‘Yes sir, Mister Chadwick,’ Richardson say, nodding him drunken head while Mister Chadwick look us up and down for what seem like a long time. Lucky for us, the thunder rumble, lightning flash, the heavens open up and it start to pour. Before you know it, James and me warming ourselves in front of the fire.

After a hearty bowl of soup, Mister Chadwick retire to him bedroom for the night. Leave us to settle down in front of the fire on matting put down to make our beds. In a few moments, Richardson fall into a deep sleep, snoring and whistling happily away.

I get up, pull out the hessian sack I been carrying, start to look round the room, while James stand by the door in case Mister Chadwick wake up. Is a humble home with not much in the way of furniture or personal goods on display, but lucky for us in pride of place over the fireplace is a sharpened axe with a new, well-made wooden handle. This I give to James, who point to the larder set up in one corner of the room. I quickly take a tin of tea and a tin of sugar, stash them in me sack, then settle down to a short sleep while James keep watch. It seem like only a few minutes before James nudging me awake. I wipe the sleep from me eyes, take the next watch. Pretty soon the rain ease and the light outside the window begin to brighten and is me turn to nudge James awake. We bout to leave when I notice the tip of hessian bag sticking out from behind some boxes in the corner. Is a couple of sacks of flour. A welcome sight. I grab one of them before we make our way out the door. Mister Chadwick and Richardson, them is good men, so we don’t strip the place bare. Quickly head back down the steps and continue along the path heading towards the harbour. Uncover the boat we left by the shore and row back to the gullies and ravines of the bush, looking to find protection in a place we later come to know backra call South Head.

Wanted

Been on the run for many weeks now. On the run, hiding out, camping rough, acting as free men. Journey north following the coastline looking out in awe at all them tumbling waves and water. When we get too hot, sometimes walk cross the sand dunes, find a safe place to wash in. Then is back up into the barren, wild and deserted scrubland, full up with plenty wildlife. Sometimes head further inland, raiding lonely homesteads when we come pon them, can see there is no chance of capture.