15
A short distance south from Frederickton, Patrick and Harry rode into Kempsey, their intention being to top up their supplies.
However, as they dismounted at the general store conveniently located next door to a small pub, two young boys, one white, the other Black and both about fourteen years old, strolled past side by side. They were obviously enjoying each other’s company, laughing perhaps at a new joke.
Outside the pub were five local men and judging by the number of empty glasses sitting on the pub’s front windowsill and their loud, bawdy conversations, all were in an advanced stage of inebriation despite the early time of day.
Patrick and Harry ignored them, until one of the drunks threw his near empty glass at the boys and then ran, swearing unintelligible abuse, straight to
