The overlanders, p.7
The Overlanders, page 7
‘I have a bite on my leg as well. I can manage now, thank you Andrew.’ she said and took the cloth from his hand. Once more, she raised her face causing their eyes to meet and they held each other’s gaze for a moment. Sarah’s feeling flustered, once more forced her to look away.
‘Yer will have to repeat that tonight then hopefully it will be better tomorrow,’ he spoke quietly.
‘Thank you Doctor.’ For a few moments, she smiled then turned and moved away. Andrew watched her go, for a split second he wanted to kiss her; the feeling came from nowhere. He placed his hands on his hips and looked at the ground, kicking a stone, before collecting his things together and was pleased when they were once more on their way.
At this point, they left the canoes and took to the road, passing through a large paddock belonging to a Wesleyan mission station where lots of fat cattle, sheep and pigs grazed. After crossing the Waipa, they continued overland. The whole way was a succession of fern-clad downs with deep ravines with swampy creeks at the bottom of them. Passing a mountain on their left called Kakepuke at five p.m., they came to a place called Mohaonui, a large Maori settlement. Here they noticed an abundance of wheat grown near a local flourmill at which the natives worked.
The rain continued but, like the morning before, it stopped at lunchtime, much to everyone’s relief. Peter and Sarah’s bites had gone down, all except the one on Sarah’s leg which remained extremely itchy and swollen.
‘Andrew, have you got any more of those salts? My leg still needs bathing.’
‘The packet is in my kit.’ Sarah looked at his bag, not knowing if he wanted her to help herself or wait for him. Andrew glanced up to see her hesitating.
‘Help yerself, lass. It is on the left hand side of the bag.’ Sarah crouched down and opened it. Inside all the clothes were neatly rolled or folded and it was if everything had its place. ‘Must be because of years in the army,’ she concluded. Reaching in, she moved a few of the articles. Touching his things gave her a funny feeling, it was nice. She wanted to pick a piece up, cuddle and smell it. On locating the packet of salts, she stood up as Andrew came over.
‘Did yer find them?’
‘Yes, thank you, Andrew, they were right where you said they would be.’
Andrew stood holding a billy half full of water.
‘Here use this.’ He was about to hand the billy over, but stopped and placed it on the ground.
‘Let me have a look at yer leg.’ Sarah rolled up her trousers exposing a red abscess.
‘I think I must have scratched it in my sleep and it has got infected,’ she said. Andrew glanced at it for a few seconds, before gently touching around the wound as he examined it. Sarah put her hand out to stop him but changed her mind.
‘Wait here.’ Andrew went over to Kiriana. After a discussion, she looked in Sarah’s direction and nodded. Walking away from Andrew, she returned a few minutes later with a handful of bark. Kiriana scraped the surface of it and placed it into a bowl of water. Sarah asked which tree the bark was from.
‘We call it Pukatea. Stops pain and scratch,’ replied Kiriana in broken English. After a few minutes, Kiriana looked up at Andrew and made a gesture to him. Kiriana’s back was to Sarah and she did not see what Kiriana was doing. A few moments later, Kiriana and Andrew came over. He crouched down and held Sarah’s leg and spoke to her.
‘Kiriana will have to break the skin; it will hurt for a few moments.’
‘What!’ was all Sarah said before she felt the pressure of Andrew’s hand around her leg and a knife lancing her wound. A small cry followed as Kiriana did the deed. Sarah placed her hands on top of Andrew’s. He removed his from her leg and twisted his palms, so he could hold hers.
‘All done now lass.’ He gave her hands a reassuring squeeze before releasing them. Sarah took a few moments to compose herself as Kiriana took a piece of cloth, and dipped it in the lotion. Kiriana signalled to Sarah to place it on her wound. Hesitating, with shaking hands, she placed it over the laceration. It caused Sarah to wince as the liquid penetrated the open flesh. Tears formed in her eyes, but then the pain subsided. Andrew produced a roll of material and bandaged her wound. Occasionally, their eyes met and rested on each other, causing Sarah to tingle all over. Task completed, they then focused on their trip once more.
At the next settlement, the men tried to hire horses but the people wanted three pounds for each animal as far as Taupo. The natives described the road as very poor whereas the way to the Whanganui River was shorter and better. There was war between the Taupo tribes and Einyoa said they would not accompany them. As a result, the group decided to head for the Whanganui River.
It rained yet again, the road was good at least for the first few hours. They stopped for nourishment before setting out again. Before starting, a man on horseback passed them. Nuia said previously he was not too sure of the way after the next settlement, so Andrew asked the rider if he knew of any local guides. The gentleman offered to inquire further on and say they were coming. Sarah watched the conversation feeling tired but felt disappointed they were not travelling by horseback.
Further on, the country became hilly. The paths went straight over the top of the hills and consisted of slippery clay. Valleys were covered with pine forests and thick bush, which they had to force their way. Occasionally, the road travelled along the summit of the hills, and appeared to be level with the treetops.
About 4 o’clock, they came across a deep stream with a small, narrow, wooden bridge which was submerged two feet under the water. Sarah felt her calf sting as she forded the cold stream. Her back and feet ached and desperately she hoped the group would stop, but they kept going.
Part of the way was now dense forest and deep mud. Everyone had difficulty in pushing their way through the undergrowth. Finally, Andrew called a halt to the day’s travelling, and at last they could relax with a mug of tea, food and sleep.
It rained all night but cleared in the morning. Sarah, who did not mind the sound of rain on the tent at the beginning of the trip, now disliked its pattering intensely. It had rained for days it seemed, and mud was everywhere and as she walked, her feet sunk into it and stuck. Extra effort was required to pull them out and then repeat the exercise with the next step.
Everything was soaked, nothing was spared. Sarah hoped the articles she had wrapped in wax paper were dry, but there was no time to check now. Her bedclothes seemed to be permanently damp and she spent restless nights unable to get to sleep and when she did, it was time to get up in no time. On waking in the morning she felt as though she had not slept at all. Her back ached as it had the previous night before, but her bite felt much better and the swelling had gone.
It was not until eight o’clock when the first step was made on the next day’s journey. After a short time, they came across a small village where they met the rider from the day before. He informed them a guide had come in and wanted one pound and ten shillings to take them to the Whanganui River, but Peter managed to get him down to fifteen shillings plus ten pieces of tobacco.
Sarah noticed a good deal of wheat around but no mill. A Maori gentleman told her the wheat was loaded onto boats and then shipped up stream to the other mill. They did this by either towing or using long poles to move the boats upstream. At this point Nuia was paid and said his goodbyes, disappearing in the direction from which they had just come.
Once more, their porters eyed the new man with suspicion. This time, they preferred to keep their distance from him and hardly a word was spoken between them.
The rain had returned once more. Dense forest and more mud.
‘Oh what a surprise,’ Sarah thought as yet again she had to help her trapped foot out of the mud. Here they halted on top of a ridge for breath and enjoying a fine view of the country. Looking back, the lower ground was bare, while the surrounding hills were covered with forest. The hill they had ascended was a steep slope of mud and tangled roots with numerous dead trees lying across the path. Everyone in the party had found it hard going. Each step had been an effort. Sarah noticed Andrew limping and as they paused, she saw he could not stand on his left leg. She wanted to speak to him about it, but thought better of it. Andrew’s limping increased; it appeared that his knee was giving him a lot of pain but at least the rain had stopped.
The greater part of the road was over a forest covered mountain. The path was slippery, requiring all to use both hands and feet to make any progress. Tall fern trees were blown across their path by the wind which slowed their progress. On reaching the top, it was becoming dark so they made camp.
Sarah pitched her tent and went into the bush to go to the toilet. On the way back, she collected two rocks, one to warm up her bed, the other for Andrew who may like to have it for his painful knee. She thought of Andrew. He was not all that bad but something told her to be wary of him. Occasionally, she felt a feeling of warmth coming from him. Remembering when he called her Sarah for the first time, she smiled, but a gesture or a funny look made her rethink and her sense of coldness returned. By the time she got back, dinner was ready. Placing the rocks into the fire, Sarah sat down to eat and afterwards the three sat around the fire, men with their pipes and Sarah looking into the flames, sipping her tea.
From time to time, they heard the guides whispering around their camp fire but they too, were unusually quiet. Sarah sat staring into the fire, until the odd gust of wind blew smoke into her face, causing her to cough. Using her hand she tried to fan it away from her face, but without success. This annoyance did not seem to matter as the fire was wonderfully warm as the flames danced across her face. Her eyes felt heavy she would close them for a minute. Peter glanced up at his sister and gave Andrew a nudge; Sarah sat with her mug in her hand, elbow on her knee sound asleep. Reaching over, he took the mug from her.
‘Bed for you, Sis.’ Sarah stirred sleepily.
‘Oh, Oh, I suppose so. Good night to you all.’ Slowly she dragged her tired body up and headed for her tent.
‘What about your rock?’ Peter called out.
‘Um, I am too tired to get it. Oh Andrew, I have put a rock in for you, you may like it for your knee. Goodnight to you all.’ Sarah entered her tent and slipped between her blankets. A few minutes later, a hot rock wrapped up in a towel was placed in her bed, but Sarah was unaware, as she was fast asleep.
Chapter Three
Earthquakes, Rapids and Hot
Pools
Sarah smelt smoke through the canvas of the tent as she stirred next morning. She felt she had only just closed her eyes. Every part of her body ached. On hearing the familiar sound of Peter’s and Andrew’s voices, the crackling of the fire and the noise of utensils banging together, made her aware it really was time to get up and resigned herself to the fact. Throwing off her blankets, she placed her second layer of socks on over the top of the ones she had worn to bed. She usually slept with at least one pair on as her feet got cold at night. Sarah noticed the rock and smiled, wondering who placed it there. Once ready, she came out of her tent.
Something was not right. There was no deafening birdsong like there was on other mornings. It was still, with no wind, no sounds at all. The Maori guides appeared to be preoccupied and distracted, talking a lot between themselves. Sarah heard a rumbling sound coming closer and closer; soon the noise became deafening. As this happened, the earth began to shake and Sarah found it hard to keep her balance. Everything around them shook violently. Glancing over to where Andrew and Peter were she saw Peter holding onto his walking stick to stop himself from falling over as he tipped his head back and looked at the trees above him. The leaves floated down on top of the people below. As quickly as it had come, the shaking stopped until another intense jolt nearly knocked Sarah off her feet. Again everything was quiet, then slowly the birds’ calls returned and the voices of the guides were heard.
Sarah was stunned, and stood glued to the spot.
‘Are you all right, Sarah?’ Peter inquired.
‘What on earth was that?’ she asked. Andrew spoke.
‘Welcome to New Zealand. That was an earthquake. The first of many yer may feel while yer here. New Zealand is renowned for them, especially in this area. Do not be surprised if we have aftershocks.’
‘Thanks professor,’ Sarah replied. ‘What have I let myself in for.’ Sarah thought.
After breakfast, they broke camp and were once more on their way. Sarah was waiting for an aftershock, which thank goodness never came. Soon, they found their way into the Mokau valley. This took longer than usual because they had to climb over several fresh slips which Peter presumed were caused by the earthquake. On meeting an old native and his wife, they stopped for a few minutes to talk. He gave the guides some pork which he previously killed in the bush. Einyoa thanked him as the troop set off after their employers.
It was difficult going; the hills were perpendicular in places. Sarah found it hard as her bag dug into her back, causing a raw area. Her teeth hurt as she drew the chilly air into her lungs, which felt as if they may burst any moment. Her chest hurt as well, restricting her breathing. Her throat was dry and the muscles on the back of her legs and calves ached terribly. She stumbled as she reached the top of the hill and to prevent herself from falling she reached out and accidentally grabbed onto Andrew. He winced and closed his eyes as he was forced to bear her weight on his bad knee.
‘Sorry Andrew, are you all right?’ she asked.
‘Yes, yes, fine, stop fussing women. It is just a little twinge.’
‘You are not a good liar,’ she looked at him and refused to avert her eyes. ‘Let me have a look at that knee.’ Sarah paused, out of breath.
‘Oh, all right. I’ll drop my trousers.’ He glanced at her, waiting for her shocked reaction.
‘I do not think that will upset me. Now get on with it.’ Though he was sore, he saw the humorous side of her giving him an order. He looked around and on finding a tree stump sat down. Taking his boot off, he slipped out of his trousers and rolled up his long johns. The knee was swollen, the skin looked tight and was hot to touch. It was red and bruised looking. Sarah examined the leg and noticed two large scars, a small indentation on the right hand side of his calf; a larger one practically opposite the first one on the inner side the lower leg. The muscle looked slightly wasted and finding she could not help herself, placed her fingers on one of the scars. She touched them gently and traced the path of what she realised was an old bullet wound. Andrew looked down, watching her every move feeling nervous about reaction, but did not need to be. This woman was not repulsed by what she saw; in fact, she touched the scars without fear.
‘I got them in India. A bullet. The smaller scar is where it went in; the larger one where it came out.’ Sarah was snapped back to reality, slightly embarrassed at being so forward.
‘Sorry, Andrew,’ she paused. ‘Peter pass me the whisky you have in your kit!’
‘What! wasting good whisky!’ Peter said in an amused tone but from the look his sister gave him, he knew he had said the wrong thing. Peter handed the bottle of alcohol to her, allowing her to apply it to Andrews’s knee. Kiriana came over and examined it too, grunted and went back to her kit. The knee was strapped enabling Andrew to still bend it.
‘You can put your trousers on now. Would you like to rest here for a while?’
‘No, let us keep going. It will be fine,’ he said quietly.
Onwards and upwards again went the party, slower than usual now, not only because of Andrew’s knee, but because they were all tired and it was heavy going. Entering another valley, the group travelled about a mile then over another steep hill. Descending slowly, entering a forest after which they crossed a swampy valley, arriving at the Mapara River at 11o’clock.
After a short rest, the exhausted troop progressed upwards again through a forest-clad hill, halting at the top for a rest. Sarah sat on a tree stump and looked at the scene. There was a magnificent view of the valley beyond. The Ongarue River, which joins the Whanganui, could be seen. Looking back, normally the view would be wonderful but because of the effort in getting there, it was wasted on the group. The others considered a well-earned rest was now in order.
The Maoris busied themselves with cooking, roasting the potatoes on sticks like kebabs. While these were cooling, they spent their time roasting and eating seeds about the size of an almond, which were strewn on the ground in great numbers. Andrew was not his normal self, he usually helped set up camp but instead sat quietly beside the fire. Peter saw his companion was in pain. Placing several potatoes on a plate and with mug of manuka tea in the other hand, Peter brought his meal over.
‘How is the knee, Mack?’
‘A bit painful but it will be all right for a couple of more miles.’ He winced as he went to move it. ‘The natives tell me that there is an Irishman’s hut up ahead, so we can stop there. I should not say ‘Irishman;’ the natives use that term for a Maori Roman Catholic. We may be able to get potatoes and we are nearly out of tea and pork.’ Andrew paused before continuing. ‘I must admit I am looking forward to tomorrow. Thank goodness for Sundays.’ He paused once more ‘How is Sarah? She looked exhausted earlier.’
‘She is all right. Seems to have got a second wind. I took several items out of her pack without her knowing it. I had to laugh when she made the comment that she must be getting fitter as her kit felt lighter.’ Both men smiled.
‘Here, have these.’ Peter handed Andrew the potatoes and drink.
‘Thanks, old chap.’ Andrew replied in his half Scot, half-English accent.
After an hour they were off, the rain started again and the party put on their mackintoshes. Sarah found walking in her coat cumbersome but at least it kept her a little dry. The rain seemed to be able to penetrate every piece of clothing. Her hat was soaked and felt heavy and was tight around her forehead. Her trousers slapped against her legs as she went.
