The Heroine Conrad Esselen   © Copyright 2023 by Conrad Esselen

Martin Drolling - Interior of a Kitchen (detail) - Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

CHAPTER ONE

In eighteen seventy six, a girl was born, on the banks of the Severn River England. She was one child of a, large family. Her father was a steam train driver, and battled to provide for his extensive family. At the age of six little Maud, attended the local school. At the age of twelve, she passed standard four, top of her class. Maud was withdrawn from school, due to her family’s financial constraints.

Her father, approached the lord, of a local manor, “Sir I have a diligent child, would you not take her into your home, as an apprentice cleaner?”

The manacled lord, who, was known, as a kindly person, answered, “My man, I have been looking for another hand, to help run the home.”

At the tender age of twelve, Maud started work in the home. She was apprenticed to Miss Hope, the head maid. Miss Hope was in charge or all eight, of the staff at the manor. She was a kind woman, with fantastic management skills, “Come child, I have a cosy room, in the servant’s quarters. My room adjoins yours, if you need someone, to talk to at night, I will be there for you.”

The house hold ran, like clockwork. The bright little girl received much kindness, from the manor staff, because she constantly presented, a brave face.

Maud missed her family, and in the beginning, she cried herself to sleep. The happy staff lovingly nick named her, Lark, as an indication of her cheerful nature, work effort, and small stature.

Millie, the chief cook took a particular interest, in Maud’s progress. She asked Miss Hope, if she would allow Maud to be attached to the kitchen detail.

“Millie dear, I shall allow Lark, to be attached to the kitchen, in the afternoon. She shows such promise, I believe she needs to be involved, in all aspects, of home keeping,” Miss Hope said.

The kitchen duties included cooking, maintaining stocks, decking, and serving tables, planting and reaping vegetables, and all the scullery work. Maud loved the kitchen work. She spent many golden days in the garden, planting flowers and vegetables, with the kindly old gardener Ted.

Golden years flew by, and Maud was promoted, to chief cook, of the house hold. Millie still visited the manor, to show her three beautiful children. She married the miller, and had a home of her own, to take care of.

In the year eighteen ninety three, the Lord of the manor had a guest, Mr John Hancock. John was a cousin, of the lord. He was a man in his early twenties. John was an adventurer, who had traversed Africa, in the search, of the elusive gleaming metal, gold.

A banquet had been arranged, in John’s honour. Tables of food were laid on, for the grand occasion. Maud stood at a table, supervising the serving staff. The banquet hall was made up, with an amazing assortment of flowers, food and eventually, finely dressed people.

John arrived at the hall early, he did not wish to miss, a moment of the splendour. He normally lived off, rough campsite living. He was excited, to attend a function, presented in his honour.

On entering the hall, John was captivated, by the lovely small girl, organising staff, with such charm and friendliness. He walked over, to where she was busy at a table, repositioning a vase of flowers. “Dear lady. Don’t you think you are too small, and lovely to be running, around like this?” John said, with a twinkle in his eye.

“Sir, dynamite comes in small packages,” Maude answered. She carried on with her chores, as if nothing in the world had transpired, yet her heart was playing butterflies, in her chest. She was very aware of the fine looking man, who did not, take his eyes of her.

The night of the banquet, was enjoyed by all the guests. John was a hit, with the guests. He told stories about beautiful Africa, with a shy charm. The lord of the manor requested Maud should step forward, when he made his opening speech. He lifted his glass, and made a toast to Maud, “To the finest cook, in England.”

John immediately responded with a loud, “Hear, hear!”

The lord spoke, “Where is your glass Maud?”

Maud responded, “I made a vow never to drink alcohol. I do however have some tea my lord.”

The lord had a large smile on his face, “John let me introduce you, to the best cook, I have ever known.”

John took Maud’s hand, bowed over and kissed her hand. He seemed to hold onto her hand, for an eternity.

John approached the lord, on the following day, “Edward, I am stricken by your cook, Maud. I request your permission, to court her while she is in your home.”

The lord answered, “John, I do not object to you, meeting on my premises. I shall arrange for you, to meet the girl’s father.”

John and Maud walked the entire estate, several times. On a hot summers day Maud was thirsty. John found, a slow moving stream. Maud drank thirstily of the water. Within ten minutes, after she drank the water, Maud could not walk, she had extreme stomach pain. Concerned, John scooped up the little woman, and hastily ran back to the manor. A horse buggy was prepared, to convey Maud, to the Doctor in the village.

Maud was diagnosed, with a poisoned digestive system, which had been infected by algae, in the water. Maud was semi-conscious for a week. John and all of the manors’ staff took good care, of Maud. Maud never drank water, which was not boiled, all the days of her life.

In late Autumn John became infected, with a severe dose, of gold fever. He asked Maud’s father, for her hand in marriage. The gorgeous pastel coloured, oak leaves joined the confetti, which fell on the shoulders, of the happy couple.

Maud spent time, diligently training the new cook. John busied himself arranging for permits, and passports. The long cold days, began to lengthen.

Late in March, John left on the steamer, for South Africa. The trees were in full blossom, which spoke to them of an amazing future. The couple parted, with sadness, which was softened by excitement, of the amazing adventure ahead of them.

Maud arranged to leave on the steamer, bound for Delgoa Bay. Spring was well established. Green fruit of exceptional beauty, bedecked the fruit trees in late May. Maud parted from her friends and family, with much sadness.

Ted loaded Maud’s small baggage, into the carriage. When they arrived at Port Smith, Ted made sure, Maud was in her cabin, “Goodbye child, we are going to miss you so much.”

CHAPTER TWO

The steamer, travelled down the east coast of Africa, and reached Cape Town at the end of June. The weather was unfavourable, but Maud was excited to see the first view, of incredible Africa. The steamer moored in the harbour, for one week. Maud had severe morning sickness, but that did not deter her from exploring the town, with some of her fellow voyagers.

Two weeks later the steamer arrived, in Delgoa Bay. The trans-bush felt wagon was waiting for Maud.

A smiling wagon train boss Rudy, told her that John, was waiting for her in Pilgrim’s Rest. The little bit of luggage Maud possessed, was loaded onto the wagon. The luggage consisted of a wooden box, with little clothing and some linen. There was a small box with, some crockery and cutlery, and a large brass tray was the base for her toiletries, tied by a patch work cloth. The tray was a parting present given to Maud by her father.

The horses willingly sped away, from the hot humid Lorenzo Marques, into Africa’s amazing, bush. Maud was elated, to see the many wild animals, along the way.

Before dusk the sun turned the clouds into a myriad, of red shades. Mario the other member of the team, said, “Rudy we must stop at the clear stream ahead. The horses can eat well, on the green grass. We shall have fresh drinking water, and water to wash in.”

A tent was erected for Maud. Mario busied himself with the horses. Rudy made a fire and collected a massive pile of wood.

“Why so much wood Rudy?” Maud asked.

“The fire will keep, the scavengers away from the camp,” Rudy replied.

Maud found the stock food, and skilfully prepared a meal, for the three travellers. She hurriedly bathed, in a secluded spot on the stream. The fact that she knew scavengers were about, did speed up the whole process.

After supper the two men said, they had never eaten so well on all their travels.

Maud wrapped herself in her blankets, and soon fell into a deep sleep, which was lulled by the mysteriously beautiful tones, of Africa’s night time creatures. Maud woke to the noise of the throated growl of a lion, and the panicked neighing of the horses.

“Come on Vortsak!” Mario, shouted, as he loudly cracked a whip. Rudy fired several shots into the air. The lion ran off into the night, he had an extremely bad reception, and decided the easy meal was wrought, with too much stress.

The two men came back laughing nervously, “Maud, all is well. Fortunately it was an old lone male. He was probably evicted from the pride, by a younger stronger lion.” The fire blazed a huge circle of light around the camp site.

Maud fell asleep instantly, realising that her travel companions, were more than able to cope with any threats.

The sun rose, causing the horizon clouds, to become dark red. The beautiful acacias were dripping African dew. “Rain will fall this afternoon. We must reach the top of the escarpment, before four p.m. The pass will be, too slippery for the horses after rain,” Rudy said.

The horses did not have to be forced, to canter towards the pass. Their urgent desire was to trot up the pass, and away from lion country.

When the team, reached the top of the pass, the clouds, gave their blessing to the earth. Camp was made at a crystal clear stream. The men placed a tarpaulin, over the side of the wagon. Maud busied herself preparing a meal.

“We should be at Graskop, by eleven a.m. and reach Pilgrims by three p.m. I bet Jack, is already on his way to town,” Rudy said with broad smile, on his tanned face. Graskop consisted of a tiny shop, and a few houses.

Maud was surprised, to see the exquisite, green covered mountains ahead of her. The contrast between the bush country, and the middle felt was amazing.

The wagon swayed from side to side, as the horses made their way down Tiger’s Creek. Some mining could be seen on the left mountainside. “That is Theta mine, the richest gold vain, was discovered there. Can you see the policemen? They guard the mine’s exit, to prevent any miners from stealing gold,” Rudy commented.

The horses sped up on the downhill, as the travellers approached Pilgrim’s creek. Diggers called out to Rudy, “Any post for us?”

Maud was saddened, to see the look of loneliness, on their faces. Gold fever had driven them, far away from, their loved ones. Her heart began to pound, when she saw, Jack as John, preferred to be called.

He was prancing, up and down. When the wagon stopped at the local store, Jack gently lifted Maud off the wagon, and held her, in his arms. “You are even more beautiful pregnant, with our child,” Jack said.

All Maud could say was, “I love you so much.”

Jack introduced Maud to the store owners. Joe and Hazel invited the two, for tea and lovely homemade bread. “You must be careful of the baboons at Peach Tree,” Hazel said, with a naughty twinkle in her eyes.

“Don’t tease Maud,” Joe scolded.

The wagon was off loaded, and Maud said farewell, to her travel companions.

“Jack, won’t you allow Maud, to stay with our team? She is the best cook, I have come across.” Rudy said, his white teeth shining against his tanned face as he smiled.

Jack answered with a broad smile on his face, “I have a diamond here, and nothing will separate me from her. I am eternally grateful, to you for bringing my Maud, safely to me.”

The sun was dropping, towards the beautiful mountains. Jack lifted Maud onto the buggy, towed by two horses. The love birds headed for Peach Tree. The buggy crossed the Blyde River, pebbles rattled against the bottom of the buggy, creating a sound resembling a rolling drum beat.

They were together at last. The joy of the moment, and the hour’s drive to Peach Tree seemed to pass by in seconds. Maud was tired and happy. At last they would be able live, in a home of their own.

“Meshach has all the lamps going, and the stove is lit. He is not a bad cook, but not nearly up to your standard, my sweet wife. I knew you would be tired, I asked him, to prepare supper for us,” Jack said. He gently lifted Maud from the buggy. “Hello Meshach, will you please take the horses to the stable. Thank you for making food, and lighting the lanterns,” Jack spoke to Meshach, who approached them from the dark night.

“Welcome madam, I hope you will be happy in this home.” Meshach said.

Maud thanked him, and held Jack's hand tightly. Jack scooped Maud up, and carried her through the front door. The plates were on the table. Maud dished up the food, for the two of them.

Meshach shouted good night, as he headed for his home.

A flash of lightening, and roaring thunder, was the forerunner of an imminent storm. The two settled down on the feather bed, and held one another tightly, as the storm raged about them.

Early the next morning Maud woke, to the loud noise of hadedas, flying from their roost. She entered the kitchen, and ignited the wood fire. Soon the water boiled and Maud made coffee.

When Jack walked into the kitchen, he gave Maud a kiss and a hug. After eating breakfast, he saddled his horse, and rode to the mine.

Maud made dough for fresh bread. She heard deafening shouts approaching, from mountain. She peeped out of the window, a troop of baboons, were approaching the house. Hazel mentioned she must beware, of the baboons. Maud closed all the doors, and windows. The dough had risen. Maud placed the loaded bread pans, in the oven. She cleaned the house. The baboons disappeared over the mountain. There was a fenced garden, with several vegetables. Maud watered the plants, with water from a stream. With mutton shanks and the vegetables from the garden, Maud prepared a lovely meal to welcome Jack home from work.

The weeks flew by, and Maud was in last stage of pregnancy, “Jack it is nearly time for our child to be born.”

“Maud, I shall send a message to town, via the locomotive to Lily. She is an experienced midwife. Have Meshach arrange a room for her, on your instructions. I don't want you to do anything strenuous, my lovely one,” Jack said with a concerned look, on his face.

Lily arrived on horseback. Maud and Lily became instant friends. Lily wanted to know, the latest news from back home.

“How did you arrive in this corner of Africa?” Maud asked Lily.

Lily looked at Maud and her eyes misted over. “My husband was a botanist we travelled all over, southern Africa, in search of the incredible, but rare cycads. I was trained, as a nurse back home. This great continents’ medical care, and in particular midwifery, is desperately needed. My darling husband, contracted malaria in the Limpopo River basin. We had quinine, which I administered to my delirious husband. He reacted violently to the treatment. I had no antibiotic. We were at least one hundred miles away, from any form of medical care. I nursed him all night. Dawn arrived and, my sweet man breathed, his last breath.

Fakila our guide was a light to me, in those awful times. He helped me to bury, my man in a beautiful place near a large Baobab tree. He guided me to my home in Pilgrim’s. The prolonged trip lasted for a month. I was in total shock, and did not know much, about the journey. Donald my husband built a little place, which we called our paradise. The local populace soon realised, I had midwifery experience. The care of others revitalised me, as I had a reason to live.” Lily explained her reason for living in Pilgrim’s.

At six a.m. on a glorious morning, little Maud made her entrance, into the world. Lily cleaned, and wrapped the baby in a cloth, “Maud I have attended many births, but I have never experienced a mother as brave as you.”

When Maud junior was two years old, Jack was requested, to pay the mine manager a visit. The little family of three, travelled to the town.

The manager welcomed the family, into his office, “Jack, I am not going to beat about the bush. London Office requested, I send an experienced man, to Southern Rhodesia. They require someone, to prospect for gold, in the Wankie area. There is no one more qualified than you.” With a broad smile on his face he added, “I shall ensure you travel, with your family. Special camping provisions will be provided. Jack you do not have to go, but I would appreciate an answer before tonight.”

Jack’s eyes lit up. The excitement at the prospect of commencing on such an adventure was apparent, on his face. He held Maud’s hand and said, “My darling what----.”

Maud smiled and said, “I am happy, where ever I go, as long as I can be with you. Of course we shall take this wonderful offer.”

CHAPTER THREE

The little family, travelled by train, bound for Massena. The grimy soot, which flooded their compartment, was hardly noticed, by the excited travellers.

Three ox wagons, loaded all the camping and mining gear. The journey began along a partially hidden trail, which was only visible, to the wagon master, Jan. The first night was spent near a shallow stream. Maud set about preparing food for the fairly large complement of men.

Jan said, “Madam, you are not to tire, yourself. Tell us what to do, and we shall do the cooking.”

Maud was pleased to have a rest, from the cooking duties. She walked with little Maud to the stream, where they enjoyed, a welcome bath. Jack, accompanied them, and they had a happy time, playing in the stream.

The sun dropped, below the horizon like a great red melon. Africa’s fauna greeted, the night with a variety of calls. Some partridge were calling to one another. A hyena could be heard laughing hysterically. Frogs croaked in harmony. A Kudu snorted a warning. Birds tweeted as they roosted for the night.

Maud was amazed at the progress made, in preparation of the camp site. A table with food was placed under the stars. Sable antelope steaks, rehydrated, cooked dried vegetables, and fresh bread rolls made up their fantastic meal. Many years later Maud raved about the meal, she said, the Sable steak, was the best meat she had ever eaten.

On the day before the travellers reached the Wankie area, Jack set out on horseback, to locate a camp site. When he returned from his trip he said, “Maud, the camp site is near a sparkling stream, with water- cress and water lilies in the pools. Only small game frequent the area .The large scavengers don’t hunt in the area. They hunt on the vast plains, where all the herds are. The Camp is surrounded by large trees, which will provide shade for the tents. The stream is too shallow, to harbour crocodiles and hippos. You will be safe there my darling.”

Jan arranged the camp to be miraculously homely. He assigned Solly to be the camp cook. Two men were designated to maintain the camp. The bush soon swallowed the departing, wagon train. Maud was sad, to see the last of Jan and his team.

The following week, Jack set off on horseback to initiate, the prospecting expedition. Maud and the little girl hugged him for a long time, before his departure.

Solly hunted and made sure, they always had meat. The stock of other food, brought in by the wagon train, was more than enough, to feed them for months.

Maud had a special recipe, to prepare partridge, which often graced their table. The little group relished the days, when partridge was on the menu.

“Can we always stay here Mommy?” Little Maud asked. One of the two guard dogs, Rusty never left the little one’s side. Maud was pleased that, Rusty was protective of her little one, as a hyena had been seen in the area.

One hot and sultry afternoon, mom and daughter walked, to the stream. Maud heard the pita patter, of bare feet approaching. To her horror, four large men with assegais approached her. They wore loin cloths, and had painted faces. She tucked little Maud behind her, in an attempt to protect her.

The warrior in the lead, held a stick which had a slit in it. He pushed the stick, with a letter in the slit towards Maud. His face lit up with a reassuring smile.

Maud read the letter, “Hello my darling, I have made some very positive gold finds, and will be away for another week. Give my little girl, a big hug. Miss you so much. Please write a letter, in return, Love Jack.” Maud wrote a letter and placed it in the slit stick. She asked Solly to give, the warriors some food. The warriors magically, disappeared into the bush.

Maud was in the ninth month of pregnancy, when Jack returned from his field trip. He asked a German missionary’s wife to deliver the infant. Jourta had delivered many babies at the mission station. Baby Jack was born in a tent, surrounded by gorgeous African bush. Jack and Maud were thrilled to have a golden pair.

Sadly their incredible adventure in the bush was over. Jack presented the samples, and indicated the areas on a map, worth mining. London sent a message, thanking Jack for his good work.

Jack was offered a mine house, in town. Maud was pleased to have the luxury, of electricity. The mine had a hydroelectric power station called, Belvedere.

Tom was born in Pilgrim’s hospital. He had two small deformed legs which never affected his lively adventurous spirit. The little family loved Tom, because of the exuberant way he lived.

When Tom was a toddler, Jack ensured that Tom accompanied him, on all his prospecting trips. That is possibly the reason Tom suffered, from such a severe dose of gold fever, in future years.

A dreadful day loomed, when Jack was admitted to hospital, with the dreaded Black Water Fever. He died on a cold winter morning.

Maud hid her grief from her children. She managed to acquire a little shack, out of town, in a place called South Clewer. Maud worked daytimes, washing clothes for people. Nights she nursed, a wealthy man’s wife, who had advanced tuberculosis.

Maud junior looked after her brothers. She attended school, and achieved good results.

Julian a local miner courted Maud. They were married on a rainy spring day. Soon after they were married, Julian started a terror campaign. He would beat Maud, if the children made any noise, while he was on night shift. He began drinking, which increased his abusive treatment of Maud.

Tom was a loving child, at times he talked to Julian. He would smack Tom, and tell Maud to get the cripple kid, out of his sight.

Maud junior matriculated and commenced with an office position at the mine. She was promoted to office supervisor, because of the diligent manner she, carried out her daily tasks.

Shortly after Jack turned sixteen, Julian started another beating, of Maud and Tom. Jack grabbed Julian by the scruff of his neck, and told him, he would kill him, if he ever touched his mother or brother again. Till the day Julian passed away, he never struck Maud or Tom.

Fortunately the mine had introduced a pension scheme for employee’s widowed wives. When Julian died, Maud was paid out a sum of money. She purchased the house out of town, the same house where I spent some of the best years of my life. She made such a brave effort to please others.

Two days before she died, she asked my aunt to baptise her in a bath. This hard working little woman, my grandmother was the strongest most giving person, I have ever known.

Maud my grandmother welcomed us into her home when my father died. She started her day at four a.m. She fed our family on vegetables she planted, and on chickens she raised. She made the most gorgeous meals. The food was provided by hard physical work. Never once did she complain, the strong wonderful tiny woman. She passed away at the age of ninety four.