WITH BEARD OF SALTED GREY

(c) expired

WITH BEARD OF SALTED GREY

They rode by the Diamantina

and alongside the Barcoo and never saw

another living soul.

They crossed the Haddon Corner

where the days are hot and long

and never thought

they'd ever reach their goal.

But there they met a fellow

with beard of salted grey

who told them of a place

that he'd once been.

They spent the night in dreaming

as young men often do

of the rich life that their new friend

said he'd seen.

In the shadows of the Beal Range

they packed again their swags

and made off

in the early morning light.

With their pans upon their shoulders

and strong boots they'd always worn

these two young men did make a splendid sight.

All day long, the adventurers bore

the sticky tiresome heat

and ever brushed

at buzzing swarms of flies.

They trudged along till day was night

and cooling shadows fell

giving welcome rest

to itchy, swollen eyes.

They found again their old campsite

that they'd made among the trees

and settled down

to rest their weary bones. 

They talked of Clancy of the Overflow

and of others that they'd heard

and slept once more

ignoring ghostly groans.

For at this unimposing campsite

some knew there once had been

a ghastly night,

of deeds so very foul

when a man had once been murdered

for another's pot of gold

and this evil deed

had made him ever prowl.

Not knowing of this long gone time

they dreamt the night away

with golden thoughts 

still racing through their mind.

They never woke to see the ghost

with beard of salted grey

who had ensured

that no gold would they find.

'Twas many years before they found,

at the campsite near the bank,

their whitened bones

still in their bloodied rags.

'Tis said the ghost with beard of grey

makes eerie sounds at night..

and still, it's said, he preys on men

who carry mining swags.

© Crissouli