McCullock's Gold

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  By this time Tyler and Watts were approaching the Plenty Highway. At the T junction they slowed and turned eastward, then three minutes later they recrossed the Bonya Creek. There the highway veered right, but half way around the bend they swung left onto the Jervois Range and Lucy Creek Station road. On reaching the mines turnoff they went left again.

  The leases were deserted, as the Mines Department people had advised, and for a time the two wandered about viewing the old workings and abandoned machinery. Later they parked at the foot of Reward Hill and climbed to its summit.

  Back in the vehicle Tyler followed a disused track he’d seen from the hill. Initially this took them northward but after a kilometre or so it went abruptly east t0 negotiate a section of rocky outcrops. It then headed north again, over the gently undulating hills and savannah grasslands out from the ranges.

  After a time Tyler slowed and turned toward a bouldery granite ridge in front of the main escarpment. Between the two they found a broad open valley, the whole of it supporting nothing bar dry kerosene grass and a few big ironwood trees. Close by one of these was the perfect campsite: a patch of clean sand wash, free of grass and totally secluded. Tyler stopped and turned off the engine.

  Watts went to the rear for their table and chairs then returned for the tucker box and utensils. Tyler lit a fire, took some beer and other items from the car fridge and began preparing dinner.

  During the meal the two discussed aspects of the Jervois Range geology and speculated at length on what tomorrow might bring. Later, before settling into their swags for the night, they boiled the billy and reviewed what Sayd Kaseem had told them over mugs of tea.