Page:Jim of the Hills.djvu/49



F things that roam about the bush I ain't got many fears, For I knows their ways an' habits, an' I've chummed with them for years. For man or beast or gully ghost I've pluck enough to spare; But I draws the line at visions with the sunlight in their hair.

When a man has fought an' conquered it is good in many ways: There's the pride in havin' done it, an' the other fellows' praise; There's the glory an' the standin' that you get among the men— All their looks are more respectful since I socked it into Ben.

I was feelin' fine this mornin' when I started out to work; An' I caught myself high-steppin' with a boastful sort of jerk; With my head a trifle higher an' my eye a little stern. I thought the world was mine for keeps; but I'd a lot to learn.

Young Dick, the Dusty, wasn't half so cheeky as of old; The men were actin' friendly-like, but I kept kind of cold An' distant, as becomes a bloke who's scored a knock-out thump— Till just approachin' dinner time; an' then I got my bump.