Back, by the creeks in the far-off plains; Over the ranges blue; Out in the West where it never rains; We whispered "good-bye" to you. We left you alone on the high clay banks, On a fringe round the dry lagoon, Where your white trunks gleam by its empty bed In the pale, soft summer noon. It's carry me back to the Castlereagh, Or pack me along to Bourke; On the Wallaby-track to the west of Hay-- Wherever there's sheds or work. It's cattle on camp or colts to brand; It's brumbies about the Peel-- It's all we've here of our own good land, And this is the way we feel. Oh, hurry the show, and give us a lead, And march us beyond the Vaal, For the lambing's near, and the ewes will breed And it's close up time to "tail," And we've shearing them, and the wool to load, And the ships are at Circ'lar Quay-- So loot it along the red Veldt road, A sight for Oom Paul to see. And when we are back on the Murray lands, Or up in Mouaro hills, You may collar the Fonteins, and Drifts, and Rands, And the Boers will pay the bills. But we'll be back where the gum-tops wane, Or the Myall hangs and droops; With a good veranda round the house, And none of your dirty stoops. So hurry it up, for we've work to do In a far better land than here. We will swap the veldt and the parched Karoo, For the plain and ranges clear. But we'll never forget, in the days to come, The friends that we've left behind-- For the Dutchman who planted yon tall, white Gum Was a little bit more than kind. J. H. M. A. * * * * * BRAVE YOUNG HIGHLANDERS. _To the Editors of_ THE FRIEND,--SIRS,--In your Saturday's issue an appreciation of the R.A.M.C. appears, in which the _Morning Post_ correspondent speaks of their services as stretcher-bearers at Magersfontein with the Highland Brigade, whereas the R.A.M.C. has furnished no stretcher-bearers to the Highland Brigade, the whole of this dangerous work having been done by the Regimental bearers, and "A" Company Volunteer Ambulance (King William's Town), and as this company--consisting principally of mere striplings--has "faced the music" right through, and kept shoulder to shoulder with the veterans of the Highland Brigade, they surely should be credited with the work they have so gallantly performed. Yours very truly, BRITISHER. CHAPTER XXIV FALSE HEARTS AROUND US _Where only the Women were frank--The art of the War Artist._