Red Nelly And Her Band Of Thieves

Explosions

Explosions

By mid afternoon the next day, Nelly found herself on horseback riding out of, Melbourne. If there was one thing her brother did right, that was, making sure he actually sold and bought his horses. There were many times she wondered why he didn't hone his interest in animals, and make a living for himself that way. Nelly now owned, well, was assigned two horses. Gabe always made sure she remembered they were his. The horse she left at Hobsins Bay was beautiful. It was a deep brown colour, a mare, Gabe always got her a female horse. She had a good temperament and Nelly hoped she got to see her again. The fine animal she rode on, was mostly white, and she hoped to keep her long enough to get to know her. But who knew.

Gabe woke her just after the sun rose that morning. She had suffered a restless sleep, even with the luxury of a soft bed to sleep on. But her day kept playing over and over in her mind. Mostly, why her brother kept kept forcing her to tell him what James had said to her. His demands replayed over and over in her mind. Did James actually tell her anything that would be of any importance to, Gabe? Did she miss something? She doubted it. Everything James said or implied, was directed solely to her. Knowing she didn't keep anything untoward from her brother, still, didn't help her to sleep, and yet, Nelly couldn't put her finger on the actual reason.

She only had to concentrate on riding at this point, which was a task. Although, riding along the Yarra river had its perks. The site was beautiful. The river sparkled between the glimpses she was gifted between the trees. She could smell the water and the trees. Taking a deep a breath every now and then invigorated her tired mind, and she was eager for them to make camp. It was going to be another hot day and she kept her sights set on the time when she could relax.

They never traveled with much, just with what they needed. Each owning a set of utensils, a blanket, a change of clothes, well, three for her, and a nice dress she used when needed. Seth, and Caleb carried a bag each with a single pot, billy, and food supplies, never much, mostly dried food. Traveling light allowed them the ability to pack fast when they needed to. Nelly was used to the way they lived. As long as she was afforded the chance to clean herself regularly, she was easy to please. She didn't mind camping, she was pretty well raised under the stars and felt comfortable beneath their blanket.

In a way, she was happy to leave Melbourne, all the noise and people made her feel more trapped than the washroom she was confined to the day before. Over the years, Nelly had learned something about her brother. He didn't like big places either. He found them to have too many ears. Preferring the company of nature to keep his secrets safe. They had some friends on the fringe of Melbourne, and some further out. So she wasn't always sleeping on the ground, but she had been mostly afforded the trouble of being around so many people.

Somehow, before Cain was killed, they landed a substantial amount of gold dust. It was a perk that came with that particular job, and they had been able to afford extra things like the train ride, new horses, and the hotel. Gabe never really gave her a share of anything like he did the others. But Nelly used all she had, and insisted Gabe gave her the rest of what he owed Cain to bury him. Which was the reason she had not a dime to her name.

Gabe had something planned for them, what though, Nelly wasn't sure. He wasn't as upset as she thought he would be in not getting what he wanted from that train. What he wanted from that train, which she had hoped was money, was lost to them now. She knew he would tell her when they reached someplace he was satisfied with, and she was happy to bide her time until then. To get to that spot, they actually had to ride further from town than she had thought they needed to. Melbourne was simply spreading further and further down the river.

It was after midday when they stopped for something to eat, and Nelly was sure they were going to stay there for a while. She had hoped that that was the end of their day. But no. Caleb said there was a place further down that was that better. So that was the place she expected too stop next. Not at the small settlement ahead of them. Nelly slowed down when the others did, and followed Caleb as he led them in.