Read Online Hearts of Gold by Janet Woods - Free Book Online

of his voice as it soaked through his clothing,
‘Christ the Lord is risen today, a-a-a-a-a-alay-loo-oo-ya!’
    Hercules whinnied and did a little dance as the drops began to sting his hide.
    ‘It’s rain. Make the most of it, my lad.’
    Taking a bottle from his saddlebag John pulled out the cork. He took a good swallow as they ambled along then waved the bottle in the air and yelled, ‘Here’s to rain. Without it they couldn’t make whisky.’
    Back at the camp Sarette stood with her petticoat plastered against her body. She’d been there for several minutes rinsing the soap from her hair and allowing the water to run over her. She’d also put a pail out to catch the fresh water for cooking. The fire had gone out, the hot ashes spitting out steam with each wet extinguishing drop. The rain had been refreshing, but now she was cooling and her body was covered in goosebumps.
    Going back into the hut, which was dripping water from the roof, she pulled on her old skirt and bodice, since she didn’t want to ruin her good clothes in the mire underfoot.
    Taking up the gold pan she scooped up some mud and allowed the rain to half fill the pan. She began to swirl it around, and soon became absorbed in the occupation. She’d panned enough gold dust to fill a quarter of a teaspoon when instinct told her she was being watched.
    Hair rising on the nape of her neck she strolled casually back towards the hut and picked up the pistol.
    Someone called out, ‘Hello, the camp.’
    She went outside, the pistol held at her side. Opposite the door beyond the campfire site was a ginger-haired man of about thirty. He had a sly look to him.
    ‘What do you want?’
    ‘My name’s Jimmy. Can you spare something to eat.’
    She had made a loaf and a pot of soup before it rained, but there was only enough for herself and Mr John.
    He took a couple of steps towards her. ‘Is your man home, missy?’
    ‘No, he’s . . .’ She realized her mistake when he smiled, and she said hastily, ‘He’ll be back any minute.’
    Sarette pulled up the gun when he took another step forward. ‘If you come any closer I’ll shoot you. Move back, and I’ll give you some bread if you’re hungry.’
    ‘Thank you, miss, I didn’t mean to frighten you,’ Jimmy said humbly and backed off. She lowered the pistol and was about to turn back into the hut when she was seized from behind by a second man. Her heart nearly exploded from fright and she gave a loud yell before a hand was clapped over her mouth. The gun was wrenched from her hand and thrown into the bush, where it went off with a loud report that set the birds into the sky, crying out in alarm.
    Dragging her into the hut they threw her on the bed and looked around. First, they helped themselves to the stew, spooning it into their mouths, then they ate the bread, washing it down with the water that ran off the roofing sheets. Afterwards they ransacked the place, throwing her mother’s things into the mud and grinding them in as they tromped all over them. Jimmy slid the matchbox containing her gold into his pocket.
    Sensing an opportunity, she leaped off the bed and tried to dodge through them. The dark man grabbed her by the arm and jerked it up her back. ‘Where’s your gold?’
    She gave a loud yell when he twisted her wrist. ‘Let me go, you’re hurting me.’
    ‘Let her go, Col.’ When Col did as he was told, Jimmy pushed her back on the bed. ‘Stay there and you won’t get hurt. Where’s the gold?’
    Fear filled her, drying her mouth so she could hardly speak. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about?’
    ‘We heard that John Camly had made a big strike.’
    ‘This is John Kern’s claim. D’you think we’d still be here if we’d found a lot of gold?’
    ‘She has a point,’ Jimmy pointed out. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here before her man comes back.’
    Col’s eyes raked down her and his eyes changed. ‘Not just yet. She’s a nice-looking piece. She owes me a