Page:Where the Dead Men Lie.djvu/52

30 Far out, along a snow-capped range, There rose a sound which echoed strange: Where snow-emburthen'd branches hang, And flashing icicles, there rang A gay refrain, as towards the plain Sped swiftly downward Carl the Dane.

His long, lithe snow-shoes sped along In easy rhythm to his song; Now slowly circling round the hill, Now speeding downward with a will; The crystals crash and blaze and flash As o'er the frozen crust they dash.

Among the hills the first he shone Of all who buckled snow-shoe on; For though the mountain lads were fleet, But one bold rival dare compete, To veer and steer, devoid of fear, Beside this strong-limbed mountaineer.

'Twas Davy Eccleston who dared To cast the challenge: If Carl cared On shoes to try their mutual pace, Then let him enter for the race, Which might be run by anyone— A would-be champion. Carl said 'Done!'