Revenge
Copyright© 2021 by Peter H. Salus
Chapter 10
Tessa insisted on driving the next morning, and Sam was happy to let her do so. They both knew that it was right along the Victoria Highway to the Lake Argyle Road and left. Tessa wondered aloud as to whether there would be a name change.
“I doubt it,” Sam responded.
When they got to Gabbaitch it seemed larger and busier. Certainly not large, but closer to a hundred than to two dozen. Josiah was sitting on a bench. He looked up from his reading.
“Welcome back! I have been following your trip. Including your experience at Tennant Springs.”
“He was just a drongo,” said Tessa.
“Both egocentric and ignorant,” Sam added. “Not a good combo.”
“You are well, though?”
“Yes. We had very good visits to Dunmarra and to Yarralin. I spoke in both places and expect some settlers from there as well as Timber Creek.”
“I am beginning to fear growth. The fast-growing bush has no strength.”
“True. Slower growth makes strength. But infants grow very fast, then more slowly, then have a growth spurt.”
“Gabbaitch must not mature too fast.”
“Well said.”
“What are your plans?”
Tessa responded. “I want to visit Yardungarl and the caves. I want to spend another night there.”
“I know of them. I have not gone there.”
“You are a good Christian,” said Sam.
“Like many, I am pulled in several directions. I want act correctly, I want to lead, but I do not want to rule.”
“Plutarch, in his biography of Alexander, has him say ‘I had rather excel in my acquaintance with the best things than in my power’. Life here may become a ‘best thing’.”
“Hey, there!” Zeke’s greeting broke he contemplative mood. “How you feelin’, Tessa? Not crook any more?”
“Hello, Zeke. I’m fine. We just got here. What have you been doing?”
“I’m construction boss, Tess. I bin sober an’ I keep track o’ materials.”
“That’s great!”
“Beats blowing stuff up inna mine!”
“Laying out a street plan?” Sam asked.
“Betchum! Biggest thing is spacing. Folks wanna be next to other folks.”
“How many?”
“Twenny-two famlys. Jos lives alone. One famly got three kids an’ her mum.”
“So the average is around three?”
“Bit less. One more one an’ coupla twos.”
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