Page 182 - The model orator, or, Young folks' speaker : containing the choicest recitations and readings from the best authors for schools, public entertainments, social gatherings, Sunday schools, etc. : including recitals in prose and verse ...

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a siK'iiiCiiL lie delayed, when h:s brave resolve was made.
Why, my man," his com races told him wheu they knew his daring
plan,
‘ V" o u ar e goi 1:g 1 si raight to death.'J But; be an swered„ ;' Save your
breath,10
I may fail to get to Crawford’s but T'll r!o the best T can.”

O'tir the forest rail lie sped,s and his thoughts flow on ahead
To the little band at Crawford's, thinking not of danger near,
"Ob, God help ir.c save,” cried lie, “ little lies*! ” And fast and free
Trusty Nell bn re oil tlie hero of the far-a way frontier.

T,fnv and lower sank (lie s:mrLl IJc drew rein at Rocky Rur. ;
;i Here7 these men met death. my Nellie/' and he stroked his shorse'
mane:
“ So -will they we go to warn, ere the breaking of the morn,
IF we fail, God help u v L JMellie I’J Then he gave his horse the rein.

Sharp and keen a rifle-shot woke the echoes of the npot.17
ffOh, my Nellie,:JJ T am wounded,1’ cried Venarez with a moan,
And the warm blood from his side spurted oi.it in a red tide,
And he trembled in the saddle, and his face had ashy grown,

" I will save them1 yet." be cried. Bessie Lee shall know 1 died
h otr 111.r sake.'' And then be halted in the shelter of a hill :
Vron; his buckskin slilj't he took, ■with. weak hands a little book ;
Ai:d lie tore a blank leaf from it. “ This,” 1 said lie, “ shall be my
will."

From a branch a twig he broke, and he dipped l;is pen of oak
hi the red blood th;*t was dripping from the wound below the heart.
“ Rouse,11 he wrote, too late, Red Rhone's warriors lie in wait.
Good-by, J5es;s 1 God bless you always.” Then he felt tlie warm
tears start.