The league of the Iroquois and other legends : from the Indian muse

THE BATTLE. 263
Dim rose the Hill, in darkness walled,
The pines their midnight shadows cast ;
But dreader sight their hearts appalled
When tardy morning broke at last.
And oh ! how fear to terror grew
As farthest wigwam closing round,
The huge and wide-mouthed reptile drew
His scaly length along the ground.
^
Encircling all the town his size
Enormous barring all the way,
With clanging jaws and glaring eyes,
The frightful reptile horrid lay.
Then bravely forth, with shaft and bow,
The warriors swift to battle flew ;
With vigorous arm, expert to throw
The pointed missile, strong and true.
And woman there forgot her fear,
And dauntless bore, like noble brave,
The warrior-bow and shaft and spear,
And many a thrust the monster gave.