He was shot down on
his boat just as he had landed on the opposite shore the last of those
who fled from the burning village to the ferry-landing. The Indians
disemboweled his dead body, cut off the head, hands and feet and thrust
them into the cavity. See _Heard's Hist. Sioux War_, p 67.]
Crouching in the early morning,
Came the swarth and naked "Sioux;"[CF]
On the village, without warning,
Fell the sudden, savage blow.
Horrid yell and crack of rifle
Mingle as the flames arise;--
With the tomahawk they stifle
Mothers' wails and children's cries.
Men and women to the ferry
Fly from many a blazing cot;--
Brave and ready--grim and steady,
Mauley mans the ferry-boat.
Can they cross the ambushed river?
'Tis for life the only chance;
Only this may some deliver
From the scalping-knife and lance.
Through the throng of wailing women
Frantic men in terror burst;--
"Back, ye cowards!" thundered Mauley,--
"I will take the women first!"
Then with brawny arms and lever
Back the craven men he smote.
Brave and ready--grim and steady,
Mauley mans the ferry-boat.
To and fro across the river
Plies the little mercy-craft,
While from ambushed gun and quiver
On it falls the fatal shaft.
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