Trembling from the burning village,
Still the terror-stricken fly,
For the Indians' love of pillage
Stays the bloody tragedy.
At the windlass-bar bare-headed--
Bare his brawny arms and throat--
Brave and ready--grim and steady,
Mauley mans the ferry-boat.
Hark!--a sudden burst of war-whoops!
They are bent on murder now;
Down the ferry-road they rally,
Led by furious Little Crow.
Frantic mothers clasp their children,
And the help of God implore;
Frantic men leap in the river
Ere the boat can reach the shore.
Mauley helps the weak and wounded
Till the last soul is afloat;--
Brave and ready--grim and steady,
Mauley mans the ferry-boat.
Speed the craft!--The fierce Dakotas
Whoop and hasten to the shore,
And a shower of shot and arrows
On the crowded boat they pour.
Fast it floats across the river,
Managed by the master hand,
Laden with a freight so precious,--
God be thanked!--it reaches land.
Where is Mauley--grim and steady,
Shall his brave deed be forgot?
Grasping still the windlass-lever,
Dead he lies upon the boat.
[CF] Pronounced Soo; a name given to the Dakotas in early days by the
French traders.
[Illustration: MAULEY THE BRAVE FERRY-MAN]
MEN
Man is a creature of a thousand whims;
The slave of hope and fear and circumstance.
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