第3章

ButtheshowmanastuteOnthatwilygalootSoondropped,andyou’llsaythatheleatheredhim-

Nothe;withagrimSortofhumorouswhim,Hetookhimandtarredhimandfeatheredhim。

Sayshe,`Youcango`Roundtheworldwithashow,`AndknockeveryInjunandArabwry;

`Withyournameandyourtrade,`Onthepostersdisplayed,`Thefeatheredwhat-is-itfromNarrabri。’

Nextdayforhisfreak,ByaNarrabribeak,Hewasjawedwithadealofverbosity;

ForhisonlyappealWas`professionalzeal’-

Hewantedanothermonstrosity。

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Saidhisworship,`Begob!

`Youarefinedfortybob,`Andsixshillin’scoststotheclurk!’hesays。

AndtheNarrabrijoy,Halfbirdandhalfboy,Hasa`down’onhimselfandoncircuses。

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IT’SGRAND

IT’SgrandtobeasquatterAndsituponapost,AndwatchyourlittleewesandlambsA-givinguptheghost。

It’sgrandtobea`cockie’

Withwifeandkidstokeep,Andfindanall-wiseProvidenceHasmusteredallyoursheep。

It’sgrandtobeaWesternman,Withshovelinyourhand,TodigyourlittlehomesteadoutFromunderneaththesand。

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It’sgrandtobeashearer,AlongtheDarlingside,AndpluckthewoolfromstinkingsheepThatsomedayssincehavedied。

It’sgrandtobearabbitAndbreedtillallisblue,AndthentodieinheapsbecauseThere’snothinglefttochew。

It’sgrandtobeaMinisterAndtravellikeaswell,AndtelltheCentralDistrictfolkTogoto-Inverell。

It’sgrandtobeaSocialistAndleadtheboldarrayThatmarchestoprosperityAtsevenbobaday。

It’sgrandtobeanunemployedAndlieintheDomain,AndwakeupeveryseconddayAndgotosleepagain。

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It’sgrandtoborrowEnglishtinTopayforwharvesandRocks,Andthentofinditisn’tinThelittlemoney-box。

It’sgrandtobeademocratAndtoadytothemob,ForfearthatifyoutoldthetruthThey’dhuntyoufromyourjob。

It’sgrandtobealotofthingsInthisfairSouthernland,ButiftheLordwouldsendusrain,Thatwould,indeed,begrand!

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OUTOFSIGHT

THEYheldapolomeetingatalittlecountrytown,Andallthelocalsportsmencametowinthemselvesrenown。

Therecametwostrangerswithahorse,andIammuchafraidTheybothbelongedtowhatiscalled`thetake-you-downbrigade’。

Theysaidtheirhorsecouldjumplikefun,andaskedanamateurToridehiminthesteeplechase,andtoldhimtheyweresure,Thelasttimeround,he’dsailawaywithsuchaswallow’sflightTherestwouldneverseehimgo-he’dfinishoutofsight。

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Soouthewent;and,whenfolksawtheamateurwasup,Somelocalgeniuscalledtherace`thedude-in-dangercup’。

Thehorsewasknownas`Who’sAfraid’,byPanicfrom`TheFright’。

Butstillhisownerstoldthejockhe’dfinishoutofsight。

Andsohedid;for`Who’sAfraid’,withouttheleastpretence,Disposedofhimbyrushingthroughtheverysecondfence;

Andwhentheyranthelasttimeroundtheprophecywasright-

Forhewasintheambulance,andsafely`outofsight’。

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THEROADTOOLDMAN’STOWN

THEfieldsofyoutharefilledwithflowers,Thewineofyouthisstrong:

Whatneedhavewetocountthehours?

Thesummerdaysarelong。

ButsoonwefindtoourdismayThatwearedriftingdownThebarrenslopesthatfallawayTowardsthefoothillsgrimandgreyThatleadtoOldMan’sTown。

AndmarchingwithusonthetrackFullmanyfriendswefind:

WeseethemlookingsadlybackForthosethatdroppedbehind。

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ButGodforbidafatesodread-

AlonetotraveldownThedrearyroadweallmusttread,Withfalteringstepsandwhiteninghead,TheroadtoOldMan’sTown!

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THEOLDTIMER’SSTEEPLECHASE

ThesheepwereshornandthewoolwentdownAtthetimeofourlocalracing:

AndI’dearnedaspell-Iwasburntandbrown-

SoIrolledmyswagforatriptotownAndalookatthesteeplechasing。

’Twasroughandready-anunclearedcourseAsroughastheblackshadfoundit;

Withbarbed-wirefences,toppedwithgorse,Andawater-jumpthatwoulddrownahorse,Andthesteeplethreetimesroundit。

Therewasneverafencethetrackstoguard,-

Somestragglingpostsdefined’em:

Andthedaywashot,andthedrinkinghard,TillnoneofthestewardscouldseeayardBeforenoryetbehind’em!

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Butthebellwasrungandthenagswereout,ExceptinganoldoutsiderWhosetrainerstartedanawfulrout,ForhisboyhadgoneonadrinkingboutAndlefthimwithoutarider。

`Istherenotonemaninthecrowd,’hecried,`Inthewholeofthecrowdsoclever,`Istherenotonemanthatwilltakearide`OntheoldwhitehorsefromtheNorthernside`ThatwasbredontheMookiRiver?’

’TwasanoldwhitehorsethattheycalledTheCow,Andacowwouldlookwellbesidehim;

ButIwaspluckierthenthannow(AndIwantedexcitementanyhow),SoatlastIagreedtoridehim。

Andthetrainersaid,`Well,he’sdreadfulslow,`Andhehasn’tachancewhatever;

`ButI’mstonybroke,soit’stimetoshow`Atrickortwothatthetrainersknow`WhotrainbytheMookiRiver。

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`Thefirsttimeroundatthefurtherside,`Withthetreesandthescrubaboutyou,`Justpullbehindthemandrunoutwide`Andthendodgeintothescrubandhide,`Andletthemgoroundwithoutyou。

`Atthethirdtimeround,forthefinalspin`Withthepace,andthedusttoblind’em,`They’llnevernoticeifyouchipin`Forthelasthalf-mile-you’llbesuretowin,`Andthey’llthinkyouracedbehind’em。

`Atthewater-jumpyoumayhavetoswim-

`Hehasn’tahopetoclearit-

`Unlessheskimsliketheswallowsskim`Atfullspeedover,butnotforhim!

`He’llnevergonextornearit。

`Butdon’tyouworry-justplungeacross,`Forheswimslikeawell-trainedsetter。

`Thenhideawayinthescrubandgorse`Therestwillbefaraheadofcourse-

`Thefurtheraheadthebetter。

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`Youmustrushthejumpsinthelasthalf-round`Forfearthathemightrefuse’em;

`He’lltrytobaulkwithyou,I’llbebound,`Takewhipandspursonthemeanoldhound,`Anddon’tbeafraidtouse’em。

`Atthefinalround,whenthefieldareslow`Andyouarequitefreshtomeet’em,`Sitdown,andhustlehimallyouknow`Withthewhipandspurs,andhe’llhavetogo-

`Remember,you’vegottobeat’em!’……

Theflagwentdownandweseemedtofly,AndwemadethetimbersshiverOfthefirstbigfence,asthestandflashedby,AndIcaughttheringofthetrainer’scry:

`Goon!FortheMookiRiver!’

Ijammedhiminwithawell-packedcrush,Andrecklessly-outforslaughter-

LikealivingwaveoverfenceandbrushWesweptandswungwithaflyingrush,Tillwecametothedreadedwater。

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Ha,ha!IlaughatitnowtothinkOfthewayIcontrivedtoworkit。

Shutinamongstthem,beforeyou’dwink,Hefoundhimselfonthewater’sbrink,Withneverachancetoshirkit!

Thethoughtofthehorrorhefelt,beguilesTheheartofthisgrizzledrover!

Hegaveasnortyoucouldhearformiles,AndaspringwouldhaveclearedtheChannelIslesAndcarriedmesafelyover!

Thenwenearedthescrub,andIpulledhimbackIntheshadewherethegum-leavesquiver:

AndIwaitedthereintheshadowsblackWhiletherestofthehorses,roundthetrack,Wentonlikearushingriver!

Atthesecondround,asthefieldsweptby,Isawthatthepacewastelling;

Butontheythundered,andby-and-byeAstheypassedthestandIcouldhearthecryOfthefolkinthedistance,yelling!

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Thenthelasttimeround!Andthehoofbeatsrang!

AndIsaid,`Well,it’snowornever!’

AndoutontheheelsofthethrongIsprang,AndthespursbitdeepandthewhipcordsangAsIrode!FortheMookiRiver!

WeracedforhomeinacloudofdustAndthecursesroseinchorus。

’Twasflog,andhustle,andjumpyoumust!

AndTheCowranwell-buttomydisgustTherewasonegothomebeforeus。

’Twasabigblackhorse,thatIhadnotseenInthepartoftheraceI’dridden;

Andhiscoatwascoolandhisriderclean,AndIthoughtthatperhapsIhadnotbeenTheonlyonethathadhidden……

AndthetrainercamewithavisageblueWithrage,whentheraceconcluded:

Saidhe,`Ithoughtyou’dhavepulledusthrough,Butthemanontheblackhorseplantedtoo,Andnearertohomethanyoudid!’

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AlastothinkthatthosetimessogayHavevanishedandpassedforever!

Youdon’tbelieveintheyarnyousay?

Why,man!’TwasamatterofeverydayWhenweracedontheMookiRiver!

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INTHESTABLE

What!Youdon’tlikehim;well,maybe-weallhaveourfancies,ofcourse:

Brumbytolookatyoureckon?Well,no:he’sathoroughbredhorse;

SiredbyasonofoldPanic-lookathisearsandhishead-

Lop-earedandRoman-nosed,ain’the?-well,that’showthePanicsarebred。

Gluttonous,uglyandlazy,roughasatip-carttoride,YetifyouofferedasovereignapieceforthehairsonhishideThatwouldn’tbuyhim,nortwicethat;whileI’veapoundtothegood,Thishereoldstagerstaysbymeandliveslikeathoroughbredshould:

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Hunthimawayfromhisbedding,andsityourselfdownbythewall,TillyouhearhowtheoldfellowsavedmefromGilbert,O’MaleyandHall……

GilbertandHallandO’Maley,backinthebushrangingdays,Madethemselveskingsofthedistrict-ruleditinold-fashionedways-

Robbingthecoachandtheescort,stealingourhorsesatnight,Callingsometimesatthehomesteadsandgivingthewomenafright:

Cametothestationonemorning-andwhytheydidthisnooneknows-

Tookabroodmarefromthepaddock-wantingsomefun,Isuppose-

Fastenedabucketbeneathher,hungbyastraproundherflank,Thenturnedherlooseinthetimberbackoftheseven-miletank。

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Go!Shewentmad!Shewenttearingandscreamingwithfearthroughthetrees,Whilethecurstbucketbeneathherwasbangingherflanksandherknees。

Buckingandracingandscreamingsherantothebackoftherun,Killedherselfthereinagully;byGod,buttheypaidfortheirfun!

Paidforitdear,fortheblack-boysfoundtracks,andthebucket,andall,AndIsworethatI’dlivetogetevenwithGilbert,O’MaleyandHall。

DayafterdaythenIchasedthem-’coursetheyhadfriendsonthesly,Friendswhowerewillingtosellthemtothosewhowerewillingtobuy。

EarlyonemorningwefoundthemincampattheCockatooFarmOneofusshotatO’Maleyandwoundedhimunderthearm:

Ranthemformilesintheranges,tillHall,withhishorsefairlybeat,Tooktotherocksandwelosthim-theothersmadegoodtheirretreat。

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Itwaswartotheknifethen,Itellyou,andonce,onthedoorofmyshed,Theynailedupanoticethatofferedahundredrewardformyhead!

Thenweheardtheyweregonefromthedistrict;

theystuckupacoachintheWest,AndIrodebymyselfinthepaddocks,takingabitofarest,Ridingthiscoltasayoungster-awkward,half-brokenandshy,Hewheeledroundonedayonasudden;Ilooked,butIcouldn’tseewhy,ButIsoonfoundoutwhy,forbeforeme,thehillsideroseuplikeawall,AndthereonthetopwiththeirrifleswereGilbert,O’MaleyandHall!

’Twasagoodthree-mileruntothehomestead-

badgoing,withplentyoftrees-

SoIgatheredtheyoungstertogether,andgrippedathisribswithmyknees。

’Twasamightypoorchancetoescapethem!Itputsaman’snervetothetestOnahalf-brokencolttobehuntedbythebestmountedmenintheWest。

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Butthehalf-brokencoltwasaracehorse!Helaydowntoworkwithawill,Flashedthroughthescrublikeaclean-skin-

byHeavensweflewdownthehill!

Overatwenty-footgullyhesweptwiththespringofadeerAndtheyfiredaswejumped,buttheymissedme-

abulletsangclosetomyear-

Andthejumpgainedusground,fortheyshirkedit:

butIsawasweracedthroughthegapThattherailsatthehomesteadwerefastened-

Iwascaughtlikearatinatrap。

Fencedwithbarbedwirewasthepaddock-

barbedwirethatwouldcutlikeaknife-

Howwasayoungstertoclearitthatneverhadjumpedinhislife?

Bangwentariflebehindme-thecoltgaveaspring,hewashit;

StraightatthesliprailsIrodehim-Ifelthimtakeholdofthebit;

Neverafoottotherightortheleftdidheswerveinhisstride,Awkwardandfrightened,buthonest,thesortit’sapleasuretoride!

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Straightattherails,wherethey’dfastenedbarbedwireonthetopofthepost,Roselikeastagandwentover,withhardlyascratchatthemost;

IntothehomesteadIdarted,andsnatcheddownmygunfromthewall,AndItellyouImadethemsteplively,Gilbert,O’MaleyandHall!

Yes!There’sthemarkofthebullet-he’sgotitinsideofhimyetMixedupsomehowwithhisvictuals,butblessyouhedon’tseemtofret!

Gluttonous,ugly,andlazy-eatsanythinghecanbite;

Now,letusshutupthestable,andbidtheoldfellowgood-night:

Ah!Wecan’tbreed’em,thesortthatwerebredwhenweold’unswereyoung。

Yes,Iwassaying,thesebushrangers,noneof’emlivedtobehung,Gilbertwasshotbythetroopers,Hallwasbetrayedbyhisfriend,CampbelldisposedofO’Maley,bringingthelottoanend。

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Butyoucantalkaboutriding-I’veriddenalotinthepast-

Waittillthere’sriflesbehindyou,you’llknowwhatitmeanstogofast!

I’vesteeplechased,raced,and`runhorses’,butIthinkthemostdashingofallWastheridewhentheoldfellowsavedmefromGilbert,O’MaleyandHall!

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``HEGIVETHHISBELOVEDSLEEP’’

THElongdaypasseswithitsloadofsorrow:

InslumberdeepIlaymedowntorestuntilto-morrow-

ThankGodforsleep。

ThankGodforallrespitefromwearytoiling,FromcaresthatcreepAcrossourliveslikeevilshadows,spoilingGod’skindlysleep。

Weploughandsow,and,asthehoursgrowlater,Westrivetoreap,Andbuildourbarns,andhopetobuildthemgreaterBeforewesleep。

WetoilandstrainandstrivewithoneanotherInhopestoheapSomegreatershareofprofitthanourbrotherBeforewesleep。

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WhatwillitprofitthatwithtearsorlaughterOurwatchwekeep?

BeyonditallthereliestheGreatHereafter!

ThankGodforsleep!

For,atthelast,beseechingChristtosaveus,WeturnwithdeepHeart-feltthanksgivinguntoGod,whogaveusTheGiftofSleep。

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DRIVERSMITH

’TWASDriverSmithofBatteryAwasanxioustoseeafight;

HethoughtoftheTransvaalalltheday,hethoughtofitallthenight-

`Well,ifthebattery’sleftbehind,I’llgotothewar,’sayshe,`I’llgoa-drivinganambulanceintheranksoftheA。M。C。

`I’mfairlysickofthesehereparades,it’swantofachangethatkills`A-chargingtheRandwickRifleRangeandaimingatSurryHills。

`AndIthinkifIgowiththeambulanceI’mcertaintofindashow,`FortheyhavetosendtheMedicalmenwhereverthetroopscango。

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`WherevertheriflebulletsflashandtheMaximsraiseadin,`It’sthereyou’llfindtheMedicalmena-rakingthewoundedin-

`A-raking’eminlikehumanflies-andadriversmartlikeme`WillfindsomescopeforhisextraskillintheranksoftheA。M。C。’

SoDriverSmithhewenttothewara-crackinghisdriver’swhip,Fromambulancetocollectingbasetheyshowedhimhisregulartrip。

Andhesaidtotheboysthatweremarchingpast,ashegavehiswhipacrack,`You’llwalkyourselvestothefight,’sayshe-

`Lordspareme,I’lldriveyouback。’

Now,thefightwentonintheTransvaalhillsforthehalfofadayormore,AndDriverSmithheworkedhistrip-allaboardfortheseatofwar!

Hetookhisloadfromthestretchermenandhurried’emhomewardfastTillheheardasoundthatheknewfullwell-abatteryrollingpast。

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Heheardtheclinkoftheleadingchainsandtherollofthegunsbehind-

Heheardthecrackofthedrivers’whips,andhesaysto’em,`Strikemeblind,`I’llmissmetripwiththisambulance,althoughIdon’tcaretoshirk,`ButI’lltakethecaroffthelineto-dayandfollowthegunsatwork。’

ThenuptheBatteryColonelcamea-cursing’emblackintheface。

`Sitdownandshift’em,youdriversthere,andgallop’emintoplace。’

SoofftheBatteryrolledandswung,a-goingamerrydance,AndholdinghisownwiththeleadinggungoesSmithwithhisambulance。

Theyopenedfireonthemountainside,a-pepperingbyandlarge,WhenoverthehillabovetheirflanktheBoerscamedownatthecharge;

Theyrushedthegunswithadaringrush,a-volleyingleftandright,AndDriverSmithwithhisambulancemoveduptotheedgeofthefight。

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Thegunnersstucktotheirgunslikemen,andfoughtlikethewildcatsfight,ForaBatterymandon’tleavehisgunwitheverahopeinsight;

ButthebulletssangandtheMauserscrackedandtheBatterymengaveway,TillDriverSmithwithhisambulancedroveintothethickofthefray。

HesawtheheadoftheTransvaaltroopa-thunderingtoandfro,Ahardoldfacewithamonkeybeard-afacethatheseemedtoknow;

`Now,who’sthatleader,’saidDriverSmith,`I’veseenhimbeforeto-day。

`Why,blessmyheart,butit’sKruger’sself,’

andhejumpedforhimstraightaway。

HecollaredoldKrugerroundthewaistandhustledhimintothevan。

Itwasn’taccordingtostretcherdrillforraisingawoundedman;

Butheforcedhiminandsaid,`Allaboard,we’reoffforalittleride,Andyou’llhavethecartoyourself,’sayshe,`Ireckonwe’refullinside。’

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Hewheeledhisteamonthemountainsideandset’emamerrypace,A-gallopingovertherocksandstones,andalotoftheBoersgavechase;

ButDriverSmithhadafairishstart,andhesaidtotheBoers,`Good-day,`YouhaveBuckley’schancefortocatchamanthatwastrainedinBatteryA。’

HedrovehisteamtothehospitalandsaidtotheP。M。O。,`Begpardon,sir,butImissedatrip,mistakingthewaytogo;

`AndKrugercametotheambulanceandaskedcouldwespareabed,`SoIfetchedhimhere,andwe’lltakehimhometoshowforabobahead。’

SothewordwentroundtotheEnglishtroopstosaytheyneedfightnomore,ForDriverSmithwithhisambulancehadendedthebloomingwar:

AndinLondonnowatthemusichallshe’sstarringiteverynight,Anddrawingahundredpoundsaweektotellhowhewonthefight。

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THERE’SANOTHERBLESSEDHORSEFELL

DOWN

WHENyou’relyinginyourhammock,sleepingsoftandsleepingsound,Withoutacareortroubleonyourmind,Andthere’snothingtodisturbyoubuttheenginesgoinground,Andyou’redreamingofthegirlyouleftbehind;

Inthemiddleofyourjoysyou’llbewakenedbyanoise,Andaclatteronthedeckaboveyourcrown,Andyou’llhearthecorporalshoutasheturnsthepicketout,`There’sanotherblessedhorsefelldown。’

Youcansee’eminthemorning,whenyou’recleaningoutthestall,A-leaningontherailingsnearlydead,Page:152

Andyoureckonbytheeveningthey’llbeprettysuretofall,Andyoucursethemasyoutumbleintobed。

Oh,you’llhearitprettysoon,`PassthewordforDennyMoon,There’sahorseherethrowinghandspringslikeaclown;

Andit’s`Shovetheothersbackorhe’llcripplehalfthepack,There’sanotherblessedhorsefelldown。’

Andwhenthewarisoverandthefightingallisdone,Andyou’reallathomewithmedalsonyourchest,Andyou’velearnttosleepsosoundlythatthefiringofagunAtyourbedsidewouldn’trobyouofyourrest;

Asyoulieinslumberdeep,ifyourwifewalksinhersleep,Andtumblesdownthestairsandbreakshercrown,Oh,itwon’tawakenyou,foryou’llsay,`It’snothingnew,`It’sanotherblessedhorsefelldown。’

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ONTHETREK

OH,theweary,wearyjourneyonthetrek,dayafterday,Withsunaboveandsilentveldtbelow;

Andourheartskeepturninghomewardtotheyoungstersfaraway,Andthehomesteadwheretheclimbingrosesgrow。

Shallweseetheflatsgrowgoldenwiththeripeningofthegrain?

Shallweheartheparrotscallingonthebough?

Ah!thewearymonthsofmarchingerewehearthemcallagain,Forwe’regoingonalongjobnow。

Inthedrowsydaysonescort,ridingslowlyhalfasleep,Withtheendlesslineofwaggonsstretchingback,Page:154

Whilethekhakisoldierstravellikeamoboftravellingsheep,Ploddingsilentonthenever-endingtrack,WhiletheconstantsnapandsnipingofthefoeyouneverseeMakesyouwonderwillyourturncome-whenandhow?

AstheMauserballhumspastyoulikeaviciouskindofbee-

Oh!we’regoingonalongjobnow。

Whenthedashandtheexcitementandthenoveltyaredead,Andyou’veseenaloadofwoundedonceortwice,Oryou’vewatchedyouroldmatedying-withthevulturesoverhead,Well,youwonderifthewarisworththeprice。

AnddownalongMonaronowthey’restartingouttoshear,Icanpicturetheexcitementandtherow;

Butthey’llmissmeontheLachlanwhentheycalltherollthisyear,Forwe’regoingonalongjobnow。

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THELASTPARADE

WITHneverasoundoftrumpet,Withneveraflagdisplayed,ThelastoftheoldcampaignersLinedupforthelastparade。

Wearytheywereandbattered,Shoeless,andknockedabout;

FromundertheirraggedforelocksTheirhungryeyeslookedout。

AndtheywatchedastheoldcommanderReadout,tothecheeringmen,TheNation’sthanksandtheordersTocarrythemhomeagain。

Andthelastoftheoldcampaigners,Sinewy,lean,andspare-

Hespokeforhishungrycomrades:

`Havewenotdoneourshare?

`Starvingandtiredandthirsty`Welimpedontheblazingplain;

`Andafteralongnight’spicket`Yousaddledusupagain。

`Wefrozeonthewind-sweptkopjes`Whenthefrostlaysnowy-white。

`Neverahaltinthedaytime,`Neverarestatnight!

`Weknewwhentheriflesrattled`Fromthehillsidebareandbrown,`Andoverourwearyshoulders`Wefeltwarmbloodrundown,`Asweturnedforthestretchinggallop,`Crushedtotheearthwithweight;

`Butwecarriedourridersthroughit-

`Carriedthemp’rapstoolate。

`Steel!Weweresteeltostandit-

`Wethathavelastedthrough,`Wethatareoldcampaigners`Pitiful,poor,andfew。

`Overtheseayoubroughtus,`Overtheleaguesoffoam:

`Nowwehaveservedyoufairly`Willyounottakeushome?

`HometotheHunterRiver,`Totheflatswherethelucernegrows;

`HomewheretheMurrumbidgee`Runswhitewiththemeltedsnows。

`Thisisasmallthingsurely!

`Willnotyougivecommand`Thatthelastoftheoldcampaigners`Gobacktotheirnativeland?’……

Theylookedatthegrimcommander,Butneverasignhemade。

`Dismiss!’andtheoldcampaignersMovedofffromtheirlastparade。

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WITHFRENCHTOKIMBERLEY

THEBoersweredownonKimberleywithsiegeandMaximgun;

TheBoersweredownonKimberley,theirnumberstentoone!

FaintwerethehopestheBritishhadtomakethestrugglegood,DefencelessinanopenplaintheDiamondCitystood。

Theybuiltthemfortsfrombagsofsand,theyfoughtfromroofandwall,Theyflashedamessagetothesouth`Help!orthetownmustfall!’

Anddownourrankstheorderrantomarchatdawnofday,ForFrenchwasofftoKimberleytodrivetheBoersaway。

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Hemadenomarchalongtheline;hemadenofrontattackUponthoseMagersfonteinheightsthatdrovetheScotchmenback;

Buteastwardoverpathlessplainsbyopenveldtandvley,AcrossthefrontofCronje’sforcehistroopersheldtheirway。

Thespringbuck,feedingontheflatswhereModderRiverruns,Werestartledbyhishorses’hoofs,therumbleofhisguns。

TheDutchman’sspiesthatwatchedhismarchfromeveryrockywallRodebackinhaste:`Hemarcheseast!HethreatensJacobsdal!’

Thennorthhewheeledaswheelsthehawkandshowedtotheirdismay,ThatFrenchwasofftoKimberleytodrivetheBoersaway。

Hiscolumnwasfivethousandstrong-allmountedmen-andguns:

Theremet,beneaththeworld-wideflag,theworld-wideEmpire’ssons;

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Theycametoprovetoalltheearththatkinshipconquersspace,AndthosewhofighttheBritishIslesmustfighttheBritishrace!

FromfarNewZealand’sflaxandfern,fromcoldCanadiansnows,FromQueenslandplains,wherehotasfirethesummersunshineglows;

AndinthefronttheLancersrodethatNewSouthWaleshadsent:

Witheasystrideacrosstheplaintheirlong,leanWalerswent。

Unknown,untried,thosesquadronswere,butproudlyouttheydrewBesidetheEnglishregimentsthatfoughtatWaterloo。

Fromeverycoast,fromeveryclime,theymetinproudarray,TogowithFrenchtoKimberleytodrivetheBoersaway。

HecrossedtheReitandfoughthiswaytowardstheModderbank。

Thefoemenclosedbehindhismarch,andhungupontheflank。

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Thelong,drygrasswasallablaze,andfiercetheveldtfireruns;

Hefoughtthemthroughawallofflamethatblazedaroundtheguns!

Thenlimberedupanddroveatspeed,thoughhorsesfellanddied;

Wemightnothaltformannorbeastonthatwild,daringride。

Blackwiththesmokeandparchedwiththirst,wepressedthelivelongdayOurheadlongmarchtoKimberleytodrivetheBoersaway。

Wereachedthedriftatfallofnight,andcampedacrosstheford。

NextdayfromallthehillsaroundtheDutchman’scannonsroared。

Anarrowpassbetweenthehills,withgunsoneitherside;

Theboldestmanmightwellturnpalebeforethatpasshetried,Forifthefirstattackshouldfailtheneveryhopewasgone:

ButFrenchlookedonce,andonlyonce,andthenhesaid,`Pushon!’

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Thegunnerspliedtheirgunsamain;thehailofshrapnelflew;

Withriflefireandlancerchargetheirsquadronsbackwethrew;

Andthroughthepassbetweenthehillswesweptinfuriousfray,AndFrenchwasthroughtoKimberleytodrivetheBoersaway。

Ay,FrenchwasthroughtoKimberley!AnderethedaywasdoneWesawtheDiamondCitystand,litbytheeveningsun:

Abovethetowntheheliographhunglikeaneyeofflame:

Aroundthetownthefoemencamped-theyknewnotthatwecame;

Butsoontheysawus,rankonrank;theyheardoursquadrons’tread;

Inpanicfeartheylefttheirtents,inhopelessrouttheyfled;

AndFrenchrodeintoKimberley;thepeoplecheeredamain,Thewomencamewithtear-stainedeyestotouchhisbridlerein,Page:163

Thestarvingchildrenlinedthestreetstoraiseafeeblecheer,Thebellsrangoutajoyouspealtosay`Reliefishere!’

Ay!wethatsawthatstirringmarchareproudthatwecansayWewentwithFrenchtoKimberleytodrivetheBoersaway。

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JOHNNYBOER

MENfightallshapesandsizesastheracinghorsesrun,Andnomanknowshiscouragetillhestandsbeforeagun。

Atmixed-upfighting,handtohand,andclawingmenaboutTheyreckonFuzzy-wuzzyisthehottestfighterout。

ButFuzzygiveshimselfaway-hisstyleisoutofdate,Hechargeslikeadrivengrousethatrushesonitsfate;

You’venothingintheworldtodobutpumphimfulloflead:

Butwhenyou’refightingJohnnyBoeryouhavetouseyourhead;

Hedon’tbelieveinfrontattacksorchargingattherun,HefightsyoufromakopjewithhislittleMaximgun。

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ForwhentheLordHemadetheearth,itseemsuncommonclear,HegavethejobofAfricatosomegoodengineer,Whostartedbuildingfortressesonfashionsofhisown-

Lunettes,redoubts,andcounterscarpsallmadeofrockandstone。

TheBoerneedsonlybringagun,forreadytohishandHefindstheseheaven-builtfortressesallscatteredthroughtheland;

Andtherehesitsandwinkshiseyeandwheelshisgunabout,Andwemustchargeacrosstheplaintohuntthebeggarout。

Itain’tagamethatgrowsonus,there’slotsofbetterfunThanchargingatoldJohnnywithhislittleMaximgun。

Onrocksagoatcouldscarcelyclimb,steepasthewallsofTroy,Hewheelsafour-point-sevenaboutaseasyasatoy;

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Withbullocksyokedanddrag-ropesmanned,heliftsheruptherocksAndshiftshereverynowandthen,ascunningasafox。

Atnightyoumarkherrightahead,youseehercleanandclear,Nextdayatdawn-`What,ho!shebumps’-fromsomewhereintherear。

Orelsethekeenest-eyedpatrolwillmisshimwiththeglass-

He’slyinghiddenintherockstolettheleaderspass;

Butwhenthemainguardcomesalongheopensupthefun,There’slotsofammunitionforthelittleMaximgun。

Butafterallthejobissure,althoughthejobisslow,Wehavetoseethebusinessthrough,theBoerhasgottogo。

WithNordenfeldtandlydditeshellit’scertain,soonorlate,We’llhunthimfromhiskopjesandacrosstheOrangeState;

Andthenacrossthoseopenflatsyou’llseethebeggarrun,Andwe’llberunningafterwithOURlittleMaximgun。

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WHATHAVETHECAVALRYDONE

WHAThavethecavalrydone?

Canteredandtrottedabout,Routin’theenemyout,Causin’thebeggarstorun!

Andwetrampedalongintheblazin’heat,Overtheveldtonourwearyfeet。

Tramp,tramp,trampUndertheblazin’sun,Withneverthesightofabloomin’Boer,’Causethey’dhunted’emlongbefore-

That’swhatthecavalrydone!

WhathavethegunnersdoneBattlin’everyday,Battlin’anyway。

Boersoutranged’em,butwhatcaredthey?

`Shootandbedamned,’saidtheR。H。A。!

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See!whenthefightgrowshot,Undertheriflesornot,Alwaystheorderruns,`Fetchupthebloomin’guns!’

Andyou’dseethemgreatgun-horsesspringTothe`actionfront’-andaroundthey’dswing。

Findtherangewithsomequeermachine`Atfourthousandwithfusefourteen。

`Ready!Firenumberone!’

Handledthebatteryneatandquick!

Sticktoit,too!Howdidtheystick!

Neveragunnerwasseentorun!

Neveragunnerwouldleavehisgun!

Notthoughhismatesdroppedallaround!

Alwaysagunnerwouldstandhisground。

Takethearmy-theinfantry,Mountedrifles,andcavalry,TwicethenumbersI’dgiveaway,AndI’dfightthelotwiththeR。H。A。,Fortheyshowedushowacorpsshouldberun,That’swhatthegunnersdone!

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RIGHTINFRONTOFTHEARMY

`WHERE’aveyoubeenthisweekormore,`’Aven’tseenyouaboutthewar?

`Thoughtperhapsyouwasattherear`Guardingthewaggons。’`What,us?Nofear!

`Wherehavewebeen?Why,blessmyheart,`Wherehavewebeensincethebloomin’start?

Rightinthefrontofthearmy,`Battlingdayandnight!

`Rightinthefrontofthearmy,`Teaching’emhowtofight!’

Everyseparatemanyousee,Sapper,gunner,andC。I。V。,Everyoneof’emseemstobeRightinthefrontofthearmy!

Mostofthetroopstothecamphadgone,Whenwemetwithacow-guntoilingon;

Andwesaidtotheboys,astheywalkedherpast,Page:170

`Well,thankgoodness,you’rehereatlast!’

`Hereatlast!Why,whatd’yermean?

`Ain’twejustwherewe’vealwaysbeen?

`Rightinthefrontofthearmy,`Battlingdayandnight!

`Rightinthefrontofthearmy,`Teaching’emhowtofight!’

Correspondentsandvets。inforce,Mountedfootanddismountedhorse,Allofthemwere,asamatterofcourse,Rightinthefrontofthearmy。

OldLordRobertswillhavetomindIfevertheenemygetbehind;

Forthey’llsmashhimupwitharearattack,Becausehisarmyhasgotnoback!

ThinkofthehorrorsthatmightbefallAnarmywithoutanyrearatall!

Rightinthefrontofthearmy,Battlingdayandnight!

Rightinthefrontofthearmy,Teaching’emhowtofight!

Swedeattach閟andGermancounts,Yeomen(knownasDeWet’sremounts),AllofthemwerebytheirownaccountsRightinthefrontofthearmy!

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THATV。C。

’TWASinthedaysoffrontattack,Thisglorioustruthwe’dyettolearnit-

Thatevery`front’hadgotaback,AndFrenchwasjustthemantoturnit。

AwoundedsoldieronthegroundWaslyinghidbehindahummock;

Heprovedthegoodoldproverbsound-

Anarmytravelsonitsstomach。

Helayasflatasanyfish,Hisnosehadwornalittlefurrow;

Heonlyhadonefranticwish,Thatlikeanantbearhecouldburrow。

Thebulletswhistledintospace,Thepom-pomgunkeptupitsbraying,Thefour-point-sevensuppliedthebass-

You’dthinkthedevil’sbandwasplaying。

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AvaliantcomradecrawlingnearObservedhismostsupinebehaviour,Andcrepttowardshim,`Hey!whatcheer?

Buckup,’saidhe,`I’vecometosaveyer。

`Yougetuponmyshoulders,mate,`Andifwelivebeyondthefiring,`I’llgettheV。C。sureasfate,`Becauseourblokesisallretiring。

`It’sfiftypoundsayear,’sayshe,`I’llstandyoulotsofbeerandwhisky。’

`No,’saysthewoundedman,`notme,`I’llnotbesaved,it’sfartoorisky。

`I’mfairlysafebehindthismound,`I’vewornaholethatseemstofitme;

`Butifyouliftmeofftheground,`It’sfiftypoundstoonethey’llhitme。’

SobacktowardsthefiringlineOurfriendcreptslowlytotherearoh!

Remarking`Whataselfishswine!

`Hemighthaveletmebeahero。’

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FEDUP

IAIN’Tatimidmanatall,I’mjustasbraveasmost,I’lltakemychanceinopenfightanddiebesidemypost;

Butridingroundthe’oledaylongastargetforaKrupp,A-drawingfirefromKoppies-well,I’mfairfedup。

It’swonderfulhowfewgethit,it’sluckthatpullsusthrough;

Theirriflefire’snoclassatall,itmissesmeandyou;

ButwhentheysprinkleshellsaroundlikewaterfromacupFromthattherebloomingpom-pomgun-well,I’mfedup。

Wenevergetachancetocharge,todoathrustandcut,I’llhavetochucktheCavalryandjointheMountedFut。

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Butafterall-What’sMountedFut?Isawthemt’otherday,TheyoccupiedaKoppiewhentheBoershadrunaway。

TheCavalrywentridingonandseenascoreoffights,ButtheretheykeptthemMountedFutthreesoliddaysandnights-

Threesolidstarvingdaysandnightswithscarceabiteorsup,Well!afterthatonMountedFutI’mfairfedup。

AndtrampingwiththeFootiesain’taseasyasitlooks,TheyscarcelyeverseeaBoerexceptinpicturebooks。

Theydoamarchoftwentymilethatleaves’emnearlydead,Andthentheyfindthebloomin’Boersistwentymilesahead。

EachFootyisasfulloffightasanybulldogpup,Butwalkingfortymilestofight-well,I’mfedup!

SoafterallIthinkthatwhenIleavetheCavalryI’lleitherjointheambulanceorelsetheA。S。C。;

They’vealwaystuckerintheplateandcoffeeinthecup,ButBullyBeefandBiscuits-well!I’mfairfedup!

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JOCK!

THERE’Sasoldierthat’sbeendoingofhisshareInthefightingupanddownandroundabout。

He’scontinuallymarchinghereandthereAndhe’sfighting,morninginandmorningout。

TheBoer,yousee,hegenerallyruns;

Butsometimeswhenhehidesbehindarock,Andwecan’tmakenoimpressionwiththeguns,Oh,thenyou’llheartheorder,`SendforJock!’

Yes,it’sJock-ScotchJock。

He’sthefellowthatcangiveortakeaknock。

Forhe’shairyandhe’shard,Andhisfeetarebytheyard,Andhisfaceislikethefacewhat’sonaclock。

Butwhenthebulletsflyyouwillmostlyhearthecry-

`SendforJock!’

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TheCavalryhavegunandswordandlance,Beforetheychoosetheirweapon,why,they’redead。

TheMountedFutarehamperedinadvanceByholdingoftheirhelmetsontheirhead。

AndwhentheBoerhasdughimselfatrenchAndplacedhisMaximgunbehindarock,Thesemountedheroes-petsofJohnnyFrench-

TheyhavetositandwaitandsendforJock!

Yes,theJocks-ScotchJocks,Withtheirmusicthat’dterrifyanox!

WhenthebulletskickthesandYoucanhearthesharpcommand-

`Forty-Second!Atthedouble!Chargetherocks!’

AndthechargeislikeafloodWhenthey’vewarmedtheHighlandbloodOftheJocks!

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SANTACLAUS

HALT!Whogoesthere?Thesentry’scallRoseonthemidnightairAbovethenoisesofthecamp,Therollofwheels,thehorses’tramp。

Thechallengeechoedoverall-

Halt!Whogoesthere?

Aquaintoldfigureclothedinwhite,Heboreastaffofpine,Anivy-wreathwasonhishead。

`Advance,ohfriend,’thesentrysaid,`Advance,forthisisChristmasnight,`Andgivethecountersign。’

`NosignnorcountersignhaveI,`ThroughmanylandsIroam`Thewholeworldoverfarandwide,Page:178

`ToexilesallatChristmastide,`Fromthosewholovethemtenderly`Ibringathoughtofhome。

`FromEnglishbrookandScottishburn,`FromcoldCanadiansnows,`Fromthosefarlandsyeholdmostdear`Ibringyouallagreetinghere,`AfrondofaNewZealandfern,`AbloomofEnglishrose。

`Fromfaithfulwifeandlovinglass`Ibringawishdivine,`ForChristmasblessingsonyourhead。’

`Iwishyouwell,’thesentrysaid,`Buthere,alas!youmaynotpass`Withoutthecountersign。’

Hevanished-andthesentry’strampRe-echoeddowntheline。

ItwasnottillthemorninglightThesoldiersknewthatinthenightOldSantaClaushadcometocampWithoutthecountersign。