I remained by Flügel’s side that afternoon, as he spoke with the head of each family and listened to their concerns and questions. It was hot and unpleasant, but Flügel did not complain nor ask for respite from his congregation, and as much as the reverence shown him troubled me, I saw that his faith and conviction gave them comfort.
Flügel prayed over the passengers who still suffered from scurvy and reassured those who were afraid of the great sum of money owed to Angas, the English benefactor. Several families came to him with new, unanticipated concerns: some had not realised that the land was inhabited by ‘Eingeborene’ and, having spent the morning speaking with the occupants of the shanty houses and the sailors, were now afraid of being speared.
‘We see much of them at Neu Klemzig,’ said the pastor, speaking of the village he had founded. ‘The English call them Cowandilla, though they themselves do not use that name. You will see them, but you have little to fear. The greatest threat to our way of life are those who live in a profligate manner. I do not like that Neu Klemzig is so close to Adelaide. I worry for the young amongst us, that they should be so close to places of drunkenness and gambling.’
I knew that my father was anxious to speak to Flügel. He did not let the pastor out of his sight all afternoon, and I imagined that he wanted to learn as much as he could about Neu Klemzig. Papa was a farmer, after all: if he had any earthly appetite in his body, it was lust for good, friable soil. I was surprised, then, when Papa sat beside Flügel in the pitiful shade and spoke not of Neu Klemzig, but of me.
‘Pastor, I ask for forgiveness. I hope you will pray for me.’
‘What is it, Heinrich?’
Papa turned his hat in his hands. ‘My daughter Hanne – Johanne – died on the journey here.’
‘I am sorry.’
I crept closer until I was kneeling by his side. Tears were flowing from my father’s good eye. He wiped them from his face. ‘Forgive me.’
‘Your grief is understandable.’
‘I know that our Lord is just. But there is such . . . anger. There is such anger in my heart.’
‘This is the second child you have lost?’
At this my father broke down and I felt my own chest crack open. ‘Papa,’ I said. ‘Papa!’ I wrapped my arms around him.
‘Great afflictions are great instruments, Heinrich. They open the hidden treasures of God’s mercies.’
My father nodded, weeping still.
Flügel placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. ‘I shall pray for your daughter.’
‘Don’t bother,’ I snapped. I wanted to bite him on the knuckle. ‘I’m right here.’
‘Thank you,’ Papa said.
‘How is Frau Nussbaum?’
‘She is well, thank you.’
‘And Matthias?’
‘Healthy, thanks be to God.’
Pastor Flügel squeezed Papa’s shoulder. ‘How old is he now?’
‘Seventeen. A man.’
Flügel glanced over to where Matthias sat next to Hans, both laughing at the cat as she chased the flowering head of a reed they were dragging along the ground.
‘There is a great need for labour here,’ Flügel said. ‘When we arrived, we were swamped with visitors looking for workmen, farmhands. No doubt Matthias will be invited to go out to the stations. You too, I suspect. Women will be invited to leave and work as servants. Now, I understand that all of you are anxious to repay your debts and avoid further interest, and Matthias, I am sure, will be eager to do his part. But it is my sore hope and prayer that we do not give in to fear of poverty and disband. We cannot disperse. Do not let our young men be tempted by such offers – we cannot know anything of the character of employers, cannot be assured they will permit our people to worship and rest on Sundays. There will be work and opportunity enough when we settle.’
‘At Neu Klemzig? Is there land enough there for us?’
I saw the pastor hesitate briefly before he nodded. My father noticed it also.
‘I have spoken to the captain,’ Papa ventured. He looked uncomfortable, was still wiping his cheeks with the heel of his hand. ‘He has advised us to go there and form our own opinion of the land.’
‘Yes, go, form your own judgement, Heinrich. But remember, we have all emigrated for the sake of our faith.’
My father smiled. ‘Faith. Yes. But, as the captain said, “God has given us bodies as well as souls.” He is concerned that the settlement at Neu Klemzig will expose us to hunger and worry.’