And as they crawled along the grass the oats were trickling out;
But as they neared the Mukhtar’s flock they rose upon their feet,
Salaamed in true Australian style, the pastoralist to greet.
In friendly pidgin-Arabic they talked a little while,
Then bade farewell to Abdul in the dinkum Aussie style;
And as they sauntered back to camp they noticed with a grin,
That Abdul’s goats had found the oats, and all were “wiring in.”
The feeding flock came slowly towards the hedge of prickly pear.
A fine big “billy” led the lot, quite eager for his share,
And as he wandered close enough the prickly pear to feel,