Heart of the Country (33 page)

“Oh, Thomas,” Lizzie gasped.

He held his breath.

“It's magnificent country,” she said.

“I'm glad you think so.”

They passed under the shade of some large gums then up the last small rise to the hut perched well back from the creek below. As soon as the cart stopped, Annie began to cry.

Refreshed from her sleep, Lizzie laughed and plucked the baby from her cradle. “We're here, little one.” She held Annie up. “This is your new home.”

Annie's wails grew stronger.

“There's nothing wrong with her lungs,” Thomas said and helped them to the ground.

“She's hungry again,” Lizzie said. “You have a big appetite like your father, Annie.” She crooned to the screaming bundle as she fumbled with her buttons.

“I'll get a chair from the dray.” Thomas hovered. He always felt so helpless when Annie cried. Most times she just wanted to be fed and there was little he could do about that.

“No,” Lizzie said. “This will be perfect.” She made her way to a large gum overhanging the creek. She nestled herself against its thick trunk and Annie's wails became snuffles as she began to drink. “Come sit beside us, Thomas. Let's spend a few minutes – just our little family together. You will be busy and gone all too soon.”

Thomas sank down beside her. He put his arm around her shoulders and watched the little miracle that was his daughter suck strongly at her mother's breast. He still marvelled that they could create something so perfect. Above them a gentle breeze stirred the leaves and below them water trickled over rocks and branches on its way south. He kissed the top of Lizzie's head. “Are you happy?” he asked.

“I could burst. This is the most beautiful place. And those mountains in the distance: they look so rugged yet the colours are so striking.”

Thomas followed her gaze. Beside him Annie squirmed in her mother's arms.

“Let me hold her,” he said. He lifted his daughter in front of him. She grinned and a small dribble of milk trickled from her mouth. He sat her in the crook of his arm and wiped the milk away with his thumb. “You are the prettiest baby, Annie,” he said.

Lizzie put an arm around his shoulder and kissed his cheek.

“Mother said she's never seen a man so besotted with a baby as you.” She chuckled.

“Never was a man so lucky as me,” he said. “When I think of my life before …”

Lizzie squeezed him tighter. “Your parents would be so proud of what you've achieved.”

Annie gurgled. He lifted her to face the mountains. “This is our new life now.”

High in the blue sky, close to the range, he saw two dark shapes gliding in the current. He took a deep breath of the eucalypt-scented air. “Welcome to Wildu Creek,” he murmured.

They spent the rest of the day unpacking and stowing supplies. The hut had one room with no floor and canvas was strung out to a tree as its verandah. They couldn't fit everything inside so Thomas and Gulda used stones and wood to make a low shelter beside the fire pit. The conditions were rougher than he'd experienced on his arrival at Penakie and, as he looked around at the crude quarters, Thomas had a pang of doubt. Perhaps Anne had been right. Standing here shadowed by rugged mountains so far from anyone else he questioned the wisdom of bringing Lizzie and the baby here before a proper house could be built.

That night they sat together by the fire under a black sky full of glittering stars. Earlier they'd eaten kangaroo, which Gulda had produced from somewhere. Thomas assumed he must have a fire of his own. The meat had melted in their mouths. They'd followed it with some of Lizzie's fruit damper.

“I've stockpiled enough wood for several weeks but if you need more, Gulda can cut it,” Thomas said and tossed a small branch on the fire. Smoke eddied around him then drifted away.

“There's hardly a breeze,” Lizzie said, flapping a hand in front of her as a swirl of smoke blew her way. “And look at all those stars.” She threw back her head. “What a wonderful display to eat our picnic under.”

“Mmm,” Thomas murmured. No clouds meant no rain for now, but he'd be gone for over a month. “The hut should be waterproof if the weather turns.”

“We can always add more thatch. There's plenty of suitable bush nearby.”

Thomas poked the branch with his boot, sending more smoke swirling.

“There's a good flow of water in the creek,” he said, “and Gulda will keep the barrels full for you.”

“Thomas, stop worrying.” Lizzie wrapped an arm around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. “We will manage just fine.”

“I'll be back as soon as I can.”

“I know you will.”

A shadow appeared at the edge of the firelight, then Gulda stepped forward.

“Mr Tom, Mrs Lizzie, this is my wife,” he said. “You call her Daisy.”

A native woman stepped out from behind him. Her eyes were lowered. She had a possum skin draped around her shoulders and a string creation hung from her hips. Thomas kept his eyes on Gulda, who at least wore the shirt and trousers he'd been given, though his feet were bare.

“Welcome, Daisy,” Lizzie said.

“This her country,” Gulda said.

Thomas wasn't sure what Gulda meant by her country – the land in general or this particular part of it?

“You have kept her a secret,” Lizzie said. “We didn't know you had a wife, did we, Thomas?” She looked up at him and winked. She had that mischievous sparkle in her eye as she bent her head closer. “We might have to find Daisy some clothes if she's to stay,” she murmured, “or you'll be tying yourself in knots not to look at her.”

Gulda gave a big grin. “We go home now,” he said.

“Good night,” Thomas called as they merged back into the shadows.

Home was a small dwelling of sticks and branches Gulda had made further up the hill. Thomas was pleased Daisy was nearby. He hadn't been sure Gulda could be relied upon to stay with Lizzie for the duration of his absence. Having Daisy there might mean he would stay put, and his wife might be company for Lizzie.

The next morning, Thomas left as the pink hue of pre-dawn light crept across the sky. Lizzie stood in front of the hut holding Annie and waving goodbye. Gulda and Daisy were a small distance beyond her. He kept twisting back to look at them until he could see them no longer, then he pressed his horse forward.

They had three months after their application to stock their land and already half of that time was gone – he only had six weeks to make it to Encounter Bay, where the sheep AJ had purchased were waiting, then bring them back to Wildu Creek. Jacob and Isaac must do the same. Edmund and Samuel had already gone south to load a dray with provisions and buy more horses. Five men had to bring over six thousand sheep across three hundred miles to stock their new runs. It would be a difficult job.

It had taken a significant portion of his savings to pay the lease and organise provisions. If he didn't have enough stock or make it back to Wildu Creek in time, someone else could take the lease and all his hard work and investment would be for nothing. The same went for the Smiths.

He hadn't thought George would have had enough money to back his sons but they had stock waiting as he did. Thomas urged his horse into a gallop once he reached open country. The Smiths' finances were none of his business. His job was to get his sheep back in time to secure a property for his family. There was no going back now.

Thomas dragged his leg over the saddle and slithered to the ground. His legs were numb. He leaned against the sweat-soaked horse for support. It snorted and stomped one foot but remained firm against his back. They had been droving the sheep for three weeks now and he was beyond exhausted. When they had started out, the days had been warm but with a cooling breeze. The further north they'd moved, the hotter it got. Over the past few days the heat had been oppressive, with no wind.

Edmund reined his horse in beside him, stirring up the dust and flies. “We should stop here,” he said.

Thomas gritted his teeth. He was thankful for the help of Lizzie's two eldest brothers but they were both pompous and demanding. Edmund was by far worse than Samuel, who could at least manage a smile from time to time.

“There's a creek several miles ahead,” Thomas said. “We could make that before dark.”

“You're driving them too hard.”

Edmund's horse pranced around. Thomas pushed himself away from his own horse and took Edmund's by the reins. He squared his shoulders and looked up at his brother-in-law.

“We could even cross it if we make good time,” he said.

“Don't forget Jacob and Isaac,” Edmund persisted. “They're a day behind us. They will get further behind.”

Thomas looked back in the direction they had come. His stock had been ready to move out as soon as he'd arrived in Encounter Bay. AJ was there to meet him and wish him luck. There had been some delay, however, with paperwork over the Smiths' sheep. He had set out with his stock and Edmund to help him. Samuel followed with the bullock wagon and the spare horses. Each day two of them would move the sheep forward. Before dark they took it in turns to drop back to the wagon and eat the mutton and damper Samuel prepared. Then one of the three of them would stay with the sheep for the night while the other two got some sleep. It had been Thomas's turn to keep watch the previous night.

Nearly a week had passed before Jacob caught up to the wagon. Thomas had dropped back and was taking some food when his friend rode in. From then on, Jacob and Isaac rotated the nights in the same fashion as Edmund and Thomas, with Samuel sometimes doing a night for them. Their sheep were following much the same route. Jacob had said they were zigzagging east and west as there was little vegetation where Thomas's stock had been, but in some cases they had no choice. Thomas knew it would be harder on the second flock. They would have to walk further foraging for food and water.

“Jacob will have the good sense to keep moving them as long as he can,” Thomas said.

“Jacob! Jacob and good sense are often parted. This is where we're staying. We need to give them time to catch up and rest all the stock”

“Have it your way,” Thomas growled. He was tired and in no mood to fight.

Edmund pulled his horse around. “I'll go and eat first.”

Without another word, he urged his horse away. Once more Thomas was surrounded by clouds of dust. He batted the air and stirred up the small black flies that clung all over him. He glanced up at the murky sky and then to the north and the purple haze of the mountains. Not much longer and he wouldn't have to put up with the officious Edmund.

He took some gulps from his water pouch and dragged himself back onto the horse. AJ had advised he purchase leather leggings and he was grateful for the suggestion. They certainly made full-time life on a horse bearable.

Thomas began to move around the sheep, stopping their amble, encouraging them to stay together in a group and so make Edmund's night watch easier. The bush was low and thick here and the ground rose and fell in small undulations. It was as good a place as any to hold them for the night.

They'd had breakaways only twice during the journey so far: both times had been after a long stretch without water. Once the sheep sensed it ahead there had been no stopping them. He suspected they'd missed a few in the round up that followed and knew they'd lost a few more to broken legs and wild dogs but he was happy with their condition and progress.

He had six days to make the deadline and by his reckoning he'd only need three to reach the edge of the property he'd marked out as his own. He wondered again how Lizzie was managing. Long days on the horse and even longer nights gave him plenty of thinking time. He ranged from excitement at the prospect of the future they were building to terror at the thought of her alone at Wildu Creek. Almost alone. He hoped Gulda had stayed.

Thomas thought of the presents he had packed in the wagon. When he'd bought the leggings for himself he'd noticed a straw bonnet with a flower and pretty blue ribbons and straight away imagined it on Lizzie. He'd purchased a dress for Annie too. It would be big for her yet but by the summer he was sure she'd wear the soft white fabric. He knew what Lizzie would say about white and spending money, but he didn't care. He wanted to see his little girl dressed like a princess. He bought a small axe for Gulda and a mirror for Daisy. Thomas knew how much Lizzie valued the mirror she had. He hoped Daisy would like hers just as much.

The sun was low in the sky before Edmund returned to take the watch. His mood was no better. The heaviness in the air added to the tension. Thomas was grateful to leave him and ride back to the wagon.

“Edmund says you wanted to cross the next creek before we stopped.”

Samuel hurled the words at Thomas as soon as he stepped down from his horse.

“We could have,” Thomas said not wanting to argue with Samuel either.

“You'll kill more sheep with your pushing.”

The sound of sheep bleating close by drew their attention to the bush behind them. There was a whistle and the sound of horse's hooves, then Jacob rode into view.

“Food,” he groaned as he came to a stop beside them. “What a dreadful day.”

“You've brought your sheep right up to the wagon?” Thomas said. He could hear more bleating now and glimpses of sheep in the nearby bushes.

“Edmund rode down and suggested we move up closer.”

Damn Edmund, thought Thomas. That would explain his longer absence.

“We've split our mob in two,” Jacob said, accepting the mug of tea Samuel offered him. “I've pushed up the weaker ones and Zac's back with the rest.”

“They'll be looking for water,” Thomas said.

“Samuel says there's a waterhole to the west that you didn't use.”