No. 119]
A Ballad of Pigwacket
345
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Then having scalp'd the Indian, they went back to the spot,
Where they had laid their packs down, but there they found them not,
For the Indians having spy'd them, when they them down did lay,
Did seize them for their plunder, and carry them away. - These rebels lay in ambush, this very place hard by,
So that an English soldier did one of them espy,
And cried out, "here's an Indian," with that they started out,
As fiercely as old lions, and hideously did shout. - With that our valiant English, all gave a loud huzza,
To shew the rebel Indians they fear'd them not a straw :
So now the fight began, and as fiercely as could be,
The Indians ran up to them, but soon were forced to flee. - Then spake up Captain Lovewell, when first the fight began
"Fight on my valiant heroes ! you see they fall like rain."
For as we are inform'd, the Indians were so thick,
A man could scarcly fire a gun and not some of them hit. - Then did the rebels try their best our soldiers to surround,
But they could not accomplish it, because there was a pond,
To which our men retreated and covered all the rear,
The rogues were forc'd to flee them, altho' they skulked for fear. - Two logs there were behind them that close together lay,
Without being discovered, they could not get away ;
Therefore our valiant English, they travell'd in a row,
And at a handsome distance as they were wont to go. - 'Twas ten o'clock in the morning, when first the fight begun,
And fiercely did continue until the setting sun ;
Excepting that the Indians some hours before 'twas night,
Drew off into the bushes and ceas'd a while to fight, - But soon again returned, in fierce and furious mood,
Shouting as in the morning, but yet not half so loud;
For as we are informed, so thick and fast they fell,
Scarce twenty of their number, at night did get home well.
