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class then shut my eyes there were the crinkling of the paper the smell of camphor and the smooth feel of silk against my cheek.
    I thought thats women’s stuff it were a dress to give my mother.
    Open your eyes Ned Kelly.
    I done as ordered and saw his little slit of mouth all twisted in a grin and then Eliza Mutton and George Mutton and Caroline Doxcy and the Sheltons and Mr Irving staring at me with his wild bright eyes. I looked down at my person and seen not my bare feet my darned pullover my patched pants but a 7 ft. sash. It were peacock green embroidered with gold TO EDWARD KELLY IN GRATITUDE FOR HIS COURAGE FROM THE SHELTON FAMILY.
    At the very hour I stood before the scholars in my sash the decapitated head of the bushranger Morgan were being carried down the public highway—Benalla—Violet Town—Euroa—Avenel—perhaps it would be better had I known the true cruel nature of the world but I would not give up my ignorance even if I could. The Protestants of Avenel had seen the goodness in an Irish boy it were a mighty moment in my early life.
    If these events made a big impression on my own young mind they made an even bigger one on Esau Shelton. What phantoms haunted his top paddock I have no way of knowing but it is very clear he could not stop dwelling on how his son were nearly dead and the more time that passed the more he felt the agony. He had been previously known as a tight lipped b––––r not suited to his profession but now dear Jesus he could not be shutup and must offer endless accounts of young Dick’s rescue to every bullocky selector or shearer who come to prop up his long bar. He never considered the embarrassment his emotions might be causing others it were his own peace of mind he sought.
    Not many nights after I brung the sash home to my mother I were woken by the low growling of our kangaroo dogs and then detected the faint odours of stale hops.
    Then come a most distinctive whisper from the night Mrs Kelly Mrs Kelly might I trouble you?
    My mother replied with that hiss so particular to the mothers of young babes. What is it you want Mr Shelton?
    But what is it you want Mrs Kelly?
    My mother stayed silent but I could hear Mr Shelton scraping the mud off his boots as if he were intent on entering regardless.
    What are you thinking Mrs Kelly?
    What am I thinking? And any of her children would of recognised the dangerous rise and hook on its last word. Mr Shelton she said I’m lying here wondering who might be adjectival fool enough to wake my baby.
    Beg pardon Mrs Kelly I’ll come back tomorrow.
    I don’t want you back tomorrow Mr Shelton. She rose from her bed and knocked the pegs from the door and I watched through the curtain as the big smelly man shambled to the table and begun to noisily arrange his pipe and tobacco amongst our dirty dishes. He appeared pretty much a wreck as far as I could judge.
    Mother wearily pulled her possum skin around her shoulders and waited impatiently for her guest to speak he was tongue tied and required a v. loud impatient sigh to get him rolling again.
    Mrs Kelly said he at last your boy has given me back my son.
    We know that Mr Shelton just tell me what is bothering you.
    Its the sash he admitted.
    I thought please Jesus don’t talk about the sash I valued that reward more than anything I ever owned but my mother had taken a shocking set against it on account of her opinion the Sheltons should have offered money.
    The sash?
    I’m thinking.
    Go on Mr Shelton she encouraged.
    Frankly it just don’t seem sufficient.
    There were a very long silence.
    Would you like a cup of tea Mr Shelton?
    No Mrs Kelly there is nothing you can offer me.
    Some oatcake?
    I just ate.
    Would you take a brandy to settle your digestion?
    Mrs Kelly you’re a woman who lost her husband just like I nearly lost my son.
    Don’t cry Mr Shelton they aint neither of them exactly dead.
    Thats it Mrs Kelly that is what my wife has pointed out to me. I have the power to bring