Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/205

Rh I struck my horse: with awful bound he rose right o'er their steel!

"Well, boy, I cannot tell you how that dreadful leap was made. But there I rode, inside the square, and grasped a reeking blade. I cared not that I was alone, my eyes seem filled with blood: I never thought a man could feel in such a murderous mood. I parried not, nor guarded thrusts; I felt not pain or wound. But madly spurred the frantic horse, and swept my sword around. I tried to reach the standard sheet; but there at last was foiled. The gallant horse was jaded now, and from the steel recoiled. They saw his fright, and pressed him then: his terror made him rear. And falling back he crushed their ranks, and broke their guarded square!