RUNNING THE GAUNTLET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2950, 28 September 1910, Page 81

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET.

We raced down the gullies, we leaped up the hills, We galloped along the flat, Where, the sunset was flushing the quaint little rilla, And Mulga Bill laughed 'neath his hat:' "Good Lord, it's a go, if there ever was ©no, A regular spree," said ho. (But ho fell by a shot from an enemy's gun As we raced by a myall tree.) And Barcoo Jim, who was always first Tn the camp and the shearing shed:' "I've ridden some rides, but thie is ln« worst Wild, ride that I've had." lie said. And we left him there with an arm blow* off, For we hadn't got time to stay; But I think I shall hear his dying cough Till I wake en the Judgment Day. Up dale and down we rushed to town, To warn them of their plight. Mv chum cried ou/t as his horse fell down: '"I'M have to walk to-night! I'll have to trust in the stars and the Loid! (And the stars were simply grand.) But we knew as we heard his clashing swora Tdiat he died in a hand-to-hand. The last long hill. We struggled up:' A man went down at my side (His blood went splash on my stirrup-cup); But we had finished our ride. Fcr just ahead we could hear the tune Of a friendly bugle rolled; And wo turned and laughed at tho null grey moon — * Tho' the moon she is centuries old. —E. L. Eyhe ■ Devonpott. Auckland.