Written by an Australian Friend

Put to the test

In the shade of an old gum tree
by the banks of a dried up creek,
I rest my head on the saddle,
My mind drifts off in a dream.

The memories come flooding back,
Of times so long ago-
When I was only just a lad
full of dreams with no where to go.

I still recall so clearly
the day I set out on my own;
I packed my bags and said good bye
I'd decided to go alone.

Life wasn't easy at the start,
The going was sometimes hard;
I wanted to be a drover-
I didn't know where to start.

I moved all over the country,
Travelled north, south east and west;
I covered a lot of country
before I was put to the test.

He was tall, lean and rugged,
His face was as dry as your boot;
His nature was warm and friendly
as he asked:- Now, what can "you" do?

I've done a bit of mustering,
Some drafting and branding as well;
Broken in a few horses-
How good I am, time will tell.

He showed me a string of horses,
A big roan stood out from the rest-
Catch and ride that fellow-
We 'll soon put you to the test.

I took a bridle in my hand,
Wandered over to the brute-
Cautiously I reached out my hand
and slipped the bit in his mouth.

He stood still as I saddled him,
Then led him away from the rest-
I led him around for a little,
Trying to calm this beast.

As I swung into the saddle,
Feeling confident and brave,
I had to grab leather-
No other way could I have stayed.

The horse was alive and bucking,
Using every trick in the book-
Don't know how long I stayed on him,
Nor how long it took.

Although my body was aching,
I knew I had passed the test;
The old drover walked up to me--
Come on. let's join the rest.

In the shade of an old gum tree
by the banks of a dried up creek,
I often lay here dreaming",
of the time I was put to the test.

A H Andersen Hull