第3章

类别:其他 作者:Andrew Barton Paterson字数:15358更新时间:19/01/04 10:01:06
ButtheshowmanastuteOnthatwilygalootSoondropped,andyou’llsaythatheleatheredhim- Nothe;withagrimSortofhumorouswhim,Hetookhimandtarredhimandfeatheredhim。 Sayshe,`Youcango`Roundtheworldwithashow,`AndknockeveryInjunandArabwry; `Withyournameandyourtrade,`Onthepostersdisplayed,`Thefeatheredwhat-is-itfromNarrabri。’ Nextdayforhisfreak,ByaNarrabribeak,Hewasjawedwithadealofverbosity; ForhisonlyappealWas`professionalzeal’- Hewantedanothermonstrosity。 Page:122 Saidhisworship,`Begob! `Youarefinedfortybob,`Andsixshillin’scoststotheclurk!’hesays。 AndtheNarrabrijoy,Halfbirdandhalfboy,Hasa`down’onhimselfandoncircuses。 Page:123 IT’SGRAND IT’SgrandtobeasquatterAndsituponapost,AndwatchyourlittleewesandlambsA-givinguptheghost。 It’sgrandtobea`cockie’ Withwifeandkidstokeep,Andfindanall-wiseProvidenceHasmusteredallyoursheep。 It’sgrandtobeaWesternman,Withshovelinyourhand,TodigyourlittlehomesteadoutFromunderneaththesand。 Page:124 It’sgrandtobeashearer,AlongtheDarlingside,AndpluckthewoolfromstinkingsheepThatsomedayssincehavedied。 It’sgrandtobearabbitAndbreedtillallisblue,AndthentodieinheapsbecauseThere’snothinglefttochew。 It’sgrandtobeaMinisterAndtravellikeaswell,AndtelltheCentralDistrictfolkTogoto-Inverell。 It’sgrandtobeaSocialistAndleadtheboldarrayThatmarchestoprosperityAtsevenbobaday。 It’sgrandtobeanunemployedAndlieintheDomain,AndwakeupeveryseconddayAndgotosleepagain。 Page:125 It’sgrandtoborrowEnglishtinTopayforwharvesandRocks,Andthentofinditisn’tinThelittlemoney-box。 It’sgrandtobeademocratAndtoadytothemob,ForfearthatifyoutoldthetruthThey’dhuntyoufromyourjob。 It’sgrandtobealotofthingsInthisfairSouthernland,ButiftheLordwouldsendusrain,Thatwould,indeed,begrand! Page:126 OUTOFSIGHT THEYheldapolomeetingatalittlecountrytown,Andallthelocalsportsmencametowinthemselvesrenown。 Therecametwostrangerswithahorse,andIammuchafraidTheybothbelongedtowhatiscalled`thetake-you-downbrigade’。 Theysaidtheirhorsecouldjumplikefun,andaskedanamateurToridehiminthesteeplechase,andtoldhimtheyweresure,Thelasttimeround,he’dsailawaywithsuchaswallow’sflightTherestwouldneverseehimgo-he’dfinishoutofsight。 Page:127 Soouthewent;and,whenfolksawtheamateurwasup,Somelocalgeniuscalledtherace`thedude-in-dangercup’。 Thehorsewasknownas`Who’sAfraid’,byPanicfrom`TheFright’。 Butstillhisownerstoldthejockhe’dfinishoutofsight。 Andsohedid;for`Who’sAfraid’,withouttheleastpretence,Disposedofhimbyrushingthroughtheverysecondfence; Andwhentheyranthelasttimeroundtheprophecywasright- Forhewasintheambulance,andsafely`outofsight’。 Page:128 THEROADTOOLDMAN’STOWN THEfieldsofyoutharefilledwithflowers,Thewineofyouthisstrong: Whatneedhavewetocountthehours? Thesummerdaysarelong。 ButsoonwefindtoourdismayThatwearedriftingdownThebarrenslopesthatfallawayTowardsthefoothillsgrimandgreyThatleadtoOldMan’sTown。 AndmarchingwithusonthetrackFullmanyfriendswefind: WeseethemlookingsadlybackForthosethatdroppedbehind。 Page:129 ButGodforbidafatesodread- AlonetotraveldownThedrearyroadweallmusttread,Withfalteringstepsandwhiteninghead,TheroadtoOldMan’sTown! Page:130 THEOLDTIMER’SSTEEPLECHASE ThesheepwereshornandthewoolwentdownAtthetimeofourlocalracing: AndI’dearnedaspell-Iwasburntandbrown- SoIrolledmyswagforatriptotownAndalookatthesteeplechasing。 ’Twasroughandready-anunclearedcourseAsroughastheblackshadfoundit; Withbarbed-wirefences,toppedwithgorse,Andawater-jumpthatwoulddrownahorse,Andthesteeplethreetimesroundit。 Therewasneverafencethetrackstoguard,- Somestragglingpostsdefined’em: Andthedaywashot,andthedrinkinghard,TillnoneofthestewardscouldseeayardBeforenoryetbehind’em! Page:131 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。 Page:132 `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。 Page:133 `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。 Page:134 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! Page:135 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!’ Page:136 AlastothinkthatthosetimessogayHavevanishedandpassedforever! Youdon’tbelieveintheyarnyousay? Why,man!’TwasamatterofeverydayWhenweracedontheMookiRiver! Page:137 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。 Page:139 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。 Page:140 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。 Page:141 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! Page:142 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。 Page:143 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。 Page:145 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。 Page:147 `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。 Page:148 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。 Page:149 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。’ Page:150 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。 Page:151 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。’ Page:153 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。 Page:155 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。 Page:158 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。 Page:164 JOHNNYBOER MENfightallshapesandsizesastheracinghorsesrun,Andnomanknowshiscouragetillhestandsbeforeagun。 Atmixed-upfighting,handtohand,andclawingmenaboutTheyreckonFuzzy-wuzzyisthehottestfighterout。 ButFuzzygiveshimselfaway-hisstyleisoutofdate,Hechargeslikeadrivengrousethatrushesonitsfate; You’venothingintheworldtodobutpumphimfulloflead: Butwhenyou’refightingJohnnyBoeryouhavetouseyourhead; Hedon’tbelieveinfrontattacksorchargingattherun,HefightsyoufromakopjewithhislittleMaximgun。 Page:165 ForwhentheLordHemadetheearth,itseemsuncommonclear,HegavethejobofAfricatosomegoodengineer,Whostartedbuildingfortressesonfashionsofhisown- Lunettes,redoubts,andcounterscarpsallmadeofrockandstone。 TheBoerneedsonlybringagun,forreadytohishandHefindstheseheaven-builtfortressesallscatteredthroughtheland; Andtherehesitsandwinkshiseyeandwheelshisgunabout,Andwemustchargeacrosstheplaintohuntthebeggarout。 Itain’tagamethatgrowsonus,there’slotsofbetterfunThanchargingatoldJohnnywithhislittleMaximgun。 Onrocksagoatcouldscarcelyclimb,steepasthewallsofTroy,Hewheelsafour-point-sevenaboutaseasyasatoy; Page:166 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。 Page:167 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。! Page:168 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! Page:169 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! Page:171 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。 Page:172 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。’ Page:173 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。 Page:174 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! Page:175 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!’ Page:176 TheCavalryhavegunandswordandlance,Beforetheychoosetheirweapon,why,they’redead。 TheMountedFutarehamperedinadvanceByholdingoftheirhelmetsontheirhead。 AndwhentheBoerhasdughimselfatrenchAndplacedhisMaximgunbehindarock,Thesemountedheroes-petsofJohnnyFrench- TheyhavetositandwaitandsendforJock! Yes,theJocks-ScotchJocks,Withtheirmusicthat’dterrifyanox! WhenthebulletskickthesandYoucanhearthesharpcommand- `Forty-Second!Atthedouble!Chargetherocks!’ AndthechargeislikeafloodWhenthey’vewarmedtheHighlandbloodOftheJocks! Page:177 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。