Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/209

Rh 'Twas strange the strength and love of life that standard seemed to give! I gazed around: far down the vale I saw a campfire's glow. With wandering step I ran that way,—I recked not friend or foe. Though stumbling now o'er heaps of dead, now o'er a stiffened horse, I heeded not, but watched the light, and held my onward course. But soon that flash of strength had failed, and checked my feverish speed; Again my throat was all ablaze, my wounds began to bleed. I knew that if I fell again, my chance of life was gone, So, leaning on the standard-pole, I still kept struggling on. At length I neared the camp-fire: there were scarlet jackets round, And swords and brazen helmets lay strewn upon the ground.