The man closed his eyes, and a tear welled from beneath his lashes. ‘What’ll become of me?’

‘You’ll be alive,’ Caleb said. ‘I’ve seen many men make good lives for themselves.’

‘I only know mining.’

Caleb had no answer for that. ‘Shall I send for your wife?’ he asked.

Geordie shook his head and Len spoke up. ‘She’s in Melbourne, works as a navvy at one of the hotels down there. Geordie lodges with us. We’ll take him back to our place.’

The door opened and Cowper stomped in, Penrose hovering in his wake. ‘Shift’s not over yet. The two of you can finish up or your pay’ll be docked. We’ve lost enough time. Back to it.’

The men looked from the mine manager to Caleb.

‘Surely—’ Caleb began but Cowper cut him short.

‘This is not your concern, Hunt. I can’t afford to lose time over an accident.’

With mutinous glances at their employer, the two miners left the room. Caleb faced the mine manager across the body of the injured miner, who had lapsed into sleep or unconsciousness or something in between. At least his pulse was still strong and his breathing steady.

‘What now, Cowper?’

‘When he’s well enough we’ll pay him what he’s owed, his fare to Melbourne and a bit extra for his trouble and send him on his way. He’s no use to me without a hand.’

‘And what becomes of him back in Melbourne?’

‘That’s his business. Thank you for your trouble, doctor. Please send me your account and I will see it is paid.’ Cowper paused, his eyes narrowing. ‘This is a hard job, Hunt. There is no room for sentimentality. If you’ve plans to get into it, then you’d better learn that lesson here and now.’

Caleb shrugged. ‘I served for four years in the Army of the Confederacy, Cowper. I lost my sentimentality a long time ago.’

Cowper studied him. ‘I don’t believe that for a moment, Hunt.’

‘Who’s going to care for this man during his recovery?’

‘I have an arrangement with the Australis Hotel. The mine’ll pay for him to lodge there and Mrs Chauncey can tend him until he’s strong enough to travel.’

‘Is she a nurse?’

‘She does nursing and generally nobody dies,’ Cowper said.

Adelaide coughed and Cowper shot her a sharp glance.

‘This town needs a proper hospital with qualified staff,’ Caleb said, looking at Bowen for support.

Cowper shrugged. ‘And who’ll pay for that?’

‘The mine—’

‘It’s been months since we’ve hit a paying seam. The shareholders are getting impatient. Until we can find the main seam, I am hard put to pay the men’s wages. Until then, it’s Mrs Chauncey.’