Published: 14 Oct 2024

With the killing done and Axel back at home, he has time to contemplate the demise of Minjarra and his pathetic little band of resistance. He recalls how for so many years he had lived within black homelands without even a suggestion of reprisal. He remembers his fear as they hunted through the western forest for Minjarra that he would find Miro with renegades and how relieved he was when his young black friend wasn’t with the group. He remembered the senseless revengeful killing of the Bedigal and of Warrin and even in death Warrin held that stupid supercilious grin he had in life. He remembered the playful attitude of Minjarra when they first met and wished there had been some way of conversing with him. He still visualised Minjarra’s face when they stood before each other during that final encounter and how the black man smiled as if he knew what was about to occur, willing Axel to fire the fatal shot. Axel could not and it was left to one of the troopers to send Minjarra to his ancestors.

Now home there was much to do and thoughts of Minjarra would have to be put aside as the corn was ready for harvest and the potatoes for digging. The sow had nine piglets while he was away and a second sow was expecting any day. There was also Daniel’s wish to purchase two riding mounts so they could enjoy their leisure time riding. Even with so much to do there was time to think of Miro and how he faired without his friend in Warrin. One day Axel would make the effort and return to Bedigal land to search for the lad but for now a living was to be made.

Daniel was pleased Axel’s had return unharmed, as he held guilt for leaving the hunt, even if it had been necessary. He also understood the quiet Axel was displaying, allowing him time to work through what had occurred, while keeping conversation to that about their work and bringing in the crop. Even so he believed there was more to his friend brooding.

“I had a visit from Ding while you were away but he only stayed long enough for a feed.

“That dog,” was Axel’s simple response while appearing somewhat distant.

“Are you alright Axel?”

“Yes why do you ask?”

“You have been quiet since returning and I feel it is more that the killing of Minjarra and his mob that is in your thoughts.”

“True, I suppose.”

“What is troubling you?”

“I’ve been thinking.”

“About?”

“Mostly you,” Axel says.

“What about me?”

“How I would have felt if you remained with the hunt and injured.”

Daniel laughs.”

“Stop it, you are embarrassing me.”

“Sorry; how do you think I felt, I was home safe while you were the one taking the risk?”

“In truth I was never in danger from Minjarra and when we stood facing each other, I was wishing he would run to be free but I could see it in his eyes, he was ready to meet with his ancestors and he believed I was that passage to his dreaming. In his way he was wishing me to fire my gun.”

“Could you have done so?”

“No never.”

“That is sad.”

“For a time I had a bad feeling Miro was running with them and I asked Burke if he was with Minjarra to be lenient towards him but he said if Miro was with them there wasn’t anything he could do.”

“I often wonder where Miro is and how he is fairing since losing Warrin.”

“Miro is a little young to go it alone although I believe he is more than capable.”

“By what you have told me, you were looking after yourself at his age, even younger.”

“True although I always had the colony to return to,” Axel laughs, “I had people’s gardens to pilfer from in the dead of night, market stores to grab food and run. Miro can’t return to the Kedumba people and the settlers would never offer him compassion.”

As Axel speaks a lone rider is spied coming across the creek below the pond. “Visitors,” Axel suggests.

The rider is a young man in his twenties, possibly closer to thirty. A wide brim straw hat with a fancy ribbon is shading his face but enough is exposed to suggest the stranger has pleasant features although much too delicate for the harsh southern sun.

“It is as well Ding isn’t here – he hates visitors,” Daniel humours.

The stranger takes his time and calls to the boys while approaching, “Is one of you lads called Axel South?”

“That’s me,” Axel curiously answers, holding a hand to his eyes to shade away the late morning sun glare.

“It’s a blooming long way out here; I would love a mug of water – something stronger if you have it.”

“Sorry mate, no booze here, it will be a little light ale at best.”

“Water will do finely.”

The rider dismounts and offers his hand, “Stan Munroe,” he quietly introduces.

“As spoken, I’m Axel and that’s my business partner Daniel Styles.” Hands are exchanged as Daniel fetches the waterbag.”

“Partner you say?” the stranger quotes.

Axel ignores the obvious innuendo in Munroe’s tone, “Mr. Munroe what would you business be riding all the way out here in this heat, especially with a storm brewing?” Axel gives a gentle nod to the darkness towards the mountains, although at that time of the year it was in habit of building but not developing further.

Munroe drinks his fill and passes the waterbag back to Daniel, “I hear you were with the troopers who shot some fellow they called Mad Charlie?”

“I was with them although I didn’t do the shooting,” Axel agrees.

“Also it was your excellent tracking that found him.”

“Yes I did the tracking. I wouldn’t go as far as calling it excellent, or was it my wish to do so.”

“He was an ugly brute, they have his head on display at Parramatta,” Munroe appears gratified from his telling. He looks about, “nice farm,” he says, “I expect the soil is good for growing but how do you survive so far out here with the blacks.”

“There are a few more properties close by and if you treat the blacks fairly they don’t bother. It is almost lunch time, Mr. Munroe would you like to join us.

“Please call me Stan, yes I would appreciate your hospitality and while doing so, I will explain my business.”

As Munroe’s business is obviously with Axel, Daniel goes to prepare their lunch.

“By your accent Stan, I would say you are relatively fresh from the old country.”

“Much so,” Munroe laughs and collects a leather bag from the saddle, “I’m sent here on a retainer, I got a pretty young lass in the pudding way and my old man posted me off to the colonies to avoid family embarrassment.” He looks about, “is there anywhere I can leave the horse?”

“You can put it in the yard with Patch.”

Munroe is a tall man with deep set blue eyes. His clothes are much too dandy for a man of toil and although he rode well, appeared to be somewhat uncomfortable in the saddle.

“Are you taking up a selection, Stan?”

“Not me lad, I wouldn’t know the first thing about growing things. My family is in the wool business and I am here to procure the best quality the colony has to offer.”

“Therefore you are best seeing John Macarthur for fine Merino wool, his main property is over on what is called the Cow Pastures but be cautious he has a temper.”

“Yes I’ve already had that pleasure.”

Daniel calls them to the table. They take their seats while Axel remains curious although he doesn’t enforce the issue.

With lunch over and gratitude expressed, Munroe is prepared to share his reason for travelling such a long distance, “Axel I believe you were acquainted with the Painter Joshua Clarkson?”

Axel is cautious, “yes I do know Joshua.”

“I have some grave news, Joshua succumb to cholera soon after returning to England and passed away at his property in Kent.

“Oh!”

“From our childhood Joshua and I were the closest of friends and I was with him when he drew his last breath. He explained his association with you and that is why I was presumptuous when you called Daniel your business partner and for that I apologise.”

Axel remains attentive but muted.

Munroe smiles, yes we were the best of friends but never lovers, it was you he continuously spoke off.”

“I only knew Joshua for a short time.”

“Possibly so but you did leave a lasting impression, he told me he did a painting of you.”

“He did.”

“Would it be possible to see it?’ Munroe asks.

“It is a little personal.”

Munroe gives a chuckle, “I have seen many of Josh’s personal works and he even did a so called human study of me. Firstly I should relate my main reason for my visit and that is to fulfill a promise I made to a dying friend. Joshua was a wealthy man but seeing his parents had both passed on, then with Joshua’s demise his title and the estate went to his younger brother. Even so he had instructed me to offer you a small legacy.

“Money?”

“Yes fifty pounds.”

“I’ve never had more than a couple of quid at any time and that was for our last crop of potatoes and corn. I don’t think I’ve done anything to deserve Joshua’s kindness.”

“What Joshua loved most about you was your honesty and readiness to offer your hospitality under such harsh conditions. He saw something else and that was resilience and spirit, he was under the opinion you would survive and prosper under any situation.”

“I would say, Stan, the resilience is necessity either you make do, or die out here.”

Munroe collects the bag he brought with him and from it brings out a leather purse. He places it on the table, “your legacy,” he smiles.

“From what you say, you were a better friend to Joshua than I could ever have been, Mr. Munroe you should have it.”

“I have my own means lad and to do so would be dishonest towards the memory of a good friend. Please Axel accept Joshua’s offer in good faith and remember him sometimes, that is all Joshua wished for.” Munroe stands from the table and collects his saddle bag, “I should be on my way if I am to reach Parramatta before dark.”

“If you wish you could stay the night.”

“No lad I have business to attend to first thing in the morning. I should be on my way.”

As the boys watched Stan Munroe depart back towards town. Daniel speaks on the matter of Joshua’s gift for the first time, “what will you do with the money?” he asked.

Axel’s reply is plural, “we,” he says.

“You say we, Axel.”

“I do, aren’t we partners?”

“I suppose we are in more ways than one.”

Axel smiles, “do you care to expand on your answer.”

“We are partners in business and bed.”

“I thought -.”

“The trouble with you Axel is you do too much thinking.”

“Ours is a strange situation, it is neither one nor the other but oddly I prefer it that way but what of you having aspirations towards family and children?”

“I can live without reaching, as you say, that aspiration, besides,” Daniel laughs and points into the distance, “besides we have our children.”

As the boys cast their eyes towards the line of tall trees they see Miro arriving and beside him is Ding.”

“Well I’ll be buggered.” Axel exhales loudly.

“And by the boy’s expression, I think he is coming home.”
 
 

THE END…..

Gary’s stories are about life for gay men in Australia’s past and present. Your emails to him are the only payment he receives. Email Gary to let him know you are reading: Conder 333 at Hotmail dot Com

15,521 views