Page:What cheer, or, Roger Williams in banishment (1896).pdf/152

 Across the glade a new assailant stole; The blaze reviving showed his movements well; And Williams sprang his warrior to sustain, Just as he strained the yielding bow again.

L.

But as he drew the arrow to the head, The cord snapt short; he dashed the weapon down, And leaping from the rock upon the glade, With glittering scalping-knife and haughty frown, Before the assailant stood, who paused, surveyed,— Measuring the hunter's height from heel to crown,— Then, swift as thought, the vengeful hatchet sent; At Waban's head the well-aimed weapon went.

LI.

But well the wary hunter knew his foe And read his murderous purpose in his eye; He marked the coming steel, and, bending low, Let it pass on and cleave the air on high; Behind him rings the cliff with shivering blow, And far around its scattered atoms fly; Then with wild yells they wave the scalping-knife, Together rush, and thrust and strike for life.

LII.

O! 'twas a fearful scene—a moment dire; For on the issue of that contest lay The lives of infants, mother, and of sire, And the fair fame that crowns a distant day. Soon closed the champions by the glimmering fire, Limbs locked in limbs in terrible affray; They writhe—they wrench—they stagger to and fro, Hands grasping hands that aim the fatal blow.