The Black Swans 



The Coming of the Cattle 



Ever as the evening shadows 



Deepen o'er the plains and prairies, 



Ever as the darkness gathers 



'Round the foot-hills and the mountains, 



In the fire-light there are phantoms, 



In the pine-trees mystic murmurs, 



Spirit voices calling ever 



From the land beyond the sun-set. 



There is moon-light on the mesa, 



Stars are shining o'er the sages, 



And the night-wind from the desert 



Bears upon its wings the wailing 



Of the red men in their lodges, 



Of the dwellers in the canons, 



Of the children of the vegas, 



Of the bison on the meadows, 



Of the grizzlies in the gulches, 



Of the wolves upon the barrens; 



And forever in the gloaming 



As the Great Bear watches o'er them 



Can be heard their plaintive story 



Of the peace upon the ranges, 



Of the fatness of the grazing, 



Of the plenty in the valleys, 



Of the shelter in the forest 



In the days before the coming 



Of the pale-face and the cattle. 



[94] 



