The Great Trek

The first Idriess book I have read this year - I am trying to savour them - I have just under 40 of his titles, and have read a bit under half.

This one, details the expeditionary trek in 1964 that Frank and Alexander (Alick, as he is known in this book) undertook to reach their father's settlement at Somerset, at the northern end of Cape York, from Rockhampton. Somerset had been established by sea, and the two boys (at the young ages of 23 and 21 respectively), along with three experiences bushmen and three Aboriginal men, were to pioneer a land route. The government authorised their expedition but required them to be accompanied by a government surveyor to map the route, so he joined as well. With them, they took 42 horses (including their mounts) and 250 head of cattle. These were hand selected as robust and suitable as possible, and were to become breeding stock for Somerset (horses and cattle).

Idriess tells us in the introduction that the book is researched and written from the journal / diary of each brother, Franks was published after editing by FJ Byerley. It is a book of pretty simple construction, and definitely an easy read - I slipped through it quickly in a couple of days. It is probably set out as a bit of a boys adventure book - and the simple form would suit that.

The story is gripping - there can be little doubt that less talented bushmen would have perished, especially after quite early on they lose most of their spare equipment and stores to a fire. They are left with only the clothes they stood up in, which are quickly ripped to shred by the dense undergrowth. Food stores are limited to flour, which is continually rationed down until it runs out completely.

They must rely on the cattle they drove for a meal, but only when there are fine days for the remaining beef to be smoked dry, otherwise it would go to waste and they are not prepared to sacrifice cattle to not be fully utilised. Hunting (possum, kangaroo, turkeys 7 duck) and gathering wild turkey eggs, wild honey, fishing and catching freshwater crayfish keep the men alive, and emu skins replace the hats they have lost. Rough capes are made from a canvas cover, but trousers and boots are irreplaceable, other than roughly made moccasins which are made for very short term use. Hard feet these men.

The approaching rainy season makes much of the journey boggy, and days through the bog are slow, causing the loss of many horses and cattle. Poisonous weed kills many more, and when there is no grazing it is hard to prevent the horses from eating it. The ‘wild' Aborigines take a fair toll on the cattle too, sneaking in to drive them away whenever possible. They are confrontational and constantly dog the expedition, but their fear of the horses and cattle, and fear of the mens firearms stops them overrunning the men as they camp. Many battles are fought, but luckily these fears prevents them from taking full advantage of their overwhelming numerical advantage, and their many opportunities to strike when the men are stuck dealing with trapped animals in the swampy bog.

After some complexities in understanding the lay of the rivers, and readings from an errant sextant, they finally reach Somerset in teh thick of teh wet season, to the relief of their father. The journey took ten months, and of the 42 horses and 250 head of cattle, only 12 horses and 50 cattle successfully complete the journey, however all the men survive - although it is a close thing.

I have read another book about Frank Jardine - Too Many Spears, by Peter Pinney. That book (also excellent) tells of Frank Jardine's life in Somerset after this Great Trek.

Dropping a star for its apparent simple writing style, it is still a 4 star read, and an easy way to pass half a dozen hours.