Published: 7 May 2018

It was decided, Cameron was to travel to Townsville and either Daniel or Lachlan would accompany him. Cameron was quite capable of travelling by himself but his past travelling experience had been no more than to McBride’s Point and occasionally to Tully. Even purchasing a ticket could be somewhat unnerving for him, while mixing with total strangers from a non-farming society as alien as being on mars.

The proposal was most acceptable to Cameron and found him excited with the thought being once again reunited with their mother, bringing colour back to his face and humour to his voice. As for joining William that wasn’t as agreeable, he declared most strongly, he had had enough of farming and needed to make his own way, make his own mistakes and being his brother’s shadow would not help with his future development.

“Who is going down to Townsville with Cameron?” Daniel enquired while herding the milker up to the shed.

“Do you want to go?” Lachlan asked of Daniel.

“Not really but if I have to I will.”

“No one has to do anything they do not wish to do in this house, everyone has equal rights.”

“That’s a new one, some folk will be calling us by the name of that lot overseas.” Daniel laughed.

“What lot is that?”

“To do with some bloke named Karl Marks, socialism or something.”

“Where did you hear all this?” Lachlan enquired.

“I do read sometimes.” Daniel smiled then declared Lachlan being the youngest should have the pleasure.

“Possibly Toby could go, seeing he is the sailor.”

“Who said sailor?” Toby asked coming up behind, carrying the milking bucket being prepared to learn how to milk.

“We were suggesting who should travel with Cameron down to Townsville.” Daniel stated.

“You should go Lachlan; I don’t count not being related.” Toby argued.

“True Toby but you are the youngest.” Lachlan repeated.

“Ah but I don’t need the experience, as you said I’m the sailor.” Toby made light.

“Again true I guess it will be me, so your Karl Marks fellow has won out Daniel.” Lachlan noted.

“Seems that way.”

“What else do you know about the fellow?” Lachlan asked.

“Not a lot, I guess only enough to get you to take Cameron to Townsville.”

“You cheeky bugger.”

So it would be Lachlan to accompany his brother down to Townsville and most pleased to do so.

McBride had been in the shipping office enquiring about the arrival of some machinery he had previously ordered, when Jake Sullivan casually and innocently in passing conversation, related Lachlan had the previous day purchased two tickets on the connecting service to Townsville.

McBride calmly enquired who the second ticket was for but all Sullivan could supply was for a brother. McBride immediately assumed it would be for William and once again made accusation against Lachlan as being the instigator and cause behind his family’s dysfunction and left the office scheming how to prevent the two from travelling.

The Steam Packet Darling Downs arrived on the Wednesday and on the Thursday morning was waiting dockside for its return journey, long before Daniel drove his brothers into town. They had some time previously borrowed the buggy from the farm and kept it with the intention of retaining it in lieu of years of free labour, although they did realise that once discovered missing the buggy would have to be returned.

Jock McBride’s town house was a street away from the wharf, so a calculated decision was made to travel the long away around to avoid any chanced encounter with their father and their farewell was performed some distance from the wharf with Daniel quickly departing without detection.

Cameron his eyes everywhere, in shadows he saw their farther lurking, could hear his voice booming out his displeasure. For an instance he pulled away and stood still as if not wishing to advance further.

“What’s the matter Cameron?” Lachlan asked.

“What happens if we run into father?”

“Then we run into him and go on board as quickly as possible.”

“What if he forces me back to the farm?”

Cameron, I am here I won’t let that happen I promise you.” Lachlan took his brother’s arm encouraging him to continue.

Reaching the wharf Cameron’s mood changed becoming most excited, gaping in disbelief at the sight of the ship, finding its size and design much different than that of Simpson’s ill-fated Capricorn.

“What do you think?” Lachlan asked as they stood at the bottom of the gang way, waiting for their turn to board.

“It’s huge,” Cameron declared, “It won’t sink will it?” He quickly added, remembering Lachlan’s ill-fated tour and his own misadventure, plagued with seasickness.

“Not unless it hits the reef.” It was meant as humour but Cameron was much too nervous to see the jest.

“It won’t will it?”

“Of course not, we will be travelling along the coast; the reef is far out to sea. You won’t even loose sight of land and Townsville isn’t so far away.” Lachlan promised.

“I got sea sickness on the Capricorn.” Cameron remembered.

“I can’t guarantee you won’t again but inside the reef should be calmer than the open ocean.”

“I can’t swim.” Cameron freely admitted.

“You won’t have to, besides you didn’t appear to have a problem when you were with Simpson.”

“That was different I spent almost the entire voyage below deck being sick.”

“Don’t concern, you will be fine.”

“Hey William!”

A rough voice boomed from the head of the wharf, bringing both brothers to turn in that direction, discovering their father and travelling towards them at a steady pace. Cameron bravely answered. “No it’s Cameron father,” he corrected.

“Quick move up the gangway!” Lachlan demanded giving his brother a push in that direction. Moments later the old man was at the base of the gangway and verbally accosting Lachlan.

“Father we are going down to visit Mother in Townsville, if you wish to talk to us, we will seen you in a week or two.” The lad lied.

“Cameron where is William?” The old man barked from what appeared to be a drunken state as he reached for the gang rails for support for his now portly disposition. It was then Lachlan realised how old his father had grown, his once proud beard, now almost grey and his attire quite shabby. All that remained of the man was his voice and as cutting as ever.

“We don’t know father, down south I think.” Lachlan again lied while McBride appeared to be lost for words. He stood, stooped of back, while seeing but not understanding, as if he had lost any grasp on reality.

“We’ll talk to you when we return.” Lachlan quietly concluded and followed Cameron onto the ship’s deck.

After showing their tickets the brothers disappeared into the bowels of the Packet, leaving the old man alone on the wharf, to fade back to his town house and ponder his next move.

“We shouldn’t have lied to father.” Cameron suggested allowing his honest disposition to come strong and guilt-ridden.

“We had to Cameron, as William doesn’t wish father to know where he is, besides if I had not done so he may have forced you back to the farm, is that what you wish?”

“No.”

“Then a little lie won’t hurt anyone.”

By departure time the sun was dipping over the western mountains and once settled into their cabin the brothers strolled the deck. The Darling Downs was a most handsome vessel of one hundred and thirty feet, with a tonnage of fifteen hundred tons. It had two masts a smoke stack and was propeller driven from the rear, not like many of the Mail Packets that serviced the long Queensland coast, which had side wheels. At the rear was a promenading deck covered by a canvas awning and in the cool evening breeze was most enjoyable.

As darkness took control of their travel, Cameron talked Lachlan into joining him on deck, as he felt the confinements of their cabin quite restricting.

“How is your stomach holding out?” Lachlan asked as they reached the deck.

“So far alright I guess.”

“The ship doesn’t toss as much as the Capricorn did.” Lachlan perceived as his brother gazed towards the multitude of stars.

“See that group of stars up there?” Cameron pointed towards a broad clear sky.

“Which ones?

“The ones that look like an upside cross, well that is the Southern Cross and that over there is Orion.” He explained with confidence.

“And that over there is Taurus the Bull.”

“How do you know all that?”

“I’ve always been interested in Astronomy. I just didn’t talk about it. You lot would have only laughed.”

“I wouldn’t have, I think you’re clever.” Lachlan complemented, “what else do you know?”

Cameron released his gaze on the heavens and transferred it to the outer islands as the ship steamed southwards along the coast.

“British history, Geography, trigonometry for a start but I study alone – and of course farming.” He added incidentally.

“Farming?”

“Believe it or not I have learnt a lot watching William; if nothing else he is a good farmer and a good teacher if one is willing to listen.”

“Are you suggesting I don’t listen?”

“Not at all but the two of you have been at each other for so long, well I guess you know what I mean.”

“Well I’ll be buggered.” Lachlan proudly shook his head amazed with his brother’s account.

“The problem is Lachlan, I have never studied people and strangers scare me somewhat.” Cameron continued.

“I have long underestimated you Cameron, thinking you were nothing but William’s shadow, so I apologise.” Lachlan admitted sympathetically.

“I suppose I am still William’s shadow, he has been my social strength all my life. I’m alright alone or around the family.” Cameron gave a rye smile then continued, “Except father he scares me shitless and always has, truthfully I believe he was the cause of it all and I don’t know how the rest of you managed.” He sighed and fell silent.

“I’m truly sorry Cameron, I have misjudged you greatly and I hope you can forgive your brother.” Lachlan concluded.

The hours passed and the brothers remained on deck. The conversation was slow but involved and for the first time in their life there was a bond between them, with Lachlan even prepared to forgive him the treatment that he and William had forced upon him as a child. It was then he received his biggest surprise in Cameron.

“You know Lachlan; I know what is going on between you and Stephen.” He declared after a long silence. “I also know what is going on between Daniel and Toby; I’m not stupid you know.” Another pause then Cameron continued. “I’ve always known but blamed myself and William for our treatment of you and Stephen when we were children.”

“You didn’t treat Toby badly as a kid.” Lachlan answered.

“No, he wasn’t around.”

“Then maybe it is just nature, some people are that way and some are not but I forgave you and William long ago for your indiscretions, even if it didn’t appear so,” Lachlan softly chuckled, “possibly it has come down from our father.”

“Maybe but I still carry guilt.”

“Does all this worry you Cameron?” Lachlan asked.

“It use to but mother explained everything to me.” Cameron paused and appeared to be in deep thought. “I understand but I still like girls and like William would like to marry but unlike William I want to marry for love.”

“You know Cameron, I believe that one day you shall and have a whole tribe of kids of your own.”

“If I do so Lachlan, I hope they all turn out like you.” He paused and smiled. “Well almost like you eh.”

Slowly the Darling Down’s made its night progress along the coast and as it passed the lights from a number of communities were clearly visible from its deck. Some were perceived to consist of a few streets or a row of a dozen or so houses others were of some size, while the largest and slightly away from the coast was obviously Ingham.

To the east a chain of islands dark and menacing veiled the reef and the troublesome breakwaters. Lachlan shuddered remembering his encounter with the reef and turned his gaze back to the mainland and its lights.

Often the lights were small and dim, believed to be native camp fires but they were few and gave their sad glow towards the sea, as if to hide themselves from their white overloads.

It was early morning and both became drugged by the beauty of the night, then with failing eyes it was time to return to their cabin but in doing so, Lachlan would rest easy knowing Cameron was more than capable of coping with life now he was away from the torment of their father, even possibly he could step away from the shadow of William.

Townsville was a surprise to both brothers and twice the size of Cairns, even more, with a large rock stretching skywards out of the centre of the town. It was also hotter and dryer than the tropical north although only around two hundred miles south of Cairns, while lacking any resemblance to a tropical paradise.

There were many shops and industry was developing, also it had what people called suburbs, where one needed to hire a carriage to visit. This they soon discovered as on asking how to reach Rowes Bay where the Smith family resided, were quickly advised it wasn’t within walking distance.

The Smith residence was close to the waterfront and surrounded by tall Fan and Alexander palms, while unlike the McBride mansion was on one level but most comfortable with a rambling of rooms. George Smith and his wife Elizabeth were the parents of four adult children who were mostly working away and a youthful lad named Neil who instantly took to the McBride brothers, especially Lachlan being more his age and of equal character.

Within minutes of their meeting the youthful Neil had them walking along the long sandy beach opposite the house and wading in the rock pools where Lachlan discovered a universe of wildlife he had never even dreamed of their existence.

“What’s that rock that sticks out of the middle of town?” Lachlan asked of his cousin, his gaze cast into the distance to its shear rocky face and three distinctive peaks, as even from such a distance it was most prominent.

“That’s Castle Hill, the natives call it Cutheringa, want to climb it?”

“What up that cliff face, I don’t think so.”

“No there’s a path up from the west side, a bit steep but manageable.” Neil explained.

“I’d try anything once why not, what about you Cameron.”

“I guess so but not too close to the edge, I’m not good with heights.”

“She’ll be Jake, it’s a good wide path and if you walk to the hill side of it you will be a long way from the edge.” Neil promised.

The following morning Neil with Lachlan and Cameron took a carriage back to town and found their way to the base of the rock. The track to the top was along the western slope and wound for a little over a mile towards the second peak, to arrive at Hynes Lookout. After almost an hour of slow walking Lachlan realised he wasn’t as fit as he imagined but on arrival agreed that the view was well worth the trouble.

From the lookout they could see Magnetic Island and beyond, while to the south there was Cape Bowling Green and almost they believed to the town of Ayr.

“That’s Magnetic Island out there.” Neil related as their tour guide.”

“Yes named by Cook as his compass didn’t work.” Cameron gave his history bent.”

“Have you ever been out there?” Lachlan asked.

“Some do go fishing but no I haven’t and it’s bad for sharks.”

“I don’t like sharks.” Cameron admitted.

“When did you see a shark?” Lachlan doubted his brother.

“On the Capricorn, Jenkins caught a big fish and before he could land it onto the deck a really big shark bit it in half. I could clearly see its teeth as it bit.” Cameron gave a shudder of memory.

“So I guess you’ve seen a shark, you have one up on me there Cameron.” Lachlan commented.

The three remained at the lookout for some time; where they eagerly devoured the sandwiches they had brought, before regaining enough conviction to descend the almost thousand feet back to the streets below. Once descended from the monolith of rock, they congratulated themselves as if they had just conquered Everest.

Lachlan was beginning to enjoy his visit to Townsville but realised he would soon have to return home. He had arranged the sale of a number of horses before he departed and would need to be there for the sale, as Daniel and the others didn’t have a good knowledge of horse flesh. Still he knew he could return with the knowledge that his mother was looking younger and happier than she had for many years and he was leaving Cameron in good hands, appearing to be fitting into the Smith family most admirably.

During his visit Lachlan had contact with Robert and spent most of his penultimate day with his brother. Robert wanted to know everything about home and wished to return someday but not while their father was still living. He declared that he was no longer a McBride, now he was a Smith but still felt part of the triplets that Daniel and Lachlan were.

Eventually Lachlan returned home by coach on the north service out of Townsville. The route to McBride’s Point ran past Henderson’s farm so he alighted at the gate and gave surprised to all as they didn’t know his returning date.

As Lachlan alighted from the coach he met Daniel, coming from town with supplies, carrying them on a pack horse.

“Where’s the buggy?” Lachlan asked, taking control of the reins of the pack horse and walking with his brother to the house.

“Dad realized it was missing and had his new farm manager collect it.”

“So we are all really disowned now eh?”

“He did call by the day after you left, insisting we tell him where William had gone.”

“I hope you didn’t tell him.” Lachlan threw a glance at his brother, knowing Daniel was as likely to let it slip.

“Hell no but that was when he saw the buggy and demanded we return it to the farm.” Daniel grinned maliciously, “I did think of setting it on fire.”

“Never mind I believe there’s a second hand buggy for sale at the Livery in town, I’ll check it out.”

“How is Cameron settling in?” Daniel asked.

“Fine I think, or at least appeared to do so and mother appears to be ten years younger.”

They reached the house and Lachlan helped unload the pack horse.

“Who’s the new farm manager?” He enquired, while carrying some of the stores inside.

“I don’t know his name but he looks like a right mean bastard and I’ve heard he hits the piss more than the average.”

“Who is working the farm, the natives?”

“No the new bloke won’t use them so father has had to hire and I believe pay proper wages.”

For the first couple of days after his return, Lachlan was all at sea. Nothing seemed real; he would wake in the morning believing he was in Townville and see faces where there were none, while for the first time in his memory he actually missed Cameron being around, wishing he had spoken more with his brother over the years.

He had departed McBride’s Point with the opinion Cameron lacked character and returned realising possibly his brother had more character than the rest of them, only he kept it to himself. Yet being reunited with Stephen and watching his industry gave Lachlan’s heart a flutter of pride, acknowledging how well he was travelling with his woodwork and the number of orders received, as for Toby and his gardening, between the lot of them they had started an industry.

It was a lazy day with nothing much going on, Lachlan had attended to his horse sale receiving a better price than he expected, now it was up to the mares to produce the next lot.

It was on his way back from visiting the native camp and his friend Yarran when he chanced to see the McBride’s farm manager. The man was in the top field closest to the camp and shouting abuse at his newly acquired and salaried work force. Lachlan paused at the fence line and leaned against a support post watching the procedure. Soon the manager caught sight of him and approached.

“You want something?” He shouted abruptly as he drew near.

“Afternoon, I’m Lachlan McBride, how’s things?”

“Yea I know who you are; I’m Wayne Robertson your old man has hired me to clean up the bloody mess you lot have left him in.” The man declared while closing in on the fence line.

He was a tall man crossing the six feet mark and as thin as survival would allow. His scarred, sun wrinkled face was covered by a wide brimmed hat which was pulled down so low it almost hid his small half close eyes, while only the bones of his pelvis prevented his trousers from descending to the earth, displaying a greying mass of belly hair beneath his open sweat soaked checked shirt and a large scar across his navel received from an angry kick from a castrated bullock.

Lachlan didn’t comment on the accusation relating to the mess but did offer his hand in friendship. It was not accepted. He retrieved the hand and sunk it into his trouser pocket.

“I see you amusing yourself with those lazy black bastards.” Robertson commented as he had seen Lachlan returning from their camp.

“You treat them right and they will work.” Lachlan commented.

“Lazy bastards, we should have shot the lot years ago.” Robertson declared showing he had as much love for the indigenous people, as he reserved for the sons of McBride.

“How is the new crop advancing?” Lachlan asked in an attempt to make civil conversation.

“Do you actually care?” Robertson asked mockingly and commenced to leave.

“Actually Mr. Robertson I don’t.”

“Your father isn’t happy with you lot, he says you are all traitors to his name.” Then Robertson gave an all knowing smirk and turned but not before firing a final salvo across Lachlan’s thoughts. “By the way your dad’s selling the farm.” With this he was gone, returning to play havoc with his newly acquired workmen.

“So father is selling the farm, what do you think of that?” Lachlan asked of Daniel at his first opportunity.

“The old bugger may as well sell, he hasn’t done an ounce of work on it since William and Cameron were ten, besides none of us would ever inherit it anyway.” Daniel answered.

“We all grew up there; it will be quite strange having someone else owning the farm, it would be like some stranger owning our past.” Lachlan explained somewhat glumly.

“Right brother but we all have to grow up and go our own way eventually.”

Daniel sighed and changed the subject. “Have you heard the latest on Federation?” Daniel asked. His question being to divert his thoughts from so many years of toil on a farm he had never loved. Lachlan admitted he hadn’t as he had been too busy with the trip to Townsville. “Well its going ahead and all the colonies are going to celebrate the union on New Years Day.”

“No I didn’t hear. Why did they choose New Years Day?”

“Simple brother of mine, they are going to call it Australia, right?” Daniel declared.

“Right.” With this Lachlan gave a rye smile as it was usually he giving information on Federation and Daniel declaring his lack of interest. The boy is changing. Lachlan thought.

“They chose New Year’s Day Nineteen Hundred and One, so Australia would be the first country into the new century, a brand new country into a brand new century.”

“Very dramatic Daniel and I like the idea but what should we do to celebrate?” Lachlan asked.

“Well most towns will build Federation Arches and as the sun rises and at its first touch of the coast, bonfires will be lit and so on right across the country all the way to Perth.”

“Do you know where Perth is?” Lachlan asked.

“I guess somewhere west, a long bloody way I believe.”

“The Swan River and a as you say a long bloody way, Toby’s been there by boat, ask him.”

“I’m not that interested.” Daniel dryly remarked.

“Still it all sounds like fun.” Lachlan answered trying to show excitement but at that moment he was more concerned with the sale of the McBride farm. Then as quickly he snapped out of his disquiet, believing Daniel to be correct it was time to let go of the past, besides it had been his decision to leave the farm, even if only one step ahead of his father’s boot and no more than half a mile down the road.

“So we will have to build our own bonfire here at the farm.” Lachlan suggested.

“They are going to do so in town on the flat between the jetty and Townsend’s bond store.” Daniel foretold.

“As good a place as any but we should have one here as well.”

“We should all go up to the camp and celebrate with the Gulngai.” Stephen suggested.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Lachlan threw water on his friend’s embers of celebration.

“Why not?” Stephen asked.

“It may be considered a little arrogant. I don’t think they will be in any frame of mind to celebrate one more reminder they have lost their country.” Lachlan gave a sigh, “it’s a pity, maybe if they gave the natives the right to vote they may feel a little different about it all.”

“I guess you are correct and yes it is a pity, I would prefer to celebrate with them than in town.” Stephen agreed.

“Something else, father has decided to marry Mary Briggs and has set the wedding date for some time in January.” Daniel foretold while showing a measure of discord.

“You don’t blame Mary do you Daniel?”

“No I guess it isn’t her fault but at least father could wait a decent time before doing so.” Daniel said.

“What is a decent time, mother has left the area so I guess it won’t concern her but don’t you tell her.” Lachlan warned.

“I wasn’t going to but I guess it will make the newspapers. I also heard he had a right row with Harry Larkin in the snug of the McBride’s Point Hotel.”

“What was that about?” Lachlan asked.

“I believe something to do with not supporting him in his plan to be elected to represent the McBride Point district. Larkin spoke openly about not doing so and father stormed into his hotel and had it out with the man.” Daniel appeared most impressed with his news while delivering it with passion. Lachlan had a spark of memory, he spoke. “I once met a man on a hill overlooking Cooktown.”

“What’s that to do with father and his misfortune?” Daniel asked.

“His said his name was Harry from Toowoomba and he once worked for our father, who didn’t pay him his worth.”

“And?”

“Harry said he had never met such a mean bastard and what goes around, comes around.”

“How does that fit?”

“Well I guess what father spread around is now coming around to get him.”

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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