422
THE ARMORER'S ERRAND
The might of the waterfall thundered in air;
Then across to the lake, six leagues and more,
Where Hand's Cove lay in the bending shore.
The goal was reached. He dropped to the ground
In a deep ravine, without word or sound;
And Sleep, the restorer, bade him rest
Like a weary child, on the earth's brown breast.
Then across to the lake, six leagues and more,
Where Hand's Cove lay in the bending shore.
The goal was reached. He dropped to the ground
In a deep ravine, without word or sound;
And Sleep, the restorer, bade him rest
Like a weary child, on the earth's brown breast.
At midnight he woke with a quick heart-beat,
And sprang with a will to his throbbing feet;—
For armed men swarmed in the dim ravine,
And Ethan Allen, as proud of mien
As a king on his throne, smiled down on him,
While he stretched and straightened each stiffened limb.
"Nay, nay," said the Colonel, "take your rest,
As a knight who has done his chief's behest!"
And sprang with a will to his throbbing feet;—
For armed men swarmed in the dim ravine,
And Ethan Allen, as proud of mien
As a king on his throne, smiled down on him,
While he stretched and straightened each stiffened limb.
"Nay, nay," said the Colonel, "take your rest,
As a knight who has done his chief's behest!"
"Not yet!" cried the armorer. "Where's my gun?
A knight fights on till the field is won!"
And into Fort Ti, ere dawn of day,
He stormed with his comrades to share the fray!
A knight fights on till the field is won!"
And into Fort Ti, ere dawn of day,
He stormed with his comrades to share the fray!
