The pool of St Branok

He plucked a blade of grass and looked at it. "Not as green as the variety we get at home," he said. "Are you homesick?"

"For Cador perhaps and my parents. But this is a new life and Gervaise is here ... and Morwenna ..."

"So you feel you have a little bit of home around you?"

"I suppose that's so. Tell me about the Morleys and the man I have heard called Bruin."

He laughed. "Bruin? That's Robin Bears actually. We're lucky to have him here. He's invaluable to me ... and to all here. I think they know it.

He is always called Bruin ... due to his name of course. And he looks like a bear."

"Is he one of the diggers?"

"Yes. But he has other duties. He was a prizefighter back home ... quite a renowned one. He killed a man in the ring and after that he never wanted to box again. So he came out here to make his fortune. There was some difficulty about his claim and I was able to sort it out for him. I did very little really, but he thought it was a great deal. He is a simple man and the sight of that piece of paper with writing on it terrified him. I showed him where to put his mark and he thought I was some sort of magician. He now has his stake here; and I had an idea that he could help to keep order. You'll have to understand about that, Angel ... all of you will. This isn't home. We have some rough characters here and we have to make the laws."

"I know. You did tell me that."

"You see here we have this closely knit community ... most of us bent on one thing: finding that amount of gold which is going to make us rich overnight. It's a dangerous situation."

"You mean theft?"

"I mean that among other things. There are some women here ... but more men. When I see some of the men's eyes on the women, I am watchful. I have to be. We can't have trouble in the township. We have to make sure of some law and order."

"Why you, Ben?"

"Because I have a lot to lose, I daresay. In any case, all of those who want peace while they get on with their work are with me. We can't set up courts of law. We'd have the government after us ... and the government doesn't want to be troubled with petty squabbles on a gold mining estate. They would like to see the whole thing dispersed and the men going back to working in the towns ... and then perhaps the government would organize a search for gold. We don't want that. But we have to keep law and order going. This is where Bruin comes in. If any man is found guilty of a sin against the community, Bruin issues a challenge. He demands they come and meet him in the ring. He then proceeds to punish them in accordance with their sin. It works. No one wants to face up to a pummeling from Bruin."

"What an extraordinary way of meting out justice!"

"It works. Things have to be a bit unconventional here, you know. But you'll like Bruin. He's quite ... unusual. He is well over six feet tall; his nose was broken in a fight and it has flattened it somewhat; he's got what they call a cauliflower ear; but he has the most innocent pair of wide blue eyes that you ever saw. They reflect his innocence. He is naive; he is almost child-like. But you must like Bruin."

"I feel sure I shall. Now tell me about the Morleys."

"I am arranging for you to meet them very soon. I have told James about you. He wants you to go up to the house. He's glad you're here. He thinks Lizzie might find suitable friends in you and Mrs. Cartwright."

"Lizzie? It's the first time I've heard of her."

"Lizzie is his daughter ... the apple of his eye."

"Is there a Mrs. Morley?"

"Not now. She died. There are only old Morley and Lizzie. I'll show you their house. It's quite grand in its way. You see, we do have some beautiful houses here."

"I know. I saw some in Melbourne."

"Built by the gold millionaires mostly."

"It is amazing how everyone wants to be rich."

"Of course they do. Riches mean power, and power I suppose is one of the most desirable objects on earth ... men being what they are."

"You want that don't you, Ben?"

He nodded. "Yes, I do."

"And when you have it what will you do with it?"

"I shall see what my immediate needs are."

"And then you will gratify them?"

"If it is possible, yes."

"Power ... money ... they cannot give you everything."

He looked at me steadily and said: "There are things above them, I know. But you must admit they provide a good deal. Are you happy, Angel?"

"Happy ... why yes."

"Your Gervaise ... he is a charming fellow."

"Yes, he is. He was so wonderful when I told him ... about the pool. He made me see it differently. I haven't worried so much since then."

"Good. Sounds sensible. And Justin Cartwright? What of him?"

"Oh, he and Morwenna had a romantic match. She ran away with him to Gretna Green. They gave us a shock at the time but that's over now. I am worried about her though, Ben. She is going to have a baby."

"Good Heavens! When?"

"In about four months or so I should think. I am anxious about her being here."

"There is a midwife. She runs the store."

"I know. I've met her. Is she good?"