48 THE WHITE CHARGER'S STORY. 



And I could see my master, beside the watch-fire's light, 

 His face was calm and earnest, his eye was clear and 

 bright. 



" Oh ! what," he said, reflecting, to his comrade by his 



side, 

 " Will they think home in England if we lose to-morrow's 



ride? ; ' 

 " We can but try our hardest ! " the other said in turn ; 

 "The men have pluck and spirit, 'tis easy to discern." 



And then, with the morning waking, we saw the gathering 



force 

 Of the dark-faced Indian tribesmen, both skirmishers and 



horse ; 

 We saw them on the mountain, we saw them in the glen ; 

 We knew we had to reckon with dashing, daring men. 



How still my master sat me ; how firm his seat and hand ; 

 How cool and calm his orders to his gallant fighting 



band. 

 And up the glen we saw them, the dark-faced warriors 



stood, 

 Possessed of a strong position, and thirsting for our blood. 



Then came the stirring order that made the pulses beat, 

 "Trot ! — gallop ! — charge I !" the Colonel cried, and turned 

 round in his seat. 



