MAULEY

Crouching in the early morning,

Came the swarth and naked “Sioux;"

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.

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.