BUSH BALLADS AND RHYMES 



Flush'd feebly with sundawn, said, '' Just what 

 I fear'd ; 

 Last fortnight's late rainfall has flooded the 

 creek." 



Black Bolingbroke snorted, and stood on the 

 brink 

 One instant, then deep in the dark, sluggish 

 swirl 

 Plunged headlong. I saw the horse suddenly 

 sink. 

 Till round the man's armpits the wave seem'd 

 to curl. 

 We follow'd, — one cold shock, and deeper we 

 sank 

 Than they did, and twice tried the landing 

 in vain. 

 The third struggle won it, straight up the steep 

 bank 

 We stagger'd, then out on the skirts of the 

 plain. 



The stockrider, Alec, at starting had got 



The lead, and had kept it throughout ; 'twas 



his boast 



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