Page:The moods of Ginger Mick.djvu/56

48 An' speckled o'er yer gleamin' shore the little 'uddled 'eaps That showed at last the Southern breed could play the game fer keeps.

"We found 'im, Craig uv Queensland, stark, 'is 'and still on' is gun. We found too many more besides, when that fierce scrap wus done. An' little Smith uv Collin'wood, he crooned a mournful air. The night we planted 'em beneath the sands uv Sari Bair.

"On the day we took the transport there wus cheerin' on the pier, An' we wus little chiner gawds; an' now we're sittin' 'ere, Wiv the taste uv blood an' battle on the lips uv ev'ry man An' ev'ry man jist 'opin' fer to end as we began.

"Fer Green is gone, an' Craig is gone, an' Gawd! 'ow many more! Who sleep the sleep at Sari Bair beside that sunny shore! An' little Smith uv Collin'wood, a bandage 'round 'is 'ead, He 'ums a savage song an' vows quick vengeance fer the dead.

"But Sari Bair, me Sari Bair, the secrets that you 'old Will shake the 'earts uv Southern men when all the tale is told; An' when they git the strength uv it, there'll never be the need To call too loud fer fightin' men among the Southern breed."