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:
Page:138
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!
Page:144
``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。
Page:146
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。
Page:159
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;
Page:160
Theycametoprovetoalltheearththatkinshipconquersspace,AndthosewhofighttheBritishIslesmustfighttheBritishrace!
FromfarNewZealand’sflaxandfern,fromcoldCanadiansnows,FromQueenslandplains,wherehotasfirethesummersunshineglows;
AndinthefronttheLancersrodethatNewSouthWaleshadsent:
Witheasystrideacrosstheplaintheirlong,leanWalerswent。
Unknown,untried,thosesquadronswere,butproudlyouttheydrewBesidetheEnglishregimentsthatfoughtatWaterloo。
Fromeverycoast,fromeveryclime,theymetinproudarray,TogowithFrenchtoKimberleytodrivetheBoersaway。
HecrossedtheReitandfoughthiswaytowardstheModderbank。
Thefoemenclosedbehindhismarch,andhungupontheflank。
Page:161
Thelong,drygrasswasallablaze,andfiercetheveldtfireruns;
Hefoughtthemthroughawallofflamethatblazedaroundtheguns!
Thenlimberedupanddroveatspeed,thoughhorsesfellanddied;
Wemightnothaltformannorbeastonthatwild,daringride。
Blackwiththesmokeandparchedwiththirst,wepressedthelivelongdayOurheadlongmarchtoKimberleytodrivetheBoersaway。
Wereachedthedriftatfallofnight,andcampedacrosstheford。
NextdayfromallthehillsaroundtheDutchman’scannonsroared。
Anarrowpassbetweenthehills,withgunsoneitherside;
Theboldestmanmightwellturnpalebeforethatpasshetried,Forifthefirstattackshouldfailtheneveryhopewasgone:
ButFrenchlookedonce,andonlyonce,andthenhesaid,`Pushon!’
Page:162
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。