Broken Axletree

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 Devils 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 Blacksmiths Ford!     Shun all fatalists and isms, heed no talk of destiny!     Ride a race for life to Blacksmiths with your broken axletree.