Chapter 5: Jigalong, 1907-1931 Summary and Analysis

Jigalong was established as a government depot in 1907 and served as the base for the many men who were responsible for the repair and maintenance of the rabbit-proof fence. The superintendent of the depot was also named Protector of Aborigines. Older desert people appreciated the safety of the depot and had grown tired of roaming and hunting for food and of fearing for their lives while they slept. The younger desert people were skeptical but complied to the wishes of their elders. Jigalong became an important safe-haven for the nomadic tribes who had virtually become only semi-nomadic.

Maude, a sixteen-year-old, was bright and had become a reliable domestic worker. Through her work with the settlers, she became fairly fluent in English. Maude became sexually involved with an Englishman, Thomas Craig, who was the rabbit-fence inspector. Maude was...