The Soldier's Seed by Sharyn Bradford Lunn

Author:Sharyn Bradford Lunn [Lunn, Sharyn Bradford]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: thewordverve inc
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Early the next morning, Nicholas wrote out his petition to Lieutenant-Governor Collins requesting permission to marry Margaret McKinnon, native of Ardnamurchan and convict sentenced to life. The papers were delivered the very same day.

That afternoon, Bowen still absent, David Long summoned Nicholas from his duty at the government garden. “There’s trouble out back. Lieutenant Moore wants us up near the settlers’ farms. There’s a hoard of fully armed natives descending on us in a semicircle from the hills.”

Nicholas abandoned the crowbar he had just driven deep into the unyielding soil and grabbed his jacket and musket from a nearby log. “How many are there? Did you see them?”

“At least three hundred, and Moore thinks they’ll attack any minute.”

They ran to the rear of the settlement, sweat already pouring from Nicholas’ brow from digging. A short distance from Clarke’s hut, they found Lieutenant Moore with a group of about ten Corps men, all confused, uncertain of what to do next. Someone said the aborigines were hunting, driving a flock of kangaroos down the valley toward the stream, but the kangaroos were nowhere in sight by the time Nicholas and Long arrived.

Although armed with clubs and other objects, the natives passed Clarke’s hut, leaving it undisturbed as they continued slowly across the valley toward the other huts. They made no move to attack, but their numbers were such that Moore feared for the safety of everyone. He was also acutely aware the situation provided an opportunity for him to show Bowen exactly what he was made of. His grip tightened around the gun lest the men notice his trembles. He must take command. Entrusted with the security of the settlement, he was not about to let himself or the Corps down. Had these savages observed Bowen’s departure and counted on finding the newcomers in a state of disarray, or was their arrival quite by chance? Whatever the case, he had his duty, a duty he would perform to the best of his ability.

“Load your muskets,” he stated, in a voice betraying anxiety. “But don’t fire until I give the order.”

Scantily clad in animal skins, the aborigines passively watched the soldiers prepare for warfare, making no move as gunpowder was poured down the barrels of their weapons, then tamped down in readiness for the round bullet. Nicholas expecting them to seek cover or retreat, but then he realised they had no understanding of firearms.

Not even when the soldiers positioned themselves in two lines with the front row on its knees did they flinch or sho w any sign of fear. Then he noticed something; if these spear-carrying warriors had come to make war they would have left their families behind.

“Lieutenant,” Nicholas called, from his kneeling position. “There are women and children out there.”

“I can see that, Private,” was Moore’s flat reply as he moved to the right of the troop watching for the first sign of attack. If they made one threatening gesture, he would certainly give the order to open fire, meanwhile he prayed they would veer off or retreat up the hillside.

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