The Divergence by Sharyn Bradford Lunn

Author:Sharyn Bradford Lunn [Lunn, Sharyn Bradford]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: thewordverve inc

Chapter Thirty

It was all the talk of gold that captured Ann McCabe’s imagination the following May. An Englishman by the name of Edward Hargraves had discovered gold in New South Wales. He had been part of the California gold rush two years earlier and noted a similarity between the California gold fields and the Bathurst area of New South Wales. Upon his return to the colony, Hargraves put his newly developed theory to the test and subsequently found gold near Bathurst three months ago.

“Your father would have gone searching for gold had it had been discovered when he was a young man,” she said to Buck one evening. “He’d probably have sought out this Mr. Hargraves and worked out some sort of partnership or deal with him.”

“Of that I have no doubts,” Buck smiled, fully aware of his late father’s keen business sense and eye for an opening. “If there was opportunity, he’d make the most of it, as did Hargraves.”

“Perhaps you should consider going to the gold fields,” Ann McCabe suggested to her only son. “It sounds like the kind of venture you’d do well in.”

“Mother Ann!” Jane protested, deploring the notion of her husband trekking off to some god-forsaken place in New South Wales. “I’ll not hear of such things in this house.”

“May I remind you it was my house first,” Ann continued, almost shocked by her own words. Over the years she had resented relinquishing many aspects of the running of the house in favour of her daughter-in-law, but with her advancing years, she had to admit she was no longer up to the task. They had always had a good relationship, she and Jane, yet when it came to the big house of which she and James had been so proud to call their own, she found it hard at times to let go.

“Our gold is in timber and beef, which we have right here,” Buck said calmly, instantly pacifying Jane, who still scowled across the room at her mother-in-law. “Not everyone who goes to the gold fields will make it rich; mark my words. Don’t get me wrong. Gold will be found and many will become rich men as a result, but the average miner will toil from sun-up to sundown for little more than enough gold to pay the bills. Most will go away broke and disheartened as they did in California.”

“I never thought to hear you say that,” Ann teased. “I think you’ve lost your sense of adventure, my boy,”

“Be that as it may . . . I believe gold mining will not be the answer to most men’s dreams of riches. The best way to turn a profit on the gold fields is probably in catering to the needs of the thousands of miners who will flood in. They’re going to need food, clothing, and equipment. The man who can provide these will be the one to come away wealthy.”

“I agree with Father,” commented Griff, the steadfast, reliable son who always weighed up the pros and cons before opening his mouth.

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