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Tricia McGill Australian Author
Tricia McGill Australian Author
BWL Publishing Inc.
Category:
Historical Fiction
Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
Type: Fiction
Pages: 185
Copyright: June 10, 2025
ISBN-13: 9780228636281
Price: $4.99 (eBook)
By 1840 the colony of New South Wales was expanding. Transportation of convicts to the east coast ended, and many free squatters set out to settle on lands to the south.
By 1840 the colony of New South Wales was expanding. Transportation of convicts to the east coast ended, and many free squatters set out to settle on lands to the south. In 1836 The Port Philip District became a separate colony.
Timothy, Tiger and Bella Carstairs eldest son, is bored with his government job and intent on seeking adventure and a new life away from Sydney. Accompanied by his Uncle Carlos he decides to find this adventure, and where else to find it, but in a newly formed settlement down south.
By now the road south might not be as hazardous as the one across the mountains travelled by his parents when he was a child, but still escaped and ex-convicts abound, seeking an easy life by forming gangs to take what they can where they can.
Not the least of Tim’s personal challenges is a young headstrong woman who, uninvited, takes it upon herself to join him on his travels. When they reach their destination, their troubles have only just begun.
Excerpt
They walked in companionable silence for a few minutes before his uncle said, “So, Tim, what have you decided? I received a letter from your Ma and Pa as you did in the last mail that came back from Bathurst along with the wagons the other day, and both your parents seem unimpressed by your decision to take off into the relatively unknown part of the country. From what I have gathered from my colleagues, the road to Port Philip can barely be called a road at this current stage.”
Tim chuckled softly. “Hmm, Pa said almost as much to me. He cannot understand why I would forsake good employment with the Government to go a wandering, as he called it. As I told you, I broached the subject while celebrating my birthday with them in September.” Tim shrugged. “I often think that Pa has completely forgotten he did the same thing when he decided to up us all to travel across the mountains when I was just a young ‘un. He says that was different, they travelled over there to seek fresh pastures for their sheep, but he cannot see why I should wish to desert a safe career to wander—as he called it. And, he also seems unaware that great advances are being made to the road all the time.”
“I guess in a way he is right, Tim. Your position at Government House brings you in contact with surveyor’s reports, so you more than anyone must know the road south is still in a sorry state. Last I heard, beyond Yass is still more or less uncharted territory, populated by a rag-tag motley of settlers with neither church nor schools for their offspring, who run wild. Surely, you cannot be in search of riches, for you are more likely to be robbed along the way and lose everything rather than gain a fortune. The bushrangers are not so busy these days, but I heard only recently of a man and his family being robbed at gunpoint by these ruffians not far from the cities’ outer borders. The population now might consist of mainly freemen willing to work for gain, but the world will always have those on the lookout for easy profit.”
Tim knew well of his uncle’s days on the road and how he had been accidentally caught up in the shenanigans of a violent gang of robbers while crossing the mountains years ago, so his opinion would be coloured by this experience. Even so, things had improved in the intervening years. How could he put into words his desire to break free, to seek a life of his own beyond the confines of his family? As much as he loved them all, since leaving Kings School it seemed his life had become dull and boring through no choice of his own. The highlight of the last few years had been his annual visits to Bathurst to catch up with Mama and Papa and their large clan. His qualifications at the end of his schooling had been such that a position was found for him almost instantly.
“Do you recall my ambition when I arrived here in town with you as a twelve-year-old, Uncle Remy?” he asked, stopping to lean against the gum tree. He bent to scratch behind Bracken’s ear. His dog was a hound of good breeding and the most intelligent dog he had ever owned and followed Tim slavishly.
Uncle Remy shook his head. “You had a few, from memory. But most were boyish fancies, and these seldom come to fruition, for any of us.”
“Not so. My main ambition was to work in animal husbandry if not science of some sort. As you recall I used to embarrass Aunt Sara by expounding on my vast knowledge of the breeding habits of certain animals. Here in this country, we have an extraordinary array of unusual species. I would have liked nothing more than to work alongside Joseph Banks who journeyed here with Captain Cook.”
Uncle Remy laughed. “Yes, I remember well.” He placed a hand on Tim’s arm. “There are other factors that worry your father in particular, Tim. There is much unrest among the natives and the landowners. Since the abolition of transportation from Britain, many free settlers have taken off to settle on virgin lands down south. This has caused disruptions in many places as they cross land the natives see as rightfully theirs.”
“I am well aware of this Uncle Remy, and between you and me I am on the side of the natives. This has been their country since time began and they have their own sets of rules. I find their beliefs and practices fascinating. Their connection with the land is something I would like to learn more about.”
“Hmm, and well you might, young lad, but believe me they see us as invaders, and perhaps we are. Since Governor Burke’s proclamation that no one owned this land before the Crown took possession of it, matters have worsened.” Uncle Remy looked to the house as Aunt Sara called. “Come, I think we are being summoned.” He grinned.
He walked off, but Tim lingered. He knelt to stroke Bracken’s ear as Josephine came across.
“Can I come with you?” she asked.
“And just where do you wish to accompany me, young Jo?” Straightening, he began to stroll towards the house with her at his side.
“Rude of me, I know, but I couldn’t help but overhear your discussion with your uncle.” She lowered her voice and bent closer. Tim caught a scent of lavender. Carefree of feminine ways she might be, but she smelt as good as any young miss. “I shouldn’t sound so ungrateful, as your aunt ensured I had employment in her emporium when I arrived here in town, but the tasks are so tedious. I am bored. I thought of running off and making my own way in the world.” Her face grew comical as she wrinkled her pert nose.
“Silly chit. Don’t you dare even contemplate such a rash move,” he scolded. “You are not naïve, I think, and must know the dangers that exist beyond the sanctuary of a safe home. Anyway, I could not consider taking you along on such a dangerous journey.”
She made an unladylike noise. “Don’t you dare suggest I could not cope with such a journey. I roved free for all of my childhood while my parents worked their mine. I told you; my father treated me more as a son than a daughter. A wizened old woman, who took care of the cooking, also saw to my schooling. Matilda was governess to a family in England before being transported for thieving—a false charge according to her. She had gained her ticket of leave and accompanied my parents on their quest for gold. She was very knowledgeable.” A deep sadness clouded her eyes, as she said, “Poor Matilda was slain on that terrible day.”
“It must have been awful for you.” She seldom spoke about the tragedy, so they had no idea how deeply she felt about losing not only her parents, but people who were like family to her.
Her shoulders lifted as she sighed. “Awful yes, but my father taught me to be strong and my mother taught me to be brave.” Her face brightened. “Always look to the future, he advised, there is no room in life for regrets.”
“Wise words.” Tim had been curious about her schooling, as according to Aunt Sara she did well at the emporium, coping with any problem that arose. To change to a more cheerful subject he said, “My aunt would not wish to lose you. She assures me you will make manager one day soon.”
“Nonsense.” Jo waved that suggestion aside. “The husband and wife who presently run the store do so adequately and will be doing so for at least another twenty years. I do not wish to wait around that long. And anyway, I have dreams and plans.” She touched her nose with a finger.
“So tell me, Jo, just what plans are these—apart from thinking to accompany me on a trek that may take months?”
“Well, to be honest, the idea only occurred to me while I was listening in to your conversation with your uncle, but I wish to travel. This country is huge…” She spread her arms wide. “And so much of it has never been trod upon by a white man. If I had been born a man, I would have joined one of the surveying teams, preferably one such as that led by Gregory Blaxland, William Wentworth, or William Lawson.” Her smile held a wistful quality. “Imagine what it would be like to come upon a river or stretch of land that only the natives knew about.”
Tim had to admit her dreams were not so different to his own, but for fear of encouraging her he wasn’t about to admit such.
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