A question for hummer-ga. Magnesium-ga thought it might be WC Fields
but no, it is definitely Aussie. Stressedmum-ga reached for CJ Dennis
or Lawson but I know all the works of CJ and it is not his. I agree it
is in Lawson style, given the characters Jake the Spruiker and the
horse mounted oparson, but I searched into Lawson's works without
success. Dollarhoon-ga foffered onlt a comment. So if you have the
answer this is my new question for you alone. All the best. pedro1427.

Hello pedro1427,

Thank you for posting a new question for me. You sound skeptical, but
I believe I have found your poem featuring:

Tobias Mathew Carey, "a devout bush missionary"
his horse, Pegasus
Jacob William Wheeler, "Jake the spieler"

The poem is titled RUM AND WATER and is published in the following
book:

HOW McDOUGALL TOPPED THE SCORE: And Other Verses and Sketches
by Thomas Edward Spencer (1845-1911)

Here's a bit of the poem:

"Then Tobias Mathews Carey eyed the spieler bronzed and hairy,
  But his tongue no word could utter, and the silence was intense,
As the spieler, slowly rising, in a style quite patronising,
  Blandly smiled upon Tobias, and continued his defence.
'In your arguments I noted that the scriptures you misquoted,
  But you know, Old Nick proved long ago that two could play at that.
Which has caused the greatest slaughter? Was it rum? or was it water?
  If you say it was the former, why I'll contradict it flat.'"

The full text of the entire book (!), including "Rum and Water", is
viewable and downloadable as a pdf file here:

University of Sidney Library: Australian Studies Resources:
http://purl.library.usyd.edu.au/setis/id/v00023

I found two used copies of the book "How McDougall Topped the Score"
for sale on Abebooks.com:

1) SPENCER, THOS .E., Illustrated by Lional Lindsay & H.W. Cotton.
How McDougall Topped The Score and Other Verses.
Sydney.: N.S.W Bookstall Co. Ltd. 1920 Original Paper Covers. Fair/No
Jacket. 1st Edition. Sml 8 Vo. 174pp. Illust. Spine and edges worn.
Bookseller Inventory #001486. Price: £ 11.97
Bookseller:  stonequarry books
Contact: Philippa Barton
Address: Post Office, P.O. Box 300., Berry., NSW, Australia, 2535
E-mail: bartonp@hotkey.net.au
Phone #: 02 44642030
Fax #: 02 44642030
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=75994279

2) SPENCER, Thos. E.
How McDougall Topped The Score and other verses.
Australia N.S.W. Bookstall, Co, Ltd 1914 8vo 174pp 6 full-page illust.
by Lionel Lindsay and H.W. Cotton good, paperback, covered in clear
plastic covering, taped spine and 1st 3 pages.
Bookseller Inventory #41691. Price: £ 13.96 
Bookseller:  Reading Matters
Contact: Graham Henderson
Address: 74 Smith St., Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 3066
Homepage: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~readingm
E-mail: bookquest@readingmatters.com.au
Phone #: +61 3 9417-7393
Fax #: +61 3 9417-3628
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=193948566

Other published works by Thomas Edward Spencer include:

Thomas Edward SPENCER (M: 1845 - 1911)
	Reflections And Reminiscences Of Mrs Bridget McSweeney [f|1906]
	How M'Dougal Topped The Score [p|1906]
	The Surprising Adventures Of Mrs Bridget McSweeney [f|1906]
	Budgeree Ballads [1908]
	A Spring Cleaning And Other Stories [s|1908]
	The Haunted Shanty And Other Stories [s|1910]
	Why Doherty Died [1910]
	That Droll Lady [f|1911]
	Bindawalla [f|1912]
http://www.kingkong.demon.co.uk/ngcoba/sp.htm

Finally, I would like thank Linley Wallis at Title Recall for helping
me find the poem.

Title Recall - Secondhand Books
PO Box 393, Monbulk, VIC 3793 Australia
Phone +61 3 9756 6622
Fax +61 3 9756 6622
http://www.titlerecall.com.au

I hope you enjoy the poem and you sleep sounder now that this little
mystery is solved. If you have any questions or if you have trouble
with any of the links, please post a request for clarification before
rating my answer.

Thank you,
hummer

Hummer, you're a genius and thanks to Linley Wallis too for finding
the poem. Yes, I will sleep nights now that you found my favourite
poem. With a group of my friends I have enjoyed an annual fishing trip
for 30 years. This year we have chosen to recite a poem and as you
would correctly guess mine is to be Rum and Water by Thomas Edward
Spencer, for these learned fishermen all know Dennis, Paterson and
Lawson by heart. Thanks again. Peter M

Dear Peter M,

Thank you for your note, the thank you's, the fine rating and tip - I
appreciate them all. And yes, Linley Wallis, the true genius who was
thoughtful enough to get back to me after all of this time. I'll enjoy
the little vignette in my head of the little group of fishermen
reciting poetry - your performance will be hard to top.

Sincerely,
hummer

Brilliant, brilliant work on the part of hummer-ga. Google should be
proud to have such a fine sleuth!