Explore "Broken Axletree" by Henry Lawson on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
ON the Track of Grand Endeavour, on the long track out to Bourke, / Past the Turn-Back, and past Howlong, and the pub at Sudden Jerk, / Past old Bullock-Yoke and Bog Flat, and the "Pinch" at Stick-to-me, / Lies the camp that we have christened -- christened "Broken Axletree."
We were young and strong and fearless, we had not seen Mount Despair, / And the West was to be conquered, and we meant to do our share; / We were far away from cities, and were fairly off the spree / When we camped at Cart Wheel River with a broken axletree.
Oh, the pub at Devil's Crossing! and the woman that he sent! / And the hell for which we bartered horse and trap and "traps" and tent! / And the black "Since Then" -- the chances that we never more may see -- / Ah! the two lives that were ruined for a broken axletree!
"Fate" is but a Cart Wheel River, placed to test us by the Lord, / And the Star of Live Forever shines beyond At Blacksmith's Ford! / Shun all fatalists and "isms" -- heed no talk of "destiny"! / Ride a race for life to Blacksmith's with your broken axletree.