Читать книгу Human Toll - Barbara Baynton - Страница 4

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FIFTY miles parted the dead man's property and Cameron Cameron, and it was not till the afternoon of the next day that he with his daughter Margaret drove up.

Boshy, with Lovey beside him, was watching for them. Margaret held out her arms for the little orphan, but she shrank from them closer to Boshy, who gripped her hand. Cameron Cameron bared his head, and noiselessly they entered the house. Boshy, leading Lovey, came out a little later to the kitchen and bade Queeby 'take Lovey for a ta-ta in the scrub' while he, Cameron Cameron, and Margaret discussed things inside.

Queeby instead went to Jimmy, still lying or squatting between the myall logs, and greedily begging from an uninterested horse grazing near, for as a food beggar Jimmy was ceaseless; even in his sleep his hands went out.

'Cobban Master (God) spillum flour-bag (frost) las' night on poor Jimmy. Plurry cole' he complained to the child. 'W'ite pfeller frost las' night.'

She understood and covered him with a bag. Laying his hands on his moon-whitened head, he continued:

'Yulegrin (hungry). Poor pfeller me, Tumbledown Jimmy—poor pfeller me!' was a further demand for food. Then angrily: 'That pfeller' pointing out on the plain to Nungi, 'been eatem big pfeller breakfuss; baal gib it poor pfeller Jimmy enny breakfuss!' he squeaked harshly in self-pity, pointing from his mouth to his stomach, whining, 'Yulegrin! yulegrin!'

His hungry importunity was no more to the child than the magpie's, for in that respect the magpie was his superior. The methods of both were strangely alike, and had long since palled on her, and this afternoon she hardly saw him. Leaving Queeby with him, she went noiselessly round to the widest crack in the bedroom and looked through.

Still that silent sleeping father. She put her mouth to a crack and directed a deep sigh to his ear. The net and sheet fluttered, and the child's heart beat audibly.

'Father' she whispered, tremulous with hope; but neither motion nor sound answered her. Child though she was, the sense of the mysterious fell upon her, and her mouth set maturely as she turned away.

'Sweet, pretty little creature' the birds, her old friends, twittered to her. She turned from them and the scrub with its lurking shadows, and looked across the plain. The ewes and lambs were again round the empty troughs surrounding the well. She climbed on the butcher's block near the meat room; from this coign she could see the graves. One end of the palisading was down, and she saw the dirt being flung up under the myall clump by two of Cameron's men.

Since the coming of Margaret Cameron and her father, Lovey had ceased to ask questions, but had followed their every movement with widely questioning eyes. She went now to the chimney corner, and applied her eye to a well-known crack: Margaret sat beside her father on a stool, and Boshy stood facing them and herself, his left arm extended, his thumb holding down the two middle fingers. His whole hand shook whenever he spoke, but too impartially for emphasis.

'Her father wrote to me just before he died about taking her—and the child must be schooled' said Cameron Cameron.

'Git me the books; I'll school her. Town' sniffed Boshy—'town's no place fer a chile like 'er. Nothin' in 'em but a lyin' an' a-swearin' an' a-Sabbath-breakin' a-drinkin' an' a-forgin' an' a—' Boshy looked at Margaret and ceased abruptly. 'I don't say sech a awful thing 'ud 'appen ter Lovey ez thet. But I see'—Boshy's jaw set—'no good in towns, nur schoolin' neither' he said sullenly.

Cameron began, but Boshy stopped him.

'Mr. Cameron, sur, I knows ter ther full you means well ter Lovey all right. They' (giving a backward jerk towards the bedroom and uniting it by a handwave with a grave now being lengthened under the myalls) 'may 'ave been married or they may nut 'ave been.'

'Of course they were, Boshy. I've got their marriage lines here with these papers' said Cameron.

'Oh! you've a-snavelled 'ees papers, then' said Boshy suspiciously, who had been too distressfully absorbed watching Margaret pack the child's clothes to notice this.

Boshy paused, and after a visible struggle went on with a matter even nearer his heart.

'Well, married or nut, it'll be all ther same t' Lovey in ther long run, you understan'.'

Neither did.

'Well, it's this way: I've bin 'ere, young man an' ole—leastways middle age, for though me 'ead may be a bit greyish outside, it's noways greyish inside. Serpose you don't think I've bin 'ere fer ther love ov it, jest stuck 'ere in this one-eyed country w'ere no one comes, so ther dorgs don't 'ave ter bark at strangers, jest for the run ov me knife an' pannikin.'

'No?' remarked Cameron, in tones inviting further confidences.

'Yer right theere; theere's bin bad seasons, and theere's bin good, but I've bin asleep with one eye open, good or bad.'

Boshy paused, but his hearers were again bushed as to his drift. He saw this, and in an effort to enlighten them, said slowly:

'Her'll want for nothin'.'

He put both hands in his pockets, and looked from the nubbly carbuncles there outlined to the two. Still both failed to understand, or no one appeared to; withdrawing his hands impatiently, he reluctantly said slowly, dropping his voice:

'P'r'aps you 'ave nodiced they's nut many ole emp'y pickle bottles knockin' about'; then considering this alarmingly explicit, he changed the subject hastily. 'I sez nothin' about 'er a-goin' wi' this 'ere young woman fer a day or so, t' we gits 'im laid by. Same time, she'd be jest as well, if nut better, in ther scrub 'ere wi' Queeby a berry-huntin' as she is now; an' at ther time w'en all's ready, w'en 'er comes back an' 'er sees 'im gone, I can easy chalk 'er off be tellin' 'er 'e's gone up to Mr. Gord's 'ouse, as 'er calls it, ter see 'er mammy. Trust me fer thet' said Boshy, grinning egotistically.

But the hearts of his hearers were still cold in his cause. Cameron was for closing the discussion as useless and ununderstandable.

Boshy, mistaking the silence, winked, and looked insinuatingly from one to the other, and in gratitude further entrenched on his secretiveness.

'An' I may say, furthermore, seein' thet I'm a-talkin' ter w'ite people, thet them ole emp'y pickle bottles is w'eere no crows wi' colds on their chests will mistake them bottles' insides fer yeller cough lozengers' he went on, without pausing to elucidate theto him, obviousness of his meaning. 'Now, w'at d'yer serpose I make out ov a damn one-eyed 'ole like this? Thet is, annerly or yearly, take season wi' season all roun'.'

He paused to look for commercial freemasonry from Cameron.

'I couldn't say, Boshy. What do you make now?'

'Yer wouldn't believe me, no, nut if I took me oath.'

'Try me now' induced Cameron.

Boshy looked round the room, then under the safe and sofa. Beside them only the cat by the fire. He opened the back door wide enough for the cat's exit, then, taking his cap from his head, he beat her out with it, and closed the door carefully.

Backing into a corner furthest from Margaret, he beckoned to Cameron, who bent, while Boshy, tiptoeing, whispered in his ear.

'No, it couldn't be done in the time' incredulously pretended Cameron.

'I told yer yer'd doubt me word; but Gord may strike me dead if I lie' challenged and confirmed the testator. He added immediately: 'But thet confession 'as never been mouthed be me afore, nut even't 'im' pointing to the bedroom with one hand, and letting in the importuning cat with the other.

All Boshy's past history was pure conjecture; from himself nothing had ever been gleaned, though many had pumped.

'How did you come out here, Boshy?' insinuated Cameron, intent on more confidences.

'That's neither 'ere nur theere, an' yer gut no business ter try t' git me on ther raw, Mr. Cameron' said Boshy resentfully.

There was an audible breathing-space between the two men, then Margaret said:

'Father meant out here, Boshy—Merrigulandri.'

'Oh' he said, relieved. 'Well, I'd 'ad me bellyfull of towns, so I took a look roun' fer a careful sort ov mate, an', be 'eavens! I gut more then I wanted, fer I struck one as mean as cats' meat. Pat the Jew, as 'e was called, soon giv' ther bush best, an' I 'ear now that 'e is landed proprietor ov the Court 'Ouse Hotel, and quite the juicy cockroach.'

He paused, and allowed a smile to form and slowly fade at his mental picture of his old mate as a Boniface, and reminiscence hazed his one eye and relaxed his mouth.

'We camped one evening at Narrangidgery Creek, close b' a cocky's 'umstead. We was clean dead-beat, an' 'adn't tasted a bite ov fresh meat fer some time, an' w'en we sees a cupple ov wimin a-roundin' up and a-runnin' in some cattle, tired as we was, we bucks up and gi'es 'em an nand. Well, in less 'an no time, the ole woman she brings out ther gun and pops one off fust go. After thet me an' Pat rolls in an' skins an' dresses it. But, be 'eavens! the ole woman was a standin' by, an' nut even so much as a lick at the blood would 'er le' our two dorgs sneak, an' them as dead-beat as we wuz. By-and-by the two wimin starts a-runnin' of ther'—looking at Margaret—'ther—intrils, but the two of 'em wuz at the same time a-beatin' and a-beltin' and a-bashin' of both dorgs' back. We tried t' coax ther skirts an' liver out ov 'er. "I gi'e away nothin'," she said. An' be 'eavens! thet wus all we did git, so we christened the place "Gi'e-away-Nothin' 'All." '

'Now' said Cameron, 'we must buck up; it's getting late. Now about the child, Boshy: she must come with us, you see.'

'I see nuthin' ov ther sort' replied Boshy, surprised. 'Oo's gut ther best right to 'er—strangers or them ez weaned 'er? Yes, s'elp me Gord, weaned 'er!' he added fiercely, looking from one to the other. Then, suddenly softening: 'Mr. Cameron, an' you, young woman' his pleading mouth working tremulously, "twas I ez weaned 'er from 'er mother a'most, an"—red spots glowing on his cheekbones—'Gord's me Judge, to kid 'er even from playin' wi' the fowls, I used ter take 'er inter me workshop an' turn meself inter a blarsted ole rooster, a-curlin' ov, an' a-crowin' ov, an' a-clappin' ov me wings like—like b-beggary!'

Boshy had turned his one eye on Cameron during this confession. Its cost, though it might have missed the man, drew toll from the woman.

'Kind, kind Boshy! But, you see, it's for the child's good. She could not stay now.'

'She must be schooled—can't grow up like a wild animal' interposed Cameron.

'They's nut much wile animal about Lovey; an' if all comes ter all, isen' ther bush ther proper place for a wile animal? Town's all very well for a ornery child, but, Mr. Cameron and this young woman 'ere, Lovey ain't be no means a ornery child. She's gut ways be no ways ornery. In fac' 'er were born wi' em, an' thet's w'y 'er's gut ther 'ole ov them under 'er thumb—Nungi an' Queeby, an' ole Jimmy an'—an'—'after a bashful pause—'the 'ole damn lot ov us!'

This avowal begot another.

'S'elp me Gord, sur, ter tell yer the truth, if 'er were took away I'd feel no better nur a 'ole'—after a pause—'rooster w'at's lorst 'er one chick!'

Then again brick-red spots glowed on the old man's high cheek-bones, and his one eye glistened. He cleared his throat shamefacedly, then proceeded, solely addressing Cameron:

'Mr. Cameron, sur, 't were I ez poddied' (spoon-fed) 'thet child w'en 'er mammy fust weaned 'er. W'y, w'en 'er wuz liddle, an' they wuz a-tryin' ter wean 'er, nut bite nor sup could they get inter 'er liddle inside till I tackles 'er like this'—looking round; then, for lack of illustrative matter, improvising with his hands. 'I grabs up a lot ov bread-an'-milk sop, an' makes outside wi' it. "Come along, cock-a-doodle-doo; come along, chooky 'en an' chicks, eat up all Lovey's sop," sez I. "W'at!" sez I, "you greedy chooks, nut leave none fer poor liddle baby Lovey!" sez I, a-spillin' ov it out, an' a-gammunin' az they 'ad gobbled ov it all up out ov me 'ands. Lord Gord! ter see thet liddle child, the spirit ov 'er, the pluck ov 'er, a-fightin' wi' 'er liddle, liddle 'ands wi' them fowls! Game 'er is an' always wuz, an' always will be—game az a liddle ant!'

Boshy wiped the admiring moisture from his eye with the red ear of his handkerchief cap hanging conveniently near it, then ventured on further memories connected with the child that he, like Mary, had 'pondered in his heart.'

"Oly Ghost!' said he, inadvertently but appropriately invoking the Pentecostal Bestower of tongues—"'Oly Ghost! 'er could talk long afore 'er could walk, an' plain az you an' me, too. I'll allow az 'er were slow about walkin', an' 'er is ter this day if 'er can be carried. Now, so 'elp me Gord! this is az true as Gospel. This is the dodge 'er gut me up to t' try and wake up 'er dead daddy.'

He told of the crowing in his workshop, and he seemed to be gaining his cause, for Cameron's Bush-worn face had grown fatherly and Margaret wept; but he suddenly cut him short with:

'Boshy, we know you have been good and kind to the child, but she must come with us for the time, then go to town to my sister to be educated. Why, my boy Andrew is there' he added, to reassure Boshy.

'I've more rights ter ther child than any ov you strangers' said Boshy determinedly. 'A nice time 'er'll give you strangers, or anyone else oo wants to tie 'er liddle boots even! Nut me, even if I wuz to put me two eyes out on sticks, will 'er let touch 'em. "Me father will lace 'em," 'er says continerally. An' theere 'er is, a-waitin' az 'er is, fer 'im as'll wake no more, to wake an' lace 'em up.' He paused dramatically. 'But soon's 'er knows 'e's dead an' gorn it'll be, "Boshy, you can lace 'em up," an' "Boshy, you can do this, an' do thet, an' ther other thing." To tell yer ther reel truth, I wuz a-thinkin', az I wuz a-makin' ov 'e's coffin, thet I wouldn' be surprised if 'er didn' take to a-daddyin' ov me—poor liddle motherless, fatherless lamb thet 'er is.'

Cameron Cameron moved towards the door.

'We must take the child' he said; 'she must be schooled. Suppose you could do everything else for her, you'll allow you couldn't school her, Boshy?'

'Boshy'll allow nothin' at all ov ther sort! Wait' he earnestly commanded, as Cameron's hand went to the door, and something in his tones caused the man to obey.

In the pregnant pause the cat rose from the fireplace and stretched in a strained, listening attitude, with its eyes on Boshy.

'Get out ov this, yer listenin' tinker yer!'

He aimed a kick at her. and, again opening the door, drove her out.

'There's nut one in the 'ole ov this districk but w'at thinks I come out to this country fer ther good ov me delicate constitootion.' (Everyone in that district thought differently.)

'Also az well, thet I can't write.'

He went slowly to the topless table, and along its dusty frame laboriously traced with his forefinger 'Hugh Palmer.' He raised his suddenly shrunken, withered face to Margaret's, that had as suddenly crimsoned.

'If so be az I were sent out, an' altered my name, yer may know, young woman, I'm nut ther on'y one. "Yerhoo Pormer" thet young blade calls 'isself, but Hug Pal-mer he's true name is, fer I see a letter as a-cum to 'im from 'ome; in fac', ther mail-boy lef' it wi' me ter give it ter 'im. "This fer you?" sez I. 'E takes it, looks at it. "Yerhoo Pormer," 'e sez, thinkin' I couldn't read. "Hug Pal-mer," sez I to 'im. An' if that young man 'ad a—owned to it theere an' then, an' w'y 'e were sent out, to me, I'd a-tole 'im w'y I come, an' said no more to one on yearth. There's more'n me in ther same boat, yer see, Mr. Cameron an' young woman; an' my name is no more Boshy 'n w'at thet young man is Yerhoo Pormer. "Good ov me 'Ealth" 's my name fer ther cause ov my voy'ge. "Kerlonial Egsperience" is Mr. Yerhoo Pormer's.'

Boshy's attempts at the English drawl of Margaret's lover, together with his wrongly bracketing him with himself as a convict, caused a burst of laughter from her father.

'My word! plenty worse than you out of gaol, Boshy, old man' he said, slapping him on the back.

'An' you know w'eere to find 'em!' said Boshy, stung by his noisy mirth; for it was to him a bitter confession, justifiable only by the greatness of the occasion—one that had induced him to uncover his two most hidden secrets.

Cameron Cameron jerked his head at his daughter, and again went to the door.

'I've no wish to put atween you an' thet young man, miss. Gord knows, a conspriricy sent me 'ere, an' mebbe 'e were sent out fer very liddle. Yes, no doubt so were 'e, an' I'd rather yer didn' name it to 'im, fer I never be word ov mouth spoke about it afore' he said, in agitated uncertainty following close after Margaret.

'I won't, Boshy' she promised, too tender for Boshy's coming trial to enlighten him, even if she could.

To his further dismay, the child met them outside, her eyes unnaturally open, her mouth unusually indrawn, and unnaturally and unusually silent.

Cameron's man harnessed the horses and brought the buggy round to the front-door. Old Jimmy immediately sidled up to the horses' heads, and, in his disability to attract the bipeds, importuned the quadrupeds for bacca and tucker.

Margaret Cameron, with Lovey in her arms, went into the bedroom, turned back the sheet from the brow, and held the child's immovable lips to it, then pressed her own, and went to the buggy. All the household were now round it, as she placed the girl on the seat and got in.

Boshy stood near, palsied, speechless.

The child drew away from Margaret's sheltering arms and shuffled to the seat's edge near Boshy. She placed one foot over the side, and moved it meaningly towards him. He rushed and with trembling fingers laced it, then the other.

'Lovey' he said brokenly, holding both feet firmly, 'Lovey—this—is—a—er—conspriricy—a put-up thing to part us! Jes' yer wait, Lovey ov mine—jes' wait an' see can it be done. Wait, Lovey—'

His lips were disobedient, but his jaw worked strenuously for the love of his heart.

'Long ago a—er—conspriricy parted me from me—mother. This is another conspriricy to part us.'

He mouthed silently for some moments.

'Wait, Lovey—er—mine—an' see can it be done. Jes' wait, Lov—'

'Poor pfeller me!' importuned Jimmy as they drove off; 'poor pfeller me! Poor Tumbledown Jimmy!' as ever his hand rose and fell.