Babbiloora Brumbies

First Glimpse

Me and Inferno had galloped quite a way. Halting my horse gently, I wiped my blurry eyes and flattened my windswept hair. We had started to enter the bush, and the terrain was getting noticeable rougher. I twisted in the saddle, and gazed across the open plain of red ground. Narrowing my eyes, I could just make out the hazy outline of the buildings on Babbiloora.

Suddenly, Inferno skipped sideways. I swung round and clasped the saddle for balance. Glancing up, I saw the culprit that spooked Inferno: A sulphur crested cockatoo. It glided onto a nearby tree and watched them intently.

"Steady boy, it's just a little bird," I smiled, stroking his fiery mane. I just couldn't understand how my horse was still so full of energy. The other workers were jealous of him; he could go like this all day and still give the others a run for their money.

I decided to go a little further into the bush. The breeding cows usually stayed nearby for the night, and I could check up on them. I wouldn't stay too long though - I didn't want to disturb them. And I wanted to get back before sunset.

"Don't want to let them miss us, do we boy?" I told Inferno, nudging him into a steady jog. Inferno shook out his mane and pranced forward eagerly.

The only sound in the bush was Inferno's hooves striking the hard ground rhythmically. I knew this land well, and we were nearing the cow's favourite resting ground. They liked it here because it was close to the dam and the best foliage grew there.

Inferno rounded the top of a ridge, and down below them was the cow's favourite...

I hesitated. "Where are they!?" I frowned. They were here almost every evening, unless they were being mustered.

Suddenly, Inferno lifted his arched neck and pricked his ears. He started moving uneasily beneath me, and was starting to sidestep uncontrollably.

"Whoa boy!" I struggled to keep control, when he froze. He never acted like this around cattle. Maybe it was dingos, or wild boars...but they were never round here!

The sound of a branch breaking snapped my attention to a nearby cluster of bushes. Inferno was shivering beneath me as I nervously peered into the darkness. What I saw sent a shiver down my spine.

Two dark eyes stared inquisitively back at me.

I only had time to hold on tight to the reins before the bush exploded to life as the animal tried to flee. The sudden bomb of sound sent cockatoos flying from nearby trees. A fresh cloud of dust clouded my vision.

All I knew was that this animal was big. Bigger than Inferno. He knew this too, and had already spun round and started to bolt back down the ridge in panic.

All this happened in a matter of seconds. Inferno was now hurtling down the ridge at a ridiculous pace. I could only lean right back in the saddle, my head almost touching his rump, in order to stay on. I pulled the reins with each stride he took, trying to slow him. It was dangerous running down this rough ground. But truthfully, I was pretty freaked too.

The ground was flattening out now, but Inferno didn't slow until he was back on the plain. I circled him to regain control, and before long he was back at a walk. He heaved for air and was still shaking from that encounter. His eyes were wide with fear as he nervously glanced back into the bush.

"Easy boy," I soothed gently. I had never seen my horse so scared, but honestly, I had never been so scared either. I tried to calm myself, knowing that this would help Inferno too.

We started walking back towards Babbiloora. I couldn't help but think that the animal was linked with the missing cattle. I shuddered, thinking of a missing lion from a zoo, or a giant killer dog.

I exhaled sharply. "Keep yourself together," I laughed. We lived in the middle of nowhere. It was a day's drive to get to the nearest 'town', which basically consisted of pub and a gas station. There was no crazy animal on the loose.

Still, I glanced back into the trees, then at the setting sun. I definitely didn't want to get caught out here alone in the dark.