BUSH BALLADS AND RHYMES 



I thought SO. Perhaps he was resting. Per- 

 haps 



He was waiting, watching for me. 

 I examined all my revolver caps, 



I hitched my mare to a tree — 

 I had sworn to have him, alive or dead. 



And to give him a chance was loth. 

 He knew his life had been forfeited — 



He had even heard of my oath. 

 In my stocking'd soles to the shelf I crept, 



I crawl'd safe into the cave — 

 All silent — if he was there he slept. 



Not there. All dark as the grave. 



Through the crack I could hear the leaden 

 hiss ; 

 See the livid face through the flame ! 

 How strange it seems that a man should 

 miss 

 When his life depends on his aim ! 

 There couldn't have been a better light 



For him, nor a worse for me. 

 We were coop'd up, caged, like beasts for a 

 fight, 



And dumb as dumb beasts were we. 



200 



