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Re: Pat Ritter. Books

Postby patritter » Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:16 pm

'Tilbaroo Station' - Page 67:

‘Now I’ve selected the right fork. I’ll walk.’ Ryan walked due south-west leaving Joe with the sulky. Joe couldn’t believe this small bushman wearing a broad brim hat holding a forky thing in both hands between his thumb and index fingers guiding his way toward water. Ryan walked at a slow pace changing direction often.
After a couple of hours walking Joe became concerned with Ryan, particularly walking in the heat of the day with little shade. ‘Ryan, what about we stop, cool off. Would you like a drink of water, a rest maybe?’ Joe shouted.
‘No thanks Joe. I’m right.’ He called continued to walk in different directions. ‘We may have to move further west. Nothing around here. No movement with this fork plus no pressure of any water nearby.’ Ryan shouted back.
He pulled the sulky up beside Ryan.
Ryan climbed aboard the sulky. ‘Over that way.’ Ryan pointed in a south-westerly direction. Joe moved to the area Ryan pointed.
‘Stop here. I’ll give this area a try.’ Ryan climbed down, pointed the ‘Dowsing Stick’ in front of him began to walk. Only small steps to begin with then enlarged his steps when a pull by the fork alarmed Ryan. ‘Around here. Something.’ Ryan shouted. Joe stopped the sulky waiting his next instruction from Ryan.
Ryan walked further following the force of the ‘Dowsing Stick’. ‘I’m getting close.’ Ryan called to Joe who by this time began to walk beside him. If Joe hadn’t seen with his own eyes what Ryan was doing, he would not have believed the action Ryan took. Ryan started to stride out faster toward a rise in the land. Suddenly he stopped. Joe’s eyes almost popped from his head when the ‘Dowsing Stick’ bent in front pointing to the ground.
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Re: Pat Ritter. Books

Postby patritter » Fri Apr 21, 2017 10:29 pm

'Tilbaroo Station' - Page 68:

‘Right here.’ Ryan held the ‘Dowsing Stick’ which began to bend toward the ground. ‘Water is right here somewhere.’ Ryan’s muscles twitched in his hands trying to hold the ‘Dowsing Stick’ from bending twisting from his hands. Knuckles on his thumbs turned white. He stamped his feet. Holding the ‘Dowsing Stick’ between his index fingers and thumb his wrists began to hurt from the force. The ‘Dowsing Stick’ splintered falling from Ryan’s hands to the ground.
Ryan collapsed on the ground exhausted. Joe rushed to him held him upright poured water to his lips. ‘I got you mate. If I hadn’t seen this with my own eyes I would not have believed what you did. Amazing.’ Joe gasped trickling small amounts of water into Ryan’s mouth. Taking Ryan’s hat off, Joe sprinkled water over the boy’s head. Joe’s chest puffed out, feelings of proudness with disbelief both at the same time.
Ryan soon regained his strength. ‘Better mark this spot. I think water is here. How deep. No idea. By the stick bending must be a long way down.’ Ryan stood, retrieved his hat. ‘I think that’ll do today’. They gathered sticks to place on the spot Ryan stamped his feet so when they returned exactly where his stick broke. Ryan’s eyes closed. His mind filled with sleep. Utterly exhausted.
‘Mate, I’ve never seen anyone go through what you did. At your tender age.’ Joe expressed in a joyful voice, wrapped his arms around Ryan’s shoulders helped him walk to the sulky. By the time Joe lifted Ryan into the seat returned to the driver’s seat Ryan was asleep. Must’ve taken more out of the boy than I imagined, Joe thought, clicking the horse forward to return to the homestead.
Nat waited on the front veranda to meet them. Sun falling below the horizon when they arrived at the homestead. Nat rushed to Joe. Ryan leaned against Joe.
‘How did you go? Must’ve taken a lot out of Ryan because he’s asleep.’ Nat said lifting Ryan from the sulky to walk him inside. Melinda met them on the top steps.
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Re: Pat Ritter. Books

Postby patritter » Sat Apr 22, 2017 10:47 pm

'Tilbaroo Station' - Page 69:

‘I’ll take Ryan from here. Thank you, Nat.’ Melinda helped Ryan stand upright walk with his mother into the house. ‘Sit here.’ Martha handed Melinda a glass of water. After Ryan drank the water he became alert. ‘Stay here for a moment, rest.’ His mother commanded.
‘You have a fine boy Melinda. You should’ve seen him. What he did. How he found water, absolutely incredible.’ Joe replied excitedly.
‘He found water.’ Nat’s voice raised standing behind Joe.
‘You should’ve seen him. I’m so very proud of this little man. He has a gift which is valuable out here in the outback.’ Joe explained. ‘Hasn’t Todd returned yet?’ Joe asked.
‘No. Not yet. I’m worried about him. He may be lost. He left hours ago.’ Melinda’s concerns flowed over to Nat who understood his property like the back of his hand.
‘Don’t worry too much Melinda. Even if Todd got lost he’s only got to give the horse his head. They’ll be home in no time. If he’s not back in another hour, I’ll saddle up go look for him.’ Nat told the gathering.
Just then a horse whinnied. ‘That’d be him now.’
They rushed outside Todd dismounted from his horse. ‘How’re you go Todd?’ Nat asked. ‘Here, I’ll do that. You go say hello to your family. They’re worried about you.’ Nat took hold of the horse’s reins.
‘Thank you Nat. I’ve never been on such a huge property before. The horse bought me home. I would’ve been lost otherwise. He’s a good horse. Thank you.’ Todd replied leaving Nat with the horse walked to the homestead. On the front veranda greeted by Melinda and Ryan.
‘You’re surely not returning to Cunnamulla tonight. Plenty of beds and food. Have a clean-up. I’ll have a meal on the table shortly. You’re all welcome to stay the night.’ Martha pleased to have company particularly women folk.
After a hearty meal of roast mutton with vegetables the men moved to the front veranda whilst the women washed up cleaned the kitchen. Once everyone settled on the front veranda Joe told his story of Ryan finding water. Others couldn’t believe his gift or what he went through. Todd wanted to tell his story but after listening to Joe skite about Ryan’s efforts he decided not to steal his son’s thunder. In his mind, he thoroughly enjoyed his day wanted to do the same more often when the opportunity arose.
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Re: Pat Ritter. Books

Postby patritter » Sun Apr 23, 2017 10:54 pm

'Tilbaroo Station' - Page 70:

Chapter 10

After breakfast the following morning Todd asked Joe to show him where Ryan found water. Also, the bore behind the shearing shed plus the other bore on ‘Tilbaroo Station’. Todd wanted to officially record these findings.
‘Can I come too?’ Ryan asked, excitement in his voice.
‘Naturally.’ Joe replied. ‘Without you we’d never have found water on this place.’
‘We haven’t found water yet Joe. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.’ Todd said.
‘Don’t worry Todd. My wages are on young Ryan.’ He slapped him on the shoulder. ‘I’ll bet my next year’s wages water is here after ole Billy Campbell starts to drill.’ Joe smiled.
‘We’ll be off then. Catch up with you ladies when we return.’ Todd said.
This time they each rode a horse. Ryan rode a pony which Hannah used to ride when she was Ryan’s age. He loved the pony.
‘Thank you Mr Young to allow me to ride this pony. I love him.’ Ryan smiled taking hold of the reins.
‘Then he’s your pony Ryan. Accept the horse and saddle for payment in finding water. The least I can offer.’ Nat said riding beside Ryan.
‘Can’t I pay you for the pony and saddle?’ Todd asked. ‘I don’t like charity.’
‘Todd, Buttons is older than Hannah. He’s safe, sure at foot. Still has a few years left in him. He’s a good little pony to start Ryan off. Later on, when he becomes a better rider I’ll have another to give him. Do you realise how important a job he’s done here in the outback?’ Nat wanted to let Todd realise he wanted to give Ryan a present which he justly deserved. If Ryan had been a better rider Nat would’ve given him a better horse for now Buttons would do the job for Ryan.
‘Thank you Mr Young. I’ll look after Buttons. I promise.’ Ryan smiled, kicked Buttons to go faster.
They arrived at the pile of sticks marking the spot where Ryan divined for water. After dismounting, tying their horse’s reins to a nearby tree Todd extracted a notebook from his pocket and a pencil. ‘Nat. What do you call this paddock?’ He asked.
‘Shearing paddock.’ Nat replied confidently.
Todd wrote particulars in his notebook. ‘Position of this location is due south-west about a mile from your homestead.’ Todd asked.
Nat thought about Todd’s comment, ‘Yes, I agree. What’s this about Todd?’ Nat inquired. Todd sketched his finding in his notebook before answering Nat.
‘We’re lucky to start this project now because in this region, only two bores with the possibility of this one make three. Each time a new bore is established we need to record where, when to make a record of our findings. After I return home, I’ll post this information to Brisbane office.’ Todd explained.
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Re: Pat Ritter. Books

Postby patritter » Mon Apr 24, 2017 10:44 pm

'Tilbaroo Station' - Page 71:

‘This’ll be a lot of work.’ Nat replied.
‘Yes. As Chairman of ‘The Great Artesian Water Basis Committee’ I need to record all details for history. In one hundred years from now someone may be looking for information when, where the first artesian bore in south-west Queensland was discovered. We’ll have the correct information recorded at the time.’ Todd’s explanation appealed to the others.
‘You will record your son Ryan Carlson divined for the water at this bore. Won’t you.’ Nat requested smiling at Ryan.
‘He’s only ten years old. Yes, I suppose his name will be recorded as finding this water. If water is here.’ Todd entered details in his notebook.
‘Water is here. Don’t you worry about that. My belief is in young Ryan. I would never have believed. With me own two eyes. Truly amazing. His name will go down in history. In one hundred years, they’ll probably make a statue of him in the west as the diviner who saved south-west Queensland from the worst drought in history.’ Joe exclaimed in a determined voice.
Todd continued to make notes. They remounted headed to the shearing shed to visit the next bore.
‘I can’t tell you when this bore was put down. Been here as long as I remember. Dad must have put the bore down whilst I was absent at school. I’ll ask ole Billy Campbell. Because if he didn’t drill the bore, his father must have done.’ Nat explained.
Todd took particulars in his notebook.
‘What about we ask the ladies if they want to accompany us to ‘Tilbaroo Station’. I think Hannah would love to show them the property particularly where we intend to build our home. They may even make lunch.’ Joe said.
‘Great idea Joe. We can leave to return home before dark.’ Todd added.
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Re: Pat Ritter. Books

Postby patritter » Tue Apr 25, 2017 10:26 pm

'Tilbaroo Station' - Page 72:

Within an hour all three couples included Ryan escorted one another from ‘Kahmoo Station’ to ‘Tilbaroo Station’ following one another. Buttons tied to Todd and Melinda’s sulky. Joe opened the front gate to ‘Tilbaroo Station’ allowed the other two sulkies to enter then closed the gate. Re-joining Hannah they led their party to the bore on the eastern end of the property.
Melinda took a deep breath of fresh air releasing slowly. ‘This is beautiful Hannah. Is this where you’re building your new home?’ She asked not believing living at the same place herself which would never happen in a hundred years.
‘Yes. Right here.’ Hannah stood where the front of the home would be. ‘I want the same home we have in Cunnamulla. Joe built that one so he can build this one.’ Hannah looked at Joe who released the harness on Joker to let him gallop away in the paddock.
‘Can I ride Buttons now?’ Ryan called to his father hoping he was allowed to do so.
‘Go for your life young man. Everything is safe out here.’ Joe called. ‘He’ll be safe Todd and Melinda. Don’t worry. What can go wrong?’ Joe finished with a smile on his face.
‘Be careful.’ Melinda replied not wanting to over-ride Joe’s decision. ‘Don’t go too far from here because we’re having lunch shortly.’ Melinda worried about Ryan because he was her only child growing up fast. Ryan, her little man by finding water in this dissolute outback country would, she hoped, not swell his head too much allow him to grow up as a boy not a man, yet.
‘Thanks Mom.’ Ryan mounted Buttons squeezing her flanks instantly caused Buttons to trot away from the camp. Ryan wanted to find new discoveries riding back along the track they came.
‘Todd. The bore’s over this way.’ Joe pointed toward a pool of water with water flowing from a borehead. ‘I want to look at the boredrain we made. Hope water continued to flow to Moonjaree Creek.’ Joe told Todd who took his notebook and pencil from his pocket started writing.
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Re: Pat Ritter. Books

Postby patritter » Wed Apr 26, 2017 9:23 pm

'Tilbaroo Station' - Page 73:

‘I’ll come with you.’ Nat called to Joe walked faster to catch up with him before they arrived at the fenceline. Climbing through the fence they followed the boredrain down toward Moonjaree Creek.
‘Apart from a little rollie polly.’ Joe pointed toward the creek. ‘The creeks started to flow. We’ll be right.’ Joe smiled pleased with his idea to flow water from the borehead into Moonjaree Creek. They commenced to return to the others.
‘Lunch is almost ready.’ Hannah called to the others. Wonder how far Ryan is away. She placed her hands around her mouth to form a tunnel shouted in a loud voice, ‘Cooee’ Joe and Nat recognized her call. They replied with ‘Cooee’ of their own. Sound of horse hooves entering their campsite. Ryan pulled Buttons up beside the camp.
‘Mom, Dad. An old burnt out homestead plus old sheep yards.’ His excitement overflowed telling his parents discoveries he made dismounting from Buttons.
‘I’ll help you unsaddle Buttons.’ His father said undoing the surcingle to remove the saddle and bridle from the horse. Buttons walked a short distance away began to munch on the fresh grass growing nearby to the bore. ‘Let’s have something to eat.’ Todd removed Ryan’s hat ruffled his hair. They joined the others. Nat and Joe arrived shortly afterwards to take their place around the luncheon setting.
‘Mr Gibson, Mr Young. A burnt-out homestead, old broken down sheep yards.’ Ryan told them in an excited voice when they joined the others.
‘That’s the old homestead. The previous owner who lived in the homestead perished in the fire.’ Nat explained to Ryan.
‘Ryan.’ Joe got his attention. ’I worked at the shearing yards many years ago when I shore sheep here for the owner who perished in the fire. In those times, we didn’t have a shearing shed only shore the sheep on a large tarpaulin in the middle of the day. Hot work.’ Joe explained. After explaining his past life to Ryan, he said. ‘If we keep getting visitors regularly Hannah, I better build a shelter for shade.’ Joe expressed taking a sandwich from Hannah. Nodded his thanks.
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