Tales from Down Under Read online

  TALES FROM DOWN UNDER

  Mary Mageau

  ALSO BY

  MARY MAGEAU

  The Trousseau

  An Antique Brooch

  In the Eye of a Storm

  Australia: Land of Timeless Beauty

  Finding Love in Distant Lands

  Shortz

  From Back and Beyond

  Meditation

  Vanquished

  Back and Beyond Again

  Minnesota Memories

  Seed Pearls

  From the Heart Land

  TALES FROM DOWN UNDER

  Mary Mageau

  Copyright © 2014 by Mary Mageau

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  First published in digital format 2014 by DoctorZed Publishing.

  DoctorZed Publishing books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

  DoctorZed Publishing

  IDAHO

  10 Vista Ave

  Skye, South Australia 5072

  www.doctorzed.com

  61-(0)8 8431-4965

  ISBN: 978-0-9924473-7-3 (ebk)

  DoctorZed Publishing rev. date 09/04/2014

  For Ken, Leigh and Peter

  CONTENTS

  No Place for a Woman

  Gone Walkabout

  A Pearl of Great Price

  Place of the Dead Houses

  Landscapes Remembered

  Seeing Red

  Flying Blind

  About the Author

  “Short stories are tiny windows into other worlds and other minds and other dreams. They are journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and still be back in time for dinner.”

  —Neil Gaiman

  NO PLACE FOR A WOMAN

  Marie sat alone. Finishing her evening meal she gazed at the sun, a rim of orange over darkening hills. Her two little girls, a toddler and a four year old, had been fed and put to bed. Like their mother they were slender with an abundance of curly brown hair. Duke, her large guard dog, rested on his mat in the corner as Marie spoke quietly to him.

  ‘Jack should be coming home any day now, Duke. We all miss him so much since he left to go droving. If only two years of drought hadn’t finished us off, he’d be here with us now.’

  Duke lifted his head looking at Mary with his big brown eyes. ‘It will be dark soon. Sometimes I worry about staying alone in this place, no-one else closer to us than the nearest station, a day’s walk away.’

  Marie relished the lingering warmth of early evening, the peace of her surroundings and the sound of birds singing before they settled for the night. As she sat near her door enjoying Duke’s company, the dog suddenly became tense and his ears pricked up. Marie saw nothing to excite him so she quieted Duke with a, ‘Shh now,’ and an upraised hand. Only moments later, she saw a tall man coming around the corner of her log hut. Quickly she rose to face him at the door.

  ‘I’m hungry. Have you got a feed for a traveller?’

  The stranger was filthy and had a strong smell of unwashed clothes about him. ‘This one must have been living rough on the roads for a long time,’ she thought. His beard and matted hair looked unkempt, but his eyes worried her most – they were hard and cruel. Before he could cross the threshold Marie raised her voice.

  ‘Don’t come in! Sit on the bottom step and I’ll bring something out to you.’ She waited until he sat down, never taking her eyes off the stranger. Quickly she filled Jack’s bowl with the remains of the cooking pot, picked up a spoon and carried it to him. He ate fast, looking over the cottage and watching her with cold, shifty eyes as he gulped down his meal. Then he set the bowl down without thanks or an offer to hand it back.

  ‘Looks like there’s no man about your place right now so I’ve decided to spend the night here.’ He challenged her as he stood up. Marie ducked quickly inside, whistled to Duke and snatched a heavy wooden club next to the front door. Holding Duke’s collar she tugged it twice as they faced the stranger. Right on cue, Duke snarled and bared his teeth as Marie raised the club.

  ‘Get out now before I set the dog on you. Don’t you ever come back again!’ Duke began to bark savagely. The stranger turned and moved quickly away from the cottage as he yelled out to her, ‘I’m not through with you yet.’ Marie closed and barred the door. Trembling she sat down inside with Duke. He placed his head on her lap as she put her arms around him. ‘Good dog. Whatever would I do without you, my big, strong Duke?’

  “I’m sitting up tonight and I want you to stay inside with me. That man might come back later and try to ambush us.’ Duke took his place on the mat as Marie went to the mantle.

  A shotgun lay along its top. Jack left the gun with her and she knew how to use it. Marie loaded two cartridges, and placed her chair in full view of the door with the shotgun on the floor before her. ‘Duke, I’m not a straight shot over a distance, but up close I never miss. If he does come back and tries to get inside, I’ll wait until I see him first, then I’ll pull the trigger. I’m taking no chances as I have to protect our girls.’ Darkness was now upon them so Marie lit a tall candle. Then she and Duke settled down for the night.

  ***

  Hours passed as she dozed fitfully on and off. Twice she got up to check on her daughters, then came back to sit upright in her chair again. Just after midnight Duke suddenly jerked up, fully alert, his ears raised. Marie also awoke quickly. There it was, the sound of footsteps moving slowly and deliberately on the pathway. Her body grew tense as the footsteps drew closer to the corner of the slab hut. A full moon shone brightly outside so Mary could just make out a dark shape as it passed by a thin open chink in the log walls. ‘It must be the stranger coming back again. He could have a weapon, Duke.’ Marie picked up the shot gun, her finger on the trigger, the barrel cradled in her left hand. Tensely she waited as the footsteps moved nearer and approached the cottage door. ‘Steady, Duke. Don’t move until I signal.’

  Just then a familiar voice called out, ‘Marie, it’s me, Jack! I’ve been walking all day. Unbar the door and let me in.’

  ‘Jack, I’m coming!’ Rushing toward the door with Duke barking for joy at her heels, Marie’s arms enfolded him and drew him across the threshold. Relief engulfed her as she cried out, ‘Thank heaven you’re home with us at last.’ Only when he held her close to him did she feel safe again. After weeks of loneliness Marie could finally break into a flood of tears.

  GONE WALKABOUT

  Letty Williams answered the knock at her front door. She opened it to a tall, rangy young fella covered in dust from his long ride. Removing his hat and smiling he nodded to her.

  ‘Hello, Miss. I’m Mike MacLeod and I noticed your sign outside that says, ROOMS FOR RENT. I’d like one for the rest of this week if you have a spare room that’s free.’

  It was then and there Letty fell in love with him—head over heels—hook, line and sinker.

  Her mother appeared and assured Mr MacLeod that a room would be available.

  ‘My daughter and I have converted our large timber home into a place with three rooms we let out to travellers. If you wish to pay a bit extra, you can also enjoy the hot breakfast I serve daily.’

  ‘Maam, I’ll accept your offer for a bed and breakfast. Can I stable my horse in the large shed in your back yard as well?’

  ‘Of course you can. Now Letty, please check out the room with the window facing the back garden, and make sure everything is ready for Mr MacLeod.’ With a smile Letty was off on her
errand and the traveller made himself at home.

  During the following days Mike MacLeod won their hearts. One evening a furious thunder storm brought down an old tree that landed across the front foot path. Mike cut the branches away, sawed the trunk into sections, and chopped a pile of firewood for the coming winter nights. A few shingles had been knocked loose by the falling tree which he quickly nailed into place.

  He escorted Letty to the local shops where she bought meat, eggs, tea and flour He even carried the bags home for her. At the breakfast table Mike entertained the other boarders, Letty and her mother, with humorous tales of his bush travels. He was wonderful company.

  As Saturday night approached he invited Letty to the country dance with him where they spent a great evening together. Mike stayed on a bit longer and by the time he was ready to return to his small cottage in the bush outside of Mitchell, Letty accompanied him as his wife.

  His absences from home when he went droving were made bearable by the birth of their first little daughter. Sadly she died a year later from a fever that swept through the district. Letty then gave birth to a boy who was found dead in his cot only a few weeks after he was born. Now when Mike was away she was left completely on her own; devastated by her loss and sadness.

  Over time her situation became unbearable. The cottage was days away from any traveller and loneliness stalked her every moment. I have nobody to talk to and at night I’m afraid to live all alone out here. The next time Mike comes home I’ll ask him to get us a place in town where there are other people nearby.’

  Depression set in until the day came when she was driven to go walkabout.

  ‘Have you seen Letty? Does anyone here know where she’s gone? Mike frantically asked around the traps for information on her whereabouts.

  ‘Mike’s looking for his missus. Can anyone help him out?’ Friends and neighbours all rose to lend a hand. Someone finally sighted Letty in Roma, where Mike found her wandering in and out of the shops. Seemed she had packed a small case, hailed a wagon on the Warrego, and headed for town. They returned to their home together and things quieted down. Life went back to normal until Mike had to leave her home alone again.

  It didn’t take long for Letty to decide to go walkabout once more. This time she bailed up a coach and travelled all the way to Charleville. With help from the police Mike found her in the town library, where she had spent the last three days reading books.

  ‘Letty this has to stop. I can’t stand it when you go missing and I’m sick with worry until I find you.’

  ‘Please, Mike, can we sell this place and get a home somewhere near other people? I get so tired of being lonely all the time you are away.’

  ‘After my next stint at droving we will have enough money to make the changes you want.’ Mike held her close and kissed her. ‘Then we’ll be at home together. I promise.’

  For one last time Mike left Letty but she just couldn’t stay home alone, not ever again.

  ‘Poor Mike’s looking for his missus again. Has anyone seen her?’

  ‘Yep, she was in my shop,’ the local barber replied. ‘Made a crazy request—–that I cut off all her hair and make her look like a boy. I didn’t want to do it but she insisted.’

  Sally Flannigan added, ‘On that same day Molly Logan went to the police with a complaint. Her son’s trousers, jacket and two shirts went missing from her clothes line.’

  ‘Listen to this,’ a bystander interjected, ‘here’s a strange tale for you. Ole man Walker left his wagon and horses outside the bank while he stepped in for a minute to do some business. When he came back and drove away, the cap he left on the wagon seat wasn’t there. Now why would anyone have stolen his smelly old cap?’

  ‘Why I saw that feller who was hanging around here looking for work, leave town with a boy. They were making for a station nearby,’ the local butcher exclaimed.

  Now Mike was sure where Letty had gone and he made his way toward the station. There she stood dressed in men’s clothes, working as the station cook. The fellow she was with sat at a table in the corner. Mike crossed the kitchen, grabbed the fellow, pulled him to his feet and knocked him out cold.

  Mary Mageau ‘Mike, what are you doing?’ Letty cried out. ‘You could have killed him.’

  ‘How could you leave me, Letty, and run away with another man?’

  ‘Why Mike, I only wanted some company. He never knew I was a woman.’

  ***

  Letty and Mike left their lonely cottage and moved into a lovely timber home in Charleville. Since he found plenty of work in town Mike, Letty and their four children lived there happily ever after.

  A PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

  Akito stood tall and erect in the prow of a long wooden boat. Gazing at the turquoise water beneath him he waited with baited breath until the seabed dropped away and the deep blue of the Indian Ocean appeared. This was his signal to tie the net bag at his side, to sheath his strong knife—its blade sharpened only that morning—and to grasp and secure the rope that would connect him to Takahiro waiting on the boat above. In a few moments he would be over the side, diving deep below in search of oyster shells. Perhaps today he would find the huge gleaming pearl he sought—the pearl of great price that would finally secure his future.

  Growing up on the shores of Japan’s Inland Sea, Akito had always been drawn to the water. His home in a tiny fishing village had become his first school room. Here he worked with his father to catch fish, he helped his mother scale, gut and dry their catch in the bright sun, then finally joined his young brother, Genji, to play and swim.

  ‘Watch me, Genji, as I swim to the bottom!’

  ‘Come up, Akito. Don’t stay down so long under the water!’

  Much later Akito’s head would emerge above the waves, as he laughed and cried out, ‘I fooled you, didn’t I? Nobody can hold their breath under water as long as I can!’

  Sometimes their mother would call out, ‘Stop teasing us, Akito. Don’t make me worry about you, my Little Fish.’ This was the special name she always called him.

  ‘I’m going to be a diver someday, so I have to learn how to hold my breath and stay under for a long time, Mother. Don’t worry about Little Fish so much.’

  A few years later Akito met beautiful Haruka. She had a slender body, long jet black hair and a sweetly smiling face. Then and there he fell in love with her and over time, she with him. But when Akito went before her father, Kobayashi, to ask his permission for them to marry, he left the meeting with a heavy heart.

  ‘Look at you, Akito. While you are a strong young man what else can you offer my daughter? You own neither a boat nor a house. Go away and earn some money, then come back to me again and I’ll decide if you are ready for marriage.’

  Good luck finally came his way when a man visited the village. ‘Is anyone here interested in working as a diver?’ he enquired.

  ‘I’ll come away with you.’ Akito answered. He kissed Haruka good bye and left his home in Japan to seek work as a pearl shell diver far away.

  ***

  Off the coast of West Australia pearl divers were eagerly sought after, so he made his way to Broome. Because he was a skilful swimmer and could work deep underwater as a diver, Akito began to earn and save the money he would need for his future with Haruka.

  Waiting in the wooden boat he whispered, ‘Perhaps today will be the one that brings me a fine pearl. If I am successful the money will allow me to return to Japan, to my family and to Haruka. Then after I see her father we can marry at last.’ These thoughts filled his heart as the signal was given. He and the other pearl fishers took several deep breaths and dived over the side into the depths of the sea below.

  The water was clear and many pearl shells littered the bottom. Akito quickly prised them away from the seabed and from the rocks they clung to, dropping his catch into his net bag. When it was full he gave four quick tugs on the rope that joined him to Takahiro waiting above, and began his slow ascent toward the sunlight. Breaking
through the waves Akito filled his lungs with blessed fresh air and was pulled back into the boat. Emptying his catch onto the deck he rested briefly then entered the sea again. Takahiro immediately began to open the shells, scanning each one for a precious pearl growing in the oyster’s black flesh. If no pearl was found, the rich coating of mother-of-pearl could be used for buttons, jewellery, as an inlay for knife handles, and to decorate furniture and musical instruments. Although the oyster itself could not be eaten, every part of its shell could be used.

  By late afternoon on his thirteenth and final dive of the day, Akito saw a huge pearl shell just ahead of him. It was covered with barnacles, and seemed to be fused to the rock it was growing on. Akito knew he should begin his slow rise to the surface as his bag was filled, and his lungs were bursting but he hesitated. ‘What if this shell contains a large pearl? I won’t have another chance to take a shell like this.’

  Carefully he began to prise and wrench the shell away. His body was crying out for air but still he worked on. Four short pulls on his rope warned him to begin his ascent but these were ignored. ‘I’ll never see a shell like this again so I’ll stay and work a bit longer.’ The shell was stubborn—deeply embedded in the rock hosting it. As Akito’s knife dug and scraped to free it, four sharp tugs on his rope again warned him of danger. Finally Akito wrenched the shell away, nearly bursting with the need to breathe. As he fought off unconsciousness he started to swallow salty sea water. He had run out of time and had to reach the surface now. As the rope that attached him to Takahiro began to pull him upward, Akito moved too quickly toward the life giving air. When he broke the surface and finally gasped for breath, frightened faces were searching for him and arms reached out to pull him into the boat. But it was too late.