Mauley The Brave Ferry-Man

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.     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.