Outlaws of the Leopolds

In 1894 Sandamara, an Aboriginal tracker working for the police was incredibly skilled as well as being a well liked man, and was considered loyal and trustworthy. He was known to the police as Pigeon.

Having assisted Constable Richardson to arrest a group of fifteen Aboriginals - most for cattle spearing, although three had speared white men, Pigeon and another tracker Captain were setting up camp; the prisoner chained to a tree and all handcuffed. Word came that Ellemara, a cunning murderer, was only 20 miles away, camping alone, having tailed the policemen. And so despite Richardson being unwell with fever and recovering from flu, Pigeon and Captain were sent to apprehend Ellemara. Richardson fought the overwhelming need to sleep to guard the prisoners.

And apprehend him they did, taking him by surprise, but Ellemara was a convincing man. In the time it took to travel the 20 miles back to Richardson he had managed to turn Pigeon and Captain from tame police trackers, and convince them to murder Richardson and to lead an uprising against the white men taking their hunting ground and forcing them from their customary lands. The men they set free would follow the three leaders.

Ellemara was greatly admired, but even more dreaded by the local Aborigines. He was not a local, but from far away, which would normally reduce his influence. Likewise, Captain was not local to the tribes either, as the police usually had a strict policy of their trackers being from far away so as not to have local tribal bonds to influence their actions. Pigeon, however, was a local boy, born in Lillamaloora country, and this police patrol was in the Kimberley in northern Western Australia. Such were the three men's influence that not just those men they set free followed them, but a great many more joined up to support the cause.

Pigeon went on to lead the outlaw uprising against the white stations, and more importantly the police, who he had a close understanding of - the men and their tactics. Captain was always subservient, and Ellemara had to learn to become so, and for three years these leaders escaped capture despite a highly orchestrated pursuit by the police.

And so, Idriess tells the story of Pigeon in a blow by blow account which takes in the stories of many aboriginals who joined this band of freedom fighters who aimed to rid the Leopold's of all white men.

The above it really just the introduction, so no spoilers here.

As is always the case with Ion Idriess books, the writing is very straightforward, but gripping. He explains much of the Aboriginal lore and goes some way to explaining how this all came to be. As always Idriess has made use of official documents as well as letters and interviews with those who have second hand knowledge - white and aboriginal.

4.5 stars