SHORT STORIES,

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 65

SHORT STORIES,

GOLD IN THE KAWARAU. A VISION OF WHAT MIGHT BE.

By

R. O. C.

“I say, Hector, have you heard the news?’’ Queried Donald I\l Pherson of his friend Hector Macdonald, as the two met on the main street of Cromwell. “News, Don!” Nothing cut of the ordinary. Why, what’s happened?” “Gold strike on the Kawarau. Up to date nothing has been mentioned locally, but when it does I wouldn’t be surprised that Cromwell will become the mecca of every motorist in New Zealand. The news has leaked out in Dunedin. In fact I have just heard that the railway people have had to refuse intending passengers this morning, and that a special train will leave Dnnedin this afternoon. Julius Vogel’s prophecy will come true. Aeroplanes will dot the sky before many hours. That’s that, my son.” “That’s good news indeed, Don. Now that you have mentioned it, l had heard whispers, but really have never given them any thought; so many rumours of gold have come to nothing. But why the exuberance. Do vou know of anything good ?” “We, Hector; we. Your Uncle Donald has been very busy. When I heard—of course in a quiet way—tile likelihood of the River Kawarau being dammed, I set out on a rabbit-shooting expedition and pegged off a very likely looking spot on the river for you and myself. The Warden’s Court will sit to-morrow, and I can see no difficulty, nor can the lawyer man, but what the Warden will grant permission to begin work. Meanwhile you’d [letter obtain a miner's license because I have already one.” “Good man, Don. I wish I had had your forethought; and many thanks for this opportunity. I accept, however, onlyon one condition, that you allow me to attend to the commissariat department—tools, tucker, tent —the three very necessary- tees. Won't it remind us of the old days in France. I'll get busy right away before the rush sets in. What about calling on the girls this evening and having a yarn ?’’ “Right o, old man : see you later, but remember, Hector, if Aunt Caroline is at homo don’t talk, and there is that insipid, stupid ass Bertie, who frequently visits there. The less we say the better. We don’t want the whole town to know our business.” That evening in the house of “Shorts” a-s it’ was called, an animated conversation was conducted between Molly, the eldest, and Nancy Short concerning the shortcomings of one named Donald M/Pherson. “Did you notice Donald lust evening?” queried * Molly; how preoccupied lie seemed to he? I asked him if he had enjoyed the band concert, and he replied, ‘What bank; the Kawarau or Clutha ’ He looks healthy enough, but one can never be sure with the epidemic or mumps among the children ; he may be sickening in the same direction.” “Mumps 1” answered Nancy. “I should say ‘jumps.’ I never saw a young man so fidgety in all my life. If lie were my young man I would ask him straight out his intentions.” And with a peal of laughter Nancy got to the other end of the room out of the way of Molly, who, rising in her wrath, threw a cushion, which fortunately did no harm. “You goose. Yon are nothing but a big Tom-boy. Wait, my dear girl, until you are as old as I am or until Hector can summon up courage to make known bis intentions, and then we shall see —well, what we shall see.” Just at that moment Aunt Caroline entered the ro-om and heard the last part of the sentence repeated, “Well, what shall we see?” “Nothing. Aunty,” replied Nancy. The ‘nothing’ semed to take Aunt Caroline's speech away for a moment. Then, straightening herself up to her full height, she looked angrily at Nancy and said sharply: “When I was a girl I was taught to answer a proper question respectfully, not impertinently.” “Oh, Aunty,” interposed Molly, ever ready to defend Nancy. “Don't be annoyed. Take no notice of Nancy.” “There, there, Aunt Caroline, said Nancy, “never mind Molly, “as she went forward and threw her arms around her aunt. I’m your little girlie. You are an old dear when you are not angry. You know I never meant to be impertinent.” “Well, you are a bad girl,” replied Aunt Caroline, mollified bv the nearness of Nancy. “Where would you he if I did not iook after you ?” Peace having been restored, Aunt Caroline went to her accustomed seat and sat down with her sewing. Just at that moment Donald and Hector were announced, and entering paid their respects to Aunt Caroline, and after a desultory conversation about the weather Hector suggested that Nancy should sing. “You know that pretty little song you were singing the other night; lets have it again,” he said. During the song Aunt Caroline conveniently dozed off t-o sleep. Of this opportunity the young men were quick to take advantage to relate the story of tho possibilities of the new gold strike. “Have you heard of the gold strike on the Kawarau?” asked Donald, introducing the subject. “Good gracious, no!” said Molly, “Not a word.” “My dream come true,” said Nancy, “An old dear read mv cup at an at home the other day, and said that I would hear of gold. Do tell us about it. Where was tho gold found?” At that moment the door opened quietly, and Bertie (regarded by Hector as a

•‘stupid ass,” but understood to be seeking favour in the eyes of one of the girls) looked in, but immediately withdrew without attracting attention, so engrossed were the others in the subject of gold. “Hector and I are going to have a shot at working a claim The o -.er , tried and found a fair prospect, and now that the river is low with a of the Kawarau River being darnmed we have every chance of being successful- before also the advantage of being in a the rush. We don t mind into the secret, but ‘mums the woid. What do you say, Hector? “Rather, Donald. If we make good, the tot big nugget,” looking Nancy, “we will make a present to Aunt LarollT1 ‘Tlow lovely !” exclaimed Molly. “Big boobv.” saia Nancy, looking in her turn ft Hector, “Why cannot,y<on f say, instead of Aunt Caroline, for - j * “cv-'’ exclaimed Molly horrified at her sister’s forwardness, “Donald is spe k ““Do you remember, where we had the picnic last Laste ■ croised the river at the chair. Bertie, you will remember, met with an accidentJ The door of the sitting-room moved Bertie was apparently interested m talk of the new gold-field. ■ Well, within half a mile this ~ide, that’s the place where we are g om £ our luck. When the news becomes public,” concluded Donald, look out for th “Wha* Cromwell knows toMay” added Rector, “Don’t be surprised'if the whole of New Zealand knows to-morrow Look out of your windows at daybreak and you will see all sorts of movement Cars and all sorts of traffic on the move to the goldfield. In fact, it won’t surprise one overmuch to see an aeroplane or two hovering over Cromwell.” , ■ “What fun. When you go to your claim do take us,” said Nancy. Don’t get excited, Nancy, replied Donald. “There may he a chance by and bv bat not to-morrow, and for goodness sake, girls, not a word to anybody, not even to Bertie.” , . , “What a lovely song, Nancy, exclaimed Aunt Caroline suddenly awakening from her fortv winks. “lours is indeed a golden voice. You must sing again some ether evening.” Meanwhile, while Donald and Hector are bidding good-bye to the ladies, Bertie, who had heard all the conversation was making his way to the hotel he most frequented, and where he expected to meet some of his particular friends. Reaching the hotel, he found sitting round a table playing cards a few men who, when Bertie entered looked up enquiringly. “I say, bovs,” he said, “have yon heard the news? A fresh strike of gold on the Kawarau. I heard two fellows talking about it to-night. They say that the Kawarau Gorge will be crowded like the old days. On my way here I met the stationmaster, and he informed me that a, special train was due at Cromwell at A a.m. Must be us to do something, too. ’ “Well, can you suggest something! asked one of the men, who looked as if he was a man of a somewhat reckless disposition ; by name “Charlie the painter. “I haven’t given it much thougnt, replied Bertie, “but you can take it from me that I intend to keep my eyes open. The fellows that I have been talking about think me a bit of an ass, and I prefer them to think so. Let's keep quiet, and if any of you fellows pick up any information of any importance, as, for instance, of a real good pile, let me know when it is to be sent down, and if you agree I will cail the boys together, and there is no saying what might happen. Meanwhile Charlie, with your assistance, I hope to keep an eye on my two, gentleman friends. Do vou agree boys?” “Rather!” “Bet your life, old sport,” came the reply in chorus. The next morning witnessed a remarkable scene in Cromwell. A motley crowd of men from all parts of the district were congregated round every hotel in town. A long queue of motor cars lined the and down, and questions were passing from one man to the other. Excitement everywhere ; gold the topic of the hour. What mignt have happened sixty years ago was rehearsed, perhaps, in a more modern way, but the spirit was the same. Along the banks of the river men were to be seen busy at work. What a transformation of a quiet little inland town in 24 hours. But such is the power and lure of gold. Above the township another scene was in progress. Donald and Hector, working as only young men with a distinct object will work, were busily opening up their claim. Donald had taken a dish of gravel down to the river to test. A shout from Donald made Hector throw down his tools and rush forward. “Look at this, Hector! Gold, a real rich strike or my name is not Donald M‘Pherson. our luck is in.” “Good old Donald. This is great. Won’t the girls he pleased our claim is not a dud.” “You can bet your life on that, Hector, old son. Let’s tell the others. We axe in honour bound now that the gold has been struck, to tell of our good fortune to the other men who are working dose to us. Hit np the j>an and make a noise.” Rector lifted up a tin dish and made a dreadful racket that caused every man in the immediate neighbourhood to leave their work and come at the run. Soon quite a number of men gathered round Donald and Hector to hear the meaning of the sudden alarm. Donald, standing on a box overlooking the gathering, addressed them : “Men, Hector and I have struck gold, and it is only right that we should let you Imow of our success. Some of you more experienced miners will tell us, or rather give us your opinion of our gold an<j claim.” A grey-haired old miner stepped forward •nd, after examining the gold and then the

claim, gave his verdict: “Well, mates, I have followed mining all my life, and I give my opinion for what it is worth, oet-ter gold and better conditions never was shown in the Bendigo mines. We wish you luck, mates. Let her rio boys. Give our mates a good, rousing cheer.” And after a great deal of hand-shaking the miners turned back to their own claims with the hope that the same opportunities might be given them and their mates. But one man slunk away unnoticed, and went behind the tent of the young fellows and placed himself in a convenient position to hear and not be seen. When Donald and Hector weTe alone they immediately began to make plans for the disposal of the gold. “I don’t suppose that an escort will be provided,” said Donald, “but we must take every precaution, for even in these enlightened days a few undesirables are bound to be among the legitimate miners. “That’s so, old man,” replied Hector. “I suppose there will be opportunities for tlie sneak thief. What do you plan ? We cannot always have the gold in sight.” “What about hiding the gold where we are working?” suggested Donald. “We can easily move it into the tent at night.” “Good idea,” replied Hector, “that’s the ticket.” vvnen the chums were making preparations for bed an opportunity was afforded the spy who had heard all to come from his hiding place and steal silently away. Bertie and his friends had had quite a busy day, and that same evening were gathered in close consultation in one of the hotels' when the spy entered to give his report. Drawing Bertie aside, he related all that he had seen and heard, much to the satisfaction of Bertie, who then related the whole story to his friends. “Charlie has just heard* that the two young fellows that I told you of —M'Pherson and Macdonald—have struck gold, and he believes that in a day or two it will be worth while having a shot at. What do you say boys? Charlie says that it is their intention to hold the gold for a while and to plant it at night in their tent. Now, say we meet two nights hence, cross the Cromwell Flat, and cross the river at Bannockburn bridge. We can then go along the track, and when our young friends are asleep pull the tent down and wrap them up like mummies, get the gold and be back in town before the alarm is given. Is it a go?” And much to Bertie’s satisfaction, the men agreed to join him. At noon on the day agreed on by Bertie and his friends to try and secure the gold, Donald and Hector, after a hard morning’s successful work, were reclining after the mid-day meal and conversing, when the noise of approaching horses aroused them. “1 say, Hector,” said Don, “have a look, who are the riders?” Hector, who had risen, shaded his eyes from the sun and had a long look, and then all excitement, exclaimed: “Donald, quick, old man. Clear up. the tent. It’s the girls, Nancy and Molly'; get a move on.” The mention of the girls acted as a stimulant. Never had they worked so quickly to bring the tent and surroundings into spick and span order. As they finished a very sweet voice, at least to Donald, was heard in greeting: “Good day, gentlemen both. We heard of your rich wash up and could not restrain our impatience.” A hint of laughter was in Molly’s voice as she made the greeting. “Tell the truth, Molly,” said Nancy, “and shame the old man who lives in a pit.. We really wanted to see your dear, kind faces.” Both Hector and Donald laughed very heartily at this sally. “You’re simply great, Nancy,” said Donald, “and we are as delighted to see your kind faces. Isn’t that so, Hector?” “Rather,” replied Hector. “We need cheering occasionally. Let me take your horses, girls, and in two minutes we will have a cup of ‘bill}'’ tea. ” ' “How lovely,” said Molly, “A cup of tea is the very thing. Do you know Nancy made up a parcel of cakes and sandwiches with the expectation that you would offer us a cup of tea.” ‘Right you are, girls. Will you allow your humble servant to attend to the business. ’ And Donald spread out a table cloth that had seen rough service, but was still clean, and quickly added the necessary crockery. In the alloted two minutes tea had been' prepared, and the four friends were gathered round a big box that made substitute for a table, enjoying the good and wholesome cake and sandwiches. “Now tell us all about the gold.” began Nancy. “Have you made a million? I am dying to see it.” Hector sprang un at once, anxious to show and please Nancy and brought out for the girls’ inspection their hard won efforts. “Here’s the misers’ hoard. We have not had time to take it to Cromwell.” “Good gracious. Hector,” exclaimed Nancy, as she felt the weight of the gold. “There must be a hundredweight of gold in the bag.” “Hardly, Nancy,” replied Hector, “but quite sufficient to extend our banking account.” Molly, who had been talking to Donald, became quite interested in the cold, and made a suggestion. “Did I hear you say that you had not had time to take the gold to Cromwell ? Why not let Nancy and I have it between us to take for you.” “What a scheme,” exclaimed Donald, “splendid idea, but axe you sure you won’t be afraid. Rumour has it that one or two men have been held up.” “But who would suspect two ladies out having a ride of carrying gold,” answered Molly. “We should just love to bo held up,” added Nancy. “Wouldn’t I like to draw my riding crop across any one who would dare to stop us. “What do you say, Hector,” asked Donald.

“I don’t like it, Donald. The risk would be too great,” replied Hector. “If anything should happen I should never —” “Oh, you big booby,” interrupted Nancy, “nothing is going to happen. Trust a woman’s wit.” “all right, Nancy, don’t get excited,” replied Hector, “I agree.” Donald and Hector sat up late that night, and had only retired to bed when a noise caused Donald, whose ears had been trained in many a listening post somewhere in France to ask Hector if he had heard anything. “Yes, I did, ’ answered Hector. “I was about to ask you the same question. We’d better get up and have a look round. Thank goodness we need not worry about the gold.” The y'oung men, as if on active service again, got out of the tent and silently made their way to cover. Hardly had they left the tent than a voice was heard issuing orders: “Lut the ropes; now, all together. Tie them up quick.” A rush of men followed, and the tent fell. Then there was confusion which lasted for a moment; great oaths were heard, and then a sudden silence as a pleasant voice said : “Good evening gentlemen. Sorry to interrupt your party ; may we help. Don’t move,” as some of the men made a rush forward. “Hector, my mate, has you covered, and would be delighted to mete out some sort of punishment. This is a most pleasant surprise, Bertie. It is Bertie ! I thought I recognised your voice. One would never have imagined that you would show such energy. ’ “Oh, cut it out,” shouted Bertie. ‘ What are you going to do about it? We admit nothing.” “It’s pretty obvious that you have nothing to admit. What a disappointment. Uur gold left here to-day.” “Left here to-day'. How could it? We had you watched.” “Well,” replied Donald, “that’s neither here nor there. You have practically admitted that you had designs on our gold. To speak straight out you came to rob us.” “It is as you say, obvious,” answered Bertie. “You deserve gaol,” continued Donald, “but for the sake of your relatives my hands are tied. I am going to give you another chance. But on one condition.” “What condition ” “That you and your pals leave the goldfields and clear out to Dunedin. The country- would be sweeter for y'our departure. Do you agree?” “I’ll see you in Hong Kong first. I am not leaving.” “Is tliat your final word, Bertie? Think it over.” “Tes,” replied Bertie, “do your worst.” “I say, Bert,“ interrupted ‘ ’Charlie the painter,” “let’s out him and his pal. Say the word.” “Shut up !” “Oh, it’s all very well for you, Bert,” continued Charlie, “but what about us? What do you say mates ?” “Now, men,” said Donald, “I know most of you. I have no quarrel with you. I believe that Bertie here has led you on. Clear out. Take my advice.” The men looked at one another and at Bertie, and then “Charlie the uainter” stepped forward and spoke for his mates. “It's 3 fair cop. We are clearing out.” “And what do you say, Bertie,” asked Donald. “Clear out and retrieve vour character. Be a man for the sake of your relatives if not for your own.” “That’s enough. I’ll not he preached at, ’ replied Bertie. “But take my warning. Look out! The next time I may have better luck.” Nothing more need be added. Doubtless. before many months, many more Donald s and PTectors will be trying their lucii on the banks of the River Kawarau.

Two large cargoes of manures will reach Auckland this month. The Waitomo is due about July 19 with over 6000 tons of phosphates from Nauru. She will be followed, about July 24, by the steamer Dundrennan with a less quaintity of guano from Makatea Island. Hawera is proud of the fact that notwithstanding the town was crowded with visitors during show week not one case of improper conduct, or even drunkenness, was reported to the police.