Early Days in North Queensland Part 13

Old Norman ne'er was known to fail, Or in the camp to falter, And just as sound to-day and hale, As when he first wore halter.

Good horse, you well have earned your rest, Your mustering days are over; For all your time you'll have the best, And pa.s.s your life in clover.

The Indian's simple faith is plain, That in the land of shadows, He'll have his faithful dog again To hunt in misty meadows.

And should a steed a soul attain, This surely then will follow-- I'll meet that grand old horse again, And hail him "Good old fellow!"

Con.o.bie, October 8th, 1894.

THE WATCHER.

The night wind keen and chill is creeping Across the plains with moaning sound; A rider there his watch is keeping, Where cattle camp in peace around.

The Southern Cross shines clear and bright, And marks the hour that speeds; While Nature's sounds, borne on the night, Accustomed to, he little heeds.

The hooting of the mopoke owl Floats on the midnight air; The prowling dingoe's dismal howl Is chorused wide and far.

The curlew's cry, so wild and shrill, Pierces the air with startling sound; While o'er the waters calm and still, The wild fowl chase each other round.

He cares not for the keen wind cold, Nor for the hour that's past; For thoughts of other days still hold His memory to the last.

He minds him of his youth time ever, And the farm where he was born; The meadows green, and the flowing river, And the fields of ta.s.selled corn.

The sweet perfume of the apple's bloom, The sight of the mountain's blue, The drooping willows and yellow broom, And waving wheatfields too.

He sees the cows from the pasture land, As down the lane they come, And sister Nell, with pail in hand, To wait their coming home.

He sees again his father ploughing, In the old-fashioned st.u.r.dy way, He hears again the c.o.c.k's shrill crowing, That waked him oft at break of day.

His memory takes him back apace, To early manhood's prime, When a gentle voice and pleasant face Impressed him for all time.

For loving la.s.s and wandering lad, Since ever the world began, Though parted in grief, the love they had, Will come to each again.

His wayward life he ponders on With anguish deep and keen, And as the past he looks upon, Sadly thinks--it might have been.

But vain regrets will help him not.

Nor vanished hopes renew; He only knows his present lot Has duties stern to do.

He cares not now whate'er befalls, His faith he still will keep; The next on watch in turn he calls, And folds himself in sleep.

Con.o.bie, June 21st, 1894.

LIST OF BOOKS

PUBLISHED BY

ANGUS & ROBERTSON

89 CASTLEREAGH STREET, SYDNEY

205 SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE

SOLD IN ENGLAND BY

THE AUSTRALIAN BOOK COMPANY

38 WEST SMITHFIELD, LONDON, E.C.

THE COMMONWEALTH SERIES

Crown 8vo., 1s. each (_post free 1s. 3d. each_).

=ON THE TRACK: New Stories.= _By HENRY LAWSON_

=OVER THE SLIPRAILS: New Stories.= _By H. LAWSON_

=POPULAR VERSES.= _By HENRY LAWSON_ _Now first published in book form._

=HUMOROUS VERSES.= _By HENRY LAWSON_ _Now first published in book form._

=WHILE THE BILLY BOILS: Australian Stories.= =First Series.= _By HENRY LAWSON_

=WHILE THE BILLY BOILS: Australian Stories.= =Second Series.= _By HENRY LAWSON_

=MY CHINEE COOK AND OTHER HUMOROUS VERSES.= _By BRUNTON STEPHENS_

=HISTORY OF AUSTRALASIA: From the Earliest Times to the Inauguration of the Commonwealth. _By A. W. JOSE_

=HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN BUSHRANGING.= _By CHARLES WHITE_

Part I.--THE EARLY DAYS.

Part II.--1850 to 1862.

Part III.--1863 to 1869.

Part IV.--1869 to 1878.