.
The horizon glowed a warm reddish gold, as the sun impatiently appeared,
and grey mist hugged the barren earth, then quietly disappeared.
A magpie made his raucous call and several crows chorused in as well,
for morning in the bush is full of sound and the unique Australian smell.
A muster was in full swing and the drovers were in need of more supplies,
so a wagon was being loaded and they intended leaving about sunrise.
Jimmy was a wiry teenage kid a product straight from his father’s mould,
his mother kissed him like mothers do in a manner quite controlled.
Then father gave her cheek a peck in the way he has always been inclined,
as they hitched a team of horses with a spare pair tethered close behind.
With a sheepish smile and “OK, let’s go” up into the seat they climbed with haste,
an adventure Jimmy had dreamt about, so time they could not waste.
He handed the reigns to Jimmy for he cherished driving this old faithful team,
rolled a smoke from makings then lit up, a simple pleasure was his theme.
They climbed up to the table-land letting the team work at their own steady pace,
as excitement showed in Jimmy’s smile which was written all over his face.
He’d dreamed of going to Drover’s camps with Dad, ever since he was a little boy,
and nothing could replace this moment, for he was filled with pride and joy.
Being with his father on an adventure such as this, was happening right now,
reinforcing the bond between forever was his silent personal vow.
They made the table land’s flat grassy plains that disappeared into a cloudy sky,
they would arrive at drover’s camp next day when the sun was about to die.
In the distance were storm clouds building high and could be the monsoon’s start,
for it hadn’t rained here for 5 years, here in the outback’s shrivelled heart.
Soon before them appeared a rough weathered lead to an old dry creek crossing,
strewn with large rocks, required utmost care, with a heavy wagon rocking.
The storm clouds were almost overhead and lightning struck a nearby tree long dead,
the sound and noise together was deafening and splinters over us were spread.
The horses bolted in wild eyed fear and down into the creek we raced un-controlled,
straight into several large boulders as sweat broke on our brows ice cold.
The front axle struck a rock and there resounded another loud splintering crash,
as it collapsed into a thousand portions, a piece of useless trash.
The axle dug down deep under a rock, for the steel was both stout and strong,
causing the wagon to cartwheel, as it raced at speed headlong.
Jimmy was caught underneath in the body well while his Dad was thrown clear,
but his father jumped up with a start, his heart thumping in sickening fear.
He shouted with all his might to Jimmy but there came back not a solitary sound,
and then he saw some blood spattered on the soft sandy ground.
He tore away with all his strength ripping fingernails from his tough leathery hand,
and then heard a whimper from Jimmy, as he scooped away some sand.
“Are you okay “? he desperately called, in a voice quivering from the mounting strain,
“Yeah Dad, .. I think so, but my leg is hurting and in terrible pain.”
He looked at Jimmy’s leg protruding outside and held tight by the wagon side,
it was broken badly and his father gazed at it and then he almost cried.
He told Jimmy to remain very still and he would tender the fractured leg,
as he bound it with his shirt and a straight tough hardwood peg.
The rain was starting to come down in a soft steady drizzle making the air go cool,
when he realised that a downpour, could cause this creek bed turn into a pool.
He tried in desperation to lift the wagon and hammered at the sides with a large rock,
but strong and hardy they are built to travel behind the mustered stock.
He grabbed a frightened teamster still hitched to the rearmost hitching bar,
told Jimmy to lie still while he went home for help for the drover’s camp was too far.
He took the reins and lugged up, to ride bare back home, where the steel jacks were,
and rode the clumper at a measured pace and was easy on the spur.
As he neared the escarpment overlooking down the road from where they’d come,
he saw the homestead clearly below only a mile or two by rule of thumb.
The winding road would take far too long for the hours were now running short,
and he feared the rain could fill the hole in which Jimmy had been caught.
He dismounted from the clumper and bushed him, then around the edge began to roam,
to work out the best route down the cliff face, now the shortest way to home.
The rocks were wet and slippery, for the rain was still drizzling down light,
and he carefully descended in the dwindling cool wet dark night.
One fall would bring sudden death and of that he was almost certain,
but time was the essence, because of the ominous threatening rain.
His hands were red raw and bleeding and throbbed as he grabbed each rock,
but he never would give up while there was time still left upon the clock.
He gazed up at the cliffs edge above showing stark black against a lightning flash,
and wondered how long it would be before, to the homestead he could dash.
And then it was before him, level clear ground to his homestead ahead,
the light yellow upon the veranda, lighting a path on which he fled.
His breathing became laboured, rasping as his lungs cried painfully out for air,
but his determination dominated, as the coolness flowed throughout his hair.
He rushed into the living room and startled his surprised and suddenly anxious wife,
explaining about poor Jimmy and how he feared for his tender young life.
The story was told to all hands and choose horses sure footed from knowledge past
and gather up the steel kangaroo jacks and to a saddle were lashed fast
They made good time along the way by a ‘jump up’ and to the table land they sped,
and arrived to find Jimmy safe and sound still pinned inside the wagon’s bed.
They jacked and propped the wagon up and carefully pulled young Jimmy out free,
as his father knelt beside him and hugged him with heartfelt relief and glee.
They bound his leg and kept him warm till the sulky arrived some hours later,
enjoying a good chat and laughing as rain poured and the wagon went under
The thunderstorm finally passed and the stars shone fiercely bright overhead
as they lay side by side in the sulky in their swags thankful for a warm dry bed.
.
Gold trophy winner
Adding your comment:
Keep up the great works here, and thanks for sharing you! 
