Cofachiqui, and Other Poems/Cofachiqui
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For works with similar titles, see Cofachiqui.
COFACHIQUI.
COFACHIQUI.PART I
THE MEETING OF DE SOTO AND COFACHIQUI.
OF all the wild romances done or told,
When first old Europe with the New World met,
None had beginning brighter or more bold,
Or saw its sun more darkly clouded set,
Or of its hero's crimes and faults the debt
Demanded payment fuller and more dire,
Than that begun on Tampa's beach (while yet
'Twas music, sunshine, steeds, silk, steel and fire)
And ended low and lone in Mississippi's mire.
When first old Europe with the New World met,
None had beginning brighter or more bold,
Or saw its sun more darkly clouded set,
Or of its hero's crimes and faults the debt
Demanded payment fuller and more dire,
Than that begun on Tampa's beach (while yet
'Twas music, sunshine, steeds, silk, steel and fire)
And ended low and lone in Mississippi's mire.
As fresh and pleasant was the day
As well might be at close of May
So near the torrid belt.
Fresh from the gulf the breezes blew
For thirty leagues the pine woods through
And with the odorous turpentine
Deep-laden stirred the blood like wine
And left the heat unfelt.
Near where the belt of pine woods broke
And merged into a greener wood
Of sycamore, magnolia, oak
And gum, an Indian village stood,
Not many leagues above where rolled
Into the Chattahachi bold
The Tronstisca's tide,
With orange ocher slightly tinged,
Now here with wood or cane-brake fringed
And there a meadow-side.
Broad space about the town was seen
The tasseled corn-fields waving green.
No tepees of the bison skin,
As dwelt the fierce Dakotas in;
No lodges of the birchen bark,
Like those built by the Chippewas dark;
No squalid huts of bulrush mats,
Such as the Winnebago plaits,
Composed this Indian ville;
But spacious houses good and high,
And with long grass thatched thick and dry,
With walls of tree-trunks peeled or dress'd,
Did for their builders well attest
Both industry and skill.
As well might be at close of May
So near the torrid belt.
Fresh from the gulf the breezes blew
For thirty leagues the pine woods through
And with the odorous turpentine
Deep-laden stirred the blood like wine
And left the heat unfelt.
Near where the belt of pine woods broke
And merged into a greener wood
Of sycamore, magnolia, oak
And gum, an Indian village stood,
Not many leagues above where rolled
Into the Chattahachi bold
The Tronstisca's tide,
With orange ocher slightly tinged,
Now here with wood or cane-brake fringed
And there a meadow-side.
Broad space about the town was seen
The tasseled corn-fields waving green.
No tepees of the bison skin,
As dwelt the fierce Dakotas in;
No lodges of the birchen bark,
Like those built by the Chippewas dark;
No squalid huts of bulrush mats,
Such as the Winnebago plaits,
Composed this Indian ville;
But spacious houses good and high,
And with long grass thatched thick and dry,
With walls of tree-trunks peeled or dress'd,
Did for their builders well attest
Both industry and skill.
The ruler of this Indian town
Was not some warrior of renown,
In battle skillful, strong and bold,
Nor yet a wizard sage and old,
But sooth! a maiden young.
The daughter of a dead cacique,
Through all the place in vain you'd seek
For wiser head or tongue.
Her graceful form of middle hight
At once seemed plump and airy light;
Her crown of thick, long, jet-black hair,
Her eyes of depth and luster rare,
And many traits in that dark face
Were like a maid's of Jewish race.
So maiden Esther might have seemed
When on the Persian king she beamed.
It was not beauty that one saw—
Each feature perfect, not a flaw—
But some expression which alone
Brighter than faultless beauty shone,
Something too vague for words to speak,
Which makes a woman's face unique
And prints it on one's memory clear,
To haunt his fancy many a year
And bid his pulses thrill,
When after, in another face,
Some slight resemblance he may trace
To the charm that haunts him still.
That such high gifts of face and mind
Should 'mong that simple people find
A lover ready to admire
In each young chief who dared aspire
To Cofachiqui's hand,
Was sure to be, and at the time
To which refers our opening rhyme
Two young cacicques, both of renown,
As suitor guests were in the town,
Each with attendant band.
Was not some warrior of renown,
In battle skillful, strong and bold,
Nor yet a wizard sage and old,
But sooth! a maiden young.
The daughter of a dead cacique,
Through all the place in vain you'd seek
For wiser head or tongue.
Her graceful form of middle hight
At once seemed plump and airy light;
Her crown of thick, long, jet-black hair,
Her eyes of depth and luster rare,
And many traits in that dark face
Were like a maid's of Jewish race.
So maiden Esther might have seemed
When on the Persian king she beamed.
It was not beauty that one saw—
Each feature perfect, not a flaw—
But some expression which alone
Brighter than faultless beauty shone,
Something too vague for words to speak,
Which makes a woman's face unique
And prints it on one's memory clear,
To haunt his fancy many a year
And bid his pulses thrill,
When after, in another face,
Some slight resemblance he may trace
To the charm that haunts him still.
That such high gifts of face and mind
Should 'mong that simple people find
A lover ready to admire
In each young chief who dared aspire
To Cofachiqui's hand,
Was sure to be, and at the time
To which refers our opening rhyme
Two young cacicques, both of renown,
As suitor guests were in the town,
Each with attendant band.
The first was Vitachuco bold,
A high cacique whose deeds were told
In many a southern battle-song.
Full oft his arm had been proved strong,
Upon the "Dark and Bloody Ground,"
Against the Shawnees swarming 'round,
Whene'er that savage northern horde
Had o'er the broad Ohio poured.
O'er neighboring tribes his royal sway
Stretched far from Pensacola Bay
To where the swirling Tennessee
Breaks forth from northern mountains free.
A high cacique whose deeds were told
In many a southern battle-song.
Full oft his arm had been proved strong,
Upon the "Dark and Bloody Ground,"
Against the Shawnees swarming 'round,
Whene'er that savage northern horde
Had o'er the broad Ohio poured.
O'er neighboring tribes his royal sway
Stretched far from Pensacola Bay
To where the swirling Tennessee
Breaks forth from northern mountains free.
The other chief who dared to stand
A rival for the princess' hand
Was younger, but of giant frame,
And Talladega was his name.
His father was an Indian king
Of giant size and high renown,
Who ruled o'er many a populous town;
And Tascaluza's name did ring
From Florida's southeastern strand
Far to the Mississippi grand.
And Talladega, though yet young,
Had given the Natchez cause to dread
And quail before his war-club swung
Broad-sweeping 'round his towering head.
A rival for the princess' hand
Was younger, but of giant frame,
And Talladega was his name.
His father was an Indian king
Of giant size and high renown,
Who ruled o'er many a populous town;
And Tascaluza's name did ring
From Florida's southeastern strand
Far to the Mississippi grand.
And Talladega, though yet young,
Had given the Natchez cause to dread
And quail before his war-club swung
Broad-sweeping 'round his towering head.
In honor of her noble guests,
And urged thereto by strong requests,
Fair Cofachiqui did proclaim
A grand match of that stirring game,
The Indians' favorite, football free,
Where all might either play or see,
Upon a meadow fair and wide.
Of all the players there, one side
Should be by Vitachuco led,
The other Talladega head.
The first the color green should wear
In paint on chest and plumes in hair;
The other should be marked by red
From waist-belt to the feathered head.
And urged thereto by strong requests,
Fair Cofachiqui did proclaim
A grand match of that stirring game,
The Indians' favorite, football free,
Where all might either play or see,
Upon a meadow fair and wide.
Of all the players there, one side
Should be by Vitachuco led,
The other Talladega head.
The first the color green should wear
In paint on chest and plumes in hair;
The other should be marked by red
From waist-belt to the feathered head.
Among the Greens the second place
Held young Ateamba—manly grace
Combined he with a comely face.
Proved good in war and good in chase,
Good in the wrestle and the race.
The princess' townsman was the youth,
And rumor whispered that in truth
Of all her suitors proud and high
He found most favor in her eye.
Held young Ateamba—manly grace
Combined he with a comely face.
Proved good in war and good in chase,
Good in the wrestle and the race.
The princess' townsman was the youth,
And rumor whispered that in truth
Of all her suitors proud and high
He found most favor in her eye.
At either end, to mark the bound
Of that long, level playing ground,
Three poles were placed to form a gate—
The rude game's passage—way of fate—
Bedecked with plumage brave and bright
And trophies of the chase and fight
Half way between the boundary gates
The crowd the opening signal waits.
On each side ranged in order fair,
The players stood in silence there—
To east the Red, to west the Green—
Twelve paces wide was clear between.
In this wide opening. took his stand
An umpire holding in his hand.
A huge ball filled with mosses light
And bound with buckskin strong and tight.
When ready, with a startling cry
Straight up he tossed the huge ball high.
Of that long, level playing ground,
Three poles were placed to form a gate—
The rude game's passage—way of fate—
Bedecked with plumage brave and bright
And trophies of the chase and fight
Half way between the boundary gates
The crowd the opening signal waits.
On each side ranged in order fair,
The players stood in silence there—
To east the Red, to west the Green—
Twelve paces wide was clear between.
In this wide opening. took his stand
An umpire holding in his hand.
A huge ball filled with mosses light
And bound with buckskin strong and tight.
When ready, with a startling cry
Straight up he tossed the huge ball high.
Then Talledega's giant stride
Clears quickly half that opening wide,
And with his arms of matchless length
And supple hands of iron strength
Stretched far above all other grasps,
The swift-descending ball he clasps.
With instant rush both friends and foes
Impetuous 'round him densely close.
With trips and pushes, tugs and blows
The Greens that giant form assail
To overthrow, without avail,
And struggling strong in his defense,
The Reds mix in the mêlée dense.
Short space they strove with clamor loud,
Till showed some opening through the crowd;
Then Vitachuco, who had eyed
As yet the struggling throng aside,
Leaped instant through the opening way,
And like a tiger on his prey,
All his vast force with one quick spring
Did he on Talladega fling.
When that tremendous onset came
An instant reeled that giant frame
And then came crashing to the ground
Amid the struggling mass around,
Like some lone lighthouse whose tall form.
Long has defied the raging storm,
Till iron thews and ribs of rock
Give way to the resistless shock,
When on it full the cyclone raves
In utmost wrath of winds and waves.
Clears quickly half that opening wide,
And with his arms of matchless length
And supple hands of iron strength
Stretched far above all other grasps,
The swift-descending ball he clasps.
With instant rush both friends and foes
Impetuous 'round him densely close.
With trips and pushes, tugs and blows
The Greens that giant form assail
To overthrow, without avail,
And struggling strong in his defense,
The Reds mix in the mêlée dense.
Short space they strove with clamor loud,
Till showed some opening through the crowd;
Then Vitachuco, who had eyed
As yet the struggling throng aside,
Leaped instant through the opening way,
And like a tiger on his prey,
All his vast force with one quick spring
Did he on Talladega fling.
When that tremendous onset came
An instant reeled that giant frame
And then came crashing to the ground
Amid the struggling mass around,
Like some lone lighthouse whose tall form.
Long has defied the raging storm,
Till iron thews and ribs of rock
Give way to the resistless shock,
When on it full the cyclone raves
In utmost wrath of winds and waves.
But Talladega, as he fell,
Flung off the ball, and aimed so well,
Though in such strait, and cast so strong,
It flew beyond the struggling throng
To where a Red had ta'en his stand.
This caught the ball with skillful hand
And for the green goal 'gan a race,
While many a Green gave instant chase.
But as the hostile goal he neared,
A keeper of the gate appeared
And on the weary runner came
Like the fresh hound on tired game.
The Red, to meet this danger near,
Was forced from his straight course to sheer
And losing way, quick from the rear
Three Greens at once upon him clenched
And from his grasp the huge ball wrenched.
Quick toward the red goal they began
Their flight, but quickly as they ran
About them closed with clamor loud
Of Red and Green a mingled crowd.
Flung off the ball, and aimed so well,
Though in such strait, and cast so strong,
It flew beyond the struggling throng
To where a Red had ta'en his stand.
This caught the ball with skillful hand
And for the green goal 'gan a race,
While many a Green gave instant chase.
But as the hostile goal he neared,
A keeper of the gate appeared
And on the weary runner came
Like the fresh hound on tired game.
The Red, to meet this danger near,
Was forced from his straight course to sheer
And losing way, quick from the rear
Three Greens at once upon him clenched
And from his grasp the huge ball wrenched.
Quick toward the red goal they began
Their flight, but quickly as they ran
About them closed with clamor loud
Of Red and Green a mingled crowd.
Then higher still the turmoil rose;
With yells and leaps and kicks and blows
Strove every frantic one.
The plumage which so gay had tossed
Now vanished quickly like white frost
Before the morning sun.
Blood flowed from many a swollen limb,
Each face with sweat and dust was grim,
On each broad chest the paint that gleamed
Was furrowed thick with sweat that streamed;
With yells and leaps and kicks and blows
Strove every frantic one.
The plumage which so gay had tossed
Now vanished quickly like white frost
Before the morning sun.
Blood flowed from many a swollen limb,
Each face with sweat and dust was grim,
On each broad chest the paint that gleamed
Was furrowed thick with sweat that streamed;
Showed Vitachuco in the throng
A player agile, skilled and strong;
And Talladega's giant stride
Broke through the turmoil far and wide.
His long arms griped and headlong tossed
Th' opposing Greens whose way he crossed.
But inch by inch the Reds did yield,
And toward the middle of the field
Back, slowly back, the ball was urged,
And there the contest doubtful surged.
At last, with one decisive kick,
Which mingled fortune, skill and trick,
Did Vitachuco spurn the ball.
It flew high o'er the heads of all,
And quick of limb and keen of eye,
Ateamba caught it on the fly.
As the great rabbit of the West
Darts through the sage when hotly pressed,
So with the ball Ateamba sped
Right toward the goal kept by the Red.
A player agile, skilled and strong;
And Talladega's giant stride
Broke through the turmoil far and wide.
His long arms griped and headlong tossed
Th' opposing Greens whose way he crossed.
But inch by inch the Reds did yield,
And toward the middle of the field
Back, slowly back, the ball was urged,
And there the contest doubtful surged.
At last, with one decisive kick,
Which mingled fortune, skill and trick,
Did Vitachuco spurn the ball.
It flew high o'er the heads of all,
And quick of limb and keen of eye,
Ateamba caught it on the fly.
As the great rabbit of the West
Darts through the sage when hotly pressed,
So with the ball Ateamba sped
Right toward the goal kept by the Red.
A goalman red sprang forth to meet
And grapple with the runner fleet;
But swerving swift as swallows sweep,
Ateamba, with one nimble leap,
Apast the baffled goalman flashed
And onward for the red gate dashed.
Forth instant sprang five goalmen red,
Alert and swift, with hands outspread
To form a line through which must break
Ateamba, if the goal he'd make.
Too long the line to pass around,
Through it he scarce might hope to bound.
To the goal 't was three score paces yet
When those stretched arms Atcamba met.
Like lightning back his arm he drew
And hurled the ball with aim so true
And with such unexpected force
That with high curve it struck the ground
So near the gate that in its course
It passed with thrice repeated bound
Quite through the now unguarded gate,
Deciding thus the hot game's fate.
And grapple with the runner fleet;
But swerving swift as swallows sweep,
Ateamba, with one nimble leap,
Apast the baffled goalman flashed
And onward for the red gate dashed.
Forth instant sprang five goalmen red,
Alert and swift, with hands outspread
To form a line through which must break
Ateamba, if the goal he'd make.
Too long the line to pass around,
Through it he scarce might hope to bound.
To the goal 't was three score paces yet
When those stretched arms Atcamba met.
Like lightning back his arm he drew
And hurled the ball with aim so true
And with such unexpected force
That with high curve it struck the ground
So near the gate that in its course
It passed with thrice repeated bound
Quite through the now unguarded gate,
Deciding thus the hot game's fate.
Up quickly came the surging crowd,
One party filled with triumph proud,
The other stung with fierce chagrin
Almost intolerably keen.
So hot their blood, so deeply stirred
Their spirits, that a taunting word
Might well have signaled bloody strife
And cost full many a brave his life,
But that before the game began
Strictly disarmed was every man.
One party filled with triumph proud,
The other stung with fierce chagrin
Almost intolerably keen.
So hot their blood, so deeply stirred
Their spirits, that a taunting word
Might well have signaled bloody strife
And cost full many a brave his life,
But that before the game began
Strictly disarmed was every man.
Ere this excitement was allayed,
A messenger arrived and said
That thither marched in rapid course
A strange if not a hostile force;
Strange beasts they rode, strange dress they wore,
And stranger still the arms they bore.
Each chief well knew the courier told
Of Soto and the Spaniards bold,
Who'd ten days since come sweeping down
Upon a neighboring chieftain's town,
Whose warriors some resistance made,
But quailed before a fusilade
That seemed to them the fatal flash
Of lightning and the thunder's crash.
Then, when resistance vain did cease,
The strangers sat them down in peace.
A messenger arrived and said
That thither marched in rapid course
A strange if not a hostile force;
Strange beasts they rode, strange dress they wore,
And stranger still the arms they bore.
Each chief well knew the courier told
Of Soto and the Spaniards bold,
Who'd ten days since come sweeping down
Upon a neighboring chieftain's town,
Whose warriors some resistance made,
But quailed before a fusilade
That seemed to them the fatal flash
Of lightning and the thunder's crash.
Then, when resistance vain did cease,
The strangers sat them down in peace.
Such news Tascambia had heard
In wonder vague, but now was stirred
To tumult every heart in town,
From princess, chief and warrior down,
At thought of meeting face to face
These warriors of an unknown race.
And then the question quickly rose,
"Meet we these men as friends or foes?"
Most deemed it vain and rash to fight—
As gods they held the strangers white.
For war was Vitachuco's voice
And such was Talladega's choice,
Both burning in their princess' sight
To show their prowess in the fight.
But Cofachiqui's gentle heart
Impelled her to the peaceful part,
And her good sense bade her refrain
From strife disastrous, bloodshed vain.
Her gentle words to silence quelled
The spirit fierce and proud which swelled
Bold Vitachuco's heart with ire
And blazed in Talladega's eyes like fire.
In wonder vague, but now was stirred
To tumult every heart in town,
From princess, chief and warrior down,
At thought of meeting face to face
These warriors of an unknown race.
And then the question quickly rose,
"Meet we these men as friends or foes?"
Most deemed it vain and rash to fight—
As gods they held the strangers white.
For war was Vitachuco's voice
And such was Talladega's choice,
Both burning in their princess' sight
To show their prowess in the fight.
But Cofachiqui's gentle heart
Impelled her to the peaceful part,
And her good sense bade her refrain
From strife disastrous, bloodshed vain.
Her gentle words to silence quelled
The spirit fierce and proud which swelled
Bold Vitachuco's heart with ire
And blazed in Talladega's eyes like fire.
A quiet deep then settled down
Upon the lately clamorous town.
From child and squaw to chief and brave,
With eager hearts but faces grave,
With wondering minds but lips all dumb,
The Indians waited till should come
Their visitors with faces fair
Who bore the lightnings of the air.
Into the woods no Indian scout
To watch the strangers ventured out.
Upon the lately clamorous town.
From child and squaw to chief and brave,
With eager hearts but faces grave,
With wondering minds but lips all dumb,
The Indians waited till should come
Their visitors with faces fair
Who bore the lightnings of the air.
Into the woods no Indian scout
To watch the strangers ventured out.
Thus in suspense the long hours passed;
Upon their waiting ears at last
Came suddenly a bugle's blast;
A peal of martial music broke
From the dark woods of gum and oak
That rose a bowshot's space or more
Beyond the river's farther shore.
Soon as they heard the warning blast
The Indians thronged the bank full fast,
And, gazing o'er the stream, they saw
A scene of wonder and of awe.
Upon their waiting ears at last
Came suddenly a bugle's blast;
A peal of martial music broke
From the dark woods of gum and oak
That rose a bowshot's space or more
Beyond the river's farther shore.
Soon as they heard the warning blast
The Indians thronged the bank full fast,
And, gazing o'er the stream, they saw
A scene of wonder and of awe.
Forth from the greenwood's sounding aisles
Emerged the Spaniards' glittering files.
A score of horsemen first advanced—
Their guidons streamed, their horses pranced;
Like lightning flashed each polished sword;
And then the musketeers outpoured.
Behind the swarming musketeers
Rode out three hundred cavaliers.
With sash and plume each knight was gay,
With silk and steel gleamed their array.
With jingling spurs and scabbards' clank
They swept around the footmen's flanks,
And nearer toward the river bank
They formed their long and brilliant ranks;
And as the low, unclouded sun
Shone full on breast-plate, sword and gun,
The polished steel intensely gleamed,
Above it silken banners streamed.
Emerged the Spaniards' glittering files.
A score of horsemen first advanced—
Their guidons streamed, their horses pranced;
Like lightning flashed each polished sword;
And then the musketeers outpoured.
Behind the swarming musketeers
Rode out three hundred cavaliers.
With sash and plume each knight was gay,
With silk and steel gleamed their array.
With jingling spurs and scabbards' clank
They swept around the footmen's flanks,
And nearer toward the river bank
They formed their long and brilliant ranks;
And as the low, unclouded sun
Shone full on breast-plate, sword and gun,
The polished steel intensely gleamed,
Above it silken banners streamed.
A space the Spaniards silent stood
As at their backs the dark-green wood;
Then from the line of muskets broke
A sudden fringe of flame and smoke;
Rang out the bugles' brazen throats,
The drums pealed thick their thrilling notes.
Forth from the ranks De Soto rode—
Fast by each side a footman strode.
From golden spurs to helmet bright
De Soto seemed the perfect knight,
And port and presence well became
The bold adventurer's world-wide fame.
His form showed litheness, strength and grace,
His pleasant, frank and manly face
(Albeit somewhat grave and cold)
Was shaded by a mustache bold
Turned backward with majestic sweep—
Its hue, once glossy black and deep,
Now flecked with many a silver hair,
But less from age than toil and care.
As at their backs the dark-green wood;
Then from the line of muskets broke
A sudden fringe of flame and smoke;
Rang out the bugles' brazen throats,
The drums pealed thick their thrilling notes.
Forth from the ranks De Soto rode—
Fast by each side a footman strode.
From golden spurs to helmet bright
De Soto seemed the perfect knight,
And port and presence well became
The bold adventurer's world-wide fame.
His form showed litheness, strength and grace,
His pleasant, frank and manly face
(Albeit somewhat grave and cold)
Was shaded by a mustache bold
Turned backward with majestic sweep—
Its hue, once glossy black and deep,
Now flecked with many a silver hair,
But less from age than toil and care.
The Spaniard at De Soto's side,
Juan Ortiz, a soldier tried,
Was shipwrecked many a year before
And cast on Florida's wild shore.
He'd sojourned long the Indians 'mong
And well had learned their uncouth tongue.
At Soto's other hand
An Indian brought from Tampa's beach
Who knew full well the differing speech
Of this interior land.
Juan Ortiz, a soldier tried,
Was shipwrecked many a year before
And cast on Florida's wild shore.
He'd sojourned long the Indians 'mong
And well had learned their uncouth tongue.
At Soto's other hand
An Indian brought from Tampa's beach
Who knew full well the differing speech
Of this interior land.
The river's edge De Soto gained,
Nor there his prancing horse he reined,
But in the river dashed.
Although the stream was swift and wide,
The footmen struggled at his side—
Their belts the waters plashed.
Soon on the other side they stood,
And Soto then, as best he could,
Made signs of friendship to the throng
Of Indians that stretched along
A stone's throw from the stream
And with admiring fear and awe
The Spaniards' brilliant pageant saw
As specters in a dream.
Nor there his prancing horse he reined,
But in the river dashed.
Although the stream was swift and wide,
The footmen struggled at his side—
Their belts the waters plashed.
Soon on the other side they stood,
And Soto then, as best he could,
Made signs of friendship to the throng
Of Indians that stretched along
A stone's throw from the stream
And with admiring fear and awe
The Spaniards' brilliant pageant saw
As specters in a dream.
At Soto's sign the royal maid
Advanced to meet him—not afraid.
Too proud and brave was she to fear
E'en beings from another sphere.
On this side Vitachuco walked,
On that tall Talladega stalked;
Behind the three Atcamba came—
Too modest other place to claim.
Advanced to meet him—not afraid.
Too proud and brave was she to fear
E'en beings from another sphere.
On this side Vitachuco walked,
On that tall Talladega stalked;
Behind the three Atcamba came—
Too modest other place to claim.
As Cofachiqui near him drew,
Full well her rank De Soto knew.
Down from his horse he lightly sprang
And on the ground his helmet rang.
Ne'er courtier to his queen displayed
A finer courtesy and grace
Than Soto to this Indian maid
With untaught mind and nut-brown face.
And not the Spaniard's grace alone
By manner or by speech was shown;
He placed in Cofachiqui's hand
Gifts that she deemed from fairy land:
A tiny bell, a mirror bright
And sparkling bead work red and white.
Full well her rank De Soto knew.
Down from his horse he lightly sprang
And on the ground his helmet rang.
Ne'er courtier to his queen displayed
A finer courtesy and grace
Than Soto to this Indian maid
With untaught mind and nut-brown face.
And not the Spaniard's grace alone
By manner or by speech was shown;
He placed in Cofachiqui's hand
Gifts that she deemed from fairy land:
A tiny bell, a mirror bright
And sparkling bead work red and white.
Right well the artless Indian maid
Each gracious word and gift repaid.
She welcome gave with accents sweet
And for a counter present meet
Untwined from 'round her jet-black hair
A string of pearls, pure large and rare,
Which might a queenly crown have graced.
The string 'round Soto's neck was placed
As to the little maid low bowed
The Spaniard's head so high and proud.
And then De Soto turned his gaze
With genial, free and flattering phrase
Upon the chieftains who in pride
Stood mute the gentle maid beside;
And soon his compliments did chase
The gloom from each vindictive face;
And while his praises oped each heart,
He careless spoke with covert art
Of his condition proud and high
As one descendant from the sky;
Said his complexion strange and white
Was birthright from that source of light
Which gleamed upon his armor bright.
The powers that armed the thunder's crash
And reddened in the lightning's flash
Were his; but as the powers of air
Were seldom fierce and often fair,
And like the sun benign and bright,
He too would rather smile than smite.
Each gracious word and gift repaid.
She welcome gave with accents sweet
And for a counter present meet
Untwined from 'round her jet-black hair
A string of pearls, pure large and rare,
Which might a queenly crown have graced.
The string 'round Soto's neck was placed
As to the little maid low bowed
The Spaniard's head so high and proud.
And then De Soto turned his gaze
With genial, free and flattering phrase
Upon the chieftains who in pride
Stood mute the gentle maid beside;
And soon his compliments did chase
The gloom from each vindictive face;
And while his praises oped each heart,
He careless spoke with covert art
Of his condition proud and high
As one descendant from the sky;
Said his complexion strange and white
Was birthright from that source of light
Which gleamed upon his armor bright.
The powers that armed the thunder's crash
And reddened in the lightning's flash
Were his; but as the powers of air
Were seldom fierce and often fair,
And like the sun benign and bright,
He too would rather smile than smite.
The Indians soon were friends as free
As with such guest they well dare be,
And Cofachiqui did install
De Soto in her fairest hall
Where for his sojourn he might rest
With honors like a royal guest.
His soldiers, who had crossed the tide
And bivouacked by the river side,
With food were lavishly supplied,
And for their horses grass and maize
Were brought by those who staid to gaze
With admiration and good-will,
But mixed with awe and shyness still,
Upon the guests who did appear
As beings from another sphere.
As with such guest they well dare be,
And Cofachiqui did install
De Soto in her fairest hall
Where for his sojourn he might rest
With honors like a royal guest.
His soldiers, who had crossed the tide
And bivouacked by the river side,
With food were lavishly supplied,
And for their horses grass and maize
Were brought by those who staid to gaze
With admiration and good-will,
But mixed with awe and shyness still,
Upon the guests who did appear
As beings from another sphere.
When next the morning mists uprolled
The chieftains, Vitachuco bold
And giant Talladega too,
From out Tascambia withdrew
And by a straight trail each returned
To where his people's lodge-fires burned.
In secret both were ill at ease,
Despite De Soto's care to please.
Though still was kind their princess' look,
They could not such a rival brook,
And to retire they thought it best
And come again another day,
What time the unexpected guest
Would be, they trusted, far away.
The chieftains, Vitachuco bold
And giant Talladega too,
From out Tascambia withdrew
And by a straight trail each returned
To where his people's lodge-fires burned.
In secret both were ill at ease,
Despite De Soto's care to please.
Though still was kind their princess' look,
They could not such a rival brook,
And to retire they thought it best
And come again another day,
What time the unexpected guest
Would be, they trusted, far away.
Days passed and still De Soto staid;
But woe unto the royal maid!
The flower of courtesy so bright
That erst had graced the gallant knight
Quite withered in the baleful light
Of gold, as might the rose-wreath scorch
In pitchy flame of pine-knot torch.
The Spaniard's greed some trinkets fired
And for more gold he strait inquired.
He wrongly thought that millions more
In secret somewhere lay in store.
His unsuspecting hostess kind
Was to her house by guard confined
And Soto all her people gave.
To know that henceforth for his slave
Their well loved princess he would hold
Save for her weight in ransom gold.
But woe unto the royal maid!
The flower of courtesy so bright
That erst had graced the gallant knight
Quite withered in the baleful light
Of gold, as might the rose-wreath scorch
In pitchy flame of pine-knot torch.
The Spaniard's greed some trinkets fired
And for more gold he strait inquired.
He wrongly thought that millions more
In secret somewhere lay in store.
His unsuspecting hostess kind
Was to her house by guard confined
And Soto all her people gave.
To know that henceforth for his slave
Their well loved princess he would hold
Save for her weight in ransom gold.
PART II.
THE BATTLE OF THE LAKE.
AN oft repeated story—the vain clash
Of rude, barbaric arms 'gainst Latin mail,
Of hosts unnumbered, brave, untaught and rash,
Whose onsets fierce and stubborn efforts fail
While steadier skill and deadlier arms prevail.
'Gainst giant Teutons firm the Legions stand,
Bide the wild onset, like tornade and hail,
Of fiery Gauls; and Cortez' little band
Plunge through the sea-like hosts of Montezuma's land.
Of rude, barbaric arms 'gainst Latin mail,
Of hosts unnumbered, brave, untaught and rash,
Whose onsets fierce and stubborn efforts fail
While steadier skill and deadlier arms prevail.
'Gainst giant Teutons firm the Legions stand,
Bide the wild onset, like tornade and hail,
Of fiery Gauls; and Cortez' little band
Plunge through the sea-like hosts of Montezuma's land.
At Vitachuco's capital,
Within a high and spacious hall,
Hewn from the trunks of cypress wood
And roofed with grass mats many hued,
The Spanish leader sate
At noon-day meal. Among the rest
Who 'round De Soto's table pressed,
Rose Vitachuco's haughty crest,
With pearls and plumes ornate.
Within a high and spacious hall,
Hewn from the trunks of cypress wood
And roofed with grass mats many hued,
The Spanish leader sate
At noon-day meal. Among the rest
Who 'round De Soto's table pressed,
Rose Vitachuco's haughty crest,
With pearls and plumes ornate.
That proud cacique, whose lightest word
His myriad braves with reverence heard,
Had with De Soto treaty made
And purchased peace with tribute paid
Of food for horse and man.
But long did he did he negotiate
Before he bowed his pride and hate
And curbed his hot revenge to wait
The working of his plan.
His myriad braves with reverence heard,
Had with De Soto treaty made
And purchased peace with tribute paid
Of food for horse and man.
But long did he did he negotiate
Before he bowed his pride and hate
And curbed his hot revenge to wait
The working of his plan.
With Soto master in his hall,
While he was there at Soto's call,
And with the Spanish fetters still
On his loved princess, he could ill
His rage subdue or hide.
Though hard and constant was the task,
He hid his hate 'neath friendship's mask,
And all that Soto well could ask
He lavishly suppied;
While he was there at Soto's call,
And with the Spanish fetters still
On his loved princess, he could ill
His rage subdue or hide.
Though hard and constant was the task,
He hid his hate 'neath friendship's mask,
And all that Soto well could ask
He lavishly suppied;
But secretly sent couriers ten,
All warriors tried and wily men,
To muster up his warriors all
And on fierce Tascaluza call
For braves three thousand more.
He bade his warriors all repair
To Allagarda, as though there
They came to bring for Spanish fare
Of grain and meat great store;
All warriors tried and wily men,
To muster up his warriors all
And on fierce Tascaluza call
For braves three thousand more.
He bade his warriors all repair
To Allagarda, as though there
They came to bring for Spanish fare
Of grain and meat great store;
But leave their bows and war-clubs hid
In lines the tall, rank grass amid,
That waved on Allagarda's plain
Like billows on the heaving main,
And at the hour of noon
To muster promptly on that field
In ranks behind their arms concealed,
And be their yell of battle pealed
And weapons grasped, as soon,
In lines the tall, rank grass amid,
That waved on Allagarda's plain
Like billows on the heaving main,
And at the hour of noon
To muster promptly on that field
In ranks behind their arms concealed,
And be their yell of battle pealed
And weapons grasped, as soon,
As they before them should espy
Their chieftains 'broidered belt waved high;
Then on their foes like panthers leap,
Or as the black tornadoes sweep
Upon the Indian Isles.
But when was deepest Indian plot
Against the white men ever brought,
And fatal treachery did not
Expose the deep-laid wiles?
Their chieftains 'broidered belt waved high;
Then on their foes like panthers leap,
Or as the black tornadoes sweep
Upon the Indian Isles.
But when was deepest Indian plot
Against the white men ever brought,
And fatal treachery did not
Expose the deep-laid wiles?
One of their couriers, in dread
That Spanish vengeance on his head,
For part he'd taken in the plot,
Would fall, if failure were its lot,
Like lightning on the oak,
And lest the plot, if not his own,
Some other traitor tongue had shown,
The details of the scheme made known—
Thus was the secret broke.
That Spanish vengeance on his head,
For part he'd taken in the plot,
Would fall, if failure were its lot,
Like lightning on the oak,
And lest the plot, if not his own,
Some other traitor tongue had shown,
The details of the scheme made known—
Thus was the secret broke.
He thought that squadron's charge and wheel,
Those iron hearts and brands of steel,
Would rend his warriors' myriad hem,
And no avail were stratagem
Against their vigilance.
Shrewdly the traitor thought, and so
The plot goes on with naught to show
To the cacique the Spaniards know
While feigning ignorance.
Those iron hearts and brands of steel,
Would rend his warriors' myriad hem,
And no avail were stratagem
Against their vigilance.
Shrewdly the traitor thought, and so
The plot goes on with naught to show
To the cacique the Spaniards know
While feigning ignorance.
"Brave Spaniard," Vitachuco said,
"Through many lands thy band thou'st led,
And much of war's array, I ween,
And of its splendor thou hast seen;
And wilt thou care to gaze
Awhile upon whate'er array
My unskilled braves in their poor way
Shall in thine honor make to-day—
Look while thou canst not praise?
"Through many lands thy band thou'st led,
And much of war's array, I ween,
And of its splendor thou hast seen;
And wilt thou care to gaze
Awhile upon whate'er array
My unskilled braves in their poor way
Shall in thine honor make to-day—
Look while thou canst not praise?
"No steeds shall prance, no blades shall flash,
No banners wave, no armor clash,
No thunders roar, no trumpets ring,
As when the hosts of thy great king,
As I have heard thee say,
Go forth against their Paynim foes—
Not e'en shall war-clubs, spears or bows,
Or arms at all be borne by those
Whom thou shalt see to-day.
No banners wave, no armor clash,
No thunders roar, no trumpets ring,
As when the hosts of thy great king,
As I have heard thee say,
Go forth against their Paynim foes—
Not e'en shall war-clubs, spears or bows,
Or arms at all be borne by those
Whom thou shalt see to-day.
They are my people who are here
To bring supplies for thee; and near
Us lies a level space and free,
Where all the long lines thou canst see—
This is their muster ground.
Like panthers they, with muzzled jaws
And strong, lithe limbs bereft of claws,
Whose agile movements win applause
From hunters gathered 'round.
To bring supplies for thee; and near
Us lies a level space and free,
Where all the long lines thou canst see—
This is their muster ground.
Like panthers they, with muzzled jaws
And strong, lithe limbs bereft of claws,
Whose agile movements win applause
From hunters gathered 'round.
Is this, Cacique, then, all thy plot?
It has without a single thought
Of Soto's vigilance been made.
E'en though it had not been betrayed,
Sure, it were vain and weak
To think that leader shrewd would go
Alone to face a myriad, though
Told it was but an unarmed show—
Told by their own cacique.
It has without a single thought
Of Soto's vigilance been made.
E'en though it had not been betrayed,
Sure, it were vain and weak
To think that leader shrewd would go
Alone to face a myriad, though
Told it was but an unarmed show—
Told by their own cacique.
"Thanks, brave Cacique," De Soto said,
"I'll gladly look on your parade;
My soldiers too will gladly see
This pageant they shall go with me;
And as a slight return
Made for thy gracious courtesy,
Thou 'lt see the sweep of cavalry;
The volleyed flash of musketry
In mimic fight shall burn.
"I'll gladly look on your parade;
My soldiers too will gladly see
This pageant they shall go with me;
And as a slight return
Made for thy gracious courtesy,
Thou 'lt see the sweep of cavalry;
The volleyed flash of musketry
In mimic fight shall burn.
"But ill, I fear, will be repaid
The courtesy of your parade;
For 'gainst the hosts of your broad land
The thin ranks of my scanty band
Will make but poor array.
But true is every sword and heart,
Each man well knows the soldier's art,
And Spanish soldiers never part
From weapons, night nor day."
The courtesy of your parade;
For 'gainst the hosts of your broad land
The thin ranks of my scanty band
Will make but poor array.
But true is every sword and heart,
Each man well knows the soldier's art,
And Spanish soldiers never part
From weapons, night nor day."
One moment doubt and quick dismay
The chieftain's mind held in their sway,
And 'countering De Soto's gaze,
A moment quailed his black eyes' blaze
Beneath that deep, stern look.
But then his native hardihood
That moment's panic soon withstood;
His face resumed its calm, stern mood,
Again the word he took.
The chieftain's mind held in their sway,
And 'countering De Soto's gaze,
A moment quailed his black eyes' blaze
Beneath that deep, stern look.
But then his native hardihood
That moment's panic soon withstood;
His face resumed its calm, stern mood,
Again the word he took.
As when the hunter's bark is drawn
Down through the narrow, dark cañon
By the swift current's mighty sweep,
Hemmed in by high walls rising steep,
He 'gainst the current strives
No more, but turns adown the tide
And boldly trusts his skill to guide
His bark from jagged rocks aside,
And on through dangers drives;
Down through the narrow, dark cañon
By the swift current's mighty sweep,
Hemmed in by high walls rising steep,
He 'gainst the current strives
No more, but turns adown the tide
And boldly trusts his skill to guide
His bark from jagged rocks aside,
And on through dangers drives;
So did the chief the peril meet;
He hoped no longer to retreat,
Or take the Spaniards unaware,
And he resolved their might to dare
In open, desperate fight.
The meal is done: the Spanish train
Is formed anon, and soon they gain,
Near by the town, the open plain,
With bloom and verdure bright.
He hoped no longer to retreat,
Or take the Spaniards unaware,
And he resolved their might to dare
In open, desperate fight.
The meal is done: the Spanish train
Is formed anon, and soon they gain,
Near by the town, the open plain,
With bloom and verdure bright.
On this side lies a little lake
Whose wavelets 'mong the lilies break
On its low shore, while far around
Stretch wooded hills the plain to bound;
The intervening space
From reedy lake to mountain wood
For half a league showed fair and good;
And here a dusky myriad stood
As though in battle place.
Whose wavelets 'mong the lilies break
On its low shore, while far around
Stretch wooded hills the plain to bound;
The intervening space
From reedy lake to mountain wood
For half a league showed fair and good;
And here a dusky myriad stood
As though in battle place.
But weapons none in hand they bore,
Nor at their belts or backs they wore,
Yet each one there was warrior right;
With lofty plumes each crest was bright
Above the dark, stern face.
How soon at Vitachuco's sign,
Along that still and unarmed line,
Stout bows shall bend and spears incline
And brandish many a mace.
Nor at their belts or backs they wore,
Yet each one there was warrior right;
With lofty plumes each crest was bright
Above the dark, stern face.
How soon at Vitachuco's sign,
Along that still and unarmed line,
Stout bows shall bend and spears incline
And brandish many a mace.
The Spaniards come. Before them stride
The chief and Soto side by side.
The Spaniards halt; and now the dark
Cacique has loosed his belt; but hark!
A musket shot rings clear!
Quick at that musket's signal sound
Ten sturdy soldiers at a bound
Th' amazed, betrayed cacique surround
And hurl him to the rear.
The chief and Soto side by side.
The Spaniards halt; and now the dark
Cacique has loosed his belt; but hark!
A musket shot rings clear!
Quick at that musket's signal sound
Ten sturdy soldiers at a bound
Th' amazed, betrayed cacique surround
And hurl him to the rear.
The Indian ranks a moment wait,
Astounded by their leader's fate;
Then, with a startling battle cry
Which seems to rend the very sky,
They grasp their arms concealed.
De Soto on his charger springs,
High o'er his head his saber swings,
And "Charge! my men," his loud voice rings,
"And hurl them from the field!"
Astounded by their leader's fate;
Then, with a startling battle cry
Which seems to rend the very sky,
They grasp their arms concealed.
De Soto on his charger springs,
High o'er his head his saber swings,
And "Charge! my men," his loud voice rings,
"And hurl them from the field!"
His spurs are in his horse's flanks;
He dashes on the Indian ranks;
Before him rears a ridge of spears;
A thousand bowmen to their ears
Draw back the straining strings.
A thousand feathered shafts are sped;
De Soto's horse, the Indians' dread,
Pierced by ten arrows, floundering dead,
To earth his rider flings.
He dashes on the Indian ranks;
Before him rears a ridge of spears;
A thousand bowmen to their ears
Draw back the straining strings.
A thousand feathered shafts are sped;
De Soto's horse, the Indians' dread,
Pierced by ten arrows, floundering dead,
To earth his rider flings.
So near his foes, in deadly plight
A moment seems the unhorsed knight.
But as he nimbly gains his feet
And grasps his sword his foes to meet,
His comrades past him go.
On the three hundred horsemen dash
And high three hundred sabers flash;
Down through the tall, bright plumes they crash
And through the heads below.
A moment seems the unhorsed knight.
But as he nimbly gains his feet
And grasps his sword his foes to meet,
His comrades past him go.
On the three hundred horsemen dash
And high three hundred sabers flash;
Down through the tall, bright plumes they crash
And through the heads below.
And quickly as they rise again
They dimly gleam through blood, as when
The carbine's flash red through the smoke
Is seen; at each successive stroke
More redly dim the steel.
As through the Indian ranks they rush,
The fiery horses 'neath them crush
The natives, and a crimson flush
Soon dyes each iron heel.
They dimly gleam through blood, as when
The carbine's flash red through the smoke
Is seen; at each successive stroke
More redly dim the steel.
As through the Indian ranks they rush,
The fiery horses 'neath them crush
The natives, and a crimson flush
Soon dyes each iron heel.
But while the horsemen's bloody swords
Rage through the right wing's dusky hordes,
The deep ranks of the long left wing
Around the slower footmen swing
With a shrill battle scream.
But, as their swarming foes advance,
The close-ranked footmen keep their stance
And fast their arquebuses glance
And their keen halberds gleam.
Rage through the right wing's dusky hordes,
The deep ranks of the long left wing
Around the slower footmen swing
With a shrill battle scream.
But, as their swarming foes advance,
The close-ranked footmen keep their stance
And fast their arquebuses glance
And their keen halberds gleam.
The horsemen's sabers rise and fall
To frantic shout and bugle call
High swells the muskets' rattling roar,
The clattering drums their wild notes pour,
Swords clash and cymbals clang;
Flint spears are hurled with vengeful throw;
Around them hiss like driving snow
The volleyed shafts that many a bow
Sends forth with spiteful twang.
To frantic shout and bugle call
High swells the muskets' rattling roar,
The clattering drums their wild notes pour,
Swords clash and cymbals clang;
Flint spears are hurled with vengeful throw;
Around them hiss like driving snow
The volleyed shafts that many a bow
Sends forth with spiteful twang.
'Neath them the Spanish armor rung,
And like a maddened hornet stung,
At times, a keen and flinty point
That chanced to strike a loosened joint
Or place devoid of mail.
The heavy war-clubs downward swung
Upon the bright steel helmets rung
Dull, like a bell with muffled tongue
Tolled by the passing gale.
And like a maddened hornet stung,
At times, a keen and flinty point
That chanced to strike a loosened joint
Or place devoid of mail.
The heavy war-clubs downward swung
Upon the bright steel helmets rung
Dull, like a bell with muffled tongue
Tolled by the passing gale.
But war-clubs' blows and archers' rain
And savage valor all were vain:
The sweeping saber's fearful clash,
The arquebuse's fatal flash,
Such dreadful havoc made
Among the dense, disordered throng
That late had marched ten thousand strong
In savage pomp and pride along,
In paint and plumes arrayed.
And savage valor all were vain:
The sweeping saber's fearful clash,
The arquebuse's fatal flash,
Such dreadful havoc made
Among the dense, disordered throng
That late had marched ten thousand strong
In savage pomp and pride along,
In paint and plumes arrayed.
The strange and dreadful Spanish arms
And horses filled them with alarms;
But long before they turned and fled
The battle plain was strewn with dead
And slippery with their gore;
And ere they reached the mountain wood
Which near the field of battle stood,
The bloody sabers that pursued
Cut down full many more.
And horses filled them with alarms;
But long before they turned and fled
The battle plain was strewn with dead
And slippery with their gore;
And ere they reached the mountain wood
Which near the field of battle stood,
The bloody sabers that pursued
Cut down full many more.
Nine hundred men, a chosen band,
The best and bravest of the land,
Were not among the fleeing horde.
When parted by the horse and sword
They rallied soon again,
As waters which the rushing prow
Divides unite again, and now,
Though all seemed lost, they thought but how
The fight to still sustain.
The best and bravest of the land,
Were not among the fleeing horde.
When parted by the horse and sword
They rallied soon again,
As waters which the rushing prow
Divides unite again, and now,
Though all seemed lost, they thought but how
The fight to still sustain.
Pressed back by the returning tide
Of Spaniards to the deep lake's side,
Which, at a spear's length from the shore,
Attained a fathom's depth or more,
They plunged undaunted in,
And swam a bow-shot from the beach,
Where, far beyond the saber's reach
And trampling hoofs, they turnéd each,
A new fight to begin.
Of Spaniards to the deep lake's side,
Which, at a spear's length from the shore,
Attained a fathom's depth or more,
They plunged undaunted in,
And swam a bow-shot from the beach,
Where, far beyond the saber's reach
And trampling hoofs, they turnéd each,
A new fight to begin.
They formed together, four and four,
In living platforms which upbore
Each one a fifth, a brave who drew
His string unwet, and strong and true
His arrows flew to shore,
And well for them—that Spanish throng
That stretched the water's marge along—
'Gainst those unerring shafts and strong,
That they steel doublets wore.
In living platforms which upbore
Each one a fifth, a brave who drew
His string unwet, and strong and true
His arrows flew to shore,
And well for them—that Spanish throng
That stretched the water's marge along—
'Gainst those unerring shafts and strong,
That they steel doublets wore.
Sometimes the keen, barbed points, e'en then,
Struck down the strong and mail-clad men;
But still the escopetas rang
And still the deadly bullets sang,
And archers dropped their bows.
And from their comrades' shoulders fell,
With stifled groan or dying yell
And blood-wreaths curdling red to tell
Where the waters o'er them close.
Struck down the strong and mail-clad men;
But still the escopetas rang
And still the deadly bullets sang,
And archers dropped their bows.
And from their comrades' shoulders fell,
With stifled groan or dying yell
And blood-wreaths curdling red to tell
Where the waters o'er them close.
And still, until the day was gone,
The desultory strife went on,
And still the braves made 'gainst their fate
Resistance hopeless, desperate,
And strongly still upbore.
Unheeded as the musket ball
The Spaniards' oft repeated call,
Proclaiming truce to each and all
Who'd come in peace to shore.
The desultory strife went on,
And still the braves made 'gainst their fate
Resistance hopeless, desperate,
And strongly still upbore.
Unheeded as the musket ball
The Spaniards' oft repeated call,
Proclaiming truce to each and all
Who'd come in peace to shore.
'Tis night; the evening star has set,
And all the down-trod grass is wet
With tears of dew that weep the blue,
Unclouded skies from starry eyes
O'er many a warrior prone.
No cries come from that battle plain;
The wounded, silent as the slain,
With bodies gored and racked with pain,
Disdain to make a moan.
And all the down-trod grass is wet
With tears of dew that weep the blue,
Unclouded skies from starry eyes
O'er many a warrior prone.
No cries come from that battle plain;
The wounded, silent as the slain,
With bodies gored and racked with pain,
Disdain to make a moan.
And still around the little lake
The Spaniards did a circle make,
And yet, at times, upon the night
Leaped forth the flashing musket's light—
The swimmers yet held out.
But long their bows had been unbent
And every sheaf of arrows spent;
To swimming all their efforts went,
Though skilled their arms and stout.
The Spaniards did a circle make,
And yet, at times, upon the night
Leaped forth the flashing musket's light—
The swimmers yet held out.
But long their bows had been unbent
And every sheaf of arrows spent;
To swimming all their efforts went,
Though skilled their arms and stout.
The morning sun has mounted high
Into the clear blue summer sky,
And one by one those wretched braves
Have sunk into their watery graves
Or captives come to land.
But seven, with courage high imbued,
Sustained by matchless fortitude
And great endurance, unsubdued,
Still ply the weary hand.
Into the clear blue summer sky,
And one by one those wretched braves
Have sunk into their watery graves
Or captives come to land.
But seven, with courage high imbued,
Sustained by matchless fortitude
And great endurance, unsubdued,
Still ply the weary hand.
Seven steel coats clang upon the ground,
Seven Spaniards in the water bound,
Strong men and skillful swimmers each;
The worn-out Indians soon they reach
And drag them to the shore.
Awhile they lie, nor move nor speak,
Till one replies in accents weak
To Soto's question, "Why, Cacique,
Did you not yield before?"
Seven Spaniards in the water bound,
Strong men and skillful swimmers each;
The worn-out Indians soon they reach
And drag them to the shore.
Awhile they lie, nor move nor speak,
Till one replies in accents weak
To Soto's question, "Why, Cacique,
Did you not yield before?"
"Our sovereign Vitachuco's hand
Has favored us with high command
Above his bravest, and this trust,
The token of his favor, must
Be kept unbroken, though
To keep it might (it did) require
That we should in yon lake expire,
Or even die the death of fire
And torture lingering slow.
Has favored us with high command
Above his bravest, and this trust,
The token of his favor, must
Be kept unbroken, though
To keep it might (it did) require
That we should in yon lake expire,
Or even die the death of fire
And torture lingering slow.
"And why do you degrade us, then?
Nor let us die like braves and men?
We should have perished in yon lake,
Still fighting for his royal sake
Who made us what we were.
That we surrender to his foes,
E'en though with arms too weak for blows,
Is deepest of disgrace and woes
A warrior may incur."
Nor let us die like braves and men?
We should have perished in yon lake,
Still fighting for his royal sake
Who made us what we were.
That we surrender to his foes,
E'en though with arms too weak for blows,
Is deepest of disgrace and woes
A warrior may incur."
"T were shame to chivalry did I
Fail to admire your courage high,
Your fortitude and constancy,"
Said Soto, "and your loyalty,
Misplaced e'en though it be.
The freedom justly lost by you
As forfeit of rebellion due,
I grant again to heroes true—
In honor go ye free.
Fail to admire your courage high,
Your fortitude and constancy,"
Said Soto, "and your loyalty,
Misplaced e'en though it be.
The freedom justly lost by you
As forfeit of rebellion due,
I grant again to heroes true—
In honor go ye free.
Th' enthusiastic Spaniards each
Approve with warmth De Soto's speech;
But sadly and with humbled look
The boon of life and freedom took
Those chiefs, so proud before.
Though free their limbs from captives' ban
From menial service free their hands,
Yet, held at grant of Spanish brands,
The gift small value bore.
Days passed, and the cacique once more
At Soto's board sat as before
And pledged his broken faith anew
To Soto, who had feigned to view
His lapse with lenient eye.
But all the captives of the lake,
Save seven, was Soto pleased to take,
And of them slaves a time to make—
Slaves! with such spirits high!
Approve with warmth De Soto's speech;
But sadly and with humbled look
The boon of life and freedom took
Those chiefs, so proud before.
Though free their limbs from captives' ban
From menial service free their hands,
Yet, held at grant of Spanish brands,
The gift small value bore.
Days passed, and the cacique once more
At Soto's board sat as before
And pledged his broken faith anew
To Soto, who had feigned to view
His lapse with lenient eye.
But all the captives of the lake,
Save seven, was Soto pleased to take,
And of them slaves a time to make—
Slaves! with such spirits high!
As safe behind the bars that keep
The tiger may the keeper sleep;
As safely in the magazine
May lamps be lit and fire be seen,
As Soto's soldiers may
Live thus among a horde of slaves
Revengeful as those fiery braves,
Untamable as wild sea waves,
Save 'neath their chieftain's sway.
The tiger may the keeper sleep;
As safely in the magazine
May lamps be lit and fire be seen,
As Soto's soldiers may
Live thus among a horde of slaves
Revengeful as those fiery braves,
Untamable as wild sea waves,
Save 'neath their chieftain's sway.
And the cacique as calmly bore
Himself, and proud, as when before
He sat among the cavaliers,
And by their hidden bows and spears
His myriad formed array.
Up suddenly the Indian sprang
And wild and high his war-cry rang!
Re-echoed like a cymbal's clang
The hills a mile away.
Himself, and proud, as when before
He sat among the cavaliers,
And by their hidden bows and spears
His myriad formed array.
Up suddenly the Indian sprang
And wild and high his war-cry rang!
Re-echoed like a cymbal's clang
The hills a mile away.
One leap—he gained De Soto's side;
With all the force that hate supplied,
Full on those bearded lips he hurled,
From that strong arm that oft had whirled
The six-foot club, a blow.
Down Soto sank that blow beneath,
Down senseless, with his sword in sheath;
From mangled lips and shattered teeth
Gushed out the crimson flow.
With all the force that hate supplied,
Full on those bearded lips he hurled,
From that strong arm that oft had whirled
The six-foot club, a blow.
Down Soto sank that blow beneath,
Down senseless, with his sword in sheath;
From mangled lips and shattered teeth
Gushed out the crimson flow.
Up sprang the cavaliers about;
A dozen ready swords leaped out.
On the cacique with whirl and flash,
On head and limb, with thrust and slash,
The swords came, many a one.
Like pine tree 'neath the axman's blows,
He reeled and sank among his foes,
He struggling fell, but never rose—
Life's fierce career was run.
A dozen ready swords leaped out.
On the cacique with whirl and flash,
On head and limb, with thrust and slash,
The swords came, many a one.
Like pine tree 'neath the axman's blows,
He reeled and sank among his foes,
He struggling fell, but never rose—
Life's fierce career was run.
When Vitachuco with that yell
So tiger-like on Soto fell,
All the red slaves who owned him chief
Roused fiercely in one moment brief
And sprang upon their lords.
Not theirs to pour the archer rain
And level lines of spears again,
As erst on Allagarda's plain—
Not these their lot affords.
So tiger-like on Soto fell,
All the red slaves who owned him chief
Roused fiercely in one moment brief
And sprang upon their lords.
Not theirs to pour the archer rain
And level lines of spears again,
As erst on Allagarda's plain—
Not these their lot affords.
Some, desperate, struck with naked hands,
With fagots some and blazing brands
And stones; but oh! how vain and weak
Were these their deep revenge to wreak
Where battle line had failed.
But with the courage of despair
They met the swords with hands all bare,
And none of all those mad slaves there
From sure destruction quailed.
With fagots some and blazing brands
And stones; but oh! how vain and weak
Were these their deep revenge to wreak
Where battle line had failed.
But with the courage of despair
They met the swords with hands all bare,
And none of all those mad slaves there
From sure destruction quailed.
More prompt their certain doom had been
To fall beneath the sabers keen,
But that the Spaniards proud awhile
Disdained their bright swords to defile
In the blood of unarmed slaves.
But those whom spared the cavaliers
Died by the red allies flint spears
Or volleys from the musketeers—
They all found bloody graves.
To fall beneath the sabers keen,
But that the Spaniards proud awhile
Disdained their bright swords to defile
In the blood of unarmed slaves.
But those whom spared the cavaliers
Died by the red allies flint spears
Or volleys from the musketeers—
They all found bloody graves.
PART III.
THE GOLD-HUNTERS.
WHAT deeds, what crimes have men not done for gold?
We read them in the records of to-day,
Yet damp, and in that chronicle of old,
Which tells how Israel's children turned away
From God—the blazing mount forgot--to pray
To the dumb golden idol they had made
Of gems once worn by Egypt's daughters gay;
And Babylon's golden god, its homage paid.
By all who of the fiery furnace were afraid.
We read them in the records of to-day,
Yet damp, and in that chronicle of old,
Which tells how Israel's children turned away
From God—the blazing mount forgot--to pray
To the dumb golden idol they had made
Of gems once worn by Egypt's daughters gay;
And Babylon's golden god, its homage paid.
By all who of the fiery furnace were afraid.
And often since have golden gods been placed
Before the heart with fierce devotion fired,
Till, all God's image from that heart erased,
It seemed by fiercest fiends to be inspired.
Unawed by dangers, by fatigues untired,
For love of gold men dared the desert graves,
Pressed on with energy to be admired;
'Mid barren mountains toiling like black slaves,
They founded mighty states far by the western waves.
Before the heart with fierce devotion fired,
Till, all God's image from that heart erased,
It seemed by fiercest fiends to be inspired.
Unawed by dangers, by fatigues untired,
For love of gold men dared the desert graves,
Pressed on with energy to be admired;
'Mid barren mountains toiling like black slaves,
They founded mighty states far by the western waves.
Vitachuco's wounds still bled,
Fresh and free, their currents red,
When an Indian courier sped
Straight as bees do homeward fly,
To the camp of the ally.
When he scarce three leagues had gone,
Sped the news another on.
Messengers so fleet and true
Onward with the tidings flew,
Which at noon had left the town,
That, when evening shades came down,
Thirteen leagues their flight had passed.
Fresh and free, their currents red,
When an Indian courier sped
Straight as bees do homeward fly,
To the camp of the ally.
When he scarce three leagues had gone,
Sped the news another on.
Messengers so fleet and true
Onward with the tidings flew,
Which at noon had left the town,
That, when evening shades came down,
Thirteen leagues their flight had passed.
Came the messenger at last.
To a camp where by the fire
Talladega and his sire
Waited tidings of the foe—
Waited hopefully to know
What of Vitachuco's plot,
If that fiery chief had wrought
Vengeance on De Soto's head,
Ruin on the Spaniards dread.
When that chieftain's call was made
For three thousand warriors' aid,
To his aid three thousand went,
Prompt by Tascaluza sent.
They returned a scattered horde,
Fled from Spanish horse and sword.
To a camp where by the fire
Talladega and his sire
Waited tidings of the foe—
Waited hopefully to know
What of Vitachuco's plot,
If that fiery chief had wrought
Vengeance on De Soto's head,
Ruin on the Spaniards dread.
When that chieftain's call was made
For three thousand warriors' aid,
To his aid three thousand went,
Prompt by Tascaluza sent.
They returned a scattered horde,
Fled from Spanish horse and sword.
Now again disastrous word
Tascaluza wrathful heard:
How that brave and fierce cacique
Fell in last attempt to wreak
Retribution dire and due
On De Soto's robber crew.
Broken was that colleague's power,
Slain with him his army's flower,
Braves enslaved or, leaderless,
Scattered in the wilderness—
Lost his cause beyond redress.
Tascaluza wrathful heard:
How that brave and fierce cacique
Fell in last attempt to wreak
Retribution dire and due
On De Soto's robber crew.
Broken was that colleague's power,
Slain with him his army's flower,
Braves enslaved or, leaderless,
Scattered in the wilderness—
Lost his cause beyond redress.
Cofachiqui still a slave
Languished, said the courier brave.
Talladega wrathful heard,
But still to his sire deferred—
Tascaluza took the word:
"Cofachiqui, sayest thou,
Wears the Spanish fetters now?
Feeble were the hawk's wings, weak
Were his talons and his beak!
Spite of his attack so bold,
Still the vulture keeps his hold
On the dove, and still shall keep
Till the mighty eagle's sweep
Drives the filthy tyrant far,
On the dead once more to war—
Ne'er upon fair forms of life.
More to wage rapacious strife."
Languished, said the courier brave.
Talladega wrathful heard,
But still to his sire deferred—
Tascaluza took the word:
"Cofachiqui, sayest thou,
Wears the Spanish fetters now?
Feeble were the hawk's wings, weak
Were his talons and his beak!
Spite of his attack so bold,
Still the vulture keeps his hold
On the dove, and still shall keep
Till the mighty eagle's sweep
Drives the filthy tyrant far,
On the dead once more to war—
Ne'er upon fair forms of life.
More to wage rapacious strife."
"Well hast thou thy likeness wrought,"
Vitachuco's courier thought
Angrily, but spoke no word;
"Small the odds to that poor bird,
Were she in the vulture's craw,
Or the savage eagle's claw."
"Nay, great chief," outspoke he then,
"Thou hast wronged my master. When
Did the cruel hawk, from love,
E'er attempt to save the dove?
Rather say the timid doe
Fell beneath the cougar's blow,
And the buck that for her fought
On himself the monster brought,
Brought the strong and fang-set jaws
And the long and deadly claws.
Bravely perished he, but how
Vainly! Whence is rescue now?"
Vitachuco's courier thought
Angrily, but spoke no word;
"Small the odds to that poor bird,
Were she in the vulture's craw,
Or the savage eagle's claw."
"Nay, great chief," outspoke he then,
"Thou hast wronged my master. When
Did the cruel hawk, from love,
E'er attempt to save the dove?
Rather say the timid doe
Fell beneath the cougar's blow,
And the buck that for her fought
On himself the monster brought,
Brought the strong and fang-set jaws
And the long and deadly claws.
Bravely perished he, but how
Vainly! Whence is rescue now?"
Shaking fiercely his head,
Tascaluza answering said:
"Soon the cougar shall be torn
By the mighty bison's horn;
Trampled 'neath his hoofs shall lie;
Thus that beast of prey shall die."
Then he some brief orders gave
And there came to him a brave
Bearing two large eagle quills.
What is that which, shining, fills
Those translucent tubes? 'Tis gold.
Dust and scales minute they hold;
Brought from where 'mid northern mountains
Rise the Chattahachi's fountains.
Some barbaric ornament
To make of it was the intent.
Tascaluza answering said:
"Soon the cougar shall be torn
By the mighty bison's horn;
Trampled 'neath his hoofs shall lie;
Thus that beast of prey shall die."
Then he some brief orders gave
And there came to him a brave
Bearing two large eagle quills.
What is that which, shining, fills
Those translucent tubes? 'Tis gold.
Dust and scales minute they hold;
Brought from where 'mid northern mountains
Rise the Chattahachi's fountains.
Some barbaric ornament
To make of it was the intent.
Speaking to a courier fleet,
(Whom he called) brave and discreet,
He disclosed a plan which might
Lure the Spaniards avaricious,
Searching for the metal bright,
Into ambuscade auspicious,
Where surprise and quick assail
Might those dread arms countervail.
(Whom he called) brave and discreet,
He disclosed a plan which might
Lure the Spaniards avaricious,
Searching for the metal bright,
Into ambuscade auspicious,
Where surprise and quick assail
Might those dread arms countervail.
Tascaluza's explanation
Ended with this exhortation:
"Now, then, by the break of day
Gain the Spanish camp. Away!"
Twilight tints shone faintly still
Far adown the western sky
When the chieftain spoke his will.
All the messenger's reply
Was to take those eagle quills;
Over rivers, vales and hills
All the long night they were borne,
And the twilight of the morn,
Gleaming on the grass blades damp,
Saw them in the Spanish camp.
Ended with this exhortation:
"Now, then, by the break of day
Gain the Spanish camp. Away!"
Twilight tints shone faintly still
Far adown the western sky
When the chieftain spoke his will.
All the messenger's reply
Was to take those eagle quills;
Over rivers, vales and hills
All the long night they were borne,
And the twilight of the morn,
Gleaming on the grass blades damp,
Saw them in the Spanish camp.
Soto, at that morn's repast,
Gladdened at the tale 't was told
By a servant who at last
Brought him news of real gold.
As the maize bread Soto broke,
Thus the dusky servant spoke:
"I have known that thou hast sought
Far and wide for yellow ore,
And that many times before
Yellow stuff to thee was brought
Which thou seemedst to value not.
I have something different quite
From all else that's met thy sight,
Yellow, sparkling, pure and bright.
Thinking 't is the ore you seek,
I have thus presumed to speak,
And I hold the metal still,
Subject to the white chief's will."
Gladdened at the tale 't was told
By a servant who at last
Brought him news of real gold.
As the maize bread Soto broke,
Thus the dusky servant spoke:
"I have known that thou hast sought
Far and wide for yellow ore,
And that many times before
Yellow stuff to thee was brought
Which thou seemedst to value not.
I have something different quite
From all else that's met thy sight,
Yellow, sparkling, pure and bright.
Thinking 't is the ore you seek,
I have thus presumed to speak,
And I hold the metal still,
Subject to the white chief's will."
"Let me see it," Soto cried,
As he threw the bread aside.
Forth the yellow dust was brought,
Safely in each little case.
"This indeed's the ore I sought,"
Cried the Spaniard, with his face
Gleaming brighter than the ore
He had poured into his hand.
"It is gold! and is there more,
Is there plenty in that land
Whence this came?" "Oh, yes; there's much,"
Said the crafty brave, "of such.
Far off toward the the setting sun,
In the streams which rippling run,
Thou canst see this metal glow
'Neath the shallow water's flow,
While the sands upon the shore
Flash with lumps of yellow ore."
As he threw the bread aside.
Forth the yellow dust was brought,
Safely in each little case.
"This indeed's the ore I sought,"
Cried the Spaniard, with his face
Gleaming brighter than the ore
He had poured into his hand.
"It is gold! and is there more,
Is there plenty in that land
Whence this came?" "Oh, yes; there's much,"
Said the crafty brave, "of such.
Far off toward the the setting sun,
In the streams which rippling run,
Thou canst see this metal glow
'Neath the shallow water's flow,
While the sands upon the shore
Flash with lumps of yellow ore."
When De Soto, asking eager,
'Mid excited exclamations
And Ortiz's ejaculations,
Gained his servant's knowledge meager,
"Send," he said, "the men who know
Where those golden streamlets flow."
Came the messenger and told
Where he gathered up that gold;
Said that all might be supplied—
He would go with them as guide.
Long with questions Soto plied him,
Sternly, somewhat doubting, eyed him.
But not once by failing tone
Or by changing look was shown
That a false tale he was weaving,
And De Soto heard believing.
Briefly to Ortiz he said,
As he took once more the bread,
"We must seek without delay
For this gold. We move to-day."
'Mid excited exclamations
And Ortiz's ejaculations,
Gained his servant's knowledge meager,
"Send," he said, "the men who know
Where those golden streamlets flow."
Came the messenger and told
Where he gathered up that gold;
Said that all might be supplied—
He would go with them as guide.
Long with questions Soto plied him,
Sternly, somewhat doubting, eyed him.
But not once by failing tone
Or by changing look was shown
That a false tale he was weaving,
And De Soto heard believing.
Briefly to Ortiz he said,
As he took once more the bread,
"We must seek without delay
For this gold. We move to-day."
Through the camp the order went,
"Pack the baggage! strike the tent!
We shall reach before we rest
El Dorado in the west."
And the order was obeyed
Promptly, and no man delayed,
Though some frowned and murmured low,
"Must we further undergo
Useless perils and privations,
Sojourn 'mong these savage nations,
Seeking what may not be found,
Though we seek the earth around;
For in seeking El Dorado,
We but seek a mocking shadow."
"Pack the baggage! strike the tent!
We shall reach before we rest
El Dorado in the west."
And the order was obeyed
Promptly, and no man delayed,
Though some frowned and murmured low,
"Must we further undergo
Useless perils and privations,
Sojourn 'mong these savage nations,
Seeking what may not be found,
Though we seek the earth around;
For in seeking El Dorado,
We but seek a mocking shadow."
Yet they went where Soto led,
As the feet obey the head.
To the northwest on they press
Through a savage wilderness.
Talladega the third day
Guided them upon their way,
And thenceforth to Tallapuza,
Where the royal Tascaluza
In his savage pomp awaited
Soto and his Spaniards hated,
And, while wearing friendship's guise,
Deeply planned their sacrifice.
As the feet obey the head.
To the northwest on they press
Through a savage wilderness.
Talladega the third day
Guided them upon their way,
And thenceforth to Tallapuza,
Where the royal Tascaluza
In his savage pomp awaited
Soto and his Spaniards hated,
And, while wearing friendship's guise,
Deeply planned their sacrifice.
The Spaniards reached the town at last
And onward to the plaza passed.
The plaza square was smooth and wide,
About it ranged on every side
The low, broad, thatch-roofed houses stood,
Substantial and for shelter good.
Some of pine trunks smoothly hewed,
Some of logs round, rough and rude.
And onward to the plaza passed.
The plaza square was smooth and wide,
About it ranged on every side
The low, broad, thatch-roofed houses stood,
Substantial and for shelter good.
Some of pine trunks smoothly hewed,
Some of logs round, rough and rude.
In the middle of the square,
'Neath a great magnolia's shade,
Sat the Indian monarch there,
On a throne whereon displayed
Was each barbaric ornament
The savage deems magnificent:
Tinted shells were strung with pearls
Fit to deck a princess' curls;
Plumage of the brightest hue,
Shimmering mingling red and blue,
Changing in the light to green;
Soft, rich furs and were seen.
Over Tascaluza's head
Was a canopy ontspread
Made of deerskin snowy white
Deeply fringed with crimson bright.
Many a strange device it bore
And was borne by warriors four.
'Neath a great magnolia's shade,
Sat the Indian monarch there,
On a throne whereon displayed
Was each barbaric ornament
The savage deems magnificent:
Tinted shells were strung with pearls
Fit to deck a princess' curls;
Plumage of the brightest hue,
Shimmering mingling red and blue,
Changing in the light to green;
Soft, rich furs and were seen.
Over Tascaluza's head
Was a canopy ontspread
Made of deerskin snowy white
Deeply fringed with crimson bright.
Many a strange device it bore
And was borne by warriors four.
Soon along the nearer side
Of the plaza smooth and wide
The Spaniards formed their dress parade
With arms and banners full displayed.
'Round the giant Indian king
Stood his braves, a deep, dense ring,
And in the plaza's farther space
Many a warrior held his place.
Not unarmed the warriors stand;
Spear or bow grasps every hand;
Quivers full hang at their backs;
In each belt the flint war-ax.
Though their weapons were displayed,
Not a hostile move was made;
The red lion showed his claws,
But in peace restrained his paws;
Proudly stalked but still forebore
Angry growl or threatening roar.
Of the plaza smooth and wide
The Spaniards formed their dress parade
With arms and banners full displayed.
'Round the giant Indian king
Stood his braves, a deep, dense ring,
And in the plaza's farther space
Many a warrior held his place.
Not unarmed the warriors stand;
Spear or bow grasps every hand;
Quivers full hang at their backs;
In each belt the flint war-ax.
Though their weapons were displayed,
Not a hostile move was made;
The red lion showed his claws,
But in peace restrained his paws;
Proudly stalked but still forebore
Angry growl or threatening roar.
Opened wide the warriors' ring
As up toward the Indian king
Soto came with martial stride,
Talladega at his side.
As when mighty monarchs meet,
Graciously each other greet,
With ceremonious courtesy,
Where pride and deference agree,
Met the white chief and the red,
Each his courteous greeting said.
As up toward the Indian king
Soto came with martial stride,
Talladega at his side.
As when mighty monarchs meet,
Graciously each other greet,
With ceremonious courtesy,
Where pride and deference agree,
Met the white chief and the red,
Each his courteous greeting said.
Soto's lips wore gracious smiles,
But his eager eyes the whiles
Noted that the Indian king
Wore full many a golden ring,
In ear and nose, on neck and hands,
Pendants thick and broad, bright bands.
When his compliments were passed
And the greetings done at last,
Soto 'gan to talk of gold
And of what he had been told
Of the streams whose beds were teeming
With the precious metal gleaming.
But his eager eyes the whiles
Noted that the Indian king
Wore full many a golden ring,
In ear and nose, on neck and hands,
Pendants thick and broad, bright bands.
When his compliments were passed
And the greetings done at last,
Soto 'gan to talk of gold
And of what he had been told
Of the streams whose beds were teeming
With the precious metal gleaming.
All that Talladega heard
He confirmed with earnest word,
But to Soto he averred
That the golden region lay
Many a long day's march away,
And that Soto's course must thence
Altered be in consequence
Of a vast and wild morass
Which no human foot could pass,
Lying in their course direct,
And their way must thence deflect
Far around the southern marge
Of this pathless swamp so large.
"When you journey from this place,"
Said the chieftain, "turn your face
That the setting sun shall stand
'Twixt your face and better hand,
As before that star has done,
That lone, pale and central one
'Round which all the others run."
He confirmed with earnest word,
But to Soto he averred
That the golden region lay
Many a long day's march away,
And that Soto's course must thence
Altered be in consequence
Of a vast and wild morass
Which no human foot could pass,
Lying in their course direct,
And their way must thence deflect
Far around the southern marge
Of this pathless swamp so large.
"When you journey from this place,"
Said the chieftain, "turn your face
That the setting sun shall stand
'Twixt your face and better hand,
As before that star has done,
That lone, pale and central one
'Round which all the others run."
He himself must go that way
To a town that owned his sway,
It was on their proper course,
He would gladly join their force,
Through the forest be their guide,
If they'd give him beast to ride.
Well the wily Indian king
Knew that weeks of wandering
Would destroy his dreaded foes
More than myriad spears and bows.
To a town that owned his sway,
It was on their proper course,
He would gladly join their force,
Through the forest be their guide,
If they'd give him beast to ride.
Well the wily Indian king
Knew that weeks of wandering
Would destroy his dreaded foes
More than myriad spears and bows.
Soto readily complied
With the king's desire to ride.
Resting there but one brief day,
They resumed their weary way.
Tascaluza's destined steed,
Chosen for the burden's need,
Tallest, strongest of the lot,
Was to Tascaluza brought.
Mounted with an easy swing
Of his limbs the giant king.
Gaining his unwonted seat,
Found he no place for his feet:
The longest stirrups of the troop,
Though lengthened to their longest loop,
Seemed to his length of leg a toy—
The hobby trappings of a boy.
The useless stirrups were so short
His feet hung down without support
So low that the tall horse he rode
Seemed but a burro 'neath his load.
With the king's desire to ride.
Resting there but one brief day,
They resumed their weary way.
Tascaluza's destined steed,
Chosen for the burden's need,
Tallest, strongest of the lot,
Was to Tascaluza brought.
Mounted with an easy swing
Of his limbs the giant king.
Gaining his unwonted seat,
Found he no place for his feet:
The longest stirrups of the troop,
Though lengthened to their longest loop,
Seemed to his length of leg a toy—
The hobby trappings of a boy.
The useless stirrups were so short
His feet hung down without support
So low that the tall horse he rode
Seemed but a burro 'neath his load.
Day by day the Spaniards pressed
Onward slowly south by west.
At times like verdant islands seen
Rose the oak groves bright and green;
'Round them like a blue-green flood
Stretched afar the pitch-pine wood.
From the red or yellow sand
Rose the lofty trunks and grand,
Forming many a colonnade—
Lofty roofs their thick boughs made.
Echoed those dark arches 'round
Many a loud, unwonted sound:
Armor's clang and bloodhound's bay,
Pack-mule's loud, discordant bray,
Musket's crack and ax's stroke,
Snatch of song and boisterous joke.
Onward slowly south by west.
At times like verdant islands seen
Rose the oak groves bright and green;
'Round them like a blue-green flood
Stretched afar the pitch-pine wood.
From the red or yellow sand
Rose the lofty trunks and grand,
Forming many a colonnade—
Lofty roofs their thick boughs made.
Echoed those dark arches 'round
Many a loud, unwonted sound:
Armor's clang and bloodhound's bay,
Pack-mule's loud, discordant bray,
Musket's crack and ax's stroke,
Snatch of song and boisterous joke.
Once when waned the autumn day,
And the column made its way
Through a valley broad and low,
And the march was hard and slow,
For the vines and canes grew rank
And the soil was soft and dank,
Suddenly a clamor ran
From the rear-guard to the van.
Of the captive natives three
Made an effort and were free—
Sprang into the underwood
And from sight their 'scape made good.
Oue was young Ateamba brave,
One an Indian maiden slave,
One the maid of royal rank
From the Tronatisca's bank.
And the column made its way
Through a valley broad and low,
And the march was hard and slow,
For the vines and canes grew rank
And the soil was soft and dank,
Suddenly a clamor ran
From the rear-guard to the van.
Of the captive natives three
Made an effort and were free—
Sprang into the underwood
And from sight their 'scape made good.
Oue was young Ateamba brave,
One an Indian maiden slave,
One the maid of royal rank
From the Tronatisca's bank.
Quick and hot pursuit was made,
On the trail the bloodhounds bayed.
Foremost in pursuit to bound,
Nearest to the baying hound,
Was a Spaniard scarred and gray
Known as Pancho Amarey.
Battle-worn was he and old,
Active, ardent, though, and bold.
He the fleeing Indian maid
Claimed as booty of his blade.
On the trail the bloodhounds bayed.
Foremost in pursuit to bound,
Nearest to the baying hound,
Was a Spaniard scarred and gray
Known as Pancho Amarey.
Battle-worn was he and old,
Active, ardent, though, and bold.
He the fleeing Indian maid
Claimed as booty of his blade.
Soon the trail he follows leads
To the Tensaw's bordering reeds.
In water dark or rushes green
Naught of either maid was seen,
But at bay Atcamba stood,
Near the water on a log,
Keeping off each baying dog
With a club of cypress wood.
When the sword of Amarey
Rose the fugitive to slay,
Dove he from the river's brink
Like an otter or a mink,
And the Spaniard's eager sight
Marked no traces of his flight.
To the Tensaw's bordering reeds.
In water dark or rushes green
Naught of either maid was seen,
But at bay Atcamba stood,
Near the water on a log,
Keeping off each baying dog
With a club of cypress wood.
When the sword of Amarey
Rose the fugitive to slay,
Dove he from the river's brink
Like an otter or a mink,
And the Spaniard's eager sight
Marked no traces of his flight.
Then along the river's bounds
Rushed the Spaniard and the hounds,
Seeking where the trail once more
Might be found upon the shore.
But the questing bloodhounds fail
To resume the broken trail;
Baffled, they at length turn back
On the marching column's track,
Leaving there hot Amarey
From his comrades far away.
When the Spaniards left the spot
Where brave Vitachuco fought—
Hopeless fought and dauntless died—
From the woods, where scattered wide
Since the battle's deadly rout
They had lain, came stealing out
Squaw and child and warrior stout.
'Round the dead chief they did crowd,
Wailing lamentations loud.
When the night began to gloom
They bore the body to the tomb
And thus wildly, mournfully,
Sang his dirge and eulogy:
Rushed the Spaniard and the hounds,
Seeking where the trail once more
Might be found upon the shore.
But the questing bloodhounds fail
To resume the broken trail;
Baffled, they at length turn back
On the marching column's track,
Leaving there hot Amarey
From his comrades far away.
When the Spaniards left the spot
Where brave Vitachuco fought—
Hopeless fought and dauntless died—
From the woods, where scattered wide
Since the battle's deadly rout
They had lain, came stealing out
Squaw and child and warrior stout.
'Round the dead chief they did crowd,
Wailing lamentations loud.
When the night began to gloom
They bore the body to the tomb
And thus wildly, mournfully,
Sang his dirge and eulogy:
O thou towering magnifolia,
Chattahachi's proud magnolia,
Prone on earth dost pale and perish,
Never more to flower and flourish.
Never more shall thy broad shadow
From the sun shield the parched meadow.
Evil was the storm that reft thee,
Evil cloud sent bolt that cleft thee.
Chattahachi's proud magnolia,
Prone on earth dost pale and perish,
Never more to flower and flourish.
Never more shall thy broad shadow
From the sun shield the parched meadow.
Evil was the storm that reft thee,
Evil cloud sent bolt that cleft thee.
Vitachuco, sovereign peerless!
Low must be thy lodge and cheerless;
Low must lie thy proud head royal,
Wail in woe thy people loyal.
Who of all thy tribe so faithless
That he to have kept thee scatheless
Would not his own life have offered?
Would not torture-fire have suffered?
Low must be thy lodge and cheerless;
Low must lie thy proud head royal,
Wail in woe thy people loyal.
Who of all thy tribe so faithless
That he to have kept thee scatheless
Would not his own life have offered?
Would not torture-fire have suffered?
In the game thy foot was strongest,
'Neath its strokes the balls leaps longest.
In the chase no aim was truer,
None could more fatigue endure.
Vain was all the fleet deer's running,
Vain the dun coyote's cunning,
Vain the strength of savage bruin,
To elude thy weapon's ruin.
'Mong the brave thou wert the bravest,
Fiercest blows in fight thou gavest.
When the foe came on thee rushing,
Downward came thy war-club crushing.
Fatal was thine arrow singing,
Sharper than the scorpion stinging.
Once so terrible, but now
Craven hand might smite that brow.
'Neath its strokes the balls leaps longest.
In the chase no aim was truer,
None could more fatigue endure.
Vain was all the fleet deer's running,
Vain the dun coyote's cunning,
Vain the strength of savage bruin,
To elude thy weapon's ruin.
'Mong the brave thou wert the bravest,
Fiercest blows in fight thou gavest.
When the foe came on thee rushing,
Downward came thy war-club crushing.
Fatal was thine arrow singing,
Sharper than the scorpion stinging.
Once so terrible, but now
Craven hand might smite that brow.
Closed those eagle eyes forever,
And that still form more shall never
Feel of battle wound the anguish,
Or in love's caresses languish.
Ne'er the war-cry of the foeman
Nor the gentle song of woman
Shalt thou hear, nor e'er the rattle
And the rush and roar of battle.
As on earth thou hast done well,
So thou shalt forever dwell
In the happy hunting land,
Where shall never fail thy hand,
Where thy foot shall never tire
And success shall e'er inspire.
Now on earth farewell forever,
Here again we 'll see thee never.
And that still form more shall never
Feel of battle wound the anguish,
Or in love's caresses languish.
Ne'er the war-cry of the foeman
Nor the gentle song of woman
Shalt thou hear, nor e'er the rattle
And the rush and roar of battle.
As on earth thou hast done well,
So thou shalt forever dwell
In the happy hunting land,
Where shall never fail thy hand,
Where thy foot shall never tire
And success shall e'er inspire.
Now on earth farewell forever,
Here again we 'll see thee never.
PART IV.
THE TORTURE.
"MAN'S inhumanity to man." Of all
The foes malign, of earth, or sea, or air,
That may the soul of hapless man appall,
None have relentless hate that will not spare,
Or fiendish cruelty beyond compare,
Like that which him his brother man can show:
The terrible revenge which bids him bear
Limbs wrenched, flesh torn, the scourging thorn's sharp blow
The flaming splinter's thrust, the torture-fire's red glow.
And what! it may be said, believe may we
That courage high, the spirit, as you tell
Which strikes for kindred, home and country free,
The loyal honor which not death can quell,
Regard for guest and self-devotion swell
The cruel, brutal, treacherous heart that glees
To see the tortured captive writhe? Ne'er dwell
High virtues, noble sentiments like these
With demon cruelty whose deeds the warm blood freeze.
The foes malign, of earth, or sea, or air,
That may the soul of hapless man appall,
None have relentless hate that will not spare,
Or fiendish cruelty beyond compare,
Like that which him his brother man can show:
The terrible revenge which bids him bear
Limbs wrenched, flesh torn, the scourging thorn's sharp blow
The flaming splinter's thrust, the torture-fire's red glow.
And what! it may be said, believe may we
That courage high, the spirit, as you tell
Which strikes for kindred, home and country free,
The loyal honor which not death can quell,
Regard for guest and self-devotion swell
The cruel, brutal, treacherous heart that glees
To see the tortured captive writhe? Ne'er dwell
High virtues, noble sentiments like these
With demon cruelty whose deeds the warm blood freeze.
Not so. Not only in the untamed souls
Of the dark warriors of the spear and bow
Dwell passions far apart as are the poles,
Bright virtues whose outbreaking, fitful glow
By contrast strong (its force who does not know?)
Makes their dark passions more abhorrent seem.
At stormy close of autumn day, e'en so
The setting sun's outbreaking, dazzling beam
But makes the eastern cloud grow darker with its gleam.
Of the dark warriors of the spear and bow
Dwell passions far apart as are the poles,
Bright virtues whose outbreaking, fitful glow
By contrast strong (its force who does not know?)
Makes their dark passions more abhorrent seem.
At stormy close of autumn day, e'en so
The setting sun's outbreaking, dazzling beam
But makes the eastern cloud grow darker with its gleam.
Thus mingle dark and bright on many a page
Where high and martial deeds recorded stand,
The deeds of modern or chivalric age.
The knights of Spain, with dauntless heart and hand
Wrung from the fiery Moors their native land,
Wrought mighty deeds at faith and country's call,
Deeds of high valor, pure, chivalric, grand,
Till rose the cross above Granada's wall
And peerless Christian knights trod in Alhambra's hall.
Where high and martial deeds recorded stand,
The deeds of modern or chivalric age.
The knights of Spain, with dauntless heart and hand
Wrung from the fiery Moors their native land,
Wrought mighty deeds at faith and country's call,
Deeds of high valor, pure, chivalric, grand,
Till rose the cross above Granada's wall
And peerless Christian knights trod in Alhambra's hall.
Then swarming overseas to a new shore,
They braved all dangers and endured all pain,
But did such fiendish deeds as ne'er before
Stained knighthood's name and made the name of Spain
And Spaniard stronger terms for lust of gain,
Base treachery and cruelty and cruelty inhuman
Which to the fiery bed, the hound, the chain,
Could doom a royal guest and noble woman—
Of ruth and honor void alike to friend or foeman.
They braved all dangers and endured all pain,
But did such fiendish deeds as ne'er before
Stained knighthood's name and made the name of Spain
And Spaniard stronger terms for lust of gain,
Base treachery and cruelty and cruelty inhuman
Which to the fiery bed, the hound, the chain,
Could doom a royal guest and noble woman—
Of ruth and honor void alike to friend or foeman.
Night with vapors chill and damp
Dark o'erhung the Spanish camp,
On the sluggish Tensaw's bank,
Fringed with rushes, low and dank.
From a hundred fires ascended
Jetty wreaths with red blaze blended.
'Round them soldiers sat or slumbered,
Some with armor still encumbered.
Each within his canvas tent,
'Mid the lights and shadows blent
Of the half-illumined night
Looming spectrally and white,
Slept the chieftains of the band;
'Round them guardsmen kept their stand.
Dark o'erhung the Spanish camp,
On the sluggish Tensaw's bank,
Fringed with rushes, low and dank.
From a hundred fires ascended
Jetty wreaths with red blaze blended.
'Round them soldiers sat or slumbered,
Some with armor still encumbered.
Each within his canvas tent,
'Mid the lights and shadows blent
Of the half-illumined night
Looming spectrally and white,
Slept the chieftains of the band;
'Round them guardsmen kept their stand.
Not an arrow's flight away
From the men who sleeping lay,
Thick corralled and watched by guard,
Where the thin and sandy sward
Was by hoof-strokes torn and tramped,
Pack-mule brayed and war steed stamped.
Where the farthest wandering rays
Of the outmost camp-fire's blaze
Could no farther pierce among
Massive trunks and boughs low hung,
But were foiled and struggling fell,
Crouched a silent sentinel.
Faint the broken fire-beams played
On his drawn Toledo blade.
Over all the pine trees flung
Lofty crests which moveless hung.
From the men who sleeping lay,
Thick corralled and watched by guard,
Where the thin and sandy sward
Was by hoof-strokes torn and tramped,
Pack-mule brayed and war steed stamped.
Where the farthest wandering rays
Of the outmost camp-fire's blaze
Could no farther pierce among
Massive trunks and boughs low hung,
But were foiled and struggling fell,
Crouched a silent sentinel.
Faint the broken fire-beams played
On his drawn Toledo blade.
Over all the pine trees flung
Lofty crests which moveless hung.
Just without the Spanish line
And beyond their watch-fires' shine,
In the silence and the dark,
Lighted not by flame or spark,
Rose a lodge of bison skin
Light and strangely wrought; within,
On a couch of pine boughs sere,
Spread with skin of bear and deer,
Tascaluza sleeping lay,
Dreaming of the plotted fray.
By his lodge a sentinel
Noted every sound that fell.
'Round his few attendants slept
'Neath the dews the sad night wept.
And beyond their watch-fires' shine,
In the silence and the dark,
Lighted not by flame or spark,
Rose a lodge of bison skin
Light and strangely wrought; within,
On a couch of pine boughs sere,
Spread with skin of bear and deer,
Tascaluza sleeping lay,
Dreaming of the plotted fray.
By his lodge a sentinel
Noted every sound that fell.
'Round his few attendants slept
'Neath the dews the sad night wept.
Time with noiseless steps strode on;
Half the starless night was gone.
Suddenly a warning sound!
Crouched the sentry to the ground,
Straining eye and ear intent
While his ready bow he bent.
What the light sound which he heard?
Had the wind the pine boughs stirred?
No; the air was still as death;
Not e'en moved the zephyr's breath.
Surely human foot could ne'er
Tread that ground with pine boughs sere
Spread and such slight rustling make
As would scarce the rabbit wake,
Even though that foot had been
Hunter's clad in moccasin.
Half the starless night was gone.
Suddenly a warning sound!
Crouched the sentry to the ground,
Straining eye and ear intent
While his ready bow he bent.
What the light sound which he heard?
Had the wind the pine boughs stirred?
No; the air was still as death;
Not e'en moved the zephyr's breath.
Surely human foot could ne'er
Tread that ground with pine boughs sere
Spread and such slight rustling make
As would scarce the rabbit wake,
Even though that foot had been
Hunter's clad in moccasin.
Yes; the crouching sentinel
Knew the stealthy footsteps well
Knew them not the gray wolf's tread
Nor the steps of panther dread,
Nor the Spaniard's heavy boot,
But the the tread of Indian foot.
Suddenly the owl's deep hoot
Trembled on the murky night—
Thrice repeated came with slight
Intervals, and seemed to float
From uncertain points remote.
But the watch the warning knew;
Back an answering signal flew.
Knew the stealthy footsteps well
Knew them not the gray wolf's tread
Nor the steps of panther dread,
Nor the Spaniard's heavy boot,
But the the tread of Indian foot.
Suddenly the owl's deep hoot
Trembled on the murky night—
Thrice repeated came with slight
Intervals, and seemed to float
From uncertain points remote.
But the watch the warning knew;
Back an answering signal flew.
Then a dark form in the night
And a rapid tread and light,
And the silence further broken
By one word of greeting spoken,
As that form the sentry nears,
By him flits and disappears
In the lodge, from which soon come
Voices low with stifled hum.
Then two forms come from thh tent;
Like the lofty pine unbent,
Crested with dark, drooping plumes,
High the second figure looms.
And a rapid tread and light,
And the silence further broken
By one word of greeting spoken,
As that form the sentry nears,
By him flits and disappears
In the lodge, from which soon come
Voices low with stifled hum.
Then two forms come from thh tent;
Like the lofty pine unbent,
Crested with dark, drooping plumes,
High the second figure looms.
As the two forms lightly stepped
O'er the braves who 'round them slept,
Every sleeper raised his head,
Wakened e'en by that soft tread,
'Round him gazed a moment, then
Careless laid him down again.
Scarcely could the active guide
With his swift steps match the stride
Of the chief—a long, slow sweep—
As their silent way they keep
Over swamp and sandy swell,
Grassy glade and forest dell,
Till, at last, on their dark way,
Fell a faint, far-reaching ray,
Like a vein of ruddy gold
Piercing through black lava rock,
To the surface heaved of old
By some fierce volcanic shock.
And it was not long alone;
Soon a hundred others shone
'Tween and on the great trunks 'round
And upon the leaf-strewn ground.
Then a flood of strongest light
Poured upon their dazzled sight.
O'er the braves who 'round them slept,
Every sleeper raised his head,
Wakened e'en by that soft tread,
'Round him gazed a moment, then
Careless laid him down again.
Scarcely could the active guide
With his swift steps match the stride
Of the chief—a long, slow sweep—
As their silent way they keep
Over swamp and sandy swell,
Grassy glade and forest dell,
Till, at last, on their dark way,
Fell a faint, far-reaching ray,
Like a vein of ruddy gold
Piercing through black lava rock,
To the surface heaved of old
By some fierce volcanic shock.
And it was not long alone;
Soon a hundred others shone
'Tween and on the great trunks 'round
And upon the leaf-strewn ground.
Then a flood of strongest light
Poured upon their dazzled sight.
Full revealed by that strong sheen
Was a wild and stirring scene.
Gathered 'round a council fire,
Decked in savage war attire,
Young men, lithe and straight as spears,
Old men, bent with weight of years,
Chieftain, warrior, squaw and child,
Forming an assemblage wild.
First that council's ring within,
Seated on the bear's dark skin,
Were the chiefs whose lengthened age
Fitted them for counsel sage;
Then the chiefs of lesser fame
And the well tried warriors came;
Young braves then, and boys whose bows
Mimic war waged with the crows.
Outermost of all the crowd,
Humble squaws watched the debate
Of the chieftains with their loud
Words and gestures passionate.
Was a wild and stirring scene.
Gathered 'round a council fire,
Decked in savage war attire,
Young men, lithe and straight as spears,
Old men, bent with weight of years,
Chieftain, warrior, squaw and child,
Forming an assemblage wild.
First that council's ring within,
Seated on the bear's dark skin,
Were the chiefs whose lengthened age
Fitted them for counsel sage;
Then the chiefs of lesser fame
And the well tried warriors came;
Young braves then, and boys whose bows
Mimic war waged with the crows.
Outermost of all the crowd,
Humble squaws watched the debate
Of the chieftains with their loud
Words and gestures passionate.
Quite without the council throng,
But within the fire-light strong,
Stood a Spaniard with his hands
O'er his head and rawhide bands
Wrapped his wrists and fastened them
To a young pine's slender stem.
Half reclining on the ground,
Eyes upon the captive bound,
Warriors guarded Amarey
As fierce tigers watch their prey.
But within the fire-light strong,
Stood a Spaniard with his hands
O'er his head and rawhide bands
Wrapped his wrists and fastened them
To a young pine's slender stem.
Half reclining on the ground,
Eyes upon the captive bound,
Warriors guarded Amarey
As fierce tigers watch their prey.
Tascaluza, at a glance,
Noted every circumstance
Of that wild scene as he came
Toward the rolling council flame;
And before that haughty stride
Quickly formed an opening wide
To the center of the ring,
While, in homage to their king,
Every head, though plumed and proud,
Low to Tascaluza bowed.
The cacique stood towering high
O'er the council, his fierce eye
O'er each face around him ran,
As to speak he thus began:
Noted every circumstance
Of that wild scene as he came
Toward the rolling council flame;
And before that haughty stride
Quickly formed an opening wide
To the center of the ring,
While, in homage to their king,
Every head, though plumed and proud,
Low to Tascaluza bowed.
The cacique stood towering high
O'er the council, his fierce eye
O'er each face around him ran,
As to speak he thus began:
"When in hot and eager chase
We encounter face to face
Some strong, savage beast of prey,
Then our thought is but to slay,
As we can and as we may.
But when we have trapped and toiled
Some fierce monster that's despoiled
All our lodges, then we may
Settle in debate at leisure
How to make his death repay
All our losses in our pleasure.
Chiefs and braves, let your debate
Be upon the captive's fate."
We encounter face to face
Some strong, savage beast of prey,
Then our thought is but to slay,
As we can and as we may.
But when we have trapped and toiled
Some fierce monster that's despoiled
All our lodges, then we may
Settle in debate at leisure
How to make his death repay
All our losses in our pleasure.
Chiefs and braves, let your debate
Be upon the captive's fate."
One by one that council grave,
Chieftain high and war-famed brave,
Rose but to repeat that long
Tale of perfidy and wrong,
Tale of ravage and of blood
Spilled by Chattahachi's flood,
Leaving thence a dark red stain
To the broad and sounding main;
Villages in ruins laid,
The return for kindness made;
Of their braves by hundreds slain
On sad Allagarda's plain:
Chieftains proud and noble braves
Made the hated Spaniards' slaves;
Of the fair and noble maid
From the Tronatisca's shade
Dragged a captive in the train
Of the ruthless men of Spain;
And the part this captive played
In the ravage and the slaughter:
Indian blood had stained his blade
And an Indian chieftain's daughter
For his concubine and slave
He had taken; she had fled;
Then her Spanish tyrant gave
Swift pursuit which quickly led
Him astray; the thicket rang
With a sudden, startling yell
And like panthers on him sprang
Twenty braves, and on the ground,
Sooner than the tongue could tell,
Lay the Spanish tyrant bound.
Chieftain high and war-famed brave,
Rose but to repeat that long
Tale of perfidy and wrong,
Tale of ravage and of blood
Spilled by Chattahachi's flood,
Leaving thence a dark red stain
To the broad and sounding main;
Villages in ruins laid,
The return for kindness made;
Of their braves by hundreds slain
On sad Allagarda's plain:
Chieftains proud and noble braves
Made the hated Spaniards' slaves;
Of the fair and noble maid
From the Tronatisca's shade
Dragged a captive in the train
Of the ruthless men of Spain;
And the part this captive played
In the ravage and the slaughter:
Indian blood had stained his blade
And an Indian chieftain's daughter
For his concubine and slave
He had taken; she had fled;
Then her Spanish tyrant gave
Swift pursuit which quickly led
Him astray; the thicket rang
With a sudden, startling yell
And like panthers on him sprang
Twenty braves, and on the ground,
Sooner than the tongue could tell,
Lay the Spanish tyrant bound.
Thus the chieftains spoke—each word
Tascaluza silent heard—
Voiceless, though fierce passion's storm
Heaved and shook his giant form
As the earthquake heaves the plain,
As the tempest heaves the main.
As amid the crater's glow,
Smoky columns swaying slow
Rise up darkly high in air,
'Mid the council fire's red glare,
Rolling billows of red light
On the black shores of the night,
Tascaluza darkly towered,
Fiercely on the captive glowered.
Tascaluza silent heard—
Voiceless, though fierce passion's storm
Heaved and shook his giant form
As the earthquake heaves the plain,
As the tempest heaves the main.
As amid the crater's glow,
Smoky columns swaying slow
Rise up darkly high in air,
'Mid the council fire's red glare,
Rolling billows of red light
On the black shores of the night,
Tascaluza darkly towered,
Fiercely on the captive glowered.
"I have heard enough!" he cried;
"All the path is black and wide
Where De Soto and his band
Wander through the Indian land.
Each one merits torture slow
And the spirit land of woe.
And as for this ravisher,
Spaniard, robber, murderer,
Let him feel our pine's hot breath,
Let him die the fiery death!"
"All the path is black and wide
Where De Soto and his band
Wander through the Indian land.
Each one merits torture slow
And the spirit land of woe.
And as for this ravisher,
Spaniard, robber, murderer,
Let him feel our pine's hot breath,
Let him die the fiery death!"
Back and forth swift echo flies,
Bearing loud approving cries.
Amarey then knew full well
Horrid death was in that yell,
And his firm-pressed lips grew whiter,
But his eyes grew sterner, brighter.
As in August's sultry tide
Thunder clouds from far and wide
Gather darkly overhead,
Threatening hang a space of dread,
Scatter then and farther on
Are again together drawn,
Fiercer, darker than before,
In terrific fury pour,
So that cloud of red men burst,
Out into the night dispersed,
Every requisite to make
Ready for the torture stake.
Bearing loud approving cries.
Amarey then knew full well
Horrid death was in that yell,
And his firm-pressed lips grew whiter,
But his eyes grew sterner, brighter.
As in August's sultry tide
Thunder clouds from far and wide
Gather darkly overhead,
Threatening hang a space of dread,
Scatter then and farther on
Are again together drawn,
Fiercer, darker than before,
In terrific fury pour,
So that cloud of red men burst,
Out into the night dispersed,
Every requisite to make
Ready for the torture stake.
Then with flinty hatchet's stroke
Felled and hewed a stake of oak,
Strong and filled with sap and meet
To withstand the pitch-pine's heat;
Just where fell the farthest rays.
Of the rolling council blaze
Fixed it firmly in the ground,
And the captive to it bound—
Bound him with the rawhide's thong,
Green and pliant, tough and strong,
With his hands high o'er his head—
Scarce his feet the ground could tread.
Then around the stake they placed
Fragments of the pine woods' waste,
Scaly cones and light limbs dry,
Long since reft by tempests high,
Knots and hearts of old boughs, rich
With the gummy, odorous pitch.
Felled and hewed a stake of oak,
Strong and filled with sap and meet
To withstand the pitch-pine's heat;
Just where fell the farthest rays.
Of the rolling council blaze
Fixed it firmly in the ground,
And the captive to it bound—
Bound him with the rawhide's thong,
Green and pliant, tough and strong,
With his hands high o'er his head—
Scarce his feet the ground could tread.
Then around the stake they placed
Fragments of the pine woods' waste,
Scaly cones and light limbs dry,
Long since reft by tempests high,
Knots and hearts of old boughs, rich
With the gummy, odorous pitch.
'Round the stake in circle deep
Then the dusky warriors sweep.
Of the foremost of that band
Armed is every red right hand,
Not with weapons edged with flint,
But with many a reedy splint—
Splinters sharp as points of thorns,
Sharp as fangs of snake-that-warns,
Large and filled with pitch, they might
Burn as torches in the night.
Then the dusky warriors sweep.
Of the foremost of that band
Armed is every red right hand,
Not with weapons edged with flint,
But with many a reedy splint—
Splinters sharp as points of thorns,
Sharp as fangs of snake-that-warns,
Large and filled with pitch, they might
Burn as torches in the night.
Then advanced one wan and old,
One who claimed the power to hold
Converse with the spirit world.
O'er his head a torch he whirled,
And with lean and withered hand
To the fuel placed the brand.
Upward glanced a tongue of fire,
Growing broader, rising higher.
Casting back that glancing beam,
Hundreds of fierce eyeballs gleam.
Pine trunks huge and rough and high,
Arched with feathery canopy,
Darkly show in the red light
Growing stronger and more bright.
As the red flames upward creep
In the white, set face they peep;
In the victim's eyes they shine
As up toward his knees they twine.
One who claimed the power to hold
Converse with the spirit world.
O'er his head a torch he whirled,
And with lean and withered hand
To the fuel placed the brand.
Upward glanced a tongue of fire,
Growing broader, rising higher.
Casting back that glancing beam,
Hundreds of fierce eyeballs gleam.
Pine trunks huge and rough and high,
Arched with feathery canopy,
Darkly show in the red light
Growing stronger and more bright.
As the red flames upward creep
In the white, set face they peep;
In the victim's eyes they shine
As up toward his knees they twine.
Amarey was brave and tried;
He had soldiered far and wide;
Danger seen in many lands;
Trod o'er Afric's burning sands;
Heard the Li! li! li![1] wild scream;
Seen the blue steel glance and gleam
When with cimetars of flame
Moslem horse to battle came;
Stormed o'er Cuzco's golden wall;
Seen the Mexic banner fall
When Cortez charged with heart of flame
And his chosen with him came.
Hitherto his courage high
Perils could not terrify,
Hardships break his hardihood,
Suffering quell his fortitude.
Now he realized full sure
That this torment to endure
He would need an iron frame,
Nerves and sinews too the same;
Need his patron saint to grant
Him a heart of adamant.
He had soldiered far and wide;
Danger seen in many lands;
Trod o'er Afric's burning sands;
Heard the Li! li! li![1] wild scream;
Seen the blue steel glance and gleam
When with cimetars of flame
Moslem horse to battle came;
Stormed o'er Cuzco's golden wall;
Seen the Mexic banner fall
When Cortez charged with heart of flame
And his chosen with him came.
Hitherto his courage high
Perils could not terrify,
Hardships break his hardihood,
Suffering quell his fortitude.
Now he realized full sure
That this torment to endure
He would need an iron frame,
Nerves and sinews too the same;
Need his patron saint to grant
Him a heart of adamant.
As the rapid flames advance
Deep and wild the wizard chants:
"Spirit of evil, death and gloom,
View this base marauder's doom;
Laugh in thine appalling glee;
Fit the victim is for thee.
And besides this torture fire
May thou glut thine anger dire
With five hundred victims base
Of this same accursed race.
May the famine's bony grasp
Long their wasting forms enclasp;
Burning thirst with horrid pains
Scorch their tongues and fire their veins.
Onward by their sore needs pressed,
Never know the joy of rest.
"May their naked flesh be torn
By the piercing cactus thorn;
May the cougar on them feed,
Or the sting of centipede,
Or the massasauger's bite,
Poison all their flesh so white,
Till their bones unburied lie,
Marking to the red man's eye
As they whiten and decay
Every camp upon the way
From Mauvila, stained with blood
To the Mississippi's flood.
As a future prolongation
Of their earthly pains and woes,
Dreadful, endless in duration,
Swift beginning at life's close,
May their spirits ever roam
Where no happiness can come,
In a drear and desert land
Filled with cactus and with sand."
Deep and wild the wizard chants:
"Spirit of evil, death and gloom,
View this base marauder's doom;
Laugh in thine appalling glee;
Fit the victim is for thee.
And besides this torture fire
May thou glut thine anger dire
With five hundred victims base
Of this same accursed race.
May the famine's bony grasp
Long their wasting forms enclasp;
Burning thirst with horrid pains
Scorch their tongues and fire their veins.
Onward by their sore needs pressed,
Never know the joy of rest.
"May their naked flesh be torn
By the piercing cactus thorn;
May the cougar on them feed,
Or the sting of centipede,
Or the massasauger's bite,
Poison all their flesh so white,
Till their bones unburied lie,
Marking to the red man's eye
As they whiten and decay
Every camp upon the way
From Mauvila, stained with blood
To the Mississippi's flood.
As a future prolongation
Of their earthly pains and woes,
Dreadful, endless in duration,
Swift beginning at life's close,
May their spirits ever roam
Where no happiness can come,
In a drear and desert land
Filled with cactus and with sand."
The prophet ceased his curses dire
To watch the swelling, glowing fire.
'Round the victim's body curled
Tongues of flame and darkly swirled
Clouds of smoke about his head;
Added to his torment dread
Many a blazing splinter's wound.
Still 't was borne without a sound
For five minutes' space or so,
Minutes each like ages slow;
Then the mighty fortitude
Of the Spaniard was subdued.
To watch the swelling, glowing fire.
'Round the victim's body curled
Tongues of flame and darkly swirled
Clouds of smoke about his head;
Added to his torment dread
Many a blazing splinter's wound.
Still 't was borne without a sound
For five minutes' space or so,
Minutes each like ages slow;
Then the mighty fortitude
Of the Spaniard was subdued.
Wildly burst he into prayer:
"Holy Mary! Mother fair!
By thy son to Calvary led,
By the blood which there he shed,
By the anguish thou didst feel
When the thrust of Roman steel
And the cruel nails they drove
Pierced those hands, that heart of love,
While thou gazedst from below,
Filled with pity, anguish, woe,
I implore in mercy's name,
Spare me from this cruel flame!
Mortal man may not endure—
Oh! deliver, mother pure!
O thou Christ, the Son of God,
Who Gethsemane hast trod,
Who in anguish sweat drops shed,
Bloody drops with earth-bowed head,
Was thine agony more dire
Than the torment of this fire?
Did the thorn crown deeper pierce
Than these flaming splinters fierce?
Thou canst pity, then, oh! spare!
I've not strength like thine to bear."
"Holy Mary! Mother fair!
By thy son to Calvary led,
By the blood which there he shed,
By the anguish thou didst feel
When the thrust of Roman steel
And the cruel nails they drove
Pierced those hands, that heart of love,
While thou gazedst from below,
Filled with pity, anguish, woe,
I implore in mercy's name,
Spare me from this cruel flame!
Mortal man may not endure—
Oh! deliver, mother pure!
O thou Christ, the Son of God,
Who Gethsemane hast trod,
Who in anguish sweat drops shed,
Bloody drops with earth-bowed head,
Was thine agony more dire
Than the torment of this fire?
Did the thorn crown deeper pierce
Than these flaming splinters fierce?
Thou canst pity, then, oh! spare!
I've not strength like thine to bear."
Faint the last words choking hung
On the crackling lips and tongue.
Strong imploring in that cry,
Help beseeching from on high,
Anguish that would not be pent,
Faith triumphant, all were blent,
And the heathen warriors there
Knew the solemn voice of prayer.
On the crackling lips and tongue.
Strong imploring in that cry,
Help beseeching from on high,
Anguish that would not be pent,
Faith triumphant, all were blent,
And the heathen warriors there
Knew the solemn voice of prayer.
Round an awful stillness falls;
"Hark! upon his gods he calls!"
Then said one with chieftain's belt,
Speaking what the many felt.
"Fiercely burns the white man's wrath,
Fallen braves bestrew his path;
Flashes from his weapon fly
Like the storm-cloud's fiery eye,
And its voice in thunder speaks.
'Round and o'er his hairy cheeks
Gleams a head-dress bright and fierce;
Spears cannot his garments pierce;
And the wondrous beast he rides
In its strength and swiftness prides.
Mighty, then, his gods must be.
Have they also crossed the sea?
Who, then, can withstand their ire?
Who can quench their awful fire?
Lofty trees will writhe and break,
Lightning scathe and firm hills quake;
Or the earth will swallow down
All our tribe beneath their frown."
Then a thrill of trembling awe
Filled the soul of brave and squaw.
Tenfold blacker seemed the night,
Filled with specters of affright.
"Hark! upon his gods he calls!"
Then said one with chieftain's belt,
Speaking what the many felt.
"Fiercely burns the white man's wrath,
Fallen braves bestrew his path;
Flashes from his weapon fly
Like the storm-cloud's fiery eye,
And its voice in thunder speaks.
'Round and o'er his hairy cheeks
Gleams a head-dress bright and fierce;
Spears cannot his garments pierce;
And the wondrous beast he rides
In its strength and swiftness prides.
Mighty, then, his gods must be.
Have they also crossed the sea?
Who, then, can withstand their ire?
Who can quench their awful fire?
Lofty trees will writhe and break,
Lightning scathe and firm hills quake;
Or the earth will swallow down
All our tribe beneath their frown."
Then a thrill of trembling awe
Filled the soul of brave and squaw.
Tenfold blacker seemed the night,
Filled with specters of affright.
Tascaluza then upspoke;
Proud and fierce the words outbroke:
"Hast thou learned, O chief, to speak
Words of fear like women weak?
Tascaluza and his braves,
Are they Soto's trembling slaves?
Will they for his lightnings quail?
For his weapons' thunder pale?
Flee before his armor's flash,
When his riders on us dash?
One great spirit rules the world—
Can he from his seat be hurled?
He is good as well as great;
He who did our tribes create,
Will he not likewise befriend?
Cannot his strong arm defend
His red children in the fight
When they stand for home and right
Gainst a base marauding band,
Outcast, may hap, from their land?
Very few their warriors are,
While the spears our warriors bear
Many are as are the blades
Of the grass in Tensaw's glades.
Swifter than the pigeon's wing,
Sharper than the hornet's sting
Is the Indian arrow flight,
And the Spanish armor bright
Tascaluza's club can crush
As the strong beak of the thrush
Breaks the beetle's shining shell."
Proud and fierce the words outbroke:
"Hast thou learned, O chief, to speak
Words of fear like women weak?
Tascaluza and his braves,
Are they Soto's trembling slaves?
Will they for his lightnings quail?
For his weapons' thunder pale?
Flee before his armor's flash,
When his riders on us dash?
One great spirit rules the world—
Can he from his seat be hurled?
He is good as well as great;
He who did our tribes create,
Will he not likewise befriend?
Cannot his strong arm defend
His red children in the fight
When they stand for home and right
Gainst a base marauding band,
Outcast, may hap, from their land?
Very few their warriors are,
While the spears our warriors bear
Many are as are the blades
Of the grass in Tensaw's glades.
Swifter than the pigeon's wing,
Sharper than the hornet's sting
Is the Indian arrow flight,
And the Spanish armor bright
Tascaluza's club can crush
As the strong beak of the thrush
Breaks the beetle's shining shell."
Tascaluza paused—full well
Had his boasting turned the tide
Of their fears and roused their pride.
Allagarda's bloody plain
Was forgotten with its slain
Chiefs and braves by hundreds piled.
Re-assured, they shouted wild;
Flinty spears on high were flung,
Dark shields 'gainst the war-clubs rung,
And they turned again to gaze
On their victim in the blaze.
Had his boasting turned the tide
Of their fears and roused their pride.
Allagarda's bloody plain
Was forgotten with its slain
Chiefs and braves by hundreds piled.
Re-assured, they shouted wild;
Flinty spears on high were flung,
Dark shields 'gainst the war-clubs rung,
And they turned again to gaze
On their victim in the blaze.
But the charred and blackened frame
Motionless was 'mid the flame—
Gone the pangs that thrilled him through,
Groans of anguish from him drew.
As the string when the bow is bent
By a strong hand violent
Sharply parts and, falling slack,
Lets the bended bow spring back,
So the tortured nerves gave way
And the quick sense lost its sway,
And the warrior's dismal yell
On his ear unheeded fell;
Though the spirit for a space
Lingered in the clay's embrace.
Motionless was 'mid the flame—
Gone the pangs that thrilled him through,
Groans of anguish from him drew.
As the string when the bow is bent
By a strong hand violent
Sharply parts and, falling slack,
Lets the bended bow spring back,
So the tortured nerves gave way
And the quick sense lost its sway,
And the warrior's dismal yell
On his ear unheeded fell;
Though the spirit for a space
Lingered in the clay's embrace.
Soon the flames grew less intense
And the black smoke grew less dense,
As the heaped-up fuel shrank
And the live brands crumbling sank,
Till the embers smoldered low
With a red and fitful glow.
In their midst there lay a pile
Of charred bones; the crowd the while
That had gathered 'round the fire,
When they saw their foe expire
And the scene of torment cease,
Soon began to fast decrease,
Till of all those dusky faces
Only three still held their places.
O'er the others toweréd
Tascaluza's plumely head—
Turned he from the torture-fire
Iterating curses dire,
Burning thirst and reptile's sting,
Weary, endless wandering,
Famine, pest and fiery pain
On the ruthless men of Spain—
Turned to leave, and in the gloom
Vanished his dark form and plume.
And the black smoke grew less dense,
As the heaped-up fuel shrank
And the live brands crumbling sank,
Till the embers smoldered low
With a red and fitful glow.
In their midst there lay a pile
Of charred bones; the crowd the while
That had gathered 'round the fire,
When they saw their foe expire
And the scene of torment cease,
Soon began to fast decrease,
Till of all those dusky faces
Only three still held their places.
O'er the others toweréd
Tascaluza's plumely head—
Turned he from the torture-fire
Iterating curses dire,
Burning thirst and reptile's sting,
Weary, endless wandering,
Famine, pest and fiery pain
On the ruthless men of Spain—
Turned to leave, and in the gloom
Vanished his dark form and plume.
PART V.
MAUVILA.
'TWAS morn. The star of Lucifer grew pale
And trembled at the sun's approaching tread—
God's regent—and as with an azure vail
Thrice doubled, hid his face. From her proud head
The East let down her yellow hair that shed
Its beauty down her shoulders, with the flush
Of day's returning tide now faintly red,
As with the warm blood rising in the blush
On Beauty's cheek, betraying the deep feelings' rush.
The Morning pressed her bright and dewy lips
To Earth, like meeting lovers' fond caress.
Night passing had strewn gems which did eclipse
In brightness pure the costliest stones which press
A royal brow, or deck a royal dress.
Each subject of the Day awoke and stirred,
And act or voice expressed its happiness,
While leading all the feathered choir were heard
The ever-changing notes of the glad mocking-bird.
And trembled at the sun's approaching tread—
God's regent—and as with an azure vail
Thrice doubled, hid his face. From her proud head
The East let down her yellow hair that shed
Its beauty down her shoulders, with the flush
Of day's returning tide now faintly red,
As with the warm blood rising in the blush
On Beauty's cheek, betraying the deep feelings' rush.
The Morning pressed her bright and dewy lips
To Earth, like meeting lovers' fond caress.
Night passing had strewn gems which did eclipse
In brightness pure the costliest stones which press
A royal brow, or deck a royal dress.
Each subject of the Day awoke and stirred,
And act or voice expressed its happiness,
While leading all the feathered choir were heard
The ever-changing notes of the glad mocking-bird.
Before the morning's pure, bright beam.
The waning camp-fire's ruddy gleam,
Mixed with the foul and pitchy smoke
(Not the blue wreaths from flames of oak)
Grew dimmer, more obscure,
As human passions, burning clear
To our benighted vision here,
Are, in the light of heaven severe,
With smoke of sin impure.
The waning camp-fire's ruddy gleam,
Mixed with the foul and pitchy smoke
(Not the blue wreaths from flames of oak)
Grew dimmer, more obscure,
As human passions, burning clear
To our benighted vision here,
Are, in the light of heaven severe,
With smoke of sin impure.
In nooks far up the pine trees' hight
Some lingering remnants of the night
Hid trembling from the coming light.
Of stirring life some tokens slight
Showed in the camp below.
Then, as the sentry loudly spoke,
The Captain of the Guard awoke,
Saw day around him fully broke
And bade the bugle blow.
Some lingering remnants of the night
Hid trembling from the coming light.
Of stirring life some tokens slight
Showed in the camp below.
Then, as the sentry loudly spoke,
The Captain of the Guard awoke,
Saw day around him fully broke
And bade the bugle blow.
Short space to reign had silence ere
Burst forth the war notes wild and clear,
The cymbal's clang and bugle's blare
And drum peals rolled upon the air
In rude but rhythmic glee.
Upstarting forms and armor's clang
Soon followed as the bugle sang
And all the woods' dark arches rang
To that loud reveillé.
Burst forth the war notes wild and clear,
The cymbal's clang and bugle's blare
And drum peals rolled upon the air
In rude but rhythmic glee.
Upstarting forms and armor's clang
Soon followed as the bugle sang
And all the woods' dark arches rang
To that loud reveillé.
At the first stir the dusky slaves
Who once were haughty chiefs and braves,
Now humbled 'neath the Spaniard's heel,
Tamed by the Spaniard's fire and steel,
Stern, sullen, but subdued,
Came forth and 'gan with irksome care
(A task unwonted) to prepare
Their hated masters' morning fare
Of Indian foraged food.
Who once were haughty chiefs and braves,
Now humbled 'neath the Spaniard's heel,
Tamed by the Spaniard's fire and steel,
Stern, sullen, but subdued,
Came forth and 'gan with irksome care
(A task unwonted) to prepare
Their hated masters' morning fare
Of Indian foraged food.
The meal dispatched with soldier haste,
Regarding hunger more than taste,
The scanty baggage of the train
Was ready packed for march again
And on the pack-mules placed.
Then at the bugle's warning blast
The squadrons formed their ranks full fast,
But trimly all their files were massed—
Precision joined with haste.
Regarding hunger more than taste,
The scanty baggage of the train
Was ready packed for march again
And on the pack-mules placed.
Then at the bugle's warning blast
The squadrons formed their ranks full fast,
But trimly all their files were massed—
Precision joined with haste.
Oft have I seen the mist cloud white
Which lay upon the ground all night
Rise with the sun into the sky
And form in masses dense and high,
And move upon their way
With stern, majestic sweep and slow,
With sun-bright crests but dark below,
And stored with bolts to speed and glow,
Ere long, and burn and slay.
Which lay upon the ground all night
Rise with the sun into the sky
And form in masses dense and high,
And move upon their way
With stern, majestic sweep and slow,
With sun-bright crests but dark below,
And stored with bolts to speed and glow,
Ere long, and burn and slay.
Thus formed the ranks--the march began;
The chief with Soto in the van;
Then triple ranks of horsemen rode,
And next with sword and matchlock strode
Each sturdy musketeer;
And then of sumpter mules a train
Brought from the mountain paths of Spain,
And mounted guards a score or twain
Brought up the column's rear.
The chief with Soto in the van;
Then triple ranks of horsemen rode,
And next with sword and matchlock strode
Each sturdy musketeer;
And then of sumpter mules a train
Brought from the mountain paths of Spain,
And mounted guards a score or twain
Brought up the column's rear.
Before the rear-guard marched a band.
Of captive natives of the land,
Who wore with dark and silent mood
The galling yoke of servitude
E'en on their native soil.
Some on their limbs the fetters wore
And burdens haughty warriors bore
And chieftains' daughters who before
Knew naught of such rough toil.
Of captive natives of the land,
Who wore with dark and silent mood
The galling yoke of servitude
E'en on their native soil.
Some on their limbs the fetters wore
And burdens haughty warriors bore
And chieftains' daughters who before
Knew naught of such rough toil.
But with the coming of the day
Came not again bold Amarey.
His absence Soto's mind oppressed
Who Tascaluza thus addressed:
"Still comes the absent not.
Fell he a victim to the hate
Of thy fierce braves who 'round us wait?
Mark thou! if such has been his fate—
If harm has been his lot
Came not again bold Amarey.
His absence Soto's mind oppressed
Who Tascaluza thus addressed:
"Still comes the absent not.
Fell he a victim to the hate
Of thy fierce braves who 'round us wait?
Mark thou! if such has been his fate—
If harm has been his lot
"By knowledge or permit of thine—
Yes, if before again shall shine
In the red west the evening star,
He be not safe returned, thus far
Shall retribution reach:
Long shalt thou wear the iron chain
In some deep dungeon cell of Spain,
And—"Soto checked the headlong strain
Of his audacious speech.
Yes, if before again shall shine
In the red west the evening star,
He be not safe returned, thus far
Shall retribution reach:
Long shalt thou wear the iron chain
In some deep dungeon cell of Spain,
And—"Soto checked the headlong strain
Of his audacious speech.
The chief was silent for a space
While o'er his grave and haughty face
There passed a faint and transient light,
As on a still, clear summer night
Appears the lightning's flash
Along the border of the sky,
While far below the reach of eye
The storm-king's gloomy banners fly,
Unheard his thunders crash.
While o'er his grave and haughty face
There passed a faint and transient light,
As on a still, clear summer night
Appears the lightning's flash
Along the border of the sky,
While far below the reach of eye
The storm-king's gloomy banners fly,
Unheard his thunders crash.
Thus deeply Tascaluza kept
Concealed the storm that fiercely swept
His breastèèthe storm of wrath and pride,
And thus in even tones replied:
"O chief from o'er the sea,
My braves by my command are bound
To search with care the region 'round.
Thy soldier lost, as soon as found
Shall be restored to thee.
Concealed the storm that fiercely swept
His breastèèthe storm of wrath and pride,
And thus in even tones replied:
"O chief from o'er the sea,
My braves by my command are bound
To search with care the region 'round.
Thy soldier lost, as soon as found
Shall be restored to thee.
"And, trust me, ere the coming night
Thy comrade's form shall greet thy sight.
And now I'll send a courier fleet
That at Mauvila welcome meet
May wait my noble guest."
The Indian king did forward ride
To where a band of warriors tried
Went forth to pioneer and guide
The column. His behest
Thy comrade's form shall greet thy sight.
And now I'll send a courier fleet
That at Mauvila welcome meet
May wait my noble guest."
The Indian king did forward ride
To where a band of warriors tried
Went forth to pioneer and guide
The column. His behest
To one of these he thus made known,
When he had drawn him off alone:
"In haste unto Mauvila run
And say for me unto my son:
Prepare of food great store,
And bring for Soto's use the best,
Such as befits a royal guest,
And furnish quarters where may rest
Six hundred men or more;
When he had drawn him off alone:
"In haste unto Mauvila run
And say for me unto my son:
Prepare of food great store,
And bring for Soto's use the best,
Such as befits a royal guest,
And furnish quarters where may rest
Six hundred men or more;
"And food for all the menial train,
And for their horses furnish grain,
And place for both without the town."
The coming storm showed in a frown
As he went on to speak.
"Tell him these charges he must keep
Though sterner cares shall on him sweep,
Demanding his attention deep."
And then the fierce cacique
And for their horses furnish grain,
And place for both without the town."
The coming storm showed in a frown
As he went on to speak.
"Tell him these charges he must keep
Though sterner cares shall on him sweep,
Demanding his attention deep."
And then the fierce cacique
Glanced at the coming column's head
And lowered his voice as if in dread
Lest one of his fierce words might reach
Some Spaniard who of Indian speech
Might something understand.
"And tell him this: the blow must fall
On Soto from Mauvila's wall,
And promptly to make ready all
Needs active brain and hand.
And lowered his voice as if in dread
Lest one of his fierce words might reach
Some Spaniard who of Indian speech
Might something understand.
"And tell him this: the blow must fall
On Soto from Mauvila's wall,
And promptly to make ready all
Needs active brain and hand.
"Tell him to rally all my bands
And with ten thousand zealous hands
To have Mauvila fortified
And its defences multiplied
With all the skill he hath.
Let bastion, ditch and gate be made
And plant in haste the high stockade
And let the tough pine palisade
Ward off the fires of death."
And with ten thousand zealous hands
To have Mauvila fortified
And its defences multiplied
With all the skill he hath.
Let bastion, ditch and gate be made
And plant in haste the high stockade
And let the tough pine palisade
Ward off the fires of death."
While the last word was his tongue
The chieftain's hand a signal flung,
And then, as if the errand's need
Demanded more than human speed,
The courier sprang away.
The chief regained De Soto's side.
Few words (though Soto ceaseless plied
Fair words and smiles) through that long ride
Did Tascaluza say.
The chieftain's hand a signal flung,
And then, as if the errand's need
Demanded more than human speed,
The courier sprang away.
The chief regained De Soto's side.
Few words (though Soto ceaseless plied
Fair words and smiles) through that long ride
Did Tascaluza say.
The ice of wounded pride morose
Which Soto's menaces had froze
Was far too deep to melt away
Beneath the bright and changeful play
Of Spanish smiles and grace.
The smiling grace was fair and bright,
But little warmth was in its light;
It came, the savage knew full right,
Not from the heart, but face.
Which Soto's menaces had froze
Was far too deep to melt away
Beneath the bright and changeful play
Of Spanish smiles and grace.
The smiling grace was fair and bright,
But little warmth was in its light;
It came, the savage knew full right,
Not from the heart, but face.
Now, as the Indian town they neared,
De Soto, who some treachery feared,
Before him secretly sent out,
To view the town a mounted scout,
Who soon returned to tell
That, like a hive of bees alarmed,
The town with well armed warriors swarmed;
Stockades were 'round it being formed
Assault as to repel.
De Soto, who some treachery feared,
Before him secretly sent out,
To view the town a mounted scout,
Who soon returned to tell
That, like a hive of bees alarmed,
The town with well armed warriors swarmed;
Stockades were 'round it being formed
Assault as to repel.
At last Mauvila came in sight
And Soto ordered, in despite
Of counsel from Ortiz received
And signs which well might be perceived
Of treachery designed,
His men, who long in camp had fared,
To occupy the place prepared
For them, and scarce it seemed he shared
Ortiz's suspicious mind.
And Soto ordered, in despite
Of counsel from Ortiz received
And signs which well might be perceived
Of treachery designed,
His men, who long in camp had fared,
To occupy the place prepared
For them, and scarce it seemed he shared
Ortiz's suspicious mind.
But eight and twenty hours had fled
Since Tascaluza's courier sped,
And eight were spent upon the road,
But with that mandate for a goad,
Such zeal had been displayed,
Protracted through the live-long night,
With bustle filled, red with fire-light,
That when the Spaniards came in sight
Frowned the high palisade.
Since Tascaluza's courier sped,
And eight were spent upon the road,
But with that mandate for a goad,
Such zeal had been displayed,
Protracted through the live-long night,
With bustle filled, red with fire-light,
That when the Spaniards came in sight
Frowned the high palisade.
A deep, wide ditch yawned at its foot
And bastions at the angles put
Might sweep the moat with archer showers,
And at each gate were flanking towers—
The whole with warriors swarmed.
So great the work well Soto may
Believe it not of one short day,
But trust that, as the dark guides say,
'T was weeks before performed.
And bastions at the angles put
Might sweep the moat with archer showers,
And at each gate were flanking towers—
The whole with warriors swarmed.
So great the work well Soto may
Believe it not of one short day,
But trust that, as the dark guides say,
'T was weeks before performed.
They said there came against them forth
A hostile horde from farther north,
That, ere it reached this palisade,
Turned back defeated and dismayed;
And gathered at this call,
Their warriors still staid in the place.
But Soto plainly saw the trace
Of recent work upon the face
Of bank and wooden wall.
A hostile horde from farther north,
That, ere it reached this palisade,
Turned back defeated and dismayed;
And gathered at this call,
Their warriors still staid in the place.
But Soto plainly saw the trace
Of recent work upon the face
Of bank and wooden wall.
On through the gates all unopposed
The Spaniards march with ranks well closed;
Their music peals its wildest note
And high their brightest banners float,
While polished steel below
With their reflected hue gleams red;
The horses prance and toss the head;
The musketeers as one man tread,
With measured step and slow.
The Spaniards march with ranks well closed;
Their music peals its wildest note
And high their brightest banners float,
While polished steel below
With their reflected hue gleams red;
The horses prance and toss the head;
The musketeers as one man tread,
With measured step and slow.
But when the soldierly parade
The circuit of the town had made,
Compliant with the king's demand,
Which Soto cared not to withstand,
He sent without the walls
The horses and the musketeers,
While the dismounted cavaliers
With Soto and his officers
Dwelt in Mauvila's halls.
The circuit of the town had made,
Compliant with the king's demand,
Which Soto cared not to withstand,
He sent without the walls
The horses and the musketeers,
While the dismounted cavaliers
With Soto and his officers
Dwelt in Mauvila's halls.
That he, expecting an attack,
Should thus divide his force seems lack
Of that strict prudence which a life
Should teach when spent in martial strife;
But thus does history say.
Long after when his broken ranks
Had reached the Mississippi's banks,
Sore as his worn steed's goaded flanks,
Was his heart for that dark day.
Should thus divide his force seems lack
Of that strict prudence which a life
Should teach when spent in martial strife;
But thus does history say.
Long after when his broken ranks
Had reached the Mississippi's banks,
Sore as his worn steed's goaded flanks,
Was his heart for that dark day.
Long did his troubled mind recall
Mauvila's fatal fosse and wall;
Long cursed the war-tried Spanish chief
That only sleep, ill starred and brief,
Of vigilance outworn.
Grown confident, he had no fears
That his dismounted cavaliers
Were not a match for all the spears
By savage thousands borne.
Mauvila's fatal fosse and wall;
Long cursed the war-tried Spanish chief
That only sleep, ill starred and brief,
Of vigilance outworn.
Grown confident, he had no fears
That his dismounted cavaliers
Were not a match for all the spears
By savage thousands borne.
High noon—around a board of state
The Spanish officers await
Return from message sent to bring
To dine with them the Indian king.
But thus the chieftain proud
Made answer hot: "I will not go.
I'm busy here. Let Soto know
I'm king and none obedience owe."
Angry his voice and loud.
The Spanish officers await
Return from message sent to bring
To dine with them the Indian king.
But thus the chieftain proud
Made answer hot: "I will not go.
I'm busy here. Let Soto know
I'm king and none obedience owe."
Angry his voice and loud.
The Spanish messenger replied,
"My master waits and woe betide
If you come not; and you must come."
At these rude words an angry hum
Ran through the crowd without.
The cavalry unmounted wait
Before De Soto's palace gate.
Above that rising hum of hate
They hear a warrior shout,
"My master waits and woe betide
If you come not; and you must come."
At these rude words an angry hum
Ran through the crowd without.
The cavalry unmounted wait
Before De Soto's palace gate.
Above that rising hum of hate
They hear a warrior shout,
In Tascaluza's hall, "What, must?
Thou vagabond and robber, dost
Thou dare such insolence to speak
To Tascaluza, our cacique,
So powerful and good?
Base wretch! by the great sun I swear,
No more thy tyranny we'll bear.
Upon them, warriors; do not spare
One of this devil's brood!"
Thou vagabond and robber, dost
Thou dare such insolence to speak
To Tascaluza, our cacique,
So powerful and good?
Base wretch! by the great sun I swear,
No more thy tyranny we'll bear.
Upon them, warriors; do not spare
One of this devil's brood!"
As thunder peal that scarce is past
When beating rain-floods follow fast,
So from a dark and gathering cloud
Of warriors, at that summons loud,
A rain of missiles poured.
But as those missiles on them stormed,
The ready Spaniards promptly formed,
While 'round them in fierce tumult swarmed
A fast increasing horde.
When beating rain-floods follow fast,
So from a dark and gathering cloud
Of warriors, at that summons loud,
A rain of missiles poured.
But as those missiles on them stormed,
The ready Spaniards promptly formed,
While 'round them in fierce tumult swarmed
A fast increasing horde.
The Spaniards, with their horses left
Beyond the palisades, were 'reft
Of half their terrors, and could stem
But ill the tide that surged 'round them,
And Soto gave command:
"Fall back and mount!" They backward drew,
But faced the shower of shafts that flew
And glanced in fire from buckler true
And from each circling brand.
Beyond the palisades, were 'reft
Of half their terrors, and could stem
But ill the tide that surged 'round them,
And Soto gave command:
"Fall back and mount!" They backward drew,
But faced the shower of shafts that flew
And glanced in fire from buckler true
And from each circling brand.
They reached their steeds; each cavalier
Sprang to his saddle with a cheer;
And then, as from a potent charm,
A triple strength seemed in each arm,
Fresh courage in each soul.
Back through the gate the horsemen urge;
From vaulting hoofs and saber scourge
The foes recoil-wild surge on surge
The dark tides backward roll.
Sprang to his saddle with a cheer;
And then, as from a potent charm,
A triple strength seemed in each arm,
Fresh courage in each soul.
Back through the gate the horsemen urge;
From vaulting hoofs and saber scourge
The foes recoil-wild surge on surge
The dark tides backward roll.
But see! amid the din and rout,
To bar them from their friends without,
The oaken gates behind them close,
And on them now their thronging foes
With doubled fury fall.
But desperate strength still cuts a way,
And 'neath the battle-axes' sway
The gates go down, and their array
Is soon without the wall.
To bar them from their friends without,
The oaken gates behind them close,
And on them now their thronging foes
With doubled fury fall.
But desperate strength still cuts a way,
And 'neath the battle-axes' sway
The gates go down, and their array
Is soon without the wall.
But out in hot pursuit soon poured,
Led by their chief, the savage horde,
And from the palisades and towers
Poured out the archers' rattling showers
Upon the little band.
But up the musketeers now came,
And from their line of glancing flame.
Recoiled the foe like frightened game;
Their bravest will not stand.
Led by their chief, the savage horde,
And from the palisades and towers
Poured out the archers' rattling showers
Upon the little band.
But up the musketeers now came,
And from their line of glancing flame.
Recoiled the foe like frightened game;
Their bravest will not stand.
But though his braves fast 'round him fall,
Not saber stroke nor musket ball
Has done the giant chief great harm;
To stay the flight still strong his arm,
And strong his voice and heart.
The rallying foe are closing 'round,
The musketeers are giving ground,
When in the fray the chargers bound,
The dusky masses part.
Not saber stroke nor musket ball
Has done the giant chief great harm;
To stay the flight still strong his arm,
And strong his voice and heart.
The rallying foe are closing 'round,
The musketeers are giving ground,
When in the fray the chargers bound,
The dusky masses part.
As through the mass the horsemen bore,
There waked again the musket's roar,
And terror stricken more and more,
Back through the gate the Indians pour
In dense and struggling tide.
But ere the whites could follow through,
Up sprang the barricades anew,
Unceasing still the missiles flew
From the high wall's loopholed side.
There waked again the musket's roar,
And terror stricken more and more,
Back through the gate the Indians pour
In dense and struggling tide.
But ere the whites could follow through,
Up sprang the barricades anew,
Unceasing still the missiles flew
From the high wall's loopholed side.
Again the crashing battle-ax
The barrier's oaken strength does tax;
In splintered ruin soon they fall,
And once again within the wall
Halberds and sabers go.
Thus back and forth the stubborn fight
Was waged with brave and desperate might
From noon until an hour from night—
Unconquered still the foe.
The barrier's oaken strength does tax;
In splintered ruin soon they fall,
And once again within the wall
Halberds and sabers go.
Thus back and forth the stubborn fight
Was waged with brave and desperate might
From noon until an hour from night—
Unconquered still the foe.
Then to augment the 'minished band
Grasped every Indian woman's hand
Some weapon, club or spear or bow,
And dauntless met the saber's blow.
Each Spaniard held his hand
A moment, loth to sheath his sword
In woman's breast, but strove to ward
The blows the eager women poured.
But see! a blazing brand!
Grasped every Indian woman's hand
Some weapon, club or spear or bow,
And dauntless met the saber's blow.
Each Spaniard held his hand
A moment, loth to sheath his sword
In woman's breast, but strove to ward
The blows the eager women poured.
But see! a blazing brand!
Like meteor flashes torches whirled
And 'gainst the dry thatched roof were hurled,
And upward soon a dense smoke curled.
The writhing streaks of flame
Twined 'mid the smoke a moment low,
Then, gathering, burst in one broad glow,
And down the pitch-pine walls below
The fiery serpents came.
And 'gainst the dry thatched roof were hurled,
And upward soon a dense smoke curled.
The writhing streaks of flame
Twined 'mid the smoke a moment low,
Then, gathering, burst in one broad glow,
And down the pitch-pine walls below
The fiery serpents came.
The stubborn foe who faced the flash
Of musket and the halberd's crash,
The gleaming saber's thrust and slash,
The steed's o'erpowering bound,
Saw with dismay this climax dread,
This fiery ruin 'round, o'erhead—
Each unhurt warrior turned and fled
To the dark woods around.
Of musket and the halberd's crash,
The gleaming saber's thrust and slash,
The steed's o'erpowering bound,
Saw with dismay this climax dread,
This fiery ruin 'round, o'erhead—
Each unhurt warrior turned and fled
To the dark woods around.
Though scores of Indians dead and dying
In every street and ditch were lying,
Yet Soto of this victory won
Might well exclaim, "I am undone
With one such victory more!"
For of his men without a wound
Were few, and sixty-three were found
Upon that corpse-encumbered ground
Stretched lifeless in their gore.
In every street and ditch were lying,
Yet Soto of this victory won
Might well exclaim, "I am undone
With one such victory more!"
For of his men without a wound
Were few, and sixty-three were found
Upon that corpse-encumbered ground
Stretched lifeless in their gore.
But 'mid the dying and the dead
Lay Tascaluza's kingly head
And giant form? or had he fled
When came the final panic dread,
Though dauntless he before?
He was not there; whate'er befell
Him, death or flight, none there could tell;
None heard again his battle yell,
His form was seen no more.
Lay Tascaluza's kingly head
And giant form? or had he fled
When came the final panic dread,
Though dauntless he before?
He was not there; whate'er befell
Him, death or flight, none there could tell;
None heard again his battle yell,
His form was seen no more.
PART VI.
DEATH AND BURIAL OF DE SOTO.
DEAD! dead! another great conquistador,
The hero first of Cuzco's famous fight
And many another fray—his fights all o'er.
A land of flowers and gold in fancy's sight—
Long, long he sought it, his ambition's hight
To conquer there a viceroy's power and fame.
He sought for streams whose beds with gold were bright,
And found no golden stream, but linked his name
To that vast stream whose bed of mire his grave became.
The hero first of Cuzco's famous fight
And many another fray—his fights all o'er.
A land of flowers and gold in fancy's sight—
Long, long he sought it, his ambition's hight
To conquer there a viceroy's power and fame.
He sought for streams whose beds with gold were bright,
And found no golden stream, but linked his name
To that vast stream whose bed of mire his grave became.
The Mississippi! river grand!
No peer it has in any land.
Its early bright, unsullied flow,
Its wavelets rippling soft and low
On banks where rainbow pebbles gleam,
Still mingle in my boyhood's dream.
I've loved along its sluggish sloughs,
When gently fell the evening dews,
To cast for greedy pike the bait
Or for the swarming wild ducks wait;
And oft when wild the western breeze.
Swayed all its islands birchen trees,
I've loved to launch the light bateau
And skimming o'er its white-caps row.
No peer it has in any land.
Its early bright, unsullied flow,
Its wavelets rippling soft and low
On banks where rainbow pebbles gleam,
Still mingle in my boyhood's dream.
I've loved along its sluggish sloughs,
When gently fell the evening dews,
To cast for greedy pike the bait
Or for the swarming wild ducks wait;
And oft when wild the western breeze.
Swayed all its islands birchen trees,
I've loved to launch the light bateau
And skimming o'er its white-caps row.
I've seen it where its rise it takes
'Mong Minnesota's smiling lakes
And o'er St. Antoine's rapids sweep
Into its narrow vale and deep,
And mirror many a northern bluff—
Here smooth turf slopes, there rocks piled rough,
Now crags that loom like castles grand,
Then striped cliffs of rainbow sand—
With thick groves crowning many a crest
(In June with vivid verdure dressed,
But bright with gold and crimson blaze
Their leaves through mild October's haze.)
I've seen this vast and virgin flood
Polluted with Missouri's mud,
From far off plains and mountains torn
And down that boiling current borne;
And seen in turn this sullied flow
Pollute the lucent Ohio.
I've seen its breast at midnight dark
Reflect the bomb-shell's fiery are
And redden 'neath the fitful flash
Of cannon with continuous crash,
When long the Northern gunboats lay
Before grim Vicksburg's cliffs of clay.
I've watched its broad, majestic flow
By the Crescent City sweeping slow
Where league on league the levees lie
With wares from every land piled high.
'Mong Minnesota's smiling lakes
And o'er St. Antoine's rapids sweep
Into its narrow vale and deep,
And mirror many a northern bluff—
Here smooth turf slopes, there rocks piled rough,
Now crags that loom like castles grand,
Then striped cliffs of rainbow sand—
With thick groves crowning many a crest
(In June with vivid verdure dressed,
But bright with gold and crimson blaze
Their leaves through mild October's haze.)
I've seen this vast and virgin flood
Polluted with Missouri's mud,
From far off plains and mountains torn
And down that boiling current borne;
And seen in turn this sullied flow
Pollute the lucent Ohio.
I've seen its breast at midnight dark
Reflect the bomb-shell's fiery are
And redden 'neath the fitful flash
Of cannon with continuous crash,
When long the Northern gunboats lay
Before grim Vicksburg's cliffs of clay.
I've watched its broad, majestic flow
By the Crescent City sweeping slow
Where league on league the levees lie
With wares from every land piled high.
By th' upper Mississippi's side
The fair Winona loved and died
And Red Wing stalked the hills in pride,
Here Black Hawk made his last brave stand
In battle for his native land.
Adown these upper waters bright
Sped the canoe of birch bark light
Which bore the Jesuits, Joliet
And good Marquette, upon their way.
When dark the southern stream had rolled
A century o'er De Soto bold.
Not travel's tide nor trade's deep hum,
Nor cannon's crash nor roll of drum,
Nor whistles' shrill and startling scream,
Nor huge hulls urged by panting steam,
Which vex the mighty river's breast,
Shall e'er disturb De Soto's rest.
The fair Winona loved and died
And Red Wing stalked the hills in pride,
Here Black Hawk made his last brave stand
In battle for his native land.
Adown these upper waters bright
Sped the canoe of birch bark light
Which bore the Jesuits, Joliet
And good Marquette, upon their way.
When dark the southern stream had rolled
A century o'er De Soto bold.
Not travel's tide nor trade's deep hum,
Nor cannon's crash nor roll of drum,
Nor whistles' shrill and startling scream,
Nor huge hulls urged by panting steam,
Which vex the mighty river's breast,
Shall e'er disturb De Soto's rest.
To evening waned the sultry day
When Soto's poor, reduced array
Filed out from a dense gloomy wood
Which near the Mississippi stood.
Slow marched the sadly 'minished train
Out on the long and narrow plain
Which stretched along the river bank
And waved with wild grass thick and rank.
When Soto's poor, reduced array
Filed out from a dense gloomy wood
Which near the Mississippi stood.
Slow marched the sadly 'minished train
Out on the long and narrow plain
Which stretched along the river bank
And waved with wild grass thick and rank.
In Cancer twice had stood the sun,
Three winters frosts had come and gone
Since Soto 'round Mauvila's wall
Had seen so many comrades fall—
Two bitter years of toil, distress
And wandering in the wilderness.
The work sore disappointment wrought
Could hardly chill that heart so hot,
Or quench the proud, high spirit's flame;
But all the ills of his hard lot
Had broken down that iron frame.
No more the saddle was his seat,
No more, while stirrups pressed his feet,
He felt his steed beneath him prance,
But lay he in rude ambulance.
Three winters frosts had come and gone
Since Soto 'round Mauvila's wall
Had seen so many comrades fall—
Two bitter years of toil, distress
And wandering in the wilderness.
The work sore disappointment wrought
Could hardly chill that heart so hot,
Or quench the proud, high spirit's flame;
But all the ills of his hard lot
Had broken down that iron frame.
No more the saddle was his seat,
No more, while stirrups pressed his feet,
He felt his steed beneath him prance,
But lay he in rude ambulance.
In sorry plight the brilliant band
That sailed with him from Spanish strand.
The bearing proud and spirits high
Were gone—instead the glance might spy
The wan, thin face and downcast eye.
Now shabby was each silken vest
In which the cavaliers were dressed.
In far worse plight, the footmen's dress
Hid hardly half their nakedness—
In many months of service worn,
In many a shred and tatter torn
By scraggy bush and bramble thorn.
That sailed with him from Spanish strand.
The bearing proud and spirits high
Were gone—instead the glance might spy
The wan, thin face and downcast eye.
Now shabby was each silken vest
In which the cavaliers were dressed.
In far worse plight, the footmen's dress
Hid hardly half their nakedness—
In many months of service worn,
In many a shred and tatter torn
By scraggy bush and bramble thorn.
The armor which once gleamed so bright
In proud parade or bloody fight
Now red with rust, with swamp stains black,
No more the sunbeams mirrored back.
The silken flags of brilliant hue
Which in the sea breeze gayly flew
In tatters now abandoned lay
In some dark swamp upon the way,
Or, furled their folds, soiled, bleached and torn,
As irksome burdens careless borne.
Of all the steeds that pranced so gay
Upon the beach of Tampa Bay
The gaunt, galled half that were not dead
Now plodded on with drooping head.
In proud parade or bloody fight
Now red with rust, with swamp stains black,
No more the sunbeams mirrored back.
The silken flags of brilliant hue
Which in the sea breeze gayly flew
In tatters now abandoned lay
In some dark swamp upon the way,
Or, furled their folds, soiled, bleached and torn,
As irksome burdens careless borne.
Of all the steeds that pranced so gay
Upon the beach of Tampa Bay
The gaunt, galled half that were not dead
Now plodded on with drooping head.
The weary men had marched for days
In difficult and devious ways,
By miry marshes often vexed,
By many a bayou's curves perplexed;
But now within their gaze at last
Spread out the Mississippi vast.
They saw the mighty current deep
Go seaward with majestic sweep,
And down that tide, broad, smooth and swift,
Each in some fancied bark did drift
To the tropic gulf whose blue waves bore
Them gayly from the Cuban shore.
In difficult and devious ways,
By miry marshes often vexed,
By many a bayou's curves perplexed;
But now within their gaze at last
Spread out the Mississippi vast.
They saw the mighty current deep
Go seaward with majestic sweep,
And down that tide, broad, smooth and swift,
Each in some fancied bark did drift
To the tropic gulf whose blue waves bore
Them gayly from the Cuban shore.
The Spaniards camping near the bank
As toward the far horizon sank
The sun, beheld transmuted lie
The turbid stream to silver by
The sunbeams' potent alchemy—
The clouds as gold became
Or glowing rubies to the gaze
When touched by the last upward rays
From the hidden fount of flame.
But what were sunset's gorgeous dyes,
Or silver waters to the eyes
Of men worn out with care?
If they, unclad and starving, thought
Save of their hard and hapless lot,
And for the bright mirage cared aught,
'T was mockery of the wealth they sought,
Elusive as the air.
For sorry cure for all their ills
Were silver plains or ruby hills,
And small the power of gold to bless
The starved wretch in the wilderness.
Beside one day of life in Spain,
With vineyards sloping to the plain
From pastured hills to fields of grain,
Oh! poor were El Dorado's gold,
Golconda's diamond wealth untold
And riches vast of Ophir old.
As toward the far horizon sank
The sun, beheld transmuted lie
The turbid stream to silver by
The sunbeams' potent alchemy—
The clouds as gold became
Or glowing rubies to the gaze
When touched by the last upward rays
From the hidden fount of flame.
But what were sunset's gorgeous dyes,
Or silver waters to the eyes
Of men worn out with care?
If they, unclad and starving, thought
Save of their hard and hapless lot,
And for the bright mirage cared aught,
'T was mockery of the wealth they sought,
Elusive as the air.
For sorry cure for all their ills
Were silver plains or ruby hills,
And small the power of gold to bless
The starved wretch in the wilderness.
Beside one day of life in Spain,
With vineyards sloping to the plain
From pastured hills to fields of grain,
Oh! poor were El Dorado's gold,
Golconda's diamond wealth untold
And riches vast of Ophir old.
As gathered 'round the shades of night,
The Spaniards' bivouac fires gleamed bright.
Amid that strong but changeful glow
There stood a camp-hut small and low
Of plaited reeds and bison skin;
Upon a bed of furs within
The Spanish leader dying lay,
His life by fevers worn away.
His sunken cheeks were ghastly pale,
His sunken eyes did wholly fail
Of that erst deep, determined light
Which oft had blazed in bloody fight.
Thin, shrunken, feeble lay the hand
Which once so well the weighty brand
Or ponderous battle-ax had swung.
In feeble murmurs on his tongue
Faltered the voice that oft had pealed
In stern, strong shout on battle-field.
His last commands he gave:
The Spaniards' bivouac fires gleamed bright.
Amid that strong but changeful glow
There stood a camp-hut small and low
Of plaited reeds and bison skin;
Upon a bed of furs within
The Spanish leader dying lay,
His life by fevers worn away.
His sunken cheeks were ghastly pale,
His sunken eyes did wholly fail
Of that erst deep, determined light
Which oft had blazed in bloody fight.
Thin, shrunken, feeble lay the hand
Which once so well the weighty brand
Or ponderous battle-ax had swung.
In feeble murmurs on his tongue
Faltered the voice that oft had pealed
In stern, strong shout on battle-field.
His last commands he gave:
"Hew out this night from the cypress tree
A coffin heavy and strong for me;
For before the light of another day,
'Neath yon river my body you must lay
Where none may find my grave;
That no teeth of wolf nor beak of crow,
Nor the knife of the savage, brutal foe
De Soto's corpse shall mar;
But with my body I'll link my name
To earth's grandest river, and thus my fame
Shall be borne to ages far,
And the mire of this vast stream shall be
Instead of a marble tomb to me."
De Soto changed his theme:
"Bear my dying love to my faithful wife;
She is dearer to me by far than life,
Or e'en than ambition's dream.
God pity that heart so strained and sore
That waits for me on the Cuban shore;
It will break when the tidings come [and it did]
That its idol's form is forever hid
'Neath this turbid stream's eternal sweep,
So far away and so vast and deep."
A coffin heavy and strong for me;
For before the light of another day,
'Neath yon river my body you must lay
Where none may find my grave;
That no teeth of wolf nor beak of crow,
Nor the knife of the savage, brutal foe
De Soto's corpse shall mar;
But with my body I'll link my name
To earth's grandest river, and thus my fame
Shall be borne to ages far,
And the mire of this vast stream shall be
Instead of a marble tomb to me."
De Soto changed his theme:
"Bear my dying love to my faithful wife;
She is dearer to me by far than life,
Or e'en than ambition's dream.
God pity that heart so strained and sore
That waits for me on the Cuban shore;
It will break when the tidings come [and it did]
That its idol's form is forever hid
'Neath this turbid stream's eternal sweep,
So far away and so vast and deep."
Scarce could be heard the last words weak,
And then De Soto ceased to speak,
As though for failing breath.
One quivering gasp, one faintest sob,
And that strong heart had ceased to throb;
Victor at last was Death.
And then De Soto ceased to speak,
As though for failing breath.
One quivering gasp, one faintest sob,
And that strong heart had ceased to throb;
Victor at last was Death.
'Twas the lone hour midway between
Sad midnight's gloom and morn's glad sheen;
Above the eastern forest's rim
The shrunken moon through vapors dim
A weird and melancholy gleam
Cast on the woods, the plain, the stream.
By mingled moon- and camp-fire's light
Was done the last sad funeral rite.
Then six strong men the coffin bore
In silence to the river shore.
A rude raft by the bank was moored—
Drift-logs with thongs of bark secured.
On this frail float the bearers placed
The coffin and embarked in haste
And pushed it from the river side
With pole and paddle stoutly plied.
Advantage of an eddy ta'en,
The middle waters soon they gain,
And push the coffin overboard.
In armor clad and girt with sword,
In greenwood shroud weighted with stone,
Down goes De Soto to his lone,
Dark bed forevermore;
While the six bearers make their way
Against the current as they may
To the camp upon the shore.
Sad midnight's gloom and morn's glad sheen;
Above the eastern forest's rim
The shrunken moon through vapors dim
A weird and melancholy gleam
Cast on the woods, the plain, the stream.
By mingled moon- and camp-fire's light
Was done the last sad funeral rite.
Then six strong men the coffin bore
In silence to the river shore.
A rude raft by the bank was moored—
Drift-logs with thongs of bark secured.
On this frail float the bearers placed
The coffin and embarked in haste
And pushed it from the river side
With pole and paddle stoutly plied.
Advantage of an eddy ta'en,
The middle waters soon they gain,
And push the coffin overboard.
In armor clad and girt with sword,
In greenwood shroud weighted with stone,
Down goes De Soto to his lone,
Dark bed forevermore;
While the six bearers make their way
Against the current as they may
To the camp upon the shore.
Despite the watchful picket chain
And guards who paced their beats in vain,
One unsuspected Indian eye
De Soto's funeral did espy—
The eye of one who long had seen
With growing satisfaction keen
The toil-worn Spaniards day by day
Sink down upon their weary way;
And when he saw his bitterest foe
Plunge down to lie forever low
Beneath this gloomy water's flow,
He deemed the remnant's speedy fate
Was sure enough e'en for his hate,
And naught was left that he should care
Life's galling burden more to bear.
His son, the flower of all his pride,
Slain fighting bravely by his side,
Slain by an escopeta ball
Behind Mauvila's wooden wall,
With power, home and kindred gone,
Naught left in life to lean upon.
And guards who paced their beats in vain,
One unsuspected Indian eye
De Soto's funeral did espy—
The eye of one who long had seen
With growing satisfaction keen
The toil-worn Spaniards day by day
Sink down upon their weary way;
And when he saw his bitterest foe
Plunge down to lie forever low
Beneath this gloomy water's flow,
He deemed the remnant's speedy fate
Was sure enough e'en for his hate,
And naught was left that he should care
Life's galling burden more to bear.
His son, the flower of all his pride,
Slain fighting bravely by his side,
Slain by an escopeta ball
Behind Mauvila's wooden wall,
With power, home and kindred gone,
Naught left in life to lean upon.
A cypress tree-trunk large and lone,
Long since by tempests overthrown,
Reached from the bank out far and low
Above the mighty currents flow.
Out on this trunk as careless trod
The chief as though the way were broad.
Then wildly on the night did ring
The death song of the Indian king.
And first in boastful phrases told
The hunter and the warrior bold
Of feats in chase and battle done
And many a bloody victory won.
Then mingled in the boastful song
The strains of woe o'erpowering strong;
Though pride would fain have hid the grief
Unworthy of an Indian chief,
And dark despair that still outbroke,
Though apathy strove hard to choke,
As northern torrents black with mud
Rend the strong ice at springtime flood.
Then Tascaluza's dirge-like chant
Rose to a battle scream;
That giant form so deathly gaunt
Plunged far into the stream.
The waters with a rippling moan
O'er the plumed head did close.
Both in one grave, deep, vast and lone,
Lay those two leader foes.
It scarcely needs these rhymes to tell
What every reader guesses well,
That when the Spaniards' princess slave
And with her young Atcamba brave
With one quick dash their 'scape made good
Through water deep and tangled wood,
Successfully their way they made
Back from the Tensaw's gloomy glade
To the Tronatisca'sside;
And that ere long they had been there
Was Cofachiqui wise and fair
Brave young Atcamba's bride;
That many were their happy years,
Unclouded by the woes and fears
The ruthless Spaniards gave;
Nor dreamed they of the distant day
When, e'en their children's children gray
Long sleeping in the grave,
The Anglo-Saxon stern should come,
With ax and plow or gun and drum,
To rend their remnant from their home
On distant western plains to roam;
Less cruel than the Spaniard's hate,
Inexorable, yet, as fate.
Long since by tempests overthrown,
Reached from the bank out far and low
Above the mighty currents flow.
Out on this trunk as careless trod
The chief as though the way were broad.
Then wildly on the night did ring
The death song of the Indian king.
And first in boastful phrases told
The hunter and the warrior bold
Of feats in chase and battle done
And many a bloody victory won.
Then mingled in the boastful song
The strains of woe o'erpowering strong;
Though pride would fain have hid the grief
Unworthy of an Indian chief,
And dark despair that still outbroke,
Though apathy strove hard to choke,
As northern torrents black with mud
Rend the strong ice at springtime flood.
Then Tascaluza's dirge-like chant
Rose to a battle scream;
That giant form so deathly gaunt
Plunged far into the stream.
The waters with a rippling moan
O'er the plumed head did close.
Both in one grave, deep, vast and lone,
Lay those two leader foes.
It scarcely needs these rhymes to tell
What every reader guesses well,
That when the Spaniards' princess slave
And with her young Atcamba brave
With one quick dash their 'scape made good
Through water deep and tangled wood,
Successfully their way they made
Back from the Tensaw's gloomy glade
To the Tronatisca'sside;
And that ere long they had been there
Was Cofachiqui wise and fair
Brave young Atcamba's bride;
That many were their happy years,
Unclouded by the woes and fears
The ruthless Spaniards gave;
Nor dreamed they of the distant day
When, e'en their children's children gray
Long sleeping in the grave,
The Anglo-Saxon stern should come,
With ax and plow or gun and drum,
To rend their remnant from their home
On distant western plains to roam;
Less cruel than the Spaniard's hate,
Inexorable, yet, as fate.
THE END.
- ↑ Li! li! li!—the battle cry of the Moors.