Happy Jack (NOT a lyric) ... :)

[manfredvijars]

Happy Jack
(c) 2005 Manfred Vijars
"Happy Jack" was one of Australia’s most prolific bushrangers. He was involved in over 630 holdups and robberies and also murder. He never went to court and never spent one day in prison.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Not sure Mannie but is this verse missing a bit? Should it read


As stockman at the Marengo, the beckon/beacon of the Weddin's glow
reached out to you. Frank Gardiner's hand beckons you to join his band.
Hard work, you felt, was not for you; so gambling, fighting, stealing too?
Oh, Jack, your star falls quickly now, and Frank's the Lad who'll show you how!

You more than likely did mean beacon as I see you have used beckon in the next line- beacon didn't gell with me (sorry ) did think maybe bright lure but that's only a suggestion presuming you are implying that he suddenly found marriage attractive.

The troopers were forced to withdraw. Sergeant Condell looked and saw
that he was wounded in the side. Keeping low he had to slide

So after my nit picking I have to say I love it - these historical stories translate so well to poetry IMO Good on you Mannie

Cheers

Maureen

[alongtimegone]

Something happening here Manfred. I posted a reply but it must have got lost somewhere up there in the ether.
Anyway ... what a great yarn. Looks like a swag of research involved. I enjoyed it as a poem and as a story.
Wazza

[manfredvijars]

Thanks Waz.
The omissions were well spotted Mausie, thank you, but the 'beacon' stays (or should that be bacon?) ...