Billabong Ghost by Shell Ryn

Author:Shell, Ryn [Shell, Ryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Genre Fiction, Historical Fiction, Australian & Oceanian, Historical, Sagas, Literary, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Literary Fiction, Literature & Fiction
Amazon: B00EFAKD0S
Goodreads: 20432196
Publisher: RK Press
Published: 2013-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

* * *

Jarrah turned nine at Kellincha. Years of farm work gave him strength and a muscular physique. He was as tall as his cousins and capable of handling most farm chores.

Like Emily, he had a natural aptitude and eagerness to absorb everything he could learn from his surroundings while keeping secrets. Jarrah realised it didn’t pay to please the teacher too much. It was the way the teacher insulted the boys while giving praise that troubled Jarrah.

‘You’re the equal of one of the top white boys at Kompley Primary School,’ the teacher said.

Jim was too enraged to speak to Jarrah for a day when he said thanks and smiled at the teacher for that—comment. ‘Couldn’t you tell that saying you’re as good as a white boy is an insult?’

‘That’s true.’ Billy nodded his head. ‘I’d like to see any of those white boys run a dairy farm, go to school and excel in sports at the same time.’

‘Yeah!’ Jim said. ‘Let’s see them try to be as good as us.’

Joe, an older boy, jostled Jarrah, and other boys hissed and jeered when they passed him.

‘Teacher’s pet,’ Joe chanted. Jarrah ran off. His spindly legs carried him out of the schoolhouse before Jim could raise a fist.

Jarrah felt miserable being reprimanded by his cousins, so he pretended he couldn’t read English. This earned him the respect of the boys in the class, but a caning from the teachers and supervisor for mucking up. The Kellincha teachers never knew he defied orders and learned about his Woggan-Wandong country and language. The Kellincha boys never realised the depth of his academic studies in the classroom and through library books.

There were many things about Kellincha that Jarrah loved. In the summer months, he trained for lifesaving duties at South Well Rocks, and his night terrors faded as his enjoyment of life increased while learning water sports. He still planned to own the Dreaming Billabong, and he decided that working hard and taking on an apprenticeship when he turned fifteen would be the best way to achieve that.

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