ORIGINAL POETRY.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 878, 24 October 1871, Page 3

ORIGINAL POETRY.

We were a band of brothers, not by accident ■ of blood, But the holy ties that bind*to each the other's sacred word. ■' ■ ■ We hailed not from one nations-hut our aim was still the same— Good fello ,vship together, and to harbour golden gain. Pull many a mountain range we climbed, and dismal gorges traced, While our hearts with bounding joy would beat as we saw some likely place. Then the pick and shovel oft we plied, while fee tin dish showed our gain ; But as oft were disappointed, and up swag and off again. Then at the river's brink we'd stand, and sadly draw our breath, And count our many friends it had swallowed up m ■death; Butonce as thus we stood and gazed, in silence deep and long, Our mate stood forth, as was his wont, to stem the tide so strong. Then, hand to hand and foot to foot we •merged into the stream. With hope that never left us our faces still did beam. Then deeper and still deeper we breast the waters broad, Till.a cry of horror struck our ears, " Oh, heavens, we've missed the ford!" Then each the other's hand lots go to grapple death alone, Bor from that' awful struggle we come Wt •one "by'one. How different from our former selves—how selfish were we then; As some of vs did .gain the shore at the river's friendly bend. Then rushing frantic down the bank, with sickening .hearts wo know That our gallant leader had forgot his swag strings to undo.. ... Then for 'a moment on a snag he caught, and looked ashore; But the ruthless waters onward swept, and we -never saw him more. m ■ . •P. B. Westport, October 13.