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Updated: June 19, 2025
You have a very hopeless task before you, I fear." "The more hopeless, the greater glory, madam," said Frank, taking off his hat and waving it; called, chosen, and faithful. "There is a beautiful house!" "That is Toonarbin," said the Major; "and there's Mary Hawker in the verandah." "Let us see," said Mrs. Buckley, "if she will know him. If she does not recognise him, let no one speak before me."
They had gone two or three miles before Hawker said: "That young fellow I shot when you were after me, is he dead?" "By this time," said Desborough. "He was dying as I came away." "Would you mind stopping for a moment, captain? Now tell me who was he?" "Mr. Charles Hawker, son of Mrs. Hawker, of Toonarbin." Desborough told me his wild, despairing cry rang in his ears for years afterwards.
He rammed his hat on tight, and took it flying, with his black coattails fluttering like wings; and, coming back laughing, said, "There's a bit of the old Adam for you, Mrs. Buckley! Be careful how you defy me again." The sun was bright overhead, and the land in its full winter verdure, as they rode along the banks of the creek that led to Toonarbin. "That is a strange sight to a European, Mrs.
Here, too, were flocks of black duck and teal, and as you rode past, the merry little snipe would rise from the water's edge, and whisk away like lightning through the trees. Altogether a pleasant woodland creek, alongside of which, under the mighty box-trees, ran a sandy road, bordered with deep beds of bracken fern, which led from Baroona of the Buckleys to Toonarbin of the Hawkers.
In sickness and in health, in summer and in winter, for ten long years after they settled at Toonarbin, did this noble old lady stand beside Mary as a rock of refuge in all troubles, great or small. Always serene, patient, and sensible, even to the last; for the time came when this true and faithful servant was removed from among them to receive her reward.
The poor, puling little babe, born in misery and disaster, Mary Hawker's boy Charles!" Toonarbin was but a short ten miles from Baroona, and, of course, the two families were as one. There was always a hostage from the one house staying as a visitor in the other; and, under such circumstances, of course, Charles and Sam were much together, and, as time went on, got to be firm friends.
Troubridge was at Toonarbin. No, she said; he was away again at Port Phillip with store cattle; making a deal of money, she understood, and laying out a deal for the Major in land. She wished he would marry Mrs. Hawker and settle down, for he was a pleasant gentleman, and fine company in a house. Wouldn't I get off and have a bit of cold wild duck and a glass of sherry? Certainly I would.
I must push on too, for there is a long period of dull stupid prosperity coming to our friends at Baroona and Toonarbin, which we must get over as quickly as is decent. Little Sam Buckley also, though at present a most delightful child, will soon be a mere uninteresting boy.
And they as meddles with 'em had better look out." Burnside started off for Toonarbin, and when halfway there he paused and listened. The firing had ceased. When he came to reflect, now that his panic was over, he had very little doubt that Desborough's party had gained the day. It was impossible, he thought, that it could be otherwise.
Mrs. Buckley, on the first news of her illness, had come up and taken her quarters at Toonarbin, acting as gentle a nurse as man or woman could desire to have. She took possession of the house, and managed everything. Mrs.
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