Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer (NSW : 1845 - 1860)(about) |
Saturday 4 January 1845
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THE RAID OF THE ABORIGINES,
<Jrett tidings ot WM hwV coro» dow« Croro the
if est,
For the waddy is raUed, an4 the spear's in the
. rest:
And the tribes of the Seven have poured down the
And they've vowed to have Bullock whatever may
bap.
? Ob, 'twas glorious to see those free sons of
. the soil,
Unfettered by garments, uninjured by toil,
Streaming down to the valley, as shining and
black
As Newcastle coals shooting out of a Back,
ïîach warrior was greased from the heel to the head; -Each cobra was charcoaled, each limb threated with
red.
And plain might yon see, that each snake-eating
elf,
"WasInclined to think so TABLE-BEEB of himself.
' They had a forest of spears that would turn a
man pale,
Like a chivoux-de-frize on the wall of a gaol ; And they bore in each, girdle the swift boome
. rang,
And a toothpick, thc lungs of the white man
to bang.
The war song was sung-the corobree done:
And they cried, " with the white fellows let's have
some fun."
." They have settled Old Moppy. A life for a life." ." So death to the Croppy, and WAU to THE KXirE."
They march'd down the Lockyer In battle array, .And they bad old Boralski the time of the day ;
Then they crossed the dark Pix AS just over the.
- way,
And they told him there'd soon be the devil to pay. They paused for a short time near Heliden Hill, ,*Wlth sav'ry Oppossum their, bingies to fill
.And the sweet Flying Fox, and the delicate grub,
They gorged till each'paunch was as round as a
tub. ».
Then they roll'd in the ashes, like kittens at play, Or like over fed hogs on a bot summer day.
But stomacVs love change-even civilized man "Will vary his dishes as oft as he can.
.ßo they vow*d and they swore, with a terrible shout,
That of mutton or beef they must have a tuck out.
Then up spoke great Campbell, a chief of
renown,
At Wingate there bndgery bullock sit down
~" Let us send three old women to drive them away, " While I and two more will go bail up a dray.
" For 1 know his beef well-it has fat an inch
thick,
" And unless we've some mustard it might , . make us sick. . .
" And to trust the old women you need have no ,. fear," . t
" Wingate soon cuts his stick at the sight of a spear. "Meantime the main, body can roam up and down,
"'Twixt Tenthill and here, just to take off the down.
"For tho' as you know, when a shepherd we kill "The Jackeroo's all smoke their pipes, and sit still ;
"Yet they'd turn out like madmen, and boldly give
battle,
"If they think we've been spearing their sheep
or their cattle."
-The advice was approvM-he set off for-the grab, 'But first planted his delicate wife in the scrub.
And ' he. promised, if safe he returned from the
the fight, .
''With'* whole bullook's-liver, TO BLOW OUT HEB . SITE.. V
Now Campbell, the chief, to the Brisbane hath
sped, .. .. . - :
Let the pale Jackeroo's view his waddy with dread: "Their grass ho hath fired-their sheep he hath
ta'en
Their drays ho. hath plundered-their oxen hath
slain. . . ' , . .
'But think not tho squatters can tamely look on, "When all their fat kine to the devil are gone-;
"Muoh blood must be spilt, if with Wingate you
; ; meet:
_ 'For -"'th dnath-dealirur thunder his foes, he will """-greet.
, On à mountain they met-but the three sable hags,
.Who had filled with fat beef, all their dillies and
bags,
'Their tomahawks brandish'd, and threw a short
stick,
"Which gave Master Wingate a damnahlo lick. .
He rubbed his red head- clapp'd the spurs to his
his horse, ' ~
-And fled like a racer on Newmarket course.
' ' .To Tenthill he hastened, resolved not to bear
' it,' ' '
.So laid his -complaints before great Justice
: Ferret,
r Who piously vowed, by-tho mother that bore ..? ' him, .
- ? He'd issued Iiis warrant to bring them before
him.
'Tho warrant was written, and'laid on tho shelfs
-"By tho lord,", said old Ferret, " I'll serve it my-:
self, - -
-.'For I have the powers-to bind and release,
"Lotus see if .they'll, a wear at a Justice of Peace. ?" But lest tho rude savages dare to attack us,
¡" Wo had better get nve'or. six soldiers to back us: '-" For Milton or Homer-ror some such low fellow,
Has said that discretion's the best part of valour. . *' YouBlucher, ride overto Percy, and see
" If any one there is inclined for a spree-;
-"But don't let them think I want their as . ;- -' sistance,
" The rebels won't dare to make any resistance. -"Let them come but.to see their black foes on the .- iQuv.n,
-." To do grace to my triumph, and ride in my train.": .But now my muse tho strain must change- . [ My thoughts must toko a loftier range, -.'...' : ? .For valiant deeds, and perils strange, !
.'Tis now my lot to tell, [ ;Wliat cliffs were scaled-what creeks were crossed-. íWhat skirmishes were won and lost- , 1 i
'What flights o'er flood, and fell : j ..Tho oaBt was tinged wi tlx twilight hue: The dunghill cook his olorion blew,
'And swift the sportive echo flew, j
. .. - -Down L'oekyer*s pleasant vale. 'When every squire and gallant knight, - ¿With bosoms burning for the fight,
Assembled in the dole. , . . . : -Across the creek Lord Percy rode, ;,...<. ' .Proudly his raven charger trodè, i ?And skilful horsemanship he shew'd, !
: ; All as ho sallied forth. ¡ A knight, bo-was renowned in arms, I And louginui'd.to.wars alarms,... .... '
The .Hotspur of the North. , ' 3ehind him. rode in Bonguino moil; i*. j Tho burley Lord of Irvandale, '. ;
.Whoso'rifle.ne'er,was known to fail,: '...-,
' * A valiant youth was he. j Of generous heart and open hand, . ; Beloved by all throughout 'the land,
Of high and low degree.
But? ah !. the Bani the truth must tell : ' ' ? \ «Twas said ho lov'd a pun too well,
And.for a lass would go to h-\ ' /..Or even face the bush.. ' His crest was Galls, a Bullock's Head : - i But I'could not the Motto read,
Because it was " J. Rush."
Full oft he'd felt tho amdnrous smart, ?>And Cupid's swift and fiery dart, 1
Had pricked his plump and tender heart,
. Though half a yard of fat. But though in sport, his comrades all,
Iii» name would 41 Tracey Tupman" call,
He never cared for that. *-' _ ? lU'sliorVhe'was allowed tobo,
.?' The flower of tho northern chivalric. '
...... ? ? ? - ' - - c " ;
.Thon on a sorry jaded hack,
'With feet'extended-bridle slack,
"Xong Bluóhér came-but he turned back, . - . ?- '? ' .'Before the fight began.
-His heart was base-the Craven Knight,
And home ho fled in shamoful fright, .., \ ''-.¡I- .?. Thc battle's brunt to shun. .,' ¡
*.. SGoadcd by.fear withiu an hour, "
-lle.housed bim in his lady's bower,
From danger far remote.
. ' Nor thought himself secure from death, . ? ??- ? !
-Till he had .thrust his head beneath >
Her flannel petticoat. . .
»Oh, why should such a haven bc r' " "<' f\
.Reserved .for.coward loon like ho? , j. k. |
v;ii> : . . ?? :- _ ^ ,'? )
Then, there was half a dajen more,
Perchance thw might he half a scare, Th« first TU pretty BMy Ure,
His mammy's pride and joy, Then eager thirsting for the 'fray, Came Ludovic le Balifre,
The .Captain's darling boy. Next Bardolph Pittson came in view, With frosty air, his nose was blue But Bonny-fat his partner true,
Was nowhere to be found.
Sir Arthur Dodson did not sleep ! But, ah ; no glory con he reap, For he must sanctuary keep,
. To 'scape the Sheriff's pouud. Much hope had they of stout Balfour, But h'ed been too well licked before, And so resolved to go no more,
Nor risque his precious life. And Hebrew Geordie might have come, But he was told to stop at home,
By S-'s enchanting wife. And hungry Dennis" dirty-face,
Was always first in such a chase :
But now he must resign his place,
For he at home lies ill. He caught a cold and surfeit both,
In Sydney, where (though very loth)
He changed his linen, ('tis the truth,)
And ate for once his fill ! ! ! Full roany a name I have forgot,
Of those who come, and who did not : But Isaac from the Downs had got,
A blister on his heel.
And thought the same a good excuse, His' share of danger to refuse,
And home again to steal. But now ye multitudes draw near, And deeds of daring list to hear ! For proudly bringing up the rear,
The mighty Ferret comes. Shouting " on, ou-your lanrels reap,
" Fight for your cattle and your sheep,
"Your alters and your homes." They traversed many a wild morass, . And many a steep and gloomy pass :
Through lots of long and blady grass,
And many a gidley crossed. When to the army's great dismay, Ero noon upon the second day,
Bold Percy was unhorsed. The Knight himself look'd rather blue, His sable mare is leal and true,
? Poor thing!-was brought to bed. So he knew not what to do, ._>?- .
Sate down, aud scratched his head. At length he from the ground arose, And turu'd his back upon his foes ; And this as you may well suppose,
Nigh broke his heart with grief. He hied him to a Hostelric,
And emptied porter bottles three,
Which gave him great relief.. Then straight he laid him down to sleep, His active brain in balmy sleep.
The Jackeroo's still onward rode, But wisely kept the beaten road,
And proudly to the Sheppard shew'd,
Their military might. At length, oh joy!-at close of day They saw a fire a mile awuy,
Upon a hill-"Halt,halt," said they,
" We'll ride no more to night. " But sleep beneath the trees 'till morn, And battle give ot early dawn."
Now Somnus reigns within the camp, And stretch'd upon tile heather damp The warrior's lie-their only lamp,
The stars that twinkling shone. While through the darkness faintly glow's, The fire of Pittson's brandy nose,
Which heralds forth bis deep repose.
With nasal trumpet tone. The watchman only is awake,
And he does sweet refreshment take, -
Gnawing a mutton bone.
Sleep on ! sleep on ! thou gallant band ! Thou pride and glory of the land.
Sleep on! sleep,on! your sinews brace : ?-<.-?_ You'll wont them in the coming ohace.
[TO BB CONTINUED.]