Published: 15 Jan 2018

With foaling season close Lachlan decide to check his stock of horses. His last count was thirty two mares and four stallions, three of which were juveniles and kept well under control by ‘Old Lightning’, who got his name because he was so slow a donkey could out run him.

Now with two of Lightning’s juniors close to challenging him, it would be necessary to either put the old fellow out to pasture or sell off the juvenile stallions. There was a third option being castration but this made Lachlan cringe at the thought, besides he believed they would make good stud stallions. Yet even if Lightning was slow, he was strong and his progeny were as strong, making good pack horses and he appeared to still have the inclination and strength to mount the mares.

Lachlan with some difficulty managed to obtain agreement from his father for a number of days away from the farm. Even with it being a down period Jock kept his son waiting for a week before he conceded; most certainly only because he could and in agreeing it was another measure of control being the one to give or disallow permission.

As soon as the old man agreed, Lachlan took the cart into McBride’s Point to collect the farms supplies as well as he own for his travels. Before leaving he called on his mother if there was anything special she would like.

“I don’t think so Lachlan.” She answered while overseeing Polly with the washing, “no Polly, I don’t know how many times I have to say so but that is far too much washing soap.”

Polly attempted to retrieve some of the sunlight soap shavings honed from the soap bar but they had already commenced to dissolve into the hot water.

“But Misses you did shave lots from the bar.” Polly issued in her defence.

“Yes but it was for two or three tubs of washing, not to be used all at once.”

“Sorry Misses, Polly know better next time.” The black girl released a giggle.

“That is what you said last time.”

“I did see some pretty material at Pollard’s drapery when I was last in town; it would make a nice dress for you.” Lachlan attempted to tempt his mother into a rare treat.

The woman’s eyes brightened for a moment before dulling with reality. “Where would I be wearing such a pretty dress?”

“It would look nice for church on Sunday and Christmas isn’t far.” Lachlan forwarded.

“What would you father think, wasting good money on frivolous things”

“It was only a thought, besides it would be my own money, not fathers.”

“And a nice thought.” Martha sadly answered as her son departed, “don’t forget your father’s tobacco. It should have arrived on the Wednesday’s steam packet from Brisbane.

“Father can have quality tobacco but mother can’t have a nice new dress.” Lachlan mumbled.

“And don’t forget your father’s scotch.” She added to her list, “but if it hasn’t arrived don’t purchase anything locally and another bar of sunlight soap, Polly has wasted most of what was left.”

“Father can have expensive alcohol.” Lachlan concluded.

While in town Lachlan noticed that there was a sloop moored at the jetty, so having some time to spare while his stores list was being filled, he went to look over the boat. She was somewhat scruffy and by her appearance had just come through a storm. Lachlan’s thoughts immediately returned to the loss of the Capricorn and its captain as he perceived the ship’s name, Island Wind, believing it most appropriate for its condition.

While viewing the ship he was approached from behind with a light tap to the shoulder, he turned.

“Reg Howlong,” Lachlan unenthusiastically greeted.

“Did Daniel say I passed by?”

“He did.” Lachlan admitted.

“I thought you may have visited, I’m staying at my Aunt Ivy’s house. I have the bungalow out the back.” The lad’s eyes opened wide with expectation, as if having his own private space would encourage a visit.

“I’ve been very busy Reg.” Lachlan made excuse, “what are you up to these days?”

“Aunt Ivy said I would make a good jockey and I will be going down to Brisbane, she has contacts there in the racing trade.”

“Can you ride a horse?” Lachlan asked somewhat doubtingly, his eyes lowering to the lad’s short structure and short pants, while smiling towards what appeared to be large and attempting to break free from the crotch.

“Not really, that is why I wanted to see you; I thought you could give me a few lessons.” The lad appeared most eager.

“How long do you have?” Lachlan asked.

“I’ll be travelling south in around ten days.”

“What you expect me to teach you the art of riding in that time? I’ve been riding since I could walk and I still don’t know it all.” Lachlan became most amused and commenced to walk towards ship.

“You could come and visit me at the bungalow if you like.” The lad offered.

“I don’t think so Reg but why not speak to Daniel, he is a good horseman.” Lachlan bade the lad good day as his interest in the vessel grew.

The ship had recently arrived and a group of passengers was disembarking along the gangway before advancing to the Cobb and Co. coach office for their northern connection. Behind the small group Lachlan spied a lad who he recognised immediately.

“Hey Toby!” He called while fighting his way through the passengers, being not only surprised but elated to find his friend was still alive.

“Lockie!” Toby replied, beaming a wide smile as he quickened his stride to where Lachlan was standing. His hand stretched out in greeting.

“You survived, I’ve been trying to discover what happened to you but no one knew, only that there were some who made it to Cooktown.

“Yes we made it to Cooktown but not Mr. Simpson or Jenkins,” Toby paused as the memory of his benefactor’s demise returned, “I ended up taking a ship to New Zealand.” Toby nodded towards Howlong who remained watching at distance, “who is the kid?” He asked, believing it may be a cousin or a younger brother.

“Only someone I was at school with.” Lachlan disassociated.

“Oh I thought he was a kid, how old is he?”

“Reg is just a short arse, around my age, I believe a little older; he wishes to be a jockey.”

“I love the short pants.” Toby kidded somewhat sarcastically.

“He has always worn them; I reckon they are the same pants he had at school.”

As Lachlan spoke Howlong smiled and waved, Lachlan responded with a nod and went on his way.

“What are you doing here?” Lachlan asked while accepting Toby’s hand.

“I’ve found work on another ship.” Toby declared with a measure of excitement.

“That Sloop?”

“Na not that old tub, another Schooner but much more grand.”

“Where is she?”

“At present in New Zealand but will be here to collect me in around a month, so I have time to kill.”

“I’m off up country for a few days to attend to the horses I told you about, how would you like to join me?” Lachlan offered and quickly added, “I guess you can ride a horse?”

“Yes but are you sure you want me along?”

“I’d love the company.”

“I heard from a passing ship you had made it home. I believe your family has a farm somewhere around here?” Toby knew it to be so before he asked. In truth he had arranged to be collected by his new ship at McBride’s Point, anticipating he would chance upon his friend but he didn’t expect finding Lachlan would be so easy.

“Yes a short ways towards Tully, about three miles. Come on, I’ve the stores to collect then we can be off.”

Lachlan took control of Toby’s duffle bag and dragged him by the shoulders in the direction of the General Store. “Travelling light?” Lachlan declared as he heaved the duffel bag into the cart.

“Sailor’s gear mate, that’s all I own in the world.”

A claim that also rang true with Lachlan, the son of the districts wealthiest landholder and in reality he owned even less. The clothes on his back, his simple cottage all were the property of McBride and in truth his person and most probably his soul but there were his horses, his father didn’t own them and knew little of their existence but the very land and grass where they grazed was McBride land.

“It’s great to see you and I have so much to talk about.” Lachlan looked the lad over, “and you need a haircut,” he commented on the length of Toby’s thick blond hair but his dreadlocks had gone, replaced with curls that covered his eyes and fell about his neck. Toby agreed.

“What happened to the dreadlocks?” Lachlan asked.

“My last captain was a stickler for tradition and wouldn’t let me on board without a haircut.”

“A crew cut eh.” Lachlan surmised.

“More desert head, the captain demanded the cut to be as close to the scalp as possible taking skin with it but it soon grew back and he was transferred to a larger boat.” Toby swung into the cart’s seat, “are you sure your parents won’t mind me turning up without notice?”

“You can stay with me at the foreman’s cottage; they won’t even know you’re there.”

During the drive back to the farm Lachlan proudly pointed out all the highlights of McBride’s Point and who lived where and what each farm grew disregarding the fact that along the south side of the road to the McBride farm from the town itself was all McBride land.

On reaching the farm Lachlan pulled the cart up in front of the big house where he off loaded the supplies and returned carrying a stretcher. He placed it in the cart.

“What have you there?” Toby asked.

“It’s your bed,” As Lachlan tossed the stretcher into the back of the cart William appeared at the top of the stairs appearing most official.

“Were not hiring,” He gruffly spoke spying Toby in the cart, yet he knew the stranger’s face but could not place him as crew on his own ill-fated sea journey to the islands.

“William this is Toby from the Capricorn, you remember. He will be staying with me at the cottage for a while.” Lachlan explained.

“Does father know?”

“No,”

“You better tell him, you know how he likes to be informed on things.”

“Where is he?”

“In town I guess.”

“So you can tell him when he returns.” Lachlan gave two loud clicks and the horse moved away towards the cottage.

“Your brother doesn’t seem too happy with me staying.” Toby envisaged.

“Don’t concern, he’ll get over it besides he won’t tell father and the old man almost lives in town, so I doubt he will even return while you are here.”

“Still, I wouldn’t want my staying to get you into any bother with your father.” Toby apologised as they arrived at the cottage.

“Everything I do has me in bother with father and William. I guess one more thing won’t make a lot of difference.”

“Why don’t you live up at the house, by the look there is more than enough room?” Toby questioned, noticing the rudimentary size and condition of the cottage.

“When and if you meet father you will understand why but mother is a real sweaty. Come on let’s get you settled in and have some grub.”

“I could do with a hot bath.” Toby admitted and sniffed at his armpits.

“There’s a galvanised tub out the back and I’ll boil you some water in the copper, shouldn’t take long.”

Toby quickly settled into the cottage going as far as insisting he prepare meals, declaring that seeing his new position on the Schooner Tamaki was cook, he could do with the practice.

“Where did you learn to cook?” Lachlan asked somewhat surprised with his friend’s proclaimed new skill, as on the Capricorn he was accustomed to the lad scurrying up to the mast head or trimming sails, or carrying the slop bucket for Chow.

“Who do you think did most of the cooking on the Capricorn, most the time old Chow was in the horrors from his opium.”

“Possibly you can give me a few pointers as I’m only good at stews and making damper.” Lachlan admitted.

“Damper?”

“You know roughly baked bread of sorts.”

“I do know what damper is but I thought it more inclined towards bush cooking.”

By evening’s meal meat and three Vegies were proudly served with pan gravy and chunks of home made bread Toby had baked earlier and in no way representing Lachlan’s damper.

“You have done well.” Lachlan commended, chuckling while he mopped up the last of the gravy with a large chunk of the bread crust.

“What’s so funny?” Toby asked, dropping his head slightly to one side, as was his habit when cadging for an answer.

“Nothing much, it’s just that my Brother is always arriving for a free feed and declares that one day, I’d make someone a good wife.”

“I’ve met two of your brothers and honestly I didn’t think much of either of them. Have you other brothers?”

“You met the twins. That was William back at the house.”

“Yes I remember him and if I remember correctly, I couldn’t tell them apart.”

“Well I am the youngest of triplet boys.”

Toby was astonished. “They all look like you?”

“Na Robert and Daniel are sorta identical but I am told that I’m a throw back on our mother’s side.” Lachlan paused, “The Runt,” another pause, “we also have two older sisters as well but they are not twins and are married living in town.”

“Runt?”

“I was undersized at birth and almost died and I remained undersized until about twelve, then with puberty I shot up.”

“I once had a dog like that. It was the runt of the litter but ended up the biggest, strongest and fastest.” Toby explained with fond memory of his dog and it had been Simpson who chose the animal with the promise, ‘lad mark my words, feed him up and watch him grow’.

“That’s me.” Lachlan agreed as a knock came to the cottage door.

“Expecting visitors?” Toby asked as he commenced to clear the table.

“You cooked tea, I’ll do that.”

“No you have visitors – you answer the door.”

“Daniel.” Lachlan brusquely greeted on opening the door. Daniel entered without invitation, glancing about as if looking for something. He had heard from William there was a visitor to the farm but as usual with their brother the information was somewhat limited.

Spying a figure in the shadows Daniel assumed the visitor to be the return of Stephen Henderson.

“I hear you have a visitor, is the rat back?”

“No, I’d like you to meet Toby,” Toby came into the light, “he was one of the Capricorn’s Crew and I’ve invited him to stay a while.”

“Toby,” Daniel casually nodded while seating himself, “Any coffee?”

“You will have to ask Toby he’s the cook.” Lachlan suggested as Toby brought the coffee pot to the table.

“Where is Toby staying?” Daniel asked accepting a mug of coffee. He tasted it, “Hey Toby you make better coffee than Lachlan.” He praised.

“Here.”

“You don’t have a spare bed.” Daniel’s voice appeared to be touched with a measure of jealousy, or was it Lachlan’s imagination.

“I got a stretcher from home.”

“Why don’t you both stay up at the house – there is plenty of room.”

“I don’t think so.”

“So the old man gave you time off.” Daniel commented on Lachlan’s intention to visit his horses.

“A few days that’s all, I’m going to look in on my stock.”

“Do you want me to come along and give you a hand?” Daniel offered his eyes constantly on Toby.

“Won’t be necessary, Toby is coming along.”

“So Toby you’re the great sailor from dad’s boat.” Daniel ribbed.

“I wouldn’t say sailor, more like general dog’s body.” Toby modestly corrected.

“Toby has a new boat; he’s to be the cook.”

“Then I hope he doesn’t sink that one like he did the old man’s.”

“Haven’t you got somewhere to go?” Lachlan asked, becoming annoyed with Daniel’s mocking of his guest.

Daniel’s tone changed, “You do know why the old man gave you the time off?”

“Does anyone ever know why our father does anything?” Lachlan signed.

“That is exactly why, I have him worked out and it’s like fly fishing. He lets out the line and at his whim reals it back again and in doing so you can be sure you’re well and truly hooked.”

“When did you work all this out?” Lachlan asked somewhat cynically.

“On my way over tonight, so you don’t want me to help with the horses?”

“Not likely, I don’t think I could stand too many more of your anecdotes.”

“So Toby what do you think of the farm?” Daniel changed the subject, while by his posture was settled for a night’s conversation.

“I haven’t seen much as yet but I think I would rather be at sea, at least there you can see the horizon; have you ever been to sea Daniel?”

“Not likely, I can’t swim.”

“Everybody can swim; it’s only the fear of drowning that drags you down.”

“Still, I don’t fancy it.”

“Daniel, is your visit for a reason?” Lachlan asked becoming somewhat impatient with his brother’s lingering.

“Actually it was; William has a job for you before you leave in the morning.”

“What job would that be?”

“How should I know, William only talks in riddles.” As he spoke Daniel’s eyes remained on Toby.

“I’ll see you up at the house before I leave.” Lachlan suggested, with which his brother at last took the hint and left.

“Daniel is nothing like you.” Toby perceived once Daniel had departed.

“I hope not but oddly if I have to stomach any of my brothers, he is the easiest.” Lachlan paused, “A bloody pest but somehow likeable and underneath that thin layer of blithe he is quite fragile.”

“He seems a nice enough fellow to me.” Toby declared as a smile came to the lad’s face.

“What?” Lachlan challenged while noticing his friend’s smile.

“Nothing just a thought but it doesn’t matter.” Toby thus cast away the question but without realising doing so Lachlan saved it to memory to recall at future time.

With the table cleared and the light low, Lachlan collected a couple of bottles of beer he had cooling in a barrel of water outside the cottage rear door as the conversation turned to Toby’s ill-fated trip to Cooktown.

“I was under the impression you didn’t drink alcohol?” Toby remembered Lachlan’s abstention while on the Capricorn.

“Usually I don’t, I keep these for Daniel but seeing it’s a celebrative occasion, I’ll make an exception.” Lifting the glass stoppers from both bottles he passed one to Toby, “Would you like a glass?”

“No the bottle will be fine.”

Lachlan went to the kitchen, returning with his favourite glass and filled it to the top, pouring a perfect head.

“For someone who doesn’t drink, you sure know how to pour a glass.” Toby noted.

“With older brother’s you soon learn. I believed beer tastes better from a glass.” He offered.

“To be honest I have never thought of it and at sea one doesn’t get the chance to be fussy, or often enjoy a beer either.”

“I tried to find out what happened to your lot after heading north but what I discovered was somewhat sketchy, mostly from father who heard it from a visiting ship but he was more interested in the Capricorn than any of its crew.”

“Yes it wasn’t much fun.” Toby commented.

“Some time later I did hear of Mr. Simpson’s death and believe you were the hero after he was killed.”

“No hero mate just bloody scared shitless and that drove me on.” Then in low and remorseful rendition Toby related his version of the tragedy that occurred almost in sight of Cooktown and safety, while all the while his gaze was beyond the kitchen window and among the silhouetted forms of the mango trees. His breath was deep and slow, as if moving in rhythm with the leaves of the trees.

“Are the mango’s ripe?” Toby asked his voice laboured with sadness and wishing to put aside further memories of their walk to safety and the loss of his lifetime mentor.

“No around Christmas to New Year but the bats get the all even before they ripen.”

“Yes I remember now, Mr. Simpson sister had a large tree but that was long ago before I went to sea.”

“Dad was furious for loosing the Capricorn and he hardly spoke to anyone for at least a month and to top it all, he blamed me.”

“I liked that ship.” Toby admitted.

“I can still see it sinking beneath the reef and the look on poor Chow’s face as he went down with the ship.” Lachlan sadly remembered the little yellow man and his strange culinary habits.

“He survived!” Toby answered brightly, being one smile from an otherwise litany of bad memories.

“Really – How?”

“He managed to cling onto some bulk head and by chance was picked up a day later by a trader, half way between the reef and the shore,” Toby laughed, “I believe swearing hell down all the way to port, as he lost all his money in the sinking.”

“Where is he now?”

“I guess in Cooktown, probably in some opium den.”

“I liked the little fellow.” Lachlan whimsically commented.

“You didn’t have to work with him but I guess in his own way you had to admire his tenacity.”

“Well plenty to do tomorrow,” Lachlan snapped across a pause in the conversation.

With the morning there would be need to choose a quiet horse for Toby, prepare swags and pack supplies. Once at their destination they could hunt for fresh meat as kangaroos were plentiful in the hills, as were wild ducks and on the occasion even emus.

“Have you lived rough before?” Lachlan asked breaking from his mental list of things to do with the new day.

“I guess living at sea could be called rough but I don’t know much about the bush.” Toby admitted.

“You’ll soon get the hang of it; besides it could be fun, if you don’t mind scorpions in your bed.”

“Aw, I don’t like the sound of that!” Toby protested and gave a shudder as the vision came to mind.

“Na, I’m only having ya, it’s the snakes you have to watch out for, they like somewhere warm to cuddle into.” Lachlan laughs.

“You really know how to paint a picture.”

“Don’t worry it won’t be that bad and there is a hut on the land but if you think this place is basic, you will think the hut is little more then shelter.”

It was late and obvious both had not only run out of conversation but also energy. Lachlan doused the last of the lamp and led the way to the bedroom, using the light from a new moon through the uncovered window to guide their way.

“I hope it doesn’t offend you but I sleep naked.” Lachlan declared sounding somewhat coy as he commenced to undress in the room’s semi-darkness.

“Na quite often at sea you sleep fully dressed, depending what work has been scheduled, sometimes when the weather is bad and you may be needed quickly, you do so with your boots on. It’s nice to sleep unrestricted when you have the chance.”

“I trust the stretcher will be comfortable.”

“I guess it won’t sway like a hammock, besides being so long at sea I find it hard to accustom to a stationery bed and I miss the sound of waves slapping against the hull.”

“Swish, swish, swish,” Lachlan mouthed his rendition of incoming waves.

Toby laughed; “that sounds more like some ailing wind than the waves.”

“Only trying to make you feel more at ease, you don’t mind an early rise.” Lachlan asked as he laid watching Toby undress, the lad’s form silhouetted by the moonlight.

‘How old is Toby?’ Lachlan brought to mind. ‘He was sixteen when I met him, must be going on eighteen now.’

Toby stood for some time, silently viewing the line of mango trees close to the path leading up to the cottage and listning to the flying foxes squabbling over the choicest of the unripened fruit.

“Noisy aren’t they?”

“They are somewhat.” Toby answered.

“It is said they carry a disease called Hendra.”

“What’s that?” Toby asked.

“Some sickness that kills horses, people as well if infected.”

“You know living up here everything is out to get you. Crocs in the rivers, sharks and stinging jellyfish in the bays, flesh eating bugs in the soil and snakes, I’ve never seen so many snakes, makes one happy to be at sea.” Toby growled.

“When did you last see a snake?” Lachlan asked doubting his friend’s admission.

“Well I hear about them and I did see a sea snake coming across from New Zealand.”

“That’s different.” Lachlan argued.

“Why? They are a snake and they bite, also it is said they are more venomous than any of your terrestrial lot. Still I think it safer at sea.”

“Yea it’s a little like that, still I suppose no matter where you live there is something or someone out to get you; land sharks are even worse.” Lachlan’s eyes remained on Toby as the lad watched through the window. ‘He has really grown since I last saw him,’ He thought, ‘filled out and is almost a man, a most handsome man at that.’

“I don’t know any land sharks.” Toby answered and slid into his bed.

“I do, my father.”

“You don’t appear to have much respect for your father.” Toby perceived, thinking of the esteem he held for his captain and how he missed the man. Simpson may have had his faults but they were more than outweighed by his generosity.

“I believe to gain respect, it has to be given and my father defiantly doesn’t respect any in his family.”

“That is a shame as I would never disrespect Mr. Simpson.”

“I didn’t know Captain Simpson well, only what my father said about him but during my stay on the Capricorn I found your captain to be a decent kind of bloke.”

“He was, what time do you call early?” Toby asked.

“With the sun, I want get away before William calls by, Daniel said he has a job for me, I want to avoid him or for sure I’ll loose most of the day.”

Toby gave a yawn, “good night.”

“Good night Toby.”

‘He’s rather cute.’ Lachlan thought as the image of Toby’s nakedness outlined in moonlight returned. With it came thoughts of Stephen Henderson and how he missed his friend, more so how he feared for his safety.

‘Why did Toby comment so on Daniel?’ Lachlan remembered the smile as his brother was leaving and the eye glances during the night.

‘Na couldn’t be.’

‘Yet,’ He recollected as kids it was always Daniel who instigated their so called horse play and was Daniel who wished to continue with the intrigue.

‘Surely not Toby?’

‘Well my friend you’re not going to find out.’ With that Lachlan was asleep and dreaming.

It was night, quite dark but all had a yellow glow, maybe touched by the moon or some mystery. Someone else was there, watching from the forest; a face among the trees. It was sad face full of loss, while around the face there was the sight and sound of rustling leaves. As quickly the face was gone but the leaves remained, lifting high into the breeze to fall at his feet, before a tide rose and swept them away to sea. Now he was on some beach and the waves fell gently upon the sand, their sound was wrong, it was the sound he had earlier pretended to impress his friend, this changed and the waves sounded like weeping.

Lachlan woke to realise the dream was driven by sobbing coming from Toby. He was curled into a ball and softly crying to himself. Lachlan’s first instant was to call and offer empathy but thought better of disturbing his friend’s privacy, while equally he felt Toby’s sadness, it transferred to his chest and then his throat, he swallowed at the melancholy.

Soon the sobbing subsided and Toby was asleep, leaving Lachlan to ponder on his friend’s loss and experiences, realising he could do nothing except offer silent support and give the lad a rest from his memory.

Lachlan knew what it was like to miss a good friend’s company but to loose someone as close as Toby had been to his captain forever was a different experience. He thought of Stephen and how he missed him being around and could not imagine such a loss as permanent.

He should honour his promise to visit Stephen but could not for some time and for now he had Toby’s visit to entertain. Possibly in time he could make a land lover out of Toby but for now he would visit his horses and in the best way possible help the lad forget.

Weariness commenced to drain away his thoughts, he was riding with Toby and Stephen, chasing rogue cattle through the acacia stands beyond the mountains. Stephen was on his left flank as he cut a rogue bullock back to the herd, while Toby was close by in chase of another. He could almost hear the cursing as the animals bolted from freedom, could smell the dry dust as it choked the throat, smell the sweat from his mount, all the while a deep calm grew within his chest. It was the life he craved for, away from his father’s dealing, from his father’s money and his father’s need to control everything from family to associates, from climate to commerce.

He quietly smiled and was once again asleep.

Let Gary know what you think of his story.

51,955 views