The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1883-08-10


Twas the Pascasouls warriors
Who in fearful numbers stood,
Ready, at their cheittain's signal,
10 begin the work OF blood.
Soon the signal dread was given
Forth like panthers fierce they sprung
On that throng Of maidens
Who hut hate, 50 sweetly sung,
Bnt the hearts of the Biloxis
Though. suppressed, knew no fear;
Down they threw the bridal torches
Up they snatehed the bow aud spear.
Then the voice of bold Altama
Swelling mid the strife arose,
Cheering 10 his chosen warriors
Bearing terror to hls foes.
w.
"on my braves, the rascagsulas
on have met you IN the field,
You have ever been the vi ,tors
Seorn them even now to yield.
Neryeless arms direct their arrows.
Cowarls hearts heat In their breasts
And your sheats sf bold defiance
Shake with feai their waving errsts.
Night, they deemed would hide their ter
rOr,
But let true hearts follow nae,
And IA ever these false foemen
Shall before us sw iftly nee.s
V.
Onward pressed the brave Altama,
Near him all his warrior stood;
Aud their weapons soon were stained
With the foul Invaders blood,
Long and web this brave band battled
'Ganst far superior foe;
Womans danger made them stronger
Gave fresh vigor TO each blow
Maidrns, matrons, helpless children
stood behind like heightened deer,
As the fearful sound Of battle
Smote upon each startled ear.
Sous aud sires, husbands, lovers,
We're engaged In deadly strife,
Aud with every blow they thought of
Maiden, mnther, sister, wife.
And they felt thai " they Yielded
All these cherished ones must 20
Captivcs, without hope of ransom,
To the wigwams Of the foe.
Faster flew the deadly arrows,
Many brave Biloxis fell
Still they yielded not, but listen,
Whence uruse that fearful yell
Twas another baud of toemen
Fresh Tor battle aud for blood
Rushing ou the helpless women
Who behind the battle stood.
10 the heart ofevery warrior
Pierced their shrill despairing cry
Aud liko lions ehaied and wounded
Fierccly back they turned to die.
Like u storm Altama leading
Leaving ruin IN their track,
Burst they on their fierce assailants
Aud with fury drove them back,
Then they hurried the defenceless
Where rude entrenchment rose,
Near the margin of the waters
To protect then from their foes.
Scarcely had they gained the refuge
When above the solem wood
Rose the morning moon, and shed her
Silver radiance Ger the flood.
Then they saw each others faces,
Saw their number. oh, how few;
Only fifty Of five hundred
Who the bow in battle drew:
And OF these, not one unwonnded
Now remained ; but OF the foe
Fifteen hundred there were lying
BY the hand of death laid low.
fhes- gazed in each Others faces,
But no light OF hope was there
Every brow bore m expression
That Of hxed and firm despair.
For thousand Pascagoulas
Closed them round, aud could they hopo
Wounded rs they were. and wearicd,
With such fearful odds to copef
Then stood forth the bold Altama,
Bleeding still from many wound,
And In firm. unfaltering accents
! Spoke 10 those who stood around.
vi.
1--WE mot at days decline, my braves
A large and joyous band,
Aud now the remnant Of our tribe
We here at midnight stand,
Full many of our warriors true
Now strew the battle plain,
Aud We have fought as men should fight
Aud fought, alas IN vain.
Though wouudsa all your hearts, kno'
Will never brock to yield.
For ye the yoke as proudly scorn
As flying from the field.
Your noble forms were never made
To tamely bend to those
Who now with hatred IN their hearts
Our little band enclose.
Wher, Ia our refuge theni the waves
Which murmer softy Ugh
Like spirits gently call the brave
la their embrace to die.
Ii here we fall, our scalp-locks soon
Will swell the foeman's pride,
And they will tell their eager youth
That We ignobly died,
Our women aud our children too
week defenceless band
Torn from their own lovely homes away
Will swell the victor's band.
Oh! rather let these waters now,
Around US darkly close,
And lot our bodies near the land
We loved In life, repose;
In death III be your leader still,
I'll lead you in the wavel
Who by my side will first advance
To freedom and u gravel
VII.
Forth there sprang the fair Anola
To the dauntlcss chieftain's side
Saying yield that sad sweet office
To thine own devoted bride.
True, thou art the mountain eagle,
|, the gentle fimid dove,
Yet, I've felt my nature stronger
Since thou gavest INC thy love-
VIII
Flashed the eye Of bsld Altama
A he raised the wild death song;
With his bride no sought tho walers
Followed by a Mingled throng;