Pat Ritter. Books

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'The Shearer' - Page 86:

‘I’ll let Sergeant Gray know.’ The stagecoach driver reined his horse and rode toward Cunnamulla.
‘Look like gone to river Boss,’ the tracker pointed his bent index finger toward the Warrego River.
‘How far to the river?’ Constable Andersen asked.
‘About half-a-mile, that way.’ The tracker glanced at the Constable and pointed due west.
‘You track where he’s gone we’ll follow,’ Constable Andersen commanded. The tracker re-mounted his horse, looked to the ground for tracks and rode toward mulga scrub. Constable Andersen and the other troopers followed a safe distance behind.
The tracker rode through thick mulga scrub until he reached the bank of the Warrego River. ‘He cross here Boss – tracks going into water.’ He looked across to the opposite bank and saw hoof prints leading from the water’s edge up a bank to higher ground. He dismounted from his horse. Constable Andersen and others stopped their mounts behind him.
‘What’re you looking for?’ Constable Andersen asked the tracker.
‘Think he stayed here awhile.’ He explained, letting the reins of his horse drop onto the ground and walking to a fallen hollow box tree. He placed his arm into the hollow trunk and pulled out a wooden box with the words, ‘National Bank – Cunnamulla’ printed on top of the box. The lock was smashed.
‘It’s the stolen cash box?’ Constable Andersen asked as he took the box from the tracker, ‘where to from here?’ he inquired.
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'The Shearer' - Page 87:

‘This way Boss – across the river, over there!’ He pointed to the opposite side of the river. They remounted, Constable Andersen tied the cash box onto his saddle and all four rode their horses into the brown liquid river. They swam their horses about sixty yards across and climbed up the opposite bank.
‘Where to?’ Constable Andersen asked the tracker who searched the ground for tracks.
‘Don’t know Boss – tracks hard to find in gibber country. Let me go ahead to see what I find.’
‘You go ahead. We’ll put the billy on and have a break to work out what to do next,’ Constable Andersen replied. The tracker rode west, searching the ground as he rode into gibber country. This part of the country covered with small stones referred to as gibbers and difficult to find tracks.
After an hour he returned to the camp where Constable Andersen waited with the other troopers, ‘What’d you find?’ Andersen called to the tracker.
‘Lost his tracks Boss. Heading west, too hard to follow on gibbers, getting dark, too hard to see,’ the tracker replied and dismounted.
‘Here have a cuppa – billy’s still hot and after you’re finished we’ll head back to Cunnamulla and start again in the morning.’ Constable Andersen handed a mug of black tea to the tracker who swallowed it.
‘He gone to Moriarty Range - never see him again,’ the tracker said after draining his mug.
‘How far is Moriarty Range from here?’ Constable Andersen asked.
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'The Shearer' - Page 88:

‘About half-a-days ride,’ the tracker replied, ‘up there.’ He pointed toward the sun setting in the west behind Moriarty Range.
‘We’ll return to Cunnamulla and see what Sergeant Gray wants us to do.’ Constable Andersen said. Each remounted their horse to return to Cunnamulla before the sun dropped behind the horizon.
Sergeant Gray met the men when they rode into the rear of the police station. ‘How did you go?’ He asked Andersen.
‘Found the place where he held up the stage – here are the remains of the cash box – nothing inside. Tracked him across to the other side of the river but lost his tracks in gibber country. Think he may be heading toward Moriarty Range,’ Constable Andersen reported.
‘Knock off tonight. Go back to your barracks. I’ve sent a message to headquarters and other police stations around the district to be on the lookout for the bushranger. He’ll turn up somewhere. Not much more we can do tonight,’ Sergeant Gray admitted.
‘Do we re-start the search in the morning Sarge?’ Constable Andersen asked.
‘No, no use, you’d be like a dog chasing its tail. He’d been long gone by now. Hope he makes a mistake and turns up somewhere he’s known. Goodnight everyone, sleep tight.’ Sergeant Gray left the company of men to finish their work.

Hannah heard a knock on the front door at Ma’s Guest House where she’d been staying since the hold-up. She walked to open the door. ‘Hello Mr Shirley, do come
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'The Shearer' - Page 89:

Hannah heard a knock on the front door at Ma’s Guest House where she’d been staying since the hold-up. She walked to open the door. ‘Hello Mr Shirley, do come in. Good to see you again. I’ll fetch Ma for you.’ Hannah said.
‘I’ve come to speak with you,’ Mr Shirley replied. ‘Something important.’
Hannah beckoned John Shirley into Ma’s home. ‘Follow me through to the kitchen where Ma’s baking fresh bread. Would you like a cuppa?’ She asked over her shoulder.
‘Yes please, a cuppa would be fine,’ John answered and followed Hannah into the kitchen where he saw a grey haired elderly woman standing over a wooden table kneading dough.
‘Ma, this gentleman is Mr Shirley. He’s the man who saved me on the stagecoach from the bushranger.’ Hannah introduced John Shirley to Ma.
‘A blessing to meet you Mr Shirley and thank you for saving this girl, she means the world to me,’ Ma said and extended her hand after she’d wiped it on her apron to shake John’s hand.
‘I didn’t save her. She was brave how she spoke to the bushranger. At least she got him to tell us his name.’ John answered.
‘Do take a seat and I’ll make you a cuppa. How do you take it?’ Hannah asked.
‘Straight black from the pot, thank you Hannah.’ John looked at the fresh cooked bread, his mouth salivating.
‘Would you like a slice of fresh cook bread and jam Mr Shirley?’ Ma asked, noticing how his eyes went to the bread.
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'The Shearer' - Page 90:

‘Call me John please, and yes thank you I’d love a slice of bread and jam.’ John sat on a chair opposite Hannah.
Ma prepared the cuppa and a slice of bread, placed it on a plate and put both in front of John. ‘There you are.’
John ate the bread. ‘This is the best bread I’ve tasted, and you should be congratulated.’
‘I bake daily with all the mouths to feed around here.’ Ma answered.
‘When are you returning to Roma, Mr Shirley?’ Hannah asked.
‘Tomorrow and this time I’m riding. The reason I’ve made a visit is I want to ask you something important.’
‘What is it?’
‘I want to offer you a position to teach here at Cunnamulla State School – if you want it.’
‘If I want it? Yes of course I want it! How – why – why me?’ Hannah’s excitement overflowed to the other two.
‘The school has been operating for almost a decade now and I want to try something new. I want you to teach at the school, however, it will be under the tutorage of Miss Wallace who is the fulltime teacher. I’ve spoken with Miss Wallace who knows you.’ John explained.
‘Yes – yes – of course.’ Hannah’s face exploded into a smile.
‘If you come with me now, we can meet Miss Wallace who will start with your tutorage. She’ll explain what she requires from you,’ said John.
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'The Shearer' - Page 91:

‘I’ll get my bonnet.’ Hannah rushed from the kitchen to her room, retrieved her bonnet and returned to the kitchen.
‘A pleasure to meet you, Ma,’ John said, as he rose from his chair, I think Hannah should enjoy her time learning to be a teacher.’
‘Mr Shirley – ah John - my heart is open to you for offering her this position. She’ll stay here.’ Ma said emotionally, and gratitude to John.
Hannah returned to the kitchen, ‘I won’t be long Ma. This is exciting news! Now I can remain in Cunnamulla where Joe is.’
Whilst John led his horse by the reins Hannah walked beside him to the small building near the Warrego River. John secured the reins of his horse to the hitching rail and escorted Hannah to the office, ‘Good morning again, Miss Wallace. I’d like you to meet Hannah Young, your new assistant and pupil.’ His smile showed how important he felt it was for Hannah be given this opportunity.
‘A pleasure to have you Miss Young, you came highly recommended from Mr Shirley and I’ve known you and your family since I’ve been here teaching.’ Miss Wallace answered sincerely.
‘When can Miss Young commence her duties?’ John requested.
‘Today is Friday. Why not start fresh Monday morning at nine o’clock sharp?’
‘Miss Wallace, when I return to Roma I’ll have my wife monitor Miss Young’s progress. I’m sure you’ll be co-operative under these terms,’ John replied.
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'The Shearer' - Page 92:

‘Yes, I’ll do my best at this end. I’ll be pleased to work with your wife to monitor Miss Young’s progress,’ Miss Wallace answered.
‘How can I ever thank you enough Mr Shirley for giving me this opportunity to reach my dreams? And in my home town! I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have met you on the stagecoach.’
‘I know you’ll do your best and with tutorage from Miss Wallace, you’ll make a fine teacher. I’ll leave you both to discuss your needs. I can’t wait to hear the results.’ John bid both a good-day and left the office.
After Miss Wallace and Hannah discussed the ground rules of her position, Hannah bid Miss Wallace farewell and wished her a great weekend. She would be at school bright and early Monday morning to start her apprenticeship as a trainee teacher.
She wanted to jump in the air with joy to satisfy her feelings to receive this wonderful opportunity. She wanted to share her happiness with Joe and instantly thought of sharing the news with her father.
Returning to Ma’s home, she knew she’d need to occupy another room before Joe returned from shearing, and she would discuss with Ma who was in the kitchen, ‘how’d you go with Miss Wallace?’ Ma asked.
‘I can’t wait for Monday, Ma, I’ve been thinking about letting Pa know about me staying here in town and living with you,’ Hannah said.
‘I think it would be a good idea to let him know. How will you do it?’ Ma asked inquisitively.
‘I could hire a horse from the livery stables and ride to our property. Hang on Ma – why don’t I hire a horse and sulky and we both visit my Pa and mother?’ Hannah was excited.
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