I was pleased but shrugged my shoulders to feign indifference.
I think he expected me to bow three times and walk out backwards. “
“He doesn’t like subservience all the time ” Only some of the time?”
“Only from those he considers should show it.”
“He’s a bit of a tyrant, a bit of a brigand—but I can understand your feelings for him a little more, now that I’ve seen him.”
“I knew you would. I knew you’d feel the same. I want you to, Nora.”
“It will depend on the way he treats me.”
That made him laugh. As we cantered over the ground and I felt the wind on my face I experienced again that feeling of happiness. He felt k too, I think, for he said: “Nora, I’m going to make you love this country. Ill take you into the bush; we’ll camp out. It’s the only way if you want to see the country beyond where a coach can take you. I’ll show you how to boil a billy can for tea and how to make dampers and Johnny cakes on a camp fire.”
“It sounds good. I should like it, I’m sure.”
He was glowing with pleasure.
“What did your father say about Jemmy?”
“He said if he’s prepared to work he can stay. If not. he’ll be sent packing.”
“Did you tell him I persuaded you?”
No. I let him think it was my idea. “
“Why? Because you thought it was rather weak of you to be persuaded by me?”
“I didn’t know how he was going to feel about your making such a decision.”
“I suppose, had he known it was my idea, he might have said he wouldn’t take in the boy.”
“He wouldn’t have turned him away.”
“Well then, you wanted him to like me and you didn’t want him to start off thinking I was domineering.”
“Perhaps. But I shall tell him later. It was just at first.”
“Stirling, you’re nice to me.”
“Of course I am. My father’s your guardian and I’m his deputy.”
We rode in silence for a mite or so. The eucalypts were thick about us; a startled kangaroo, baby in pouch, leaped across our path and then sat on her haunches, looking at us with curiosity. For the first time I saw the beautiful lyre bird, his fantastic tail spread out in all its glory. We pulled up, for he was perched on a tree fern not far off. As we halted he began to imitate the cries of other birds as though giving a performance for our benefit. While we remained stationary I noticed how blackened were the trunks of some of the eucalypts, and I pointed this out to Stirling, who told me they had been so rendered by fire. Then he began to tell me about the terrible forest conflagrations which ravaged the country. I could have no conception of these until I saw one and he hoped I never would, though it seemed hardly likely that I would not if I stayed in Australia.
“Every living thing for miles around is in acute danger,” he told me.
“It is the most fearful tragic thing imaginable. There are dangers in this land, Nora, that you wouldn’t dream of.”
“I have thought of the dangers. Remember, my father died here.”
“Robbery with violence can happen anywhere.”
“Where there is greed,” I added.
“And here there is gold, and gold means greed.”
He called my attention to an emu which was running at great speed along the path. I had never seen such a large bird; it was about five feet high.
“You’re getting to know the land and its inhabitants,” said Stirling.
“First the family, then the wild life. Look at those trees. I reckon they’re all of three hundred feet high.”
They’re magnificent. More beautiful than all the gold in the world.”
“They’re not all that benevolent. I’ve known a falling branch impale a man. Imagine one falling three or two hundred feet. It happens now and then. We call those branches widow-makers out here.”
I looked up at the tall trees and shuddered.
‘ “In the midst of life we are in death,” quoted Stirling half serious, half mocking.
I didn’t want this morning spoilt by talk of death so I whipped up Tansy and galloped off. Stirling came up behind and passed me. Then it happened. I had been aware all the morning that I was managing Tansy only because she was permitting me to do so. I heard a strange mocking laugh not far off; perhaps Tansy heard it too, I don’t quite know what happened but suddenly I was sailing over her head. I had the sense to release the reins when I saw I was falling and luck was with me on that day. I was tossed into a heap of bush, growing up three or four feet from the ground; it was thick and strong enough to hold me. I was scratched and shocked but I was alive. For some moments I was bewildered, staring up at the sky, trying to grasp the bracken which scratched my hands and was breaking under my weight. Then I heard again that mocking laughter and in my somewhat bemused state I half believed that Lynx was somewhere at hand where he could witness and enjoy my plight.
I heard Stirling calling me; and there he was, extricating me from the bush, an expression of great concern on his face.
He said: “Can you stand?”
“Yes … but my ankle hurts.”
“Sit down,” he commanded, and I sat on the grass while he knelt beside me.
He gently pulled off my boot. My ankle was swollen.
“Sprained no doubt,” he said.
“What happened?”
Where’s Tansy? “
“I saw her making off. She’ll go home. She knows the way. But what, for heaven’s sake …?”
“Someone laughed and then I was in the bush.”
“Laughed! Who?”
“I don’t know. It was so close. I think it frightened Tansy and so she threw me.”
“We’d better get back,” he said.
“We’ll have to see what damage is done. I’ll take you on Weston.” He whistled and Weston came obediently. As he helped me to mount I heard the laughter again—one burst followed by another.
There! “
“Those are birds. The old kookaburras. You’ll have to get used to their laughter for you’ll hear it often enough.”
So I was carried ignobly home to find that Tansy had already returned.
I had been extremely fortunate to have emerged with nothing more than a few bruises and a sprained ankle, but I was sick with shame wondering what Lynx would say when he heard of my adventure.
Adelaide greeted us with relief.
T heard that Tansy had come home and that you rode her this morning.”
Her voice was faintly reproachful. Hadn’t her father said I should ride Blundell?
“She was all right until she was startled,” I explained.
“I managed her all right until then.”
Adelaide was concerned, but I discovered that accidents here were not treated with the same anxiety as they would be at home, because here in the bush they were so frequent. Adelaide applied hot and cold compresses, telling me that she had studied first aid as it was often necessary since there could be a delay of two or three days before a doctor arrived. She made me drink a cup of hot sweet tea and said I must keep my weight off my ankle for the next day or so.
I felt stupid and ashamed of myself but I was relieved that the horse had come home. I lay on a couch in Adelaide’s sitting-room. I should be quiet for a while, she said; and when I felt a little recovered from my shock I could read or perhaps do some sewing. There was always a great deal to be done at Whiteladies.
I lay by the open window and thought of how foolish I had been to have ridden a horse which was far too good for me.
“Pride goeth before a fall,” Miss Emily had said often enough; and for once I had to admit that she was right.
Then I heard his voice below my window.
“So she rode Tansy after all and came a cropper. Serve her right. At least she shows more spirit than sense. “