CONTENTS
RIOGRANDE’SLASTRACE
NowthiswaswhatMacphersontold-
1
BYTHEGREYGULF-WATER
FartotheNorthwardthereliesaland,-
7
WITHTHECATTLE
Thedroughtisdownonfieldandflock,-
9
THEFIRSTSURVIVOR
`Theopeningoftherailwayline!-theGovernorandall!-
15
MULGABILL’SBICYCLE
’TwasMulgaBill,fromEaglehawk,thatcaughtthecyclingcraze;-
19
THEPEARLDIVER
KanzoMakame,thediver,sturdyandsmallJapanee-
23
THECITYOFDREADFULTHIRST
ThestrangercamefromNarromineandmadehislittlejoke-
28
SALTBUSHBILL’SGAMECOCK
’TwasSaltbushBill,withhistravellingsheep,wasmakinghiswaytotown-
33
HAYANDHELLANDBOOLIGAL
`Youcomeandseeme,boys,’hesaid;-
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AWALGETTEPISODE
Thesunstrikesdownwithablindingglare,-
42
FATHERRILEY’SHORSE
’Twasthehorsethief,AndyRegan,thatwashuntedlikeadog-
45
THESCOTCHENGINEER
Witheyesthatsearchedinthedark,-
53
SONGOFTHEFUTURE
’Tisstrangethatinalandsostrong,-
57
ANTHONYCONSIDINE
OutinthewastesoftheWestcountrie,-
66
SONGOFTHEARTESIANWATER
Nowthestockhavestarteddying,fortheLordhassentadrought;-
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ADISQUALIFIEDJOCKEY’SSTORY
Yousee,thethingwasthisway-therewasme,-
73
THEROADTOGUNDAGAI
Themountainroadgoesupanddown,-
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SALTBUSHBILL’SSECONDFIGHT
ThenewscamedownontheCastlereagh,andwenttotheworldatlarge,-
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HARDLUCK
Ileftthecourse,andbymyside-
87
SONGOFTHEFEDERATION
Asthenationssattogether,grimlywaiting-
89
THEOLDAUSTRALIANWAYS
TheLondonlightsarefarabeam-
92
THEBALLADOFTHECALLIOPE
BythefarSamoanshore,-
96
DOTHEYKNOW?
Dotheyknow?Attheturntothestraight102
THEPASSINGOFGUNDAGAI
`I’llintrodooceafriend!’hesaid,-
104
THEWARGEILAHHANDICAP
Wargeilahtownisverysmall,-
108
ANYOTHERTIME
Allofusplayourverybestgame-
115
THELASTTRUMP
`Youledthetrump,’theoldmansaid-
118
TARANDFEATHERS
Oh!thecircusswoopeddown-
120
IT’SGRAND
It’sgrandtobeasquatter-
123
OUTOFSIGHT
Theyheldapolomeetingatalittlecountrytown,-
126
THEROADTOOLDMAN’STOWN
Thefieldsofyoutharefilledwithflowers,-
128
THEOLDTIMER’SSTEEPLECHASE
Thesheepwereshornandthewoolwentdown-
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INTHESTABLE
What!Youdon’tlikehim;well,maybe-weallhaveourfancies,ofcourse:-
137
``HEGIVETHHISBELOVEDSLEEP’’
Thelongdaypasseswithitsloadofsorrow:-
144
DRIVERSMITH
’TwasDriverSmithofBatteryAwasanxioustoseeafight;-
146
THERE’SANOTHERBLESSEDHORSEFELLDOWN
Whenyou’relyinginyourhammock,sleepingsoftandsleepingsound,-
151
ONTHETREK
Oh,theweary,wearyjourneyonthetrek,dayafterday,-
153
THELASTPARADE
Withneverasoundoftrumpet,-
155
WITHFRENCHTOKIMBERLEY
TheBoersweredownonKimberleywithsiegeandMaximgun;-
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JOHNNYBOER
Menfightallshapesandsizesastheracinghorsesrun,-
164
WHATHAVETHECAVALRYDONE
Whathavethecavalrydone?-
167
RIGHTINTHEFRONTOFTHEARMY
`Where’aveyoubeenthisweekormore,-
169
THATV。C。
’Twasinthedaysoffrontattack,-
171
FEDUP
Iain’tatimidmanatall,I’mjustasbraveasmost,-
173
JOCK!
There’sasoldierthat’sbeendoingofhisshare-
175
SANTACLAUS
Halt!Whogoesthere?Thesentry’scall-
177
RIOGRANDE’SLASTRACE
NOWthiswaswhatMacphersontoldWhilewaitinginthestand;
Arecklessrider,over-bold,TheonlymanwithhandstoholdTherushingRioGrande。
Hesaid,`ThisdayIbidgood-bye`Tobitandbridlerein,`Toditchesdeepandfenceshigh,`ForIhavedreamedadream,andI
`Shallneverrideagain。
`IdreamtlastnightIrodethisrace`ThatIto-daymustride,`Andcant’ringdowntotakemyplace`Isawfullmanyanoldfriend’sface`Comestealingtomyside。
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`Deadmenonhorseslongsincedead,`Theyclusteredonthetrack;
`Thechampionsofthedayslongfled,`Theymovedaroundwithnoiselesstread-
`Bay,chestnut,brown,andblack。
`Andonemanonabiggreysteed`Rodeupandwavedhishand;
`Saidhe,``Wehelpafriendinneed,```Andwehavecometogivealead`ToyouandRioGrande。
```Foryoumustgivethefieldtheslip,```Soneverdrawtherein,```Butkeephimmovingwiththewhip,```Andifhefalter-setyourlip```Androusehimupagain。
```Butwhenyoureachthebigstonewall,```Putdownyourbridlehand```Andlethimsail-hecannotfall-
```Butdon’tyouinterfereatall;
```YoutrustoldRioGrande。’’
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`Westarted,andinfrontweshowed,`Thebighorserunningfree:
`Rightfearlesslyandgamehestrode,`Andbymysidethosedeadmenrode`Whomnooneelsecouldsee。
`Assilentlyasfliesabird,`Theyrodeoneitherhand;
`AteveryfenceIplainlyheard`Thephantomleadergivetheword,```MakeroomforRioGrande!’’
`Ispurredhimontogetthelead,`Ichancedfullmanyafall;
`Butswifterstilleachphantomsteed`Keptwithme,andatracingspeed`Wereachedthebigstonewall。
`Andtherethephantomsoneachside`Drewinandblockedhisleap;
`\"Makeroom!makeroom!\"Iloudlycried,`Butrightinfronttheyseemedtoride-
`Icursedtheminmysleep。
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`Heneverflinched,hefaceditgame,`Hestruckitwithhischest,`Andeverystoneburstoutinflame,`AndRioGrandeandIbecame`Asphantomswiththerest。
`AndthenIwoke,andforaspace`AllnervelessdidIseem;
`ForIhaveriddenmanyarace,`Butneveroneatsuchapace`Asinthatfearfuldream。
`AndIamsureasmancanbe`Thatoutuponthetrack,`Thosephantomsthatmencannotsee`Arewaitingnowtoridewithme,`AndIshallnotcomeback。
`ForImustridethedeadmen’srace,`Andfollowtheircommand;
`’Twereworsethandeath,thefouldisgrace`IfIshouldfeartotakemyplace`To-dayonRioGrande。’
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Hemounted,andajesthethrew,Withneversignofgloom;
ButallwhoheardthestoryknewThatJackMacpherson,braveandtrue,Wasgoingtohisdoom。
Theystarted,andthebigblacksteedCameflashingpastthestand;
Allsingle-handedintheleadHestrodealongatracingspeed,ThemightyRioGrande。
Butonhisribsthewhalebonestung,Amadnessitdidseem!
AndsoonitroseoneverytongueThatJackMacphersonrodeamongThecreaturesofhisdream。
Helookedtoleftandlookedtoright,Asthoughmenrodebeside;
AndRioGrande,withfoam-fleckswhite,RacedathisjumpsinheadlongflightAndclearedtheminhisstride。
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Butwhentheyreachedthebigstonewall,Downwentthebridle-hand,AndloudweheardMacphersoncall,`Makeroom,orhalfthefieldwillfall!
`MakeroomforRioGrande!’……
`He’sdown!he’sdown!’AndhorseandmanLayquietsidebyside!
Noneedthepallidfacetoscan,WeknewwithRioGrandeheranTheracethedeadmenride。
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BYTHEGREYGULF-WATER
FARtotheNorthwardthereliesaland,Awonderfullandthatthewindsblowover,AndnonemayfathomnorunderstandThecharmitholdsfortherestlessrover;
Agreatgreychaos-alandhalfmade,Whereendlessspaceisandnolifestirreth;
AndthesoulofamanwillrecoilafraidFromthesphinx-likevisagethatNatureweareth。
ButoldDameNature,thoughscornful,cravesHerdoleofdeathandhershareofslaughter;
ManyindeedarethenamelessgravesWherehervictimssleepbytheGreyGulf-water。
Slowlyandslowlythosegreystreamsglide,Driftingalongwithalanguidmotion,Lappingthereed-bedsoneitherside,WendingtheirwaytotheNorthernOcean。
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GreyaretheplainswheretheemuspassSilentandslow,withtheirstaiddemeanour;
Overthedeadmen’sgravesthegrassMaybeiswavingatriflegreener。
DownintheworldwherementoilandspinDameNaturesmilesasman’shandhastaughther;
OnlythedeadmenhersmilescanwinInthegreatlonelandbytheGreyGulf-water。
Forthestrengthofmanisaninsect’sstrengthInthefaceofthatmightyplainandriver,Andthelifeofamanisamoment’slengthTothelifeofthestreamthatwillrunforever。
AndsoitcomeththeytakenopartInsmall-worldworries;eachhardyroverRidethabroadandislightofheart,Withtheplainsaroundandtheblueskyover。
AndupintheheavensthebrownlarksingsThesongsthatthestrangewildlandhastaughther;
Fullofthanksgivinghersweetsongrings-
AndIwishIwerebackbytheGreyGulf-water。
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WITHTHECATTLE
THEdroughtisdownonfieldandflock,Theriver-bedisdry;
AndwemustshiftthestarvingstockBeforethecattledie。
WemusterupwithwearyheartsAtbreakingoftheday,Andturnourheadstoforeignparts,Totakethestockaway。
Andit’shunt’emupanddog’em,Andit’sgetthewhipandflog’em,Forit’swearyworkisdrovingwhenthey’redyingeveryday;
Bystock-routesbareandeaten,Ondustyroadsandbeaten,Withhalfachancetosavetheirliveswetakethestockaway。
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WecannotusethewhipforshameOnbeaststhatcrawlalong;
Wehavetodroptheweakandlame,Andtrytosavethestrong;
ThewrathofGodisonthetrack,Thedroughtfiendholdshissway,WithblowsandcriesandstockwhipcrackWetakethestockaway。
Astheyfallweleavethemlying,Withthecrowstowatchthemdying,GrimsextonsoftheOverlandthatfastenontheirprey;
Bythefierydust-stormdrifting,Andthemockingmirageshifting,Inheatanddroughtandhopelesspainwetakethestockaway。
IndulldespairthedaysgobyWithneverhopeofchange,ButeverystagewedrawmorenighTowardsthemountainrange;
Andsomemaylivetoclimbthepass,Andreachthegreatplateau,Andrevelinthemountaingrass,Bystreamletsfedwithsnow。
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AsthemountainwindisblowingItstartsthecattlelowing,Andcallingtoeachotherdownthedustylongarray;
Andtherespeaksagrizzleddrover:
`Well,thankGod,theworstisover,`Thecreaturessmellthemountaingrassthat’stwentymilesaway。’
Theypresstowardsthemountaingrass,TheylookwitheagereyesAlongtheruggedstonypass,Thatslopestowardstheskies;
Theirfeetmaybleedfromrocksandstones,Butthoughtheblood-dropstarts,Theystruggleonwithstifledgroans,Forhopeisintheirhearts。
Andthecattlethatareleading,Thoughtheirfeetarewornandbleeding,Arebreakingtoakindofrun-pullup,andletthemgo!
Forthemountainwindisblowing,Andthemountaingrassisgrowing,Theysettledownbyrunningstreamsice-coldwithmeltedsnow……
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ThedaysaredoneofheatanddroughtUponthestrickenplain;
Thewindhasshiftedrightabout,Andbroughtthewelcomerain;
Theriverrunswithsullenroar,Allfleckedwithyellowfoam,Andwemusttaketheroadoncemore,Tobringthecattlehome。
Andit’s`Lads!we’llraiseachorus,`There’sapleasanttripbeforeus。’
Andthehorsesboundbeneathusaswestartthemdownthetrack;
Andthedroverscanter,singing,Throughthesweetgreengrassesspringing,Towardsthefar-offmountain-land,tobringthecattleback。
ArethesethebeastswebroughtawayThatmovesolivelynow?
TheyscatterofflikeflyingsprayAcrossthemountain’sbrow;
AnddashingdowntheruggedrangeWehearthestockwhipcrack,Goodfaith,itisawelcomechangeTobringsuchcattleback。
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Andit’s`Steadydowntheleadthere!’
Andit’s`Let’emstopandfeedthere!’
Forthey’rewildasmountaineaglesandtheirsidesareallafoam;
Butthey’resettlingdownalready,Andthey’lltravelniceandsteady,Withcheerycallandjestandsongwefetchthecattlehome。
WehavetowatchthemcloseatnightForfearthey’llmakearush,AndbreakawayinheadlongflightAcrosstheopenbush;
Andbythecamp-fire’scheeryblaze,Withmellowvoiceandstrong,WehearthelonelywatchmanraiseTheOverlander’ssong:
`Oh!it’swhenwe’redonewithroving,`Withthecampingandthedroving,`It’shomewarddowntheBlandwe’llgo,andnevermorewe’llroam;’
Whilethestarsshineoutaboveus,Liketheeyesofthosewholoveus-
Theeyesofthosewhowatchandwaittogreetthecattlehome。
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Theplainsareallawavewithgrass,Theskiesaredeepestblue;
AndleisurelythecattlepassAndfeedthelongdaythrough;
Butwhenwesightthestationgate,Wemakethestockwhipscrack,AwelcomesoundtothosewhowaitTogreetthecattleback:
AndthroughthetwilightfallingWeheartheirvoicescalling,Asthecattlesplashacrossthefordandchurnitintofoam;
Andthechildrenruntomeetus,Andourwivesandsweetheartsgreetus,TheirheroesfromtheOverlandwhobroughtthecattlehome。
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THEFIRSTSURVEYOR
`THEopeningoftherailwayline!-theGovernorandall!
`Withflagsandbannersdownthestreet,abanquetandaball。
`Harkto’ematthestationnow!They’reraisingcheeroncheer!
```Themanwhobroughttherailwaythrough-ourfriendtheengineer!’’
`Theycheerhispluckandenterpriseandengineeringskill!
`’TwasmyoldhusbandfoundthepassbehindthatbigRedHill。
`Beforetheengineerwasgrownwesettledwithourstock`Behindthatgreatbigmountainchain,alineofrangeandrock-
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`Alinethatkeptusstarvingthereinwearyweeksofdrought,`Withne’eratrackacrosstherangetoletthecattleout。
`’Twasthen,withhorsesstarvedandweakandscarcelyfittocrawl,`Myhusbandwenttofindawayacrossthatrockywall。
`Hevanishedinthewilderness,Godknowswherehewasgone,`Hehuntedtillhisfoodgaveout,butstillhebattledon。
`Hishorsesstrayed-’twaswelltheydid-theymadetowardsthegrass,`Anddownbehindthatbigredhilltheyfoundaneasypass。
`Hefollowedupandblazedthetrees,toshowthesafesttrack,`Thendrewhisbeltanotherholeandturnedandstartedback。
`Hishorsesdied-justonepulledthroughwithnothingmuchtospare;
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`Godblessthebeastthatbroughthimhome,theoldwhiteArabmare!
`Wedrovethecattlethroughthehills,alongthenew-foundway,`Andthiswasourfirstcamping-ground-justwhereIliveto-day。
`Thenotherscameacrosstherangeandbuiltthetownshiphere,`Andthentherecametherailwaylineandthisyoungengineer。
`Hedroveaboutwithtentsandtraps,acooktocookhismeals,`Abathtowashhimselfatnight,achain-manathisheels。
`Andthatwasallthepluckandskillforwhichhe’scheeredandpraised,`Forafterallhetookthetrack,thesamemyhusbandblazed!
`Mypooroldhusband,deadandgonewithneverfeastnorcheer;
`He’sburiedbytherailwayline!-Iwondercanhehear`Whendowntheverytrackhemarked,andclosetowherehe’slaid,Page:18
`Thecattletrainsgoroaringdowntheone-in-thirtygrade。
`Iwonderdoeshehearthempassandcanheseethesight,`Whenthroughthedarkthefastexpressgoesflamingbyatnight。
`Ithink’twouldcomforthimtoknowthere’ssomeonelefttocare,`I’lltakesomethingsthisverynightandholdabanquetthere!
`Thehardoldfarewe’veoftensharedtogether,himandme,`Somedamperandabiteofbeef,apannikinoftea:
`We’lldowithoutthebandsandflags,thespeechesandthefuss,`Weknowwhooughttogetthecheersandthat’senoughforus。
`What’sthat?TheywishthatI’dcomedown-theoldestsettlerhere!
`PresentmetotheGovernorandthatyoungengineer!
`Well,justyoutellhisExcellenceandputthethingpolite,`I’msorry,butIcan’tcomedown-I’mdiningoutto-night!’
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MULGABILL’SBICYCLE
’TwasMulgaBill,fromEaglehawk,thatcaughtthecyclingcraze;
Heturnedawaythegoodoldhorsethatservedhimmanydays;
Hedressedhimselfincyclingclothes,resplendenttobeseen;
Hehurriedofftotownandboughtashiningnewmachine;
Andashewheeleditthroughthedoor,withairoflordlypride,Thegrinningshopassistantsaid,`Excuseme,canyouride?’
`See,here,youngman,’saidMulgaBill,`fromWalgetttothesea,`FromConroy’sGaptoCastlereagh,there’snonecanridelikeme。
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`I’mgoodallroundateverything,aseverybodyknows,`AlthoughI’mnottheonetotalk-Ihateamanthatblows。
`Butridingismyspecialgift,mychiefest,soledelight;
`Justaskawildduckcanitswim,awildcatcanitfight。
`There’snothingclothedinhairorhide,orbuiltoffleshorsteel,`There’snothingwalksorjumps,orruns,onaxle,hoof,orwheel,`ButwhatI’llsit,whilehidewillholdandgirthsandstrapsaretight:
`I’llridethisheretwo-wheeledconcernrightstraightawayatsight。’
’TwasMulgaBill,fromEaglehawk,thatsoughthisownabode,ThatperchedabovetheDeadMan’sCreek,besidethemountainroad。
Heturnedthecycledownthehillandmountedforthefray,Buterehe’dgoneadozenyardsitboltedcleanaway。
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Itleftthetrack,andthroughthetrees,justlikeasilverstreak,Itwhistleddowntheawfulslope,towardstheDeadMan’sCreek。
Itshavedastumpbyhalfaninch,itdodgedabigwhite-box:
Theverywallaroosinfrightwentscramblinguptherocks,Thewombatshidingintheircavesdugdeeperunderground,AsMulgaBill,aswhiteaschalk,sattighttoeverybound。
Itstruckastoneandgaveaspringthatclearedafallentree,Itracedbesideaprecipiceascloseasclosecouldbe;
AndthenasMulgaBillletoutonelastdespairingshriekItmadealeapoftwentyfeetintotheDeadMan’sCreek。
’TwasMulgaBill,fromEaglehawk,thatslowlyswamashore:
Hesaid,`I’vehadsomenarrershavesandlivelyridesbefore;
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`I’verodeawildbullroundayardtowinafivepoundbet,`ButthiswasthemostawfulridethatI’veencounteredyet。
`I’llgivethattwo-wheeledoutlawbest;it’sshakenallmynerve`Tofeelitwhistlethroughtheairandplungeandbuckandswerve。
`It’ssafeatrestinDeadMan’sCreek,we’llleaveitlyingstill;
`Ahorse’sbackisgoodenoughhenceforthforMulgaBill。’
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THEPEARLDIVER
KANZOMAKAME,thediver,sturdyandsmallJapanee,Seekerofpearlsandofpearl-shelldowninthedepthsofthesea,Trudgedo’erthebedoftheocean,searchingindustriously。
Overthepearl-grounds,theluggerdrifted-alittlewhitespeck:
JoeNagasaki,the`tender’,holdingthelife-lineondeck,Talkedthroughtheropetothediver,knewwhentodriftortocheck。
Kanzowaskingofhislugger,masteranddiverinone,Divingwhereveritpleasedhim,takinginstructionsfromnone;
Hitherandthitherhewandered,steeringbystarsandbysun。
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Fearlesshewasbeyondcredence,lookingatdeatheyetoeye:
Thiswashisformulaalways,`Allmangodeadby-and-bye-
`S’posingtimecomenocanhelpit-s’posetimenocome,thennodie。’
DivedinthedepthsoftheDarnleys,downtwentyfathomandfive;
Downwherebylawandbyreason,menareforbiddentodive;
Downinapressuresoawfulthatonlythestrongestsurvive:
Sweatedfourmenattheairpumps,fastasthehandlescouldgo,Forcingtheairdownthatreachedhimheated,andtainted,andslow-
KanzoMakamethediverstayedsevenminutesbelow;
Cameupondecklikeadeadman,paralysedbodyandbrain;
Suffered,whilebloodwasreturning,infinitetorturesofpain:
SailedonceagaintotheDarnleys-laughedanddescendedagain!……
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Scarcegrewtheshellintheshallows,rarelyapatchcouldtheytouch;
Alwaysthetakewassolittle,alwaysthelaboursomuch;
AlwaystheythoughtoftheIslandsheldbythelumberingDutch,Islandswhereshellwasinplentylyinginpassageandbay,Islandswherediverscouldgatherhundredsofshellinaday:
ButthelumberingDutch,withtheirgunboats,huntedthediversaway。
JoeNagasaki,the`tender’,findingtheprofitsgrowsmall,Said,`LetusgototheIslands,tryforanumberonehaul!
`Ifwegetcaught,gotoprison-letthemtakeluggerandall!’
KanzoMakame,thediver-knowingfullwellwhatitmeant-
Fatalist,gambler,andstoic,smiledabroadsmileofcontent,Flattenedinmainsailandforesail,andofftotheIslandstheywent。
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Closetotheheadlandstheydrifted,pickingupshellbytheton,Piledupondeckweretheoysters,openingwideinthesun,When,fromtheleeoftheheadland,boomedthereportofagun。
Oncethatthediverwassightedpearl-shellandluggermustgo。
JoeNagasakidecided-quickwasthewordandtheblow-
Cutboththepipeandthelife-line,leavingthediverbelow!
KanzoMakame,thediver,failingtoquiteunderstand,Pulledthe`haulup’onthelife-line,founditwasslackinhishand;
Then,likealittlebrownstoic,laydownanddiedonthesand。
JoeNagasaki,the`tender’,smilingasanctifiedsmile,Headedherstraightforthegunboat-throwingoutshellsallthewhile-
Thenwentaboardandreported,`Nomakeediveinthreemile!
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`Dressnohavegotandnohelmet-divergoshoreonthespree;
`Plentywindcomeandbreakrudder-luggergetblownouttosea:
`TakemetoJapaneeConsul,hehelpapoorJapanee!’……
SotheDutchlethimgo,andtheywatchedhim,asofffromtheIslandsheran,Doubtinghimmuch,butwhatwouldyou?YouhavetobesureofyourmanEreyouwakeupthatnest-fullofhornets-thelittlebrownmenofJapan。
Downintheoozeandthecoral,downwhereearth’swondersarespread,Helmeted,ghastly,andswollen,KanzoMakameliesdead:
JoeNagasaki,his`tender’,isowneranddiverinstead。
Wearerofpearlsinyournecklace,comfortyourselfifyoucan,Thesearetherisksofthepearling-thesearethewaysofJapan,`PlentymoreJapaneediver,plentymorelittlebrownman!’
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THECITYOFDREADFULTHIRST
THEstrangercamefromNarromineandmadehislittlejoke-
`TheysaywefolksinNarrominearenarrow-mindedfolk。
`Butallthesmartestmendownherearepuzzledtodefine`AkindofnewphenomenonthatcametoNarromine。
`LastsummerupinNarromine’twasgettin’ratherwarm-
`Twohundredinthewater-bag,andlookin’likeastorm-
`Weallwereintheprivatebar,thecoolestplaceintown,`Whenoutacrossthestretchofplainacloudcamerollin’down,Page:29
`Wedon’trespectthecloudsupthere,theyfilluswithdisgust,`TheymostlybringaBoganshower-threerain-dropsandsomedust;
`Buteachman,simultaneous-like,toeachmansaid,\"Ithink`Thatcloudsuggestsit’suptoustohaveanotherdrink!\"
`There’scloudsofrainandcloudsofdust-we’dheardofthembefore,`Andsometimesinthedailypresswereadof\"cloudsofwar\":
`But-ifthisain’ttheGospeltruthIhopethatImayburst-
`ThatcloudthatcametoNarrominewasjustacloudofthirst。
`Itwasn’tlikeacommoncloud,’twasmoreasortofhaze;
`Itsettleddownaboutthestreets,andstoppedfordaysanddays,`Andnotadropofdewcouldfallandnotasunbeamshine`TopiercethatdismalsortofmistthathungonNarromine。
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`Oh,Lord!wehadadreadfultimebeneaththatcloudofthirst!
`Weallchucked-upourdailyworkandwentupontheburst。
`Theveryblacksaboutthetownthatusedtocadgeforgrub,`Theymadeanorganisedattackandtriedtolootthepub。
`Wecouldn’tleavetheprivatebarnomatterhowwetried;
`Shearersandsquatters,union-menandblacklegssidebyside`Weredrinkin’thereanddursn’tmove,foreachwassure,hesaid,`Beforehe’dgetahalf-a-milethethirstwouldstrikehimdead!
`Wedrankuntilthedrinkgaveout,wesearchedfromroomtoroom,`Androundthepub,likedrunkenghosts,wenthowlingthroughthegloom。
`Theshearersfoundsomekeroseneandsettleddownagain,`ButallthesquatterchapsandI,westaggeredtothetrain。
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`And,onceoutsidethecloudofthirst,wefeltasrightaspie,`Butwhilewestoppedaboutthetownwehadtodrinkordie。
`ButnowIhearit’ssafeenough,I’mgoingbacktowork`BecausetheysaythecloudofthirsthasshiftedontoBourke。
`Butwhenyouseethosecloudsabout-likethisoneoverhere-
`Allwhiteandfrothyatthetop,justlikeapintofbeer,`It’stimetogoandhaveadrink,forifthatcloudshouldburst`You’dfindthedrinkwouldallbegone,forthat’sacloudofthirst!’……
WestoodthemanfromNarromineapintofhalf-and-half;
Hedrankitoffwithoutagaspinonetremendousquaff;
`Ijoinedsomefriendslastnight,’hesaid,`inwhattheycalledaspree;
`ButafterNarromine’twasjustaholidaytome。’
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AndnowbeyondtheWesternRange,wheresunsetskiesarered,Andcloudsofdust,andcloudsofthirst,godriftingoverhead,Therailway-trainistakingback,alongtheWesternLine,Thatnarrow-mindedpersononhisroadtoNarromine。
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SALTBUSHBILL’SGAMECOCK
’TWASSaltbushBill,withhistravellingsheep,wasmakinghiswaytotown;
HecrossedthemovertheHardTimesRun,andhecametotheTake’EmDown;
Hecountedthroughattheboundarygate,andcampedatthedraftingyard:
ForStingySmith,oftheHardTimesRun,hadhuntedhimratherhard。
HeborenomalicetoStingySmith-’twassimplythehandoffateThatcausedhiswaggontoswerveasideandshatteroldStingy’sgate;
And,beingonlythehandoffate,itfollows,withoutadoubt,Itwasn’tthefaultofSaltbushBillthatStingy’ssheepgotout。
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SoSaltbushBill,withaneasyheart,preparedforwhatmightbefall,CommencedhisstagesonTake’EmDown,thestationofRoosterHall。
’Tisstrangehowoftenthemenoutbackwilltaketosomecuriouscraft,Somerulingpassiontokeeptheirthoughtsawayfromtheoverdraft;
AndRoosterHall,oftheTake’EmDown,waswidelyknowntofameAsbreederofchampionfightingcocks-hisfortewastheBritishGame。
ThepassingstrangerwithinhisgatesthatcampedwitholdRoosterHallWasforcedtotalkaboutfowlsallnight,orelsenottalkatall。
Thoughdroughtsshouldcome,andthoughsheepshoulddie,hisfowlswerehissoledelight;
Helefthisshedinthefloodofworktowatchtwogamecocksfight。
HeheldinscorntheAustralianGame,thatlong-leggedchildofsin;
Inadesperatefight,withthesteel-tippedspurs,theBritishGamemustwin!
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TheAustralianbirdwasamongrelbird,withatouchofthejunglecock;
Thewantofbreedingmustfindhimout,whenfacingtheEnglishstock;
ForBritishbreeding,andBritishpluck,musttriumphitoverall-
AndthatwastherootofthesimplecreedthatgovernedoldRoosterHall……
’TwasSaltbushBilltothestationrodeaheadofhistravellingsheep,AndsentamessagetoRoosterHallthatwakenedhimoutofhissleep-
Acraftymessagethatfetchedhimout,andhurriedhimashecame-
`AdroverhasanAustralianBirdtomatchwithyourBritishGame。’
’Twasdone,anddoneinahalfatrice;afive-poundnoteaside;
OldRoosterHall,withhischampionbird,andthedrover’sbirduntried。
`Steelspurs,ofcourse?’saidoldRoosterHall;`you’llneed’em,withoutadoubt!’
`Youstickthespursonyourbird!’saidBill,`butminefightsbestwithout。’
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`Fightsbestwithout?’saidoldRoosterHall;`hecan’tfightbestunspurred!
`Youmustbecrazy!’ButSaltbushBillsaid,`Waittillyouseemybird!’
SoRoosterHalltohisfowlyardwent,andquicklybackhecame,Bearingacliptandashavencock,theprideofhisEnglishGame。
Withaneyeasfierceasaneaglehawk,andacrowlikeatrumpetcall,Hestruttedaboutonthegardenwalk,andcackledatRoosterHall。
ThenRoosterHallsentoffaboywithwordtohiscroniestwo,McCrae(thebossoftheBlackPolice)andFatherDonahoo。
FullmanyacockfightoldMcCraehadheldinhisemptyCourt,WithFatherD。asapicker-up-aregularall-roundSport!
TheygotthemessageofRoosterHall,anddowntohisruntheycame,Preparedtoscoffatthedrover’sbird,andtobetontheEnglishGame;
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Theyhiedthemofftothedrover’scamp,whileSaltbushrodebefore-
OldRoosterHallwasablithesomeman,whenhethoughtofthetreatinstore。
Theyreachedthecamp,wherethedrover’scook,withcountenanceallserene,Wasboilingbeefinanironpot,butneverafowlwasseen。
`Takeoffthebeeffromthefire,’saidBill,`andwaittillyouseethefight;
`There’ssomethingfreshforthebill-of-fare-there’sgame-fowlstewto-night!
`ForMisterHallhasafightingcock,allfeatheredandclippedandspurred;
`Andhe’sfetchedhimhere,forabitofsport,tofightourAustralianbird。
`I’vemadeamatchthatourpetwillwin,thoughhe’shardlyafightingcock,`Buthe’sgameenough,andit’smanyamilethathe’strampedwiththetravellingstock。’
Thecookhebangedonasaucepanlid;and,soonasthesoundwasheard,Underthedray,intheshadowshid,asomethingmovedandstirred:
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AgreattameEmustruttedout。SaidSaltbush,`Here’sourbird!’
ButRoosterHall,andhiscroniestwo,drovehomewithoutaword。
ThepassingstrangerwithinhisgatesthatcampswitholdRoosterHallMusttalkaboutsomethingelsethanfowls,ifhewishestotalkatall。
FortherecordliesinthelocalCourt,andfiledinitsdeepestvault,ThatPeterHall,oftheTake’EmDown,wastriedforafierceassaultOnastrangerman,who,inallgoodfaith,andpromptedbywhatheheard,HadaskedoldHallifaBritishGamecouldbeatanAustralianbird;
AndoldMcCrae,whowasontheBench,assoonasthecasewastried,Remarked,`Dischargedwithacleandischarge-theassaultwasjustified!’
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HAYANDHELLANDBOOLIGAL
`YOUcomeandseeme,boys,’hesaid;
`You’llfindawelcomeandabed`Andwhiskyanytimeyoucall;
`Althoughourtownshiphasn’tgot`Thenameofquitealivelyspot-
`Yousee,IliveinBooligal。
`Andpeoplehaveanawfuldown`Uponthedistrictandthetown-
`Whichworsethanhellitselftheycall;
`Infact,thesayingfarandwide`AlongtheRiverinaside`Is``HayandHellandBooligal’’。
`Nodoubtitsuits’emverywell`Tosayit’sworsethanHayorHell,`Butdon’tyouheedtheirtalkatall;
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`Ofcourse,there’sheat-noonedenies-
`Andsandanddustandstacksofflies,`Andrabbits,too,atBooligal。
`Butsuchapleasant,quietplace,`Youneverseeastranger’sface-
`Theyhardlyevercaretocall;
`Thedroversmostlypassitby;
`Theyreckonthatthey’dratherdie`ThanspendanightinBooligal。
`Thebigmosquitoesfrightensome-
`You’lllieawaketohear’emhum-
`Andsnakesaboutthetownshipcrawl;
`Butshearers,whentheygettheircheque,`Theynevercomealongandwreck`TheblessedtownofBooligal。
`ButdowninHaytheshearerscome`Andfillthemselveswithfighting-rum,`Andchasebluedevilsupthewall,`Andfightthesnaggerseveryday,`Untilthereisthedeucetopay-
`There’snoneofthatinBooligal。
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`Ofcourse,thereisn’tmuchtosee-
`Thebilliard-tableusedtobe`Thegreatattractionforusall,`Untilsomecareless,drunkencurs`Gotsleepingonitintheirspurs,`Andruinedit,inBooligal。
`Justnowthereisahowlingdrought`Thatprettynearhasstarvedusout-
`Itneverseemstorainatall;
`But,ifthereshouldcomeanyrain,`Youcouldn’tcrosstheblack-soilplain-
`You’dhavetostopinBooligal。’……
`We’dhavetostop!’WithbatedbreathWeprayedthatbothinlifeanddeathOurfateinotherlinesmightfall:
`Oh,sendustoourjustreward`InHayorHell,but,graciousLord,`DeliverusfromBooligal!’
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WALGETTEPISODE
THEsunstrikesdownwithablindingglare,Theskiesareblueandtheplainsarewide,ThesaltbushplainsthatareburntandbareByWalgettoutontheBarwonside-
TheBarwonriverthatwandersdownInaleisurelymannerbyWalgettTown。
Therecameastranger-a`Cockatoo’-
Thewordmeansfarmer,asallmenknowWhodwellinthelandwherethekangarooBarksloudatdawn,andthewhite-eyedcrowUpliftshissongonthestock-yardfenceAshewatchesthelambkinspassinghence。
Thesunburntstrangerwasgauntandbrown,ButitsoonappearedthathemeanttofloutTheironlawofthecountrytown,Whichis-thatthestrangerhasgottoshout:
`Ifhewillnotshoutwemusttakehimdown,’
RemarkedtheyokelsofWalgettTown。
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Theybaitedatrapwithacraftybait,Withacraftybait,fortheyhelddiscourseConcerninganewchumwhooflateHadboughtsuchathoroughlylazyhorse;
TheywouldwagerthatnoonecouldridehimdownThelengthofthecityofWalgettTown。
Thestrangerwasbornonahorse’shide;
Sohetookthewagers,andmadethemgoodWithhishard-earnedcash-buthishopestheydied,Forthehorsewasaclothes-horse,madeofwood!-
’Twasawell-knownhorsethathadtakendownFullmanyastrangerinWalgettTown。
Thestrangersmiledwithasicklysmile-
’Tisasicklysmilethatthelosergrins-
AndhesaidhehadtravelledforquiteawhileIntryingtosellsomemarsupialskins。
`AndIthoughtthatperhaps,asyou’vetookmedown,`Youwouldbuythemfromme,inWalgettTown!’
HesaidthathishomewasatWingadee,AtWingadeewherehehadforsaleSomefiftyskinsandwouldguaranteeTheywerefull-sizedskins,withtheearsandtailPage:44
Complete,andhesoldthemformoneydownToaventuresomebuyerinWalgettTown。
Thenhesmiledasmileashepouchedthepelf,`I’mgladthatI’mquitofthem,winorlose:
`Youcanfetchtheminwhenitsuitsyourself,`Andyou’llfindtheskins-onthekangaroos!’
Thenheleft-andthesilencesettleddownLikeatangiblethinguponWalgettTown。
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FATHERRILEY’SHORSE
’TWASthehorsethief,AndyRegan,thatwashuntedlikeadogBythetroopersoftheUpperMurrayside,Theyhadsearchedineverygully-theyhadlookedineverylog,Butneversightortrackofhimtheyspied,TillthepriestatKiley’sCrossingheardaknockingverylateAndawhisper`FatherRiley-comeacross!’
SohisRev’renceinpyjamastrottedsoftlytothegateAndadmittedAndyRegan-andahorse!
`Now,it’slisten,FatherRiley,tothewordsI’vegottosay,`ForitscloseuponmydeathIamto-night。
`WiththetroopershardbehindmeI’vebeenhidingalltheday`Inthegullieskeepingcloseandoutofsight。
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`Butthey’rewatchingalltherangestillthere’snotabirdcouldfly,`AndI’mfairlyworntopieceswiththestrife,`SoI’mtakingnomoretrouble,butI’mgoinghometodie,`’TistheonlywayIseetosavemylife。
`Yes,I’mmakinghometomother’s,andI’lldieo’Tuesdaynext`An’beburiedontheThursday-and,ofcourse,`I’mpreparedtomeetmypenance,butwithonethingI’mperplexed`Andit’s-Father,it’sthisjewelofahorse!
`Hewasneverboughtnorpaidfor,andthere’snotamancanswear`Tohisownerorhisbreeder,butIknow,`ThathissirewasbyPedanticfromtheOldPretendermare`AndhisdamwascloserelatedtoTheRoe。
`Andthere’snothinginthedistrictthatcanracehimforastep,`Hecouldcanterwhilethey’regoingattheirtop:
`He’sthekingofalltheleppersthatwaseverseentolep,`Afive-footfence-he’dclearitinahop!
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`SoI’llleavehimwithyou,Father,tillthedeadshallriseagain,`’Tisyourselfthatknowsagood’un;and,ofcourse,`Youcansayhe’sgotbyMoonlightoutofPaddyMurphy’splain`Ifyou’reeveraskedthebreedingofthehorse!
`Butit’sgettingontodaylightandit’stimetosaygood-bye,`ForthestarsabovetheEastaregrowingpale。