University of Virginia Library

The little thing I tell about
Happened, you see, when I was out
In the last war. I used to do
My duty, like a soldier true,
And all my company were brave
Men as e'er saw a standard wave.
Our courage was so noted grown
That through the army we were known,
From what, in many a bloody fight,
We'd “gi'n and took,” as “Death's Delight.”
I say the men were all true blue;
Each one some feat of prowess knew,
And rough and ready, aye, to show—
Except myself, of course, you know.
At last a little thing took place—
A chance for honor or disgrace—
Made some impression on my mind;
Tho', after all, 'twa'n't much, you'll find.
We then were stationed near the line,
This “true blue” company of mine;
The enemy just o'er the border
Were camp'd in scientific order;
And frequently our scouts were sent
To reconnoitre their intent.
One morn myself and others three
Were sent to see what we could see,
And warily we kept our tramp
Some two, three miles outside our camp,
Each man of us determined he
Some new thing to report would see;
And, faith! we saw, too late to hit one,
Three Indians scouting for the Briton.
They just from out the bush broke cover,
Pop! bang! and laid my comrades over.
It was a serious time for me,
Thus left a lone minority,
And so, thought I, here gives leg bail,
Or who'll be left to tell the tale?
So, gentlemen, you see I run,
Believe me, more for life than fun,
And being then young, strong, and fleet,
Grass did not grow beneath my feet.
Over my shoulder I could see
The three red devils after me;
And after running till I felt
That I should into soap-grease melt,
On looking back, I saw that one
Redskin the others had outrun,
And with his hatchet poised to throw,
Was just preparing for the blow.
I wheeled with desperate intent,
My eye along the barrel bent
And let its direful contents fly,
And blow'd him to eternity.
Then swift as ever on I run,
Reloading, as I ran, my gun,
Kicking off this, and then that shoe,—
Hard followed by the vengeful two!
I ran till at the point of death;
My heart throb'd hard, I gasped for breath:
But looking back, could see that one
Redskin the other had outrun.
And with his hatchet poised to throw,
Was just preparing for the blow.
I wheeled with desperate intent,
My eye along the barrel bent,
And let its direful contents fly,
And blow'd him to eternity!
Then on again I led the race;
Short seem'd to me my day of grace;
'Twas yet a good mile to the camp,
'Twixt it and me a miry swamp,
Where 'twere impossible to run;
But I reloaded my good gun
While running like a panting deer
With bloodhounds gaping in his rear.
Just as I neared the swamp, I knew
The game was o'er, the race was through;
The sweat was steaming thro' my coat,
My heart seem'd right here, in my throat,
My knees felt weak, my eyes grew dim,
All things around appeared to swim;
But still resolved was I to make
One effort more, for life's dear sake;
So turning round, I yet could see
The Redskin no great way from me,
And with his hatchet poised to throw,
Was just preparing for the blow.
I wheeled with desperate intent,
My eye along the barrel bent,
And—“Hang it, Uncle Mose!” cried one,
“You blowed him, also;—do have done!”

No, gentlemen, drawled Uncle Mose,
As with a quiet air he rose
To go; no, gentlemen, said he,
That fellow,—d-a-a-mn him! he killed me!