"Robbed the place... took every penny... and other things too. They don't know whether Mrs. Pickering will survive. Poor woman... seeing her daughters handled ... by that scum."
"Who are they? Anyone know?"
"Not a clue. Except that it's a gang they think are ranging the country. No woman's safe. That's about it."
I drew back.
What an awful story. I would tell Felicity that we must make plans to leave without delay.
Everyone was talking about the terrible affair over at Pickering's. William Granville rode into the township. When he came back he shouted to Felicity and me to come into the parlour.
The parlour was the big room near the kitchen where the men sat and played cards in the evening... when they did not use the kitchen.
On the table were several pistols.
He looked at me sardonically.
"How good a shot are you?"
"Me? I have never had a gun."
"Well, you have something to learn."
He put his hand on Felicity's shoulder. I noticed her suppress the desire to wince. So did he, I think, for he put his fingers inside the neck of her bodice as though to punish her. She stood impassive.
"And you, my love, how good are you with a gun?"
"I'm no good at all."
"Now it may surprise you, but I didn't think you would be!" He shouted: "Well, you're going to learn. You heard what's happened over at Pickering's. There are wicked men around. Bushrangers. They are on the look-out for what they can steal and they have a fondness for people like you. You wouldn't like that... You wouldn't like it at all. So you are going to learn to shoot... and if any of them come near you you'll have to use your guns. No good being squeamish out here. They would come during the day. There are men around at night. They wouldn't come then. They come when they think there are only women in the place. You show your guns... and you shoot if necessary. You understand?"
"Yes," I said. "I understand."
He nodded and grinned at me.
"That's the ticket," he said. "Now what I'm going to do right away is give you some practice. I am going to teach you how to use a gun. I know my dear wife will never learn. She's more likely to be turning it on herself. That, my love, is the barrel of the gun ... that's where you shoot out from."
Felicity stood impassive.
"Now we are going to practise. Right now... without delay. Take one of these each. Now those are yours. They go with you everywhere. When you go out riding or when you're at home. You'll have to have belts to put them in. Never let your gun leave your side till they catch these fellows. And even then there could be more. You have to be ready. Now out. We're going to have a lesson right away."
A piece of metal had been attached to a bush not far from the house and there the shooting began.
Mrs. Maken was with us. She was quite a good shot. All the women were given guns.
I mastered the art fairly quickly, and although I might not be able to hit a bull's-eye at least my shots went into the metal.
William Granville said to me: "Not bad. Not bad at all. Hold it like this. More firmly." His fingers closed over mine. He knew I hated the contact and I was sure that made him enjoy it. There was a sadistic streak in him.
Felicity was aiming wide of the mark. He said sarcastically: "We shall all have to beware when my dear wife has a gun in her hands."
When the first lesson was over, at least I knew how to load and handle a gun.
"You can practise every day," said William Granville to me. "Then you should be quite a good shot."
"Thank you," I said coldly.
And we went into the house. Poor Felicity looked humiliated. He took a delight in making her feel so, and I was sure she was more afraid of him than of bushrangers.
I had become interested and enjoyed practising. I slept with the gun beside my bed so that all I had to do was reach for it. When I went riding I wore it in my belt. It was amazing what a sense of security that gave.
I felt I was becoming quite adequate. I could draw the pistol from my belt and shoot with speed taking aim in a matter of seconds. Felicity was hopeless. She was afraid of the gun as she was of everything else here.
Two days after we had had our first lesson I was practising. The house was quiet. Felicity was sleeping, I thought. She was often exhausted—more due to William Granville, 1 believed, than the heat.
Someone had come up to stand beside me. 1 knew it was William Granville and went on shooting.
"Good," he said. "Goodo. You're quite a shot. But then, of course, you would be."
I put my pistol in my belt and turned away.
"You're a fine woman. Miss Annalice." he said. "You'd be more suited to the life out here."
"I do not agree." I replied.
"I thought you were settling in nicely."
"Indeed not. I shall be leaving soon."
"My dear wife implores you to stay, does she not?"
"She has been most hospitable."
"I hope I have been, too. It's my property, you know. I have no desire for you to leave. I like to have you around."
"Thank you," I said, and took a step towards the house.
He stood in front of me. barring my way.
"I wish I had seen you first," he said.
I raised my eyebrows pretending to misunderstand.
"Before my dear wife.'' he said. "I should have asked you."
"It would have been of no avail."
"Oh. I don't know. We've got a lot in common."
"Nothing at all. I should imagine."
"I like you. You've got spirit."
I took another step towards the house but he caught my arm. and brought his face close to mine. The overpowering smell of whisky sickened me.
I must have shown my feelings, for he squeezed my arm so hard that it was painful.
"Please release me. v I said coldly.
He slackened his grip but did not let go.
"You and I could have a lot of fun together," he said.
"I despise you," I retorted. "And I shall take the earliest opportunity of leaving your house."
He laughed. "You won't, you know." he said. "When little Felicity comes crying to you. you'll stay ... just a day longer... then another day ... I don't mind. It suits me. I think a lot about you. There are a lot of things I should like to show you."
"Keep them for your friends." I said.
I wrenched my arm away and walked into the house. In spite of my outward calm I was very shaken.
Tomorrow. I promised myself. I will ride into the township and book a place on the coach.
I was very uneasy. I had known for some time that he had cast lascivious eyes on me but this was the first time that he had spoken of his feelings.
It was certainly the time to get out.
That night I waited in my bedroom for him to go up to his room. I had my gun ready. It should never leave my side.
I heard his footsteps; and then the door open and shut with a bang.
I breathed with relief. Then I put a chair behind my door so that I should be immediately awakened if he made any attempt to come into my room. I should at least be warned and ... there was the gun. I decided that I would shoot him in the leg. I should be ready.
I heard the door open. I picked up the pistol, leaped out of bed and peered through the crack in the door.
Someone was in the passage. No. It was not William Granville. It was Mrs. Maken. She went quietly along the passage to the room with the balcony. She opened the door and went in.
What did that mean?
I waited. Five minutes passed. Ten minutes.
Then I understood. She was in there... with him and Felicity. This was monstrous. It could not be endured. What sort of orgies was he planning? The man was lascivious, sexually perverted and insatiable.
I must leave. And Felicity must come with me.
I had scarcely any sleep that night. Whatever happened I was going off next day to book my seat on the coach.