Bett-Bett’s thoughts were evidently on those early lessons, for soon she asked why God had not made any “bush” in the white man’s country. A country without a “bush” was a constant puzzle to her. Old Goggle Eye had once gone a trip to a big town as “boy” with a mob of cattle, and had come back with the astonishing news that in the white man’s country there was no “bush,” only tracks and humpies.
Goggle Eye had gone to Western Australia in a steamer with these cattle, but had walked home, because, he said, the steamer had “Too muchee jump-up jump-up, too muchee jump-down jump-down; me all day barcoo” (sick).
Before Bett-Bett went to bed she once more repeated— “Blackfellow bin make this one mob star, Missus.” Poor mite! she had no idea that her “mob” and my “mob” were the same “mob.”
Rolly lingered behind every one, and asked if she might sleep under the verandah this night. Poor Rolly was often very ill, and then was very frightened of Debbil-debbils and liked to sleep near me. She said Debbil-debbils could not come near where I was, because “Bigfellow God all day look out longa you, Missus.” So, you see that after all my trouble in teaching them, I had given them the idea that I was God’s especial care.
It is very, very hard work to teach any blackfellow the truth of God’s goodness and love. They have no god of any sort themselves, and they cannot imagine one.
After our Willeroo scare we did not wander “out bush” at all, for two reasons. The fear of Monkey was upon us, and Sue’s foot needed rest.
Chapter 11
“Newfellow Piccaninny Boy”
One morning, a few weeks after our Willeroo scare, Bett-Bett came scampering up from the creek as fast as her thin little legs would carry her.