Alabama, 19 15. 71 



Cold gray eye, with snap in the air and rush of wings o'erhead 

 And sprinkle of rain is a joyful cause and sun's glare turns to red ; 

 Mark to the right! and the quick, short snap that pops from the 



tube of steel, 

 And feathered flock drives up from the shock with many a dart and 

 reel — 



Ho, for the bird, Boy ! 

 Charge ! You are heard, Boy ! 

 Wait for the speeding flight! 



Muscle and bone, and the blood-red tone — gifts of the golden wild ; 

 Quick'ning pulse, and the huntsman's pride, and tender heart of a 



child 

 That does not kill, nor wanton slay, but follows man-made law of 



the day 

 With the pagan tang that always sang in the blood of the primal 

 way — 



So, eyes down the wind, Boy ! 

 Follow and find, Boy/ 

 Ho, for the autumn flight ! 



— Chas. G. Sumner. 



