Pretty soon we hear a carriage approaching. Must be someone important because is a large party, travelling with a couple of armed guards, and I signal to James to let them pass. We wait a little longer, but the morning heat begin to make itself felt so we retire a little further into the bush to find some shade.

We don’t have long to wait before we hear another sound. This time hooves approaching in the distance. We pull down our hats, pull up the scarves we have round our necks. Stand hidden behind a tree by the side of the road with our muskets loaded. Is a lone rider, a fancy-looking fella in coattails. Must be in a hurry because him riding at a swift pace. Just as him come round the bend, James step out into the road, try to flag him down. Make the rider stop. It usually work, but this morning we not so lucky, because the man only spur him horse to gallop faster. I take aim, going try to clip him in the shoulder. Pull the trigger and bang, the shot leave the barrel, except instead of the rider, the shot hit the horse in him neck. Poor animal, the sound, the shot, make it gallop even faster and, in a flash, horse and man is speeding down the road, coattails flying out behind him.

The day already start to get late, so we decide to let things rest. Trudge back to the cave. Look like tonight there going be no grog.

We settling down to sleep when James bring up the letter. Ever since Holt hand it over, it been like a sore that not going heal till we fulfil our side of the bargain. Me and James talk bout that letter many a time when we sitting idle with time on our hands. Him pushing and poking, wanting to know how we going do it. I trying to ignore him because the truth is I don’t know. When James have enough of me silence, him always pull out the letter, read it out loud.

Mister Edwards,

I did the deed you asked of me, the plantation is now yours. The time has come for the debt to be paid. Even though I sit rotting in a gaol thousands of miles away, you still owe me and you owe my family. Word has it that the Estate, under your careful management, has grown and thrived. Profits have been made and they must be shared and given. I don’t seek this for myself but for my dear mother and sisters, who must be looked after and cared for in my absence. This was the contract and contracts must not be broken.

Yours in good faith,

Richard Michael Holt