Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [63]
Ahmed spoke urgently to Tyndall in Malay, and they seemed to reach agreement over something.
‘Am I too late, or is new blood welcome?’ Tyndall strode forward, leaving Ahmed and Olivia hanging back in the shadows of the trees.
Gunther watched the tall man stride towards him, noting the figures of his Malay offsider and young boy in the black and white tunic in the background. ‘Captain Tyndall, no less. New blood, new money, is always welcome.’
Gunther’s eyes were cold and hard and there was no welcome in his voice. Olivia realised these men had crossed paths before and there was no love lost between them.
The bidding started, the strongest women going first, payment being handed to Gunther who slashed the rope from the wrist of each woman and handed her over to her new owner.
Olivia cringed. ‘This is barbaric. Why can’t they at least cover their bodies? It’s shameful.’
‘Be quiet, mem, if they find out you here, could be big trouble,’ warned Ahmed.
Tyndall stood quietly and calmly to one side, his arms folded, watching the proceedings. There were two women left, the beautiful girl of mixed race and a defiant Aboriginal woman who glared at the men, her fists clenched by her sides.
‘She looks like trouble. A tough one,’ commented one of the men loudly.
‘Have a bit of fun breaking her in then,’ shot back Gunther.
The young girl stood meekly, her head hanging down, her long straight black hair falling over her just–developed round breasts.
‘Here she is. The cream of the crop, a little black virgin, ripe for the plucking,’ shouted Gunther. He knew this one would fetch a high price and had even considered keeping her for himself. But he no longer ran a lugger or had use for an untrained woman, in his bed or his business. There were plenty more out there. Even though the practice was out-lawed, he kept this as a lucrative sideline. Once the men had finished with the women as divers and sexual chattels, they could be sold as servants or to brothels. Few of the women had the heart or health to run away by then, but for the moment these poor wretches had little knowledge of just how bleak their future would be.
The bidding for the virgin was brisk but Tyndall remained passive. Then as the bidding settled down between two men, Tyndall called out a price—double that of the last bid. He spoke firmly and clearly and even Gunther paused and repeated the price.
‘He’s not going to buy that girl!’ Olivia could barely contain herself.
Ahmed put a restraining hand on Olivia’s arm. ‘I ask him to save her, mem. She Macassar girl. She belong to my people.’
One of the men made a half–hearted bid to better Tyndall but knew it was a lost cause. Tyndall would not be outbid. Gunther waited, hoping the price might double again, but the other men shook their heads.
‘She’s yours then, Captain Tyndall,’ said Gunther ungraciously. ‘Enjoy her.’
While Tyndall paid Gunther, Ahmed pulled Olivia back into the trees, out of sight. Tyndall then led the girl away, loosening the rope on her wrists and throwing it away. Pulling off his shirt he put it over her shoulders. She clutched it to her body, never lifting her eyes from the ground as she followed him. Scowling, Gunther watched them go. He didn’t trust Tyndall not to turn him in, despite his being party to the proceedings. Gunther instantly planned a voyage that would keep him away from the north–west for a long time.
Tyndall stayed ashore while Ahmed rowed Olivia and the girl to the lugger. Olivia went aboard first and the girl nimbly followed. Standing on the deck, she lifted her head and stared curiously at Olivia who took off Tyndall’s hat and gave her a gentle smile. The girl was still fearful but curiosity at the sight of a white woman got the better of her and she studied Olivia carefully before giving her a half smile.
While Ahmed rowed back for Tyndall, Olivia took the girl’s hand to lead her below deck, but at the sight of the small hatch leading into what appeared to be a dark hole, the girl wrenched her arm