The pool of St Branok

"There's a good deal of wealth round about Melbourne. You'll see some really fine houses here. They've grown up since the Gold Rush. Those who got in first were the lucky ones."

"What of you?" asked Justin.

"I've had a small share of the pickings, I'd say; but I haven't struck the rich veins."

"Do you think," said Justin in some alarm, "that it has been worked out?"

Ben was silent for a moment. Then he said: "One can't tell. There is no doubt that we have had gold in this part of the world. Whether it has been worked out is something we can't be sure of. One thing we do know. It is not as easy as it was."

"We did hear that you had a mine," I said. "The Captain of the Royal Albert seemed to know a great deal about you."

"Fame travels," said Ben lightly. "What did he tell you about me?"

"That you were a sort of Peter Lalor."

"Oh ... our respected member of Parliament and the hero of the Eureka Stockade. I shouldn't have thought we were alike. I have no intention of going into politics here."

"He said you were a leader."

Ben burst out laughing. "Lalor was a noble fellow. I don't think I'd match him in that. He worked for the good of the community."

"And for whose good do you work?"

"For the good of myself, of course."

We all laughed.

He said: "I have arranged for places for you with Cobb's. It'll make traveling out to the Creek a little more comfortable than it would have been in the past."

"Who are Cobb's?"

"Mr. Cobb is from California. He came out here when there were so many people who wanted to get from the goldfields to the towns. His business extends all over Australia now. We are grateful to Mr. Cobb of California. He is a great boon to us all, I can assure you; and when you travel in one of his coaches and ask yourself how, without him, you would get from one place to another, you will be ready to sing his praises, too."

"I don't know what we should have done without you, Ben," I said.

"You'd have managed. But you might have found it a bit rough-going. It is better to have someone who knows the ropes to help you along."

"Uncle Peter said you would do all you could for us."

"Naturally I will," he said, his blue eyes holding mine for a moment. He went on: "I shall be leaving tomorrow, so I shall be there when you arrive. I did think the ladies would want a little time to shop in Melbourne. There will be certain things you want to get. We've got one shop in the Creek. It sells most things, but there is not much choice. I've arranged places for you to live in ... close to where the work goes on. You'll have to stake your claim. I should advise you to go in together if that would suit you. You'll be needing each other. It's hard going, you know. But you'll learn." He looked at me intently. "You won't find the place like Cador or my grandfather's London residence."

"We are prepared for inconveniences," I said.

"That's a good thing because you'll get them."

Gervaise said: "You have been most kind. We don't know how to thank you."

"When you strike gold you can give me a commission," said Ben lightly.

"We certainly shall," said Gervaise. "I'll drink to that."

"Very well, partner, but first find the gold."

"We were told you have a mine and people work for you," I said.

"That's true."

"Do you not ... do the mining yourself?" asked Morwenna.

"I'm there every day. I know exactly what's going on. I just have a few men to do the donkey work."

I thought it was very exciting to be with him. He had that immense vitality which made one feel alive. I wondered if he had married. No one had said anything about a wife. I supposed there were not many women at Golden Creek. I might have asked him—but I did not.

We returned fairly early for it had been an exhausting day. Gervaise was elated.

He said: "It is all working out beautifully. This relation of yours ... he really is quite a character."

"Yes," I said.

"One can believe all one has heard of him."

"Do you like him, Gervaise?"

Gervaise was thoughtful. "I'm not sure," he said at length. "He'd be a good friend. I imagine he could be quite ruthless. He must have been to have done what he did."

"You mean the pool?"

"It would take some courage to do that ... a cool sort of courage. Yes, I think he would be a good friend, but I should not care to provoke him."

"Why?"

"As I said, I think he could be ruthless. But we're here. Isn't it wonderful?"

"Yes, it is, Gervaise. It's exciting. I like this place. I am sure they must have some good mid wives here."

He stared at me.

"I was thinking of Morwenna," I said.

We had three days in Melbourne. Morwenna and I explored the town together. We shopped and bought clothes for the baby. There was a good supply and we were delighted. We discovered a hospital. I wanted to make inquiries about it but Morwenna said it was too soon.