Alarumed by the dreadful word Some warning tongue thus utters, The settler’s wife, like mother bird, About her young ones flutters.
Her first-born, rustling from a soft Leaf-couch, the roof close under, Glides down the ladder from the loft, With eyes of dreamy wonder.
The pioneer flings open wide The cabin door, naught fearing; The grim woods drowse on every side, Around the lonely clearing.
“Come in! come in! nor like an owl Thus hoot your doleful humors; What fiend possesses you, to howl Such crazy, coward rumors?”
The herald strode into the room; That moment, through the ashes, The back-log struggled into bloom Of gold and crimson flashes.
The glimmer lighted up a face, And o’er a figure dartled, So eerie, of so solemn grace, The bluff backwoodsman startled.
The brow was gathered to a frown, The eyes were strangely glowing, And, like a snow-fall drifting down, The stormy beard went flowing.
The tattered cloak that round him clung Had warred with foulest weather; Across his shoulders broad were flung Brown saddlebags of leather.
One pouch with hoarded seed was packed, From Pennland cider-presses; The other garnered book and tract Within its creased recesses.
A glance disdainful and austere, Contemptuous of danger, Cast he upon the pioneer, Then spake the uncouth stranger:
“Heed what the Lord’s anointed saith; Hear one who would deliver Your bodies and your souls from death; List ye to John the Giver.
“Thou trustful boy, in spirit wise Beyond thy father’s measure, Because of thy believing eyes I share with thee my treasure.
“Of precious seed this handful take; Take next this Bible Holy: In good soil sow both gifts, for sake Of Him, the meek and lowly.
“Farewell! I go!--the forest calls My life to ceaseless labors; Wherever danger’s shadow falls I fly to save my neighbors.
“I save; I neither curse nor slay; I am a voice that crieth In night and wilderness. Away! Whoever doubteth, dieth!”
The prophet vanished in the night, Like some fleet ghost belated; Then, awe-struck, fled with panic fright The household, evil-fated.
They hurried on with stumbling feet, Foreboding ambuscado; Bewildered hope told of retreat In frontier palisado.
But ere a mile of tangled maze Their bleeding hands had broken, Their home-roof set the dark ablaze, Fulfilling doom forespoken.