The Barrakee Mystery

by Arthur W. Upfield

  “Visitor come tree minutes ago, Missy Katie,” Martha informed the Darling of the Darling. “Mine tinkit him plurry nice man. Lor—here he come!”

  The huge woman rolled off towards her kitchen, and turning, Kate saw Dugdale through the vine leaves nearly running towards the veranda steps. Her heart almost stopped its beating, then raced with sledgehammer strokes.

  And when he stood before her, when his eyes became accustomed to the shadows, he saw her lovely-face lit with wonder, with yearning, with love unmasked. And without a word between them, he took her in his trembling arms, and heard her sigh rapturously before his lips found hers.

  Glossary

  Billabong— Inland pool

  Billy, Billycan— Bush teapot

  Bonzer— Splendid

  Boxed— Mixed

  Brownie— Bush cake, no eggs or butter

  Buck— Aboriginal man

  Bushed— Lost in the bush

  Clay-pan— Hollow in clay soil, sometimes holding water

  Damper— Bush bread

  Dingo— Wild bush dog

  Dinkum— Honest, proper, correct

  Galah— Rose-breasted cockatoo

  Gin— Aboriginal woman, lubra

  Goodo— All right

  Humpy— Bush hut, whirlie

  Jackeroo— Station apprentice

  John— Policeman

  Kirras— Boomerang for throwing

  Kookaburra— ‘Laughing jackass’, bird whose cry resembles laughter

  Lubra— Aboriginal woman, young gin

  Murrawirrie— Boomerang for striking

  Outlaw— Unbroken or vicious horse

  Planted— Buried

  Plurry— Very

  Snifter— A drink (Alcoholic)

  Squatter— Station owner

  Station— Large cattle or sheep farm, ranch

  Sundowner— Tramp

  Swag— Bushman’s roll, bundle, or pack, containing necessaries

  Tart— Girl, sweetheart

  Tucker— Food

  Waddy— War-club, walking stick

  Walkabout— To go walkabout is to go on tramp, holiday, etc.

  Whirlie— Bush hut, humpy

  Wongium— Throwing boomerang that returns to the Thrower

  Wowzer— Religious fanatic, killjoy