Page:The Seven Seas (Kipling, 1896).djvu/110

 MULHOLLAND'S CONTRACT

fear was on the cattle, for the gale was on the sea,

An' the pens broke up on the lower deck an' let the creatures free—

An' the lights went out on the lower deck, an' no one near but me.

I had been singin' to them to keep 'em quiet there,

For the lower deck is the dangerousest, requirin' constant care,

An' give to me as the strongest man, though used to drink and swear.

I see my chance was certain of bein' horned or trod,

For the lower deck was packed with steers thicker'n peas in a pod,

An' more pens broke at every roll—so I made a Contract with God.

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