56 THE F0RKSTER3. 



Phosphoric lights their pallid gleams displayed. 



Sudden a horrid human shriek we hear, 



That shot its terrors through our startled ear ; 



44 Ha ! are you there !" the watchful Duncan cried, 



44 Halt ! fix your bayonets, and look out ahead V* 



A second scream announced the panther nigh, 



The dark woods echoing back the rueful cry; 



Still as the grave suspending every breath, 



Steady we stood to mark its passing path, 



Prepared, and eager for one deadly aim, 



To pour destruction through its tawny frame ; 



But vain our listening ; nothing seemed awake, 



Save the lone murmer of the neighboring lake ; 



All else lay dead and silent as before ; 



And even the distant wolf was heard no more. 



Amidst this deep Egyptian darkness lost, 

 Our faithful pilot ne'er forsook his post ; 

 But knew, or seemed to know, each swamp and pond, 

 And kept his steady course unerring on. 

 Behold ! in front, a spreading radiance gleams ! 

 Wide glowing, ruddy and immense it seems, 

 Such as the rising moon's broad orb bestows, 

 When up night's starry vault she solemn goes, 

 Each moment brightening, lo ! to our amaze, 

 The woods on fire in ardent fury blaze; 

 Dark trees before us of gigantic size, 

 In deeper shades in gloomy pomp arise ; 

 The flames beyond, ascending with them bear 

 Thick clouds of sparkling smoke that fill the air. 



