Fast Retreat

[Bob Pacey]

FAST RETREAT


Now Joe was such a tough man a miner through and through
there was nothing that could faze him no feat of strength he couldn't do
He worked in outback Queensland where ever gold was found
he spent his days in darkness in a tunnel underground.

After working hard all through the week into town old Joe would wander
and in the local public bar all the worlds woes would he ponder
But tough as Joe would always seem he had one secret fear
he told me once in confidence after drinking too much beer

Cause Joe was scared of lightening he really could not take it
when lightening struck his fear was real he didn't have to fake it
We were sitting in the local pub and drinkers filled the room
a massive storm was raging thunder rumbled through the gloom

When lightening stuck the tree outside it made a mighty roar
we all first lifted off our stools then ended on the floor
But Joe was up and running over chairs and drinkers in a scurry
I reckon he'd have beaten Pharlap he left in such a hurry.

Joe grabbed the nearest pushbike his features showed the strain
and with legs pumping like a windmill disappeared into the rain
The storm in time passed over but Joe was nowhere in sight
we searched the town all over for well into the night

The next morning we were worried as Joe had not been seen
though tyre tracks five miles out of town showed where the bike had been
Then a call came in from Mulga Downs three hundred miles away
Bill Johnson rang that Joe was there and had been for a day.

Joe rode that bike without a stop and had not missed a beat
the only sign of injury were blisters on his hands and feet
We would have to pick Joe up Bill said or put him on the train
cause Joe had rode three hundred miles on a bike that had no chain


Bob Pacey (C)

[Shelley Hansen]

Good one Bob! Nothing like a dinkim old bush yarn.

I can relate to this as I was brought up to fear lightning, and having worked in the electricity industry for many years, I still have a healthy respect for it!

Cheers, Shelley

[Catherine Lee]

Great story Bob and an enjoyable read!