THE SEA-SERPENT. 
101 
much in error, because his Snakeship, passing 
these, pushed madly after those that ran ; the sen¬ 
tinels the moment seize, and, taking aim as Yan¬ 
kees cart, they fire, and hit him near the eye, 
and blind him so he cannot see ; now ’t is the 
serpent’s turn to fly from soldiers who no 
longer flee. He turns to fly, — but, eyesight 
gone, and smarting still with many a wound, cut 
up with shot, on land, forlorn, he writhed with 
rage along the ground. Meanwhile, the soldiers 
bravely form between him and the rocky shore, 
and from their blazing ranks a storm of well- 
aimed bullets swiftly pour. From the camp 
their cannon, blazing, rain upon him shot and 
ball; — oft they hit him ; — his amazing strength 
seems conqueror over all. Onward to the shore 
he charges, borne by instinct or by chance ; — 
every heart with fear enlarges, lest they lose 
him; — they advance, and boldly with their 
swords attack him, and stab, and pierce, and 
hew, and hack him ! Onward to the cliff he 
drags his body ; — weaker seems he now ; — 
