Read Online The Outback by David Clarkson - Free Book Online

the amount of wood that was being left on the ground as he followed
the freshly laid tractor tracks. Why Joe insisted on hiring these outsiders was
a mystery given the wealth of cheap labour in the town.
    The two Irish boys, who
Joe said were part of the original crew, caught up to him as he walked. They
had been stoking a bonfire and therefore had completely missed what happened.
    ‘What’s going on?’ asked
the taller of the two.
    ‘Nothing that needs to
concern you; one of the new starters got a bit clumsy, that’s all,’ replied
Rhett.
    ‘Is it Matt? What
happened - is he alright like?’
    Here was yet more
slacking off. He was tempted to take them by scruff of their necks and force
them into getting back to work, but it would pay to keep these two onside; for
the time being at least.
    ‘He’s still on his feet
so it can’t have been serious,’ he told them.
    ‘Maybe one of us should
switch with him for the rest of the day. It’s not as hectic what we’re doing.’
    Rhett was surprised to
hear such a common sense idea from a backpacker. This one clearly had
leadership potential. Well, to lead this ramshackle group at least. Once Joe
was out of the way he would approach this one with his proposition. For now
though, he just needed to keep him on side.
    ‘That’s a good idea. Why
don’t you run up and swap with him now,’ he said. Then turning to the other
Irishman; ‘you can get back to work now. The imbecile will come and help you
when he’s ready.’
    The two exchanged a look
of uncertainty before splitting up and jogging off their separate ways. It really
was pathetic how they could not so much as wipe their own backsides without
seeking one another’s approval. Rhett met Joe and the injured boy halfway
between the tractor and the edge of the field. The latter had a slight cut to
the back of his head, but the bleeding had already stopped so it could hardly
have been serious.
    ‘I’ll take him down to
the bus to put a plaster and some antiseptic on it,’ said Joe. ‘You keep an eye
on the others to make sure that there are no more mishaps.’
    The Australian offered a
shrug of acceptance. When he caught up to the tractor he climbed up onto the
back of it where he had a good vantage point to see everything around him. Two
of the girls started gabbing about what just happened, but he found that a
long, cold stare soon shut them up. Once his authority was established he
placed a roll-up in his mouth and surveyed his new kingdom. Things were
definitely looking up. He not only had a job, but it came with underlings too.
It was like he had inherited a readymade supply chain. If all went to plan this
was going to be his most profitable venture yet.

 
    Chapter 6
     
     
    Matt’s body felt like
crumpled steel by the time that he got back to the caravan after work. Eight
hours of constant bending left him wanting nothing more than to just collapse
onto his bed and remain there until it was time to repeat the whole process
again in the morning. Of course, for him to hope for a moment to himself in
such a close knit environment was pure whimsy.
    ‘I wouldn’t get too
comfortable if I were you,’ warned Colin, as he took off his mud caked boots.
‘The guys are meeting for a few after work drinks and I’ll be damned if you
think you’re getting out of having a few beers with us.’
    ‘What do you need me
for?’ asked Matt. ‘Between Rose and your little smoking circle I’m sure you
have more than enough to keep you entertained.’
    ‘Jenny’s going to be
there and so is Jonas,’ said Colin, knowing exactly which buttons to press.
    ‘I’m sure they’ll make a
wonderful couple,’ Matt replied, whilst raising himself up on the bed.
    ‘Come on,’ urged Colin.
‘That was a nasty whack you took to the head today. If you’re suffering from
concussion the worst thing you can do is sleep.’
    ‘Whereas drinking will
do me the world of good, I suppose.’
    He rotated his body and
placed his feet