But Father, I have to go for peace of mind after months of dread. I beg you, please. Also, I know the route that Ged will take and I may be needed later.’ I dared not look at Mother but heard her whispering, ‘Oh no lass, no!’

  Father watched the others set off at a run for the far end of the beach. There was no time left for arguments. ‘On condition that you stay where I put you, no matter what happens,’ he snapped. ‘It’s true, I hadn’t thought about the child.’ He loaded his gun and followed the others.

  Mother gasped. I hugged her and was away on Father’s heels before she could speak up. Rowan was loading a shotgun and Bess’s white face told me that she, too, was remembering the nightmare.

  A half hour later, each of us was concealed behind logs or flax, making a half circle around the island and leaving only one route open — the one facing the track from Longridge, along which Southern would have to come to avoid the patches of quicksand. He’d know each patch after his weeks hiding on the island.

  I looked at the angle of the sun and was astonished to realize that it was only mid-afternoon. I tried to visualise the route that Southern woul
d take and where he’d leave the horses, and wondered anxiously if Ged was safe. They wouldn’t be able to bring the horses over the sand between the dead trees. If someone stayed to mind them, what would Ged do? Surely they wouldn’t bring the child with them, unless they fully expected to take the gold without being disturbed.

  I peered through a tangle of dead branches and could see the end of the island surrounded by the grey ghostly timber that matched my fears. About twenty yards ahead of me, Father lay full length in a hollow beside a fallen tree. Cautiously, I moved a stick that dug into my hip, and searched for the track beyond the creek, now just a trickle that left a few deep pools against the end of the island.

  Southern was to be allowed to cross to the island and retrieve the gold, but all of us watched what we could see of the track in case they’d hidden it there. It had to be near their old campsite. When Southern recovered the gold, the man nearest him was to rise up and accost him with a levelled gun.

  What if he hadn’t hidden it near their camp and it was somewhere further inland? Perhaps they were already returning to the horses, and only Ged would see them leave. What if …?

  ‘Dear God,’ I breathed. ‘Please … please let us catch him.’

  And then I saw Father wave me down even though all of me was concealed except my eyes. He moved his rifle, ready to raise it, and at that moment I caught a slight movement near the track — the white trimming on Annie’s coat.

  I held my breath then let it out slowly, my heart racing with remembered fears, as a large figure in a black dress moved like an evil shadow between the grey trunks, taking advantage of the slightest cover. He’d be in sight of Buzz and Mr Winchester now.

  Then the island hid him from them, and Father and I watched, fascinated, as he appeared on the top of the island, starting along the side facing the track, head moving to and fro like a ferret’s in search of prey. He would be noticing the many changes in the area: the burnt-off surface of the island, the hardening of what had once been quagmire. Perhaps he couldn’t find his bearings. But at least the man was not armed.