04Lonewolf's Short Stories

🏷️Australian Drover🏷️

(You guessed it, yet another Australian story based on Clancy of the Overflow, but darker, because I'm bored)
Word Count: 938

I drove through the outback with only the cattle for company. The sun beat down on me and I wiped my stinging, sweat-filled eyes off with my shirt. It was so hot and I was so thirsty, but I couldn't risk stopping for a drink now, not whilst I had to watch over the cattle. I swatted angrily at the damn flies that kept buzzing 'round my head. Many crass idiots from the city would long for this lifestyle, glorifying it through song and poem. I'd bet they know not the burning feeling of relentless sun, the rasping of your throat, the weariness that fills your bones when droving the damn cattle. I cursed as more sweat stung my eyes. Fools, the lot of them. Of course, I would never suit the office life, not when trapped in such a dank place, and so poorly educated was I... but times come when I am weary of this chore, the endless plodding under the searing sun – and for what? Only to return and do it all over again next season?

I was jerked from my thoughts as I felt my horse, Max, stumble. Must be another darn stone. I halted Max and carefully watched as the cattle, no longer facing my prods, slowed down to graze. Bloody beasts, to remind me of such luxuries such as relaxation and rest which I could well not afford. I swung down from the saddle, still careful to hold on to the reins, I knew well enough what would happen if I let go – the little shit.

With a grunt, I lifted his foreleg. I winced as I saw the large, sharp stone wedged into his hoof. Pity the fool. I unclipped my knife from my belt and began to carefully pry the stone away. It finally became unstuck and fell to the dusty ground. I spat on the stupid stone that had caused such a delay. I turned, about to let go of Max's foreleg and swing back into the saddle, when something caught my eye. Clipping my knife back to my belt, I gently brushed away the dirt that coated the base of his hoof. I winced as my hand revealed a cracked hoof and raw pad, rubbed away by stones and burnt by the searing earth. I gave it a gentle feel, and I whistled as I felt the heat festering inside. Max flinched and pulled his hoof away with a sharp neigh, and I clicked my tongue,

'Oh Maxy, you poor bloke. I ought to have thought of yer trouble'.

I gazed at the sun, which still glared overhead, although it had begun to slide down to the west. I couldn't afford a delay, yet I could not afford to keep pushing the only mode of transport I had. Besides, Max was a loyal, dependable bloke, the only companion I had. I inwardly cursed myself for not realising how much pain he was in earlier.

After thinking a few moments, I came to a choice. We 'ad no option but to stop. I wearily leant against a boulder, the weight of this job weighing heavily against me. Max was a good 'orse, I never meant for him to get hurt by my foolishness in pushing forward to make up for lost time, lost by the swollen river which had taken so many of my stock, lost me so much pay. I rummaged through my rucksack, but couldn't find anything to bandage up Max's poor hooves. Damn! I must have used up the last of them in strapping up my shoulder, as it had been dislocated in an attempt to save one of the stock from falling into the rapidly flowing river.

I loudly swore, feeling the need to vent my frustration as to this bloody job and all the bliming misfortune that has befallen us.

Rage overtaking me, I yelled and kicked a nearby rock.

"Shit!" I yelled as my already aching foot was filled with pain from the impact, sparking pain telling me that I must have broken my toe. Of course I broke my toe! Why shan't it when every other bloody thing has gone so wrong on this ill-fated droving journey!?

I froze as I heard a low hiss and slithering sound. I felt the blood drain from my face as I saw a large, long, brown snake slide out from under the rock. A king brown. Shit.

A very angry king brown. I belatedly leapt back, but not fast enough. I felt a stinging impact as it whipped forward and sunk its fangs into my leg. I tried to shake it off, but I could already feel the venom seeping into my skin. Shit! I stumbled backwards and fell to the ground. Trying to grip anything to pull me up. It was too late, the venom was already taking effect, already my thoughts growing hazy. A loud snort beside it, I turned my head with slitted eyes just in time to see Max rear and stamp on the snake. It didn't stand a chance against the stallion's fury. It's head was ground into dust like that it lay in.

"Good boy." I tried to choke out, but I could not even summon enough air for that, only a hoarse groan.

My vision began to fade, and I scrambled desperately to hold on to life.

I know I complain lots about droving, but there are moments that make it worthwhile... the companionship of my horse and the fresh outside air...

Darkness overtook me.

...what I wouldn't give to see the wond'rus star-filled night sky once more.