Chapter 2 Owendale 1897 “It’s a wee bonny boy Mrs - TopicsExpress

Chapter 2 Owendale 1897 “It’s a wee bonny boy Mrs McKinnon!! What will ye name him? Eamon McKinnon piped up with a beaming smile from ear to ear. We’ll call him William, doctor. After me Pa back in Ireland. “Oh Iris we have a wee baby boy! Eamon looked down at his wife – she looked very pale, she didn’t seem to notice and was almost unaware of what had just happened. Noticing the worry on the young man’s face Dr Campbell quickly reassured him that everything was fine and sent him out of the room. “Nurse Can you get my suture kit – quickly! Hurry now, this young lass is losing a lot of blood. Before she could turn away and follow the doctors’ orders it was too late. Young Iris McKinnon had quietly slipped away – not even meeting her newborn son. Owendale Station 1916 William was shoeing the last of the station horses when his father had walked out of the big house, Mr McCauley behind him. Together they walked over and greeted William in turn. Pa? , Mr McCauley is everything ok? I would like a word son – if that’s okay, your father here can finish the last of the shoeing. Sure thing boss. Gesturing that William walk with him, Thomas strode away toward the cattle yards. You are well aware of the war in Europe young William, and I won’t beat about the bush. The army need more horses. There are a heap of Walers out there that we need to bring in and break ready to be sent over to the middle east. I need you to help me bring in the mob and start breaking tomorrow. The army has a strict deadline and we need these horses sent into town tomorrow. A convoy will be waiting to take them to Sydney where they will board the ship. William was excited by this prospect - “Sure thing Boss! I’d be glad to help. “Good! I need your skills son and being that you are one of the best horsemen I have ever laid eyes on, I knew you would be the right man for the job. We will head out at first light and bring the larger mob in. We will take young Nick and a couple of darkies with us. William walked back to the blacksmith shed and looked at his father. I see your happy about the news boy! I can’t believe my bloody luck pa!! I rarely have any free time to work with Cobber let alone break a whole mob in!! How will you manage with all the shoeing old man? “Let’s not worry about that yet Will, you have to get them in first and when you finish with them then they will be broke enough for me to get shoes on. After that it’s the army’s problem. Eamon stood and stretched his back, being a blacksmith and farrier over the years had given him a permanent humped back and ache. He looked an old man, almost as old as the boss man…. But at 40 he was still fit enough to work and employ his son and teach him the tricks of the trade. Rolling a cigarette he lent against the wall and contemplated the situation they were soon to be in. He prayed William wouldn’t be noticed for his skills – for the Army would be sure to want him as a light horseman. After losing Iris all those years ago, is sweet loving Iris – he didn’t think he could bare to lose his only son too. William was a bright, cheery young lad – his love of horses was above everything in life and his skill and understanding had never been seen by anyone in the district. He wasn’t sure where it came from… he just seemed to have this innate understanding of these creatures. Cobber was a wild colt bought in by the head stockman 3 years ago. William wistfully daydreamed and went back to their first meeting.