CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Comforts of Civilization.--Susan Raine.--The Hamlet and theChurch.--Plans for the Future.--Mrs. Edward Deverell.--The Beauties ofDaisy Grange.
The excitement of the reception was great: such screams of wonder anddelight! so many tears at the thoughts of the trials and sufferings ofthe wanderers and so much laughter at their tattered condition! Thensucceeded such haste and bustle to procure immediate aid to restore tothem the comforts of which they had been so long deprived, and to spreadthe hospitable board with the refreshments so long untasted.
It was only by interjections and extorted answers that any details oftheir trials were known at first. It was necessary that they should berestored to the likeness of civilized beings; and the servants vied withtheir master and mistress in providing food and raiment for the needy.
"Tell me, dear Emma," said Margaret, as she brushed her dishevelled hairand arrayed herself in a clean muslin dress belonging to herfriend,--"tell me if you have still, and unmarried, the prettydairy-maid, Susan Raine, who accompanied you from England. One of ourfaithful attendants, though rude and unpolished, will be broken-heartedif he does not find his Susan here."
"But surely, Margaret," answered Emma, "you are not speaking of thegraceless convict, Wilkins? You alarm me, for the good girl has told meher whole history; and, though she is unwilling to allow it, there isno doubt the man behaved basely in inducing her to come over fromEngland to join him, only to find the worthless fellow had absconded."
"But let me explain his conduct to you, Emma," said Margaret; "let metell you his story of sins and repentance and then I hope you willconsent to be his mediator and friend."
Then, before they descended to join the rest, Margaret told her friendall the circumstances of Wilkins's temptation, fall, and happyreformation after having been thrown amongst them; and this was thefirst part of the adventures of the travellers that was related at DaisyGrange. And when the girls told Mrs. Deverell this tale of trials, shepromised that Susan, who was now engaged in the dairy, should have theunexpected event properly revealed to her before she was introduced toher much-lamented friend.
The travellers scarcely recognized each other in their amendedappearance, for which they had been indebted to the wardrobes of theirfriends; and they now proceeded to the large dining-room, where thetable was spread with the plenty of an English home. Beef and muttonfrom the fields; fowls from the poultry-yard; pastry made by Emma; fruitand vegetables from the garden, and cream from the dairy. To thesehomely luxuries was added home-brewed ale from the barley grown on thesettlement, which Edward Deverell said must satisfy his guests for sometime, till his vines produced him grapes fit to make wine.
In the mean time Jenny and Ruth, with Baldabella and her child, had beenproperly cared for by the maid-servants of the establishment, who werein exuberant spirits at the novelty of visitors, and especially suchwonderful and amusing visitors, who could tell them such strange talesof their travels; and even Baldabella in time got over her shyness,under the pressing hospitality of the reception; and little Nakinna wasin ecstasies at the novelties she beheld and the dainties which she nowfirst tasted. Wilkins moped in a corner in deep distress till his friendHugh came to him, who insisted on his shaving and dressing himselfneatly, and who then accompanied him to the dairy, where Susan, alreadyacquainted with his story by Emma, was sitting weeping, but quite readyto receive and pardon the repentant man; and the mirth and festivity ofthe servants' hall were complete when the reunited pair joined theparty.
It was late before the wanderers had recounted their adventures; andthey all fully enjoyed the luxury of beds, after being so longaccustomed to the open air, though the boys declared sleeping in anenclosed room was rather confining. Next morning, after a breakfast ofcoffee and cream, with all the other good things of the farm, they setout to see the hamlet, which was to become in time the town of Deverell.This hamlet stood about a quarter of a mile from the Grange, andconsisted of a long row of wooden huts, thatched with bark, and paintedgreen; each stood apart in a pretty garden, and each had behind it aboutan acre of land fenced round, where a cow, and sometimes a sheep or two,were grazing; every thing looked clean, orderly, and prosperous.
From the cottages to the river it was not more than three or fourhundred yards, and before them was a green, in the midst of which was anenclosure that contained a neat stone-built church, with its low towerand bell to summon the congregation to church.
Mr. Mayburn was moved even to tears at the sight of this temple of Godin the remote wilds; he seized the hand of Deverell, and said, "MayHeaven bless you, my son! tell me whom you expect to fulfil the dutiesof this holy place."
"We have but just completed the most difficult and important work wehave yet undertaken," answered Deverell. "The stone has been broughtfrom our own quarry; but the labor of cutting and building was great andtedious. Our people are, however, pious and industrious, and they gladlyworked extra hours to raise the place of worship they pined for. I haveever proposed to wait for you to be our priest, my good father; andmonth after month I have expected letters from you. For some of thegraceless crew of the _Golden Fairy_, who escaped in the boats, reachedAdelaide; and when they reported the vessel to be destroyed by fire,they asserted that you and your family had been taken up by an Indiaman.My plan was, as soon as I had heard from you where you were settled, towrite to beseech you to join me. It is only during the last month that,afflicted and disappointed by your long silence, I have reluctantlyturned my thoughts to the necessity of searching for another minister;and I was on the eve of setting out on a long journey to consult ourworthy bishop, when the raid of the bush-rangers called me away torecover my property. Now Heaven has sent you to us, may I not, then,venture to hope that you are ours for life?"
"For life, Edward Deverell," answered Mr. Mayburn. "I am content andhappy to remain with you; and I feel sure my children are determined todo the same. Teach them to be useful and happy as you are; and allow usto form part of your new colony."
"Huzza!" cried Hugh; "but you must grant us allotments to build cottageson, Governor Deverell."
"You shall hear all my plans," answered Deverell. "In the first place,you must all be our guests till dwellings are provided; the Grange islarge enough for a city hotel. We will begin by building a handsomemanse for our worthy pastor, with a large and convenient museum, whicheverybody must try to furnish with wonderful birds and eggs, and all thenatural curiosities of Australia. I can spare volumes of my own to fitup the library, till we can procure all that are needed from Sydney."
"Delightful!" said Margaret. "I long to see you begin."
"Then we must have a house and workshop for our friend Jack," continuedDeverell; "and constitute him head carpenter of Deverell. On yourrecommendation, I will venture to employ Wilkins as a stock-keeper; heshall be placed at the dairy-house, which the prudent Susan shallmanage; and they shall have a good allotment, with cows and pigs oftheir own, to encourage them to prudence and industry. As for yourfemale followers, Nurse Wilson, Ruth, and the native woman and child,they must remain with us, at least till the parsonage-house iscompleted, and Mr. Mayburn wishes to found his household."
"I propose, Edward," said Margaret, "that, if you do not object, Ishould teach some of the little girls of the hamlet--I see you have anumber who are peeping at us from the cottages; then Nakinna will learnwith them, and soon be a little English girl in all but complexion."
"That is just what I expected from you, Margaret," answered Deverell;"and Emma will be delighted to have such an associate. On this prettyspot, my brother Charles proposes to build a good house for himself,that he may be near his patients, who, I am happy to say, are few. Heintends, when his house is ready, to go down to Sydney, and bring thencea wife to preside over it. He has fixed on a very charming young orphangirl, who, with her two young sisters that will accompany her, will forma most agreeable addition to our society."
"That is quite right," said Mr. Mayburn. "I rejoice to hear of hisinte
ntion. And you, my dear Edward--would it not be also desirable thatyou should bring some lady suitable to you to this pleasant abode? Ifyou have really resolved to pass your days here, it is your duty tomarry."
"Do you think so, my very dear friend?" answered Deverell. "Then I leavethe affair in your hands; you must kindly select a bride for me."
"I, my dear Edward!" exclaimed Mr. Mayburn. "I that have ever lived somuch out of the world, and that am now a perfect solitary. I am actuallyacquainted with no young ladies in the world but your sister and my ownchild."
"Perhaps, papa," said Gerald archly, "Edward would be satisfied to takeMargaret."
"How exceedingly absurd you can be, my dear boy," said Mr. Mayburn;then, after a few minutes' consideration, he added: "The thought neveroccurred to me before; it is not an absurd idea. I really do not seewhy such a pleasant arrangement might not be."
Margaret fled from the delicate discussion, and Edward Deverell thenassured Mr. Mayburn, that not only he should be satisfied to takeMargaret, but that he had never thought of any other person; aseverybody but Mr. Mayburn understood long ago.
Then Margaret had to be asked if she would consent to be the mistress ofthat comfortable and happy household, to which she agreed, providingMrs. Deverell and Emma would still continue to share the pleasures andduties of her home. And Edward told her all his plans for extending thepopulation of his colony, and regulating it according to the laws ofEngland and the commands of God. The great hall was, when needed, a hallof justice, and his people knew they were amenable to the law as much asif they lived in England.
"You should see how grave I look when I am seated on my throne ofoffice, Margaret," said Deverell: "I must have Mr. Mayburn and Arthur onthe bench in future, to give more dignity to my court. And now I mustshow you a domain which will be especially your own--my gardens,orchards and vineyards."
No labor or expense had been spared to enrich the gardens with all thefairest products of Australia and England. Conservatories and hot-houseswere not needed in this charming climate, where the most delicateflowers and choicest fruits reached perfection in the open air. The richblossoms of the apple, peach, apricot, and nectarine were now glowing onevery side, and the trees, though so young, gave promise of abundantfruit; and the fragrance of the strawberry beds proclaimed the fruit tobe ripe. Margaret was delighted with all she saw, and astonished at thethought of the labor and perseverance that must have been used.
A long avenue was shaded with the broad and luxuriant leaves of thevine, on which small bunches of grapes were already formed, a youngcrop, but giving promise of the rich vintage future years would bring.
"When my vines have reached maturity," said Deverell, "I shall requireall the heads and the hands I can command, in order to make good winefrom my own vineyard, of which, if God spare me, I have no fear. And Ihope, Margaret, you are pleased with the delicate and fragrant blossomsof my orange-trees. They are yet but low shrubs; but I trust we shalllive to see them tall and productive trees."
But it required many pleasant days, and many rambles about the domain,to see all that had been done, and all that it was proposed to do. Mr.Mayburn's new dwelling was planned and immediately commenced, orchardsand gardens were marked out, and a list of fruit-trees and seeds madeout. Jack was in his element, superintending the cutting down of timbertrees, and then manufacturing them into tables and chairs, and otheruseful furniture, to his heart's content.
"It's a great comfort, Mr. Arthur," said he, as his three young friendsstood near him in his new workshop. "It's a great comfort to have a goodchest of tools again, and that thief, Peter, no longer here to make offwith them; and to be working at good jobs that we shall not have to runaway and leave behind us, as we had to do when those ugly black fellowswere always hanging at our heels."
"But, Jack," answered Hugh, "do you know that Mr. Deverell has a numberof those black fellows employed on his estate, who not only wear clothesand live in huts, but speak English, behave quietly and honestly, andattend prayers regularly with the other work-people. Baldabella is veryglad to meet with the native women, who are not _jins_ here, but wives;she certainly holds herself a little above them, but she condescends toteach them decorum and the manners of society. We are all to be employedin the schools immediately, and then you will see what wonders papa andArthur and Margaret will effect among these poor natives."
"Well, Master Hugh," answered Jack, with a certain air of incredulity,"I hope, by God's help, it may turn out as you say; but you'll not getWilkins to believe such a thing. He hates blacks like toads, and alwaysdid. There's Susan, however, she is a quiet, good lass; but she has agood spirit, and maybe she may win her good man to think better of them.But, Mr. Arthur, now you are at your proper work among books, and MasterHugh and Master Gerald, they'll be riding about on the land, I shall notsee much of you; there's no need for any of you to take up a hammernow."
"Your workshop will always be a favorite resort, depend on it, Jack,"said Arthur; "but I am going to read hard for the next year, to make upfor lost time. Then papa intends me to go to England, to be entered atone of the universities."
"And to return to us the Reverend Arthur Mayburn," said Gerald, "readyto help papa, and, I should say, to marry little Emma."
"But I shall always come and help you, Jack, when I have time," saidHugh; "we should all be mechanics here, in case of vicissitudes. Myparticular pursuit will be to study medicine with Charles Deverell, tobe fitted for the second doctor when our colony shall be so muchincreased that two are required. Gerald is to be farmer, and hunter, andgame-keeper, and ornithological assistant to papa; and then, I think,Jack, we shall form such a pleasant, cosy family circle, that we shallnone of us feel any inclination 'to take to the bush.'"
"Farewell to the cowardly bush-rangers," said Gerald. "They never dareface such a band of heroes. I shall be head ranger myself; and on grandoccasions I shall call you all around me for a field-day, to beat thebushes, and keep up our character of successful Kangaroo Hunters."
END.
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