The swagmen never troubled him
While they had strength to live;
They knew his fame — and it was grim;
He'd give not, nor forgive.
Caretaker at the Ten-mile Tank,
He'd " tackle ane or baith " —
A big man and an ugly man,
And dour was Mucklewraith.

The clouds had formed a lurid bank
That told of death and drought;
The drover camped beside the tank
And turned his horses out.
The pallid moon was rising higher —
The long, hot day was gone —
The drover made a " bit er fire " ,
And put his quart pot on.

The Old Man came out to inquire
What private tanks were dry;
The drover said (a little dryer):
" They all are. So am I. ...
And you are Mister Mucklewraith —
I've heard of you Outback! "
And then he said, in all good faith:
" I worked with your son Jack. "

" So you knew Jack? " the Old Man snarled
In his suspicious way
(His form was tall, and gaunt and gnarled;
His beard was iron-grey).
" Yes, I knew Jack, " the drover said —
" I shore with him awhile. "
The Old Man stood and bent his head,
And watched the quart pot " bile " .

" We're shorter grub, " the Old Man said;
" The guidwife's gone for more;
The ration team is at the shed —
She's drove in to the store. "
The drover never said a word;
The whole thing was a bore —
With variations he had heard
The selfsame yarn before.

" So you knew Jack? " the Old Man sighed
(His mood was softened now).
" I did , " the droving man replied —
" For six weeks, anyhow. "
He pushed the coals up with his foot,
Not anxious to begin.
He took the quart pot off and put
The tea and sugar in.

" So you knew Jack? " the Old Man woke
As from a reverie.
The drover said, " I never spoke! "
A tired man was he.
He twirled the quart pot once — just so —
To give the tea a stir;
He pressed some coals down with his toe
And placed the quart pot there.

The Old Man might have " had a shot "
At football long ago —
He raised his foot and kicked the pot
A dozen yards or so.
" That there's the Missus comin' back —
Come to the house, " he cried;
" No man that worked with my son Jack
Shall bile his tea outside! "