With jewels adown her skirt,

She’s sailed a trip on some desert ship

From the chap in a laundried shirt!

[83]
]
OLD BILL BATES.

No, Mister, I’ve no messages ter send along the track

But I thank y’ fer enquiring, jest the same;

Fer it’s mighty near an age agone I wandered from Out-back,

And I dessay they’re forgettin’ this old frame:

But you’ll find a hearty welcome at the far end o’ the pad,

Where the rank and file is nothin’—only mates;