Heart of the Country Read Free

do this, not only for himself but for his father. He pulled back his shoulders and clasped his hands firmly together.
    â€œI don’t believe I will, Mr Browne.”
    â€œVery well. There’s plenty to be made from this land if you are prepared to work. I have property in the north and I’ve stocked it with three thousand sheep. It’s rugged country. Water’s not so abundant and it’s no place for the faint hearted. There are wild dogs up there and there’s also been trouble with the natives. In spite of that the sheep don’t need shepherding as you would know it in England.” AJ leaned closer. “I have other land to see to and I need an overseer.”
    The word hung in the air between them.
    Finally Thomas spoke. “So you would want me to be your overseer?”
    â€œI need someone reliable. It’s no easy job. I’ve left one shepherd up there, a redheaded Scot with a quick temper. McKenzie’s his name but he’s little more than useless when left to his own devices. He needs a master.”
    Thomas held Mr Browne’s look across the table. He was a footman. What did he know about shepherding in the bush of South Australia?
    â€œSo now you know,” AJ said. “I need a man I can trust. I am in a hurry but I can wait for the others.” He paused. “Unless you believe you could be that man.”
    Thomas swallowed his doubts. “Will there be some guidance?” he asked.
    â€œYou seem a bright enough fellow to me. McKenzie knows sheep; you’ll learn from him. He’s just not what I call reliable.” AJ lowered his voice. “I’ll pay you sixty pounds a year.”
    Thomas’s reply died in his throat. That was a decent sum of money. It would come with a lot of hard work but he had nothing to lose and he needed the experience a job like this would give him.
    AJ was watching him closely. “I’ll loan you the money to buy a horse and saddle. If you do well, I’ll increase your salary each year.”
    Thomas’s mind raced as he calculated the income. Maybe he could make enough to get his own place one day. His father would have been proud. “It’s a good offer, Mr Browne.”
    â€œCall me AJ.” The older man reached his hand across the space between them. “Do we have a deal?”
    Thomas hesitated then thrust his own into the firm grip of his new employer. With not much to lose and a lot to gain, he felt a surge of optimism.
    â€œWell done, Thomas. It’s a good opportunity I’m offering you. It won’t be a ride in your English countryside but I’m sure you’re up to it. Come on.” AJ rose to his feet. “No need to wait around here any longer. There’s a lot to organise. We might as well make a start.”
    Thomas reached for his jacket. No longer would he have to wield a shovel in the endless job of keeping Adelaide’s streets passable. He would still be working for someone else but for a good wage and AJ was already proving to be a most agreeable employer. Outside, the heavy clouds had lifted and broken apart. Sunlight reached his patch of the street. Thomas was happy to take that as a sign his life was improving. He pushed his battered hat firmly onto his head and strode purposefully after Mr Browne.

Two
    Septimus Wiltshire crawled out from under his wagon. He stretched his arms high then wide, extending his tall frame after a night in the cramped hollow. The damp mist clung to him and shrouded the surrounding bush in its veil. He stood still and listened. The soft snort of Clover, his horse, tethered beyond the wagon, was the only sound. Not even any birds yet. He swept a dark lock of hair from his face and peered into the shadows of the pre-dawn gloom. Nothing. He shrugged his shoulders then stretched again. Maybe it was the cold that had woken him rather than a noise.
    Hoofbeats echoed behind him then stopped. He turned on silent feet, keeping