The Special Load
We are going to Mildura
With a special load
Donata prepare the stateroom
It's a very special load
Troopers were everywhere
The next day
As Bluey and Donata arrived
Must be someone important
The Captain explained
The load was valuable
Ten troopers as guards
Don't go in the stateroom
They prepared the Belle
Then cast off
Heading out into the river
The troopers ever alert
They made good time
Their special load
Wasn't very heavy
Just bloody mysterious
Troopers enjoyed a smoke
Taking it easy
Curly grilled them
One by one
Donata and Bluey
Also gave it a go
They finished the day
None the wiser
Eleven extra meals
Donata was cooking
The Sargent took two
Into the stateroom
As they approached Pecks Landing
A shot rang out
Smashing the wheelhouse window
Curly hit the floor
The reply was instant
Six shooters firing
Into New South Wales
Killing one attacker
Curly back on his feet
Sent The Belle speeding
Away from trouble
Every board was rattling
Half an hour later
They slowed staying alert
Donata cursing and swearing
As she picked up pots off the floor
As it grew dark
They decided to anchor
In the middle of the river
All troopers on guard
A long quiet night
No one could sleep
The next day was hot
Troopers dozed next to guns
Three hours out of Swan Hill
A man was fishing
From a boat
He looked to be alone
The Belle approached cautiously
The troopers to the front
He looked up and said
Ya scaring the fish
He stood and started to sing
Troopers were entertained
By the drunk Irishman
Who lost balance and fell in
Forgetting their duties
They laughed as the bloke
Tried to get in the boat
A shot was fired
Grabbing their guns
They rushed the stateroom
Finding a dead bushranger
Another swimming to the bank
Bullets hitting the bank around him
The bandit escaped into the bush
While Curly had the fisherman's
Head under water
The rest of the journey
Was uneventful
Curly Bluey and Donata
Eager to learn the load's identity
By 10am The Belle was tied up
The crew standing at the door
As the stateroom was opened
Their jaws dropped
The open door revealed
A clean shaven Ned Kelly
Making good an escape
Started 10th November 1880