228
SONGS, LEGENDS, AND BALLADS.
THE MONSTER DIAMOND:
A TALE OF THE PENAL COLONY OF WEST AUSTRALIA.
"ILL have it, I tell you! Curse you!—there!"
The long knife glittered, was sheathed, and was bare.
The sawyer staggered and tripped and fell,
And falling he uttered a frightened yell:
His face to the sky, he shuddered and gasped.
And tried to put from him the man he had grasped
A moment before in the terrible strife.
"I'll have it, I tell you, or have your life!
Where is it?" The sawyer grew weak, but still
His brown face gleamed with a desperate will.
"Where is it?" he heard, and the red knife's drip
In his slayer's hand fell down on his lip.
"Will you give it?" "Never!" A curse, the knife
Was raised and buried.
