The pool of St Branok

"Let me explain to you."

"What is there to explain? You discovered there was gold on the land. That was why you were so eager to buy."

"That's true."

"That day we talked ... I remember your washing your hands in the creek. Something happened ... I know it now. Was it then?"

He nodded. "I saw gold then ... actually in the creek. If one could see it like that I knew there was a rich store."

"You didn't tell Mr. Morley."

"He wouldn't have done a thing. He hated the coming of the miners. He wanted to keep the land as it was."

"It was his land."

"If you had come to me ... I begged you to ... I would have abandoned all this ..."

"I don't believe you, Ben. You're like the rest of them. You're suffering from the same fever ... gold fever. You would never have given up the search for it ... especially when you had this evidence."

"You remember when we sat here ... You remember the day I discovered there was gold in the creek. It was after that day that I asked you to come home with me. I would have gone home with you then."

"After you had helped yourself to the gold here."

"Listen to me, Angel. I came out here to find it. I vowed I would not go home until I had made my fortune. But I would have gone ... if you had come with me."

"After you had bought this land ... After you had unearthed its treasure."

"Well, I should have been a fool not to."

"Yes, you would have been a fool, and you would never be that, Ben. There was only one way you could get that land, wasn't there? By marrying for it."

"If you had come with me I should never have married Lizzie. I should never have got this land. I'll be honest. I want the gold ... but I wanted you more. I still do. I'd give it all up for you."

I laughed at him. "I'm not a gullible girl any more, Ben. I understand your ways ... and all those of the men here ... or most of them. This is an obsession. It's a fever that takes possession of you all. You can't break away from it."

"I tell you this," he said. "When I have what is on this land ..."

"The land you bought through your marriage?"

"I mean this land ... I will go home and never want to see another piece of gold."

"There is no need to tell me all this. I know you, Ben, now. I didn't before. It is my fault for being so naive."

"Angel ..."

"Goodbye, Ben. There is nothing we have to say to each other now."

"Angel," he called as I turned away. "I must see you sometimes ..."

"I don't think you should."

"You are afraid of your feelings for me."

I turned on him angrily. "This is a small community. I should hate there to be gossip. It would hurt Lizzie. She is the innocent one in all this, isn't she? The lamb delivered up for slaughter."

"Lizzie is very happy now," he said. "And I intend that she shall remain so."

"Let us hope she never discovers she was married for a gold mine. Goodbye."

"If you care to ride Foxey ... she is always at your disposal."

"Thank you," I said coldly and turned away.

My emotions were in a turmoil.

I wondered how all this would end.

The weeks were passing. There were only five months to go before my child was bora. I thought that already it was getting rather late to leave. Even in my present condition I should not fancy the jostling of the Cobb's coach to Melbourne and the long sea voyage.

I consulted Mrs. Bowles.

"Another little baby!" she cried. "Well, that is good news. I'll guarantee yours will be easy. I know just by looking at a girl. Now, Mrs. Cartwright, I knew as soon as I saw her that she was going to have a bit of trouble. But you ... you'll be right as rain."

That optimism which I had noticed when One-Eye and Cassidy had had their find, settled on the township. One person's luck must mean that others could share in it because if there were alluvial deposits so near the surface on neighboring land it must mean that there were others nearby. It was a reminder that this was indeed gold country.

Gervaise and Justin were working feverishly; at the end of each day the story was the same. Maybe tomorrow will be our lucky day.

"Trust Ben Lansdon," said Justin enviously. "He hasn't done too badly in the past and then he alights on this."

"He had to marry Lizzie Morley to get it," I said waspishly.

"Well, never mind how he got it," replied Justin. "He knew the gold was there. That's what everyone says. That's why he took on Lizzie. I've heard it said that Morley made a bargain with him before he died. Take Lizzie and you get the land."

"Do you believe that?" I asked.

"Well, it seems to have worked out that way, doesn't it? He was desperately trying to buy the land ... offering a fantastic price, so I understand. Then he gets it through marriage and, hey presto, Gold."

"Well, I suppose it does seem rather obvious."

"Ben won't mind. As long as he achieves his object he'll be ready to pay the price."