Published: 23 Apr 2018

Within a short time the Henderson Farm house was built and stood new and proud behind its hillock. Neither Lachlan nor Stephen had taken physical possession but often visited and walked its rooms, declaring this room to be for this purpose and that for another and laughing when they changed their minds. Bedrooms were plentiful five in all, one each for them, one for Daniel and one for Martha if she wished to live there and a fifth for visitors.

Stephen was first to spend any length of time at the house, mostly preparing a kitchen garden and erecting out buildings, a stable and holding yard, piggery and most important a chook run but no chooks, they would have to wait until he or others were in resident.

Soon his garden flourished with all kinds of vegetables and herbs, selling most to neighbours and town’s folk, while going into opposition to the only other grower, a Chinese gentleman with little English, bad breath and poor quality product. ‘It’s in the quality and not the price.’ Stephen would declare and time found him correct.

Slowly the rooms filled with furniture, mostly made by Stephen himself. He was a master at craft, which in time became as famous as his vegetables and once again he sold to the local community. Stephen had at last found his place in society and fitted into it with perfection.

Often William would pause from his work and cast his eyes upon the development, while secretly admiring his brother’s tenacity but could never admit so, not even to Cameron.

“What do you think of the Henderson’s house?” Cameron had asked while noticing his brother’s gaze.

“It’s a house I suppose.” William apathetically answered.

“I wish I was living there?”

“So Cameron why don’t you ask Henderson?”

“William do you think father is going mad?”

“Why do you ask that?”

“The other day he asked me if Lachlan had been taking farm equipment over to the Henderson property.”

“What did you tell him?” William asked

“Nothing, I only said Lachlan wouldn’t take anything without asking either him or you first then he commenced to rave about having Lachlan arrested for theft and for us to bare witness.”

“What did you say about that?”

“I only said I could not lie about Lachlan, not even for father.”

“He is going through some stressful times at present, that’s all.” William answered without confidence in his account.

It was in the dry of that year when the pear took on its proverbial shape at the McBride’s farm. Firstly the divorce had finalised and then the crop failed. The failure of the crop mattered not to Jock McBride, as he was financially buoyant enough to ride out a score of crop failures, besides he no longer relied on the farm for income and found it more a tool for his pride and influence than a way to make money. Owning the biggest house and largest acreage in the district was enough to satisfy his ever developing mania.

Without further warning Robert left the district for Townsville to his mother’s sister, who found him work. Robert’s departure came at a time when Jock McBride had decided to forgive his son and welcome him back into his influence and before Robert’s departure visited him at his work, displaying a rare civil disposition but Robert rejected his father’s offer while refusing to apologise, instead dictated his final rebellion, he was no longer a son of McBride and had by law changed his name to Smith, his mother’s family name. Not only was it a slap against his father but his father’s heritage, he now became his mother’s English; a Sassenach to be certain and stained with convict blood.

At month’s end came the news that Mary the eldest daughter had died during child birth. The child a boy, who was named Lachlan, survived but the mother had lost too much blood and in her weakened state took on pneumonia and passed away.

That same week Lucy delivered a baby girl, giving William at least one spark of joy but not enough to deliver him from the bind he found himself in. He was growing to hate the farm, the work, his father while the gap between brothers was continually widening and he knew of no way to mend the rift other than pack his belongings and leave. Doing so would certainly receive support from Lucy but there was his mother to consider and Cameron relied on him for moral and social support. As for his fear he wasn’t the child’s father, that had long dissipated and he totally believed his brother’s account on the night in question, even if he still held himself grossly accountable for such a childish prank.

One bright spark did ignite that month. A ship was in harbour and aboard was Toby. He had finished his contract and had time to spare while looking for another posting. He arrived at the farm at around sunset and was in time for tea as he knocked at the cottage door. Stephen answered the knock to perceive a blond youth, stubble on his strong chin and wearing seaman’s attire and a broad infectious smile.

“Hi Stephen is Lachlan still here?” Toby asked.

“Sure.” Stephen turned from the open door and called back into the cottage for Lachlan, “Visitor and you will never guess who”

“Then if I will never guess, tell me – who?” Lachlan answered from the clatter of pots.

“Just go through Toby and give him a surprise.” Stephen invited and ushered the lad towards where Lachlan was working.

“Toby well I’ll be buggered your back at last!” Lachlan with much surprise greeted and offered a wet kitchen hand. Toby threw his duffle bag to one side and clutched the offered hand tightly between both his hands.

“Come in, have you had dinner?”

He had not and there was plenty, so all sat for one of Lachlan’s famous stews.

“So you have another ship?” Stephen asked while Toby wolfed down a large plate of stew.

“Sort of, won’t know for sure for a few weeks, do you think you can put up with me for that long?”

“You can stay as long as you like and while you are here, we will turn you into a farmhand.” Lachlan added, “You did once say you thought of going on the land – growing potatoes wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know about potatoes, where’s Daniel?” Toby enquired as a sound came to the door.

“That will be him now. He lives here most of the time, so we built him a room off to the side.”

“I noticed something was different when I approached, I thought I may have the wrong place.” Toby explained.

At first the reunion between Toby and Daniel appeared to be somewhat stilted which didn’t go unnoticed but as the night progressed they settled into each other’s company.

“What is the problem with your new boat?” Lachlan asked.

“Ship.” Toby corrected. “Well the owners are thinking of selling it to a Swan River company and I don’t think I want to go west.”

“Then you can stay here and become a farmer.”

“I may have to keep you to that promise.” Toby acknowledged.

“What do you think about that?” Lachlan asked of Daniel.

“It’s alright by me I guess.” Daniel answered indifferently and gave Toby a secret wink.

“Sleeping arrangements, you will have to share the room with Daniel, there is only one bed but we can put Stephen’s bed in the room and Stephen can bunk in with me.” Lachlan paused, “Or Daniel you can bunk down up at the big house.”

“No that should be alright.” Daniel agreed.

“Or you could stay over at Stephen’s place, sometimes we stay there when we don’t have an early rise.”

“Stephen’s place, I thought that was sold?” Toby appeared confused.

“It was and Stephen bought it.”

“That’s not actually correct Toby; Lachlan bought it in both our names.” Stephen corrected.

“Well in principal but it’s really Stephen’s land, he decides everything.”

“I thought your father wanted it?” Toby surmised.

“He did and does but that’s another story and you have arrived on the brink of a family break up. I’ll tell you later we want to hear about you tonight.”

Some days into Toby’s visit it became apparent that William was not happy with the arrangement and said so to Lachlan.

“How long is this fellow staying?” He asked while over-supervising Lachlan as he cleared weeds from the house paddock’s crop.

“I told Toby he could stay as long as he wished.” Lachlan answered without even a glance towards his brother.

“I don’t think so, its putting too much of a strain on the farm.”

“Bull shit William how?” Lachlan snapped.

“I say so.” William replied coldly.

“Fair enough, he can stay over at Henderson’s.”

William didn’t answer but it was apparent he wasn’t happy with that arrangement either.

“Maybe you would like me and Stephen to live there as well?” Lachlan suggested.

“Suit yourself but while father isn’t here I am in charge.”

“You sure are!” Lachlan bit back as William walked away. Oddly Stephen Henderson didn’t come into William’s equation as he had become an important farmhand and best of all, one that didn’t extract wages.

That night there was a gathering of the boys and Lachlan explained the expanding situation to Toby.

“I was thinking if you didn’t mind, you can use Stephen’s house for your stay, William is becoming somewhat difficult. It’s not far only about five minutes or so from our front gate.”

Toby said he remembered the place but didn’t wish to be a burden and he could find a room in town.

“I wouldn’t dream of letting you do so.” Lachlan declared.

“Nor I, it would be a pleasure letting you use the house, there is plenty of room and you can still eat here, or we could visit over there.” Stephen added, without comment from Daniel.

“What is going to happen with the farm?” Toby asked.

“Good question, I reckon the old man hasn’t long to go, so William will inherit it all. Father has already divorced mother and she is thinking of leaving for Townsville to live with her sister, Robert is already there.” Lachlan then related how he was to be punished but the old man hadn’t yet thought of anything strong enough. He laughed and declared he welcomed it as he would then have the final reason to leave the farm once and for all.

Toby fitted into the Henderson house most admirably and was a god send, as with the changeable weather Stephen couldn’t get over to attend his garden as often as needed, so Toby’s help was much appreciated. As for William, he still didn’t like Toby around and thought of every conceivable reason to complain, saying Toby remained a distraction on the performance of the three and that he didn’t think Daniel should hang around Toby as much as he did. If William believed their developing friendship to be a valid reason, Lachlan could not perceive it to be so, to him it appeared that Daniel and Toby avoided one another but possibly William could see something that Lachlan was too close to notice.

The arguing between William and Lachlan increased, only to be diluted with words from their mother. Even with the divorce, which was one point William did not support his father, he remained strongly devoted to his mother and backed away somewhat with his criticism of the others when in her company.

Often during the day Toby would come across to the farm and ask William if he could lend a hand in the field, stating he was no longer interested in life at sea and would like to learn about farming. With his offer he also commended William on his skill. This stroked William’s ego and like his father he required more, thus before long Toby fitted in as an unpaid farmhand, taking a measure of pressure from the others.

“So you want to become a farmer?” Stephen asked of Toby over a few late night drinks. Lachlan and Daniel had gone for tea with their mother but Stephen wasn’t in a social mood and remained behind to keep company with Toby.

“Well, I’m not so sure of being a farmer but I think I’ve become landlocked for the near future.

The moon had risen above the cane field, giving everything it touched a half light, bathing the two as they sat outside the cottage in quiet conversation.

“How are you settling in?” Stephen asked while refilling Toby’s beer glass.

“Funny but I don’t miss the sea to any extent. I believe it was only Captain Simpson keeping me and maybe the fear of change.” He sighed and continued;

“Sometimes I miss the solitude and the open space of the ocean but I can cope with that.”

“I don’t think I could leave the land.” Stephen admitted, while looking through the amber fluid in his glass. “If it wasn’t for Lachlan, I don’t know what I would have done.” He sighed while relaxing into the night, allowing its coolness to flow around him caressing him into a state of almost trance.

“He is nothing like his brothers.” Toby admitted.

“True but Daniel is alright and Robert, well he is somewhat solemn but easy enough.” Stephen stated as he turned his glass one way then the other. He swallowed what remained and refilled his glass, “another?” he offered, Toby agreed, “then there is Cameron.” He paused, “yes there is Cameron, who I am sure would be likeable if he wasn’t William’s shadow, yet there is something else with Cameron, I don’t think he is as dumb as folk credit him to be.”

“Strange you would say that.” Toby spoke.

“Why?”

“Only the other day I was alone with Cameron and for a moment I felt his true character come through.” Toby perceived.

“In what way was that?”

“I can’t put it into words, it was more an understanding and the conversation flowed smoother than usual.”

“Yes Cameron is mostly a man of few words.” Stephen admitted.

The moon rose higher and the long shadows it cast shortened, while the cobble path that ran from the cottage gate shone milky white, becoming more so as their intake of alcohol increased, giving their entire world an air of enchantment.

“How long have you known Lachlan?” Toby asked while standing to pee against the trunk of one of the mango trees.

“All my life.” Stephen admitted.

“He and Daniel are alike in some ways.” Toby divulged.

“What ways are they?”

Toby was about to relate but paused. He imagined he knew all he needed to on where Stephen fitted into the equation but a certain fear of being incorrect choked his words before they were uttered.

“Well?” Stephen coaxed. As he spoke Lachlan and Daniel returned from dining at the big house, their rowdy approach sent Toby’s conversation for cover.

“Have you heard?” Daniel called from the gate. “Jack Willington the manager from the crushing mill has bought himself a motorised wagon.”

“What’s that?” Stephen enquired.

“It’s some sort of buggy with a motor in it, – or so I’m told.” Daniel declared and flopped down in the spare seat beside the two, “got a beer?” Toby reached into the water barrel and retrieved a bottle, “thanks.”

“Want a glass?” Toby offered.

“Na unlike those two I prefer drinking from the bottle.”

“Where did he get the motor buggy?” asked Stephen inquisitively.

“Sydney I believe it arrived this afternoon on the mail packet and he will be showing it off in the main street tomorrow, were all going in to see it.”

“What will they think of next, wagons with wings?” Stephen suggested.

“As long as they are not bullock drays, with all that falling bull shit eh?” Toby added.

“What do you think Lachlan, we should take the buggy and ask mother to come in with us; she hasn’t been out of the house for ages.” Daniel suggested.

“Good idea.” Lachlan agreed.

With the early sun the boys were eager and the buggy ready, with Martha McBride dressed in her finest, a matching hat and white gloves. She looked radiant as she stood at the top of the stairs, her greying hair, still holding its redness tied back in a bun and the strain of years within an unhappy union gone from her face.

“You look a picture mother.” Lachlan complemented as he ascended the stairs to take her hand and lead her to the buggy. “Your coach awaits;” he laughed.

“Thank you love but maybe I shouldn’t go.” Martha was having second thoughts. It was true she no longer cared about McBride or his intention to remarry but she was a nervous woman who had been too long in his shadow.

“I haven’t been in town for so long I wouldn’t know what to say to anyone.”

“Don’t fret mother, we will be with you all the time and if you wish to leave we will do so.” Lachlan promised with a cheery smile then helped his mother into the buggy.

The early morning sun was pleasant and a cool breeze scurried the dust behind the buggy away from its passenger’s comfort. All along the way birds sang, while occasionally a wallaby bounded across their path startling the horse. On one occasion a young cassowary ran its chance between the buggy’s wheels with success then disappeared into the scrub beside the road. It was then Martha remembered what she once loved about the north and its countryside. It was as if she was seeing it for the very first time in many years and her heart skipped with the morning’s freshness.

In town the folk had taken on a carnival atmosphere, the women’s association had set up there trestle tables, covered with linen cloth and spread with the product from almost every kitchen. There was jam and chutney, cakes and scones as well as all kinds of sandwiches. Lemonade and beer and cups of tea and all partook of the refreshments, adding to the coffers of the women’s association.

There was also a foot race for the boys, with a prize of two shillings to the winner and because of the number of entries, had to be run in heats, with each heat winner advancing to the final. For the men a horse race on the cow pasture to the north of the town. Never before had there been so much life in McBride’s Point and all over the arrival of modernity, even surpassing the queen’s birthday celebration and with it all the town appeared to come of age.

Lachlan parked the buggy in the grounds behind the Livery Shop, where a holding yard had been set up for such occasions, and after watering the horse and applying a nose bag of chaff, he joined the others to wait for the arrival of Jack Willington’s motorised buggy.

At last Willington arrived with his buggy and to most it appeared to be nothing more than a regular buggy without the horse with the ability to travel independently at the break easy speed of five miles an hour.

The vehicle had two seats with enough room for two passengers on each seat, a small petrol motor between the front and back seat and a control stick at the front, which was used to guide its direction. The power was supplied via a chain to a large cogged wheel attached to the rear right wheel, while to stop the vehicle the same mechanism to stop a cart or buggy had been employed.

Eventually the vehicle arrived with much noise from the dock end of town, its motor clattered, chattered and backfired its way along the street, blanketing those come to view, in a cloud of pollution, while the smell of fumes sent many away from their advantage, coughing and complaining that such a vehicle would bring about the end of civilization. It would make women miscarry, frighten milking cows dry and poison the very air they breathed.

“What do you think of that?” Toby asked with amazement. While the others just shook their heads and watched in wonder. Toby had already seen such vehicles while visiting a southern port, in truth a number of such horseless carriages all in the one street. All clattering and weaving and dodging about attempting to avoid collision, honking horns and creating confusion but Toby said nothing of his experience as not to lessen his friends’ surprise.

After the motorised buggy completed its passing, it turned and repeated its passage. Then once its run was completed, returned to the property of Jack Willington and the carnival began, with folk music outside the bank, juggling at the general store and carrying on most everywhere.

The McBride group strolled up one side of the street and then down the other. Many paused to speak with Martha, complementing her on how well she appeared and offering invitations to afternoon tea. Then as Lachlan was about to suggest they head home, he noticed McBride walking with Mary Briggs along the opposing side of the main street. As the old man walked no one topped their hat to him or offered curtesy and his gait was slightly bent with his gaze towards the ground. With this Lachlan attempted to lead his mother away but before he could do so she also spied her husband. She paused for a moment then continued.

“Sorry mother.” Lachlan apologised.

“Don’t be concerned, he is no longer my responsibility.” Martha declared without displaying any obvious measure of distress. She sighed and took a deep breath. “He doesn’t appear to be happy but I will say Mary Briggs is a beautiful woman.” She released a weak smile, “then again Jock has never appeared happy, the more he had the less happy he appeared to be, poor man.”

“You are too forgiving mother.” Lachlan observed.

“I have to be son, or it would eat me away like it does your father.”

The trip home was hot and sober; there was the occasional comment on Willington’s vehicle but no one wished to offend Martha and in some way felt responsibility for her coming into almost contact with Mary. Yet Martha appeared not to be much troubled and on her arrival back home thanked the boys, declaring it was time she returned to church, while asking Lachlan to once again be her driver.

That night after tea at the big house the four boys took a walk along the south road. It was cool and the moon showed the way. Daniel walked with Toby behind Lachlan and Stephen and appeared to be in deep conversation when Stephen turned to display a rare curiosity on the antics of Daniel.

“Where have you been staying at night?” He asked as Daniel had not returned to his bed at the cottage for almost a week. Daniel didn’t answer, giving Lachlan voice.

“Yes Daniel where have you been?”

“He’s been staying over at the farm with me.” Toby answered incidentally. Lachlan and Stephen gave each other a smile, paused and turned as one.

“Yes brother if it’s good enough for you two to share the one bed then it is good enough for us.” Daniel answered.

“Well I’ll be buggered brother, you have admitted it at last.” Lachlan commented.

“You haven’t yet.” Daniel snapped, as Lachlan broke rank and gave his brother a hug at the shoulders. He winked at Toby, “what do you think of all this Toby?”

“I suppose now it’s all out in the open I think it’s alright but we weren’t sure how you would react.”

“Just alright Toby?” Lachlan asked.

“More than alright, that is why I no longer wish to return to sea.”

“How long has this been going on?” Lachlan asked.

“Going on? Is that what you call it?” Daniel replied, “It has been going on almost since the day Toby first arrived.”

“I would never have guessed.” Lachlan slowly shook his head, “brother you can keep a secret when you wish to and as for you Toby, you are a dark horse.”

“Sorry Lockie but I didn’t wish to abuse your hospitality.” Toby softly replied.

“Which room are you using?” Stephen inquired.

“We’re using the third along the passage and to the left.” Toby answered.

“That’s fine we are going to use the front two rooms when we move in.” Lachlan declared.

“Two rooms?” Daniel asked.

“Well for show, as I am certain if we all live there, you will have individual rooms.”

“I’m looking forward to us all living together.” Stephen admitted.

“It would be nice to be away from William and the farm.” Lachlan sighed loudly.

“Shall we all go over to the farm tonight?” Stephen suggested.

“Why not.” Lachlan laughed and commenced to skip like an excited child.

“When should we all shift across?” Daniel asked bringing Lachlan’s skip to halt.

“That is a good question, I guess while we are working the farm we should remain at the cottage.” Lachlan suggested.

“I could move over there with Toby.” Daniel forwarded.

“What would William say about that, besides who would get you out of bed for work each morning?”

“William has already made comment.” Daniel answered.

“And what was that?” Lachlan asked.

“He suggested I spend too much time hanging around Toby.”

“Yes he sort of did so with me as well but I wouldn’t let it concern you, William is only worried about having the work done; besides father often complained I hung around Stephen a little more than I should but in the same instance he added the blacks to his complaint and I don’t think he believes that I am bedding down with half the camp.”

“As he does,” Daniel snapped.

“By this conversation it appears we all buzz around each other a little too often.” Stephen laughed.

“I guess now we’ve discovered each other’s secrete we should be cautious. Toby warned.

“That is one of the reasons for building so many rooms.” Lachlan stressed.

“You didn’t know I was coming?” Toby implied.

“That is true but I did realise the McBride clan would eventually implode, and once I had been evicted over the farm incident, it may be mother’s turn to be evicted also. I had planned for her to live here as well.” Lachlan explained.

“What about me, was I included?” Daniel asked.

“Yes Daniel, Stephen had made provisions for you if you then wished to come.”

“I find your family situation sad.” Toby sighed.

“It most probably is Toby but to me it is numbing, I think I also speak for Daniel but it has been going on since our birth and I guess it has become the normality. It is only now we are old enough to reflect on the situation of other families, I realise there is a better life elsewhere.” Lachlan soberly offered.

“What about you Stephen, you had a good family life?” Toby asked.

“True but in Lachlan and Daniel’s defence, I guess they couldn’t see the forest because of the trees.”

With their stories now intermingled and shared, the boys realised they would have to be cautious with their attitudes, otherwise others may find there was something going on among them and that would never do. The law forbade it and society even more so. Then again they had lived with their secrets guarded from one another for some time, so knew they could continue to do so in the future and who would expect four of anything but friendship.

Gary really wants to know if you are reading his story. You may let him know, by dropping an email to him: Gary dot Conder at CastleRoland dot Net.

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