86
RATTLING-CLAW
Here in the hostile upland, Rattling-Claw,
Groomed by the keen wind, the alpine sun,
Waxed opulent with beauty; in maidenhood
She blossomed like a lily, a crimson lily,
Wafted as seedling from a lowland swamp
To chilling solitude of timber-line,
And come, by stroke of chance, to rich ripe fruit—
When mellow sun brought flushed maturity
To all her sisters in the far savanne.
Groomed by the keen wind, the alpine sun,
Waxed opulent with beauty; in maidenhood
She blossomed like a lily, a crimson lily,
Wafted as seedling from a lowland swamp
To chilling solitude of timber-line,
And come, by stroke of chance, to rich ripe fruit—
When mellow sun brought flushed maturity
To all her sisters in the far savanne.
I recollect the night I came on them.
The District Ranger, fearing forest-fires,
Had sent me out to run down flaming stubs
Struck in the pineries by lightning-flash.
A twilight caught me at the mountain lodge
Of Two-Guns-Calf; electing to break the night
With him, I picketed my mare, I flung
My blankets down and shared his food and flame.
The District Ranger, fearing forest-fires,
Had sent me out to run down flaming stubs
Struck in the pineries by lightning-flash.
A twilight caught me at the mountain lodge
Of Two-Guns-Calf; electing to break the night
With him, I picketed my mare, I flung
My blankets down and shared his food and flame.
While Two-Guns pried me gently for the news
Of Val Brillant, his daughter set the bowls
Of steaming wild-rice, the roast of venison.
And as we spoke, she lingered at my side,
Solicitous of every mood and whim,
Of Val Brillant, his daughter set the bowls
Of steaming wild-rice, the roast of venison.
And as we spoke, she lingered at my side,
Solicitous of every mood and whim,
