The Pool of St. Branok (28 page)

“But they wouldn’t accept that,” said Gervaise. “They had come out for gold and naturally that was what they were going to try for.”

“All very well,” went on the Captain, “if it is there. But that was what the government was thinking. But if they were finding nothing how could they pay this money to the government? They got together and this Peter Lalor … he was a sort of leader.”

“Like Ben Lansdon,” I said.

“Oh, it was before he was around. I’m taking you back ten years or more. All I said was that Ben was another like Lalor. They always come out when the time is ripe. Well, the government sent an order. There was to be an inspection of licenses and all those who hadn’t got them would have to leave the goldfields. You can imagine what they said to that!”

“But how could they fight the government?” asked Justin.

“I’ll tell you how. Lalor rallied the men. They knew that the officials were coming to inspect licenses, so they built a stockade. You must have heard of the Eureka Stockade. So they were ready and when the government men came for the inspection all those who had licenses for which they had paid much less than was now being asked, threw them out before the stockade and burned them.”

“I suppose,” said Justin, “the licenses had to be renewed and it was the expensive renewal that they objected to.”

“That must have been about it,” said the Captain. “Well, you know how these things go. The action of a little group of miners became a great rebellion. The government had to bring in the army. The miners stood firm by the stockade and over it they flew their flag. You’ll be seeing that flag a good deal, I should imagine. It’s flown on every goldfield in Victoria. It has a blue background showing the stars of the Southern Cross in white. We call it the Eureka Flag.”

“Who won?” asked Gervaise.

“The miners were outnumbered, as you can guess … three to one in fact, so the tale goes. There were seventy men, but they were brave men and they were fighting for what they thought was right. They were quickly subdued but there were losses on both sides.”

“So the rising was in vain,” said Justin.

“Not really. The government naturally had to show the miners that they couldn’t make their own laws, but on the other hand they did not want people rising up like that all over the country. You could say that the men of the Eureka Stockade won in the long run. Before the year was out the law was changed. There was no inspection of licenses. The Victorian government decided that it would dissociate itself from the miners. It was victory really because it was what they had been fighting for. Lalor, the leader of the revolt, went into the Victorian parliament. He is now one of its most respected members. What started all this was your mention of Ben Lansdon. He is just such another Peter Lalor.”

“He was a great man,” I said.

“He was a leader,” went on the Captain. “There are men born to be such.”

“And Ben Lansdon is another?”

“I’d say that and no one could say otherwise … after the way he’s taken over Golden Creek.”

“Has he found lots of gold?”

“My dear young lady, nobody—not even Ben Lansdon—can find gold where it is not.”

Justin put in: “Do you mean to say there is no more gold in Golden Creek?”

“Who can say? When the Rush started men were finding it day after day, but, as I’ve told you, the supply runs out … or they are looking in the wrong place. I don’t think there have been any big finds in Golden Creek in the last ten years or so.”

“And you say it is Ben Lansdon’s country,” I persisted.

“Well, he’s got his men working for him. You see, there are some who would rather work for a weekly wage than have nothing but hope for the odd find. That’s men with families mostly. You can’t feed a family on hope. So Lansdon … well, he’s not the sort who would want to do hard labor … and believe me working a mine is just that … so he gets other people to do it for him.”

“But what does he do?”

“He’s right at the heart of things. He’s at his mine every day. He watches how everything is going. True, there is a yield. But it is just about enough to keep things going. He did have some luck earlier on … enough to build a house for himself and bring a little of Old Country-type comfort into his life. He’s done a lot for the place. He keeps a sort of law and order. Men out there can get a bit rough with each other when day after day they are looking for luck which doesn’t come. Somebody said ‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick’ and that’s true enough. Oh yes, Ben’s done a lot for Golden Creek. He’s the King of the place, that’s what. It suits him. He’s a born leader, and leaders like to lead … to rule if you like.”

I felt a great longing to see him. Forgotten memories of the times we had spent together came back to me; those occasions which had been overshadowed by the incident of the pool, so that for a long time I had failed to remember all the interesting talks we had had; and how important it had been to me then.

Gervaise said: “I can’t wait to see this hero.”

When we were alone that night, he said: “The Captain is obviously a great admirer of your Ben, who is evidently a very forceful character. How do you feel about seeing him again?”

“I don’t quite know.”

“Will it bring it all back … that time …?”

“I expect so. But, Gervaise, you have made me see that we couldn’t have done anything else.”

“I expect this leader of men has long realized that. I feel pretty sure that he will have forgotten all about it long ago.”

“Does one ever forget such a thing?”

He took my face in his hands and kissed it tenderly.

“You might not, Angelet, but I’d bet that Ben has.”

I nodded.

And I thought: Perhaps I shall soon find out.

I recognized him on the quay as soon as we arrived.

He was very tall and he seemed leaner than I remembered. His hair was so bleached by the sun that it seemed almost white against his bronzed skin; and his eyes were a brilliant blue; they were creased at the corners as though against the sun; and he had an authoritative air about him.

He saw us at once and came striding towards us.

“It’s Angel,” he cried. “I’d have known you anywhere. You’ve grown up, though, since I last saw you.”

I was laughing. I said: “You too, Ben.”

He put his arms round me and hugged me. He grinned at Gervaise whom he had decided must be my husband. “We’re old friends,” he said, as though apologizing for his exuberant and familiar welcome.

“I know,” replied Gervaise with his charming smile. “I’ve heard a great deal about you from Angelet and this is Justin Cartwright and his wife Morwenna.”

“Pleased you’ve come,” said Ben. “I reckon you’ll need a day or so in Melbourne before you come out to the Creek. I’ve booked you in at the Lord Melbourne. The baggage can go to the hotel. I expect you have brought quite a bit. I can arrange to have it all sent onto the Creek.”

“Oh, Ben,” I said, “you are so good to us.”

The others agreed.

“It’s nothing,” he answered. “I’m glad you’ve joined the company. I can tell you we’re starved of news of Home. The whole community is looking forward to your arrival. But now let’s get you to the hotel and I’ll tell you what arrangements have been made.”

We were put in what I learned was called a buggy, and passing through streets where I glimpsed some pleasant-looking houses we had soon arrived at the hotel.

We were taken to a reception desk where a lady in black presided. I caught a glimpse of men sitting at tables drinking and others at a bar.

We were at length led up a wide staircase and along a corridor to rooms which looked out on the street below. Our room had an alcove in which were washing necessities, and we were agreeably surprised.

When the door shut on us, Gervaise turned to me and, picking me up, danced around the room.

“We’re here,” he cried. “Now … to fortune.”

“Oh, Gervaise,” I said, “I do hope it turns out that way.”

“Of course it will. We’ll make it.”

“Can we?” I asked.

He nodded with certainty.

Ben had told us that he was staying at the hotel for one night to settle us in. Then he would return to Golden Creek and we were to follow later.

Over dinner that first evening in Melbourne he explained a great deal to us.

He said: “You will find life down at the Creek somewhat rough, although it has improved a great deal since I came here. I expect you are a little surprised by what you have seen of this town. Is it not a little more civilized than you were expecting?”

We all said that Melbourne appeared to be a very fine city indeed.

“Stretch your imagination a little and you might be in a provincial town in England, eh? Well, almost. They’ve worked wonders here. It’s all been happening since we got self-government.”

“But surely this is a colony?” said Gervaise.

“What I mean is separation from the rest of Australia. When you talk of us you say ‘The Colony of Victoria.’ That’s how we like it. The Queen of England granted us the right to separate ourselves and because of that we do her the honor of naming the colony after her. We’re Victoria and she is pleased. One day I’ll show you a cutting I have. I’ve kept it. It is a bit of history really. It’s from
The Melbourne Herald.
‘Glorious news,’ it states, ‘Separation at last. We are an independent Colony.’ ”

“I should have thought,” I said, “that it would be better if you all stood together.”

Ben shook his head. “They are an independent people out here. Eighteen-fifty-one. That was the great year in the history of Victoria.”

“It’s the year we must have met,” I said involuntarily.

He smiled at me. “That is absolutely right. There was the Great Exhibition going on in Hyde Park. And I appeared out of the blue. Quite a shock for my grandfather.”

“Your grandfather is shock-proof.”

“He is a little like his grandson perhaps.”

The blue eyes were on me. Some understanding flashed between us. I knew he was thinking, as I was, of the man we had dragged into the pool.

He changed the subject abruptly.

“There’s a good deal of wealth round about Melbourne. You’ll see some really fine houses here. They’ve grown up since the Gold Rush. Those who got in first were the lucky ones.”

“What of you?” asked Justin.

“I’ve had a small share of the pickings, I’d say; but I haven’t struck the rich veins.”

“Do you think,” said Justin in some alarm, “that it has been worked out?”

Ben was silent for a moment. Then he said: “One can’t tell. There is no doubt that we have had gold in this part of the world. Whether it has been worked out is something we can’t be sure of. One thing we do know. It is not as easy as it was.”

“We did hear that you had a mine,” I said. “The Captain of the
Royal Albert
seemed to know a great deal about you.”

“Fame travels,” said Ben lightly. “What did he tell you about me?”

“That you were a sort of Peter Lalor.”

“Oh … our respected member of Parliament and the hero of the Eureka Stockade. I shouldn’t have thought we were alike. I have no intention of going into politics here.”

“He said you were a leader.”

Ben burst out laughing. “Lalor was a noble fellow. I don’t think I’d match him in that. He worked for the good of the community.”

“And for whose good do you work?”

“For the good of myself, of course.”

We all laughed.

He said: “I have arranged for places for you with Cobb’s. It’ll make traveling out to the Creek a little more comfortable than it would have been in the past.”

“Who are Cobb’s?”

“Mr. Cobb is from California. He came out here when there were so many people who wanted to get from the goldfields to the towns. His business extends all over Australia now. We are grateful to Mr. Cobb of California. He is a great boon to us all, I can assure you; and when you travel in one of his coaches and ask yourself how, without him, you would get from one place to another, you will be ready to sing his praises, too.”

“I don’t know what we should have done without you, Ben,” I said.

“You’d have managed. But you might have found it a bit roughgoing. It is better to have someone who knows the ropes to help you along.”

“Uncle Peter said you would do all you could for us.”

“Naturally I will,” he said, his blue eyes holding mine for a moment. He went on: “I shall be leaving tomorrow, so I shall be there when you arrive. I did think the ladies would want a little time to shop in Melbourne. There will be certain things you want to get. We’ve got one shop in the Creek. It sells most things, but there is not much choice. I’ve arranged places for you to live in … close to where the work goes on. You’ll have to stake your claim. I should advise you to go in together if that would suit you. You’ll be needing each other. It’s hard going, you know. But you’ll learn.” He looked at me intently. “You won’t find the place like Cador or my grandfather’s London residence.”

“We are prepared for inconveniences,” I said.

“That’s a good thing because you’ll get them.”

Gervaise said: “You have been most kind. We don’t know how to thank you.”

“When you strike gold you can give me a commission,” said Ben lightly.

“We certainly shall,” said Gervaise. “I’ll drink to that.”

“Very well, partner, but first find the gold.”

“We were told you have a mine and people work for you,” I said.

“That’s true.”

“Do you not … do the mining yourself?” asked Morwenna.

“I’m there every day. I know exactly what’s going on. I just have a few men to do the donkey work.”

I thought it was very exciting to be with him. He had that immense vitality which made one feel alive. I wondered if he had married. No one had said anything about a wife. I supposed there were not many women at Golden Creek. I might have asked him—but I did not.

We returned fairly early for it had been an exhausting day. Gervaise was elated.

He said: “It is all working out beautifully. This relation of yours … he really is quite a character.”

“Yes,” I said.

“One can believe all one has heard of him.”

“Do you like him, Gervaise?”