When the dawn fell on Samoa,
Ruins lay at every turn;
Hundreds rested 'neath the billows—
Who would make their home-fires burn?
Anguish painted every feature
Of the gallant Trenton's crew;
Knew they well—yes, every creature—
Soon they'd lie beneath the blue.
Ruins lay at every turn;
Hundreds rested 'neath the billows—
Who would make their home-fires burn?
Anguish painted every feature
Of the gallant Trenton's crew;
Knew they well—yes, every creature—
Soon they'd lie beneath the blue.
Heart and courage both were sinking;
"We are lost!" the brave men cried.
"Hold! Not yet," said Brown as, thinking,
He leaned o'er the doomed ship's side;
Then with head and eye uplifted,
He bade one and all, "Aloft!"
"To the rigging!" His voice drifted,
And the winds appeared more soft.
"We are lost!" the brave men cried.
"Hold! Not yet," said Brown as, thinking,
He leaned o'er the doomed ship's side;
Then with head and eye uplifted,
He bade one and all, "Aloft!"
"To the rigging!" His voice drifted,
And the winds appeared more soft.
Quick all clambered, for they loved him,
Every man obeyed his will.
Their bodies in the morning dim
Caught wind and held, until
The Trenton reached deep water.
Saved! And by a single mind
Held back from fearful slaughter,
Four hundred human kind!
Every man obeyed his will.
Their bodies in the morning dim
Caught wind and held, until
The Trenton reached deep water.
Saved! And by a single mind
Held back from fearful slaughter,
Four hundred human kind!
—45—
